Apple : YouTube launches free DIY tool to let SMBs build quick videos |
- YouTube launches free DIY tool to let SMBs build quick videos
- Why the iPhone SE 2020 and OnePlus 8 are needed now more than foldable phones
- Pokémon Go updates: all the news and rumors for what's coming next
- New iPhone SE 2020 release date, price, specs and all you need to know
- Cheap TV deals at Best Buy: 4K TV prices starting at just $249.99
- Sling TV is now letting you watch cable for free every single day
- Why the iPhone SE 2020 is actually Apple’s cheapest phone of all time
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| YouTube launches free DIY tool to let SMBs build quick videos Posted: 15 Apr 2020 01:34 PM PDT Creating video ads can be a costly and time consuming process which is why YouTube has launched a new tool to help small businesses create simple videos to better reach their customers. The company's YouTube Video Builder has already been in the testing phase for several months but Google decided to fast track the tool's beta release to allow businesses to easily advertise their products during the global pandemic when in-person video shoots are no longer possible. In a blog post announcing the beta of YouTube Video Builder, director of product management at YouTube ads, Ali Miller explained how both large and small businesses can use the tool to reach their customers, saying:
“Different businesses have different creative needs. A restaurant may want to communicate changing hours or promotions, while a supermarket may highlight new services like curbside pickup. For brands or agencies with existing video resources, Video Builder can help bring agility and experimentation to the creation process by generating supplemental, lightweight videos. For smaller businesses and those with less creative experience, it can provide an efficient, low-resource way to create videos, perhaps even for the first time.” YouTube Video BuilderYouTube's new tool is now available for businesses to try out for themselves but they will first have to sign up to participate in the beta. Once accepted, businesses will need a Google account as well as a YouTube channel to start making and publishing videos. The beta version of YouTube Video Builder allows businesses to animate their images, text and photos and set them to music from YouTube's free audio library. Users will also be able to select from a variety of layouts and customize the colors and fonts in their videos to create short six or 15 second videos. Finished videos can be uploaded to a business' YouTube channel but more importantly, they can also be run as ads through Google Ads. While YouTube's new tool has just entered its public beta phase, both large and small companies including the interior design service Havenly, sandwich shop Which Wich and the grocery store Central Market have already been using the tool to create their own videos. Interested businesses can sign up here to gain access to the beta and Google Ads has also published a guide on how to use the new tool.
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| Why the iPhone SE 2020 and OnePlus 8 are needed now more than foldable phones Posted: 15 Apr 2020 12:35 PM PDT Around this time of year we’re usually eager to see the big, flashy flagship phones that were introduced at MWC finally reach the public. But this is no ordinary year, and the outbreak of Covid-19 hasn’t just caused the cancellation of MWC 2020 and other tech shows, and messed with phone releases – it’s disrupted lives all over the world. Which makes the iPhone SE 2020 and OnePlus 8 far more important phones for consumers than premium flagships, including the foldable phones the industry has been championing as the next generation of handset technology. Even if the Samsung Galaxy Fold 2 comes out later this year as rumored, average consumers probably won't be lining up to buy it. After all, the first Galaxy Fold cost $1,980 / £1,900 / AU$2,900 launch price. It’s no secret that both the iPhone SE 2020 and OnePlus 8 are expected to be revealed in this week, and they couldn’t come at a better time. With the slowdown in economic activity resulting in higher unemployment and interrupted cash flows for many consumers, affordability has suddenly become a lot more important - and if you can get cutting-edge features at a discount, that’s even better. The iPhone SE 2020 and OnePlus 8 represent two approaches to solve this problem: Apple's new iPhone has the potential to offer essential features at low cost, while OnePlus looks set to create a true budget flagship with 5G connectivity.
The iPhone SE 2020: Apple’s return to affordabilityThe iPhone SE 2020 will supposedly take after the iPhone SE as a phone that forgoes top-end features for the essentials: one rear camera, one front camera, Touch ID, a higher-end A13 chipset, and access to iOS, all in a smaller 4.7-inch display format with, yes, huge top-and-bottom bezels. The iPhone SE 2020, as rumored, would already have fit the needs of plenty of people – and if it hovers close to the iPhone SE launch price of $399 / £379 / AU$679 it would certainly be a solid option for those looking for affordable functionality, and for folks who just need a device to hold them over until the economy picks up again. While the iPhone 8 has met this need, it’s been on the market for two and a half years, and it wasn’t even much of an upgrade over the previous year’s iPhone 7. The iPhone SE 2020 may pack some of the software enhancements of the subsequent generations, like the iPhone 11 line’s spectacular night photography mode. The OnePlus 8: affordable 5G
Assuming the OnePlus 8 isn’t much pricier than its predecessor – the OnePlus 7T cost $599 / £549 (around AU$937) at launch – it could be the first budget flagship released in 2020, since the Samsung Galaxy S20 line didn’t include a cheaper model. If the OnePlus 7T and OnePlus 7 are anything to go by, the new phone will have top-end specs at a discount: one leak suggests 8GB or 12GB of RAM with 128GB or 256GB of storage, putting it solidly on par with other flagship phones. Given the OnePlus 8 is suspected to be 5G-capable, it could be the cheapest 5G phone in many markets, too. That means the OnePlus 8 is a bit of a bit safer investment for folks who don’t want to have to trade in the phone they buy this year just to connect to a 5G network in 2021 or later. Sometimes, progress means staying in placeIt’s not that we’re unexcited about foldables and other cutting-edge technologies; we just know they’re suddenly a lot less important than the phones that will get us all through 2020. OnePlus’s strategy of keeping its budget flagship models low-cost happens to be suited for this moment, while Apple’s long-awaited iPhone SE 2020 couldn’t launch at a better time. Regardless, both phones are the best we could get at this moment – and until more phones launch in this mid-range/budget flagship niche, we could see these two become a lot more popular through the end of the year and beyond.
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| Pokémon Go updates: all the news and rumors for what's coming next Posted: 15 Apr 2020 12:33 PM PDT Pokémon Go: the world's first augmented reality app to become a household name. Niantic's mobile AR game is still going strong two years after it first released, with a constant drip of events and updates keeping budding trainers glued to their phones and pounding the streets. And while it hasn't managed to top the peak of its popularity in 2016, it's still going strong and finding plenty of new ways to improve its player experience. Including making it easier for its players to catch 'em all from inside their own homes during coronavirus quarantines. So what's the latest news for Pokémon Go? As you'd expect, brand new features are being added all the time and themed events are still going strong. But without further ado, here's our guide to all the latest Pokémon Go news and updates.
Pokémon Go news and Pokémon Go updates
Coronavirus changes Given Pokémon Go is a game which attempts to draw its players outside, Niantic is having to react to the Coronavirus pandemic and make some temporary changes which will make it easier for players to continue to catch 'em all without stepping over the door. In a statement to Polygon, the developer has said that it's “prioritizing updates to Pokémon Go features and experiences that can be enjoyed in individual settings.” The changes are already in place and include increasing habitats so that more Pokémon should appear around player's homes. Other moves from Niantic are a 99% reduction on incense packs so that players can attract Pokémon to where they are and increase spawns with the time they work increased to one hour rather than just 30 minutes. Incubators will also result in hatches at double speed, while PokéStops will drop gifts more often. Niantic has also announced a new feature called 'Today View' which gathers a lot of useful information like streaks and current events in one place so that you can keep on top of your game. To make up for the lack of opportunities to pick up PokéBalls from your own home, there's now a one Pokécoin bundle which is available as a one-time purchase and contains 30 PokéBalls and 20 Great Balls as well as Razz Berries and Pinap Berries. These Pokécoin bundles rotate weekly and change on rotation but this bundle is available until April 20. In terms of event changes, for April Shadow Entei will still be available to save from Giovanni but there won't be a new set of Team Go Rocket Special Research. The Coconut Pokémon Alolan Exeggutor will be available as a Research Breakthrough encounter, and it’ll come with bonus Stardust, until May 1. As of March 31 Niantic has temporarily doubled Pokémon Go's Gym interaction distances to allow players to "team up in Raid Battles from home". "The distance from which you can interact with Gyms has been temporarily doubled, allowing you to be farther from Gyms and other Trainers as you challenge Raid Bosses," Niantic wrote. "This change also allows you to spin Photo Discs at Gyms if you are within the doubled distance; however, it will not change the distance required to spin Photo Discs at PokéStops." As of April 15, Niantic has made it possible to Raid remotely. With the new Remote Raid Pass, Trainers will be able to access Raid battles from a Nearby screen. At first, Trainers taking part in battles remotely will have the same attack power as those there in person. Later (at an unconfirmed time) remote power will reduce and those in person will have higher attack power. Niantic has said that other adjustments will also be made to the feature over time, including changes to the number of players who can remotely Raid and the ability to incite friends into Raids regardless of location. To take part you'll be able to buy individual passes in the in-game shop for 100 PokéCoins though later there will be a 1 PokéCoin bundle in the shop that will feature Remote Raid Passes. Since there are far fewer chances to spin PokéStops, at midnight each day players will also get a bonus Research Task. Slightly different from Field Research Tasks, these will focus on activities that can be completed at home. As far as Gifts are concerned, Buddy Pokémon of any level will now bring Gifts to Trainers when they're running low so that it's easier to keep in touch with friends and family. Gifts are an important way to stay in touch with friends and share items. Finally, it's now possible to activate multiple Star Pieces, Lucky Eggs, and Incense at a time to extend their effect durations. Each of these items will have a 30-minute duration but you'll be able to activate more of them in order to extend their durations beyond that for up to 24 hours per item. Spotlight Hour Spotlight Hour will still be taking place for the month of April, every Tuesday at 6:00 p.m. local time. This time around, for each Pokémon Spotlight Hour there'll be a different Pokémon and bonus. The Pokémon and bonuses are as follows:
Pokémon Go Battle League Its preseason now finished up, the first season of Pokémon Go's competitive Battle League began on March 13. Trainers who took part in the preseason and achieved a rank of 4 or higher will receive a Premium Battle Pass as a reward. Due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic, Niantic has waived the walk and pay entry requirements for Battle League. Players who are not in-game close friends will no longer need to be close to one another to Battle and will be able to challenge one another as long as they're only Good Friends, allowing for tournaments to be held remotely. Trainer Battles within the GO Battle League will rotate between three leagues and players will be able to rank against fellow Trainers, earning rewards for ranking. The GO Battle League is beginning with the Great League until March 27, which will be followed by the Ultra League until April 10, then the Master League until April 24, after which all three Leagues will be available until May 1. Season 2 is expected to begin on May 1, when each of these Leagues has been cycled through. Players can earn Stardust depending on rank and number of battles won as well as items like Rare Candies and TMS as well as the chance to get exclusive Pokémon encounters. Some changes are being made to Battle League based on learnings from the preseason. Winning will now matter much earlier than Rank 4, with Ranks 2 and 3 requiring platers to win a certain number of battles in order to advance to the next rank. The Pokémon you can encounter as GO Battle League rewards are also changing for Season 1 with Metagross being the first guaranteed encounter reward. Players that reach Rank 4 will have the chance to encounter Bedlum, at Rank 7 it's Rufflet and, finally, Pikachu Libre at Rank 10. Reaching Rank 10 will also allow players to earn avatar items and an avatar pose exclusive to Season 1 inspired by Steven, a Pokémon League Champion in the Hoenn region. At the end of Season 1, players who have reached Rank 7 or higher will receive an Elite Charged TM. Elite Charged TMs, along with Elite Fast TMs, allow players to select the attack their Pokémon learns. Live Leaderboards As of April 10, you can see who's doing well in the Pokémon Battle League thanks to the launch of the GO Battle League leaderboard on PokemonGOLive.com. The leaderboard has come as the GO Battle League changes from Ultra League to Master League. The leaderboards show the top five hundred Trainers in the world as well as their Trainer nicknames, teams, ranks, ratings, and total matches. Rankings are based on the previous day’s in-game ratings for Trainers rank 7 and up but it'll update between 8pm UTC and 10pm UTC every day unless maintenance issues cause a delay. What's the next Pokémon Go Event?
