Apple : AMD Vega II release date, news and rumors

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• AMD Vega II release date, news and rumors
• AMD Navi release date, news and rumors
• AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3rd Generation release date, news, and rumors
• Technology may actually be harming digital transformation
• Best RAM 2019: the top memory for your PC
• Should I buy a SunBriteTV? A look at the outdoor, weatherproof TV manufacturer
• Facebook reveals it misreported number of teen users of Research VPN
• Eight wordless games that still tell a compelling story
• Microsoft ups cloud security with Azure Sentinel launch
• The best cheap 4K TV deals and sale prices for March 2019
• The best cheap smart home devices and gadget deals in March 2019
• Nvidia GTX 1650 may have just showed up in a laptop
• Best tablet 2019: the top slates tested and ranked
• These new Samsung Galaxy S10e deals from £27.99 a month just blew the rest away
• Google blocked a million apps from the Play Store in 2018 due to security issues
• Elder Scrolls 6 release date, news and rumors
• Beyond the recipe: the developers trying to improve how we cook in games
• The best cheap MacBook Pro deal prices and sales in March 2019
• The best cheap MacBook sale prices and deals in March 2019
• The best cheap Amazon Kindle sale prices and deals in March 2019

AMD Vega II release date, news and rumors Posted: 01 Mar 2019 01:42 PM PST It was a fairly quiet year for AMD’s graphics department in 2018, but now that AMD has released the Radeon VII graphics card for gaming, 2019 is the year of the 7nm GPU.  We were left waiting for a new AMD graphics card for quite a long time, but the Radeon VII managed to put AMD back on the map. Thanks to the new 7nm GPU architecture, AMD was able to pack its latest graphics card with more transistors than ever before, without increasing the power draw. Priced the same as the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080, while delivering comparable performance – albeit without Nvidia Turing’s ray tracing or DLSS features – 2019 is an exciting year for the best graphics cards. While the Radeon VII seems to be at least tangentially related to Vega, but it hasn’t been confirmed whether or not it’ll officially be a part of the Vega II family – if the Vega II family will even exist. Based on what we were hearing before AMD pulled up the curtains, the Radeon VII lines up well with what we were expecting, so for now we’ll be treating AMD’s latest GPU as a Vega II part, even if it’s not official. 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) Image Credit: AMD 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 arrived 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’s Navi cards may not show up until October, and the Radeon VII is out of stock at many retailers. 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.  Image Credit: AMD AMD Vega II price Right now there’s only one AMD Vega II card, the Radeon VII, and that has launched at $699 (£649, AU$1,109), 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.  Image Credit: TechRadar 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.  The Radeon VII will definitely outperform its competitor in some workloads thanks to sheer horsepower. But, it’s especially going to shine in creative workloads, 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

AMD Navi release date, news and rumors Posted: 01 Mar 2019 01:41 PM PST Now that AMD has revealed its first 7nm consumer graphics card, the Radeon VII, it’s about time for Team Red to reveal its other 7nm GPU architecture, Navi. We have seen rumors that suggest AMD Navi won’t immediately occupy the high end of the market – even if it may include similar variable rate shading to Nvidia Turing. Instead, AMD Navi looks like it’ll occupy the mid range at first, along with the rumor of a GPU designed for the next generation of consoles.  So, before we start exploring all the juicy gossip, speculation and even some official information, consider that nothing is set in stone yet. Still, you should keep this page bookmarked, as we’ll update it as soon as we hear anything new. Cut to the Chase What is it? AMD's next-generation 7nm GPU architecture When is it out? 2018 What will it cost? Pricing remains yet to be confirmed Image Credit: AMD AMD Navi release date Right now, the only official proof that Navi will be launch anytime soon is a small statement from AMD titled “Expanding our High-Performance Leadership with Focused 7nm Development.”  In the release, AMD Chief Technology Officer Mark Papermaster states that “We have already tapped out multiple 7nm products at TSMC, including our first 7nm GPU planned to launch later this year and our first 7nm server CPU that we plan to launch in 2019.” Unfortunately, even with that statement we don’t really have a full picture of when or how AMD Navi is going to hit the market. Especially when the only 7nm GPUs have been the Radeon Instinct cards for workstations, Vega II and the AMD Radeon VII – a high-end part tapped to compete with the RTX 2080. A lot of the speculation right now revolves around Navi being designed to power the next generation of game consoles, with gaming graphics cards to follow later.  This all comes from that leaked roadmap we mentioned earlier, which suggests that AMD Navi will show up in the second half of 2019. However, the entire line probably won’t make an appearance at the same time. Instead, the cards that will likely show up in 2019 will be more mid-range products for budget-minded gamers with full-fat enthusiast grade 7nm cards showing up as late as 2020.  This all comes from a leaked benchmark, however, but it would seem to fall in line with when we can expect the next generation of consoles – late 2019/early 2020. And, recent leaks that point to AMD Navi launching in October 2019 seem to back up that speculation. But, we’ve seen other rumors that suggest Navi will show up much earlier. We’ve seen speculation that AMD may end up launching Navi alongside Ryzen 3rd Generation processors at Computex 2019 in July. That is still technically the second half of 2019, but it does seem a bit early. We’d advise taking that with a grain of salt. AMD Navi also may come in laptops and even the next line of MacBooks if newly found code in macOS Mojave is to be believed. These Navi-powered MacBooks are rumored to arrive in July, which would follow just a month after the  purported debut of next-gen consoles. Either way, we know that AMD Navi is coming, we’ve even seen rumors about Navi’s follow-up, called Arcturus, according to a report from Wccftech. It seems like AMD has a lot of stuff coming out in the next few years, we just have to wait to see what happens.    