Apple : This Chrome extension can help protect you from the worst online threats |
- This Chrome extension can help protect you from the worst online threats
- Save 40% on Peak Design's awesome camera bags and backpacks
- Huawei open-sources TensorFlow competitor MindSpore
- iPhone 11 and 11 Pro deals US: get the best prices for March 2020
- WireGuard VPN added to Linux 5.6
- How enterprise VR can empower a remote working world
- Where to buy a webcam: these retailers still have stock
- How to watch The Flash online: stream Crisis on Infinite Earths anywhere
- The best cheap phones in the US 2020
- Video conferencing apps saw record downloads in just one week
- Make better video calls for less with this fantastic Lenovo Smart Display deal
- Apple AirPod alternatives: these are the best true wireless earbuds around
- Should you buy a PS4 or Xbox One right now?
- How to watch The Walking Dead online: live stream season 10 from anywhere
- Moving the VPN industry forward: a Q&A with NordVPN
- iPad deal alert: the latest model Apple iPad gets an $80 price cut
- watchOS 7 release date, compatibility, sleep tracking and features
- Houseparty offers huge reward for proof hacking rumours were smear campaign
| This Chrome extension can help protect you from the worst online threats Posted: 31 Mar 2020 04:07 PM PDT Check Point has launched a new extension for Google Chrome called ZoneAlarm Web Secure Free that provides users with free protection against phishing attacks, malicious downloads and dangerous websites. The new solution is an advanced Google Chrome extension that can help keep users safe online from multiple threats while they search and browse the web. When a user adds the ZoneAlarm Web Secure Free extension to Chrome, ZoneAlarm Safe Search becomes their default search engine. The search engine utilizes Check Point's ThreatCloud database, which contains up-to-date global threat intelligence, to scan search results and rate them according to their potential risk.
Phishing and malware protectionZoneAlarm's Web Secure Free also protects users' credentials against phishing attacks by using ZoneAlarm Zero-Phishing. The technology scans all websites before allowing users to input any personal information while also alerting them to any attempts to steal their personal data. Check Point's new free security solution also utilizes ZoneAlarm's Threat Extraction technology to enable users to safely download documents from emails and the web. Threat Extraction automatically removes any suspect or malicious code from documents in seconds to ensure that an extracted file is completely safe without disturbing users. Head of consumer sales at Check Point, Dror Levy explained in a press release that ZoneAlarm Web Secure Free can help protect users from the recent surge in coronavirus-related scams online, saying: “Cyber-criminals are always looking for ways to target consumers and often play on genuine public fears, as seen recently with the rise of malicious spam relating to 2019-nCoV disease. We’ve found that Coronavirus-related domains are 50% more likely to be malicious than other domains. Since the beginning of January, over 16,000 new coronavirus-related domains were registered and since the end of February 2020 the average number of new domains is almost 10 times more than found in previous weeks. Special offers are also being sold over the dark net under special offers with “COVID19” or “coronavirus” as discount codes. Utilizing solutions like ZoneAlarm’s Web Secure Free means users are protected from such prevalent threats, with the best enterprise-grade technologies keeping them secure while browsing.”
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Save 40% on Peak Design's awesome camera bags and backpacks Posted: 31 Mar 2020 02:54 PM PDT San Francisco-based company Peak Design began life on Kickstarter, and quickly gained a massive fan following. And no wonder: it has some beautifully designed bags that can be customized to suit any purpose, and the company’s clips and straps go a long way in making that happen. Every aspect of Peak Design bags are well thought-out – construction, material, functionality and usability. The bags are then tested thoroughly before they go on sale. Every bag in the Peak Design catalog can go from boardroom to holiday, with the ability to carry laptops, clothes or camera gear with just a few sturdy clips. The bags aren’t cheap, though, so for those who’ve been lusting after a Peak Design carrier, this might be a good chance to snag yourself an Everyday Backpack or an Everyday Messenger, and pocket some savings in the process. Note that the 40% discount is on the original V1 options of the bags, although there is 20% off on all other Peak Design products, except its travel tripod. The sale ends April 6. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Huawei open-sources TensorFlow competitor MindSpore Posted: 31 Mar 2020 02:44 PM PDT Huawei has announced that its framework for AI app development MindSpore is now open source and available on GiHub and Gitee. The lightweight suite is similar to Google's TensorFlow and Facebook's PyTorch as it lowers the barrier to entry for developers looking to add AI to their apps. Chief scientist at Huawei MindSpore and an IEEE Fellow, Professor Chen Li explained how MindSpore can scale across devices in a press release, saying:
"MindSpore natively adapts to all scenarios across the device, edge, and cloud. We implement AI Algorithms As Code through on-demand collaboration for easier model development, and provide cutting-edge technologies, and co-optimization with Huawei Ascend AI processors to improve runtime efficiency and computing performance. We also support other processors such as GPU and CPU." MindSporeMindSpore already has the backing of a number of partners including the University of Edinburgh, Peking University, Imperial College London and the robotics startup Milvus. The framework is able to run on processors, graphics cards and dedicated neural processing units such as the one in Huawei's own Ascend AI chips. MindSpore also has 20 percent fewer lines of codes than other frameworks when dealing with natural language processing models and the company claims that this leads to an average efficiency boost of 50 percent. Additionally, the framework supports parallel training across hardware as well as dynamic debugging which enables developers to isolate bugs while taking less time to train AI models. One other interesting thing about MindSpore is the fact that it doesn't process any data on its own but instead, ingests gradient and model information that has already been processed. As a result of this, the framework preserves sensitive data even in “cross-scenario” environments while ensuring that models remain robust. MindSpore currently requires Python 3.7+ to run but the framework will soon support other languages such as C++, Rust and Julia.
Via VentureBeat This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| iPhone 11 and 11 Pro deals US: get the best prices for March 2020 Posted: 31 Mar 2020 12:39 PM PDT The iPhone 11 and 11 Pro is Apple's latest smartphone, and it's 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. 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. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| WireGuard VPN added to Linux 5.6 Posted: 31 Mar 2020 12:27 PM PDT Linux users now have another choice when it comes to protecting themselves online as WireGuard VPN has been added to the Linux kernel in version 5.6. Up until now, the fast and flexible VPN, which was designed specifically for Linux implementations, was only available as a third-party addition. However, WireGuard VPN is now available by default with release of Linux 5.6. In an announcement, president and security researcher at Edge Security, Jason Donenfeld explained that future Linux kernels will have WireGuard built-in by default, saying:
“Earlier this evening, Linus released Linux 5.6, which contains our first release of WireGuard. This is quite exciting. It means that kernels from here on out will have WireGuard built-in by default. And for those of you who were scared away prior by the "dOnT uSe tHiS k0de!!1!" warnings everywhere, you now have something more stable to work with.” WireGuard VPNWireGuard was originally developed as a replacement for more complex VPN protocols such as IPsec and OpenVPN as they can often be difficult to implement. It's also harder to audit or verify existing protocols because of their large codebases. As WireGuard VPN consists of around just 4,000 lines of code, as opposed to the 100,000 lines of code that make up OpenVPN, it is much easier for security experts to review and audit it for vulnerabilities. While WireGuard is now available in Linux 5.6, it will still take some time for the kernel to find its way into other popular Linux distros such as Ubuntu, Arch Linux and Linux Mint. However, while users of these distros wait for the trickle down effect to occur, WireGuard's existing compatibility with older versions of some Linux distributions will be maintained.
