Apple : First leak of Android Q shows off system-wide dark mode, better permissions and dev options

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• First leak of Android Q shows off system-wide dark mode, better permissions and dev options
• Security exploit left your Fortnite account open to hackers
• The best free website builder 2019
• US government data leak exposes years of investigations
• Best website builder of 2019
• Amazon Super Bowl 4KTV deals: Sony, LG and Samsung offer Black Friday-like deals
• Best processors 2019: top CPUs for your PC
• Best computer 2019: the best PCs we've tested
• Best gaming mouse 2019: the best gaming mice we've tested
• Why Metro Exodus is the antidote to Fallout 76
• The best graphics cards 2019: all the top GPUs for gaming
• AMD Vega II release date, news and rumors
• Apple Watch price could get cheaper for seniors on Medicare
• The best free T-shirt design sites
• The best WordPress hosting 2019
• AMD Ryzen 3rd Generation release date, news and rumors
• Amazon Alexa gets a fresh voice for reading the news
• Americans reluctant to pay for privacy
• KLH Launches Premium Sound at Affordable Prices
• The best cheap TV sales and 4K TV deals in January 2019

First leak of Android Q shows off system-wide dark mode, better permissions and dev options Posted: 16 Jan 2019 02:23 PM PST This may be our first look at the successor to Android Pie. XDA Developers has gotten a hold of an alleged build of Android Q and they’ve loaded it up on a Pixel 3 XL to see what’s changed. The build was allegedly made this week with February 2019 security patches and is up-to-date with Google’s AOSP internal master, per XDA. But we won’t see any Pixel-specific software customizations or Google Play apps, sadly. Let’s dive in. The biggest reveal? Dark mode – across the whole OS. While you can currently turn on the mode for certain apps, toggle this option on (located in Display Settings) to turn the base-level interface including the Settings, Launcher and Files app dark gray. In this mode, the Volume panel, Quick Settings and notifications are all black.  Even better, XDA dug up a Developer option that forces apps that don’t have a built-in dark mode to revert to one anyway.  Android Q also supposedly improves permission settings. Now you can get an overview of permissions accessed by apps and tweak them – like only giving certain permissions while the app is in use, XDA suggested. Each particular app’s permission page has been updated to see which ones have been given access or blocked from certain permissions, and you can quickly open, uninstall or force stop the app, too. There are apparently a slew of new developer options. One, which “force[s] experimental desktop mode on secondary displays,” XDA couldn’t get working, but it seems like a feature to use the phone through much larger displays, a la Samsung DeX.  Other developer options are in a similar state of incompletion, like a built-in screen recorder, or an unclear purpose, like a “Game Update Package Preferences” setting. But some have a clearer purpose: enabling freeform windows has returned, and once switched on, you can pop open freeform multi-windows by pressing and holding an app icon in the recent apps overview, per XDA. There are also a pair of new Accessibility settings. Now you can choose how long temporary messages asking you to take action (aka notifications) stay on screen, as well as a setting to pick how long you want to read messages that automatically go away. It’s not totally clear what these are specifically referring to, as the UI likely hasn’t been finalized. A few more odds and ends The remaining additions include a “sensors off” option in Quick Settings that apparently switches off radios and goes into airplane mode, but XDA posited that it might also disable the always-on sensors (accelerometer, gyroscope) in the smartphone. Screen lock has a couple new options: “SmartLock only extends unlock” allows trusted devices to keep your Android Q-powered smartphone awake for longer but won’t grant unlocking privileges, while “Lock screen when trust is lost” will lock up the smartphone when a “trusted device” is, well, no longer trusted. Finally, a new files app lets you arrange by images, documents, audio, video, and other options while you’re browsing through your stuff.  That’s all that XDA found thus far, but it’s the first huge look at the changes that may be coming to Android phones this year. Check out our list of the best phones that will end up running Android Q This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Security exploit left your Fortnite account open to hackers Posted: 16 Jan 2019 11:28 AM PST While most of the gaming world watched Ninja become the biggest name in online gaming while playing Fortnite, the game’s publisher was hard at work closing a security vulnerability that could’ve compromised player’s account information. The exploit was unveiled today by security researchers at Check Point Software Technologies, which released a video showing how hackers could’ve used security tokens (you know, those things that got Facebook in trouble a few months ago) to get around login pages.  According to the researchers, the security vulnerability was first discovered back in November of last year and, thanks to some quick work on the part of Epic Games (Fortnite’s publisher), has officially been closed since late December.  Thankfully, neither the researchers nor Epic Games have confirmed any cases in which the exploit was used - but it seems like it could’ve been an easy way for hackers to buy in-game content using players’ credit card information and allowed them to listen to your in-game chat.  Security tokens strike again  Without diving too deep down the security rabbit hole, the way the exploit worked was that hackers would send a phishing link to an unsecured URL on Epic Games’ website - ironically, a stats page for Unreal Tournament 2004… which was basically the Fortnite of its day minus all the streamers and sweet dance moves. That page was open to cross-scripting attacks that allowed Check Point to inject some malicious code, redirecting incoming traffic - and any security tokens sent along with it - from the publisher’s servers to Check Point’s. Once the phishing link was clicked by the victim, the hacker would be able to get a security token which they could then use to login to Fortnite. Once in, if the victim had a credit card on file that could be used to buy in-game items or listen in to their friend’s conversations. Thankfully, however, there are no reported incidents where hackers used the exploit to steal login tokens to Fortnite. Facebook on the other hand, which just last year had hackers steal security tokens for 30 million of its users, wasn’t so lucky.  According to the researchers, because all the info was routed through an Epic Games website, it's unlikely that anti-phishing software would've caught the bug... so that's comforting.  Thankfully, for now, your account info is safe and sound. That being said, if your friend asks you to check out their stats from a 15-year-old video game, you should err on the safe side and not click the link. These are the best PC games in 2019 This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

The best free website builder 2019 Posted: 16 Jan 2019 10:58 AM PST Creating a website used to be the domain (geddit?) of professional designers and coders, but thanks to free website builder applications, these days it's something anyone can tackle. The problem is that there are so many website creation applications and services vying for attention that it can be difficult to know which one to opt for – this is where we can help. We've collated the very best free website builders available, including a mixture of offline software and online tools. It's usually quicker, easier and more efficient to create and edit a site entirely online with a WYSIWYG editor, but if you want complete control over every aspect of your site's design and web hosting, you'll need a desktop-based free website builder. So whether you're looking to create a site for your business, a new blog, or you just fancy creating an online presence for yourself, here are the best free website builder services to help you out. If you want website builders with more oomph and features, check out our best website builder shortlist which includes paid-for services. Wix makes it very easy to design a website, while giving experts plenty of power to customize elements if they need it Wix is a big-name website builder which offers a free plan, enabling you to have the run of this service without having to put your hand in your pocket. And you benefit from one of the most impressive website editors in the business. This editor can be run in ADI (Artificial Design Intelligence) mode, which has a very basic interface to keep everything really simple and user-friendly. This is great for beginners, as you can create a basic site without even remotely breaking a sweat (a range of attractive templates are provided, as well). Those who want to get more involved with tweaking the design of their website can step up to the full Wix editor, which boasts powerful functionality, and the ability to really hone your website and get it looking just as you want. Visual previews of page elements make it easy to pick what you need for any particular part of a web page, too. Wix is so polished that putting together your site using the editor feels more like using a native application rather than a website builder, and it also sports excellent support for a diverse range of media, and quality customer support as well, even on the free plan. Powerful blogging functionality rounds things off nicely, and you’re getting a truly high quality offering with the free version of this website builder. Try Wix online If you want to create a website as quickly as possible, look no further than Weebly. It's so easy to use, you'll have a great-looking site online in mere minutes Weebly offers you two ways to build your website. Both involve creating it online, and both are as quick and painless as possible. The simplest option is to use the basic editor builder which will guide you through a series of questions before automatically creating a site for you. There is scope for customization, but the focus here is really on fast results for anyone who is terrified of designing websites. A more hands-on approach is available if you decide to use the standard Editor. There are literally hundreds of stylish templates to choose from – and, yes, they are genuinely impressive – which you can tweak and tailor to your needs using a beautiful WYSIWYG editor. Despite being a cloud-based website builder, Weebly gives you a great degree of control over the look of your site and placement of page elements. You can also liven it up using additional features such as a newsletter and live chat. This power and flexibility make Weebly a top-notch website builder. Try Weebly online WordPress is the tool of choice for many blog owners. It takes a little getting used to, but once you've mastered it, you'll love its flexibility Causing a slight degree of confusion, there are actually two different versions of WordPress. The more complex variant can be downloaded from wordpress.org, and you will need to upload it to your own web space and install it using the automated online installer. You can then customize the templates and use add-ons to make the site your own. This is the route many bloggers go down, but there is a simpler option for people who don’t want the hassle of fiddling about with scripts and getting dirty with hardcore editing. The hosted version of WordPress lets you create your own site on wordpress.com. You can create everything from a blog or photo site, to a fully fledged online store, and there are a number of templates to choose from. Whether you're creating a static site, or a blog-style site with regularly updated content, the online editor is a joy to use and allows just about anyone to create an impressive, professional-looking site. The only downside is the limited range of plugins and templates compared with the desktop website builder. Try WordPress online Download WordPress WebSite X5 makes building a website on your desktop easy, with good-looking templates and an intuitive site builder Incomedia WebSite X5 normally sells for $19.99 (about £15/AU$27), but it's free to download for TechRadar readers. There is also a demo version that everyone can use for free. Unlike WordPress and Wix, WebSite X5 is a desktop website builder, which means you can work on your site offline and have more freedom to make your website look exactly the way you want. There's a range of ready-made templates to choose from, or you can create your own design from scratch. Next, build up your site map, showing the hierarchy of your pages and how they connect to one another – a feature you won't find in most web-based site builder apps. Once that's done, you're ready to start building your pages using Website X5's simple drag-and-drop interface, which includes tools for editing both rich text and photos.  