Image Credit: TechRadar AMD Navi price Over the last decade or so, AMD has essentially built a name for itself in the GPU space as the budget king. And, as Nvidia gets ready to release its next generation of Turing RTX graphics cards that cost upwards of a thousand bucks, AMD will probably double down on this – just like it released Ryzen and Ryzen Threadripper to counter Intel. As for the exact pricing, we’re not entirely sure, but we expect the pricing to follow in line with the Radeon RX 500 series. Those prices are below. AMD Radeon RX 550 - $114 (£99, AU$104) AMD Radeon RX 560 - $139 (£140, AU$235) AMD Radeon RX 570 - $280 (£250, AU$340) AMD Radeon RX 580 - $289 (£289, AU$450) We can expect the prices to go up, however, due to the likely inclusion of GDDR6 memory, which we’ll dive into later. Either way, expect to pay more for the Radeon RX 650. Image Credit: AMD AMD Navi specs Beyond the rumor that it’s going to be running on a 7nm process and GDDR6, there’s not much we know about AMD Navi. Because AMD Navi is going to be the first mainstream GPU processor to break away from the GCN architecture, we could see more shaders and and faster clock speeds, while improving efficiency substantially. However, we don’t think AMD is going to be doing much to compete on the high-end with Nvidia this time around. AMD Vega 7nm, which would have the horsepower to compete with Nvidia Turing, won’t be coming to gamers. Instead, it will likely appeal more towards professionals and creatives – with Apple likely being a huge customer.  In the past AMD would compete with high-end Nvidia GPUs by just shoving multiple chips into a graphics cards and passing it along as a enthusiast-grade GPU. This time around, though, AMD has made it clear that it’s not interested in making multi-GPU setups, according to a report from PCWorld. This is backed up by the fact that only two of the AMD Radeon RX 500 series cards were even compatible with Crossfire.  So, instead of any high-end GPU, we’ll likely see a Radeon RX 600 series that’ll continue the legacy of cards like the AMD Radeon RX 580, delivering respectable performance in modern titles at 1080p while keeping prices attainable for more budget-conscious gamers. So instead of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti rival, think more Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 in terms of direct competition. Unfortunately, we’re going to have to keep waiting for concrete information on AMD Navi. But, until then, keep this page bookmarked for all the latest news, rumors and speculation.      This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3rd Generation release date, news, and rumors Posted: 01 Mar 2019 01:40 PM PST Now that AMD has revealed its its first 7nm Ryzen 3rd Generation processors, what will the future look like for Threadripper 3rd Generation – its next line of HEDT processors? Now that AMD Ryzen is nearly two years old at this point, and we’ve seen Team Red come out with winning CPU after winning CPU, we’ve been asking ourselves where things go from here.  AMD revealed the new 7nm Zen 2 architecture at CES 2019, and it should dramatically improve both performance and efficiency. This is definitely exciting news for anyone hoping to get their hands on a new Ryzen chip, but we’re here specifically for Threadripper 3rd Generation. So, be sure to keep this page bookmarked, and we’ll keep it updated with all the latest AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3rd Generation news and rumors.  Cut to the chase What is it? AMD’s next line of HEDT processors  When is it out? Likely Summer 2019 What will it cost? TBD  Image Credit: TechRadar  AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3rd Generation release date AMD hasn’t come out and announced the release date for the next Threadripper chips, but the last two generations have had pretty consistent release dates, so we have a solid basis for speculation. Both the original Threadripper and Threadripper 2nd Generation launched in August of 2017 and 2018, respectively. We’re fairly sure that AMD is going to follow the same general release schedule this time around, but, obviously we don’t know that for sure.  The Zen 2 architecture will launch in mid 2019, likely in Q2 or Q3, in the form of consumer-focused Ryzen chips. Right now, the rumors are pointing to a July release date for the consumer-focused Ryzen 3rd Generation chips. But, we still don’t have any clue about when we could expect Threadripper, but it’s safe to assume it will at least be teased at Computex 2019, with a release in the late summer or early Autumn. We’ll update this article as soon as we hear more substantial rumors about the release date.  Image Credit: TechRadar  AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3rd Generation price Now, so far ahead of AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3rd Generation’s launch, we don’t have any official pricing information, but we can look at past generations to get an idea of what AMD’s next HEDT chips will cost.  The original lineup of Threadripper topped out with the $999 (£999, AU$1,439) AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X, but the second generation introduced surprisingly lower priced replacements. There were also two higher specced – and higher priced – additions. We believe Threadripper 3rd Generation will follow the latter model. The prices of AMD Ryzen Threadripper 2nd Generation chips are as follows:  Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX: $1,799 (£1,639, AU$2,679) Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX: $1,299 (£1,159, AU$2,039) Ryzen Threadripper 2950X: $899 (£809, AU$1,415) Ryzen Threadripper 2920X: $649 (£583, AU$1,019) AMD could very well surprise us and introduce an even higher-end SKU, but we don’t think that’s likely. Stay tuned, and we’ll update this page as soon as we hear any Threadripper 3rd Generation price information.  Image Credit: TechRadar  AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3rd Generation specs With AMD Ryzen Threadripper 3rd Generation, we expect to see a huge bump in core counts, efficiency and per-core performance with Threadripper 3rd Generation. If you need a refresher on last year’s Threadripper lineup’s specs they’re as follows: Ryzen Threadripper 2920X: 12-cores, 24-threads, clocked at 3.5GHz to 4.3GHz Ryzen Threadripper 2950X: 16-cores, 32-threads, clocked at 3.5GHz to 4.4GHz Ryzen Threadripper 2970WX: 24-cores, 48-threads, clocked at 3.0GHz to 4.2GHz Ryzen Threadripper 2990WX: 32-cores, 64-threads, clocked at 3.0GHz to 4.2GHz We’re sure that with the move to 7nm, AMD is going to massively improve specs. But, with Threadripper 3rd Generation, or Castle Peak, rumors are thin on the ground. However, there is plenty of buzz about the AMD Ryzen 3000 series, not to mention the 64-core AMD Epyc server CPU. While we’ve seen speculation that suggests a 16-core Ryzen 3000 processor, that hasn’t been confirmed. What has been confirmed, though, is a new 8-core Ryzen processor that matches the Intel Core i9-9900K’s Cinebench score, getting 2,023 points. AMD also showed off the system power in its test, the whole system ran at just 130W during the Cinebench run, compared to the Intel system’s 180W. We don’t know what frequency this chip was running at, but this high performance combined with the high efficiency is promising for whatever Threadripper chips come from Zen 2.  