Live Safari Zones Niantic has announced that Pokémon Go Live Events will be coming to Taiwan, the US and the UK this year. The first event in Taiwan which celebrated the Lantern Festival has passed, while the others are still to come and will be ticketed at a cost of $12/£12 for General Admission and $18/£18 for Early Admission. Due to concerns over the COVID-19 outbreak, Niantic has stated that it will be postponing all of its Safari events with plans to look for alternate dates in the next 12 months. Players looking for refunds for their digital passes are encouraged to reach out through in-app support by March 25.
When's the next Pokémon Go Community Day?
Niantic has confirmed that the next Pokémon Go Community Day has been postponed due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic. When the community day does eventually go ahead, the Psychic-type Abra will be the starring Pokémon for the event and will appear more frequently in the wild to be caught. There'll also be the chance to catch a Shiny Abra. There's also going to be a special event-exclusive move for those who can evolve Abra through to its final form of Alakazam, though that move has not been confirmed just yet. Other bonuses available during the event include triple catch XP and a 3 hour period for Lure Modules rather than the standard 30 minutes. Pokémon Go update: what's next?
Now that Go Battle League has arrived in Pokémon Go, Niantic has ticked another big promised feature off its list. At the moment, we're not sure what's next for the game aside from, naturally, new Pokémon being added. We'll update here when the roadmap becomes more clear.
Pokémon Go Plus dealsWant to buy yourself a Pokémon Go Plus wearable? Check some of today's best deals down below. (Image credits: Niantic/Pokémon Company) This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now | ||||||||||||||||
| New iPhone SE 2020 release date, price, specs and all you need to know Posted: 15 Apr 2020 12:33 PM PDT Apple has announced the iPhone SE for 2020, and it’s the new ‘cheap’ iPhone that comes in at just $399 / £419 / AU$749 / Rs 42,500 while offeringan impressive range of features for a phone at that price point. The new iPhone SE was originally expected to be called the iPhone 9, but the company has decided to return to the SE moniker first used in 2016 (so we’ll be calling it the iPhone SE 2020 for clarity here – and no, Apple hasn’t told us officially what the SE stands for). It essentially replaces and improves on the iPhone 8 (which is now off sale and Apple's product page redirects to a splashy notice about the iPhone SE 2020) while maintaining the same price point. Apple launched the new iPhone SE to muted fanfare this time around, thanks to the changing times around us all, delivering it on press release rather that calling in journalists from around the world to a congregate in the Steve Jobs Theater. Here’s everything we know about Apple’s new and cheaper iPhone – and it’s good news if you were missing the home button after 2019's all-screen line-up. iPhone SE 2020 release date and price
The iPhone SE 2020 release date is set for Friday April 24, with pre-orders opening at the end of this week (Friday, April 17) and going live at 5am PDT / 8am EDT / 1pm BST. The iPhone SE price starts at $399 / £419 / AU$749 / Rs 42,500, meaning it's the same price in the US as the original iPhone SE (but higher in the UK). The base model comes with 64GB of storage, with 128GB and 256GB models also available for a higher price (which you can see listed below). In the US, Apple is offering the new iPhone SE at $16.62/month through its financing plan or, if you have something like the iPhone 8 to trade-in, just $9.54/mo or $229. If you are upgrading from the original iPhone SE or iPhone 6, you'll only get $30 toward the full price of the device.
iPhone SE 2020 design and display
If you’re familiar with the design of the iPhone 8 (and the iPhone 7, iPhone 6S and iPhone 6, come to think of it) then you already know what the new iPhone SE looks like. It’s backwards compatible with all iPhone 8 cases, and has the same 4.7-inch Retina HD Display as found on the last 4.7-inch model (1334 x 750) with a 326 pixels per inch sharpness. It gets the same TrueTone technology as the latest models too, enabling it to adapt to the lighting conditions around you and make the screen’s white balance to warmer or cooler. It's also using the Haptic Touch system that Apple brought to the iPhone 11 range, where a long press will activate a separate menu and buzz designed to replicate the feeling of a physical press. As the design is almost identical to an iPhone 8, that means there’s a Touch ID home button built into the bottom bezel on the phone’s front. You’ll be able to unlock your phone with your fingerprint using this, rather than using Face ID as on other modern iPhones - which for some people will be a little simpler to use (if a tiny bit less secure). It also means there’s no notch here, as there is on several recent iPhone models. Instead, there's a bezel at the top of the display, as well as at the bottom, with the top bezel housing the selfie camera. The phone is IP67 dust- and water-resistant, which means it’ll be able to survive the odd splash of water or outing in the rain. You’ve got the choice of three colors: black, white or Product Red (that’s just another name for red). On the bottom edge of the iPhone SE you’ll find a Lightning connector for charging your device. As was widely expected, there’s no 3.5mm headphone jack, so you’ll have to purchase an adapter if you want to use wired headphones. iPhone SE 2020 specs and battery life
While the design of the iPhone SE 2020 might seem similar to the iPhone 8, inside it’s a different story. Where the iPhone 8 used the A11 Bionic chipset, the new iPhone SE packs the same A13 Bionic engine that powers the iPhone 11 range. That’s a pretty big improvement for the new iPhone SE (Apple says it's up to 40% faster than the iPhone 8, and more than twice as fast as the iPhone SE 2016 that it’s replacing in name). It allows the speed under the finger to be improved in a range of ways – faster snapping between apps is a given (although we’ve not tried the phone yet ourselves to confirm this), and things like video editing on your device and computational photography (more on that in the next section) are now possible. What’s interesting is that Apple is stating that the iPhone SE's battery life will be the same as that of the iPhone 8, despite the A13 chip being more efficient in terms of power. That means you should be expect up to 12 hours of internet use, or – as we noted in our iPhone 8 review – it’ll last just about a day on a single charge. You'll be able to buy a separate iPhone fast charger to power-up your new iPhone SE more quickly, so if you go for one with 18W of power or more you’ll be able to get topped up in less time than using the standard USB-to-Lightning plug that comes in the box. Oh, and you’ll be able to charge the new iPhone SE wirelessly with a Qi charger too. We’ve yet to learn how much RAM will be included in the device. For storage, as mentioned your options are 64GB, 128GB or 256GB – and there’s no microSD support for expanding that, so make your decision wisely. The phone will come running the latest version of iOS 13 out of the box, so you can expect all of the software features that the most recent iPhones have. iPhone SE 2020 camera
The new iPhone SE 2020 camera is where Apple has placed a lot of importance, talking about the extra capabilities it’ll be imbued with. It’ll be based on similar specs to those seen in the iPhone 8, which comes with a 12MP sensor and an f/1.8 aperture for fairly decent low-light photos – although it’ll be a far cry from the high-end photography features of the iPhone 11 range. If you want a strong performance at night mode, you won't be getting it with the iPhone SE 2020, despite having the more advanced image processor inside. Despite only packing a single sensor (not even the dual-sensor setup found in the iPhone 8 Plus) Apple is still lauding this as the best single-sensor snapper it’s ever created – thus making it even better than the iPhone XR’s camera. So while the hardware seems very similar to that in the iPhone 8, with a six-element lens setup and optical image stabilization, the A13 chipset allows for better correction of shake during video playback, as well as a smart image processor to make your snaps look better. It also brings portrait mode, and the full gamut of effects, from standard background blur to the odd High Key Light Mono, to the single sensor as well, as we saw with the iPhone XR. Like that model, it’ll only be able to add those effects to snaps of humans, but our review of the XR found that it was a poor relation to the portrait capabilities of a phone like the iPhone XS, which has extra hardware to do the job. The front-facing camera has been given the same algorithmic upgrade as the rear sensor, meaning portrait mode selfies without the need for a separate sensor to check the depth and find the subject. However, what Apple has done here is bring its smart computational photography to a cheaper iPhone, meaning it’ll let the onboard engine do the work in terms of making your pictures look as good as they can. It’ll be as good as the iPhone 11 range at working out what’s being photographed and analyzing each section – even going as far as dividing up the separate elements of facial features – and brightening and sharpening where needed. It’ll (theoretically) be able to combine a range of exposures to create a clear, bright image with very low shutter lag under the finger, and be able to shoot high-end 4K video at 60 frames per second too. With extended dynamic range, video recording is given greater power too, allowing highlights and shadows to be improved and enhanced with a basic movie - all features that Apple is hoping will make this an incredibly powerful stills and video recorder for a much lower price. Given that the new iPhone SE is coming with a similar price tag to the iPhone 8, but with the promise of much better photos, you can see why Apple is going to be making a big deal about the camera upgrade. How does the iPhone SE 2020 compare to the iPhone 11 range?
