Wednesday, January 29, 2020

Apple : 30 million payment cards listed on fraud marketplace

Apple : 30 million payment cards listed on fraud marketplace

30 million payment cards listed on fraud marketplace

Posted: 29 Jan 2020 01:56 PM PST

Hackers have put the payment card details of more than 30m Americans and over one million foreigners up for sale on the Internet's largest carding fraud forum, Joker's Stash.

The latest “card dump” was listed under the name BIGBADABOOM-III on Joker's Stash but security experts at Gemini Advisory have traced the stolen card data back to the US East Coast convenience store chain Wawa.

Back in December, Wawa disclosed a major security breach in which the company admitted that hackers had planted malware on its point-of-sale (POS) systems. According to the company, the malware collected the card details for all of its customers who used either credit or debit cards to buy goods or gasoline at all of its 860 convenience store locations.

To make matters worse, the malware operated for months between March and December of last year before it was finally removed from Wawa's systems.

Card details for sale

As a result of the prolonged infection period and the compromise of hundreds of different locations, the attackers behind the breach were able to collect quite a large cache of payment card details. In a blog post on its site, Gemini Advisory provided additional context on the scope of the Wawa data breach, saying:

“Since the breach may have affected over 850 stores and potentially exposed 30 million sets of payment records, it ranks among the largest payment card breaches of 2019, and of all time. It is comparable to Home Depot’s 2014 breach exposing 50 million customers’ data or to Target’s 2013 breach exposing 40 million sets of payment card data. Joker’s Stash has uploaded records from several major breaches in the past.”

Following the release of Gemini Advisory's report, Wawa released its own press release in which it said that the company is aware that customer card data is now being offered for sale online. The convenience store chain did not contest the accuracy of the report which effectively confirms that the latest Joker's Stash card dump originated from its systems.

According to Gemini Advisory, the details of US-issued cards from the Wawa data breach are being sold on the site for just $17 per card while those of international cards are priced much higher at $210 per card.

Via ZDNet

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Best Nintendo Switch accessories 2020: make the most of your hybrid console

Posted: 29 Jan 2020 01:18 PM PST

Whether you've just bought it or you've had it for a while, it's never a bad time to think about upgrading your Nintendo Switch console with some of the best Nintendo Switch accessories on the market. 

Nintendo's super portable Nintendo Switch console works right out of the box, which is great because it means you don't actually need anything to get started playing. But that doesn't mean there aren't a huge range of great Nintendo Switch accessories available to enhance your experience with the console. 

There's a whole range of cool things you can pick up—from a practical pro controller to make those longer play sessions more comfortable, to a stylish carry case and many other useful things in between. Whatever it is you're looking for, we've got you covered with this useful guide to the best Nintendo Switch accessories to buy from Nintendo itself as well as third-parties. 

Many of these Switch accessories are nice to have, look good and they can also help to enhance your gaming experience in a big way. But it's not just about making your gaming experience better. Screen protectors and carry cases will help you keep your console well-protected when you're out-and-about, while portable chargers can keep your Nintendo device going for longer. 

What we're saying is: there's a Nintendo Switch accessory out there for every need and budget. 

Read on for our pick of the best Nintendo Switch accessories that are currently available. We explain what they're used for, who needs them, and how they can be useful. And be sure to keep checking back, we'll update this list when new accessories you need to know about are launched.

If you're not particularly taken with the bundled Joy-Con controllers and want something a little more traditional, consider picking up the Nintendo Switch Pro controller as your next Nintendo Switch accessory.

Though the Joy-Con controllers do have a grip which unties them to form a single device, they don't come with traditional D-pads, and they don't look quite as ergonomically sound as these Pro controller upgrades do. 

With their motion controls, HD rumble and Amiibo support, these are a solid alternative to the original Nintendo Switch Joy-Con controllers that come in the box with a Switch. Xenoblade Chronicles, Super Smash Bros Ultimate and Splatoon 2-themed options are also available if you're able to spend a little more. 

The Nintendo Switch Pro controllers are great for single players, but you might want to pick up some extra Joy-Cons controllers to get gaming with a few friends... which brings us to our next Nintendo Switch accessory.

Unless you want to make the purchase of Joy-Con controllers a prerequisite for entry to your home, you're going to be found short if the opportunity arises for a multiplayer gaming sessions the next time a few friends pop round.

Switch Joy-Con color selections are growing all the time too. Alongside the neon red and blue and grey versions which were available at launch, it's now possible to pick up a matching neon yellow pair and a Splatoon 2-inspired neon pink and green set too. 

Joy-Con controllers can be purchased separately or in a pair, as your needs and budget allow. It's worth noting that you save a little on each individual controller by paying for a pair outright, however.

Letting your fragile Nintendo Switch jostle around in a bag during your commute into work or school isn't recommended, even though the Switch is relatively sturdy.

Cue the Power Shell Case from Nyko as our next Nintendo Switch accessory, which will give your hybrid console a bit more protection while traveling from A to B.

Not only does the Power Shell protect your coveted handheld, it charges it too (via a built-in 5000mAh battery pack) – doubling the Switch's battery life. All that, plus room to store up to 12 games and four SD cards, makes this a great option for the dedicated Nintendo Switch gamer. 

Nintendo also offer a variety of similar travel cases with special editions including Zelda, Splatoon and Mario Kart.

If you'd rather not buy a Pro controller for your Nintendo Switch but you would like your additional Joy-Con controllers to be slightly more comfortable when they’re being used separately, then a grip kit Switch accessory is always an option. 

This kit containing two controller grips and two thumb grips will make your slim Joy-Con controllers slightly bulkier, and more akin to a traditional controller shape, which should reduce any discomfort that would arise in a longer play session. 

If you're a fan of physical media over downloads, this is the Nintendo Switch accessory for you: a game card case for taking your Switch on the go. Even if you're just storing games at home, it's a better way of keeping your cartridges in order than piling up each of the individual game boxes. Nintendo offers its own cases in black or clear.

This compact one from HORI holds 24 Switch game cards and two microSD cards, which should keep you going for a good long while. 

  • You can purchase it for $10/£6. 

True LAN parties are actually possible on the Nintendo Switch, but only if you pick up an Ethernet adapter as your next Switch accessory – the console doesn't actually have a standard Ethernet port itself.

You can connect up to 10 docked Nintendo Switch consoles for an intense gaming tournament with your friends, and not have to worry about dodgy wireless connections. 

  • An officially branded Switch adapter accessory is now available for £25/$21.

As you might have noticed, the Joy-Con grip that comes boxed with your Nintendo Switch won't charge your Joy-Con controllers... but considering the Joy-Con controllers have around 20 hours of battery life in them, it shouldn't prove to be too much of a problem.

However, we all have those times post-play where we just throw our Switch controller on the sofa and walk away. If you just know you're likely to play with the grip frequently and forget to reattach the controllers to your docked console, this could be your next Nintendo Switch accessory.

  • It's not the cheapest of luxuries, though, yours for £25/$30 via the official Nintendo site.

Considering you buy protective accessories for your phone, and for your tablet, and for your laptop, we'd say it's also worth buying them for your Nintendo Switch to keep it secure and safe when it's undocked and on the move.

You can get this nifty Mario case officially licensed by Nintendo which includes a screen protector, earbuds, character-branded Joy-Con Armor Guards, thumb caps, cleaning cloth, and applicator for $20/£30.

If, however, you're less concerned about themed branding, there's also a starter kit from Orzly available which will set you back $13/£13.

We'd definitely recommend picking up this kit as your next Nintendo Switch accessory for the screen protector alone – bearing in mind we've seen reports of players scratching the tablet screen when docking the console for home play, they're worth investing in. 

A simple Switch accessory, but an important one, especially if you think you're going to be purchasing your games digitally rather than using game cards.

The Nintendo Switch only has 32GB of internal memory, and considering games like The Legend of Zelda will take up to around 13GB of that in one go, the ability to expand the console's memory is pretty much essential.

The Switch supports microSD and SDHC cards as well as SDXC cards of up to 2TB, even though the latter will seriously cost you – see the best options out there on our Nintendo Switch SD cards guide.

Think you'll probably play the Nintendo Switch in tabletop mode a lot? Then you'll want to look into purchasing the HORI playstand as a Switch accessory.

Although the Switch has a flip-out leg on its rear that will support it, it doesn't really leave any clearance for plugging a charging cable into the USB-C port on the console's base.

On the other hand, the HORI playstand is built to allow this, lifting the console off the surface you're playing on, as well as offering adjustable angles for more comfortable gaming. Legend of Zelda and Mario editions are also available from Nintendo.

  • As far as Switch accessories go, it's not overly expensive either, at £10/$13 or thereabouts.

Here's a Nintendo Switch accessory for those planning to use their console on the go a lot: a nice sturdy sturdy external battery pack is just the job for getting more gaming time in while you're away from home.

The Switch's portable battery life isn’t unreasonable, but it isn't stellar either, and since you can’t guarantee you're always going to be near a plug socket to top up its charge, a back up power source is handy (just make sure you always have a USB-C cable about your person to connect it too). 

These are our picks of the best portable battery packs to help you choose.

Given that it is mostly screen, we'd recommend buying some kind of protector for your Nintendo Switch console at your earliest opportunity.

Users have reported scratching their console when lifting it from the dock, but as anyone with a phone or tablet will know, you don't need a dock for accidents to happen – so this is definitely a worthy Switch accessory to add to your shopping list.

  • You can pick up third-party protectors created by Orzly for as little as $8/£8 on Amazon.

The Nintendo Switch itself may be a portable console, but its bulky dock isn't – and that's not ideal if you want to take the entire set up on the go to play on a TV that isn't your own.

Enter a third-party Switch accessory for that problem: Nyko has introduced a much smaller dock for the Nintendo Switch, one that's small enough to fit in the palm of your hand.

Being so tiny, it doesn't have the comforting stability of Nintendo's official dock, and nor does it include any USB ports, but it's a great on-the-go solution. With a recommended retail price of $50 (about £38) it's an affordable one, too.

The dock has been released and can be purchased on Nyko's official website. 

Do be warned before buying and using third-party docks for the Nintendo Switch, though – there have been reports that they're bricking player consoles and Nintendo is not open to repairing devices that have been damaged by unlicensed peripherals. Read the reviews carefully before buying.

While the Switch's Joy-Con controllers don't have dismal battery life, we do sometimes forget to charge them. If you're forever finding your battery is running low mid-game you might be interested in Nintendo's official Joy-Con battery packs during your Switch accessory shopping.

This battery pack will essentially slide onto the back of your Joy-Con controllers and power them using AA batteries. They do add slightly more bulk to the devices, but this might actually suit those who feel the Joy-Cons are on the small side. 

  • You can find these on Amazon UK for £17 and Amazon US for $22.

If you take your Nintendo Switch Mario Karting seriously, you might be interested in a Joy-Con steering wheel adaptor. This wireless wheel Switch accessory uses the motion sensors in the Joy-Con to allow you to feel like you're driving a real cart.

There's a learning curve to using these accessories, and they're on the small side, but they do add a new dimension to racing games. It's especially convenient that they come in a pair so you don't have to send your friends off to buy their own. Mario and Luigi editions are also available.

  • You can find these on the official Nintendo store for £13/$15 per pair. 

Part software, part hardware, Nintendo Labo is one of the coolest accessories that you have to get for your Nintendo Switch console. If building cardboard peripherals which work with real games and can be reprogrammed in whatever way you like sounds like a neat idea, then you definitely want to take a look at this.

Nintendo Labo is great for any kids and adults that have an interest in building, creating and tinkering around with tech, and Nintendo has been regularly releasing fresh updates to it as well.

This isn't the best gaming headset in the world, but it's one of the most intriguing when it comes to cheap gaming headsets. The HyperX Cloud Alpha is great for those who aren't hugely picky when it comes to their Nintendo Switch headset and simply want something affordable that does what it says on the tin.

Though it lacks both surround sound and style, the HyperX Cloud Alpha is the best headset in its price bracket. Its 2.1 stereo sound is top-notch, with its dual-chamber drivers producing less distortion and better low-end sounds. 

There's no getting around how adorable this Nintendo Switch carry case is - it's probably our favorite on the market. 

Officially licensed by Nintendo, this Pikachu-themed accessory comes in the form of a gold, metal case featuring everyone's favorite Pokémon.

The metal sheen and gold coloring is enough to sell this in our minds. You might not get the shock absorption of some of the other cases in this list, and you won't fit much in aside from the console itself and five game cartridges, but judging by looks alone Hori's case warrants a place. The lightning bolt design on the inner lining is pretty neat too.

If you're in the habit of allowing your Nintendo Switch's Joy-Cons run out of battery or you like to have a couple of sets charged at all times in case a friend drops by, then it's worth thinking about investing in a charging stand. Not only is it somewhere to keep your spare controllers when they're not in use, it pretty much guarantees you'll always have a pair that are charged and ready. 

These controller docks can be purchased for standard Joy-Cons or the Nintendo Switch Pro controller from Nintendo's official store or trusted third-parties. 

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Valentine's Day flowers: the best online flower delivery services

Posted: 29 Jan 2020 12:53 PM PST

February 14 is just around the corner, and if you, like many others, are searching for that perfect gift, then placing an online order for Valentine's Day flowers is always an easy and romantic option. You can order a beautiful floral arrangement in minutes from a variety of online retailers, including; 1-800-Flowers, Amazon, ProFlowers, Teleflora, and many more.