What’s more, the chip AMD showed off revealed that 8-core chiplets are smaller than the IO die. What this means for Threadripper is many more cores in the same amount of space. It’s possible that we could see a 64-core Threadripper chip in 2019. It wouldn’t even be the first 64-core processor in AMD’s lineup. AMD recently showed off its latest Epyc processors, based off its Rome microarchitecture, with up to 64-cores.  If AMD is able to bring those high core counts to Castle Peak HEDT processors, we could see AMD absolutely dominate Intel’s Basin Falls Refresh. And, if Intel can’t answer with anything but 14nm silicon, AMD might claim the HEDT throne like it did when it topped Intel’s mainstream sales. Here are the best processors you can buy today This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Technology may actually be harming digital transformation Posted: 01 Mar 2019 12:37 PM PST Placing an all-encompassing focus on the role of technology when making digital transformation decisions could actually be reducing the chances of success for UK businesses according to new research from Telstra. The company's new Disruptive Decision-Making white paper was compiled using responses from 3,810 senior decision-makers from 12 industries in 14 markets worldwide to uncover insights into the strengths and weaknesses of businesses' digital transformation programs. When rating decision-making across four factors for success (people, processes, technology understanding and partnerships), British businesses ranked 'technology understanding' as the area in which they were most confident. Getting to the “how” of digital transformation 2019: A year of reckoning for digital transformation Digital transformation is putting security at risk According to the decision-makers in the UK, 77 percent felt their organization makes technology decision 'well' or 'extremely well'. Technology-enabled but people-led Telstra's Managing Director for EMEA Tom Homer explained that digitally mature organizations show greater focus on people and processes, saying: “I believe that digital transformation is technology-enabled, but people-led. Yet our research shows employees are not being given the attention they warrant. Successful digital transformation relies on more than the right technology. It requires the right culture, the right people and the right processes to support them. Digital transformation should be a company journey that involves upskilling and changing employee mindsets, adapting structures and ways of working, and creating teams that can maximise the new technologies being introduced.” When it came to successful digital transformation projects, Telstra's research found that a company-wide approach is significantly more likely to result in success. However, 53 percent of UK organizations allow business departments to drive individual digital initiatives instead of the whole company. Organizations also rated their top three digital transformation priorities as optimizing technology to move faster, managing risk and compliance and protecting digital assets from cyber threats. Digital transformation spending is also on the rise with a quarter (25%) of UK businesses investing more than one million in digital transformation products and services over the past year. This number is set to increase as 24 percent of respondents said their company's digital transformation spending would grow by more than ten percent in the next three years. This is everything you need to know about the IoT This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Best RAM 2019: the top memory for your PC Posted: 01 Mar 2019 11:23 AM PST Even if your computer is an absolute unit, you’ll eventually run into some kind of slow down. Thanks to memory hungry operating systems like macOS Mojave or Windows 10, having the enough fast RAM is more important to the best PCs than ever. If your PC is starting to slow down, it might be time to go out and pick up more of the best RAM. But, before you head out and pick up a couple sticks of memory, keep in mind that there are so many different capacities, speeds and even sizes of RAM. If you’re not intimately familiar with the PC hardware scene, you might have a tough time looking for the best RAM. Fortunately, we here at TechRadar are intimately familiar with the PC hardware scene, and have picked out the best RAM we’ve used over the last year or so. Whether you’re looking for a quick and easy upgrade that’ll let you open more Chrome tabs, or if you’re trying to run the best PC games, you’ll need the best RAM you can get your hands on.  Image Credit: Corsair Best RAM: Corsair Vengeance LED Corsair is one of the most trusted names when it comes to the best RAM on the market. Its Vengeance series, especially, has something for everyone with its LED DDR4 offerings. On top of giving PC builders that extra touch of vibrant lighting, this RAM has robust heat spreaders that maximise cooling for higher overclocking and maximum performance. Corsair’s Vengeance LED DDR4 series also features CL16 latency and whopping 3,466 MHz speeds, so it’s just as fast and responsive as it is aesthetic. Image Credit: G.Skill Best DDR4 RAM: G.Skill Trident Z RGB At this point, everyone kind of knows about G. Skill and its Trident Z RGB series of RAM. This is some of the best RAM not just because it’s fast, but the top of every DIMM features a full-spectrum rainbow wave light bar that you can use to match your RGB lighting across your entire system. Trident Z RGB DDR4 RAM features CAS latencies between 14 and 19 which is awesome enough, but with speeds up to 4,266, it’s almost perfect. No matter your aesthetic, it’s hard to argue with the G. Skill TridentZ RGB as the best RGB RAM. Image Credit: Kingston Best DDR3 RAM: Kingston HyperX Predator Kingston’s high-performance HyperX has some of the best DDR3 RAM on the market and the Predator models is particularly tuned for  and extreme-performance that’s further expandable with XMP profiles. The Predator DDR3 series achieves CL9 to CL11 latencies and speeds between 1866MHz to 2666MHz. Image Credit: Kingston Best Budget RAM: Kingston HyperX Fury  This Kingston HyperX Fury is auto overclocked memory that won’t empty your wallet. This smart DDR3 or DDR4 RAM auto-detects system components to overclock to the highest speeds possible, optimizing performance for all of Intel’s latest chipsets. It comes with latencies between CL14 and CL16, and has speeds between 2,133 and 2,666MHz. While it’s inexpensive, it really can have a huge impact on the performance of your rig.  Image Credit: Corsair Best High-end RAM: Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB If you want the best of the best, and you don’t care about pricing, Corsair’s Dominator Platinum memory has always been at the top of the list. However, in 2019, it’s been refreshed to include Corsair’s new Capellix RGB LEDs, leading to a much richer and more colorful design. It’s the same high-end RAM we know and love, with speeds up to 3,600 MHz, but the better RGB make the Corsair Dominator Platinum RGB the best RAM around in 2019.  