If you don't want to be tied down to an online site builder, WebSite X5 is the tool for you. Download Incomedia Website X5 CoffeeCup Free HTML Editor isn't a WYSIWYG website builder, but it provides a live preview of your site as you create it CoffeeCup Free HTML Editor is one of a dying breed of web building programs that don't use a CMS (content management system). While not in the same league as the likes of Adobe Dreamweaver, Free HTML Editor packs quite a professional punch. With split screen code/preview views, it's possible to see the effect the changes you make have straight away. To help you get started quickly, there are a number of templates built into the program, and there are some very nice features such as tag and code suggestions as you type. For absolute beginners, the program might seem a little overwhelming to start with, but it's worth sticking with – assuming you have some HTML knowledge. There is one slight issue; a number of features, such as spell-checking and code optimization, are only included in the paid-for version of the program. CoffeeCup Free HTML Editor review Download CoffeeCup Free HTML Editor If you've used WordPress before, you might be interested in the power of Joomla. It's not as easy to use though, so beginners are better off sticking with a simpler option like Wix Joomla is a well-known name in the CMS world. It may not be as popular as WordPress, but it offers the same two options: build a site using the web app at launch.joomla.org and have it hosted on the company's servers, or download the software from joomla.org and host it yourself. If you choose the latter option, you'll notice that the interface is much less approachable than WordPress. It's not completely impenetrable, but there are lots of menus and options to work through and it doesn't feel quite as polished as WordPress. Joomla's online website builder is nearly as complex, but doesn't involve the same setup process, making it a better option for beginners. Its key selling point is a huge collection of themes and extensions, which provide endless ways to customize the way your site looks and works. Try Joomla online Download Joomla You might also want to check out our other website hosting buying guides: WordPress Cloud hosting E-commerce Dedicated server Small business Windows Managed Green Business Colocation Email hosting Resellers VPS Shared Cheap Website builders Best website hosting This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

US government data leak exposes years of investigations Posted: 16 Jan 2019 10:53 AM PST A researcher by the name of Greg Pollock at the cybersecurity firm UpGuard recently discovered that the Oklahoma Securities Commission left three terabytes of sensitive data unsecured on a server allowing anyone with an internet connection to access it. Among the millions of files that were not password protected, Pollock discovered details on sensitive FBI investigations along with emails and bank transaction histories. UpGuard's Head of Research Chris Vickery provided further insight on the leak, saying: “It represents a compromise of the entire integrity of the Oklahoma department of securities’ network. It affects an entire state level agency. … It’s massively noteworthy.”  Sensitive FBI data According to Vickery, the FBI files stored on the Oklahoma Securities Commission's server contain “all sorts of archive enforcement actions” dating back seven years. The documents even include spreadsheets with agents' timelines of investigation interviews, emails from parties involved in cases and histories of bank transactions. There were even copies of letters from subjects, witnesses and other parties involved in FBI investigations. A number of major companies were also named in the FBI files including AT&T, Goldman Sachs and Lehman Brothers. To make matters worse, the leak also included email archives going back 17 years, thousands of social security numbers and data from the 1980s onwards. UpGuard initially discovered the leak due to the fact that the commission had mistakenly left an rsync server open and these servers are generally used to backup large amounts of data. Via Forbes We've also highlighted the best antivirus and best free password manager to help keep your files secure This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Best website builder of 2019 Posted: 16 Jan 2019 10:28 AM PST Website builders have been around for decades but a new generation now exploit new technologies like responsive and mobile platforms. A website builder can help individuals or businesses build anything from a simple single-page site to a professional web store, even if you've no design or HTML experience at all.  Whether you're a sole trader or a multinational corporation, just about every business needs an online presence – in other words, a website. A growing number are adding bells and whistles like an email list or form facility, domain name registration and much more. Even if you don't sell products online a site can help people find you, learn more about your skills and services, and provide a way to share your details with other potential customers. It's like having a permanent, always-on-call personal assistant, ready to answer queries. And it can even be free Also check out our best website hosting services for 2019 More experienced users can customize and fine-tune the design to suit their own needs, or perhaps install a more traditional web design package that allows them to build the perfect site from scratch. There are free options, but these often have major restrictions, including limits on the size of the site and the lack of any ability to use your own domain. Fortunately, the commercial options are very reasonably priced, from around £5/$5 to £10/$10 a month, with hosting included. To help you decide which option is best for your needs, we’ve picked out the cream of the crop: these are the five top players in the website building world right now.  Wix has more than 100 million registered users Wix is one of the most popular online website creators, offering a range of plans and products. The free version has Wix branding, limited storage space (500MB) and bandwidth, but move up to the most popular plan (unlimited) and there’s no Wix ads. You get unlimited bandwidth (hence its name) and 10GB storage, along with a free domain, Google Ad vouchers and much more. The e-commerce plan adds an online store along with 20GB storage for a reasonable $16.50 (£12.30) per month. Read our review of Wix An excellent collection of 500 plus templates gets the design process off to a quick start. The drag-and-drop editor gives you all kinds of tools and features to explore – an image editor, video backgrounds, animations, social buttons, an integrated site blog – and just about everything can be tweaked, tuned and restyled. All the core editing functions are really smartly designed, and operate more like a native app than your average website builder. Wix does have some weaknesses, with tech support seeming a little sluggish and limited in some respects. But there’s no denying that the superb editor and range of top-notch templates make it easy for web building novices to create something impressive. 1&1 IONOS is one of the biggest web hosting companies in the world There’s a lot to like here in terms of a powerful drag-and-drop editor bristling with professional features and highly customizable templates, but at the outset, let’s make it clear that this isn’t the cheapest service around. There’s no free plan (or indeed trial – although there is a 30-day money-back guarantee), and the most basic plan is priced at $1 (£0.75) a month for first six months, rising to $7 (£5.40) afterwards. That gives you unlimited pages and web space, a simple integrated blog, limited SEO settings, plus website backup and restore, so it’s a touch pricey for what you get. Read our review of 1&1 MyWebsite That said, 1&1 IONOS MyWebsite offers a wide range of responsive templates, and an editor which provides loads of potential adjustments and tweaks, all with plenty of visual feedback and context-sensitive menus to help streamline the whole process. What’s clever here is that the top-level stuff is easy to use and understand for beginners, yet expert users can dive more deeply into the menus to really play around and customize elements. You also get your own personal consultant free of charge. Other highly useful features include the ability to point to your old website in order to import media content from there straight into your new site. This could be a huge timesaver for some. There’s no e-commerce plan here, but there is a separate Pro plan for that functionality (starting at  $1 – £0.75 – a month for the first six months, rising to $20 - £15.40 a month). Weebly is one of the few website builders that offer a free hosting tier. Weebly is another big name in the website building world which offers a powerful editor and capable set of features. There’s a free plan, which like Wix limits space to 500MB and imposes ads on your site. However, if you move up to the Professional plan – at $12 (£9.5)  a month – the ads and storage limit are dropped, plus you get a free domain, and even support for a web store containing up to 25 products. The supercharged Business plan lets you create sites with unlimited web store products and high-end store features like product reviews and discount coupons, retailing at $25 (£19) a month. Read our review of Weebly The service offers hundreds of professionally-designed web templates, covering just about any site type. The drag-and-drop editor is neatly designed, although you don’t get full control over where you can position elements on the page, and the interface can seem a little cluttered. A further niggle is that there is no global Undo feature. Like Wix, we found tech support was a little wobbly in terms of sluggish responses, but Weebly offers a host of powerful features, some very stylish templates, and easy access to free images for your site is another definite boon. As we’ve seen, many a website builder pitch themselves towards novices and making life easy for the less site-savvy out there, but what about experts who want powerful low-level control? Those are the users Voog has in mind. So you don’t get many templates here, for example, and there’s the bare minimum of media support – but what you do get is a compact drag-and-drop editor which does its best to stay out of your way. There are weaknesses here, and the interface is somewhat clunky in respects – and it’s another which lacks a global Undo function – but it has some real power you can drill down into. Read our review of Voog For example, clicking a text box gives you the option to use bullet-point lists, insert tables or videos, or even edit the HTML source to customize effects. Voog also lets multiple users easily collaborate on a site project, and if you’re after nifty, unusual features like these, you won’t see them elsewhere. The entry-level Starter plan is priced at $7.40 (£5.30) per month (billed annually) and gives you 2GB storage, and all the core features you’ll need, including SSL security (although it’s limited to 30 pages). If you know what you’re doing in terms of website design, and want some true power and customization capabilities, there is a 30-day trial you can check out (no credit card details needed). Jimdo is a somewhat quirky website builder targeted largely at novice users, but it’s well worth your attention for a number of reasons, not the least of which is a free plan which boasts more than the average offering. Yes, there are the usual limitations including adverts, a 500MB storage limit, no custom domain, and very limited SEO. But there are a few features you won't get in other free plans, like a password protected area, for example. Read our review of Jimdo The site editor itself is simple and consistent, even if it’s somewhat unconventional in terms of its design. Also, the editor doesn’t