The iPhone SE (left), iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro Max and iPhone 11 Pro Well, for starters, the iPhone SE 2020 will be a much cheaper device that the entry-level iPhone 11 (as you’ve probably worked out) – in fact, it’s half the cost. A lot of what’s been sacrificed to keep the price down is in the design: the screen technology and quality on the iPhone 11 is far ahead of that in the new iPhone SE, which is using the same screen setup as the iPhone 8 from 2017. By repurposing the iPhone 8’s design, and imbuing it with a faster engine and the smarts that allows, Apple was able to offer the cheaper iPhone in the same way it launched the iPhone SE in 2016 – all the benefits of the older design but with more powerful innards. Users who hate the thought of losing the home button should be really considering checking the new iPhone SE out as soon as possible – we’ll try and get our hands on one as soon as we can to tell you how it performs – as it’ll likely be the last phone Apple makes with this piece of ‘physical’ hardware (don’t forget, it’s not actually a clickable button). It’ll be the phone many tell their parents to buy, as it’ll last at least three cycles of new iOS launches, if not more – so stay tuned to see just how well it fares.
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| Cheap TV deals at Best Buy: 4K TV prices starting at just $249.99 Posted: 15 Apr 2020 12:33 PM PDT If you need a new TV to keep you and your family members entertained, Best Buy has you covered with cheap 4K TV deals from top brands like Samsung, LG, Toshiba, and more. Best Buy TV deals:Shop more TV offers with our list of the best cheap TV deals and sales that are happening now. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now | ||||||||||||||||
| Sling TV is now letting you watch cable for free every single day Posted: 15 Apr 2020 12:24 PM PDT Sling TV's new 'Happy Hour' is half right...it actually lasts for seven hours, but it does make us very happy indeed! While the country is locked down and the nation is clambering for enthralling TV to watch to , streaming service Sling TV is giving cord cutters a treat by making its Blue package absolutely free to watch between 5pm and midnight ET every single day. - Head to Sling's website to watch - no credit card details needed So that means cable channels like Fox, NBC, USA, Bravo, TBS, FX, Syfy, Bloomberg TV, Fox News, Headline News, National Geographic, Comedy Central and MSNBC will all be available to watch live. If you're fan of shows such as Deadliest Catch, Real Housewives, Keeping Up with the Kardashians and Better Call Saul and have been wondering how you're going to watch them, your ticket just came in. It includes more than 50,000 on-demand titles and movies, too, so lockdown is about to become a lot less boring. This isn't a free trial and there's no commitment, contracts or payment details required - you can simply get seven hours' free daily access to the Sling TV Blue service without paying a penny. And the offers don't stop there, as the the provider is also giving a $10 discount on all of its plans and offering a free Amazon Fire TV Stick if you prepay for two months.
Is Sling TV any good?It's definitely got TechRadar's approval! We love the fact that it allows you to customize your favorite channels on the app, and it's on-demand programming along with movies that you can rent is pretty handy. Not to mention that you can watch it on any device that can stream the app - this includes your tablet, phone, laptop, smart TV etc, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV and many more. What we also find it quite refreshing that there are no sneaky fees or long-term contracts - you just pay a flat fee for the this TV streaming service. Want to find out more? Make sure you check out our Sling TV review. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now | ||||||||||||||||
| Why the iPhone SE 2020 is actually Apple’s cheapest phone of all time Posted: 15 Apr 2020 12:15 PM PDT Apple has been trying to pretend that it’s not going to launch a low cost iPhone, and you could argue that it still hasn’t – after all, the $399 price point of the new iPhone SE 2020 is the same as badged on the 2016 model. (For the sake of ease we're going to list the iPhone SE 2020's price in dollars here – but it starts at $499 / £419 / AU$749 / Rs 42,500, depending on your territory). Well, while the current and old iPhone SE share the same price, the latter came out four years ago. If you allow for inflation, that same phone would cost $429 in the current market, so the new iPhone from Apple is easily the cheapest the brand has ever offered.
Sure, the iPhone SE is basically the iPhone 8 with a far more powerful engine – and that device was also sold for $399 of late – but that extra horsepower is really important for one reason: updates. That's made clear by the fact that the iPhone 8 is off sale now – and the old iPhone 8 page on Apple's website redirects to a big notice about the iPhone SE 2020. That’s what makes the iPhone SE a ‘new’ iPhone – by having the A13 Bionic chipset, this is a model that will be supported for at least three years, and in truth likely a lot longer. These updates will continue to bring new features, the latest versions of iOS and – crucially – security too. If you look at it though, Apple has been gradually been dropping the price of its new iPhones, putting itself in the frame for the buyer who wants to spend a ‘medium’ amount of money on an iPhone. An endless (price) war
This mid-tier range of phones is becoming the new battleground for volume – there’s the Samsung Galaxy S20, which is no longer the flagship phone (that’s the Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra). The OnePlus 8 Pro is the headline device grabbing attention after its recent launch, but it’s the OnePlus 8 is the phone that’ll grab the most sales. Apple itself admitted as much by pointing out that the top-selling phone from the iPhone range is the iPhone 11, which is underpowered compared to the iPhone 11 Pro duo (which Apple claims are in spots two and three, although we’ve not been able to validate that data). The most popular iPhone from 2018? It’s the iPhone XR, which was the best-selling phone last year. The audience is voting with its wallets: cheaper iPhones are popular. So by choosing now to reboot the iPhone SE – something we’ve been reporting is on the cusp of happening for years – it shows Apple has finally learned from its previous ‘budget iPhone’ mistakes. The iPhone 5C, the plastic-shelled iPhone 5, was launched in 2013 for less than the main device… but in today’s money, that would still launch at over $700. That’s incredible for a phone that lacked the premium polish. Even though an 8GB model emerged later, that storage capacity was just too low to do most things – including installing some updates. Price is more important than ever
2020 needs a cheaper iPhone, something that strikes the balance between sort-of-affordable (because $399 isn’t cheap, by any stretch) and still desirable. The smaller form factor (even though it doesn’t feel five minutes since we were calling 4-inch screens large in the hand) of the iPhone 8 is the perfect one to keep alive for a few more years. As our Global Managing Editor Matt Swider says: ‘The new iPhone SE is the one that I’ll buy my parents’. As Apple promotes its services more and more, any portal to get Apple Music, Apple Arcade and the all-singing App Store on one device remains an attractive buy – many prospective customers won’t care about half the features on the iPhone 11, and some will welcome the move to bring back the smaller screen and physical hardware button. However, we’re a long way from the iPhone SE 2020 being a foregone success, as Apple needs to make sure it gets one thing right: the camera.
The camera is the key feature that Apple needs to get right on the iPhone SE 2020 Because while the iPhone SE from 2016 was a roaring success (it’s sold well in the last four years, and I’ve known of various relatives pick it up as the ‘smart buy’ for someone that wants a smaller iPhone) it was not only as powerful as the iPhone 6S, but it also had the same camera hardware, which was pretty incredible. The new iPhone SE has a very similar camera sensor to the one inside the iPhone 8, but Apple believes that the computational power of the A13 Bionic chipset inside will do the job of making photos look stunning. If the iPhone SE 2020 does indeed show itself to be a decent cameraphone, one that outclasses even the popular iPhone XR, then Apple will have a very compelling offer: a cheaper iPhone with a good camera. That will attract scores of users, and will embed more into the Apple ecosystem, spending more each month on these services. Some might say that the iPhone SE could have gone further, with a bigger or longer-lasting battery than the iPhone 8, but Apple believes the current spec list was the necessary sacrifice to achieve the price point – and that’s a great move for 2020. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now | ||||||||||||||||
| GTA 6 news and rumors: when will Grand Theft Auto 6 be announced? Posted: 15 Apr 2020 11:52 AM PDT Is GTA 6 on the way? While the next instalment in the Grand Theft Auto franchise is yet to be formally announced by its developer Rockstar Games, that doesn't stop those of us hungry for more trying to figure it out. It's been a whole seven years since GTA 5 launched on consoles, so we're expecting GTA 6 to be in the pipeline, and the latest news and rumors suggest that it could be on its way sometime soon. Although 2020 is still in its early days, a release this year doesn't seem likely, especially without any kind of development announcement. But, with the PS5 and Xbox Series X consoles coming at the tail end of the year, hopes are increasing that we might hear something from Rockstar some time soon - even if a release date is likely to be a long way off. Details may be thin on the ground, but that doesn't stop us gathering together the best pieces of gossip, rumor and fact for your personal pleasure. Here's everything we know so far about GTA 6. [UPDATE: There are reports that GTA 6 is in the early stages of its development. Read on to find out more.] Cut to the chase
GTA 6 release date : when can I play it?