Image Credit: G.Skill Best double capacity memory: G.Skill Trident Z RGB DC Sometimes, especially when you’re looking for the best gaming components, ‘go big or go home’ is the best advice. And, when you want more RAM than you’ll know what to do with, you’re going to want to go with the G.Skill Trident Z RGB DC memory. The DC stands for double capacity, as in,  32GB per stick. Now, this is definitely not the fastest memory in the world, right now it’s only available in up to 3,200 MHz, but if you need a lot of RAM without taking up too many DIMM slots (like if you have a big CPU cooler or a Mini-ITX board), you can’t go wrong with the G.Skill TridentZ RGB DC. Image Credit: Adata Best gaming RAM: Adata Spectrix D80  If you’re going for an all-out no-holds-barred build, and you want the flashiest hardware so that your desktop can illuminate your office, you’re going to want the Adata Spectrix D80. Not only is it available in frequencies up to 5,000MHz, but it’s liquid-cooled, which means you shouldn’t ever have to worry about it overheating on you. The Adata Spectrix D80 is going to be the best RAM for gaming in an RGB-lit cavern.  Image Credit: Kingston Best RGB RAM: HyperX Predator DDR4 RGB HyperX has always been a huge name in desktop memory, and it’s not hard to see why. The DIMMs they release always feature the latest technologies without pushing the price higher than it really needs to be – and the HyperX Predator DDR4 RGB is yet another example. Not only is this ram fast, but it looks good, too – with Infrared Sync tech that promises to actually synchronize the lighting between DIMMs. And, with its stylish black heat spreaders, this is the best RAM if you want your gaming PC to reach max aesthetic. Image Credit: Corsair Best Low-Profile RAM: Corsair Vengeance LPX Corsair’s Vengeance LPX RAM is made for users who want the maximum performance with minimum footprint. This low-profile RAM is essential for PC builds with massive CPU coolers. Despite being so low-profile, they still feature an eight-layer heat spreader to cool while overclocking. While its thin design doesn’t allow for LEDs, but you can get it in three colors: black, red or blue.   Image Credit: G.Skill Best Mac RAM: G.Skill Mac RAM Just like their dedication to laptop and desktop RAM, G.Skill has RAM upgrades for Macs, too. Adding more memory on the Apple Store is needlessly expensive, so going with a third-party kit can help you save a ton of money – assuming that your machine is one the last remaining MacBooks or iMacs that are still upgradable. These SO-DIMM have a CAS latency between 9 and 11 and have between 1,333MHz and 1,600MHz. The best bang for the buck seems to be the G.Skill DDR3-1333 for Mac. Image Credit: Crucial Best Laptop RAM: Crucial Ballistix Sport Crucial is by far the best RAM for laptop systems. This manufacturer has designed its Crucial Ballistix Sport SODIMMs for efficient battery life while still delivering fast speeds for multi-tasking. It’s ideal for anyone wanting to speed up the best laptops, and this memory likely offers higher memory speed than anything coming stock in your laptop. Just make sure your laptop actually lets you upgrade the RAM – repairability is falling out of fashion these days. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Should I buy a SunBriteTV? A look at the outdoor, weatherproof TV manufacturer Posted: 01 Mar 2019 11:22 AM PST Growing up, the idea of bringing a TV outside was something we had always wanted but were never allowed to do. Now that we find ourselves in the positions of our parents, it’s easy to understand why: TVs just aren’t meant to be outside ... unless, of course, they’re specifically designed to be there.  That’s more or less the M.O. for SunBriteTV, a maker of all-weather LED-LCD TVs that’s based in Thousand Oaks, California. They design TVs to withstand the elements and last outdoors all year long. It’s an interesting premise, certainly, and one that proves to be useful in more situations than you might expect. We’ll cover what it’s like to buy one in the section below, but first let’s talk about how SunBriteTV’s series stack up.  The most important thing to know is that SunBriteTV offers three series - Veranda, Signature and Pro - that correspond to where the TV is going to sit on your outdoor patio, deck or mounted to the side of your house.  [Update: New for 2019, SunBriteTV is releasing a 75-inch version of the Veranda Series. Like the 43-, 55- and 65-inch versions, the TV will offer 4K HDR support and uses a direct-lit 400-nit panel. The TV will set you back $4,999, and is available now.] Image Credit: SunBriteTV SunBriteTV Veranda Series  Rather than create a good, better and best series like other manufacturers, SunBrite’s lineup starts with the full shade Veranda Series.  This is the kind of TV that still sits outside, but should ideally be in the shade most of the time. According to SunBrite, the Veranda Series is about 50% brighter than your run-of-the-mill LED-LCD from Samsung, LG or Sony, but that’s still not bright enough to resist the dulling effects or glare that occur when a TV sits in direct sunlight.  In terms of resolution, all models the Veranda series supports 4K while the 55-inch model supports both 4K and HDR. The series comes in four screen sizes (43-, 55-, 65- and 75-inches) all of which are cheaper than an equivalent sized screen in the Signature or Pro series. Like the other series, the Veranda Series includes a weatherproof remote and weatherproof bay for a streaming player like the Roku Premiere, Chromecast or Amazon Fire TV Stick.  Image Credit: SunBriteTV SunBriteTV Signature Series  SunBriteTV’s Signature Series serves a slightly different purpose: it’s designed to sit in places that fluctuate between full sun and full shade, ideally in a spot that’s partially sunny in the times that you’d be outside watching TV.  Unlike the Veranda Series, none of SunBrite’s Signature Series have HDR - an important consideration if you’re a cinephile - but, that said, the Signature Series is brighter than the Veranda Series and up to three times as bright as traditional LED-LCD screens from Samsung, Sony and LG.  The trade-off here is that the Signature Series is more expensive: the 43-inch model starts at $2,799 and the 65-inch model will set you back nearly $8,000. Image Credit: SunBriteTV SunBriteTV Pro Series  Last but not least is the SunBriteTV Pro Series, which, oddly enough, doesn’t feature 4K at all. How it gets its Pro name isn’t necessarily based on the picture quality, but rather, because it features an impact-resistant glass screen.  Like the Signature Series, the Pro Series is outstandingly bright (around 1,000 nits according to SunBrite) and ready for whatever the outdoors has to throw at it. It’s designed to sit in direct sunlight areas and is UV-resistant so performance won’t diminish over time.  In terms of audio quality, while the two other series use 20-watt down-firing speakers, the Pro Series ups the ante to a separate, detachable speaker bar.  The Pro Series comes in four screen sizes from 32- up to 55-inches and range in price from $3,295 on the low-end to almost $6,000 on the 55-inch SB-5518HD.  Image Credit: SunBriteTV Should I buy a SunBriteTV?   If you frequently host soirees, own a hot tub where you want some extra entertainment or plan on spending a time outside during warm summer nights, a SunBriteTV is pretty much the only brand of TVs we’d recommend.  