have as many functions and features as some rivals. For example, there aren’t that many templates, and the widgets on offer aren’t as plentiful as you might find elsewhere – plus there’s no global Undo (although Jimdo isn’t alone in this respect). Another neat touch is a good web knowledgebase which means help is generally close at hand when it comes to troubleshooting. Overall, this is a compelling product, that is well worth giving a whirl. You might also want to check out our other website hosting buying guides: WordPress Cloud hosting E-commerce Dedicated server Small business Windows Managed Green Business Colocation Email hosting Resellers VPS Shared Cheap Website builders Best website hosting This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Amazon Super Bowl 4KTV deals: Sony, LG and Samsung offer Black Friday-like deals Posted: 16 Jan 2019 10:16 AM PST The Super Bowl is now just weeks away, and that means it's a great time to find fantastic deals on big-screen TVs. Amazon is currently having a game day sale on some of their top-selling TVs from brands such as LG, Sony, and Samsung. We haven't seen price drops like this since Black Friday, so if you've wanted to upgrade to a big-screen TV then now is the time. Right now you can get the massive Sony 75-inch 4K TV for $1,798. That's a $500 discount and the lowest price we've seen for this UHD smart TV. The Sony X850F has the Google Assistant built-in and is also compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Home devices. Shop the rest of Amazon's game day TV deals below and also check out our roundup of Super Bowl TV sales here. Amazon game day TV deals: This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Best processors 2019: top CPUs for your PC Posted: 16 Jan 2019 09:45 AM PST Intel and AMD are at each other's throats again, bringing the spirit of competition to the processor market once more. This is possible because AMD has been dominating the market with AMD Ryzen 2nd Generation, and will probably continue to do so with the 3rd Gen. Intel has responded with 9th Generation Coffee Lake Refresh chips like the Core i9-9900K. So, the eternal battle of Intel vs AMD is on full blast, so there’s never been a better time to pick up one of the best processors. The best processors come in every shape in size these days. If you’re trying to get the best value, AMD chips like the Ryzen 3 2200G are a godsend. And, if you’re trying to squeeze as much performance as you can out of your machine, you may want to take a look at AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2nd generation and Intel Basin Falls Refresh processors. The best processors are everywhere right now, so finding the right one can be hard. Luckily, even if you can’t get your hands on the latest and greatest CPUs, there are still plenty of great Kaby Lake and first generation Ryzen processors out there. So, get ready to experience PC performance like you’ve never seen, as we’ll show you all the top processors we’ve used over the last year or so.  For the longest time, AMD has fell behind Intel. Luckily, those days are over with the Ryzen 2700X. This time around AMD brings the first 12nm processors and the performance to back it up, demolishing Intel when it comes to price-to-performance. If you’re looking for one of the best processors that’ll give you great performance without costing an arm and a leg, you can’t do much better than the Ryzen 7 2700X. Read the full review: AMD Ryzen 7 2700X  The perennial war of AMD vs Intel has been heating up like crazy over the last few years, and Intel has come back with a mighty Coffee Lake Refresh swing, in the Intel Core i9-9900K. Packing eight cores and 16 threads, it has more cores than any mainstream processor that Intel has ever released. And, the performance shows that it’s worth it – it can go head to head with some of AMD’s Ryzen Threadripper chips. If you’re looking for raw performance, the Intel Core i9-9900K is easily one of the best processors you can go for. Read the full review: Intel Core i9-9900K If you’re looking for one of the best processors for content creation, but are on a budget, look no further than the AMD Ryzen 5 2600X. With 6 cores and 12 threads and a base clock of 3.6GHz, you’re getting way better performance than the pricier Intel Core i5-8600K – with a gorgeous RGB CPU cooler included. Sure, the gaming performance over the blue team is marginal at best, but when you start multi-tasking – and who doesn’t always have 100 chrome tabs open – the value starts to show itself. Read the full review: AMD Ryzen 5 2600X  If you’re looking to put together a gaming PC on the tightest budget, the AMD Ryzen 3 2200G can take you a long way. While it doesn’t feature the hyperthreading capability of its predecessor, the Ryzen 3 1200, the introduction of integrated graphics makes this APU one of the cheapest ways to experience casual PC gaming. We were even able to play Overwatch at 4K Ultra-HD resolution at ‘Epic’ settings. Read the full review: AMD Ryzen 3 2200G  If you’re building one of the best gaming PCs, and you don’t really care about creating content or streaming, the processor you’re going to want to pay attention to is the Intel Core i5-8600K. It might not have as many cores as its AMD Ryzen counterparts, but that doesn’t matter, gaming is mostly about that single-threaded performance. With this processor, you’ll be able to run all the latest games without having to worry about bottlenecking your GPU – just don’t be surprised when rendering and encoding video takes longer. Initially the primary competition for the Intel Core i7-7700K, the AMD Ryzen 7 1800X still stands up today, even though it’s been succeeded by the Ryzen 7 2800X. Its high core count, when compared to the intel Core i7 7700K means that it's much better suited to VR workloads, and now that it’s dropped significantly in price, it’s more affordable than ever before. If you’re building a VR rig, do yourself a favor: save some cash without giving up on too much performance with the Ryzen 7 1800X.   Read the full review: AMD Ryzen 7 1800X The naming convention is confusing, given that the Intel Core i7-7820X is part of Intel’s “Skylake-X” series rather than the X-class chips built on the 14nm Kaby Lake node, but semantics matter very little when you get to go hands-on with an Intel CPU boasting this many cores. Although the fact that you’ll need a new motherboard to use this octa-core monster might be enough to scare some users off to Ryzen, Intel loyalists shan’t mind the upgrade.  If you’re the kind of user that demands world-class performance, and you couldn’t care less about cost, the Intel Core i9-9980XE is the best processor for you. With 18-cores and 36-threads, it absolutely destroys everything else on the market right now, if only just barely. Multi-threaded applications and workstation-class projects are going to breeze by with this chip. However, if you need to ask how much it costs more than once, it might not be for you. Read the full review: Intel Core i9-9980XE If you opt for the Intel Pentium G4560 over a Core i3 chip, you won’t even notice the slight loss of performance – you’ll be too busy counting all the money you saved. As the first Pentium processor in a long time to feature hyper-threading, the G4560 shows us what low-end CPUs have been missing for so long. And, in benchmarks it proves that it’s easily adjacent to the more expensive Intel Core i3-7100. One of the only things that we were left wanting when AMD’s Ryzen processors blew up is that they didn’t support integrated graphics. However, the Ryzen 5 2400G changes everything for mainstream PC users. With impressive AMD Vega graphics, it’s a fantastic APU that will be perfect for anyone looking to build a home theater PC. And, now that AMD has slashed the price you can get your 4K action on cheaper than ever.  Read the full review: AMD Ryzen 5 2400G  Ready to up the ante on your display? The best monitor is here Check out our Linux vs Windows vs Mac - OS comparison video below. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Best computer 2019: the best PCs we've tested Posted: 16 Jan 2019 09:45 AM PST The best PCs might not be in vogue anymore, but that doesn’t mean they’ve stopped getting more advanced with quad-core processors and high-end graphics cards that can render realistic ray-traced lighting. If you’re looking to stay ahead of the curve, you’re going to want one of the best PCs – even if all you do is browse the internet. It’s all too easy for your PC to get slowed down by loading too many ads or ever increasingly high-res video. Good news is buying a PC has never been cheaper. You can easily spend 500 bucks and get a capable PC or even an all-in-one desktop that comes with its own built in screen. PCs are easily upgradable, allowing you to keep the best PCs up to date with one of the best graphics cards, a bigger or faster best SSD and more of the best memory. Still, shopping for the best PC isn’t quite as easy as it may sound. When we decided to put this list together, we had to acknowledge that the best PCs strike a balance between price and performance. So, after comprehensively testing, reviewing and ranking all the PCs on this list, we’ll help you find which PC is right for you. For lack of a better word, the Dell XPS Tower Edition is stealthy. Looking quite similar to that old computer that your parents had hidden beneath the desk, this boring exterior belies an exciting array of components. Inside you’ll find your choice of the latest in GPU tech, in addition to a blazing-fast 7th generation Intel CPU and a spacious hard drive and/or SSD. Now, the Special Edition is only available in the US, but our readers in the UK and Australia will still be able to buy the regular Dell XPS Tower and beef it up to the same level through Dell’s configuration page.  Read the full review: Dell XPS Tower Special Edition The Microsoft Surface Studio was the best PC for artists when it first launched, so we were excited when Microsoft announced the sequel. Packed with Kaby Lake mobile graphics and Nvidia Pascal graphics, the Surface Studio 2 is way more powerful than the original, and should be able to handle everything you can throw at it for the next few years at least. And, it’s still got that gorgeous PixelSense display with Surface Pen support, making it retain the title of the best PC for artists. Read the full review: Surface Studio 2 See more like this: The best all-in-one PCs If you’re looking for a great desktop experience, but don’t have a lot of space, look no further than the Intel Hades Canyon NUC. In this tiny bare-bones PC, you have an insanely powerful 8th-generation Intel Core i7 processor, and discrete-class Radeon graphics – once you throw in some RAM and storage, you’ll be able to conquer the best PC games without a care in the world. Sure, it can’t really stand up against a full-sized desktop, but when space is short, or you’d rather just have a PC that looks like a set-top box – it’s totally worth it.  Read the full review: Intel Hades Canyon NUC  The Alienware Aurora R7 isn’t just a great gaming PC, but it’s one of the best PCs you can buy today. Not only does it feature fantastic performance with its 8th-generation Intel Core processor and GTX 10 series graphics, but this power is conveniently stored away in its compact chassis. It’s even surprisingly affordable, considering the power on offer, and it’s even easily upgradeable, despite its unique build. With the Aurora R7, Alienware continues its journey back to the top of the best PCs. Read the full review: Alienware Aurora R7  See more like this: The best gaming PCs Positioned as a “console killer,” the MSI Trident 3 looks a lot like an Xbox One X and PS4 Pro, but it’s a far more powerful PC that feels just right in your living room. Complete with all the ports you could ever dream of, the MSI Trident 3’s advantages are clear. Still, in trying to be as thin and light as possible, the MSI Trident 3 comes equipped with a 330W external power supply brick, resembling some of the least attractive console designs. Read the full review: MSI Trident 3 Apple has a reputation for crafting computers that are a bit overpriced for what they have on offer, but the Mac mini takes that reputation and throws it in the garbage. The 2018 Mac mini isn’t just an attractive small-form-factor PC, but it also has high end desktop parts built in, making it a great purchase for anyone that already has a slew of Mac-ready peripherals. Plus, opposed to Apple’s recent output, you can actually upgrade the memory – or you can just kit it out with 64GB at checkout.  