Via Decipher This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| How enterprise VR can empower a remote working world Posted: 31 Mar 2020 12:00 PM PDT With an ever-growing gig economy and pressure to achieve carbon neutrality, businesses have had to adapt remote working arrangements to keep pace with behavioural change in the workplace. The latest IWG Global Workspace Survey reveals that 73% of people in the UK consider flexible working to be the new normal, with 68% of UK businesses reported to have a flexible workspace policy. In the wake of the Covid-19 global pandemic, the disparate workforce is growing rapidly in size. Remote-working, virtual training and digital collaboration is now at the forefront of business leaders' minds. Virtual reality (VR) is one of the tools that could help to empower a remote-working culture. With the technology developing at a rapid pace and companies beginning to explore VR’s transformative potential, this ‘futuristic’ technology is making its way into the mainstream.
Training without limitsIn a world of increased remote working and vastly reduced business travel, VR offers a vital way of providing interactive, collaborative training. As well as developing workers’ technical skills, VR also has the scope to improve soft skills, such as teamwork and communication, through real-time collaborative training. Some of the key benefits of VR training include: ● Enhanced engagement: As VR technology was originally developed for the video game industry, its central aim is to engage, and it is inherently immersive. Gamification elements can be added to enterprise VR platforms; the introduction of a competitive element can increase employee engagement in the training and improve knowledge retention. ● Collaboration: Multiple employees can be in the same virtual space together from different locations, enabling them to feel socially and emotionally engaged in the training, increasing satisfaction and motivation. Developing effective communication between co-workers is becoming even more important as we move towards a remote workforce. ● Data-led intelligence: VR’s data capture capabilities allow for ‘objective’ and ‘subjective’ evaluation that would not be possible using standard methods, tracking things such as user actions and comments made in the training environment. This allows for learner-specific personalisation of training and provides individuals and organisations with detailed feedback. This, in turn, can help companies to review the effectiveness and ROI of their training programmes. ● Improved results: Research by the University of Cambridge’s Cyber-Human Lab has shown that effective VR training can result in faster task completion when compared with standard training. And improved training could have a positive impact on workplace retention, too: research indicates that workers that enjoy their training are more likely to remain with a company. Making the virtual a realityExciting new enterprise VR developments are currently in production or pilot, including advanced learner-specific personalisation and AI avatars that can assist with real-time training. And as enterprise VR software becomes more sophisticated, it is also becoming increasingly accessible. The cost of hardware is falling, and content is becoming easier to create and customise, opening enterprise VR up to smaller companies without in-house development teams. Additionally, the emergence of 5G will unlock exciting possibilities for enterprise VR applications. With the additional processing power 5G will provide, training experiences can be customised for the trainee based on their actions or reactions in real-time. Mass adoption of VR for corporate training is no longer a distant dream, but a very close reality. A virtual future on the horizonAt a time when virtual collaboration and digital connection are rapidly becoming mainstream ways of co-working, VR will be one of the tech tools that takes centre stage. Now is the moment for companies to start exploring the potential of this technology to increase employee engagement, productivity and retention. With new features in production and the technology becoming more accessible, the tipping point for the mass adoption of VR training is on the horizon. Research suggests that almost three-quarters of small to midsize businesses will be experimenting with immersive technology by 2022. Looking back, we may see 2020 as marking a major shift: a forced trial of mass remote working. Tom Symonds is CEO of Immerse
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Where to buy a webcam: these retailers still have stock Posted: 31 Mar 2020 11:33 AM PDT When you have to work from home, the capability to have an effective video conference is extremely important. And, while a lot of folks may have laptops that have a built-in camera, the best webcams can boost video quality so much that they're essential for anyone having regular video calls. However, now that the Covid-19 crisis has driven so many people to work from home, supply is running out. Understandably, a lot of people are scrambling to get their hands on a solid webcam so they can keep doing their jobs, even if they have to be remote. If you're scrambling to get your hands on a solid webcam, however, don't worry – they're definitely still out there, even if they're not quite as easy to find. Luckily, we here at TechRadar are online shopping pros, and we've found the retailers that still have solid webcams on sale and gathered them all up down below. Just keep in mind that because webcams are moving so fast, there are certain models that may sell out super quickly. In the UK? We’ve just added some webcams for the UK market as well. Stock is moving really quickly right now, so make sure you jump on what's available now. Check out our best webcams piece also to see the current range and find out which are still in stock in your areas. Where to buy a webcam in the USWe scoured the web to find the webcams that still have stock available to buy right now. Because the nature of online shopping, however, we'll likely see some of these sell out in the meantime. Some of these webcams are on backorder right now, but if you do buy one that's affected you should still be able to get it in about a week. Where to buy a webcam in the UKWebcams are also thin on the ground in the UK. Here are some that we've found that are still in stock: Webcams on backorderBecause availability for webcams is a little hit or miss right now, many webcams are currently on backorder. That means you probably won't be able to get it within a couple days, but it should arrive within a week or two. We found the best webcams that are on backorder that are actually worth waiting for – having to wait for a piece of hardware is enough without worrying about getting something that is potentially not as good. Where to buy a webcam in the UKStock is currently an issue for webcams in the UK right now with many of the big retailers such as Amazon, Curry's and Argos selling out quickly while people adjust to their new working from home situation. We've still found some cheap webcams that are still available, so don't worry if you're still looking - we can help your search. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| How to watch The Flash online: stream Crisis on Infinite Earths anywhere Posted: 31 Mar 2020 10:28 AM PDT If your favorite superhero exists in the Arrowverse, chances are they're once again fighting to save the world as part of the Crisis on Infinite Earths crossover, which sees The Flash (née Barry Allen) teaming up with old friends The Green Arrow, Supergirl and more in a bid to save the multiverse. Here's how to watch The Flash online - stream Crisis on Infinite Earths part 3 and all of The Flash season 6 wherever you are. Originally an Arrow spin-off, The Flash was the second show to launch as part of the Arrowverse and stars Grant Gustin as Barry Allen, a nerdy forensic scientist with the Central City police force who wakes up after being struck by lightning with superhuman speed. Soon after, he assembles his iconic red costume and becomes the superhero comic book fans will immediately recognize as The Flash. We don't want to spoil things, as The Flash is one of the absolute best superhero shows going right now, so we'll leave it at that for now. But we will say that with over 120 episodes aired to date, The Flash is ideal for binge-viewing if you're stuck at home under lockdown - so allow us to explain how to watch The Flash season 6 online and stream Crisis on Infinite Earths from anywhere in the world.