In fact, even in relatively enclosed spaces that are still subject to excessive moisture or heat, we’d recommend a SunBriteTV as well. This might be a downstairs basement, partially enclosed sun room or garage, all of which would benefit from a little extra protection in case temperatures fluctuate.  If there are drawbacks to the SunBriteTV lineup it’s that AV enthusiasts might be nonplussed by the omission of HDR in all but one of the models, and budget buyers probably won’t be able to afford much more than the 32- or 43-inch TV. At around $6,000 and up, it’s prohibitively expensive to buy anything bigger than 55-inch screen unless you’re looking to outfit a business or decorate a high-end property for a sale.  SunBriteTV’s biggest selling point is the peace of mind you get by buying a TV that was designed for the outdoors. You’ll know that it can resist the elements (SunBriteTV claims they'll work at temperatures from -40 F up to 122 degrees), and was designed to be bright enough to overcome direct sunlight and glare - two things that indoor TVs were just never designed to do. That comes at a price, obviously, but for those willing to pay a bit more, it’s one that feels justified. Looking for the best TV or best 4K TV? We can help with that, too This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Facebook reveals it misreported number of teen users of Research VPN Posted: 01 Mar 2019 11:15 AM PST Facebook is drawing additional controversy over its Research Program, that collected data on teens through its Onavo VPN app, now that TechCrunch has revealed that the social networking giant misreported the number of users in the program. When the news initially broke, the company said that “Less than 5 percent of the people who chose to participate in this market research program were teens”. However, this has been proven to be incorrect thanks to Facebook's responses to a letter from US Senator Mark Warner on the issue. The senator wrote to CEO Mark Zuckberg about how its Research Program specifically targeted teens and their mobile data usage which it obtained by paying users to install a VPN which spied on them. Facebook shutters Onavo VPN app Facebook’s ‘clear history’ feature will finally arrive this year Facebook told to limit data collection on its users Facebook's VP of US public policy Kevin Martin responded to the senator's questions, saying: “At the time we ended the Facebook Research App on Apple’s iOS platform, less than 5 percent of the people sharing data with us through this program were teens. Analysis shows that number is about 18 percent when you look at the complete lifetime of the program, and also add people who had become inactive and uninstalled the app.”  Controversial cover up Basically Facebook provided the media with the percentage of teens in its Research Program when TechCrunch first discovered it as opposed to the total percentage of teens who had been involved throughout the lifespan of the program. The social network faced further scrutiny when Senator Martin grilled them on the issue of parental consent forms. According to Facebook, all participants under 18 signed parental consent forms when first joining the program but in reality the teens who participated just had to check a box to claim that they had parental consent which is quite different from how it first explained the registration process. So to recap, in addition to lying about the nature of its Research Program to begin with, the company also knowingly targeted teens without their parents' permission. At a time when Facebook is still dealing with the Cambridge Analytica scandal and was recently slammed by the UK government, the company will likely have to address its Research Program formally to show regulators and consumers alike that it should be trusted with user data at all. Via TechCrunch Also check out the best VPN This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Eight wordless games that still tell a compelling story Posted: 01 Mar 2019 10:05 AM PST Story doesn't always come from dialogue. Clever game developers know how to transmit plot and elicit emotion through a variety of other means; musical score, imagery, color palate, facial expression - the possibilities are endless. And, often, stories are all the more powerful for not resorting to words. As the old screenwriting adage goes: show don’t tell.  In light of this, we've put together a list of eight video games that tell a captivating story and immerse us in their worlds without the use of a single spoken word. RiME RiME. (Image credit: Tequila Works) There’s something strangely soothing about the ambient atmosphere of RiME. Sound, visuals and gameplay come together to forge the story of a lost boy, a mysterious island and his journey back home. The narrative itself is literally carved into the island world our protagonist washes up on. Cave paintings suggest the origins of the strange isle and each mechanical puzzle the boy completes unlocks a segment of lost history.  Guided by a magical fox, the boy wanders the island searching each jagged cliff and turquoise bay for the answers he seeks. Though the game offers up no definitive resolution, elevated musical scores, intricate expressions on the face of our protagonist and dream-like cutscenes tell an abstract tale of sorrow, desperation and, most importantly, hope. The Garden’s Between The Gardens Between. (Image credit: The Voxel Agents) Puzzle games often sacrifice narrative to focus on complex puzzle mechanics. However, this is not the case in The Gardens Between. Set on an array of sandbox islands populated by a collection of items plucked straight from the memories of childhood friends Arina and Frendt, this indie gem combines story and puzzling effortlessly.  The many objects inserted into each colorful stage (things like toy cars, alarm clocks and video game consoles) reveal deep truths about the lives and relationships of these characters without a single word being spoken. Controlling time is also part of the gameplay, suggesting Arina and Frendt want to remain locked in their past and present, not willing to separate and move into their own different futures.  The Gardens Between is a heart-wrenching tale of growing up and moving from childhood into adulthood, a true coming-of-age tale told in an incredibly original way. Old Man’s Journey Old Man's Journey. (Image credit: Broken Rules) Your aim in Old Man’s Journey is to aid an old man on his travels, overcoming puzzles whilst taking in the beautiful watercolor world around him. It’s a simple game with simple graphics, fuelled by a simple point and click system. But this simplicity is purposeful, and allows for the story to be the focal point of the game. Guided by the contents of a letter he received, our aged protagonist sets out on a quest of both self-discovery and reflection, as he moves through lively cities and bustling harbors soaked in his own personal history. Wordless cutscenes depicting moments from his younger days tell the old man’s story, portraying a certain sadness which lingers on even once his hazy memories have been left in the past. Journey Journey. (Image credit: Thatgamecompany) Ask anyone who’s played Journey for their thoughts on the game and you’re likely to get the same response; this game is a masterpiece. Somehow, Journey considers just about all of life’s big questions without the utterance of a single word.  