Read the full review: Apple Mac Mini See more like this: The best Macs Though at first you might confuse it for a fabric-woven Mac Pro refresh, the HP Pavilion Wave is anything but. This compact Windows machine packs in 6th-generation Intel Core processors and optional discrete AMD graphics with a uniquely integrated Bang & Olufsen speaker. Wrapped in a handsome fabric exterior, this is the perfect PC to have on the desk, as it radiates crisp sound while you browse the web or watch movies. Read the first look: HP Pavilion Wave It may look like a thumb drive at first glance, but the Intel Core Compute Stick has more than meets the eye. It’s actually a palm-sized PC that can plug into any screen with an HDMI input. It starts out with a lowly 1.33GHz Intel Atom cpu running Linux, but it is configurable up to an Intel Core m5 processor – which makes this one of the best PCs if you need to get some work done on the go, without having to haul around a laptop.   Gabe Carey has also contributed to this article While you’re at it, we’ve also found the best gaming desktop PC you can buy This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Best gaming mouse 2019: the best gaming mice we've tested Posted: 16 Jan 2019 09:40 AM PST When you go out and drop your savings on the best gaming PC you can build, it can be hard to avoid just jumping on a cheap mouse to get your game on. However, we wouldn’t advise doing this, instead, you should buy the best gaming mouse you can afford – everything attached to your rig should be of comparable quality. While you’re at it, you can pick up one of the best mouse pads, too. If you’re looking for one of the best gaming mice, you should look for a mouse that can balance price and performance in a compelling way. Don’t fall for the age-old trap that the best mouse is the most expensive one on the shelf. Note the SteelSeries Rival 600 – at the price of a new AAA game, it has plenty of high-end features and awesome performance.  So, we gathered together the best gaming mice we’ve used – all of which have been reviewed and tested by us. No matter what kind of games you're into, you'll find the best gaming mouse for your needs right here on this list. SteelSeries Rival 600 SteelSeries is experiencing a sort of renaissance in 2018, and there is no greater evidence of that than the SteelSeries Rival 600. Featuring customizable weight, the perfect amount of side buttons, and true RGB spectrum lighting the Rival 600 will be the centerpiece of your desk. But, even beyond the aesthetics, the Rival 600 performs far better than a mouse in its price range has any right to. Not only does it feature a 12,000 DPI sensor and satisfying mechanical switches, but the Rival 600 goes above and beyond and features a depth sensor that will all but eliminate cursor sway when you lift your mouse off of the mouse pad. This is truly the best gaming mouse you can buy today. Read the full review: SteelSeries Rival 600  SteelSeries Sensei 310 The SteelSeries Sensei 310 is a gaming mouse like no other, both in terms of price and performance. The low cost of admission keeps it on the same level that you’d expect to pay for a new game, while its out-of-this-world TrueMove 3 optical sensor makes it almost impossible to compete with. This mouse, with no preference when it comes to dexterity, is unparalleled when it comes to real-world sensitivity. You can even pick up the SteelSeries Rival 310 if you want similar performance, but a more right-handed approach to dexterity.  Read the full review: SteelSeries Sensei 310  Corsair Dark Core RGB SE In our minds, the best gaming mice are always going to be the ones that deliver excellent performance at a price that doesn’t break the bank. And, the Corsair Harpoon RGB Wireless is the poster child for price-to-performance ratios. At less than 50 bucks, you’re getting a wireless mouse that doesn’t suck, has RGB lighting and long battery life. The ergonomics are specifically for right-handed users, but at this price, with this level of performance, there’s little to complain about.  Read the full review: Corsair Harpoon RGB Wireless Logitech G903 Undeterred by years of ridicule for their comparatively higher latency, the Logitech G900 of yesteryear proved once and for all that wireless gaming mice don’t have to suck. Though it’s merely a slight upgrade to that model, the Logitech G903 only reassures us of that conviction. Gracing a slightly altered G900 design with Logitech’s on PowerPlay mouse pad that doubles as a wireless charger, the Logitech G903 is a pricey, yet rewarding investment.  Read the full review: Logitech G903 Roccat Kone Aimo At first glance, you’d be forgiven for assuming the Roccat Kone Aimo would be an unwieldy hardcore-only gaming mouse. You’d be wrong. Even with the plethora of buttons and mouse furniture sticking out, the Roccat Kone Aimo is a surprisingly ergonomic peripheral, which means more comfort shouldn’t be an issue for even the longest gaming sessions. Packed with one of the most in-your-face RGB lighting setups we’ve ever seen in a pointing device, along with 10-programmable buttons, this is one of the best gaming mice on the market right now.  Read the full review: Roccat Kone Aimo Cooler Master MasterMouse MM520 If you need one of the best gaming mice, but are looking to save some cash at the same time – the Cooler Master MasterMouse MM520 might be what you’re looking for. It won’t win any beauty contests, but packing quality Omron switches and a reasonably sensitive sensor capable of up to 12,000 DPI, it’s easy to look past the unappealing design – especially if you use a claw grip. Read the full review: Cooler Master MasterMouse MM520  Razer Naga Trinity If you’re gearing up to represent either the Alliance or the Horde in World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth, you’re going to want to take a look at the Razer Naga Trinity. Razer’s Naga mice have always been aimed at MMO gamers, but the company wasn’t content to just appeal to that one niche. With the Naga Trinity, you’ll get 3 easily swappable side plates so that you can change your mouse to fit the game you’re playing. Aadd in the insane 16,000 DPI 5G Sensor and Razer Chroma RGB lighting, and you’ll top the DPS meters, and your gaming setup will look nice while you do it.  Read the full review: Razer Naga Trinity  HyperX Pulsefire Surge If you find yourself snickering at some of the ridiculous gaming mice available in 2018, you should take a look at the HyperX Pulsefire Surge RGB. Featuring extremely reliable Omron switches and gorgeous RGB lighting – not to mention its unbelievable 16,000 DPI sensor – you’re getting one of the best gaming mice for a great price. Plus, it’ll fit into any office, at least once you turn down the lighting effects.  Read the full review: HyperX Pulsefire Surge RGB  Corsair Glaive RGB If you’ve got big hands, it can be hard to find the best gaming mouse for you. They’re either too small, too light or a bit of both. And, then some of the big mice out there are packed with gratuitous buttons and weird shapes that make them look like some kind of Transformers extra. The Corsair Ironclaw fixes all of that, it’s an attractive mouse for big-hand users that you won’t have to hide whenever you have company. It’s robust, too, so you don’t need to worry about breaking it if you’re a bit too rough with it.  Read the full review: Corsair Ironclaw RGB Creative Sound BlasterX Siege M04 You don’t see sound card manufacturers trying their hands at making the best gaming mouse every day – but that’s exactly what Creative did. The Creative Sound BlasterX M04 is actually one of the best gaming mice you can buy in 2018 – the 12,000 DPI rating means it’s quick and responsive. The RGB lighting scheme is great, too, controlled by Creative’s own Sound Blaster Connect software. The Creative Sound BlasterX Siege M04 is a winner in form and function. Read the full review: Creative Sound BlasterX Siege M04 How to choose the best gaming mouse Even though you’ll definitely find the best gaming mouse here, doing so will take some effort. There’s a ton of complicated technical jargon that goes into the best gaming mice – terms like polling rates and DPI ratings. You’ll want a higher number of both, but these two terms mean drastically different things. For newcomers to the world of PC gaming, that DPI is shorthand for ‘dots per inch.’ The higher the number, the wider the range wherein you can specify your how sensitive your mouse is. If you don’t have a lot of desk space available and you want accuracy and precision, then opt for a gaming mouse featuring a higher DPI rating. Of course, you can always toggle a lower DPI too. Meanwhile, a high polling rate gives you faster response times. The polling rate is measured in hertz, so it usually ranges from around 125 to 1,000Hz. The latter means that your mouse’s position is reported to your computer 1,000 times per second. Other key gaming mouse factors you’ll want to consider are ergonomics – particularly if you’re left-handed – and RGB lighting. Be sure to also check out our list of the best PC cases! Gabe Carey has also contributed to this article This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Why Metro Exodus is the antidote to Fallout 76 Posted: 16 Jan 2019 09:35 AM PST Whether there’s something in the water, or the political climate has us all a bit pessimistic, we just can’t get enough of the end of the world as we know it. Zombies? Atomic bomb? Or maybe a deadly virus? Modern media is awash with various iterations of how society will crumble – and videogames are the biggest offender. The twilight of the current console generation has seen a host of post-apocalyptic titles emerge. 2018 saw the release of icy-survival sim Frostpunk and zombie-shooter State of Decay 2, and Bethesda’s Rage 2 and Obsidian’s The Outer Worlds are set to come out in 2019. But you can’t have an apocalypse without a disaster and we’ve certainly had those too – with one game in particular springing to mind.  Fallout 76 promised to be the kind of open-world wasteland we’ve come to expect from the series, but when Todd Howard revealed the game would be online, our hearts sank and – it turns out – for good reason. Fallout 76 was a shell of what it was capable of, lacking in heart and diluting a formula that had previously worked so well for Bethesda. The general consensus among fans was: if it’s not broken, then don’t fix it.  In the wake of the fallout (pun intended), we’re left with a radioactive-shaped hole in our heart, which we should probably see a doctor about. But we may have found just the right game to fill it. It’s not long until we see the release of post-apocalyptic survival horror Metro Exodus, with just under a month to wait before we can get down and dirty in the Russian dystopia. We saw the title earlier at Gamescom 2018 and got a preview of the game’s Autumn level, called Taiga. But now that the game is nearly complete, we couldn’t pass up a chance to take a look once again before release – and get some time with the game’s Volga (spring) and Caspian (summer) levels.  To be honest, we wanted to make sure we weren’t in for another disappointment, but instead we found a potential replacement for those Fallout blues... Spring in your step “This is the way the world ends. Not with a bang but with a whimper,” T.S. Eliot famously wrote in his poem ‘The Hollow Men’ and it’s a quote which swirls around our head as we navigate the deteriorating wasteland of Metro Exodus. Gray industrial buildings are sunken in a mix of filthy snow, radioactive clouds, rust, and blood.  This is the way the world ends and it’s in a way we’ve rarely seen. It isn’t stylishly sexy like Mad Max, or painted with fluorescent rebels like in the Rage series. No, those are  Western depictions of the apocalypse, and Metro’s author Dmitry Glukhovsky does not abide by this mold.  Glukhovsky has made no secret that the Metro series is a commentary on the current social and political climate. Metro Exodus, along with the book Metro 2035 that essentially acts as its foreword, touches on the refugee crisis in both Russia and Europe as well as the impact the Cold War has had on the Russian mindset.  “What we lacked was an enemy,” Glukhovsky explains, referring to aftermath of the Cold War. Still geared for War, the author believes the Russian people directed their post-Cold War disdain elsewhere, focusing on the refugees fleeing to the country. They inspired Metro’s mutants. “They’re totally like us, but they are the inverse of us. We can’t communicate with them, so we hate them,” he explains. It’s no surprise that Glukhovsky paints a picture of a dystopia unlike what we're used to in the West. His vision is influenced by the Soviet-Punk style of post-Cold War Russia and the industrialization that followed in that turbulent era. It's a period that's stayed fresh in his countrymen's minds, particularly under the reign of Putin. “We Russians were so glad to get back to the bunker, the bunker of the Cold War in which we were sitting expecting to be bombed everyday,” Glukhovsky tells us, reiterating how much our underlying desire to find enemies because we need them influenced Metro's world. “People do not see purpose in their lives without struggle,” Glukhovsky continues. “No one wants a real war, but they want to feel like it when they sit on the couch at home – that they're struggling against something.” Glukhovsky's apocalypse is dark, unforgiving and full of radioactive creatures from a fever dream. You play as Artyom, who has recently fled the confines of the Moscow Metro and is now leading a band of Spartan Rangers on a train journey East to safety. The first level we play is Volga, set in springtime. You would be forgiven for mistaking it for winter, as the Aurora plows through the snows and frozen lakes of 2036 Russia. A blockade stops the locomotive in its tracks, forcing Artyom and his partner Anna to venture out, giving us a closer look at the frigid landscape. Metro Exodus is essentially linear, though the game gives you room to wander. In fact, you'll probably have to, given its light-touch design. Rather than hand-holding you through where to go, Metro Exodus requires you to navigate the old-school way, using a compass and a map. Though frustrating at times, it actually makes for an extra sense of adventure.  While you can stray away from the marker, it’s better to stick to your goal, and venture further afield only when ammo or resources are low and scavenging is a necessity. Unfortunately, this is quite common. Every bullet counts; this isn't a game where you can be trigger happy. Each bullet may as well have a name engraved on it - like ‘Steve, the giant woodlouse creature that attacked me in the lake’.  Gathering these resources also allows for upgrades to weapons such as modifying a gun’s magazine, stock, barrel, and even adding a gadget. This can be done on the move, but you’re not safe doing so, and can easily be killed while tending to wounds or modifying weapons. You've been warned. Fire walk with me Perhaps the most dynamic level we played was the Caspian, summer chapter. As we walked through the sandy, desolate ruins of the desert, there was a sense of deja vu. The environment was reminiscent of the news footage from war-torn countries, as you watch soldiers troop through battle-ravaged villages: the desolation and survival culture was evident.  It's at this point that your gas mask proves more than just a fashion accessory. Radioactive dust blowing around isn’t exactly good for the lungs, so maintaining your gas mask is paramount to surviving. Caspian catapults us later into the story of Metro Exodus. As the tension ramps up, so do the enemies. As we scavenged the ruins of mural-clad walls, we were hard-pressed to avoid running into a mutant at every turn. Snarling, ugly and dusty, they looked as though they climbed straight out of hell. Unfortunately for us, word travels fast in the underworld, and it wasn’t long before we were fleeing from a horde of crawling creatures, all while careful to avoid flaming tumbleweeds that rolled by. “Should have been more careful with the bullets,” we hiss to no one in particular as we slam mutants with the butt of a rifle.  And that’s really the point of Metro: it’s a thinking person’s Fallout. There's a political story encased in a dark and industrial world, but you'll miss it if you don't look hard enough. For those who prefer to simply take their games at face value, it also offers that – with more mutants than you can shake a stick at and a collection of madcap characters. Metro Exodus is due to release for PC, Xbox One and PlayStation 4 on February 15, 2019.  Make sure to check out our Gamescom Metro Exodus preview, where we played Metro's Taiga autumn level and spoke to the 4A Games devs. 40 best PC games 2019: the must-play titles you don’t want to miss This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

The best graphics cards 2019: all the top GPUs for gaming Posted: 16 Jan 2019 09:30 AM PST The RTX 2080 Ti and RTX 2080 are finally here and the Nvidia Turing revolution has begun in earnest. So, do you splurge on an expensive flagship graphics card? Or, do you go back in time a bit, pick up a Pascal card and save a couple bucks? No matter what you do, you’ll be able to use the best graphics cards to play the best PC games from Hitman 2 to Battlefield V. Remember that the best graphics cards can vary wildly depending on the kind of build you’re pursuing, so it can be hard to find the best graphics card for your needs – it’s not always the most expensive one. That’s why we decided to compile a guide of the best graphics cards you can buy today, all of which have been tested and reviewed here at TechRadar. So, before you go out to pick up one of the best graphics cards, we’ll list out the best graphics cards you can buy today. One of the biggest complaints we had about Nvidia Turing when it first launched was the astronomical prices. But, with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060, Nvidia brings value to the Turing lineup – or, at least, more value than was there already. With the RTX 2060, you’ll be able to run pretty much everything at 1080p with max settings, comfortably experience 1440p and you’ll even be able to break into 4K. And, then there’s the RTX features – even at this level, ray tracing is possible at 1080p.  Read the full review: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 If you’re on the market for one of the best graphics cards, and you’ve got some cash to burn, you might want to consider the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti. Without a doubt, it’s the most powerful graphics cards on the market, as long as the price doesn’t scare you away. And, the first actual game with Ray Tracing is finally available, Battlefield V. While you can turn RTX On, just keep in mind that it’ll hamper performance a bit. Read the full review: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti  If you want to stick to QHD, with some brief forays into 4K, you might want to check out the RTX 2070. The Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 brings the new Turing architecture to the mid range with performance that dwarfs the GTX 1070 that came before. Not only will you be able to play everything at 1440p, but you’re going to get insane performance – up to 120fps in Shadow of the Tomb Raider. However, you should consider that the RTX 2070 is significantly more expensive than its predecessor, so that trade off in price-to-performance may not be worth it – especially if you’re coming from a Pascal card. Read the full review: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 The AMD Radeon RX Vega 56 is the best graphics card for Full HD gaming you can buy today – your benchmarks put it above the GTX 1070. And, now that it’s fallen in price to  what we would call an ‘acceptable’ level, there’s never been a better time to pick one up. While it’s arguably a bit overkill for Full HD gaming, the RX Vega 56 will come in handy for 144 to 240hz monitors and future-proofing against increasingly demanding games. You can also expect a fantastic 1440p experience with this card.  If you’re trying to play the best VR games, you’re going to need the best graphics card for the job. And, these days, that’s going to be the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080. Packed with the latest Turing architecture and the VirtualLink VR connector, you won’t have to worry about choppy VR performance making you sick. And, outside of VR, you should be able to play all your favorite PC games at 1440p and 4K without breaking a sweat.  Read the full review: Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 If you’re setting out to build a microATX or a mini-ITX gaming PC, you shouldn’t have to settle for a low-end GPU. You can find mini graphics cards like the Zotac GeForce GTX 1080 Ti Mini. And, sure it’s not the latest and greatest GPU out there anymore, but the 1080 Ti has a lot of life left in it. Plus, when you can get that power in a card that’s just 211 x 125 x 41mm, the loss in performance is totally worth the beautiful mini PC you’ll get. The Nvidia GTX 1050 might not look like much on paper, what with only 2GB of video memory onboard, but this affordable GPU plays games better than you would think. If you’re willing to drop settings to medium, you can play Overwatch, CS:GO and other popular competitive shooters well above the silky smooth 60fps mark. Thanks to its compact size, it’s also perfect for small builds and entertainment center-bound streaming PCs. Any eSports player will tell you that high frame rates are far more important than beautifully rendered graphical details – and that’s where the Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti shines. In a time where graphics cards cost as much as rent, it’s an affordable, but potent GPU that can play most eSports games well above 60fps. It’s a bit pricier than the lower-end Nvidia GTX 1050, but you’ll appreciate the extra power behind this card to play future eSports titles, as well as the odd AAA title.  Read the full review: Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050 Ti These are the best gaming monitors to go with your shiny new GPU This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

AMD Vega II release date, news and rumors Posted: 16 Jan 2019 09:25 AM PST It was a fairly quiet year for AMD’s graphics department in 2018, but now that AMD has announced the Radeon VII graphics card for gaming, 2019 is the year of the 7nm GPU.  The wait for a new AMD graphics card has been long and arduous, but the Radeon VII may put AMD back on the map. Thanks to the new 7nm GPU architecture, AMD was able to pack its newest graphics card with more transistors than ever before, without increasing the power draw.  Priced at the same point as the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080, while potentially delivering comparable performance – albeit without Nvidia Turing’s ray tracing or DLSS features – 2019 is going to be an exciting year for the best graphics cards. While AMD announced its newest graphics card, the company never mentioned whether the Radeon VII will be part of the Vega II family – nor if Vega II even be a thing. Based on what we were hearing before the announcement, the Radeon VII lines up well with everything we expected, so for now we’ll be treating AMD’s newest GPU as a Vega II card even if it hasn’t been officially introduced as one yet. So, be sure to keep this page bookmarked, and we’ll dive into everything there is to know about AMD Vega II.  Cut to the chase What is it? AMD’s first 7nm consumer graphics cards When is it out? February 7, 2019 What will it cost? $699 (about £550, AU$980) AMD Vega II release date At CES 2019, AMD announced the Radeon VII, the first 7nm consumer graphics card. Launching on February 7, 2019, what we believe to be the first of the Vega II graphics cards will arrive with Devil May Cry V, Resident Evil 2 and The Division 2. However, if you want to get your hands on this card, you might want to act fast.  AMD is rumored to be producing less than 5,000 Radeon VII graphics cards, as they’re losing money on each card sold, according to a report from TweakTown. However, Tom’s Hardware reached out to AMD for clarification, and it reported that it “expect(s) Radeon VII supply to meet demand from gamers.” Whether availability is going to be an issue remains to be seen, but we’ll be sure to update this article with whatever information comes out.  AMD Vega II price Right now there’s only one AMD Vega II card, the Radeon VII, and that will launch at $699 (about £550, AU$980), bundled with three games. We’re sure that AMD will fill out the product stack with lower priced GPUs in the future, but we don’t know what the pricing will look like quite yet. However, you can probably assume it’s going to compete with Nvidia’s Turing product stack directly. AMD Vega II specs The switch from a 14nm process to a 7nm process allows AMD to pack even more power into each GPU. For its graphics cards, this move means more transistors in each GPU without having to increase the die size or the power requirements. And, the AMD Radeon VII is the fist 7nm graphics card for gamers, with 3,840 stream processors, 16GB HBM2 VRAM and 1TB/s of memory bandwidth. This goes directly against the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080, which has 2,944 CUDA cores, 8GB of GDDR6 VRAM and 448GB/s of memory bandwidth.  