Can I watch The Flash on Netflix?Yes, but only if you have access to Netflix Canada. It's the one major country where all six seasons of The Flash can be streamed on the popular service, which is great news for those living in the Great White North - and terrible news if you happen to be anywhere else, as geo-blocking will almost certainly prevent you from watching the shows and movies you normally would at home. Fortunately, there's an easy solution - using a VPN. This clever bit of software allows you repoint your computer back to a location in Canada so you can stream your local Netflix catalogue just like you would from the comfort of your couch. Of the many options, our testers rate ExpressVPN as the best option due to its ease of use, fast speeds, and security features - and better still, you can get a 49% discount and 3 months extra FREE if you signup to ExpressVPN today. Allow us to explain more. How to watch The Flash from outside your countryThose who already have a streaming service they use to watch The Flash online may find themselves unable to access it when abroad, due to pesky geo-blocking restrictions. Yes, we're aware that most of us aren't going anywhere in the near future, but global travel will one day resume and, god forbid, you may even be stuck abroad during these difficult times. Fortunately, there's an easy solution to geo-blocking. Downloading a VPN will allow you to watch Crisis on Infinite Earths and every new episode of The Flash no matter where you are. This simple bit of software changes your IP address so that you can access episodes live or on demand just like you would at home.
How to watch The Flash online for free in the US
How to watch The Flash: Stream Crisis on Infinite Earths online in the UK
Watch The Flash online in Australia
How to watch The Flash online in Canada
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| The best cheap phones in the US 2020 Posted: 31 Mar 2020 10:22 AM PDT Want a great phone but don't want to spend lots of money? While the low-cost handsets on this list surely won’t rank among our best phones, each cheap phone here should work just fine for anyone looking to save hundreds of dollars on a discounted iOS 13 or Android 10 device. These are the absolute best cheap smartphones that we recommend, regardless of your budget, which should last you years. And if you want to upgrade later, come back here for more recommendations within the same affordable price range.
OnePlus 7T The OnePlus 7T is a return to a cheaper phone after the OnePlus 7 Pro (the standard OnePlus 7 wasn't sold in the US), yet it might still be too pricey for some. But we have to start somewhere, and a standout phone for under $600 is where we begin. While the 7T doesn't have quite the standout perks of the OnePlus 7 Pro (notably, the pop-up selfie camera), but the company opted to pack more features in and raise the price to $699. Even so, you're not missing much by picking the 7T, which got the same slew of three top-tier rear cameras. The OnePlus 7T deserves a spot on this list simply because it features flagship-level specs (which are even better than some flagship phones with its 8GB of RAM) and a big screen north of six inches, with a price that falls south of every major flagship out there. But if the $599 starting price of the OnePlus 7T is still a bit much, track down a OnePlus 6T (released in late 2018), which has year-old specs for even lower prices. Read the full review: OnePlus 7T
You're never going to get a cheap iPhone if you opt for the newest models. But, if you dig a little deeper, you can get an older model at a good price. The iPhone 8 may have a dated design next to the iPhone X and 2018 iPhones – bigger bezels, fewer cameras – but it offers a strong price-to-performance value. The A11 Bionic chipset inside of the iPhone 8 is still plenty powerful for anything you'll throw at it, and Apple keeps legacy devices supported for a long time. So you'll be able to update the operating system to iOS 12 and probably even to iOS 13 and beyond. The rest of its specs aren't too shabby, with a 12MP rear camera, 7MP front-facing camera, 2GB of RAM and either 64GB or 256GB of storage. While the 1,821mAh battery isn't huge compared to flagships, it can change wirelessly. Read the full review: iPhone 8
If you're patient, Samsung's flagship Galaxy S devices have been getting some of the biggest and most consistent discounts after their release. The Galaxy S9 is no exception. The phone is only a little over a year old, and already you can find it for under $500. Better still, it's not going to feel too dated. You'll be able to run Android Pie and the Snapdragon 845 chipset with 4GB of RAM is still reasonably powerful. The reduced bezels around the display help it stay relatively trendy, while the high resolution display isn't likely to show signs of aging in the phone's lifetime. Add in an IP68 rating against water and dust, and it's a high value phone that you're not likely to have to replace because of a little accident at the pool. Read the full review: Samsung Galaxy S9
If you look to the smartphone manufacturers that don't have incredible popularity, you can often find strong value options. That's the case with the Honor View 10. When it launched, it was offering strong performance from a Kirin 970 chipset that came paired with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, which are higher specs than what the base Galaxy S9 included. The Honor View 10's design may not win over any who prize elegance with its a simple and dated style, but its aluminum sides and back are still a step above normal budget builds. Plus, it manages to be thinner than the iPhone XS and Galaxy S9 while still having strong battery life and including a 3.5mm headphone jack. The phone also has expandable storage using a microSD card if 128GB isn't enough. Read the full review: Honor View 10
The Moto Z3 Play isn't an especially impressive smartphone, especially compared to the OnePlus 6T. With 4GB RAM, a less-powerful Snapdragon 636 chip, smaller battery and a slightly smaller screen, it's outdone by OnePlus' phone in almost every way. Almost – because the ace up Moto's sleeve are its signature MotoMods which snap to the back of its phones to add functionality. While some are far less useful (like the projector), others can be handy, like those adding big speakers or a lot more battery life. Still, the Moto Z3 Play starts at $349 now thanks to a price cut, and you can likely find other combos to sweeten the deal. Read the full review: Moto Z3 Play
Image credit: TechRadar That's right, Nokia still has phones coming out. Things where dicey for a while there, but the company has been making a comeback recently, and its Nokia 7.1 handset offers a strong value. The Nokia 7.1 offers a big, bright screen with the notch we've seen on so many other smartphones in the past couple years. The display even supports HDR10 for superior contrast and colors. The Snapdragon 636 chipset isn't the most powerful, but will do for all but the most serious mobile gamers and power users. And, all of that is packed into an a aluminum and glass design the won't feel nearly as cheap as the phone is. Read our in-depth review: Nokia 7.1
Image Credit: TechRadar When you're looking for a great budget smartphone, you should always see what Motorola is cooking up in its Moto G line. The family of smartphone almost always has something strong on offer, and the Moto G7 is no exception. The Moto G7 has a capable is not incredible Snapdragon 632 chipset with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. And, it's fit into a modern looking chassis. The edges are aluminum, with glass on the front and back. The screen really brings the Moto G7 into modernity, with a big, 6.2-inch display that has just a small teardrop notch at the top akin to the OnePlus 6T. You also get a fingerprint scanner on the back, dual rear cameras, a headphone jack, and light water resistance. Read our in-depth review: Moto G7
Image credit: TechRadar If you like the sound of the Moto G7 but want to be sure you've got the battery life to make it through the day and then some, the Moto G7 Power is another strong option at a value-friendly price. The Moto G7 Power packs a 6.2-inch display into the body, though it has a big screen notch at the top. The resolution is lower than the standard Moto G7, but that can serve to keep the performance smoother and battery life longer. With a 5,000mAh battery, the Moto G7 Power is definitely a top option for budget shoppers looking for a smartphone that'll last all day without concern. It's not the most exciting phone, but it's also way cheaper than the most exciting phones – and you won't have to worry about buying an external battery pack. Read our in-depth review: Moto G7 Power review