Fire up the game and you’ll be treated to sandy dunes melting into a soft pastel sky with the sole point of interest being a bright beacon erupting from a faraway mountain. Our robed traveller simply has to get there. However, sun-drenched sands soon turn into dark caves, where drastic alteration in the color palate changes the pace and tone of the game. The accompanying score is stunning as well, with soaring orchestral swells saying more than any conversation ever could. Virginia  Virginia. (Image credit: Variable State) Virginia has been labelled by some as a run of the mill walking simulator. However, Virginia offers much more than that if, as the player, you’re willing to really dig into what is going on. Players control newly ordained FBI agent Anne Tarver as she tackles her first missing persons case. Gameplay is sectioned off into forty-two chapters, most filled with only seconds or minutes of gameplay before sudden transitions in time and place tear you away.  The overall story of Virginia might appear vague, but on a deeper level a seriously worthwhile tale can be pieced together from all the metaphorical clues, imagery and soundtrack. Abzû  Abzû. (Image credit: Giant Squid Studios) At first glance Abzû seems to focus on delivering nothing more than a relaxing, colorful marine experience. But, just like the real-life seas Abzû draws inspiration from, there is so much more lurking beneath the surface. The ocean acts as the player’s world and, as the water flows from secluded coves into the bottomless mass of open water, the playable diver will be pulled through them on an unconquerable current.  Abzû’s narrative is hidden in strange dream sequences which may not initially make sense when examined on their own, but when you piece them together a powerful story emerges. One that will leave you questioning what exactly it is you just witnessed long after the credits roll. Inside Inside. (Image credit: Playdead) Perhaps the darkest game on this list, Inside is a multi award-winning showcase of how a color scheme, tentative musical score and intricate backgrounds can elevate a title to excellence. Inside plays heavily on its 2D puzzler roots but interactions occurring in the Orwellian backgrounds slowly begin to raise questions about the nature of the boy’s adventure into the strange scientific lab he eventually finds himself lost within. During the first few sequences these interactions are vague and forgettable, but they soon become unsettling, then disturbing, then something else entirely.  Without any spoken or written text, it’s left to the player to untangle the peculiar story of Inside. Fan theories have arisen since the game’s 2016 release, but PlayDead (Inside’s developer) have remained silent on a solid answer. Ultimately, the story, the boy’s fate, and the reasoning for his journey is all decided by the player. Gris Gris. (Image credit: Nomada Studio) Gris tackles one of life’s most difficult emotions, grief. Against the blank canvas of a white sky, a female figure casts a lonely silhouette. Falling from the heavens, she eventually lands far below on a desolate landscape devoid of color.  As the girl moves through the abandoned world, she gradually returns color to it, an elegant metaphor for the journey back from tragedy. Each color represents a particular emotion and adds another element of depth to both the story and the main character, emphasising our connection with her and powering the emotional tale. Color is the language the developers use to communicate a story here, and it resonates on a deep and powerful level. Read more: Best adventure games on PC This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Microsoft ups cloud security with Azure Sentinel launch Posted: 01 Mar 2019 10:00 AM PST Ahead of this year's RSA security conference, Microsoft has introduced a new cloud service designed to help customers manage their security efforts while also giving them access to its own security staff for expert customer support. Azure Sentinel is a cloud-based security information and event management (SIEM) service that gives customers the ability to view and respond to security alerts and threats across their corporate networks. Microsoft's new service will cover applications running across multiple public clouds and hybrid cloud as well as organization's own SIEM software. Microsoft: The future of security is AI Microsoft and VMware reportedly planning cloud partnership Microsoft joins OpenChain platform The company also introduced a new feature called Microsoft Threat Experts which allows Windows Defender ATP customers to ask an expert for help right from their dashboards. In addition to asking questions on cybersecurity issues, customers will be able to include their application or network data alongside their request to help both sides resolve issues more quickly. AI-powered security analysis Today's SecOps teams are overwhelmed by a very high volume of alerts and spend too much time devoted to tasks such as infrastructure setup and maintenance. This is why Azure Sentinel utilizes intelligent security analytics at cloud scale across your entire enterprise. The service makes it easy for IT teams to collect security data across their entire hybrid organization from devices, to users, to apps, to servers on any cloud. Through the use of AI, Azure Sentinel is able to ensure that users are identifying real threats and the service helps free them from traditional SIEMs by eliminating the need to spend valuable time setting up, maintaining and scaling infrastructure. Azure Sentinel is currently available in preview from the Azure portal with a full release coming in the future. Via GeekWire We've also highlighted the best cloud backup and best cloud storage This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

The best cheap 4K TV deals and sale prices for March 2019 Posted: 01 Mar 2019 09:49 AM PST March Madness is officially here and that means it's a great month to find deals on cheap 4K TVs from top retailers such as Amazon, Walmart and more (we've also got a roundup of UK retailers) . You can find Black Friday like prices on a variety of best-selling 4K TVs from brands such as Sony, LG, Samsung and more. Whether you're looking for an XL 4K TV to serve as the focal point of your home theater system, a modestly sized set for the bedroom or kitchen, or an entry level TV for the kids, you're sure to find all different kids of sizes, features and prices to fit any and all TV viewing needs. You will find all of our carefully curated deals below. We've divided them into three different size categories as well as our pick for the best cheap TV deal of the week. These days you really don't have to pay much more to get a Ultra HD 4K set instead of an older-style HD one. If you're after the hottest tech in TV though, you may want to take a look at the cheapest OLED TV prices. Whether you want a small TV with a price tag to match or something to show all the colors of the rainbow (and a few million more) with HDR, we've found plenty of options. Read on to find the TV you want at a great price! TechRadar's cheap TV deal of the week Cheap TV deals (40-49 inch) Cheap TV deals (50-59 inch): Cheap TV deals (60-85 inch): More cheap TV sales: Not found the right cheap TV for you today? Or maybe you'd prefer to directly browse the TVs 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 look 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 deals at multiple stores.  Amazon Walmart eBay Jet Tiger Direct P.C. Richard & Son Newegg Samsung B&H Photo and Video This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