AMD’s new graphics card will surely outperform its competitor in some workloads due to sheer horsepower. But, it’s going to shine in creative workloads too, meaning that it’s going to be the best graphics card for hobbyist video editors and content creators who don’t have the cash to drop on a professional product.  But, the AMD Radeon VII won’t offer the double-precision capabilities that the enterprise Radeon MI60 does, according to ExtremeTech, so it’s still very much a consumer graphics card.  Aside from standalone cards, it seems all but guaranteed that the Vega II series will find its way into mobile and lower-power devices as integrated graphics processors. With a new generation of Ryzen processors expected, a new generation of Vega graphics to integrate into APUs is only fitting. In fact, laptops will soon see a flurry of 2nd Gen Ryzen Mobile processors equipped with brand new Vega graphics.  time. Even the anticipated Xbox Scarlet Cloud could see Vega II built into its APU.  AMD Ryzen 3rd Generation could introduce the very first 7nm processors This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Apple Watch price could get cheaper for seniors on Medicare Posted: 16 Jan 2019 09:22 AM PST The new Apple Watch 4 isn't cheap, and yet its features could seriously benefit seniors – individuals 65 and older who are often retired without a reliable income. Help may be on the way, as Apple is reportedly talking with private Medicare plans in an effort to subsidize the lofty Apple Watch price, according to CNBC. Right now, it costs $279 for the Apple Watch 3 at its smallest size, while you'll have to shell out $399 for the Apple Watch 4. It's even more expensive for a larger display. The best Apple Watch deals for January 2019 Which Apple Watch will seniors get? The Apple Watch 4 has the most benefit for seniors as it detects falls and monitors heartbeats for any cardiac arrhythmias. But the Apple Watch 3 still has a lot to offer, as its activity tracking could encourage seniors to meet step counts and close their fitness rings.  Insurance companies have been known to help discount the price of an Apple Watch or Fitbit tracker for individuals as a way to encourage healthier habits. Today's report falls along the same lines, but specifically involves Apple and is meant for seniors. Benefits Apple and insurance companies, too Seniors donning an Apple Watch wouldn't be the only ones to benefit from an Apple-Medicare deal. It's seen as preventative care for insurance companies, too. Apple, meanwhile, is inviting a demographic into its ecosystem every time it sells an Apple Watch. Once they buy one, seniors will need an iPhone, which just so happens to be the only smartphone that's compatible with an Apple Watch. CES 2019 gadgets you can buy right now This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

The best free T-shirt design sites Posted: 16 Jan 2019 09:18 AM PST Why might you want to consider designing your own T-shirts? There are a surprising number of reasons, actually. It might be as simple as wanting to create a top from a favourite photograph, or you may not be able to find something that quite reflects your tastes in the shops. You may have a business or event that you want to promote with custom clothing, or perhaps you're planning a stag or hen party and want to kit out party-goers with matching outfits. You could even design a witty T-shirt and sell it online to make a bit of cash. But where do you start? You could go to a professional print shop, but this could well prove both expensive and limiting. A better option is to go it alone and use the right tool to help you out. Here we take a look at five of the best T-shirt design tools and services. 1. Spreadshirt Spreadshirt is a very well-known name when it comes to creating custom T-shirt, and for very good reason. As well as giving you the option of creating your own items of clothing for special events, marketing, or just for fun, you can also browse through a selection of T-shirts and other items created by independent designers. Despite the name, you can create more than just T-shirt – mugs, sweatshirts, aprons, phone cases and more are also available – and the online design tool itself is a joy to use.  You can browse through a searchable selection of clipart-style images, or you can upload images of your own, and you're able to position text and images pretty much wherever you want to on a product. Prices are very reasonable – even more so if you're buying in larger quantities -- and the price you see includes shipping. With European and US versions of the site available, Spreadshirt manages to have much of the world covered too. Spreadshirt 2. Shirtinator Like Spreadshirt, there are various versions of Shirtinator, although it's limited to European countries. In addition to T-shirts, there are also other customizable products such as hats, mugs, baby clothes and bags to choose from. There are numerous ready-made designs for you to browse through, and these can all be customised through the used of text, different positioning, and more – on T-shirts, for instance, text and images can be placed on the front, back and sleeves. In addition to pre-designed images, you can also upload images of your own, meaning you can create T-shirts using your favourite photos. There's an impressive range of size and colors, and although pricing does not include shipping, it is still reasonable. Bulk purchase discounts are available, which is great news if you're buying multiple items for an event or team of people. Shirtinator 3. ooShirts As you might expect from the name, ooShirts specializes in T-shirts. There are a range of different styles and sizes to choose from – as well as shorts and trousers – but none on the extras found on some of the other sites included in this roundup. Text, clipart and uploaded image can be dropped into place, colored as required, rotated, resized and so on. The online shirt designer is a fairly simple affair, but it does the job, and lets you see what you will be ordering with a degree of confidence. If you're looking for sport-style shirts with names and numbers on the rear, there are templates available that will help you to create these quickly and easily; a nice touch. Depending on how desperately you need your order, you can choose between fast or free shipping – so you can opt for speed for price as necessary. ooShirts 4. Custom Ink Custom Ink not only lets you customize T-shirts with clipart, text and your own image; it also offers a range of templates for quick and easy results. Like ooshirts, there are name/number templates for sports team inspired clothing. If you're placing small orders, you're limited to customizing the front and back of a shirt; if you want to add logos to sleeves, you'll need to order more. There is a very handy 'notes' option, which lets you add information to an order – Custom Ink suggest that this could be used to provide precise details of colors, such as Pantone codes. One of the downsides of Custom Ink is delivery. There are three options to choose from – two week (free) delivery, one week (rush) delivery or three day (super rush) delivery. If you need your order quickly, be prepared to pay something of a premium. If you're looking to save money, the key is to plan ahead rather than leaving things to the last minute. Custom Ink 5. Teespring Teespring is a little different from the other sites featured in this roundup. While it can be used to create and order custom T-shirts and other clothing, if also gives you the option of selling your creations through the site – be that as a means of promotion and brand-building, or just to make a little bit of money. The beauty of the way the site works is that Teespring takes care of everything. Your customers can place their order via the site, and Teespring will manage payment, production and shipping for you –- and shipping is available in the US and the EU. It's beautifully simple. The range of good available is impressive. In addition to T-shirts, there are numerous other items of clothing available as well as posters, prints, custom phone cases and more. The range of clipart and images you're given to choose from is not overly impressive, but if you're working with your own images and designs, this is not a problem. Teespring Get your photos ready to print with the best free photo editing software This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

The best WordPress hosting 2019 Posted: 16 Jan 2019 09:15 AM PST Getting started with WordPress website hosting doesn't have to be expensive, after all the 15-year old WordPress is free (and open source). Even the cheapest shared hosting plan usually comes with a one-click WordPress installer, allowing the greenest of blogging newbies to have their first post ready in less than 60 seconds (we tried it). Managing a blog over time is much more challenging, though. You'll need to find your own themes and plugins. And also keep them, and WordPress itself, up-to-date (although you can even get that done automatically). Blogs are often targeted by malware, so it's important you have some way to detect and remove any threats, and you'll want regular backups to help get a broken blog working again.  There's a long list of hosting companies offering WordPress plans, but we've picked out five of the best to point you in the right direction. Whether you're a first-time user or a big business, there's something for you here, and with prices starting at around a pound per month, it's well worth taking the time to find out more. These are the best WordPress hosting services of 2019 Budget WordPress hosting can have a lot of appeal, but it usually won't deliver the features, performance or reliability that high traffic sites need. If you're the demanding type, opting for a premium hosting plan will give you much better results. Bluehost has created its own VPS-based architecture to deliver optimum WordPress performance via NGINX, a custom PHP-FPM setup and intelligently allocated resources through KVM hypervisor. (If you're not a hosting geek, this just means Bluehost has taken the time to optimize the low-level setup of its platform for WordPress, rather than simply making do with a standard configuration.) The company doesn't waste time by pretending to offer ‘unlimited’ resources, and instead tells you exactly what you're going to get. For the WP Standard plan, this means 30GB storage, 1TB bandwidth, and key resources – 2GB RAM, two CPU cores – which are allocated to you, and not shared with anyone else. Premium features include SiteLock Pro to keep your website malware-free, SiteLock CDN to optimize performance, a dedicated IP, and the ability to manage multiple sites with the excellent ManageWP. This isn't cheap, with even the baseline Standard plan costing $19.99 (£15.20) a month for the initial term, rising to $39.99 (£28.60) afterwards. But you are getting a lot for your money, and if you're more interested in power than price, Bluehost has even more available. The top-of-the-range Ultimate plan, for instance, gives you four CPU cores, 8GB RAM, 240GB storage and a monster 4TB bandwidth. SiteLock Enterprise handles all your security and CDN needs, and there's a wildcard SSL thrown in. Ultimate costs $49.99 (£35.70) a month initially, $129.99 (£93) after that, but that's a fair price for this spec, and Bluehost offers a 30-day money-back guarantee if you feel the service doesn't deliver.  