Moto G7 Play If you want one of the Moto G7 phones but needed to go for an even lower price, the Moto G7 Play is a compelling option. It still has the Snapdragon 632 chipset powering the more expensive Moto G7 models, but it comes at a price well below the others. That said, it does come with only 2GB of RAM, which won't help much with heavy multitasking. Still, at a budget price, you're getting a screen that looks fairly modern with a notch at the top, even if it doesn't serve much purpose beyond a particular aesthetic. Even if the resolution is only HD Plus, it still musters a pixel density of 294ppi at 5.7 inches. Beyond that, you get a fingerprint scanner, a headphone jack, and USB-C for charging, though you'll have to buy a Motorola Turbo Charger yourself. Read our in-depth review: Moto G7 Play review
iPhone SE Apple's last hurrah for the four-inch form factor is still one of our favorites, even if the company doesn't sell it directly anymore. The phone brings specs that put in on par with the iPhone 6S. The fact that you can usually get this smartphone for under $300 already makes it an absolute steal if you're a loyal iOS user, and we've seen it under $200. Sure, it doesn't come with all of the bells and whistles of a brand new iPhone XR or iPhone XS, but complete with the iOS 12 update that came to this (and many other) older iPhone models, it's made even faster than before. Plus, if you like being able to use your smartphone with one hand, no new iPhone is as ready for that. Read the full review: iPhone SE
What to look for in the best cheap smartphoneThe best cheap phone in the US can be a bit tough to choose since it won't always come down to comparing price. Some of the best cheap smartphones are actually older higher-tier models with heavy discounts, while certain new phones offer killer value and the latest perks. One of the most important things to consider while shopping for the best cheap phone is, obviously, the price. One person's 'cheap' isn't necessarily someone else's 'affordable.' With flagship phone prices from Apple and Samsung skyrocketing higher than $1,000, some folks may find anything under $600 cheap, while those with tighter budgets could be looking below $400 or even below $200 for a handset. In any case, nobody gets left out when it comes to great cheap smartphones. Older flagship handsets from Samsung and Apple come in at prices that thrifty shoppers can afford, and new phones from OnePlus, Motorola, and others which might have fallen off your radar pack the latest tech into affordable packages, and are worth considering. We've assembled a ranked list of the best phones under $600, $500, $400, and $200. No matter your budget, we're recommending a smartphone for you based on these price tiers. These value phones are frequently unlocked, contract-free, and SIM-free, making them even easier to pick up and try out.
David Lumb also contributed to this list This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Video conferencing apps saw record downloads in just one week Posted: 31 Mar 2020 10:14 AM PDT Demand for video conferencing apps for both business and personal use has grown tremendously during the coronavirus outbreak but according to a new report from App Annie, business conferencing apps hit their biggest week ever in March. Between March 14 and 21, video conferencing apps for business were downloaded 62m times as more employees made the transition to working from home. The surge in business app downloads across Apple's App Store and the Google Play Store during that week represented a 45 percent increase from the number of apps downloaded during the previous week. App Annie's report also showed that business apps experienced the highest growth among any category across both app stores that week.
Increased adoption of apps such as Google's Hangouts Meet, Microsoft Teams and Zoom Cloud Meetings led to much of the growth in business app downloads seen in March. Video conferencing app downloadsZoom is quickly becoming a household name and the app topped the charts worldwide in February and March. During the week of record downloads, Zoom was downloaded 14 times more than the weekly average during Q4 of 2019 in the US. The app was also downloaded more than 20 times Q4's weekly average in the UK, 22 times more in France, 17 times more in Germany, 27 times more in Spain and 55 times more in Italy. During the same period in March, Google's Hangouts Meet also saw strong downloads in the UK, US, Spain and Italy with 24 times more downloads in the UK, 30 times more downloads in the US, 64 times more downloads in Spain and 140 times more downloads in Italy when compared to the average weekly downloads in Q4. At the same time, Microsoft Teams usage also grew worldwide when compared to Q4 2019 with 15 times more downloads in Spain, 16 times more downloads in France and 30 times more downloads in Italy. Senior insights analyst at App Annie, Lexi Sydow explained how video conferencing apps can allow users to work and socialize online during this trying time in a blog post, saying: “As people face uncertain timelines for the length of social isolation, video conferencing apps have the potential to vastly influence our daily habits — breaking down geological barriers and fostering the ability to work and socialize relatively seamlessly. It is an unprecedented time for the world and an incredibly dynamic time for mobile — we are seeing shifts in consumer behavior surface daily across virtually every sector.”
Via TechCrunch This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Make better video calls for less with this fantastic Lenovo Smart Display deal Posted: 31 Mar 2020 09:46 AM PDT Tired of poor quality video calls? These Lenovo Smart Display deals are offering big savings on the popular Google Assistant screens designed to offer extra functionality from your virtual assistant as well as help you achieve stress-free video calls. You can now pick up the 8-inch Lenovo Smart Display for just $99 / £159, with even more saving on the 7-inch model in the UK - now only £79.99. Those are some fantastic prices on both sides of the pond, and a brilliant way to enhance your video calls for less. The Lenovo Smart Display acts as a separate screen that you can interact with using Google Assistant. Whether that's for YouTube videos (incredibly handy for following recipes in the kitchen), keeping your email, calendar, and news alerts handy, or video calling with excellent clarity, these Lenovo Smart Display deals offer brilliant value right now. Looking for more? You can also pick up the Lenovo Smart Tab M10 with Alexa functionality for just $159 in the US and £149 in the UK. Today's best Lenovo Smart Display deal in the US
Today's best Lenovo Smart Display deals in the UK
You'll find plenty more smart home deals right here on TechRadar, but if you're looking for smart speakers and displays in particular, we'd point you towards the best Amazon Echo sales currently available, or our top picks of the best Google Home deals. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Apple AirPod alternatives: these are the best true wireless earbuds around Posted: 31 Mar 2020 09:25 AM PDT Ready to finally try out a pair of the best true wireless earbuds? There's never been a better time to cut the cord, and we're here to help you choose the perfect true wireless buds for your needs (and your budget). True wireless means there aren't any cables between the two earbuds at all, so there's no wire or neck band to contend with. Nothing to get tangled in your pocket or caught on your zipper, nothing to whack around your neck in the middle of that run, and also nothing to keep your singular earbuds together. If you haven't noticed, headphone cables are going out of fashion. That's because wireless audio sounds better than ever, compression formats for Bluetooth 5.0 are more reliable, and flagship smartphones are shipping without headphone jacks. The best true wireless earbuds of 2020 even come with high-spec tech like active noise cancellation and built-in artificial intelligence – and in the case of the yet-to-be-launched Google Pixel Buds, real-time language translation. The original Apple AirPods were one of the first mainstream true wireless earbuds, but there are far better options out there in terms of audio quality, battery life, design, and crucially, price – and that includes the new AirPods Pro, which have made it onto this list. So, before you buy a pair of old-school 'Pods, check out our list of the best AirPod-alternatives you can buy in 2020.