Grand Theft Auto (Image credit: Rockstar Games) Red Dead Redemption 2 has now been in the wild for nearly two years now, which means we're hoping a GTA 6 announcement isn't far away – even though we're likely to be waiting a while to play it. According to some rumors, we could see the next Grand Theft Auto announced in 2020, with a potential release in 2021, which would make sense considering we're heading into a new console generation at the end of 2020. However, Rockstar has been focused on getting Red Dead Online up and running - and GTA Online is still raking in the dough - which may have diverted attention, not to mention the delays potentially caused by Dan Houser's departure from Rockstar. However, according to reputable industry analyst Michael Pachter, the game's actual release could be as far away as 2022. In an interview with Gaming Bolt, Pachter said that he thinks a 2020 announcement with a 2021 release would be the best case scenario, while a 2021 announcement with a 2022 release or later would be more likely. Given 2020 is still in its infancy, expecting any news of GTA 6 in the immediate future is unlikely. But the Xbox Series X and PS5 are due to launch at the end of the year and if GTA 6 followed the release pattern of its predecessor, Grand Theft Auto 5, it'd be released at the very tail end of the current generation, comfortably released on the new generation and straddle both for the widest install base possible. With no announcement thus far that seems optimistic but, hey, anything could happen.
GTA 6 trailer: when can I watch one?
The thing about Rockstar Games is that it’s an incredibly secretive games publisher. No trailer is getting out of that studio unless someone seriously screws up. Just look at what Rockstar did with both GTA 5 and Red Read Redemption 2. It teased an announcement a few days before dropping the first trailer for either game. If there’s a GTA 6 trailer, you’ll know about it because the internet will explode – and we'll let you know too, of course. But we're not expecting one anytime soon. GTA 6 news and rumors: what do we know so far?
Grand Theft Auto (Image credit: Rockstar Games) Below we've collected together all of the latest leaks and rumors that hint at when GTA 6 might be launched – and what we can expect from the new game. As always, take these details with a pinch of salt – some are old, some are from now deleted sources and others might just be keen fans getting carried away. March 25 leaves no announcement After leaks, website updates and unlisted Rockstar videos fuelled suspicions that there would be a GTA 6 announcement on March 25, nothing has appeared. The game is still considered an inevitability but with this heavily-rumored date having now passed, at the moment there's no clear sign on when we'll hear anything from Rockstar so the waiting game continues. GTA 5 voice actor calls for fans to stop believing 'leaks' After a fairly calm stretch, rumors around Grand Theft Auto 6 have been creeping up more often over the past month. Very recently there were serious suspicions that an actual game announcement was imminent and fans are hungry for new information. GTA 5 voice actor for the character Michael de Santa, Ned Luke, has been getting questions about the series' next steps for a long time and he's taken to Instagram Stories (via GameSpot) with Franklin Clinton voice actor, Shawn Fonteno, to tell fans to stop believing "clickbait" rumors and leaks, saying "if you hear it from Rockstar, then you know." The video has since disappeared from Instagram but was posted to Twitter: Reports of early development It seems that Grand Theft Auto 6 is in the early stages of its development if a new report from Kotaku is anything to go by. In the report which is primarily following up on the cultural changes that have taken place at Rockstar after a previous investigation into crunch at the studio, Kotaku has touched on the studio's future, including the fact that studio management has outlined a plan for "a new entry in the Grand Theft Auto series". The report goes on to say that this new instalment is planned to be a "moderately sized release" (so, probably still pretty big) which will be "expanded with regular updates over time". The hope is that this approach will lessen stress and crunch. It's worth noting, though, that the report emphasises that the game is still in the very early development stages so plans could quite easily change over time as the development process evolves. PS5 exclusive? The original poster also claimed that "Sony paid 'huge money' in order to secure a 1-month PS5 exclusive". It's possible GTA 6 will have PS5-exclusive launch content like Red Dead Redemption 2 did, but a one month timed exclusive release on PS5 seems a bit short. Is an announcement coming on March 25? We don't think so... An announcement was rumored for March 20, but this date passed with no news. But some fans on the GTA forums believe that a GTA 6 announcement trailer is still coming on March 25 - there's even a countdown timer for the announcement. Rumored "Fall 2021" release date
Website artwork The first piece of artwork is an android hugging a champagne bottle with the year 1998 on it (that's Rockstar's founding year) while the second is a red and blue logo with Rockstar's various slogans on it. Like we said, this isn't much at all but any changes Rockstar makes tend to grab the attention of fans hoping for some kind of new game announcement. After all, the announcement of Red Dead Redemption 2 was preceded by a Twitter logo change so it's not like subtlety like this would be off the cards. Or this could simply be Rockstar updating its website with some interesting new evergreen imagery—the fact that the images are generally relevant to Rockstar as a company and that they appear in the background of the site's menu suggests that they're not hugely important. Until any kind of official announcement is made we won't know for sure. Take-Two plays down AAA releases "Given that we're a company that depends on our creative teams to make as close to perfect products as possible," said Zelnick, "we have to be willing to live with the vagaries of product deliveries. And that means, sometimes, we will have thin frontline years." Dan Houser leaves Rockstar Houser, who has variously acted as writer, producer and voice actor at Rockstar, led Rockstar Games to become one of the biggest developers in the industry. It's currently unknown whether this will have an impact on GTA 6's development. CJ voice actor shoots down rumors This doesn't rule out the return of CJ as a character entirely (Rockstar could always cast someone else in the role) but it does confirm that Bellard isn't involved and doesn't intend to be if asked. Rockstar hasn't commented on rumors and we won't know anything certain about any cast for GTA 6 until it speaks out. Steven Ogg at Brazil Game Show Ogg's reasoning, rather than any kind of inside knowledge as far as we can tell, is that Rockstar games "take 7-8 years to make, do the math." Doing the math from GTA 5's 2013 release date would mean that GTA 6 could release in 2020 or 2021, right in time for the next generation of consoles. That seems very soon for a game we've seen very little about but, hey, it's not impossible. We'll be watching this space. Scouting areas in Florida The letter was to a Florida store asking permission for Rockstar Games to inspect the premises, presumably for use or inspiration in the forthcoming game – mentioning a location scout Leah Sokolowsky who hinted at a large digital media client in a podcast back in May 2019 (via Daily Star).
Grand Theft Auto (Image credit: Rockstar Games) Project Americas Regardless, it's still fun to get our imaginations going for what the future of the Grand Theft Auto franchise may hold. According to the Reddit poster behind the leak, the game, known as Project Americas, has been in production since 2015 though it was placed on ice while Red Dead Redemption 2 was the focus. GTA 6 could be expansive, set across multiple decades (1970s to 1980s) and locations (one of which is Vice City, another Liberty City and another is a fictional city based on Rio de Janeiro). The game will apparently deal with one playable protagonist named Ricardo and play through their story as a rising drug lord with heavy inspiration from Netflix's Narcos series. The story will be told through chapters, with a heavy emphasis on the visuals of changes in time as the story progresses. While there's no estimated release date given, the post says that the plan is to release the game for the next generation only. While it's unlikely that the whole report is true (even the poster says that the game's pre-alpha status means things are likely to change) that's not to say some elements are impossible. Certainly a next-gen only release seems entirely plausible. Before you get too excited,though, the post has already been debunked by Kotaku's Jason Schreier. Another rumor leak? According to the post, GTA 6 will allow players to travel between several big cities, including Liberty City and Vice City. The poster also claims you start off as a small-time drug runner before joining an infamous gang and kicking it with the big dogs. In addition, the post claims Rockstar is waiting to see how the new-generation consoles sell as GTA 6 wouldn't be able to be released on the PlayStation 4 or Xbox One due to memory restrictions. The anonymous poster also claimed GTA 6 will feature both major cities along with a vast stretch of highways and Blaine County-like countryside in the middle of it all. Finally, the post claims that, despite the game being set in a timed era, there will be flashbacks between missions and Red Dead Redemption 2-type stranger dialogues that implement the greet/antagonise format. While location rumors seem to be leaking in abundance, the anonymous Pastebin post has been backed up by review on Glassdoor by a Rockstar Games QA tester, which has since been removed (via Dexerto). Alongside reading out Rockstar for its institutionalized crunch, the post leaves a cryptic message that sees the first letter of each sentence spelling out 'GTA6LSVCLC'. This may be pointing to the potential locations of Grand Theft Auto 6: Los Santos, Vice City, and Liberty City. Wonder what these locations would look like together as an actual map? Graphic designer RealityDesign posted a concept image on GTA Forums, showing what this map could potentially look like. Check it out below:
Image credit: RealityDesign Job listings The Know report on Vice City The reason for this code name is apparently because players will be able to fly between the US and South America in the game, though the majority of the action will take place in the former. This in combination with the source's assertion that the game will largely be set in Vice City (the Rockstar version of Miami) suggests there could be a focus on drug running which would draw on the popularity of shows and movies like Narcos and Tom Cruise's Made in America. Particularly if Rockstar holds on to that 80s setting. With no comment from Rockstar, these rumors remain nothing more than, well, rumors. But they do pose an interesting proposition that would seize upon the particular fondness many fans of the series have for Vice City.
Grand Theft Auto (Image credit: Rockstar Games) GTA 6 is definitely coming and there are ideas “We don’t know what GTA 6 will be, but we’ve got some ideas,” said Benzies in the interview. Okay, so it’s not much, but it’s certainly a snippet of solid information direct from the source. Benzies went on to talk about what kind of ideas get the creative juices flowing over at Rockstar. “We’ve got about 45 years’ worth of ideas we want to do,” he added. “We’ll pick the right ones.” “It comes from the idea first. Where it is going to be set is the first question. That then defines the missions; you’re doing different things in LA than in New York or Miami. “The map and story get worked up together, and the story is a basic flow of how it works out so you can layer the mission in.” We’re just pleased that Rockstar has so many ideas for what it wants to do with GTA 6. We just hope it sorts them into some kind of organised system and gets that game to us sharpish. GTA 6 map: where will GTA 6 be set?