To help you sort through all the Valentine's Day offers, we've rounded up the best online flower delivery services in both the USA and the UK and listed their current promotions. We've also included delivery charges and made sure to mention if you can allocate specific days for delivery.

There's a fantastic range of bouquets and gifts available from our selection of florists below, and online delivery from a specialist means you don't have to worry about the usual hassle of buying from a store and getting them home safely. We'll be updating this page as we get closer to the big day so you can stay up to date with last-minute delivery fees.

More US Valentine's Day sales

  • Amazon - A wide selection of gifts for him, her, kids, pets and more
  • Walmart - Gifts that include flowers, jewelry, chocolates and perfume
  • Godiva Chocolates - Semi-annual sale, up to 60% off select products
  • Victoria's Secret - Semi-annual sale, up to 70% off sitewide
  • Shari's Berries - Same-day delivery in select areas
  • Lindt Chocolates - Free standard shipping on orders $75+ with code FREESHIP75
  • Nordstrom - Handpicked gifts that ship for free 
  • Overstock - Save on jewelry, watches, candles, and more
  • Target - A large selection of Valentine's Day candy, treats, and home decor

More UK Valentine's sales and deals

  • Amazon - a huge choice with super fast delivery options
  • Asos - save up to 70% on the latest fashion
  • Boohoo - up to 80% off everything
  • Lovehoney.co.uk - spice up your love life via the adults-only website
  • Travel Supermarket - book a romantic getaway today
  • Very.co.uk - gifts and fashion for him and for her

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The best PS4 Pro games: push your console to its 4K HDR limits

Posted: 29 Jan 2020 12:38 PM PST

There's no doubt about it: Sony's PS4 Pro is one of the best gaming consoles money can buy – maybe even the best. Well, until the PS5 and Xbox Series X launch at the end of the year.

But when it comes to stocking up on new games, it's worth doing your research. There are a lot of PS4 Pro games on offer and some will take advantage of the console's 4K HDR tech more than others. Not all PS4 Pro games are created equal.

The thing is, even calling them PS4 Pro games isn’t entirely accurate. Sony mandated, well into the PS4 Pro's life cycle, that all PlayStation 4 games should be able to work on both the oldest and newest PS4 consoles. 

What that means is that developers have had to get creative in order to make a great experience that'll scale to both machines. This endeavour is something that some seem to have been able to manage better than others – some developers merely use it to firm up the performance of titles that stutter on the less powerful, older hardware.

However, let's not focus on the missteps. Instead, if you'd like to take advantage of the PS4 Pro's power to get resolutions as sharp as Nathan Drake's rapier wit or your frame rates as swift and smooth as Sypro's glide then these are the games that will serve you best. 

PS4 Pro games FAQ: quick questions answered

Which games look best on PS4 Pro? It's much easier to find the best PS4 Pro games these days, because many PS4 titles are now optimised for Sony's higher-end console. Our list of games showcase the PS4 Pro must-haves all of which really offer up the best of what the powerful console and your 4K HDR TV were made for.

Which PS4 games are 4K? Most on this list are, but to give you a quick rundown of our favorites, there's all the latest Assassin's Creed games, all the latest Call of Duty games, Detroit: Become Human, The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, Farcry 5, FIFA 19, God of War, Hitman, Horizon Zero Dawn, Mass Effect: Andromeda, Spider-Man, The Last Guardian, The Last of Us and Unchartered 4: A Thief's End. Phew. There are some more, but they're most of the big names. 

Can you play PS4 games on PS4 Pro? Yes. It's just if the game has been optimized for the Pro, you'll get much better visuals. 

Do I need a 4K TV for PS4 Pro? Yes. You just won't get the 4K TV output. So if you want a new console soon and plan on upgrading your TV soon too, it's worth it.

Trying to decide which PS4 set-up to get? Watch Jon and Gerald discuss the differences between the PS4, PS4 Pro and PS4 VR.

Death Stranding had us worried for a bit. When Kojima Productions' first title was announced back at E3 2016, it did so to a confused and excited crowd. And the path to launch didn't see these feelings change much – they just swayed more into the confusion side. 

We seen bottled babies, sea otter costumes and even the appearance of Conan O'Brien, and every new trailer filled us more with fear than hype. But it was all worth it.

Death Stranding is an incredible title that is equally beautiful and unique - especially when played on the Pro. Without giving away too much, the premise is that you step into the shoes of deliveryman Sam Bridges (played by Norman Reedus) who delivers special cargo in the wake of the Death Stranding - a mysterious phenomenon that wiped out many innocent lives. But obviously, it's not all that simple. 

Death Stranding is something to be experienced. It's definitely an essential PS4 Pro game - if not the essential PS4 Pro game.

Check out our full Death Stranding review.

The most hotly-anticipated game of 2018? Definitely. The best game of the year? Arguably yes. Rockstar has once again pulled it out of the bag with Red Dead Redemption 2.

A giant western open world epic, it lets you live the cowboy life, riding horses into the sunset, saddling up with a posse and brawling your way through every bar in the old West. It has Rockstar's signature attention to detail, with the 4K capabilities of Sony's PS4 Pro console bringing the era to life.

However, there's still some work to be done on Red Dead 2's HDR offering, which seems to be using a system that doesn't use the high dynamic range setting to its full potential. While its 4K detail is stunning, an update to improve the HDR tech would make this a real stand-out, eye-candy showcase for all PS4 Pro owners. Either way, it's a monumental game that should not be missed.

Assassin's Creed Odyssey is stunning as it is, but add in PS4 Pro enhancements and it's truly a magnificent looking game.

Assassin's Creed Odyssey is the most recent edition to the epic Assassin's Creed RPG franchise. Odyssey is set during the Peloponnesian War and sees you stepping into the sandals of either Alexios or Kassandra as they try to uncover the truth about their history while navigating the turbulent world of Ancient Greece as a mercenary. 

Odyssey is a graphically stunning PS4 game which will take you to the heart of Ancient Greece – easily securing it a place in our collection of the best PlayStation 4 games. Just make sure you have the time to play it because there's over 100 hours of content to enjoy here.

Check out our Assassin's Creed Odyssey review diary for more.

Spider-Man on PS4 Pro is absolutely gorgeous - even if it's not native 4K. When played on Sony's ultra powerful console, Spider-Man is able to achieve a native resolution of 1440p at a rock-solid 30fps framerate, which is then upscaled to 4K. This impressive feat is possible thanks to dynamic resolution scaling that will raise or lower the level of detail depending on how frantic the action is. 

That said, before you go and bemoan the fact that it's 30 frames per second - the game looks absolutely gorgeous and plays beautifully on the console. In our time with the game, we barely noticed the lower framerate and the uprezzed visuals more than made up for it in the long run. 

If you need a colorful, HDR-ready showcase for the system, this is it.

Need more info? Don't miss our full Spider-Man review.

No Man's Sky is a love-it-or-hate-it kind of game. It serves up a near-infinite, procedurally-generated universe to explore, with unique biomes and aliens to discover. For some that's ridiculously exciting. For others it's a bore-fest.

Since its underwhelming launch, though, Hello Games has created plenty of updates for the game which have seen it expand way beyond what it first was. Many have found their opinions changing and player numbers have continued to grow. It's not a new game, but it now offers a lot more compared to when it was first released, including character customization, a long-awaited multiplayer mode, VR support and story-driven events for players to take part in. 

Read our guide to everything new to No Man's Sky Next and why now is the perfect time to begin your space odyssey. 

Easily one of the most visually stunning games on the PlayStation 4 (or on any console for that matter), the new God of War takes the series to epic new levels when it comes to presentation. The game looks incredible when played on a standard PS4 console, demonstrating just how absurdly talented the team at SIE Santa Monica Studio when it comes to optimisation. However, when played on a PS4 Pro, the game kicks things up a notch. 

In the game's settings, you'll find two graphics modes: favor resolution and favor performance. Naturally, the former makes the game look especially crisp and clean, bringing the resolution up to checkerboard 4K and holding steady at around 30fps, while the latter displays at 1080p and sticks close to around 60fps for the majority of the time. 

As cinematic as it is, we had no problem playing God of War on the favor resolution setting, as we were able to enjoy the incredible detail put forth by the game — utilizing the additional resolution to see pores and lines on characters' faces, and the insane level of artistry in their costumes and armor, just makes the whole game even more impressive (if you ask us). It also helps to makes the game's HDR presentation even more eye-popping. 

Check out our full God of War review.

Considered one of the greatest video games of all time, Shadow of the Colossus is back and better than ever on PS4, with its Pro update giving the game some big enhancements when it comes to visuals and performance. 

Shadow of the Colossus offers two graphical settings: 'Performance Mode' offers smooth gameplay targeting 60 FPS at 1080p, while the 'Cinematic Mode' plays at a higher 'Dynamic 4K' resolution with enhanced textures, all while holding a solid 30 FPS.

Regardless of the mode you choose, the team at Bluepoint have brought some other tasty visual treats to their remake of the Japanese classic, including a beautiful new lighting engine (which looks incredible when combined with the game's HDR support) and some advanced rendering techniques, which make things like fur on the Colossi look especially realistic.

Simply put, the enhancements offered by the PS4 Pro version make this the definitive presentation of Shadow of the Colossus, offering a visual experience unlike any other. 

Check out our full Shadow of the Colossus review.

Though the first Destiny game did not end up receiving a PS4 Pro update, much to the chagrin of its fan base, its sequel has come roaring out of the gate with some terrific graphical improvements. 

Using checkerboard rendering to achieve a resolution of 2160p, Destiny 2 looks astonishing on PS4 Pro. Admittedly, developer Bungie employs a few tricks to display its game at 4K, including dynamic resolution scaling on the horizontal axis, meaning that the game will dynamically shift its horizontal pixel count from 3840 to 3072 (but seriously though, you won't even notice). 

At launch, Destiny 2 did take advantage of the PS4 Pro's high-dynamic-range (HDR) capabilities, though that has since been rectified, with the game sporting a colour palette that makes its predecessor look black and white by comparison. 

One thing in Destiny 2 that doesn't get enhanced when played on the PS4 Pro is its framerate, with the game locked to 30fps across all consoles. While we would've liked to have seen an optional high framerate mode included, Destiny 2 is still a must own title for those who want to push their PS4 Pro to its limit. 

As the first game if the series to be built on EA's impressive Frostbite engine, Madden NFL 18 looks amazing on PS4 Pro. Developer EA Tiburon has managed to get the game running at a native 4K resolution, resulting in what is undeniably the best-looking Madden game of all time. 

During core gameplay (as in when the ball is actually in play), the game is displayed at a rock-solid 60fps, only dipping during replays and television broadcast-style cutaways. That said, EA has stated that Madden NFL 18 will run at 60fps at all times when played on a PS4 Pro that's hooked up to a 1080p set (we haven't been able to test this, unfortunately).

On top of this, a recent update has brought HDR support to the game, meaning that lighting, skin tones, uniforms and stadiums all take advantage of the format's wider color gamut to achieve a look that's even closer to the real thing. If you love Madden, this is definitely the best way to play it. 

If you’re looking for a PS4 Pro showstopper, Ratchet and Clank is a great place to start. It’s like playing a Pixar movie, with its colorful visuals, loveable characters and world-hopping sci-fi plot.

And, it’s actually a great case for the merits of not-quite native UHD 4K on the PS4 Pro. Rather than pumping up the resolution count to its maximum, Ratchet and Clank makes clever use of a technique called Temporal Injection. It’s essentially a very efficient and fancy upscaler, pushing the image quality up to a 2160p standard and removing jaggies without the strain of a native resolution push. At a capped, consistent 30fps and with HDR support switched on, you’re left with a blisteringly beautiful shooter that looks out of this world.

If you insist on a native 4K showcase for your PS4 Pro, EA’s latest and greatest FIFA 18 is perhaps your best option. Making up for what FIFA 17 was lacking, FIFA 18 supports HDR and it’s running at the max resolution the Pro can manage, without 'cheating' with upscaling techniques. Keeping a consistent 60fps throughout, it’s an impressive achievement - even if the beautiful game naturally wouldn’t have environments as complex as some of the more fantastical games listed here.

Other small enhancements include higher-quality grass (you’ll be looking at enough of it, so that’s no bad thing) and better depth of field effects.

Sure, it’s an older title getting a PS4 makeover, but Rez was always made for a silky visual set-up. Running at a native 4K / 60fps on Sony’s latest console, it’s an astonishing, trance-inducing, Tron-like shooter that’s never looked better than on the PS4 Pro. That it’s one of the best music-focused games of all time is a bonus, too, we suppose...

And, if you’re one of the lucky few to have that ultimate PS4 Pro / PS VR combo, then you’d do right by your eyes, your gear and your endorphin levels by firing up Rez Infinite on Sony’s virtual reality headset too, where it’s a subtly smoother experience.

Now here’s an interesting one. While it doesn’t offer native 4K throughout nor HDR, Diablo 3 shows Blizzard cleverly taking advantage of the PS4 Pro’s additional horsepower. It’s using a dynamic resolution scaler to allow the dungeon crawler better fidelity on consoles and improved lighting techniques, while maintaining a solid 60fps framerate.