Considering it's still rare to get noise-cancellation in wired earbuds at all, the fact that Sony has managed to pack it into a pair that are not only wireless, but true wireless is very impressive indeed. While models like the AirPods Pro have tried to replicate this, Sony is still top of the true wireless table. That's because the Sony WF-1000XM3 manage to offer a level of noise-cancellation that's exceedingly good for a pair of earbuds – they won't offer the same isolation as a pair of over-ear headphones, but its a worthy trade off for that sleeker form. Sony has really knocked the ball out of the park with the WF-1000XM3. Not only are these hands down the best-looking true wireless earbuds on the market, but they also combine serious noise-cancelling tech with fist-pumping musicality. If you don’t want the inconvenience of carrying full-size cans around, they’re a persuasive alternative. Battery life is above average, and that compact charging case is pretty slick too. Constantly improving, a recent update has brought volume control to the buds themselves, as well as support for Amazon Alexa. We reckon the true wireless jungle has found a new king. These earbuds might be getting even better in the near future, too; on March 5, the earbuds briefly appeared on the Qualcomm website, suggesting that the Sony WF-1000XM3 could be about to get aptX HD support – and therefore, support for Hi-Res Audio. Read more: Sony WF-1000XM3 review
Cambridge Audio is known for its high-end audio equipment, but until now, hasn’t ventured into the world of true wireless earbuds. Enter the Cambridge Audio Melomania 1s: with an outstanding 45 hours of battery life, they combine the brand’s award-winning engineering with the convenience of truly wireless listening. For a pair of true wireless earbuds, the sound quality offered by the Cambridge Audio Melomania 1s is sensational. In fact, it rivals that of some of the best over-ear headphones. They may not have the noise cancellation technology offered by the Sony WF-1000XM3 Wireless Earbuds, but they are $100 / £100 cheaper – and they have a superior battery life. They certainly outperform the Apple AirPods (2019), in all respects apart from the lack of wireless charging case. This is a small price to pay for that exceptional audio quality, though, and we think they represent much better value for money, too. Read more: Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 review
You may not have heard of up-and-coming audio brand Lypertek yet, but expect to hear a lot from it soon – its Lypertek Tevi true wireless earbuds are among the best we’ve tried, especially given their low price tag ($130 / £99 / AU$185). With USB-C charging, a well-balanced sound, lengthy battery life, and waterproofing, they tick every box you could ask for, from what are basically a pair of budget buds. The Lypertek Tevi, surprisingly, might just blow you away, punching well above their weight and rivaling buds from some of the biggest audio brands on the planet. Consider us pleasantly surprised. Read more: Lypertek Tevi true wireless earbuds review
They're not cheap, but the T5 hold their own against the very best true wireless headphones – in fact, we'd argue that they're among the best models on the market right now. That's because they offer stellar sound, high build quality, long-lasting battery life, and one of the coolest cases we've ever seen. Featuring the signature Klipsch sound, these buds sound warm, clear, and never harsh. Acoustic music is lush and detailed, with that clarity extending to the highs as well, allowing the headphones to sing in the higher registers without ever being sibilant. Battery life is rated at eight hours per charge with the case providing an additional 24 hours – these are true wireless earbuds that can last you an entire flight from New York to San Francisco (or wherever you're next trip takes you). Read more: Klipsch T5 True Wireless review
The Jabra Elite 75t improve upon their predecessors, the Jabra Elite 65t, in just about every way – except for tonal balance. The headphones and charging case are much smaller, battery life makes an immense jump, catching up to the competition, and the customization features we enjoyed in the 65t remain. While they don't have the best sound quality and they lacks active noise cancellation, neither stops the Jabre Elite 75t from being a solid pair of true wireless headphones to use, especially if you make frequent calls with your your headphones on. I Read the full review: Jabra Elite 75t review
Apple has launched its new true wireless earbuds, bringing active noise cancellation, a (finally) much better fit, and an improved design, in a bid to lure more iPhone users into the true wireless fold. However, at $249 / £249 / AU$399, they’re pretty pricey too, and as such can’t be called the very best wireless headphones out there. That said, if you’re an iPhone user looking for some well-fitting earbuds with strong sound quality, you could do a lot worse than the new AirPods - the redesign means they’re far less likely to fall out, and the additional microphones provide strong noise-cancelling (particularly when commuting), as well as a useful Transparency mode, which really does let the outside world in. The sound quality of the AirPods Pro has certainly improved since the previous iteration – there’s a notable emphasis on vocals and bass, meaning these earbuds are better for pop fans than those that enjoy a more natural presentation that lends itself to classical music or more orchestral sounds. Apparently, there's a new AirPods model on the horizon to join the original buds and the newer Pros. The AirPods Pro Lite are rumored to be a new, cheaper variant of the company's popular true wireless earbuds, and they could be released this year. Read more: Apple AirPods Pro review
The new PowerBeats Pro true wireless Beats headphones aren't exactly the earbuds analysts have been predicting, sure, but they are something special – they’re supremely comfortable, sound decent and seem to never, ever fall out. They might not be the best true wireless earbuds in Apple's audio arsenal now that the AirPods Pro are here, but they are Apple’s most premium play into the world of running headphones, and are the buds we'd recommend to most workout enthusiasts. That's thanks to features like the pressure-reducing micro-laser barometric venting hole, their long battery life and good sound quality. If we had to choose between wearing these and the original AirPods around the house or office, these are what we’d wear. Read more: Beats PowerBeats Pro review
With the TWS50, SoundMAGIC has hit the price/performance sweet-spot, thanks to these true wireless earbuds' fantastic price, comfortable design, great sound, and support for Bluetooth 5.0. They offer a wide, spacious soundstage, with a good, well balanced presentation, alongside a decent battery life and comfy fit – in short, if you're looking for some cheap AirPod-alternatives, the SoundMAGIC TWS50 are well worth a look. Read more: SoundMAGIC TWS50 true wireless in-ear headphones review
Sennheiser enters the race with its Momentum True Wireless earbuds. An extension of its reputable Momentum range, these cordless buds offer Sennheiser's trademark high-fidelity audio in a gorgeously sleek package. You only get four hours of charge in the earbuds, but the carry case will be able to charge them two times over on top of that, giving you 12 hours in total when on the go. The main thing holding these back is the price: at £259 / $299 (about AU$400) they're almost double the cost of the Apple AirPods. You do get a range of touch-based controls to stop you reaching for your phone every time you want to skip or pause a track, but the act of prodding things in your ear could be more comfortable – while the volume control is oddly imprecise. Overall though, Sennheiser's first true wireless earbuds combine style and sound like few others. [Update: You can expect to see these buds replaced by the second-gen Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 – once we've spent a little more time getting to know them, of course.] Read more: Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless review