Grand Theft Auto (Image credit: Rockstar Games) Although there haven’t been any concrete reports as yet, every online titbit and juicy gossip morsel is pointing towards GTA 6’s map being absolutely massive. We’re even not talking city-size massive, we’re talking potentially the entire of the United States massive. Some rumors are suggesting that GTA 6 may end up spanning the entirety of the US, with some kind of teleportation system that cuts down the journey time between cities. There are even some incredibly exciting rumours that Rockstar Games might have a ‘70s theme up its sleeve, so crack out those old bell-bottoms and disco balls. But there’s also another rumor that’s gathering strength, which would put GTA 6 a little closer to Rockstar Games’ British home – a London setting. The reports actually started with a comment from Rockstar Games’ co-founder Dan Houser: “At the moment, it feels like GTA’s DNA is contemporary-ish, American-ish, English-speaking-ish, because that’s what it has been… But that doesn’t necessarily limit it to those, that’s just what we’ve done so far.” Rockstar Games sources suggest that London is the only non-US location to be whispered as a potential GTA setting. For our money, we think a return to Vice City is on the cards, which would tie in to the rumors mentioned above. A recent report from The Know suggests that a return to Vice City in the 80s is actually in the works and that players will explore the rise in drugs at the time through the missions. In this rumored game, players will move between Vice City and South America, which would create a very interesting and entirely new kind of map. The GTA 3 trilogy was set across three locations, Liberty City, Vice City, and San Andreas. This mirrored the original Grand Theft Auto Game, which was also set across the same three locations. The most recent Grand Theft Auto games, GTA 4 and GTA 5, have so far been set in Liberty City and San Andreas respectively, meaning that Vice City is the only location yet to be explored by the recent games. The only question now is whether Rockstar will be tempted to complete the set.
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| Apple is most imitated brand for phishing Posted: 15 Apr 2020 11:48 AM PDT New research from Check Point has revealed that Apple was the most imitated brand for phishing attempts during the first quarter of this year. The firm's threat intelligence arm, Check Point Research has released its new Brand Phishing Report Q1 2020 highlighting the brands which were most frequently imitated by cybercriminals trying to steal users' personal information or payment details. In a brand phishing attack, cybercriminals try to copy the official websites of well-known brands by using similar domain names and web page design. Links to these fake websites are sent to targeted individuals by email or text message though users can also be redirected to these sites while browsing the web or from a fraudulent mobile application. The fake websites often use forms to steal users' credentials, payment details or other personal information.
Top phishing brandsApple was the brand most frequently targeted by cybercriminals in Q1 2020 and it rose from seventh place in Q4 2019 to reach the top of Check Point's list. According to the cybersecurity firm, 10 percent of all brand phishing attempts related to Apple as bad actors tried to capitalize on its strong brand recognition. Netflix took the second spot with nine percent of all phishing attempts related to the company. The Chase Bank brand rose by three percent from Q4 2019 to take the sixth position with five percent of all phishing attempts seeking to exploit the bank's brand. The technology sector was the most likely to be targeted by brand phishing followed by banking and media. When it came to email, Yahoo was the most impersonated brand followed by Microsoft, Outlook and Amazon and on Mobile, Netflix, Apple, WhatsApp and Chase took the top spots. Director of threat intelligence & research products at Check Point, Maya Horowitz provided further insight on the company's new report in a blog post, saying: “Cybercriminals continue to exploit users by adopting highly sophisticated phishing attempts via emails, web and mobile applications purporting to be from well-recognized brands which they know will be in high demand at the moment, whether that’s a high profile product launch or just generally tapping into behavioral changes we’ve seen during the Coronavirus pandemic. Phishing will continue to be a growing threat in the coming months, especially as criminals continue to exploit the fears and needs of people using essential services from their homes. As always, we encourage users to be vigilant and cautious when divulging personal data.”
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| The Powerbeats Pro 2 may have been outed in Apple’s latest FCC filing Posted: 15 Apr 2020 11:31 AM PDT TechRadar has discovered that Apple has filed a new document with the FCC on Wednesday that could very well be the next Powerbeats Pro 2 coming later this year. The description for FCC ID BCGA2453 describes ‘totally wireless high-performance earphones’ and corresponds to Apple’s model numbers A2453 and A2454, which could be two new versions of the Powerbeats Pro. Unfortunately, Apple has requested that the FCC withhold external photographs, internal photographs, test setup photographs and the user manual until October 12, 2020 (potentially the day Apple has chosen to hold its annual iPhone unveiling event) so it will be awhile before we can confirm our suspicions. Without photos or documentation there’s not a whole lot of information available inside the brief other than the wireless frequency the earphones will operate on (2.402-2.48 GHz) and some really technical information about the kind of wireless transmitter it will have inside. That said, in previous FCC filings, the Apple AirPods were model number A1722 as described in an FCC filing in 2016 and the new Beats Powerbeats were model number A2015 as described in FCC ID BCGA2015 - so the A2453 model name fits within the previously established naming scheme Apple's cooked up.
Powerbeats Pro 2? What's the deal?Beyond this filing we really don't have any idea what Apple is cooking up - so take everything that follows as pure conjecture. Certainly some of the things Apple could add to the Powerbeats Pro would be noise cancellation - a feature taken directly from the Apple AirPods Pro - and an IP68 water-resistance rating like the iPhone 11 Pro. The latter would be a bit tricky - most earphones really stick to an IPX4 rating - but some sports enthusiasts buds like the Jaybird Tarah Pro go up to IPX7. How much of that Apple will decide to implement remains to be seen, but both upgrades would be a substantial improvement on the Powerbeats Pro that are currently on store shelves now.
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| Cheap iPhone deals at Apple: price cuts on the iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and iPhone XR Posted: 15 Apr 2020 11:09 AM PDT For a limited time, you can snag a cheap iPhone deal at Apple. The retailer is offering up to $350 in savings when you purchase the iPhone 11, 11 Pro, and iPhone XR and trade-in an old device. iPhone deals:Shop more iPhone offers with our roundup of the best iPhone 11 and 11 Pro deals. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now | ||||||||||||||||
| Google removes crypto-stealing Chrome extensions from its Web Store Posted: 15 Apr 2020 10:43 AM PDT Google has removed 49 malicious Chrome extensions from its Web Store that posed as cryptocurrency wallet apps but were actually stealing private keys to crypto-wallets as well as users' cryptocurrency. As reported by ZDNet, the malicious extensions were first discovered by MyCrypto's director of security Harry Denley who shared his findings with the news outlet. According to Denley, the 49 extensions all appear to have been created by either the same person or group of people who he believes is a Russian-based threat actor. Additionally all of the extensions have the same functionality but their branding changes based on who they are targeting.
Denley was able to identify malicious extensions impersonating many well known crypto-wallet apps including Ledger, Trexor, Jaxx, Electrum, MyEtherWallet, MetaMask, Exodus and KeepKey. Malicious crypto-wallet extensionsAll of the 49 malicious extensions function almost identically to legitimate ones except for the fact that any data entered by a user while setting them up was sent to the attacker's servers or to a Google Form. While the attackers already have all of the information they need to start stealing users' cryptocurrency, Denley conducted a test in which he found that the funds from his crypto-wallet were not immediately stolen. He believes this is because the threat actor is either interested in only stealing from high-value targets or they haven't figured out how to automate the operation and need to manually access each account. In a post on Medium, MyCrypto explained that there has been an increase in malicious extensions targeting cryptocurrency over the past few months, saying: “An analysis from our dataset suggests the malicious extensions started to hit the store slowly in February 2020, increased releases through March 2020, and then rapidly released more extensions in April 2020. This means that either our detection is getting much better, or that the number of malicious extensions hitting browser stores to target cryptocurrency users is growing exponentially. An analysis from our dataset suggests Ledger is the most targeted brand — without speculating, it’s hard to say why.” Since the threat actor behind these malicious extensions has yet to be caught, they may likely try to launch a similar scheme in the future.
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| The iPad Pro Magic Keyboard is now on sale on Apple's website Posted: 15 Apr 2020 10:01 AM PDT Apple’s refined Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro, now featuring a trackpad, is finally on sale on the tech giant’s online store. Buy it today and it’ll show up on your doorstep starting next week. Apple unveiled the refined Magic Keyboard in March alongside the new iPad Pro 2020. The refinements are obvious: the keyboard now elevates the tablet above the keys and adds a long-awaited track pad.
The Magic Keyboard also has back-lit keys and a USB-C port at the hinge, which allows pass-through charging of the iPad Pro in order to free up its sole USB-C port for accessories, which is a handy upgrade. While the new Magic Keyboard works with all older iPad Pro models, the new features make it pricier than previous versions of the tablet keyboard. The Magic Keyboard sized for 11-inch iPad Pro costs $299 / £299 / AU$499, while the version for the 12.9-inch iPad Pro costs $349 / £349 / AU$589. New iPad Pro keyboard...but for whom?It’s clear the new Magic Keyboard is geared toward making it easier for iPad Pro owners to do more of their mainline work on tablets. Refining the keyboard to perch the tablet at adjustable angles eases eye strain, while the added track pad offers a less strenuous alternative to touch controls. There are consequences, of course: those refinements mean the Magic Keyboard loses the pseudo-case protection that its predecessors had. Perhaps that’s not as important as productivity-enhancing additions, but for such expensive tablets, it’s important to keep in mind.
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| 100GB data for £20 a month - The best EE SIM only deal out there by a long shot Posted: 15 Apr 2020 10:00 AM PDT For anyone who has been patiently searching for a strong EE SIM plan, you will likely know that they do not come cheap. And that's why EE's latest offer has impressed us so much. Bunking its usual pricey trend, EE is offering up a 'limited time' SIM with 100GB of data for just £20 a month. That, as far as we can recall, is the best value plan EE has ever offered, exceeding its Black Friday offerings in the past. And with this latest plan, EE is finally competing with some of the other better value networks like Three and its unlimited data options or Smarty's affordable big data plans. We've listed everything you need to know about EE's SIM and the other best SIM only deals around below.