When you’re in simple interior sections like the tavern in New Tristram or Deckard Cain’s house, you’re hitting that native 4K resolution, but when you’re more chaotic locales it can fall anywhere between 1080p and that top-end 3840 x 2160 wonder. For the most part it’s dramatically better than 1080p, scaling imperceptibly in motions and maintaining a high framerate to boot. It’s slick, and advanced bloom effects and ambient occlusion seal the deal to make it onto this list.

Here's everything we know about Diablo 4.

Sony’s smash hit conclusion to Nathan Drake’s globe-trotting adventures makes good use of the PS4 Pro, though don’t expect it to massively alter the already sumptuous feel of the original.

The PS4 Pro update for Uncharted 4: A Thief’s End pushes the resolution up to 1440p, which is a marked improvement over the original’s full HD limits, even if the intense action makes a 30fps target the goal. What is appreciated though is the HDR implementation - traipsing through old tombs by lamplight, or seeing the sun filter through dilapidated shanty town and jungle trees looks astonishing on the PS4 Pro.

Another resolution scaler, and another great way to show off the fidelity of your UHD screen thanks to its HDR features, too. Deus Ex Mankind Divided sits somewhere between 1800p and 2160p, using checkerboard upscaling to dynamically tweak the resolution depending on what’s happening on screen.

For the most part, it’s a wonderful experience, with the stealth-cyborg ‘em up looking gloriously futuristic - particularly in its Blade Runner esque slums where the HDR lighting effects come into full force. However, some stuttering and a recent revert to an adaptive v-sync in an attempt to ease the stuttering mar an otherwise smooth upgrade.

This one’s been a bit of a poster boy for the PS4 Pro hardware, and it’s easy to see why - with First Light previously a PS Plus giveaway, many prospective Pro owners will already have a high-quality test-subject to put their new machines through its paces.

Both Infamous Second Son and spin-off First Light are using a checkerboard effect rather than native resolution jumps, but you’d be hard pressed to notice the difference in the way it’s implemented here. Pushed to a not-quite-but-pretty-much UHD resolution of 1800p, the open world superhero title shimmers with HDR lighting effects, bringing fingertip flames and neon powers to life on premium displays.

Rise of the Tomb Raider was a good-looking game on PS4 Pro but 2018's Shadow of the Tomb Raider is even better. In the final instalment of the reboot trilogy, PS4 Pro players have the choice to prioritize either resolution or framerate.

Choosing the former displays the game in eye-popping 4K at 30FPS while the latter drops the resolution to a (still admirable) 1080p so that you can get a smooth 60FPS. With its stunning set pieces and fast-moving action, there isn't really a wrong choice when it comes to Shadow of the Tomb Raider. 

Check out our full Shadow of the Tomb Raider review.

The Outer Worlds is a space romp from Obsidian Entertainment, creators of the Fallout series, that looks great on the PS4 Pro. 

Garnering rave reviews, this RPG is a fantastic adventure that gets out from under the shadow of the Fallout games and stands all on its own with a distinctive humour and plot. And if you're going to go all the way to space, you might as well see it looking its very best. 

Although it doesn't run native 4K, the PS4 Pro does upscale this title so you'll still get to see the all of the game's worlds looking their bright and colourful best on your console. 

Check out our tips for surviving your first few days in The Outer Worlds. 

A full-on enhancement for the most ambitious Final Fantasy game yet, Square-Enix has yet to finish tinkering with PS4 Pro performance here, but it’s still looking a treat. Provided you can stomach a slightly jittery frame-rate (nowhere near game-breaking, we assure you), Final Fantasy 15 uses a checkerboard 1800p upscale, along with improved shadows and texture filtering. It’s a feast for the eyes.

And, if you’ve access to a HDR TV, it gets even better. Square-Enix makes full use of the high dynamic range afforded the PS4 Pro, making for blisteringly bright desert sun lights and deep dark cavernous dungeon blacks.

Think Jurassic Park, but with robot dinosaurs, and you're on your way to the breathtaking action that Horizon: Zero Dawn offers.

From the minds behind the Killzone series, the open world action adventure was a revelation when it launched in early 2017, being one of the most sophisticated sandbox titles available to PS4 owners. From sneaky stealth sections to gigantic face-offs with hulking mecha-rexes it got the heart pumping.

But perhaps most impressive was its visuals. It particularly shone on the PS4 Pro, where its 4K HDR visuals brought the flora and fauna of for a post-human future dazzlingly to life. It's a PS4 Pro showstopper, and a great way to show off the machine's capabilities.

Strangely enough, there wasn’t a huge amount of hype about Hitman 2 before its official release. However, much like Agent 47 himself, the game sneaked up on us and quickly became our favorite action game of 2018.

Admittedly, Hitman 2 doesn’t do much to drastically change the series’ formula (except for the introduction of multiplayer Ghost mode), but we found that’s what we love about it - plus, assassinating drug lords in Colombia with poison is always a recipe for a good time.

Borderlands is back and it's bigger than ever. After a considerable hiatus, it’s time to return to Pandora and rip, tear, shoot and loot your way to victory.

For the uninitiated, the Borderlands franchise is built upon the pursuit of gear. Players earn loot at an almost obscene rate, constantly unlocking new weapons and abilities with which to battle through stylized environments. While Borderlands 3 doesn't offer that much in terms of new few, those who have played they previous instalments are unlikely to be disappointed.

Even better, Borderlands 3 looks amazing with resolution or framerates modes, respectively 60fps at 1080p, or higher resolution capped at 30fps.

Check out our full Borderlands 3 review.

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iPhone 11 and 11 Pro deals US: get the best prices for January 2020

Posted: 29 Jan 2020 12:02 PM PST

The Apple Event unveiled the highly anticipated iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro smartphones. The latest iPhone is officially available to order from all major carriers and retailers like Walmart and Best Buy. To help you wade through all the different plans, we've listed the best iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Pro prices and deals that are available in the US today.

The Apple iPhone 11 features a 6.1-inch LCD display, while the iPhone 11 Pro comes with a Super Retina XDR OLED display in either a 5.8-inch or 6.5-inch size. The iPhone 11 and 11 Pro both have updated camera hardware with a Wide and new Ultra-Wide camera on the back of the iPhone 11 and Wide, Ultra Wide and Telephoto cameras on the iPhone 11 Pro. The multi-camera system allows you to capture ultra-wide photos and videos, and even "zoom-out" after a photo is taken to see more of the captured image. The front-facing camera on all new models is now an upgraded 12MP TrueDepth camera that can capture wider angle and even slow-motion selfies.

The battery received an upgrade with Apple stating that the iPhone 11 provides a one hour longer battery life compared to the XR, the Pro offering four more hours of battery life when compared to the XS, and the Pro Max offering 5 hours more battery life compared to last year's XS Max. All the new phones feature the A13 Bionic chipset which Apple claims is the fastest processor ever in a smartphone.

The iPhone 11 comes in six new color choices which include black, white, yellow, purple, green, Product Red and the 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max is available space gray, silver, and gold, as well as a new midnight green option.

The iPhone 11 has a starting price of $699 for the 64GB storage model which is actually $50 cheaper than the iPhone XR was on launch last year. The 64GB iPhone 11 Pro is priced at $999, and the 64GB iPhone 11 Pro Max is priced at $1,099, which is the same price as the XS and XS Max when they launched last year in the US.

iPhone 11 deals from US carriers:

iPhone 11 Pro deals from US carriers:

iPhone 11 Pro Max deals from US carriers:

The iPhone 11 Pro Max, the bigger version of the 11 Pro, is priced at $1,099 from carriers such as AT&T, T-Mobile, Sprint, and Verizon. Sprint is offering the Pro Max for $45.84 on a Sprint Flex 18-month lease, and Verizon is offering up to $500 off with select trade-in and Unlimited. AT&T is offering up to $700 off when you switch to AT&T and port-in your number, or up to $500 off without port-in.


Learn more about the newest iPhone with our hands on iPhone 11 review, iPhone 11 Pro review, and iPhone 11 Pro Max review.

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Google is reportedly working on a new unified communications app for businesses

Posted: 29 Jan 2020 11:42 AM PST

A new report from The Information has revealed that Google is reportedly developing a new mobile unified communications app designed specifically for business users.

The Google Mobile app for businesses will combine several of the search giant's standalone applications and technologies according to the report. The Information spoke with two people that have used the application as well as three others who were briefed on the product.

The new communications app will combine the company's video conferencing app Hangouts Meet with its instant messaging app Hangouts Chat. The app will also include Gmail for communications over email as well as Google's cloud storage service Google Drive.

One app for all your business needs

Google's unified communications app for business is apparently going through internal testing at Google at the moment and people familiar with the matter said that Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian shared details regarding the app at a conference earlier this month with Google Cloud team members and business partners.

According to The Information's report, the mobile application will be part of Google's G Suite of productivity software. The app could also help the company better compete against established players in the unified communications market such as Microsoft and Slack.

Google G Suite for business already includes applications such as Gmail, Docs, Calendar, Meet and Drive, so adding other ways for business users to communicate with one another does make a great deal of sense as it will help boost productivity as users will be able to do more from within a single app.

Last year, Google hiked prices for G Suite for the first time for business users though the company kept the cost of its enterprise tier the same.

Via CRN

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Best Nintendo 3DS games: the most essential 3DS releases

Posted: 29 Jan 2020 11:20 AM PST

Looking for the best Nintendo 3DS games? Then you're in the right place. While Nintendo's Switch console has taken the world by storm over the past few years there's still a lot of love for the company's dedicated handheld, the Nintendo 3DS. 

We don't care that the original 3DS is a decade old – age brings wisdom, after all. And by wisdom we mean a stellar library of games that, while slowing, hasn't stopped yet. 

While the 3DS is older than most, it's not actually that surprising that Nintendo is insisting on supporting the platform, even with the undeniable success of the Switch - and the new Switch Lite. The 3DS has managed to amass an install base of more than 67 million – that's a lot of people you can still sell games to. And given the only portable competition on the market is Nintendo itself, the company is really only strengthening its safety net.

No matter what kind of game you like to play, you'll find something to suit your tastes on the 3DS XL or 2DS XL, and you won't be able to find many of the titles anywhere else. 

From slow and easygoing life simulators like Animal Crossing, to fast-paced platformers like Super Mario 3D land, you're not short of options on this console. 

So read on for the 20 best 3DS games, or if you're looking to dip your toe into the more retro DS library, then check out our list of the best Nintendo DS games. 

In Animal Crossing: New Leaf, you find yourself thrust into the role of a village's new mayor, which means it's up to you to help make the rules and aid in the burg's development. Don't fret, though: it's a pretty chill gig. You'll still have time to go fishing, catch bugs, design clothes, dig up fossils, decorate and expand your home, and hang out with friends doing lots of relaxing stuff. 

The 3DS's online and StreetPass functionality are put to great use here, allowing you to visit friends' towns see how other players' homes are decorated.

Animal Crossing fans will also be pleased to know that Animal Crossing: New Horizons is expected to launch in March - though that'll be for the Switch.

After being out of action for many years, Donkey Kong finally made his platforming comeback with Donkey Kong Country Returns on Wii, and this 3D version could be even better than the original. It contains everything that fans loved about the classic DKC titles: enemies to jump on, bananas to collect, mine carts to ride, secrets to uncover, and wacky bosses to overcome. 

It may look like a bunch of monkey business, but don't be fooled - the game can be extremely challenging.

Ever Oasis is a game that tries to do many things. Somehow it's simultaneously an action RPG, a settlement-building game, and a dungeon-crawling adventure title. Imagine animal crossing mashed into The Legend of Zelda and you get some idea of what it's aiming for. 

You play as a young creature in a dangerous desert world. With the help of a water spirit your people can create safe spaces called an Oasis. An evil force known as Chaos is moving across the land trying to destroy all living things and it's up to you to build a strong Oasis by drawing in residents through completing missions in the wider world and maintaining the Oasis itself.

The premise is simple but it's enjoyable and adds a more open twist to the settle-building genre. Being so ambitious, the game doesn't hit the mark in all areas but it's well designed with satisfying mechanics and adventures that will keep you playing. 


The strategy-RPG series Fire Emblem has been around for quite some time, but the 3DS entry is arguably the best yet. With a variety of unique heroes at your disposal, you'll engage in turn-driven, grid-based combat to bring peace to the land of Ylisse. 

When you're not fighting enemies, you'll work to build up relationships between characters, which allows them to not only cooperate better in battle, but to get married and have children, who also become playable characters. Lots of downloadable extra missions add to the depth and longevity of this game.

While Mario has always been bold and brave, his brother Luigi is ... well, not. Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon follows the less adventurous of the two Mario Bros. as he wanders through mansions with a tepid nervousness that's just as likely to make you laugh as it is to sympathize with the game's green-hatted hero.

Dark Moon, the sequel to the original Luigi's Mansion on the Nintendo GameCube, is an adventure game through and through. You'll solve puzzles, collect coins and generally revel in the game's spooky – but never overwhelmingly frightening – abodes. If you're looking for smart, funny platforming, Dark Moon is the bite-size adventure you've been yearning for.

Prefer a more modern version? Then you may prefer Luigi's Mansion 3 for Switch.

Mario sports games have always been a contentious affair. Whether you remember slamming home goals in Super Mario Strikers, smashing an ace in Super Mario Tennis or shooting an eagle in the original Mario Golf title, most of the Nintendo sports titles starring the mustachioed mascot have been memorable, enjoyable – and yes, even competitive – affairs.