The best cheap smart home devices and gadget deals in March 2019 Posted: 01 Mar 2019 09:48 AM PST Upgrade your living space into a smart home without breaking the bank with our hand-picked devices that include speakers, security cameras, light bulbs and more. These smart home gadgets can simplify your technology and help make your day-to-day life even easier. Whether you want to personalize and control your lighting, stream music and videos or secure your home, we've found a variety of top-rated smart home gadgets to help you get started building your smart home. Most of your products work with Alexa or the Google Assistant so that you can control the devices with the command of your voice. We've also included the Aukey Smart Plug-in our list which gives any device you plug into smart capabilities. Read on for our list of the best smart home gadgets that include the best prices and deals that are currently available. We have a variety of devices that will fit all smart home needs and budgets. The best-selling Echo Dot is a voice-controlled smart speaker that works with Alexa to make calls, answer questions, set alarms, check the weather and so much more. The compact smart speaker can also control your compatible smart home devices with the command of your voice. Just ask Alexa to find TV shows, turn on lights, adjust the temperature and more. You can use your voice to play a song or artist through Amazon Music, Apple Music, Spotify, Pandora, and others. Alexa has over 50,000 skills so you can discover new skills that will help you with everyday tasks. The Amazon Echo smart speaker can play music, answer questions, set alarms and more all with the command of your voice. You can also control your other smart home devices with the Alexa-enabled speaker just ask Alexa to turn off the lights, adjust your thermostat, lock your door and more. The Echo can make calls and send and receive messages through the hands-free speaker. The smart speaker features a better audio experience than the Echo Dot offering a powerful audio with Dolby technology built in to the speaker. Control your lighting from anywhere with the TP-Link Alexa-enabled light bulb. You can turn your lights on and off and adjust brightness with your tablet or smartphone using the Kasa app. You can connect the smart bulb with Alexa or Google Assistant devices and use your voice to control your lights. The easy-to-install light bulb can transform into any color to set the mood and personalize your lighting by adjusting brightness as well as light appearance from soft white to daylight. The TP-Link bulbs will also help you out with your energy costs by reducing energy use up to 80% without brightness or quality loss.  Turn your electronics and appliances into voice and app-controlled devices with the Kasa Smart WiFi plug by TP-Link. The smart plug works with Alexa and the Google Assistant so you can turn your devices into a hands-free experience. You can turn on lamps, appliances and more from anywhere on your smartphone using the Kasa app. You can also schedule the smart plug to automatically turn on and off when you're away and reduce your energy by managing devices that use the most power.  Help secure your home with the Ring Video Doorbell Pro that allows you to answer your door from anywhere. The Ring Pro works with Alexa and will send alerts to Echo devices which allows you to hear and speak to visitors entirely hands-free. The Ring Video Doorbell Pro also sends alerts to your smartphone when motion is detected or when someone presses the doorbell so you can monitor your home from anywhere. The Pro features advanced motion detection with a camera view that generates motion alerts within user-set motion zones. The Ring doorbell connects to your existing doorbell wiring so you don't have to worry about re-charging the battery and features four different faceplate options. Control your thermostat from anywhere with the 3rd generation Nest Learning Thermostat. The smart thermostat uses technology to learn your habits and adjust automatically to help save you energy. On average the Nest thermostat saves 10-12% on heating bills and 15% on cooling bills so the Nest will pay for itself in no time. You're able to control your thermostat from anywhere with Nest app using your phone, tablet or laptop. The smart thermostat also works with Alexa so you can adjust and control the temperature with the command of your voice. The Nest thermostat features a thinner and sleeker design than previous models and comes in four different colors. Clean your floors with the command of your voice and completely hands-free with the Wi-Fi connected iRobot Roomba Robot Vacuum. You can use the iRobot home app to clean and schedule your vacuum from anywhere and receive notifications when the job is complete. The Roomba 960 can continuously clean for up to 75 minutes and will automatically recharge. The robot vacuum features a three-stage cleaning system and a high-efficiency filter that captures 99% of allergens, pollen, and dust. The Roomba is also compatible with Amazon Alexa and the Google Assistant so you can control the vacuum with your voice.  Keep your home secure with the Arlo Pro two camera security system. The top rated security system includes two cameras, rechargeable batteries, power adapter and cable, wall mount, and a base station. The Arlo Pro cameras are weatherproof so they can be used indoors or outdoors and can operate in up to 122-degree temperature. The 100% wireless Arlo Pro records video in 1080p HD resolution and offers advanced motion detection to catch every angle so no moment goes unnoticed. The security system also has a smart siren that can be controlled remotely, or when motion or sound is detected. The security camera works with Alexa, and has a compatible app which allows you to monitor your home from anywhere. The top-selling Anova Sous Vide lets you master the hottest cooking trend, sous vide. Just fill a pot with water, set the desired temperature and time, and cook everything (meat, souffle, carrots) to perfection. The Anova Sous Vide allows you to prepare restaurant quality meals by cooking your food at the precise temperature and not ever having to worrying about over-cooking. You can set the time and temperature manually on the device or through the Anova app. The app allows you to cook remotely, so you don't have to wait around in the kitchen waiting for your food to cook. The app also gives you access to over 1,000+ creative recipes and guides you through each recommended