EE's big data SIM only deal:What other SIM only deals are available right now?As mentioned above, there are just two retailers EE will have difficulty beating - Smarty and Three. Offering an unlimited data cap for just £18 a month, Three currently has the market beat. Or, on the cheaper side, Smarty Mobile is rocking a 100GB data plan at a price of just £15 a month. And with this deal, you'll be on a 1-month rolling contract meaning you can stay for as long as you want and leave when you like. Just want something cheap and cheerful? iD Mobile's 500MB of data for £3.99 option could be ideal. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now | ||||||||||||||||
| New iPhone SE pricing and availability in the Middle East Posted: 15 Apr 2020 09:53 AM PDT We wondered if Apple's new affordable phone would be called an iPhone 9 or an iPhone SE 2. But Apple is simply called the iPhone SE, and it’s the new ‘cheap’ iPhone that comes in at just AED 1,699 while offering a host of cutting-edge features. Apple will be releasing the iPhone SE on Friday April 24, with pre-orders opening Friday, April 17. Pricing starts at AED 1,699 for 64GB of storage. The 128GB model is priced at AED 1,909 while the highest storage model with 256GB comes in at AED 2,329.
While the design of the new iPhone SE might seem similar to the iPhone 8, inside it’s a different story. Where the iPhone 8 used the A11 Bionic chipset, the new iPhone SE packs the same A13 Bionic engine that powers the iPhone 11 range. Apple has placed a lot of importance on the camera of the new iPhone SE. Despite only packing a single sensor (not even the dual-sensor setup found in the iPhone 8 Plus) Apple is still lauding this as the best single-sensor snapper it’s ever created – thus making it even better than the iPhone XR’s camera. You’ve got the choice of three colors: black, white or Product Red (that’s just another name for red). The iPhone SE 2020 could very well be the phone attracting Android users that have budgets around AED 1,500 or the phone many will buy for their kids and parents. It's a great way to enter the Apple ecosystem and, as an added bonus, comes with one free year of Apple TV Plus subscription.
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| Best gaming mouse pads 2020: the best mouse mats for gamers Posted: 15 Apr 2020 09:53 AM PDT These days, the best gaming mouse pads are more than just a reliable surface to move your gaming mouse around on. In fact, they’ve come a long way from their humble beginnings. While their predecessors were simply mousing surfaces with a gaming look, many modern gaming mouse pads now come with extra bells and whistles. And, they’re now more than ever an important addition to a gamer’s arsenal. But, what extra features can a lowly mouse pad have exactly? Well, to start, many of the best gaming mouse pads boast RGB lighting, for even more gaming immersion. Others offer wireless charging, which comes in handy if you happen to be using a wireless mouse – or need to charge your other Qi compatible devices, for that matter. Some even deliver the smoothest glide for pinpoint accuracy. When you’ve already invested so much in getting the best gaming PC and the best gaming mouse just to dig into the best PC games, take that extra step and get the best gaming mouse pad. You’ll be happy you did. Here are our top picks. Best gaming mouse pads at a glance:
Corsair MM600 features a low-friction surface that will boost your response times in-game. (Image Credit: Corsair) The Corsair MM600 isn’t interested in distracting you with brightly colored lights like the MM800. Instead, it offers a great deal more versatility than its higher priced sibling. This double sided mouse pad stays secure in place with rubber stoppers on each corner so that your mouse moves – not your mouse pad. The MM600 is also made of aluminum, and features a low-friction surface that will boost your response times in-game.
SteelSeries QcK helps deliver extremely precise mouse control and a smooth glide. (Image Credit: SteelSeries) Existing solely as a budget mousepad, the SteelSeries QcK does exactly what you want out of a mousepad and nothing more. The QcK’s surface material has a high thread count for extremely precise mouse control and a smooth glide. At the same time, its rubber base helps prevent it from sliding around your desk while you’re gaming. It comes in a variety of shapes and sizes and there’s even a higher end version with RGB lighting – the SteelSeries QcK Prism.
Cooler Master MP510 is made of a durable Cordura fabric that won't fray, stain or even absorb liquid. (Image Credit: Cooler Master) There are a lot of mouse pads out there that we love in theory, but just won’t fit our desk – either too big or entirely too small. However, the Cooler Master MP510 looks to get on top of this problem by offering 4 different sizes, from a small pad that’ll fit any desk to a giant mouse pad that will take up even the largest desk. It’s made of a durable Cordura fabric that won’t fray, stain or even absorb liquid. So, you won't have to panic when you inevitably spill your drink – except for all your other peripherals, we guess.
Razer Sphex v2 is durable and optimised for laser or optical gaming mouse control. (Image Credit: Razer) Sure, everyone loves RGB lighting, but what if you’re looking for an unobtrusive, seamless desk surface? Well, the ultra thin – less than half a millimeter in height – Razer Sphex v2 is the mouse pad for you. Despite its thin profile, the polycarbonate surface is durable and optimised for laser or optical gaming mouse control. We picked the regular size, but if you have a smaller desk, there’s a Small size variant as well.
Roccat Hiro+ helps increase your gaming accuracy and speed.(Image Credit: Roccat) The top of the Hiro+ is covered in a vulcanized silicone surface with a 3D structure to help increase your gaming accuracy and speed. The base has a non-slip surface for steady mouse control, and the edges have been rounded for a smoother profile. Its surface is also coated to protect from water and grime, and makes for easy cleaning.
Corsair MM1000 Qi features Qi charging. (Image Credit: Corsair) Most people think that the best gaming mouse pads are just glorified tablecloths that you move your mouse on top of. Well, until the Corsair MM1000 Qi hit the market, that was almost right. Not only is this thing one of the best gaming mouse pads, but it also features Qi charging. Launching alongside the Corsair Dark Core RGB SE, which itself features Qi compatibility, the MM1000 Qi isn’t just Corsair’s answer to the Logitech PowerPlay, it takes mouse pads to the next level.
Razer Goliathus Chroma boasts Razer's RGB implementation. (Image Credit: Razer) Let’s say you have a ton of RGB-bedecked peripherals, a keyboard, a mouse and maybe even a headset. You can’t just leave your mouse pad out of the RGB party, so you should keep an eye out for the Razer Goliathus Chroma. This illuminated mouse pad takes Razer’s expert RGB implementation and throws it into a soft gaming mouse pad that’ll let you score those headshots, and do it in style.
Corsair MM800 RGB Polaris boasts Corsair's RGB implementation and uses a low-friction finish. (Image Credit: Corsair) You simply can’t go out looking for the best mouse mat for gaming in 2020 without considering RGB. All the hottest gaming peripherals right now boast about how they can light your desk up like a Christmas tree, and the Corsair MM800 RGB Polaris is no different. On top of Corsair’s always-fantastic RGB implementation, the MM800 uses a low-friction finish that’ll allow for quick and precise tracking across its surface. And if the lighting wasn’t enough, the MM800 uses Corsair’s special CUE2 interface to sync its lighting with your other peripherals and even your PC through RGB share. It’s even available in two materials: cloth and a micro-texture surface.
Asus ROG Scabbard has a non-slip ROG red rubber base and low-friction Sheath woven surface. (Image Credit: Asus) More of a ‘desk pad’ than a gaming mouse pad, the Asus ROG Scabbard is absolutely massive. It can hold your laptop or keyboard and mouse, along with any other accessories you have lying around. It has a non-slip ROG red rubber base and low-friction Sheath woven surface for maximum mouse control. Asus has even temperature tested the ROG scabbard down to -30°C – but we wouldn’t recommend gaming in sub-zero conditions, even if you’re really into overclocking.
Image Credit: MSI Are other mouse pads just too soft for your gaming setup? Well, if so, you’re in luck – the MSI Thunderstorm gaming mouse pad is all metal. To be precise, this gaming mouse pad is made of an anodized, hairline-surfaced aluminum material with rubber stoppers. This textured surface is optimized for mouse control and speed, while its L shape allows it to be situated close to the keyboard. And, if that metal surface is just too real for you, you can flip it over for a micro-textured surface and the comfort of cloth.
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| The best keyboards of 2020: top 10 keyboards compared Posted: 15 Apr 2020 09:52 AM PDT Don’t think for a second that investing in the best keyboard isn’t necessary for you. Whether you’re a massive gamer playing the best PC games for hours on end or typing up emails and documents everyday for work, a keyboard can actually make or break your computing experience (and quite possibly your wrists). The simple fact is this: having a quality keyboard can make a huge impact in your computing life. That’s because the best keyboards offer the right bounce, travel, tactile feedback and ergonomic design. And those will make using your computer a much more comfortable, less fatiguing experience. Better yet, when it comes to performance, they are super-fast and responsive, as well as accurate and feature-rich, boasting things like a long battery life (if wireless) and n-key rollover so that each keypress is correctly detected no matter how many keys you press. That means that they also give you an extremely productive experience. The benefits to comfort, speed, reliability and convenience you gain with one of the best keyboards easily justifies the asking price, which isn’t much considering what you’re getting. We gathered the top ones 2020 has to offer. Whether you need one of the best gaming keyboards or an excellent one for multi-tasking and creative work, you’ll find an ideal match here. The best keyboards of 2020 at a glance:
It has become the norm for keyboard manufacturers to implement their own custom keyboard switches, and Roccat – with the Vulcan 120 Aimo – is no different. While this keyboard is primarily marketed as a gaming keyboard, its Titan Switches are tactile enough to be satisfying, while still bouncing back quickly enough to be comfortable to type on for extended periods. And, we’d be remiss to not mention the looks – the Vulcan 120 Aimo looks like a science fiction keyboard, we love it. Read the full review: Roccat Vulcan 120 Aimo
If you have a home theater PC, you might be frustrated by the lack of keyboards that explicitly appeal to your use case. Luckily, there’s a keyboard for you – the Corsair K83 Wireless is a fantastic entertainment-focused keyboard. Not only is it light and portable, it also has a bevy of entertainment functions that’ll make life easier in your living room. And, with its wealth of connectivity options, including Bluetooth and 2.4GHz wireless through a dongle, you can use it with many different platforms. However, it’s not great at gaming, so keep that in mind. Read the full review: Corsair K83 Wireless
As long as you don’t mind missing out on some of that signature ‘thock’ sound that’s associated with regular Realforce keyboards, opting for a silenced model like the 104 UBS offers some solid benefits. Hitting the 104 UBS’s keys produces sound on par with a membrane keyboard, so it’s going to be great if you work in a busy office or a shared bedroom. The ‘dampened’ feel of Topre’s silenced switches can feel kind of like typing on sandpaper compared to a non-silenced board, but we found that it’s worth the trade-off if you need a quieter keyboard.