Mario Golf: World Tour does nothing to break that trend. Simple tutorials ease you into the world of Lukitos and Chain Chomp-equipped lawns, while local and online multiplayer compel you to take your game to the next level.

Like the other games in the series that have come before it, Mario Kart 7 is nothing short of pure, adrenaline-filled, racing excitement. Choose from one of 16 popular Mario characters (or a Mii), pick your kart, your tires, and your glider, then use all your skills (and any items you can snag) to outrace and outwit your competitors in crazily designed courses like Mario Circuit and Neo Bowser City. 

Underwater and aerial segments introduced in this instalment make this one of the most varied Kart games yet, and classic courses from past entries add to the fun. A robust online community ensures you'll never lack competition, too.

Feel like you've played every Super Mario level there is to play? Well, it's time to start playing your own.

Super Mario Maker is also available on Wii U and this version is just as intuitive and easy to use as that one but it has the added benefit of being able to play it on the go. 

For a 3DS port this is an incredibly feature rich game that has a lot to offer players willing to push their creativity. Though it can't hold quite as many items as the Wii U version as a result of system limitations it's still got over 60 interesting tools to choose from for building.

There are some online level sharing limitations that prove frustrating and disappointing but as far as level creating games go, this is a solid one and well worth picking up if you can't get to the Wii U version. You can also grab Super Mario Maker 2 for Switch if that's more to your fancy.

We didn't ever ask for a re-imagining of Metroid 2 on 3DS but now that it's here we're very glad indeed. Metroid: Samus Returns is a side-scrolling action adventure game with a very similar overall structure to the 1991 Metroid 2. But there are game-changing (and improving) modern additions in terms of controls, visuals and gameplay. 

This game marks a whole new and promising direction for the 2D Metroid games and its visuals show the Nintendo 3DS system at its very best. It should also fill a gap until we hear more about Metroid Prime 4.

You might've billed Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire as cash-in remakes of two somewhat middling entries in the monster catching franchise. There's no shame in it. That's what we thought, too. But actually sitting down with Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire is like seeing a friend after a decade apart: you're both different people than you were 10 years ago, but just as fond of one another now as you were then.

The 3DS versions of Ruby and Sapphire add a number of interesting – even ground-breaking – new features like Mega Evolutions from X and Y, and Pokémon Box that allows you to send monsters to yourself from one game in the franchise to the next.

Love Pokémon? Then make sure you check out our list of the best Pokémon games ever.

Pokemon Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon are the latest excellent additions to the Pokemon series and the swan song titles for the franchise on the Nintendo DS platform and as such they're a must-play. 

Jumping off from 2016's Sun and Moon, these titles take players back to the new Hawaii-inspired region of Alola where they'll meet the seventh generation of Pokemon and explore all new locations.

This time, though, there's a dark new dimension for the player to explore, a much bigger storyline, a brand new legendary Pokemon to catch and a new villainous group to face.

Although the Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon versions of the game are mostly the same, each version features exclusive Pokémon, so you'll have to trade with other players (online or offline) if you want to catch 'em all. Buying the opposite Ultra version to the original (for example, buying Ultra Moon when you played Sun last time) is another way to round out your Pokedex without having to trade online. 

Level 5's Professor Layton games consistently offer some of the best puzzle solving gameplay on the Nintendo 3DS so it's really something to say that Professor Layton and the Azran Legacy is possibly the best of the bunch. It might be the sixth in the series but fortunately you don't have to have played any of the previous titles to understand the story.  

This game's beautiful animation, genuinely challenging puzzles, and engaging, not to mention long, story make it a title you absolutely don't want to miss. 

Not only that, it's great value for money; even after you complete the main story the game has 365 additional puzzles for you to unlock and solve. 

Being 13 years old, it can be hard for newcomers to break into the action-RPG Monster Hunter franchise, but Generations is by far the most accessible title in recent history. 

The mechanics are still complex and the learning curve is steep, but Generations overhauls combat enough that players can take new approaches on the battlefield. These changes level the playing field for complete beginners but don't grate on old fans as it's a change which also benefits them.

In Monster Hunter Generations, players once more take up the role of a hunter who is on a quest to take on dangerous monsters in an ancient world, moving between offline and online quests to progress.

As ever, don't expect much of a story to pull you through the game, instead the incentive to progress in Monster Hunter comes from securing better and more powerful equipment that allows you to unlock the next tier of quests. 

If you would rather play the most recent addition in the Monster Hunter franchise, then check out our Monster Hunter World review.

It's hard to go wrong with Mario, and Super Mario 3D Land is quite possibly the plumber's best handheld outing ever. Featuring the same kind of block-bashing, enemy-stomping, pipe-entering fun that made Mario a household name, this game ups the ante with wonderfully creative level design and whimsical power-ups like a boomerang suit and the Tanooki outfit from Super Mario Bros. 3. 

The game makes great use of the system's stereoscopic 3D capabilities, and there are surprises hidden around every turn, including a ton of challenging bonus levels that don't become available until after you've beaten the main game.

If you want frantic action and an endless supply of Nintendo fan service, look no further than Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo 3DS. Gaming's biggest characters are here (along with a few of the more obscure) - Mario, Sonic, Link, Mega Man, Samus Aran, Little Mac, Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, Pikachu, and dozens of others - all duking it out in stages based on hit Nintendo properties. I

f you've played any previous game in this series, you know the drill: whittle down your opponents with standard attacks and special moves, then send 'em flying off the stage! Naturally, you can play the game solo, or you can fight in matches with up to four players either locally or online.

However, it's not quite as good as Super Smash Bros. Ultimate on Switch.

If you're a fan of RPGs, the 3DS is a great choice of console and Bravely Second: End Layer is one of the best games in the genre. 

From Square Enix, it's the sequel to the highly praised JRPG Bravely Default. Bravely Second is a continuation of the story in the original game, two and a half years later, bringing in new worlds to explore and new enemies to defeat in the same turn-based combat system.  

If you enjoyed Bravely Default, it's absolutely worth playing Bravely Second as it brings most of what made that game great back to the table. In some ways it's so similar it could be considered a fault, but if it's not broke, why fix it?

Whether you're new to the Legend of Zelda series or a seasoned vet, A Link Between Worlds offers fantasy adventuring at its finest. Though the overhead presentation and narrative connection to 1992's A Link to the Past make this entry something of a throwback, new elements such as the ability to rent items and tackle dungeons in nearly any order - as well as Link's newfound power to merge with walls by becoming a 2D painting - breathe fresh new life into the Zelda franchise. 

Traveling between Hyrule and its alternate-reality counterpart, Lorule, you'll overcome brilliantly designed dungeons and engage in numerous side quests.

The original Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time for the Nintendo 64 is one of the most acclaimed games ever made, and this enhanced version is even better. Not only does it feature the same epic, time-traveling tale, packed with puzzles, peril, and sword-swinging action, but it boasts vastly enhanced graphics and more user-friendly gameplay, such as gyroscopic targeting and optional extra hints. 

If you're up for the challenge, you can tackle Master Quest mode, which features greater difficulty and a mirrored world map.

Majora's Mask in 3D might be the third Legend of Zelda game on this list, but we wouldn't dream of not including this excellent remake of the Nintendo 64 classic. When compared to the blockbusters that make up the rest of the Zelda series, Majora's Mask often seems to not quite hold up in comparison, but it's by no means a bad game. 

On the contrary, it's time specific quests and puzzles are a quite unique addition to the Zelda formula, and continue to work excellently in this handheld format.

Yoshi's Woolly World is one of our recommended titles on Wii U, but if you can't get your hands on the console version we absolutely recommend you don't miss out on this handheld port. 

Poochy and Yoshi's Woolly World contains all of the levels of the Wii U title, with a couple of extra stages tarring Poochy, which is perhaps a way to make up for the fact that the co-op mode of the console version is now gone. 

The game is a standard 2D platformer but it has interestingly designed levels as well as lovely knitted graphics that help it stand apart from the rest of the games you can pick up in the genre. 

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The Boys Season 2: release date, trailer and everything we know

Posted: 29 Jan 2020 10:47 AM PST

Season one of The Boys enjoyed commercial acclaim and sits alongside some of the best Amazon Prime shows, including Bosch and The Tick. Be warned, it's bloody and brutal, but it's proved to also be a show with a lot of heart, thanks to an ensemble cast you'll root for, despite all the, y'know, horrible murder.

The Boys season 2 was confirmed before the it even launched, and it was subsequently declared one of the most successful Amazon shows in terms of viewing figures. That said, Bezos and co. didn't provide specific numbers. 

The first season (spoiler alert!) felt like it wrote itself into a corner, in some ways, but there's a rich comics history that can be drawn on by executive producer and showrunner Eric Kripke for inspiration, so season 2 has plenty of potential.

Below, we’ll tell you everything we know about the release date of The Boys season 2, show you the official trailer, explore which new heroes and villains are joining the show, and more. 

The Boys season 2 trailer is here

The Boys season 2 trailer doesn't reveal much about the plot, but it - predictably - has plenty of violence, and snapshots of the show's characters. 

It appears that season 2 will pick up right where the first left off, with the evil Superman stand-in Homelander (the magnificent Antony Starr) revealing a super-powered son, and Hughie (Jack Quaid) saving the life of speedster A-Train (Jessie T. Usher), despite running through his girlfriend at the start of the show. Ouch.

We also caught a shot of Terror, Billy Butcher's dog from the comics which, given his special, err, talent, is one of the most exciting additions to the cast going in to season 2. 

If it'll help tide you over until season 2 arrives, Amazon did release this short 'Young Homelander' clip below in November 2019, to remind you why he's not very nice. 

But that's not all when it comes to teases for the next bloody instalment. Check out the following images posted to social media by the cast and creators:

The Boys Season 2 has a release date of 'mid-2020'

The first season of The Boys debuted in late July 2019, so our money's on the second starting at a similar time this year. The expedient renewal of the series ahead of the air date was, we'd speculate, partly motivated by the long lead time needed for a show with this many special effects. 

A release date of mid-2020 fits, as actor Karl Urban confirmed on Instagram that the show wrapped filming (see above). In addition, at San Diego Comic Con 2019, Kripke told Collider to expect the second season at "about the same time next year". A summer release of July 2020 seems the most likely, in that case, but we'll keep you updated. 

The Boys season 2 will be 8 episodes long, but what will the story be about? 

A few elements hang in the air from the season one finale. First, expect Compound V, the mysterious drug that gives superpowers to humans, to remain a recurring mystery. 

"If it’s a secret, if it’s nothing the world knows about yet, then it [Compound V] becomes a secret that everyone will kill for, and it gives you an object that everybody wants, and it does all the great things a McGuffin does," Kripke told Entertainment Weekly. Now Billy and Hughie know that secret, what happens next?

At the end of season one, Homelander dropped Billy Butcher on the lawn of his wife, Becca, who he presumed dead. Instead, she has a family with Homelander, including their superpowered son. It's quite a predicament for poor Billy: how will he escape? And does this mean Billy and the rest of The Boys will struggle to function as an underground group, now Homelander has Billy in his laser sights?

The death of Madelyn Stillwell (Elisabeth Shue) will be important for season 2's story, naturally. Then there's Vought International's mysterious CEO, Mr Edgar (Giancarlo Esposito), who looks to be appearing in around four or five episodes, having made a notable cameo at the end of the season. At least one new villain will be added to the mix from the comics, too: Stormfront (Aya Cash), a kind of Thor/Shazam mash-up who's gender-flipped from the comics.

The Boys season 2 cast will introduce new heroes and villains

Expect both The Boys and The Seven's cast members to return. Karl Urban will return as Billy Butcher, along with Jack Quaid as Hughie, Laz Alonso as Mother's Milk, Tomer Kapon as Frenchie, and Karen Fukuhara as The Female, all of whom survived the first season.

Starlight (Erin Moriarty) will return, along with other members from The Seven: Homelander (Antony Starr), gross fish man The Deep (Chace Crawford), Queen Maeve (Dominique McElligott) and probably A-Train (Jessie T Usher). However, the latter will need to recover from the heart attack he suffered at the end of season 1. 

Giancarlo Esposito (best known as Breaking Bad's Gus Fring and Moff Gideon in Star Wars TV show, The Mandalorian) appeared in the first season's finale, guest starring as enigmatic Vought CEO, Mr Edgar. Expect him to play a larger role in season 2, especially with Madelyn Stillwell (Shue) killed in the finale. 

Actor and comedian Patton Oswalt will join Aya Cash's Stormfront, along with two other new faces playing key roles: according to Deadline, Goran Visnjic and Claudia Doumit are also in for the grisly season 2 party. 

Visnjic plays Alistair Adana, the cultish leader of a shadowy church, while Doumit plays an up-and-coming congresswoman. Both actors starred in creator Eric Kripke's previous show, the cult hit, Timeless.

While nothing is confirmed, it looks like Jeffrey Dean Morgan (best known as the fiendish Negan in The Walking Dead) could have a place in The Boys season 2 cast. Following Eric Kripke's tweet saying "I'll make you a deal. Season 3. I'll write it, and if you're avail, come shoot it!", Morgan replied, "in a heartbeat!"

The best superhero show on TV?