Let’s get one thing out of the way – the B&O Beoplay E8 are some of the best-looking and most expensive wireless earphones you can buy at $350 / £300 (around AU$570). Audio quality is undeniably excellent, and you can tweak the sound to your liking using the accompanying Beoplay app on Android and iOS. Even without tinkering around with ToneTouch, the E8 2.0s sounds crisp and clear, with punchy bass frequencies. So, the Bang & Olufsen E8 2.0 truly wireless earphones look great and sound great, although the touch-sensitive buttons are a little too sensitive at times, and there's no active noise cancellation. However, it's hard to not find these earphones appealing, and if you want your true wireless earbuds to look as good as they sound, they could be the perfect model for you. Read more: B&O Beoplay E8 2.0 Wireless Earphones review
With a promising battery life and well-managed bass enhancement over Audio-Technica’s usual neutral sound, the Audio-Technica ATH-CKS5TW true wireless earbuds have a lot going for them. They've one of the most complete and well-rounded sound profiles we've seen from true-wireless earbuds, and that's despite the claimed bass enhancement. It's a very enjoyable sound that they make. However, they are let down a bit by their fit – mileage will vary of course depending on your preferred bud style and the size of your ears, but all will find the fiddly case fit will annoy over time. Still, the quality audio here may be a worthy trade-off. Read more: Audio-Technica ATH-CKS5TW review What about the Apple AirPods?
2019 was a big year for the Apple AirPods; in March last year, the true wireless earbuds were given an upgrade to give us the new AirPods, and most recently, Apple announced the Apple AirPods Pro. The second generation Apple AirPods, the AirPods (2019), aren't a huge improvement on their predecessors, but they still sport some cool features, that may make them worth buying if you're an iPhone user in particular. They still feature the iconic design of the original AirPods (a good or bad thing depending on your point of view), and sound quality hasn't changed at all – it's lively, but not on par with the best true wireless earbuds in this guide. The bulk of the upgrade comes from the new H1 headphone chip, which improves connectivity and battery life, and allows for a new ‘Hey Siri’ voice activation feature. The AirPods (2019) also come with an optional wireless charging case means you can use a Qi-compatible charging mat to power the case, rather than sticking a cable into the Lightning charging port in the bottom of the case. Like their predecessors, they are super easy to pair, but they are very much optimized for using with iPhones. The best true wireless earbuds give you more flexibility when it comes to your device of choice, and can offer superior sound quality – as well as sleeker designs. There’s also no getting away from the fact that these are an expensive pair of headphones, and for that kind of money we think that you can find better products elsewhere – especially if you're looking to pair with anything other than an iPhone. Read more Apple AirPods (2019) review True wireless vs wireless: what's the difference?Wireless headphones are traditional over-ear or on-ear headphones without the wire – the two earcups are connected by a headband. To learn more, head to our round up of the best wireless headphones. Wireless earbuds – the focus of this guide – have existed for a while now, basically since Bluetooth was invented. Though battery-powered and not physically connected to your phone, they have a cord connecting both buds – and sometimes a band around the neck too. Check out the best wireless earbuds for more. True wireless earbuds - the focus of this guide – have no cord whatsoever. While wireless allows us to wear headphones a few feet away from our music players, true wireless cuts the cord between the earbuds, giving us true freedom. Best true wireless earbuds at a glance
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Should you buy a PS4 or Xbox One right now? Posted: 31 Mar 2020 09:24 AM PDT The Nintendo Switch has been out-of-stock for the last few weeks. Why is the Nintendo Switch selling out? It's because of a bunch of factors: demand caused by much of the world's population being stuck indoors for the foreseeable future, as well as massive interest in Animal Crossing: New Horizons, a recent game for the system. This Bloomberg article in February warned that component supply issues were going to be a problem and hit supplies worldwide by April. It seems they were correct. So, with the Switch being elusive, you might be wondering if it's worth picking up an older games console like the PS4 or Xbox One instead. In the UK, overall console sales in the week of March 16-22 were up 250%, according to GSD figures analyzed by GamesIndustry.biz, so demand is high. The outlet cites massive gains for all three consoles, and retailers are now starting to sell out of the Xbox One and PS4. First of all, while the regular Switch is selling out everywhere, there are still places selling the handheld-only Switch Lite. That unit doesn't have the benefit of detachable Joy-Cons, and you can't plug it into your TV, but it plays all the same games and the Switch is still fantastic as a handheld-only proposition. Plus, it costs less than the other unit. Here's where you can still get it: If you're stuck indoors for the next few months, though, is it worth picking a PS4 or Xbox One up to pass the time? We'll explore this below, and show you where to get each console for the best price. Is now the right time to get a PS4 or Xbox One?Truth be told, if you don't have either a PS4 or Xbox One yet, you're either a mobile or PC player, or you're not massively engaged with the world of games. Both of these consoles are long-in-the-tooth, having launched in their original forms back in late 2013. And both consoles have successors coming later this year, the PS5 and Xbox Series X. That means if you buy a console now, in a couple of years it's likely you won't be able to play the biggest and best games being released, because they'll be targeted at the newer consoles. It's worth knowing that before you buy. Microsoft, though, has committed to releasing games compatible with all its hardware for a couple of years after the newer console's launch. It's also worth noting that both the PS5 and Xbox Series X will play PS4 and Xbox One games respectively through backwards compatibility. So, with an eye on the long-term, the next-gen consoles are by far the better bet. There will be a hard point when games stop being released on PS4 and Xbox One entirely. That's just a reality of how games are made and sold, and it's always been this way. Still: the surge in sales for all consoles reveals that people are more concerned with the short term right now. And as a short term purchase, the PS4 and Xbox One are absolutely going to help you kill time over the next few months of being indoors. They both have enormous catalogues of great software, and you'll spend a lot less on these machines than you'll likely have to drop on a PS5 or Xbox Series X (neither have confirmed pricing yet). First up, then, is the PS4, the most successful games console of the generation. The cheapest unit is the PS4 Slim. It doesn't output in 4K, but it'll always be cheaper than buying the PS4 Pro, which does output in 4K. The PS4 has the edge over the Xbox One in terms of software. Check out our list of the best PS4 games for recommendations, but modern classics like Spider-Man, God of War and Horizon Zero Dawn can only be found on PS4. These have helped the console pull ahead in sales over the Xbox. The PS4 is still pretty hard to get hold of right now, but here are a