Filco's keyboards tend to be built like tanks, and the Majestouch TKL is no different. This space-saving mechanical keyboard features a compact tenkeyless design that has less than 1cm of space between the edge of the keys and the keyboard. Its durability doesn't simply allow it to stand up well to knocks and scrapes – it has a positive impact on its typing feel too. You can hammer away on it at speed, even bottoming out to your heart's content, and the Majestouch 2 will take every bit of punishment.
We’ve seen all kinds of keyboards over the years here at TechRadar, from stylish tenkeyless keyboards to RGB-laden gaming behemoths, but something has always been missing – a focus on creatives. Thankfully, with the Logitech Craft, this is no longer the case. Not only is this a sturdy, tactile and attractive keyboard but it also features a unique dial on its top left corner, which will help creatives expedite their workflow. This dial’s utility will vary depending on the application, from simply controlling the volume on the desktop, to changing levels in various tools in Photoshop. If you spend a lot of time creating content on your PC, the Logitech Craft is one of the best keyboards you can buy today. Read the full review: Logitech Craft
The PFU Happy Hacking Professional 2 has somewhat of a cult following in the keyboard scene, and it’s not hard to see why. This keyboard is aimed at coders, but it’s fantastic for all you writers out there, too. It forgoes traditional arrow keys, instead making use of function keys and key combinations to get that stuff done. It will take a minute to get used to, but once you get that out of the way the small size is a huge benefit, as you’ll be able to take it anywhere you go. Plus, that sweet ‘thock’ sound of the Topre switches is a wonder to behold.
You just need to look at Microsoft’s Surface devices to know that they’re kind of killing it when it comes to design, and the Microsoft Modern Keyboard with Fingerprint ID takes things to a whole new level. If you’re running Windows 10, and you’re into the Surface aesthetic, this is easily one of the best keyboards out there. Not only does it feel great, but it also features biometric security, by including a discrete fingerprint scanner right next to the “Alt” key. It is an expensive device, but as with everything Microsoft, you can be sure you’re getting what you’re paying for. Read the full review: Microsoft Modern Keyboard with Fingerprint ID
Leopold's Fc660c is more portable than the Realforce 87u, but less so than the lighter and more compact HHKB2. However, the Fc660c benefits from its extra heft and feels like the more solid board. Despite having the same 45 gram actuation force as the HHKB2, the Leopold's keys feel slightly weightier - somewhere nearer to 50 grams. It results one of the most satisfying "thock" sounds on a Topre board.
Remember those old IBM Model M keyboards? Well, that’s what the Unicomp Classic 104 seeks to emulate. Available in both USB and PS/2 versions, it uses a buckling spring switch that takes more effort to press than just about every other modern switch. You’re rewarded for this hard pressing with a tactile response that feels like the classic mechanical keyboards of old, along with a noise that will drive everyone around you mad.
Some keyboards just ooze class, and the Das Keyboard Prime 13 is one of them. Its features a solid aluminum top panel for added rigidity and a very minimalistic look. With Cherry's MX Red or Brown switches under the keycaps, you're given a choice between linear and non-linear offerings with a range of actuation points. It's a great option for media enthusiasts thanks to side lit media control and the inclusion of white backlighting is another bonus. It's not the most affordable keyboard on our list, but if you're looking for something a little bit more premium, Das is the way to go.
With its latest keyboard, Logitech is targeting smartphone and tablet owners who prefer to use their device while sat at a desk. And, if you were a fan of the predecessor, the K380, the Logitech K780 should be right up your alley, especially with its added number pad. This keyboard still has the ability to pair with three devices using Bluetooth or wireless, so you can swap between all your gadgets on the fly. And, thanks to its comfortable rounded keycaps, it’s still a pleasure to type on. The keyboard’s base is the star of the show, however, as it can hold mobile devices up to 11.3mm thick in an upright position. This places them within arms’ reach to make anything from replying to WhatsApp messages or reading a digital magazine easier than ever. How to determine the best keyboard for you
It goes without saying that if you demand the look and feel only mechanical switches can provide, rather than those that are slim and stealthy, we suggest perusing our best gaming keyboards round-up instead. Gamers prioritize the actuation that clicky feeling mechanical keyboards bring, whereas traditional home and office users are more about practicality. That said, the sheer magnitude of sound produced by a lot of mechanical keyboards is offputting to some. For those folks, we have some membrane keyboards to recommend as well.
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| Best gaming keyboard 2020: the best gaming keyboards we've tested Posted: 15 Apr 2020 09:47 AM PDT Wise up and invest in the best gaming keyboard your budget can afford. While cheap gaming keyboards might do the job, they simply won’t help you take your game to the leaderboards. Much like the best gaming mouse, a gaming keyboard will give you that edge you’ve been seeking over your rivals, and a cheaply-made budget keyboard simply won’t cut it. The best gaming keyboards aren’t just designed to make you better at the PC games you’re playing. They also bring in features to make your overall experience more superior, in terms of ergonomics and immersion. From the most comfortable keys and the cushiest wrist rests down to the most immersive RGB lighting, some of which even sync up with what’s being displayed in your monitor, these features make it worth having an excellent gaming keyboard in your arsenal. Even if you have to pay a few extra bucks for it. Take a look at our list of the best gaming keyboards on the market, complete with our price comparison tool. Because as far as gaming peripherals go, not just any keyboard will do. The best gaming keyboard 2020 at a glance
The SteelSeries Apex Pro gets our coveted 5-star rating. The SteelSeries Apex Pro’s svelte aesthetic and clever OLED display are just the appetizers. The SteelSeries Apex Pro gets our coveted 5-star rating for many reasons, the biggest of which are its stunning and solid build, custom actuation and comfortable – not to mention, quiet – magnetic switches. Performance-wise, it’s among the best gaming keyboards we’ve tested yet, which makes its $199 price tag worth the splurge. Read the full review: SteelSeries Apex Pro
Razer Huntsman Elite costs a small fortune, but it's absolutely worth it. If you have the need for speed, then the Huntsman Elite is your best bet, thanks to its new optomechanical switches. That sounds like a mouthful, but essentially, it means that Razer has managed to combine mechanical switches with optical sensors. This unthinkable allows the Huntsman Elite to take its actuation to the next level, and you would be hard-pressed to find a faster keyboard on the market. Switches aside, it’s also remarkably comfortable to type on. Plus, it’s covered with more RGB lighting than you can shake a stick at. Sure, it needs two USB cables for power and costs a small fortune, but with tech like this, it’s absolutely worth it. Read the full review: Razer Huntsman Elite
Roccat Vulcan 120 Aimo uses Roccat's own Titan switches. The Roccat Vulcan 120 should be at the top of your gaming keyboard wish list, if you want one that looks and feels good. This svelte keyboard uses Roccat’s own Titan switches, rather than the Cherry MX switches found on most other keyboards on this list, and we can vouch for how superb they are. This gaming keyboard combines amazing tactile feedback with quiet and comfort. It really isn’t hard to see why this is one of the best gaming keyboards on the market today. Read the full review: Roccat Vulcan 120 Aimo
Alienware Pro Gaming Keyboard AW768 is fitted with mechanical keys, dedicated macro keys and slick aesthetics. When you think Alienware, “value” isn’t the word that comes to mind. But, this time around, the Alienware Pro Gaming Keyboard AW768 is a genuinely great deal. At under 100 bucks or quid, you’re getting the toughest gaming keyboard fitted with mechanical keys, dedicated macro keys and slick aesthetics. It’s not the most feature rich keyboard in the game, but at this price, it really doesn’t need to be. One of the best gaming keyboards in 2020, the Alienware Pro Gaming Keyboard AW768 gets the job done, and looks good while doing it. Read the full review: Alienware Pro Gaming Keyboard AW768
Cooler Master MasterSet MS120 is affordable while being up there with its more premium 'mem-chanical' competitors. Not everything has to be super high-end to be good, and the Cooler Master MasterSet MS120 is the perfect example. Though this one’s a keyboard and mouse set, the keyboard is the star of the show. Sitting at just under a hundred bucks, the MasterSet’s keyboard is affordable while being up there with its more premium ‘mem-chanical’ competitors in terms of quality. The switches on offer bring a ton of tactile feedback and deep travel. It’s quiet as well, so you can furiously pounding away during an intense late-night Overwatch match without worry. The Cooler Master MasterSet MS120 is, without a doubt, one of the best gaming keyboards under $100. Read the full review: Cooler Master MasterSet MS120
Corsair K63 Wireless is proof that wireless keyboards can be very capable in 2020. We have tested many wired gaming mice over the last few years, but we haven’t seen that many wireless gaming keyboards and even less that we actually liked. That is, until the Corsair K63 Wireless keyboard entered the scene. The computer peripherals company took what made the wired version of the K63 so great, and put it into a wireless version – without compromising on much at all. Packing tight Cherry MX Red switches, full RGB lighting and convenient media controls, the K63 wireless is proof that wireless keyboards can be very capable in 2020, even for gaming. Read the full review: Corsair K63 Wireless
Corsair K95 RGB Platinum is one of the best gaming keyboards we've tested. A $159 price tag on a gaming keyboard might a tad too steep, but the Corsair K95 RGB Platinum, one of the best gaming keyboards we’ve tested in the last year, really does give you a lot of ounce for your bounce. We’re not talking the more trivial bells and whistles like fancy RGB lighting either – although since we are on the subject, this one’s got a whole lot of them, not to mention its integrated 19-zone light bar and the 16.8 million color options, to boot. By bang, we actually mean its 6 dedicated macro keys, 8MB on-board storage and aircraft-grade anodized brushed aluminum frame. Read the full review: Corsair K95 RGB Platinum