The Boys was one of the surprise hits of the year, with a strong ensemble cast and an original angle on the superheroes in a time almost saturated with them. Executive producer Seth Rogen's words about the next set of episodes to Collider justify our optimism for the show's future. "We just watched, actually, the first episode of the second season this week. It was a wonderful thing as producers. This is way better than I ever could’ve hoped it would be."

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Best Pokémon games: ranking from Gold to Sword and Shield

Posted: 29 Jan 2020 10:44 AM PST

Looking for the best Pokémon games? Then you're come to the right place. Like that one person in your office that is always bouncing around energetically, Pokémon has been around for more than 20 years – since 1996 to be exact.

This evergreen franchise currently runs across eight generations, each of which stands on its own, but also improves on the last. 

The best Pokémon games will bring in new Pokémon, stories, villains, heroes and exciting new lands for players to explore and immerse themselves in. Now, 24 years after the series showed up on the Game Boy, there are around 30 mainline titles in the series, the most recent being Pokémon Sword and Shield on the Nintendo Switch.

In order to help keep everyone up to date with where the series is, has been, and is potentially headed, we here on the TechRadar editorial staff have compiled this list of the best Pokémon games that you can buy in 2020. We’ve also taken the liberty of ranking them from best to worst. That’s right, we make the calls here.

This is certainly going to be at least a little divisive, but we want to make ourselves clear: we really don’t think there’s a single bad Pokémon game. (It’s kind of hard to make a bad game when you basically stick to one proven formula)

But, unfortunately, we can’t avoid that some of the new regions and new Pokémon additions stand out more than others, and it's a given that some of the generations saw more significant and rewarding changes than others, and that’s really what we’re going to explore here.

Generation I may have been what introduced us to the wondrous world of Pokémon, but it’s in Generation II where Game Freak really got into a rhythm and brought the world to life.

In Pokémon Gold, Silver and Crystal we saw the implementation of a day-to-night cycle, days of the week and breeding. These features brought an exciting new depth to catching and battling Pokémon, and made it worth exploring at all times of day, especially as certain Pokémon could only be encountered at night. Increasing the number of Pokémon to 251 was a good move too, especially as one of them was Cyndaquil. No bias here.

Apart from these interesting and game-changing new additions, Generation II allowed you to explore the new region of Johto as well as Kanto from Generation I, which was not just a great gift to fans of Red and Blue, but made the game feel like it had a really big world. 

Gold and Silver released at the same time, as is tradition with Pokemon games, between 1999 and 2001, depending on which region you lived in. Later, though, Crystal released and managed to improve on Gold and Silver in major ways by adding a new subplot, the ability to choose your gender, and the Battle Tower which allowed players to try and fight as many battles as they could before taking a loss. 

HeartGold and SoulSilver were enhanced remakes of Gold and Silver released in 2010 that also included all of the the changes made in Crystal. If you ever get the chance to pick up these versions you definitely should, because even though they’re essentially remakes they are better than the originals, making it possible for Pokémon to visibly follow your character as Pikachu does in Pokémon Yellow. 

There are many other improvements introduced in HeartGold and SoulSilver which, combined with the power of nostalgia, make these two of the most exciting games in the series.

Nintendo also released ports of Gold and Silver on the 3DS virtual console on September 22, 2017, as part of their 20th anniversary celebration. 

Game Freak was hustling across Generations II and III of the Pokémon series, as Generation III saw the introduction of more interesting and necessitated changes. Continuing from Gold, Silver, and Crystal, Ruby and Sapphire gave us better animations, double battles, contests, secret bases and (to the relief of everyone) the ability to run.

At the time, a decent amount of these changes were divisive, and Ruby and Sapphire aren’t really the most beloved Pokémon games. Still, many of the new features, including secret bases and individual Pokémon natures, had a very positive influence on the direction that future games would take. Contests also added a new competitive dynamic that wasn’t entirely focused on battling. 

The music in Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald was amazing, and the Hoenn region felt like a really dramatic change for the series, bringing in a lot more water to the map. 

There were quite a few problems with these games, though, including the confusing change to the day and night cycle after it had worked so well in Gold and Silver, not to mention the frequently odd new Pokémon designs.

One of the biggest reasons that Generation III is so high on this list, is the release of the remakes Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire back in 2014. These remakes were great, not because they drastically changed the story, but because they added some new features and quality of life improvements that were successful in X and Y. Plus, seeing the Hoenn region in 3D was inspiring. 

When you play these remakes, you get a better sense of why Ruby, Sapphire and Emerald were such indispensable additions to the series.

Generation VII encompasses Sun and Moon as well as Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon. These games have changed up the series more than any other generation has in a very long time. 

Sun and Moon and their Ultra follow ups are the most graphically intense games in the series, and you can really tell they're pushing the 3DS console to its limits in their successful efforts to bring the Pokémon world more to life.  

Sun and Moon introduce the region of Alola, a region which is incredibly different to any other region not only in terms of visuals but also in gameplay structure. Gone are gyms – now there are island trials, and Totem Pokémon and themed challenges surrounding them. Even HMs have disappeared. 

Sun and Moon take Generation V’s attempt to craft a more involving story and Generation VI’s attempt to be more of a traditional RPG, and bring them together in a way that almost hits the mark. There is the drawback however, in that there are more un-skippable cut-scenes than ever before, and unfortunately they’re not always interesting, but you can tell Game Freak is working towards something good here.

Ultra Sun and Ultra Moon continue what Sun and Moon started, but rather than simply rehashing the same story in the kind of director's cut, they're more of an attempt to recreate the sequel structure we first saw with Black and White 2 in generation V. There's a brand new story involving dimensional wormholes, brand new legendary Pokemon and an attempt to continue the tale of Sun and Moons rather than re-tell it. 

Intriguingly, Game Freak took its foot off the pedal when it came to introducing new Pokémon in this generation, which is probably a good idea. With so much changing in Sun and Moon, it’s kind of nice not to have to contend with a frankly excessive number of new creatures. Instead, Game Freak focused on introducing Alolan variations of the original 151 Pokémon, which is an excellent compromise and something we wish had been done for previous regions.

Sun and Moon are the most unique Pokémon games in years, and breathe some much-needed new life into a series that was slowly beginning to stagnate.

Pokémon Sword and Shield are the first mainline Pokémon games to be released on the Nintendo Switch and expectations were high from the initial announcement. They certainly had the most tumultuous pre-launch period of any of the Pokémon games when it emerged that Game Freak would not be including every single Pokémon across the eight generations' National Pokédex and would instead limit the number to around 400 in a Regional Dex. 

Despite the furore, the eighth generation seems to have weathered the storm and both titles have gone on to have great critical and commercial success. They introduce the personality-filled Galar region which is charmingly inspired by the United Kingdom and many of the best Pokémon designs in years make their debut in these games, making up for some of the lacklustre designs in generation VII and helping to establish this generation as one of the more memorable ones. 

There are a few important issues that keep Sword and Shield from being the very best (we delve into those in our full review) but these games are undeniably fun and make many convenient gameplay changes that we've been crying out for. Unlimited Escape Rope use; an open world area; autosave for crying out loud! 

For this reason, Sword and Shield are pretty hard to place. They lack the depth that's been so important in making our more favourite Pokémon adventures as great as they are and we're honestly not taken by the whole new Dynamaxing thing. But the Sword and Shield gameplay is extremely enjoyable - plus there's DLC on the way that may make them even better. And then there's the charm. The charm people! We certainly can't say they're the best ever but we're more than happy to say they sit somewhere in the middle of the mainline releases.

Pokemon Let's Go is hard to classify. It's not quite Generation I as it incorporates game mechanics from Sun and Moon, a pair of games that wouldn't debut until 20 years after Red and Blue hit American shores, and it's also somewhere in between a main entry and spin-off, a hybrid that blends the best of the franchise's hit mobile game, Pokemon Go, with the nostalgia factor of the Kanto region.

The resulting mix elicits different responses from different gamers. Some are put off by the lack of competitiveness of the entry - without the ability to breed Pokemon, there's no way to pass on moves or modify stats and there's no battling wild monsters at all - while others enjoy the simpleness of the new direction. 

The idea behind the games is to streamline everything and reduce the parts of the game that frustrated audiences. Personally, we hated using a valuable move slot for a worthless HM like Cut or Flash. In Pokemon Let's Go, HMs no longer exist. 

We hated walking through caves just to be bombarded by Zubats. Again, that's just not a problem in Pokemon Let's Go now that random encounters are gone and you can see where the Pokemon are in the map. Sure, that takes away some of the joy of running into a rare Pokemon like Pinsir out in the Safari Zone, but it also means less of the tedious grinding that wasted precious hours of our lives in the '90s.

So, where does the Let's Go franchise fit in the pantheon of Pokemon games? Ultimately somewhere in the middle. It's not the perfected version of the formula, but it's also not the aberration that people are making it out to be. For us, it's a small twist on the franchise that makes the games less grind-y, more fun and a bit less competitive. 

Now can we get a Pokemon Let's Go Togepi? 

Generation V was the first Pokémon generation to have, instead of an expansion, a direct sequel, and it was also the generation that most notably dabbled in a different kind of storytelling.

The Pokémon games aren’t exactly known for their storytelling, but Black and White and their sequels did actually do a fairly good job of creating something that felt different and engaging, particularly after the fairly stagnant Generation IV.

In this generation, we went well over 600 Pokémon, and as a result some of the new additions here are pretty perplexing in terms of design. These games also made the controversial change of making it possible to use TMs more than once. This was a change that, while not unwelcome, did start to create the feeling that the Pokémon games were pandering slightly and becoming less challenging. 

The particularly great thing that Black and White 2 managed was that, although they were direct sequels, they still managed to hold their own as individual games. 

It was therefore easy to play Black and White 2 even if you hadn’t played the originals – or any other Pokémon game for that matter. Managing a level of depth that’s engaging while maintaining accessibility is a commendable achievement for Generation V. 

Pokémon X and Y were a visual revolution for the Pokémon franchise, being the first games to be released on the 3DS console with truly 3D graphics.

Graphics in this entry were more gorgeous than they’d ever been, and we think we’ll always remember our first-ever time in Lumiose City. Additionally, we got a new type (fairy type), Mega Evolution, Pokémon-Amie and new character customization settings to go along with them.

Let’s not get too far, though, as X and Y do have the problem of trying to feel more like traditional RPG games without the compelling narrative to back them up.

You certainly get the sense the series is heading in a new directions with X and Y but the game still doesn’t quite know how much of the past games it should maintain. What you get, despite this, is a generation that’s a perfect gateway into the Pokémon series for those coming to it through Nintendo’s smaller mobile console. 

Now, while it may be near the bottom of this list of generations, that certainly doesn’t mean generation IV is bad in any way. Diamond, Platinum and Pearl came at a precarious time for the Pokémon series. It almost felt like the series was beginning to grow stale, and Game Freak was using these titles as something of a transition point before generation V’s changes. 

As a result, they’re games that play very well and offer a lot to enjoy, but they also don’t particularly stand out in memory for any particular reason. The Sinnoh region wasn’t really fresh or exciting, and the story and its legendary Pokémon aren’t exactly series high points. 

That said, Platinum did improve a lot for this generation, not just by adding numerous new Pokémon and improving the story, but also by refurbishing some of the cities and locations to make them a little more visually exciting. We’d definitely recommend picking up Platinum if you want to experience this generation. 

Generation IV is, however, at this point probably the most difficult to find, and you'll have more luck finding these titles pre-owned. 

They may have been the originals, it’s difficult to call the Generation I games the best. They’re the first Pokémon games we played, and they serve as a great introduction to the series. When they were first released they were consolidated into the anime, movies and merchandise very well. Now, however, it’s hard to deny that they’ve aged. 

Don’t get us wrong – they’re still completely wonderful, a gold mine of nostalgia and frankly essential to play, but we’re trying to tear off our rose-colored glasses here. They’ll always hold the title of being the originals, but next to later generations they appear kind of dull. It’s hard to imagine that someone new to Pokémon in this day and age could be convinced to continue playing by Generation I alone. 

For those of us who love them for the nostalgia, though, we’re glad to say Nintendo has made Red, Blue and Yellow available on the virtual console. 

Generation I will take you back to basics with a limited color palette, the original 151 Pokemon and the comfortable region of Kanto. These can be good or bad things. 

Though the overall Pokémon story and gameplay haven’t actually changed too much over the years, there have been many quality-of-life features added since that you may not even have noticed dramatically improved gameplay.

There’s also the fact that though the original 151 are great Pokémon, there really are some great additions in the later generations, and going back, 151 can actually feel a little limiting. They're not all great, either. Ekans is a snake, and its name is snake backwards; let's not fool ourselves into saying the Pokémon series was at its creative peak here. 

FireRed and LeafGreen are now likely the best way to experience this generation in terms of adding new features and improving visuals, but they’re not the easiest games to get your hands on for a decent price. 

This release on 3DS is far from the usual Pokemon fare. Like other spin-offs in the Pokemon franchise Detective Pikachu doesn't follow the route of asking you to catch 'em all and it completely stands on its own. It's also one of the most unique spin-offs we've seen from the series in years.

Here you'll play a young boy called Tim who joins up with the eponymous Detective Pikachu (no direct relation to Ash's Pikachu as far as we know) to solve a wide array of cases a'la the Ace Attorney series and unravel an overarching mystery around Tim's father. A word of warning here: Pikachu speaks in this game but his voice is so gruff and his attitude so snarky that it's completely welcome. 