Furthermore, there are also shared WordPress hosting plans with fewer features and lower performance but they are cheaper, starting at $2.95 ($7.99 on renewal) per month. Managed WordPress packages can often feel overpriced. Many hosts charge significant premiums for impressive sounding claims – optimized servers, malware scanning – that are difficult to evaluate or confirm. The UK-based Tsohost isn't interested in any of that, instead focusing on providing the core WordPress essentials at a very fair price. The baseline Startup plan gives you a free domain name, will migrate your existing site, includes Let's Encrypt SSL support and has no limits on bandwidth. You get daily backups and can restore any of the last 30 days with a click. There's 24/7 support via ticket and email, and phone and live chat is available from 7am to midnight. You get a hundred 200MB mailboxes, and the plan restricts you to 15GB storage and 100,000 page views a month. If that's enough for you, the plan costs ~$4.15(£3.16) a month paid annually, or ~$3.8(£2.92) if you pay for two years upfront. If that's just too underpowered, opting for the Business plan gets you 50GB of storage, 100x1GB mailboxes, and up to 500,000 page views over a maximum of eight websites. That's significantly more capable, yet still very reasonably priced at ~$11.50(£8.78) a month, ~$9.62(£7.33) a month paid annually or ~$8.65(£6.59) a month paid biennially. The  ~$31.50(£23.98) a month (~$26.20 a month paid annually or ~$23.60 a month paid biennially) eCommerce plan supports 100GB storage, 1,000,000 page views and unlimited 10GB mailboxes. Tsohost doesn't offer all the frills and extras you'll get with some products. There's no talk of SiteLock malware protection, optimized WordPress add-ons or a custom CDN. But it's hard to complain at this price, and Tsohost is still delivering a capable service with more than enough power for smaller sites. Most web hosts offer only a few WordPress plans, and even these might be set up to point you in a particular direction. You'll often see an underpowered plan, an overpriced one, and a special deal on the mid-range plan they really want you to buy. That makes it easy to decide, but it also limits your upgrade options if your site grows over time. InMotion Hosting is unusual in offering six WordPress plans, covering everything from small personal blogs to resellers and big business. Figuring out which is the best product for you will take a little more thought, but at least there's room to upgrade – or downgrade – if your circumstances change. Better still, InMotion hasn't artificially limited the low-end plans by removing key features. Even the baseline WP-1000S plan – which costs $6.99 (£5.3) a month initially (1-year plan), $9.99 (£7.70) on renewal – gives you 40GB storage, unlimited bandwidth and email addresses, preinstalled WordPress, SSL, backups, automatic updates, SiteLock security, cPanel site management, and extras like BoldGrid and WP-CLI. The only significant issue is InMotion's suggestion that the plan works best for blogs with up to 20,000 monthly visits, and even that won't be a problem for many smaller sites. Upgrading your plan gets you some extras – premium themes and plugin subscriptions, a dedicated IP address, support for hosting more sites – but it's mostly about giving you more resources. For example, the top-of-the-range WP-6000S plan supports 1,200,000 monthly visitors across up to 20 sites for $114.99 (£87.6) a month initially (1-year plan), $142.99 (£110) on renewal. There are cheaper deals around, but in previous reviews we've found InMotion to be reliable, professional and honest, and any price premium is likely to be worth paying. You don't have to take our word for it, though – an exceptional 90-day money-back guarantee gives you plenty of opportunity to find out for yourself. Web giant 1&1 IONOS seems to have a hosting product for every possible need, and WordPress is no exception. Novice users can try out its service for a nominal $1(£0.75)  a month over the first six months ($9 or £6.90 afterwards), yet the plan still outperforms many competitors. The bundled 25GB of storage means you won't be running out of space in a hurry, for example. There are no bandwidth or visitor limits, and you can set up as many email accounts as you need. 1&1 IONOS offers the core WordPress management functions that you would expect: a setup wizard, preinstalled plugins, automatic updates and 24/7 support (including by telephone). Also, you get a personal consultant free of charge.  All this is built on a capable platform – NGINX, PHP 7.2, OPcache, up to 2GB RAM guaranteed – to enhance your blog's performance. There's SSL included and even a free domain thrown in, which is ridiculously good value at this price. If you're a WordPress novice, it might be worth taking out the plan for an initial year, claiming your free domain and taking the time to learn how the blog works. When you time is up, renew if you're happy, or if you're not, use your knowledge and experience to find a better plan. 1&1 IONOS isn't just about newbies, though: there's value for more demanding users, too. In particular, the Pro plan gives you 5 managed Wordpress sites, 200GB SSD storage space, 50 databases (1GB max), and 500 email accounts. Bonus features include a CDN and SiteLock malware scanning, as well as RailGun content delivery network, and the price looks good at $1(£0.75)  a month for the first six months, $15(£11.50)  on renewal. Choosing the best WordPress hosting package can seem like a complicated business, with a stack of low-level details and issues to consider. But it doesn't have to be that way. If you don't have special requirements then opting for a reliable web hosting company will get you capable mid-range products that can handle everything most users need. HostGator generally delivers powerful hosting plans for a fair price, and its managed WordPress range is no exception. Its Starter product may only cost $5.95 (£4.25) for three years, $9.95 (£7.10) afterwards, but you still get a free site migration, an SSL certificate, automatic malware detection and removal, unlimited email addresses and unmetered storage and bandwidth, and it can handle up to 100,000 visits a month. Ramping up to the high-end Business plan gets you more CPU power, support for up to three sites and 500,000 visits a month, yet still costs only $9.95 (£7.10) a month initially  (first three years), $22.95 (£16.40) a month afterwards. Smart caching and a CDN are on hand to enhance your website's performance, 24/7 support helps keep your site up and running, and surprise bonus features include free domain privacy to protect from identity theft and reduce annoying spam. We've had good experiences with HostGator's service, but if you're not so lucky, there's a generous 45-day money-back guarantee. As with other hosting companies, this won't cover any domain registration fees, but it's still a better deal than you'll often find elsewhere. You might also want to check out our other website hosting buying guides: WordPress Cloud hosting E-commerce Dedicated server Small business Windows Managed Green Business Colocation Email hosting Resellers VPS Shared Cheap Website builders Best website hosting This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

AMD Ryzen 3rd Generation release date, news and rumors Posted: 16 Jan 2019 09:09 AM PST AMD changed the world with its first Ryzen processors and impressed us even more with its sophomore release of CPUs. But, Ryzen 3rd Generation (aka Ryzen 3000) will introduce its first 7nm mainstream processors and even more profound change.  Considering Intel’s well-documented struggles to introduce 10nm Cannon Lake chips, AMD has swooped in and upstaged its rival completely even before it had a chance to launch Sunny Cove, while also introducing some of the most impressive CPUs ever created. Cut to the chase  What is it? AMD’s next line of mainstream processors  When is it out? Mid 2019  What will it cost? TBD AMD Ryzen 3rd Generation release date At CES 2019, AMD announced its first Ryzen 3000-series processor will arrive some time in the middle of 2019. Unfortunately, the chipmaker didn't give us an exact date, but Ryzen 3rd Generation does seem to be releasing a little later than previous launches.  The first generation of Ryzen processors hit the market in March 2017 and Ryzen 2nd Generation arrived a month later in 2018. With that in mind, it's a bit surprising Ryzen 3000-series chips will be coming a bit later – our best guess is they'll arrive in May to July at the latest (we hope). AMD Ryzen 3rd Generation price AMD didn't announce any pricing information on its upcoming 8-core, 16-thread Ryzen 3000-series processor so don’t have any empirical proof what it'll cost unfortunately.  However, thanks to a curiously detailed report from a YouTuber named AdoredTV, we have model names and prices for nearly every possible Ryzen 3rd Generation processor. Here’s how much Ryzen 3rd Generation processors may cost: Ryzen 9 3850X: $499 (about £400, AU$700) Ryzen 9 3800X: $449 (about £350, AU$600) Ryzen 7 3700X: $329 (about £260, AU$450) Ryzen 7 3700: $299 (about £230, AU$400) Ryzen 5 3600X: $229 (about £180, AU$320) Ryzen 5 3600G: $199 (about £160, AU$270) Ryzen 5 3600: $178 (about £140, AU$240) Ryzen 3 3300X: $129 (about £100, AU$180) Ryzen 3 3300G: $129 (about £100, AU$180) Ryzen 3 3300: $99 (about £80, AU$140) Although, this list of prices seems compelling and on track with the prices of AMD’s current lineup of Ryzen 2nd Generation processors, we would buy into them until Team Red officially announces prices. Now what’s interesting here is AMD has a track record of lowering the prices of its processors going from Ryzen to Ryzen 2nd Generation. The AMD Ryzen 7 1700X originally launched with a $399 (£389, AU$569) price and it was succeeded by the more affordable $329 (£349, AU$515) AMD Ryzen 7 2700X.  With that in mind, we couldn’t imagine/would be disappointed if the Ryzen 7 3700X were to cost more. For now, it seems AMD will hold onto the same pricing scheme from its current slew of chips going into the next generation. AMD Ryzen 3rd Generation specs So far we only know of one Ryzen 3000-series processor and that is a 8-core and 16-thread chip designed to go toe-to-toe with Intel's flagship Core i9-9900K. On its CES 2019 keynote stage, AMD On benchmarked its secretive processor with Cinebench to achieve a score of 2023. Comparatively the Intel Core i9-9900K  and AMD Ryzen 7 2700X scored 1,873 and 1,798 points, respectively, in our own testing. Even more impressively, AMD's new Ryzen 3000 chip seems to more power efficient than Intel's current Coffee Lake Refresh series. During its Cinebench demo, AMD also displayed the maximum power draw of the Intel system running at 179.9-watts (W) while the new Ryzen system maxed out at 133.4W. Overall it seems that, Ryzen 3rd Generation's 7nm architecture affords it 12% more performance while making AMD chips about 30% more power efficient than Intel's latest 14nm CPU architecture. This is all thanks to Ryzen 3rd Generation much smaller 7nm Zen 2 platform, which introduces a die shrink to eclipse all others that came before it. Previously, Ryzen 2nd Generation processors were built on a 12nm Zen+ architecture that introduced a slight die shrink from the original 14nm Zen architecture.  Despite being built on a new architecture, Ryzen 3000 CPUs will still fit into the AM4 socket used by Ryzen 2nd Generation and the original Ryzen processors. That said, Ryzen 3rd Generation is introducing something new with PCIe 4.0 support. Before you get too excited about unlocking even more power from your Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 or AMD Radeon VII, PCIe 4.0 will only enhance your storage solutions for now. Aside from the single unnamed processor AMD introduced, we've also seen a multitude of leaks that have pretty much outlined what Ryzen 3rd Generation processors there will be and they are as follows: Ryzen 9 3850X: 16-cores, 32-threads, clocked at 4.3GHz to 5.1GHz Ryzen 9 3800X: 16-cores, 32-threads, clocked at 3.9GHz to 4.7GHz Ryzen 7 3700X: 12-cores, 24-threads, clocked at 4.2GHz to 5.0GHz Ryzen 7 3700: 12-cores, 24-threads, clocked at 3.8GHz to 4.6GHz Ryzen 5 3600X: 8-cores, 16-threads, clocked at 4.0GHz to 4.8GHz Ryzen 5 3600G: 8-cores, 16-threads, 12 GPU cores, clocked at 3.2GHz to 4.0GHz Ryzen 5 3600: 8-cores, 16-threads, clocked at 3.6GHz to 4.4GHz Ryzen 3 3300X: 6-cores,12 -threads, clocked at 3.5GHz to 4.3GHz Ryzen 3 3300G: 8-core, 12-thread, 12 GPU cores, clocked at 3.2GHz to 4.0GHz Ryzen 3 3300: 6-cores, 12-threads, clocked at 3.2GHz to 4.0GHz We heard the first murmurs of what Zen 2 processors could do as early as October 2018. In the report suggested that AMD Radeon Technologies Group received its first engineering sample for the unreleased architecture in the form of an 8-core chip capable of reaching frequencies up to 4.5GHz. Whether this rumored processor and the one AMD officially announced are one and the same remains to be seen. In December 2018, the rumors began to really head up as we received an almost complete breakdown of this new series of CPUs. This nearly complete set of listings came from a YouTuber named AdoredTV and while they seemed unlikely to be true, a Russian retailer would later back up the influencer’s report with nearly identical specs on all its product pages for the whole series of chips. We’re not sure if the Russian retailer was just cribbing AdoredTV’s video like a cheat sheet, but so far no other rumors or reports have contradicted what we know so far. This is also all we know so far, but we’re certain that AMD will officially announce Ryzen 3rd Generation processors and a whole lot more at CES 2019.  