few places with stock in the US and UK: And here's a quick price comparison for the PS4 Pro: Next up, then, there's the Xbox One. There are two hardware variants here, too: the Xbox One S and the Xbox One X. The former is a slim version of the original 2013 console, while the pricier Xbox One X is much more powerful, capable of outputting games in 4K. In addition, both Xbox units have an impressive backwards compatibility feature, meaning you can play older games released on the Xbox 360 and 2001's original Xbox. That's something you won't get on PS4, which doesn't work with PS3 games, though it can stream them via PS Now. Note that there are two variants of the Xbox One S. The All-Digital edition comes without a disc drive, so you won't be able to buy physical or secondhand games for it. Make sure you get the console that suits your needs. New Xbox consoles come with a trial for Xbox Game Pass, a Netflix-style service that charges a flat monthly fee to play all the games you want from a pretty vast selection. This is again something that's better than the PS4's rival PS Now service, even though the latter has been upping its game of late. The best Xbox games don't quite compare favorably to the PS4's software line-up, but in some cases, the hardware enhancements of the Xbox One X will give you a better playing experience of games that are available on both platforms (here's a list of enhanced games). As with the PS4, the Xbox One S is hard to find in-stock right now, but here are some places that have it in the US and UK: And here's the same thing for the Xbox One X: Are you bored as hell right now? A console will helpUser activity is peaking across online gaming platforms like Steam, Xbox Live and the PlayStation Network, and it's no surprise. If you know other people who play games and you've got a console on the same platform, it's a way to hang out together virtually while pubs and cafes are out of the question. While you need to pay for membership to access online multiplayer gaming services like PS Plus and Xbox Live Gold, once you're on there, you've got a rich option of free games to enjoy, like Apex Legends, Warframe, Call of Duty: Warzone or Fortnite. Collectively, that's hundreds of hours of fun without the need to spend any extra money. You can pick up a ton of older games on both for very little money if you shop around, too. While waiting for a PS5 or Xbox Series X is the better long-term decision, getting a PS4 or Xbox One right now might just make these slow days go by a little quicker.
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| How to watch The Walking Dead online: live stream season 10 from anywhere Posted: 31 Mar 2020 09:08 AM PDT It's safe to say that season 10 part 2 of the walking dead has so far had plenty of twists and turns and quite a few shocking events, from murders to unexpected betrayals and show downs. Ready to watch the massacre unfold? Keep reading as we're here to tell you how to watch The Walking Dead season 10 online from absolutely anywhere. Update : Due to the current global situation, the finale of this TV series will not arrive until later this year, so after the penultimate episode fans will have to wait a few months for the next and final instalment. What a season it's been! Filled with betrayal, shocking revelations and plenty of gore. We won't spoil it for you in case you are still catching up, but the show down we so desperately wanted occurred, except it wasn't between Carol and Alpha... Fans also got to see an epic battle scene between the Hilltop forces and the Whisperers! There's still so many questions that need answering, so if you're ready for the next part of the massacre, here's how to watch The Walking Dead online and on TV - don't miss the next episode with our guide.
How to watch The Walking Dead online from anywhere in the worldIf you typically watch the Walking Dead online but find yourself away from home or out of the country, you can still get your undead fix. This is possible using a VPN to get around the usual geo restrictions - so you can live stream The Walking Dead at the exact same time that it broadcasts in the US. Which VPN is best for you? Our top pick is ExpressVPN. And how do you use that to watch The Walking Dead online? It's actually remarkably simple.
How to watch the The Walking Dead: season 10 US streaming guideTo watch the second part of The Walking Dead season 10 in the US you can do it most easily via AMC, which airs the show at 9pm ET / 8pm CT / 6pm PT on Sundays. However if you don't have cable, you can access AMC shows with an internet connection and a paid for service like DirectTV Now, Sling TV or PlayStation Vue. You can also watch all The Walking Dead Season 10 on Amazon Video, Apple iTunes, FandangoNOW and VUDU. Which means you can watch it on your laptop, smartphone, connected TV or tablet. The great news is that you can get free trials with some of these servers so if you want to try before you buy, that's an option too. Not in the US this Sunday? Then don't feel like you need to miss out. Head back up to our instructions for how to watch via a VPN above, and then you can watch through your preferred online method above.
How to watch The Walking Dead in the UK: season 10 streaming detailsThe second part of The Walking Dead season 10 premiered on FOX UK on Monday, February 24 at 9pm GMT. Fox TV is a paid for channel that is included on some Sky, Virgin Media, and TalkTalk packages. New episodes of the Walking Dead season 10 continue to air on the channel at the same time - so you can watch the Walking Dead on TV every Monday at 9pm GMT. If you don't have a fancy TV package, though, you can still access the channel using a service like Now TV. This lets you pay for a bundle for a period of time so you don't need to commit. For this you can opt for the Entertainment bundle for £8.99 per month which can be cancelled month to month and includes a one week FREE trial. Not in the UK to watch? It's OK, you don't have to set it to record or rely on catching up - get your zombie fix by downloading a VPN and watching from wherever you are as described above.
Where can I watch old episodes of The Walking Dead?It's never too late to start watching The Walking Dead with its nine seasons already completed and crammed full of excitement that never gets old. There are lots of ways to catch up: US: You've got plenty of option so take you're pick! Here's a handy list of some of the most popular ones we've found: Amazon Video, iTunes, Fandango Now and Vue. All of these streaming services have all 10 seasons of The Walking Dead. UK: Now TV has every single Walking Dead episode ever made on its service, although you'd have to do A LOT of binge watching if you want to fit them all in to a single month's Entertainment Pass. However if you're an Amazon Prime customer you can just go there to catch up on the first 9 seasons. Everywhere else: If you've hunted high and low and still can't find anywhere showing the old 132 episodes(!) of The Walking Dead, then it might be worth giving a VPN a try to get access. Then you can potentially grab hold of them from a US or UK source. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Moving the VPN industry forward: a Q&A with NordVPN Posted: 31 Mar 2020 09:00 AM PDT Despite its massive growth in recent years, the VPN industry isn’t resting on its laurels. Instead, VPN providers are finding new ways to innovate when it comes to the security and speed of their services. They’ve also begun to undergo independent security audits to show customers that their apps and infrastructure are really as secure as they claim. NordVPN has taken many of these steps itself but the company has also expanded the range of services it offers users to include a password manager, a new encryption tool and more. To learn more about NordVPN’s recent improvements and the technologies that power its VPN service, TechRadar Pro spoke with the co-founder of NordSec and Tesonet, Tom Okman.