Detective Pikachu isn't a challenging game by any means but its character relationships and completely fresh take on the Pokemon universe make it well worth playing. 

It’s not all colors and gemstones in the Pokémon game world. Outside of the mainline handheld titles, there are myriad side games released on both home and handheld consoles. 

Unlike the core games developed by Game Freak, these titles cross a variety of genres and come from a range of developers…

We're being gently nudged with our nostalgia with this choice, but we will say that we replayed Pokémon Snap on Nintendo 64 and were shocked by  how well it held up. 

Pokémon Snap was an amazing spin-off because though the premise is weird on paper, in practice it just clicks. Pokémon Snap let you enjoy the Pokémon world and the creatures that fill it in a way that didn’t focus on battling, and its pace was very soothing

The goal of the game was to be guided around a variety of highly thematically specific locations on Pokémon Island, and take photos of the Pokémon that inhabit said areas for Professor Oak’s latest research project.

Though the game was simple on the surface, for those willing to dig deeper it had a noticeable degree of depth and replay value. To this day it’s one of the most interesting and memorable Pokémon games, spin-off or not.

Pokémon Conquest is another Pokémon spin-off that stands out thanks to its unique approach and a knack to make a strange concept work against all odds. 

Made for Nintendo DS, Pokémon Conquest is essentially a game where the core Pokémon games meets the Japanese series Nobunaga’s Ambition. What you get from this meeting is a turn-based strategy title set in a Pokémon-populated feudal Japan.

In Pokémon Conquest combat still involves the tactical element of Pokémon types being strong and weak against one another. 

However, it demands another layer of planning, as rather than trainer-versus-trainer battles you’ll find battlefields that can have up to six Pokémon on each side. Each Pokémon is matched to its own warrior trainer, and it’s up to you to build the best team here to make victory more likely.

It’s not just battling in Conquest, either – there’s a story, and it’s a good one. In fact, Conquest offers some of the best writing and world-building across any of the Pokémon games, mainline titles included. 

Pokémon Ranger is a different take on the core series’ RPG gameplay for Nintendo DS in that it allows you to explore a different way people in the Pokémon world live and work with Pokémon. 

In this collection of games you play a ranger who temporarily captures and tames wild Pokémon, both to help them and to use their unique abilities to complete objectives and explore. Rather than training to be the very best, you’re solving ecological problems and defeating criminals; really, you’re much more of an obvious force for good in these games. 

The Ranger series makes good use of the Nintendo DS’s touchscreen in the capture process, which doesn’t involve any of those restrictive PokéBalls, and the graphics and environments are always bright and generally delightful. 

This is a series for altruistic Pokémon players, and it only grows in scope with each release.

Mystery Dungeon is an interesting spin-off in that it has you play as an actual Pokémon rather than any kind of human character. If you love taking Hogwarts house quizzes you’ll love the start of these games, as you're asked to take a short personality quiz in order to determine which Pokémon you should play.

When you start playing as your designated Pokémon you form a small team with other Pokémon, and take on missions across Mystery Dungeons. Your team is largely autonomous, but you can guide them slightly for strategic purposes.

Gameplay is turn-based, as is the Pokémon way, but battles and exploration aren’t as distinct here, so whether you’re taking a step, attacking, or using an item it counts as one turn. Though the games are repetitive, they’re still fun, and it’s refreshing to be able to have adventures as a Pokémon with other Pokémon in the way that a small number of anime episodes showed. 

Pokken Tournament is another Pokémon spin-off that puts players in the shoes of a Pokémon rather than a trainer, but here the focus is almost entirely on Pokémon battles alone. 

Essentially, Pokken Tournament is like if you took Pokémon and Tekken and combined them into one game. The combat mechanics will be very recognizable to anybody who's played games like Tekken or Street Fighter, but naturally, if you’re a Pokémon fan, there’s the added bonus that you could be fighting as your favorite pocket monster. 

But, unfortunately, there’s a catch: the number of Pokémon you get to choose from is kind of limited, but this does mean that each character feels distinct as a fighter, which makes forming a strategy much easier. 

It’d be pretty difficult to put the 800 Pokémon we now have in a game like this without making choosing one an exercise in torture (not to mention the balancing), but you can’t help but feel disappointed when you can't play as your favorite. 

For players who are interested in the more competitive side of gaming, Pokken Tournament certainly seems to be finding its feet in the area of eSports, which makes it an interesting game to watch as well as play. 

Before Pokémon Stadium launched way back in 1998, there were innumerable calls to bring Pokémon to Nintendo 64 in thrilling 3D. When it eventually happened, it wasn’t entirely what everyone expected or even wanted, but at least we still got a great game.

Pokémon Stadium strips away the RPG and story elements of the main series to focusing on battling, and becoming the very best Pokémon trainer there ever was. It’s Pokken before Pokken, and it was extremely successful. Though Stadium mostly focused on battling and rising through the ranks, there were also enjoyable mini-games to play. 

It was legitimately exciting to see your favorite Pokémon from Red and Blue battling in 3D on the big screen – and things only improved when the sequel added Generation 2 creatures a few years later.

It would be easy to assume that Colosseum was just going to be an ill-disguised update to Pokémon Stadium for Gamecube, but it actually ended up being more than that. Naturally it had something similar to Stadium’s arena battles, but it also included some of the RPG elements that Stadium opted to leave out. 

Rather than capturing Pokémon through random encounters, players were able to ‘snag’ corrupted shadow versions of other trainers’ Pokemon. The player could then save these corrupted Pokémon by purifying them through continued battling. It was as dark as it sounds.

This was definitely a different way to capture Pokémon, and it didn’t appeal to everyone. That said, Colosseum was otherwise a pretty solid offering with great graphics. Battling had never looked better, and there were several modes to be enjoyed in single and multiplayer.

A follow-up titled XD also focused on shadow Pokémon, but it added the ability to capture wild Pokémon in the way we were used to. This was, however, only possible in a small number of designated spots in the game world, which kind of took some of the randomness out of the idea of random encounters. XD also re-used a lot of content from the original Colosseum, which drags the games down in our estimation.

Hey You, Pikachu! is like Pokémon meets Nintendogs. It was developed for Nintendo 64, and used the console’s relatively under-utilized voice recognition unit to allow players to interact with their pet Pikachu.

Throughout the game you tag along with Pikachu, taking part in a variety of mini-games that range from fishing to picnicking, building your friendship as you go. It was simple (perhaps overly so) but it was fun, and we still think the game should be re-made for the Nintendo 3DS. Give us the choice between a Pikachu and a dachshund and we're not even going to hesitate, Nintendo. 

Pokémon Go is a more recent spin-off, and it’s also probably the most recognizable to those who aren’t already Pokémon fans. After all, it would’ve been hard to get through the summer of 2016 without seeing someone with their eyes glued to their phone playing this game. 

Pokémon Go is a great game because it’s so accessible, and it takes you out into the real world to catch Pokémon in a way we dreamed of throughout our childhoods. It’s not without its problems, and interest has definitely waned, but it’s being constantly updated by Niantic, and we can see it continuing to improve over the years. It’s definitely more than a Flash in Dark Cave. 

Trozei is pretty much Tetris for Nintendo DS that’s been modified to include Pokémon. Instead of colored blocks you have small Pokémon icons falling from the sky, and using the console’s touchscreen you order the characters to clear the space against the clock. It’s not groundbreaking, but Trozei is a fun puzzle game, and it made nice use of the different Pokémon types to introduce bonuses and combos.

The first Pokémon Pinball was the earliest Pokémon spin-off, coming out not long after Red and Blue, and it’s still one of the best. We all played the pinball game that came on the old Windows systems, we're sure, and we all loved it (we're also sure), so meshing this kind of gameplay with Pokémon was always going to work – especially since the ball was a PokéBall.

Colorful, fast-paced and fun, Pokémon Pinball is a spin-off classic.

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The Witcher season 2: release date details, story, and what we know

Posted: 29 Jan 2020 10:31 AM PST

The Witcher season 2 can't come to Netflix soon enough. The fantasy drama, starring Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia, drew 76 million viewers for the streaming service during season one, and was the sixth most-watched Netflix show of 2019 after less than a month. Next season, expect more monster hunting, political machinations and all-out war. 

It hasn't been hard to find new details about The Witcher season 2 in 2020. Every week there seems to be some extra information about what's to come, whether it's from interviews with creator Lauren Hissrich, or even social media posts. The most important thing is this, though: The Witcher season 2 is officially confirmed, and filming begins in February 2020. 

The writers have no shortage of source material to draw from for this second year, since season one only took inspiration from the first two short story collections. That means there are still multiple novels to mine, with each featuring exciting folklore-inspired fantasy tales. Based on that, we can predict some of season 2's story beats already. 

Below, we've rounded up everything we know about The Witcher season 2 so far, including the expected release date, casting leaks and more. 

 The Witcher season 2 release date: 2021

Cutting to the chase, the closest actual date for release and airing we have is '2021'. This was reported by Variety but was also confirmed by writer Lauren S. Hissrich during a Reddit AMA, who said, "We don't yet have a target launch date for season 2, past 2021." It's not a great deal to go on, but it guarantees there'll be more than a year's wait between seasons. Our best guess is we'll see it in early 2021. 

The Witcher season 2 was announced on November 13, around six weeks before the first season aired. This usually means the network or streaming service really likes what it sees, and is keen to get moving on more episodes with the same cast and crew. 

Season 2 is filming beginning in February 2020, according to a Reddit post. Geralt of Rivia himself, Henry Cavill, discussed his imminent return to the role in this video from early January:

If you can't wait for season 2, it's been announced that an anime-style Witcher movie is in the works from Netflix called The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf, written by Beau DeMayo (who scripted episode 3 of season one). It'll be animated by Studio Mir, which was behind the acclaimed Legend of Korra series. The story will take us "back to a new threat facing the Continent."

The Witcher season 2 story: what happens next, according to the books

Mild spoilers for The Witcher books follow, including possible details of later seasons.

A big talking point of season one was how it told stories in multiple places and across a non-linear timeline (though the now-released official Witcher map and Witcher timeline really help) resulting in a multi-tale anthology of sorts. 

In an interview with Vulture, Hissrich admits that while she believes she didn't give the audience too much credit - "the audience is incredibly smart" - she had "misunderstood what everyone was looking for in their entertainment". She said "I love to be challenged when I'm watching TV," but conceded that that wasn't the case for everyone. 

However, while "it's not like all three are together and happy all the time," Hissrich will be mining "different short stories" for season 2, and suggests the chance of flashback scenes with which to tell them.

However, season one's climax brought all the separate threads together nicely, priming The Witcher season 2 for a more straightforward plot. Hissrich confirmed to Vulture that Geralt, Ciri and Yennefer exist in the same timeframe now. However, while "it's not like all three are together and happy all the time," Hissrich will be mining "different short stories" for season 2, and suggests the chance of flashback scenes with which to tell them.

Also, while Hissrich and the team "already know the stories we're telling," (also in her Vulture chat) expect season 2 to go deeper into its characters: "We’re not trying to constantly introduce new characters all the time, and new worlds, and new kingdoms."

witcher season 2 story

In an interview with GamesRadar, she revealed that season 2's story would be "...much more focused. There's a stronger drive in the story, because all of the relationships that we've been setting up in season one, actually start to come into fruition in season two...all of those building blocks that we set up for the world, finally start to come together into something a little more concrete." 

This 'more concrete' element is Ciri's story, as discussed by Hissrich in an interview with Redmania Intelligence, where she said that Ciri will be "center stage" in season 2.

But what is Ciri's story? In the books, Ciri's story makes up the central plot of 'the saga'. The saga covers five books, starting with Blood of Elves, and centers on Ciri, her importance as a magical royal with Elven heritage, her relationship with Geralt, her ongoing efforts to survive, and how all this shapes events on The Continent.

In terms of themes for The Witcher season 2 story, we can look to the subjects Hissrich appreciated when first reading The Last Wish. Later in her Vulture interview she mentions that she enjoyed the challenges themes of "the marginalization of people in society, and the racism and xenophobia, but also just about the grayness of morality." 

These topics have been touched on already in season 1, but they could well be developed in relation to Jaskier (Dandelion in the books and games). Speaking to Vulture, Hissrich teases that while attempting to present him as less of a creepy womanizer than he is in the books, in series 2, "you root for him to find his true love ... if that's what he's looking for."

The setup for this has already begun, as the very beginning of Blood of Elves is covered in season one by the siege and downfall of Cintra and Ciri's escape. Elsewhere, expect to see more of life under Nilfgaardian rule in season 2, and high tensions between humans and non-humans. 

The grand location of Kaer Morhen should appear prominently in The Witcher season 2 as well. This is the ancestral home and stronghold of the Witchers, and Geralt is required to take Ciri to the fortress for protection and training. Here, he takes closer guardianship of Ciri, becoming a father figure. Factor in the appearance of a mysterious, powerful wizard - also pursuing Ciri - some more war, prophecies, dark magic and, of course, monster hunting, and season 2 begins to look incredibly promising. 

In terms of story specifics, Redvania Intelligence claims that another short story from The Last Wish will appear, perhaps woven into the more linear main arc. This short story, A Grain of Truth, features Geralt meeting a cursed man called Nivellen who has been turned into a beast. 