AMD Rzyen Threadripper 3rd Generation HEDT processors could be even more impressive This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Amazon Alexa gets a fresh voice for reading the news Posted: 16 Jan 2019 08:47 AM PST Starting today, when you ask Alexa on your Amazon Echo speaker “what’s the latest?”, you may notice its voice sounds different – or more natural – than before. This is because Amazon has rolled out a fresh new speaking style to Alexa users in the US, modelled on the way newscasters deliver the news. First announced in November 2018, Amazon’s developers utilized developments in Neural TTS (Text To Speech) technology to create the updated voice, which allows the voice assistant to tailor its speaking style to different commands and requests. In this case, Alexa’s newscaster-style voice has clearer intonation and emphasizes words in a way that sounds less robotic than its default voice.  To determine how important a natural-sounding speaking voice is to consumers, Amazon conducted a large-scale experiment, finding that people preferred Alexa’s newscaster voice when hearing the news. However, subjects still preferred the voice of a human newcaster over Alexa's new sound, suggesting consumers still feel more comfortable with voices that sound more like their own. The researchers also experimented with creating a neutral voice for when Alexa reads out Wikipedia entries – but you can hear the different speaking styles via a Soundcloud embed over at TechCrunch. Quick learner Amazon also noted that researchers were able to train Alexa to use the newscaster voice after just a few hours of feeding it phonemes, – the most basic units of language that distinguish one word for another. (For example, the letters 'p' and 'b' that distinguish the words 'pat' and 'bat' are both phonemes.) In its original statement in November, Amazon said that “this advance paves the way for Alexa and other services to adopt different speaking styles in different contexts, improving customer experiences.” It’s easy to imagine the different situations this could come in handy, with one application being children’s bedtime stories. Although Alexa can already read your child a story – even personalizing it to include their name – how great would it be if it could read in dramatic voices or impersonate different characters? Alexa can already lower its voice, when it’s late at night and you don’t want to disturb the people around you. If you enable Whisper mode, Alexa will respond to your hushed tones in a whisper – but like the newscaster voice, the feature is only available in the US right now, with no word on when it will arrive in other territories. This technology could make Alexa and Google Assistant better listeners Via TechCrunch  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Americans reluctant to pay for privacy Posted: 16 Jan 2019 08:42 AM PST According to a new survey from the Center for Data Innovation, only one in four Americans want online services such as Google and Facebook to collect less of their data if it means they would have to start paying a monthly subscription fee. Other surveys have gauged Americans' ideas regarding online privacy but few have asked about such tradeoffs which is why the organisation decided to test their reactions to a series of likely consequences of reducing online data collection. The survey found that when potential tradeoffs were not part of the question, approximately 80 per cent of Americans agreed they would like Google, Facebook and other online services to collect less of their data. However, support waned once respondents considered these tradeoffs. Initial agreement dropped by six per cent when respondents were asked whether they would like online services to collect less data even if it meant seeing ads that are less useful. Support dropped by 27 per cent when they considered whether the would like less data collection even it means seeing more ads than before. Collecting user data The largest drop in support by 53 per cent arose when respondents were asked whether they would like online services to collect less data if it meant they had to pay a monthly subscription fee with only 27 per cent agreeing with reducing data collection in this circumstance. The Center for Data Innovation's survey also gauged American's willingness to have online services collect more data in exchange for various benefits. The survey found when potential benefits were not part of the question, approximately 74 per cent of Americans are opposed to having online services collect more of their data. This figure decreased by 11 per cent when respondents considered whether they would like online services to collect more data if it meant seeing ads that were more useful. The largest decrease in opposition (18%) occurred when they were asked whether they would like online services to collect more of their data if it meant getting more free apps and services with 16 per cent supporting such a tradeoff, 63 per cent opposed and the remaining respondents did not take a position on the issue. Concerned about your data being collected online? Check out the best VPN This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

KLH Launches Premium Sound at Affordable Prices Posted: 16 Jan 2019 08:40 AM PST Treat yourself to the sound of your favorite movies and music anthems with KLH Audio Speakers. Film fans, music lovers, design buffs – everyone, really – will love KLH’s new line of sharp, stylish floorstanding speakers, bookshelf speakers, subwoofers, and home theater systems. The brand’s new leadership team under CEO David P. Kelley is taking the company into the future with high-quality sound and stylish design – all with reasonable price tags.  Celebrate the rebirth of the iconic KLH and get yourself the gift you’re secretly wanting with these deals on their newest line of speakers.   Clear sound, classic style The classic, sleek design of the new KLH speakers make this line one of the smartest home upgrades of the season. Every KLH speaker is carefully crafted to deliver an unforgettable audio experience – and look good while doing so. The cabinet of KLH speakers features real wood veneers in two available finishes, magnetic grills, and nickel-plated five-way binding posts. The line’s floorstanding speakers, subwoofers, and bookshelf and surround speakers feature four-way chrome-plated spikes and a solid MDF plinth. Style optimized for sound is something KLH does best.  It’s not enough to look good: speakers need to deliver on great sound as well. KLH’s premium line backs up style with substance. Within each speaker are powder-coated cast aluminium baskets with woven Kevlar drivers. Each speaker is custom-designed with a tapered array of crossovers and vertically-brushed linear response aluminium faceplates with 25MM anodized aluminium tweeters. In short: these systems are built to carry every note of your favorite song with crisp, clear perfection.  Some of our favorite models shown below. With these frequency ranges, movies and music sound better than ever:  Kendall floorstanders: range from down to 25Hz, and up beyond hearing to 23kHz Quincy floorstanders: range from down to 27Hz and up beyond hearing to 23kHz Cambridge floorstanders: range from down to  33Hz and up beyond hearing to 23kHz Albany bookshelf speakers: range from down to 35Hz and up beyond hearing to 23kHz Ames bookshelf speakers: delivers a frequency response that is flat from 60Hz-23kHz Not sure what you’re looking for? The best-selling Kendall 5.1 Speaker System with 10" Subwoofer is an easy pick for great sound in one stellar package.  Bundle reference Hi-fi sound for everyone. KLH has a history of being once the world's largest loudspeaker manufacturer, pioneering some of the best acoustic technology along the way. Their popular Model Nine speaker was the first full-range electrostatic loudspeaker. The company was founded as KLH Research back in 1957 by Henry Kloss, an iconic name in audio. Kloss, a 2002 Consumer Electronics Association Hall of Fame inductee, was responsible for groundbreaking innovations like the acoustic suspension loudspeaker and the high fidelity cassette deck.  Today, KLH is under the leadership of Kelley, a former president of Klipsch and VOXX executive. Kelley and his leadership team bring nearly 200 years of combined experience in the audio industry, and they’re putting this experience to good use. Under the new official name KLH Audio, the company has launched a new line of high fidelity loudspeakers that compete for quality with audio systems that have a much higher price-tag.  KLH speakers are the gift that keeps on giving. Enjoy high-quality sound for years to come with the industry’s best warranty: 10 years on passive products with five years on powered subwoofers. Because all good things come in multiples, KLH is offering some paired speakers in packages as well as an array of home theater packages.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

The best cheap TV sales and 4K TV deals in January 2019 Posted: 16 Jan 2019 08:25 AM PST There's still time to take advantage of some of the very best cheap TV sales. TV prices on some fantastic Ultra HD 4K TVs have been dropping nicely in recent months in the UK. We've got you covered if you're looking for TV deals in the US too. We've tried to find something for everyone here. So we've got you covered for multiple size categories and we've looked at both ends of the pricing scale so you can get a cheap TV on a low budget, or you might find a higher quality set for a lower price than you expected - although those super new 8K models aren't coming down any time soon. Not to worry though, as some of these HDR 4K TV deals will make your jaw drop. And with the bleak weather and long nights being here for a while now and your Netflix watch list getting longer and longer all the time you may as well settle down for the winter and enjoy them with a lovely TV. Netflix, Amazon, Sky TV and the like are all increasing their 4K content too so you won't be short on Ultra HD content to watch. We keep our eye on the latest TV deals throughout the year, so we're poised to find you the best price whenever the need to replace your old TV arises. We're fully behind the 4K TV movement too as a competitive market has seen prices reach affordable levels much quicker than when HD tellies first came around. One look at the prices below and you'll see what we mean. So much so, we'll rarely even mention regular HD TVs here seeing as Ultra HD TV deals are so cheap today. Finding you the best cheap TV deal We've split our carefully curated 4K TV deals into different size categories immediately after our pick for cheap TV deal of the week. Whatever your budget, we're sure we can find something for you.  Note: all of our selected TV sales highlights are for 4K/Ultra HD TVs and include a built-in freeview tuner as standard. Pretty much every deal comes with Smart TV functionality built-in along with HDR technology. If they don't, we'll clearly call it out. The best cheap TV you can buy today Extra retailer cheap 4K TV sales links: Not found the right cheap TV for you today? Or maybe you'd prefer to directly browse the TV sales at your favourite retailers instead of our highlights of the best cheap TV deals? We're updating this page on a regular basis, so you may have better luck another day. If you want to take a look for yourself now though, here are the direct links to a the full collection of TV sales at multiple stores.  Amazon AO.com Argos Very John Lewis Currys ebuyer More large screen 4K TV sales If you're after more seriously large TV deals, we should warn you, they don't come cheap. However, if you want to see some more large screen TV deals -we're talking about 65 to 85-inch TVs- we'd recommend heading over to AO.com,  John Lewis, Currys and Amazon as they seem to stock more models than most UK retailers. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

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