Havit Low Profile Mechanical Keyboard is extremely comfortable to type as well as game on. You might be thinking that if you’ve seen one of the best gaming keyboards, you’ve seen them all: big, garish hunks of metal with bright RGB lighting. Well, the Havit Low Profile Mechanical Keyboard will surprise you. While it definitely has the RGB lighting (honestly, how could it not?), it leaves the rest of the cliches in the past where they belong. Appealing and responsive, this keyboard is only as big as it needs to be, and is thus extremely comfortable to type as well as game on. There are no multimedia buttons, but we’d happily make that trade any day for a keyboard this good at such a low price. Read the full review: Havit Low Profile Mechanical Keyboard
Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition manages to deliver fast performance without being expensive. Shelling out more than $100 for a great gaming keyboard is to be expected if you’re even slightly serious your gaming performance. But the beauty of Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition is that it manages to deliver fast performance without being the most expensive keyboard in town. True, there aren’t a lot of features here, which puts it behind many of its feature-rich rivals, but it makes up for that by being small and boasting a removable to make it perfectly portable for on-the-go gaming. Read our full review: Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition
The budget-minded SteelSeries Apex 3 may come with a few concessions, but it also boasts some impressive features. Not all great gaming keyboards have mechanical switches, as this affordable Apex keyboard is proving. The budget-minded SteelSeries Apex 3 may come with a few concessions, but it also boasts some impressive features that more than make up for those compromises. One of those features is its IP32 water resistance for protection against any spills – because who hasn’t accidentally knocked over a can of soda while gaming? Another is its reactive and customizable 10-zone RGB illumination to make your gaming experience all the more impressive. And, if you absolutely hate those clickety clacking noises that mechanical keyboards love to make, you’ll really appreciate this keyboard’s whisper quiet gaming switches. Read the full review: SteelSeries Apex 3 Bill Thomas, Gabe Carey and Michelle Rae Uy have also contributed to this article This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now | ||||||||||||||||
| The best student laptops 2020: all the best options for school Posted: 15 Apr 2020 09:40 AM PDT The best student laptops don’t always have to be the cheapest on the market. While budget laptops tend to be great candidates for students who are trying to be economical, paying a few extra bucks for a couple of extra useful features could be more advantageous. Similarly, while students generally don’t need high-powered laptops, you can never go wrong with having a big more power. That said, the best laptops for college students do need to fit a few criteria. They, of course, have to be affordable, even though they don’t necessarily have to be cheap. They also need to deliver performance-wise, so they can handle a student’s particular workload as well as streaming and perhaps light gaming post-coursework. And, finally, they must have a great battery life, hopefully enough to last a whole school day on a single charge. We picked out the best laptops for students 2020 has to offer. Whether you want the best Chromebook that offers a great price without sacrificing performance, or a heartier device equipped with a powerful operating system like Windows 10 or macOS, we’ve got something for every need.
The HP Chromebook 14 may not be as powerful as other Chromebooks, but this tiny laptop has a few aces up its sleeves, helping it secure a well-deserved top spot on our best student laptops list. Those aces include striking a good balance between ample screen space and portability, as well as a surprisingly excellent keyboard and a decent trackpad. That’s without mentioning how vivid the display and how low its price tag is. Read the full review: HP Chromebook 14
The Huawei Matebook 13 strike a balance between price and performance. We’re massive fans of laptops that can skillfully strike a balance between price and performance with hardly any compromises, and the Huawei MateBook 13 comes closer to than anything else in 2019 so far. It’s light and compact, perfect for carrying in your backpack while you hurry from class to class; but it’s fast and affordable as well. This stunning 13-inch Ultrabook will make sure you’ll get all your work done in style, without burning a hole in your pocket. Sure, you might need to keep that charger on hand if you want it to last you the whole day, as the battery life is underwhelming. However, there’s still no doubt that the Huawei Matebook 13 deserves its lofty spot on the best laptops for students list. Read the full review: Huawei MateBook 13
Apple’s thinnest and lightest MacBook is back in 2020 with a vengeance. Not only has it fixed a lot of the complaints with its predecessors – namely, that problematic keyboard is now gone, replaced by a drastically improved keyboard. But it also comes with new and more powerful internal components, even more storage space options, and a lower price of entry. There are a couple of things we’d do better, like the muted screen and the average battery life, but this model of the MacBook Air is better than anything we’ve seen from the line so far. And, it’s definitely among the best student laptops of 2020. Read the full review: MacBook Air (2020)
The Google Pixelbook Go has earned our coveted "Editor's Choice" award in the Chromebook category. Have you been waiting for the day you can finally afford the premium price of Google Pixelbook? Well, with Google releasing Pixelbook Go, your wait is finally over. Granted, it isn’t quite the actual luxury device you’ve been dreaming of. However, rest assured, you will love this Chromebook, just as we have during our time with it. We love it so much, in fact, that it earned our coveted “Editor's Choice” award in the Chromebook category. It boasts incredible battery life, an even more impressive keyboard and a 1080p webcam, which you don’t see often in the more budget-friendly laptops even in 2019. And, that’s just to start. Read the full review: Google Pixelbook Go
The Microsoft Surface Go is one of the most beautiful devices on the market. Even if you’re only in the market for a laptop for school that strikes a balance between cost and performance, it can’t hurt to factor in a splash of style. The Microsoft Surface Go isn’t just one of the best Windows tablets, but it’s also one of the most beautiful devices on the market. Better yet, it also gets our vote as among the best laptops for students, especially from a value perspective. Don’t be duped by the low-power components: Microsoft engineered this tablet to take on all your general schoolwork and more without breaking a sweat. Read the full review: Microsoft Surface Go
Budget consumers looking for an Ultrabook that delivers great performance at a great, affordable price, you can’t go wrong with the Acer Swift 3 (2019). This 13-inch laptop from Acer is powerful enough for productivity tasks, which makes it a great tool for traveling and working at the same time. However, it can also handle a bit of casual gaming as well as some photo editing, perfect for some post-work computing. It’s far from perfect – that battery could use a boost, the keyboard could be better, and don’t even get us started on the speakers. But, for how much it’s worth, you’re definitely getting a great deal. Read the full review: Acer Swift 3 (2019)
The best student laptops aren't premium all-singing, all-dancing devices with huge price tags, as the excellent Asus Chromebook Flip C302 demonstrates. The Asus Chromebook Flip C302 brings a lot of what we love about Asus laptops to an affordable Chromebook that's ideal for day-to-day tasks and for students working on their homework. That means it's got excellent build quality, a fantastic design and packs some great hardware that makes it one of the best Chromebooks on sale in 2020, with an Intel Core processor, full 1080p display, touchscreen, backlit keyboard and USB-C port. Read the full review: Asus Chromebook Flip
With the third version of the Surface Laptop 3, Microsoft has made its best laptop yet. While it's not a huge leap over its predecessor, the Surface Laptop 3 does improve on almost every aspect. Best of all, with the 15-inch version you now get a choice of either Intel or AMD hardware. Previously, only Intel tech was included. Elsewhere, the Surface Laptop 3 continues the Surface Laptop's reputation for being a stunningly designed laptop. These are some of the most desirable laptops in the world that don't have a logo of an apple on them, with a new aluminum body that gives it a premium feel, while protecting it from knocks and drops. There are still a few niggles, like the continued lack of ports, but in general this is one of the best student laptops in the world right now. Read the full review: Microsoft Surface Laptop 3
The Dell Inspiron 13 7000 2-in-1 is a versatile 2-in-1 with a lot going for it under the hood. This premium laptop is more than just about its premium design; it also has high-end internals to compete with the likes of the more powerful Dell XPS 13. Rounding that out is a 4K display, and a clever stylus slot that makes us wonder whether they actually beat Microsoft to the idea. Granted, the display is a bit of a battery drain, and the speakers impressive, but this is still among the best student laptops out there. Read the full review: Dell Inspiron 13 7000 2-in-1
If you want more power than the MacBook Air, but don’t want to pay more for the bigger MacBook Pro 15-inch to lug around school, then the MacBook Pro 13-inch (2019) is the best MacBook for you. The MacBook Pro 13-inch (2019) boasts newer internal components, making it more powerful than ever. And, though it still has the controversial Butterfly keyboard, this model also improves on it so that it’s quieter and more reliable. It’s not hard to recommend the MacBook Pro 13-inch (2019) to students for its portability and power. Read the full review: MacBook Pro 13-inch (2019) Bill Thomas, Michelle Rae Uy and Gabe Carey have also contributed to this article.
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| The best Amazon sales this week - cheap headphones, iPad deals, smart watch sales available now Posted: 15 Apr 2020 09:36 AM PDT We're keeping track of all the latest Amazon sales right here, and this week we're being treated to some iPad deals, excellent PC gaming sales, cheap headphones, and a wealth of discounts across Amazon's own Echo range as well. So, if you're looking to keep yourself entertained with a cheap tablet, or you're looking to upgrade your PC gaming setup, you'll find all the best Amazon sales available here. We've rounded up our favorite Amazon sales below, but you can also check out all our picks further down the page. Amazon Daily Deals: today's top sales
Fossil smart watches on sale
Cheap wireless headphones now available
iPad deals and cheap laptops
PC gaming deals offer excellent savings
Amazon Echo bundles offer savings on smart home accessories
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