Asked recently by Pure Fandom for a teaser on season 2, Hissrich had this to say: "Without spoilers, I will say that there’s a crop of new monsters, a new cost to magic, and new and unexpected pairings of our favorite characters."

Expect to see more from magical villainess Fringilla, too. When asked by Vulture, Hissrich confirmed that "you will absolutely get more Fringillla [...] we're digging deeper into her past and how she ended up at Nilfgaard, who she is as a person, and how she and Yennefer ended up on such different paths." In other words, expect more metal mind-control earworms. Ugh.

It's also been rumored that Sigismund Dijkstra, a Redanian intelligence head and notable figure from the games, is being cast in season 2. A leaked video appeared to show actor Graham McTavish (the Hobbit) auditioning for the role – but don't take this as fact until we hear more. 

The Witcher could run for seven seasons on Netflix

The Witcher could run on Netflix for a long time. Speaking to SFX, Hissrich claims to have thought out ideas for a massive seven seasons. And we're pretty certain there's enough source material left for that to be viable. 

We've got the entirty of Geralt, Ciri and Yennefer's stories to play out. It takes them across The Continent to a rich variety of locations, and introduces us to some of the best fantasy characters around. Ciri's development is a great basis for future tales in The Witcher universe that combine themes of family and love, and mystery and magic. 

She and Yennefer get separated from Geralt during the saga, and his attempts to reunite with them form a gripping part of the story. This journey takes him across the Continent and introduces him to plenty of interesting new places and characters. Then there's the important role of the Wild Hunt: a group of elven warriors who raid other worlds for slaves. Their introduction could really ramp up the peril in the pursuit of Ciri.

The Witcher feels like it's here to stay on Netflix

The first season of The Witcher shrugged off the idea that it was just here to replace Game of Thrones. It confidently told stories in its own way and presented a fantasy world that has already captures people's imaginations. And, while we are unlikely to see much spillover from the games - they are not really canon according to Sapkowski but rather a "free adaptation containing elements of [his] work" - we know fans will enjoy various subtle references to the series, as they did in season one. 

Hissrich and company aren't in the business of rushing this out. Hissrich said that the series would need time: "We don't want to rush the product. That doesn't benefit anyone." If it's as good as season one, it'll be worth the wait. 

If it'll help pass the time, you can finally listen to the official version of 'Toss a Coin to your Witcher' on Spotify. 

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Sorry, iPad. Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 5G is the first 5G tablet

Posted: 29 Jan 2020 10:27 AM PST

The world finally has its first 5G-capable tablet: the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 5G has been officially revealed, and it’s virtually unchanged from the existing model aside from its capability to hook up to the next-gen networks. 

One caveat: it’s coming to South Korea first, and it's unclear when - or if - it will arrive elsewhere.

The tablet’s unveiling, first noticed by Android Central, comes weeks before we expected it to be shown onstage at Samsung Unpacked on February 11. 

  • We actually liked the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6, which gives the iPad Pro a run for its money
  • Will 5G connectivity put the Galaxy Tab S6 5G on top of our best tablets list?
  • Tablets are far behind the number of 5G phones that have hit the market

The new 5G version is virtually unchanged from the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 released late in 2019, though it will only come in one configuration of 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage alongside a Snapdragon 855 chipset, 10.5-inch OLED display, and included S Pen. The big difference: a Snapdragon X50 5G modem instead of the X24 modem that came in the LTE version of the Tab S6.

The tablet will become available on January 30 in South Korea and will cost 999,900 won (around $847 / £651 / AU$1,257), though Samsung didn’t mention any further rollout plans in its press release.

The first 5G tablet - beating Apple

While Samsung will certainly beat Apple to releasing the first 5G-capable tablet, the real question is: will it matter? LTE-connecting tablets are neat, especially with higher-end Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 and iPad Pro options for on-the-go professionals. 

But those are for more niche audiences - and, more importantly, 5G networks are still in their early days. There’s no doubt that some heavy-coverage areas will get the 1Gbps-plus speeds we’ve seen in phones like the Samsung Galaxy S10 5G, but we’ve only seen that in small parts of dense cities thus far. 

As those networks continue to build out over 2020 and mature toward the end of the year, Apple won’t seem as behind if it launches a 5G iPad in October according to its usual product cadence. If it doesn’t, well, Apple could seem to be falling as far behind in tablets as it could be in 5G phones.

Via The Verge

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Latest PS5 rumor claims it performs better than Xbox Series X, but we don't believe it

Posted: 29 Jan 2020 10:20 AM PST

We may not know exactly what's under the hood of the PS5, but a new rumor is already suggesting that Sony's next-generation console will have better overall performance than the Xbox Series X. But we're not convinced.

The rumor comes via industry insider Tidux on Twitter, who claims that, while the CPU of the PS5 and Series X will be equal, the PS5 will have more RAM and a better SSD - making its performance better than Microsoft's next-gen console. 

However, there's some inconsistency to this claim, as the Series X apparently has a better GPU, which is the key factor in any hardware's performance. 

Something fishy

While Tidux has previously leaked PlayStation information correctly (such as the PS4's UI and features), to us, this new claim doesn't add up. 

On the surface the assertion that the PS5 will be more powerful than the Xbox Series X stands up, after all there are two specs, SSD and RAM that are 'better'. However, upon closer scrutiny this claim kind of falls apart. 

The leak suggests that the SSD is faster and more capacious on the PS5 than the Xbox Series X, and while that's definitely a cool feature, in our experience it doesn't make a huge difference in gaming. It might shave off a fraction of a second in loading times. 

RAM bandwidth, which is suggested to be faster on the PS5, could make a pretty significant difference, but because both consoles are going to be running off of the same graphics and processing architecture, we wouldn't put much stock in that actually being the case. Likely, even if the PS5 does have more memory bandwidth, it would be so insignificant that it simply wouldn't matter at the end of the day. 

And, the GPU is the most important factor here. Right now graphics horsepower is absolutely the most important factor when it comes to gaming performance. We obviously haven't been able to actually test any next-generation games ourselves, but we doubt that the GPU will stop being the most important aspect. Even in the face of less memory and a slower SSD, if the Xbox Series X is packing a stronger GPU, it will be potentially more powerful than the PS5. 

Tidux does clarify that the difference in GPU performance is less than 1 teraflop. But, at least when it comes to FP32 (floating point 32-bit) performance, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 and Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 Super are just 0.73 teraflops apart, and the latter is around 16% faster. The RTX 2060 Super does have more memory bandwidth, to be fair. We still think that throwing around teraflops is a pretty awful way to measure GPU performance either way. 

At the end of the day, we won't know how powerful the PS5 and Xbox X Series will be until they're actually in our hands. Because both consoles will be running off of the same AMD Navi and Zen architectures, it's unlikely there's going to be a huge disparity in performance either way, and at the start of the generation at least, games will be pretty indistinguishable between the two consoles.

We should hopefully know more soon

With the PS5 reveal rumored to take place in the near future, we should soon get a better idea of how accurate this information actually is. Although, we're not quite sure when Microsoft will show its hand spec-wise - maybe at E3 2020?

Until then, we can only really speculate on potential specs for the PS5 and Xbox Series X and how they will compare. Either way, we're expecting both to be absolute powerhouses.

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Man City vs Man United live stream: how to watch Carabao Cup 2020 semi-final derby from anywhere

Posted: 29 Jan 2020 09:58 AM PST

With pressure mounting on his managerial position, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer must lead his Manchester United side into what looks like an impossible mission tonight at the Etihad Stadium. Can United pull off a great comeback or will Pep Guardiola's men book their place at Wembley against Aston Villa? Don't miss a kick by reading our Man City vs Man United live stream guide below.

The out of form Reds must somehow reverse a 1-3 deficit away from home against their noisy neighbours Manchester City if they're to reach the EFL Carabao Cup Final.

With Liverpool seemingly out of reach at the top of the Premier League table, City have placed a higher emphasis on the remaining cup competitions. Despite fielding a rotated squad, Guardiola's side played with real purpose during their 4-0 FA Cup thrashing of Fulham at the weekend.

With a Wembley final at stake, expect big guns Sergio Aguero, Kevin De Bruyne, Rodri and Raheem Sterling to all be in the starting line-up this evening.

While a gun-ho, all-out attack may seem like the only tactic that offers United a route to the final, committing men forward will likely suit their opponents. Don't therefore be surprised if United deploy three central defenders for the majority of the game. 

Which of these two bitter rivals will edge closer to winning the first piece of domestic silverware this season? Read on to find out the best ways to watch this EFL Cup semi-final second leg clash in the UK and the rest of the world and ensure you can easily live stream Man City vs Man United.

Live stream Man City vs Man United from outside your country

Further down the page we have details of catching the Carabao Cup semi-final in the UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. All require some kind of subscription.

But if you've paid for that subscription but are outside the country this weekend, then you'll soon find your access geo-blocked when you try to watch. To stop feeling like you've wasted your money (and assuming it's within the services Ts&Cs), you could use a VPN to watch as if you were back at home.

How to live stream the Carabao Cup in the UK:

How to watch the EFL Cup: live stream in the US

Live stream Man City vs Man United in Australia

Live stream the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg in Canada and more - for FREE

Live stream Man City vs Man United in New Zealand

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Antivirus vendors plan to support Windows 7 post EOL

Posted: 29 Jan 2020 09:48 AM PST

While Microsoft officially ended support for Windows 7 this month, all of the major antivirus software makers plan to continue supporting their products for the near future.

Although there are a few exceptions, most vendors have confirmed that their products will continue to run on Windows 7 systems for at least two years until 2022 according to the German antivirus testing laboratory AV-TEST which used its connections in the industry to reach out to companies such as Kaspersky, F-Secure, Carbon Black and others.

Since Microsoft stopped providing free security updates for Windows 7 as the operating system recently reached its End of Life, these antivirus products are desperately needed for those who have yet to or are unable to update to Windows 10.

Enterprise customers are the only ones who are still eligible for Windows 7 security updates through Microsoft's Extended Security Updates (ESU) program but these updates cost between $25 and $200 per workstation depending on whether a company is running the Enterprise or Pro version of Windows 7 and the amount of time they'll need the updates for.

Extended antivirus support

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) as well as home users are not eligible for Microsoft's Windows 7 ESU program. As a result of this, they'll have to rely on antivirus software to help fend off cyberattacks and other threats that may try to exploit new bugs in Windows 7.

Continuing to use Windows 7 without signing up for the ESU program can lead to serious security risks which is why Microsoft went as far as to urge users to update to Windows 10 though fullscreen pop-ups starting last year.

According to AV-TEST, AhnLab, BullGuard, Carbon Black, FireEye, G Data, Ikarus, Kaspersky, K7 Computing, Microworld, Quickheal, Seqrite and ThreatTrack have not announced that they will end support for the Windows 7 versions of their antivirus software which means users will be protected for at least another two years.

You can check to see if your antivirus software will be supported on Windows 7 by visiting AV-TEST's blog post on the matter.

Via ZDNet

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Best phones for work 2020: the top business smartphones today

Posted: 29 Jan 2020 09:34 AM PST

The best smartphone for business use and work doesn't just please you when you take it out the box, but continues to deliver regardless of what you throw at it.

It can't always be easy to tell how useful a handset and its features will be for you though, which is why we've drawn up this list of the best business and work phones you can buy right now.

With phone makers offering  ideal for employees of all levels, we’ve updated this guide to give you the very latest buying advice to help you choose the best smartphones for business use. We'll keep updating it too when new phones come out, as long as they're great for business, so perhaps see the Samsung Galaxy S20 or iPhone 12 on this list too.

Although some of these selections may overlap with our best phones for casual use, we've identified how these picks will help your business too, as not everyone needs the flashiest smartphone trick.

Best business smartphone at a glance

1. iPhone 11

2. Google Pixel 4

3. Samsung Galaxy Note 10

4. Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus

5. OnePlus 7T

6. Samsung Galaxy Note 9

7. Huawei Mate 20 Pro

iPhone 11 Pro

Apple's latest release may be the best business device it's ever made. Along with the headline-grabbing top-end camera and snazzy colour schemes, there's a lot to recommend it to everyday workers as well. This includes Apple's best performing battery to date, which will last a full day's working, as well as a slimmer and more portable build that means it slips into a pocket or bag easily. 

Read the full review: Apple iPhone 11 review

Googlr Pixel 4

Google's Pixel line has become a key focus for the company in recent years, and the new Pixel 4 is the latest iteration in its flagship device family. Featuring a top-class camera and all-new design, the Pixel 4 is great to look at and use, but also comes with a number of benefits for business users. Top of this is access to all the vital everyday Android tools on the go, as well as the latest updates and security protection directly from Google. Battery life isn't quite as good as some of its bigger rivals, but for the cost, the Pixel 4 is one of the most appealing devices around today.

Read the full review: Google Pixel 4 review

Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus

The Galaxy Note 10 Plus is the company's largest and most powerful device to date, but does this make it a great business smartphone? It certainly features an expansive screen that will allow you to scan through all the documents, spreadsheets, social media feeds and more - and the additional S Pen gives a whole new dimension for working on the move. Pair that with a huge 4300mAh battery, Snapdragon 855 processor and 12GB of RAM, and you have an absolute powerhouse - albeit one that with its 6.8in display might need to be carried in a jacket, rather than a trouser pocket.