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| iPad deal alert: the latest model Apple iPad gets an $80 price cut Posted: 31 Mar 2020 08:48 AM PDT If you're searching for at-home entertainment, a tablet can be a fantastic option, and luckily for you, we've found the latest model Apple iPad on sale. iPad deals:Interested in other iPad models? We've listed even more of the cheapest iPad deals and refurbished iPad sales. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| watchOS 7 release date, compatibility, sleep tracking and features Posted: 31 Mar 2020 08:38 AM PDT Last year’s big update to the Apple Watch operating system brought a few serious improvements, but given how little changed with the Apple Watch 5, there wasn’t much room to introduce new features. That could change with watchOS 7, the next update likely coming with the Apple Watch 6. Like with its other devices, Apple always pairs its Apple Watch releases with a big operating system update. But the timing is pretty much all we know about what’s coming with watchOS 7. We'll know more we’ll know better when the company teases its end-of-year updates at an online-only WWDC 2020 that is set for June. That's when we're also likely to get our first teases of the Apple Watch 6, which will suggest what we're getting in watchOS 7. In other words, we’ll list everything we absolutely know is coming in watchOS 7, followed by all the leaks and rumors we hear beforehand. Finally, we’ve got a list of what we’d really like to see. Cut to the chase
watchOS 7 beta and release datePer precedent, it’s safe to say that the next annual watchOS update will come in late 2020 - most likely in September. That’s around when the Apple Watch launches tend to be, as well as the year’s new flagship phones such as the iPhone 12. It’s also when every other Apple operating system update is fully revealed, and they, like the next watchOS, become available either on the day of or in the weeks following. Thus, somewhere between late September and October is a safe guess for watchOS 7’s release date. We're likely to hear about it earlier than that though as the company may tease upcoming features at WWDC 2020 set for June. By now, we can safely say that watchOS 7 will be free, given that every Apple operating system update across its device range hasn’t cost users to upgrade. And while watchOS 6 wasn’t compatible with Apple Watch Series 1 and Apple Watch 2, the company has been readily selling the Apple Watch 3 at a nice discount. So we fully expect watchOS 7 to work with the Apple Watch 3 and newer. watchOS 7 features and leaksLittle is known about the watchOS 7 update, but one leak suggests it'll only be compatible with four generations of the Apple Watch. A report from The Verifier - that cites what he website calls trusted sources - has claimed the Apple Watch Series 1 and Apple Watch 2 may miss out on the update in 2020. It's also thought the update will allow for older compatible Apple Watches to use the blood oxygen monitoring feature that has long been rumored for the smartwatch as well as far more intuitive sleep tracking. watchOS 7: what we want to seeWe still haven’t heard anything concrete about watchOS 7. Come early June, we’ll have concrete facts around watchOS 7. Until then, here’s what we’d like to see in Apple's next big software update.
Better battery-saving optionsOur biggest complaint with the Apple Watch 5: the battery doesn’t last long enough, rarely surpassing a single day. While you can turn on the Power Reserve mode to preserve capacity, that turns every feature off and just lists the time. That’s a last resort, not a battery-saving strategy. We’d love to see one or more different sub-modes that allow for more nuance in keeping your Apple Watch alive longer. Heck, we’d even go for granular control in turning off power-sucking modes one-by-one (like, say, always-on display) as well as clarity in how much time that would buy you.
Sleep trackingSpeaking of better battery life, one of the reasons we’d like more of it is to wear our Apple Watches through the night - paired with advanced sleep tracking, of course. We’ve been clamoring for Apple-refined sleep monitoring capabilities for years, and are sure that there’s room to expand the smartwatch’s software to fit the need. But perhaps Apple is waiting for different sensors in the Apple Watch 6 - in which case, we’ll keep waiting. Device ‘leash’ alertsOne of our favorite things: plenty of Apple devices. One of our least favorite things: accidentally leaving those devices behind. We’d love if our Apple Watches and iPhones would be linked a little closer - like if we left our iPhone somewhere, our Apple smartphone would alert us. The idea, of course, would be to put a digital ‘leash’ on our smartphones - which is one of if not the most important thing we carry on our persons these days. It would make a lot of sense to try predicting user behavior enough to the point where Apple’s device family keeps tabs on each other when we do not.
On-device biometric authenticationOne of the more exciting things that could be coming to the Apple Watch 6 is Touch ID through the display. A patent surfaced that showed a wearable design that moves the antenna into the watch band, ostensibly to give more room within the smartwatch for something like a fingerprint scanner. That would work with plenty of Touch ID-based services that Apple has continued to support for all the handsets that still rely on fingerprint identification - like the iPhone 8 and older. There’s always the dream that Apple finds a different way to introduce biometric authentication to the Apple Watch - like the wearer’s particular heartbeat.
More precision in fitness appsWe’ve loved using our Apple Watches for workouts, but there’s always more they could do. We’d love to see more automatic detection of workouts - no manual switching between different activities - and smarter rep tracking.
This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Houseparty offers huge reward for proof hacking rumours were smear campaign Posted: 31 Mar 2020 08:31 AM PDT App of the minute Houseparty has announced a reward of $1 million to the first person able to share any evidence that rumours linking the app to other accounts being hacked are a part of a paid social media smear campaign. Houseparty has quickly become a favourite chat app among self-isolating users, with an average of over 2 million people downloads per week in during March, compared to just 130,000 downloads during the same time last month. However, appeals to uninstall the app have gone viral on social media after several users tweeted that installing Houseparty app resulted in them being locked out of other apps, including the likes of PayPal, Snapchat, Netflix, and Spotify.
Houseparty sabotagedReacting to these claims, Epic Games, the owner of Houseparty, said the application is secure and was never compromised. It has stated that there is no evidence of the app interfering or hacking other applications that are already installed on the phone. The company smells foul play, claiming it received reports that these tweets were a part of a commercial smear campaign to harm the company. “We are investigating indications that the recent hacking rumours were spread by a paid commercial smear campaign to harm Houseparty," Epic Games wrote in a tweet. "We are offering a $1,000,000 bounty for the first individual to provide proof of such a campaign to bounty@Houseparty.com”. According to a Forbes report, Houseparty does not show any signs of misuse, with the usage permissions being sought by the app were deemed logical and necessary. The app cannot be attributed with the accounts there were compromised, it added. While no application can be termed 100% safe, experts advise that users should be watchful while granting permissions to a new app and strong passwords should be used while creating/maintaining an online account. Via: Forbes This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| You are subscribed to email updates from TechRadar - All the latest technology news. To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States | |