Read the full review: Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus review

Best business smartphone

You'll be in good hands if you opt to give your employees the Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus, which is also our pick for the best smartphone in the world right now. It improves on almost every aspect of the phones that have come before it, with supremely powerful components, a dazzling 6.4-inch QHD Super AMOLED display and a top notch camera - but it's not all fun.

The battery has also been given a huge boost to 4,100mAh, which means you can comfortably use it all day without worrying about recharging it. While it doesn't quite have the business focus of the Galaxy Note 9, which is our pick for the best business smartphone, it's still one hell of a great handset from Samsung.

Read the full review:  Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus review 

OnePlus 7T

If you're looking for a reliable Android smartphone to use for your business, you can't go wrong with a OnePlus phone, and the OnePlus 7T is both affordably-priced and well kitted out in features to make using it easy.

There's a smooth UI as well as a 90Hz refresh rate on the screen for your viewing pleasure, and the 3,800mAh battery and great processing power are also useful for ar ange of tasks. On top of that, it's one of the most affordable smartphones on this list, so you won't break the bank by buying one or more of this smartphone.

Read the full review: OnePlus 7T review

Best business smartphone


If you want the very best business smartphone, no matter what the cost, then the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 is the one to go for. It's got a spec list to die for, including a huge screen, bags of RAM, a huge 4,000mAh battery and up to 1TB of storage. It's also got a microSD slot and a headphone jack – something that many modern smartphones lack. It's also got some great business-specific features, such as an improved Bluetooth stylus (known as the S Pen), and if you plug it into a USB-C dock or USB-C to HDMI, it can be used in DeX mode, replicating a desktop-environment that can replace your desktop PC. Seriously impressive.

Read the full review: Samsung Galaxy Note 9 review

Best business smartphone

Huawei has been steadily releasing some excellent smartphones that offer specs and features that rival its more established (and expensive) Western rivals. The Huawei Mate 20 Pro is one of the firm's best releases yet, and it's one of our picks for the best business smartphone you can buy. It comes with a huge 6.39-inch display with a QHD resolution and HDR10 support, plus a large battery that lasted a day and a half in our tests. And given that the latest Mate 30 Pro device still lacks Google apps, this is probably the best Huawei device around for workers today.

Read the full review: Huawei Mate 20 Pro

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Score a Samsung Galaxy S10e deal at just £26 a month with this exclusive bargain

Posted: 29 Jan 2020 09:30 AM PST

Looking to join the world of Samsung without committing to the hefty price tags of the S10 Plus, Note 10 and the soon to be released Galaxy S20? Well luckily, a deal just came along to fit that need.

This deal lands on the cheapest of Samsung's S10 trio - the Galaxy S10e. You're paying just £26 a month and £25 upfront to get it while still managing to secure an impressive 12GB of data.

However, when you go to the checkout, you'll see an upfront spend of £75. To get that lower price, you need to use the code TECHS10E exclusive to you (TechRadar readers...not just you) to drop the cost.

After you input that code, this ends up being one of the cheapest Samsung Galaxy S10e deals we've seen in quite a while. We've included all of the details below for you to look through. Or, head to our mobile phone deals guide to see how this compares.

  • Don't see anything you like? Check out the competition with our iPhone deals guide

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This exclusive Samsung Galaxy S10e deal in full:

What's so good about the Samsung Galaxy S10e?

Yes, it isn't quite as powerful as its brothers the Samsung Galaxy S10 and Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus but, it more than makes up for that with its impressively affordable pricing.

Whether its due to its bright, 5.8-inch AMOLED display, the internal 3100mAh battery or the dual camera set-up, this feels like a phone pushing past its price tag with ease. It even offers up an IP68 rating and more than enough processing power to get you through most tasks.


Find out more with our Samsung Galaxy S10e review

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Best rugged tablets of 2020: Water resistant, drop-proof and shockproof slates

Posted: 29 Jan 2020 09:25 AM PST

You're going to need the best rugged tablet money can buy if you work outside or in busy environments, as the pieces of kit can be the ideal tool for a range of functions. These are powerful handheld devices that can withstand hard knocks and long drops, but also provide you a decent user experience at the same time.

The best rugged tablets have been built to withstand the elements, with the latest shock-absorbing technology built in.  They have also been put through rigorous testing to make sure that they will endure all sorts of punishment. 

This does mean that they come with a slightly higher initial outlay compared to standard tablets, but it's worth remembering that they can save money in the long one, as you don't need to repair or replace damaged rugged tablets as often – if at all.

While you won't get a rugged tablet that's as slim and light as the iPad Air 2, it doesn't mean you should have to lug around a chunky and unwieldy tablet either. If you think a conventional tablet like that might be better for your work, check out our list of the best tablets instead.

So, to help you find the best rugged tablet, we've put together this list, which gather the top shock and drop-proof tablets on the market today. 

Panasonic Toughpad FZ-M1

If you're working outside, then the Panasonic Toughpad FZ-M1 is easily one of the best rugged tablets on the market today. This is thanks not only to its tough design that is shock resistant to to drops of up ton 180cm, but also because the display has been designed to be used outdoors in bright sunlight - so you'll still be able to use the Panasonic Toughpad FZ-M1 no matter how bright your surroundings are. The screen supports 10-finger multi-touch, it runs on Windows 10 Pro, it's water and dust resistant and comes with a configuration port for a variety of expansions (serial, LAN, 2D Barcode Reader, NFC).

The Pansaonic Toughpad FZ-M1 has seen a successor since it was launched, but we weren't as big fans of that device as we are this one, so if you're looking for the best rugged tablet for you, this still takes our pick for the top spot.

Getac F110

If you're looking for a rugged Windows tablet that can withstand an impressive amount of punishment, then the Getac F110 is an excellent choice. Its durable body can withstand moisture, extreme temperatures and drops, without it being bulky or heavy. It is certified to MIL-STD 810G, 1P65 and MIL-STD-461F standards. The most recent version of this tablet comes with 6th generation Intel Core processors, so there's plenty of power here, and a dual battery system means you can easily swap them out without having to pause.

There are a few other Getac devices out there, but this is one of the only that's rugged enough to make our list of the top spots (the company makes rugged laptops too).

Dell is another well-known brand that produces rugged tablets. The Dell Latitude 7212 Rugged Extreme Tablet is one such device, and Dell has recently updated the model with more up-to-date components,including 7th generation Intel Core processors (though we'd like to see 8th generation chips included soon). For your money you get an excellently-built tablet that has IP65, MIL-STD-810G and IP-810G certifications (rather than merely meeting the standards in laboratory tests). Dell's customary high build quality is evident here, and while it isn't the most glamorous looking tablet, it does the job of withstanding harsh conditions, and accidental drops. It's quite an expensive tablet, but with improved components, and a range of specifications that you configure to better suit your needs, the Dell Latitude 7212 Rugged Extreme Tablet is well worth the price.

HP ElitePad 1000

The HP ElitePad 1000 is a fantastic business laptop, and it can be configured to come in a rugged design that is IP65 and MIL-STD 810G tested. It can withstand a 6ft drop onto linoleum-covered concrete. It features an Intel Atom processor, which isn't the most powerful CPU, but it's still capable of handling most business applications.  Biometric security keeps your important data safe, and HP also offers a range of accessories, such as docking stations and additional batteries.

Panasonic Toughbook CF-33

The Panasonic Toughbook CF-33 is a 2-in-1 rugged device, which means it has an attachable keyboard that allow it to work as either a laptop or as a tablet. When in tablet mode, the Toughbook CF-33 is an excellent durable machine , with MIL-STD-461F, MIL-STD-810G and IP65 certification, which means it can survive shocks, drops liquids and dust. The battery life is a bit on the short side compared to other rugged tablets on this list, but you can quickly swap out the battery when you need extra time. You can also buy extended batteries that double the run time from 10 hours to 20. This is an additional cost, however.

Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 2

Unlike other rugged tablets on this list, the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 2 isn't designed for industrial-grade protection. However, what it does provide is IP67 certification for dust and water ingress, and a battery that lasts between eight to 10 hours. Plus, it supports replaceable batteries, so you can keep on working even if you're away from a power supply, and it's drop-tested to 1.2 metres. A decent camera and NFC technology are included, and it's rounded off with Samsung's customary excellent build quality. The newer Galaxy Tab Active 2 improves on a lot of the features of the first Tab Active, with more RAM, better CPU and much more.

Xplore Xslate D10

This 10.1-inch Android tablet can withstand drops up to five feet, as well as being water and dust resistant. While it's bulkier and heavier than non-rugged tablets, it's still portable enough to be easily carried around worksites. Its screen isn't the highest resolution, but with a 500 Nit backlight, it is excellent for use in direct sunlight. It's not the most powerful tablet on this list, but it's a more affordable alternative for people who want to use an Android device outside and on the road.

Getac Z710

The Getac Z710 is a handy rugged tablet that does pretty much everything you'd want from an Android tablet, while coming in a rugged body. Design-wise the Getac Z710 is one of the better looking rugged tablets we've seen, and it comes with a number of business-orientated features that make it an excellent choice for enterprise use. The 7-inch screen is crisp and responsive to touch, but it does have a habit of showing off glare in direct lights. It has been tested for drops up to six foot, and is  MIL-STD-810G certified, while Corning Gorilla glass protects the screen from shattering.

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How to watch Love Island online: stream the winter series from UK or abroad

Posted: 29 Jan 2020 09:19 AM PST

Winter may not be your type but this hit TV series certainly is, with some shocking re-couplings and plenty of villa drama, it's safe to say Love Island is certainly living up to its name.

Ready to go all factor 50 for this hit TV series! Make sure you keep reading as we tell you how you can watch Winter Love Island online from anywhere in the world.

Well it certainly has been an intense couple of days in the villa, not only have we had two new bombshells and a shocking re-coupling - the other Connor has been sent home too!

And the drama has been fully dialled up with Siannise and Rebecca arguing over Luke T and the re-coupling, not to mention it's officially over between Leanne and Mike!

At least the islanders can enjoy all of the drama from the very luxurious villa in South Africa - it's reportedly worth 5.3 million.

Ready to see how the re-couplings will play out and who will be sent home tonight? Keep scrolling and we'll tell you how to watch Winter Love Island online whether you're in the UK or mismatched a holiday.

How to watch Winter Love Island online for free in the UK: 

If you're going to be in the UK the whole time the show is on then watching it couldn't be easier. Simple gather your friends and families around the TV at 9pm every day (apart from saturday's) and tune in to ITV2.

But if you would rather watch Love Island online you can easily catch it via the ITV website or watch it on your mobile devices via the ITV Hub app which you can download here for Android and here for your iPhone or iPad.

The other way to watch ITV online is to go via TVPlayer.com - we actually prefer this option as the stream tends to be better quality and more robust. It's also a faster site, more responsive and quicker to get up and running with. It's still free and legal, too.

How to watch Winter Love Island online from outside the country:

If you’re from the UK and have planned a holiday while the show is on we won't be jealous that you're in the sun whilst we face rain - we'll just tell you how you can still get your fix and avoid any annoying geo-blocking. By using a VPN, you can change your IP address to one in the UK which will allow you to stream the event using your ITV account. Keep reading and we’ll show you how.

Who are the Winter Love Island 2020 islanders?

  • Leanne Amaning, 22 from London
  • Siannise Fudge, 25 from Bristol
  • Jess Gale, 20 from London
  • Shaugnha Phillips, 25 from London
  • Sophie Piper, 21 from Essex
  • Paige Turley, 22 from Scotland
  • Mike Boateng, 24 from Manchester
  • Callum Jones, 23 from Manchester
  • Nas Majeed, 23 from London
  • Rebecca Gormley, 21 from Newcastle
  • Luke Mabbott, 24 from Middlesbrough
  • Luke Trotman, 22 from Luton
  • Demi Jones, 21 from Portsmouth
  • Wallace Wilson, 24 from Inverness

Who has been dumped from the villa?

  • Eve Gale, 20 from London
  • Connagh Howard, 27 from Cardiff
  • Connor Durman, 25 from Brighton

Who will be hosting Winter Love Island?

Even though Caroline Flack has been the familiar face for the past five years for this popular show, she has stepped down this year as she was charged for assaulting her boyfriend Lewis Burton. 

Laura Whitmore will be replacing Caroline as the host of this hit TV series. For those of you who haven't heard of her before, Whitmore is an Irish broadcaster and actress. 

Fans can rest assured that this will be the only big change occurring, you can still expect to see comedian Iain Stirling  cracking jokes and voicing over the series.

Who were the winners of Love Island 2019?

Amber Gill and Greg O'Shea, and although they have now parted ways - it's safe to say they were everyone's favourite couple for a while. Amber entered the villa on day one and although she had a bit of a tough time, she definitely rose above as she was crowned the winner - and Greg entered the villa on day 43.

What do the winners of Winter Love Island UK get?

Apart from finding their soul mates of course, they also get a whopping £50,000 which they can choose to split with their partner or keep to themselves. And of course, they get to be crowned as that year's winners inevitably going down into the Love Island hall of fame.

How long is Winter Love Island on for?

Although ITV have kept it fairly quiet, we can expect for this season to run the usual time as the other seasons so you should be getting six to eight weeks of drama, bombshells and plenty of gossip!

  • If you need more Love Island remember that the spin-off After Sun is on every Monday
  • If you need more Love Island remember that the spin-off After Sun is on every Monday

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