meal. Build your smart lighting hub for your home with the Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance Starter Kit. The Philips starter kit includes three 60W white and color ambiance A19 bulbs, one Hue bridge, ethernet cable, and power adapter. The Hue hub is compatible with Amazon Alexa and the Google Assistant so you can control your lighting with your voice. The Hue color bulbs allow you to choose from sixteen million colors in the Hue app to set the perfect mood and create a unique and personalized lighting experience. The Hue app also lets you sync your lighting with movies and music and allows you to control everything remotely. The Hue hub will enable you to add on to your smart lighting system with the bridge accommodating up to fifty Hue lights. The Logitech Harmony Elite Remote is the ultimate universal remote that not only controls your TV but can also control other smart home devices. The Harmony remote works with Alexa so you can use your voice to control your TV and other connected devices. The remote features one-touch automation so you can touch one button to trigger everyday activities like turning on the lights and TV. The Harmony Elite also works with other smart home devices, offering single-touch control with smart lights, locks, thermostats and more. The universal remote lets you combine up to fifteen remotes and several apps into one easy-to-use remote so you can control all of your electronics and gadgets with one device. See more of the best Amazon Echo prices, deals and sales See more of the best Ring Doorbell deals currently going on This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Nvidia GTX 1650 may have just showed up in a laptop Posted: 01 Mar 2019 09:46 AM PST Nvidia Turing GTX series graphics cards have been popping out of the woodwork, and now we’re hearing that each of these new GPUs will also have laptop equivalent versions. The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1650 has apparently appeared in a 3DMark entry – for a gaming laptop of all things. Thanks to a screenshot taken by TUM APISAK, we can surmise that the mobile version of the GTX 1650 will feature a base clock of 1,395MHz, with 4GB of GDDR5 video memory operating at 8Gbps speeds on a 128-bit memory bus. Comparatively, the Nvidia GTX 1050 Ti found in current gaming laptops comes with a 1,345MHz base clock, 4GB of GDDR5 VRAM (7Gbps) and a 128-bit memory bus. So it looks like the GTX 1650 could add a nice bump in power for entry-level gaming laptops, if the rumors are true. Nvidia GTX 1660 Ti graphics for laptops could be in the works Here’s our review of the recently introduced Nvidia GeForce GTX 1660 Ti AMD Vega II better step up with some affordable models soon. There’s no word on how many CUDA cores this purported GTX 1650 mobile chip will carry, but we guess it’ll be around 768 to 640, as seen on the mobile versions of the GTX 1050 Ti and GTX 1050, respectively. It’ll also be interesting to see how the desktop version of this GPU turns out, as we’ve only heard it will feature 4GB of GDDR5 video memory. It looks like the GeForce GTX 1650 will deliver some amped up gaming performance over the GeForce GTX 1050 Ti, but we’ll wait until Nvidia’s official announcement and our own testing before we fully vouch for these rumors. Treat yourself with the best gaming monitor to go with all this graphics power Via Wccftech This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Best tablet 2019: the top slates tested and ranked Posted: 01 Mar 2019 09:28 AM PST For those looking for the best tablet to buy right now, you've come to the right place. We're reviewed and ranked all the latest slates to bring you our best tablets list, helping you find the perfect device. The best tablets available today are ready to be part-time laptop replacements for plenty of people. At the least, this means a nice keyboard and software features you’d find on desktops or a traditional laptop. They have to be portable and light, yet powerful enough for your workflow. Update: We've now got the iPad Pro 12.9 (2018) in, and we're putting it through our in-depth review process. Will it make it into our best tablets round-up? Check back in a couple of weeks to find out! Apple's iPad Pro with iOS 12 takes the lead thanks to its strong app ecosystem, but there are some incredible Android tablets, too. The best Windows tablet also makes a showing on our top 10 tablets list. Our tablet rankings are based on several geeked-out factors including performance, battery life and screen quality, though price plays an all-important role in the final verdict. This means some tablets that are better on paper, like Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 over the Tab S3, are dinged for offering less value.  Here's a list of the best tablets you can buy today, though new contenders can (and do) shift our rankings. Best Android Tablet: US / UK | Best Cheap Tablet: US / UK The iPad Pro 11 is the best iPad you can buy right now. It may be expensive, but it's Apple's most powerful tablet and furthers the 2-in-1 design ethos if you spring for the pricey new keyboard cover folio.  It has a laptop-like experience in design and performance, and the new Apple Pencil magnetically clips onto the frame of the new iPad Pro. With superb speakers and a great new screen-to-body ratio, it's hard not to fall in love with the finely crafted hardware design.  However, there are setbacks for the iPad Pro 11 that you should be aware of. The iOS 12 software feels limiting when trying to multitask and perform laptop-like tasks.  Another strictly mobile challenge: it doesn't have a headphone jack. If you want the standard 3.5mm jack in a computer-like device, you'll spring for an actual computer. Everything about the iPad Pro 11 makes it the best experience if you're looking for the best Apple tablet - you'll just need to swallow the high price - but it's no MacBook replacement.    Read the full review: iPad Pro 11 This is the best tablet for the average consumer and for education, even if it isn't the most powerful one on sale. It's simply a great value.  The new iPad (2018) replaces the very similar 2017 model and, before that, the iPad Air 2 in Apple's lineup, slotting in below the Pro range. It works with the Apple Pencil, offering you the cheapest way to doodle on the 9.7-inch glass, though you can't get the Smart Keyboard with this non-Pro model. It also has the same luxurious metal unibody as the rest of Apple's iPad range, though notably it's ever-so-slightly thicker than the iPad Air 2 or iPad Pro at 7.5mm. With the Touch ID fingerprint sensor included, iOS 12 under the hood and up to 10 hours of battery life when web browsing or watching videos, it's a great media player and a strong tablet choice if you're not planning to use it heavily for productivity. Read the full review: iPad (2018) We really like the iPad Pro 12.9 for its large size and it's the closest thing we have to a 2-in-1 touchscreen MacBook. It just happens to run iOS 12 instead of macOS.  It's the best productivity and entertainment tablet around thanks to its 12.9-inch screen, four speakers and the iOS 12 dock and multitasking interface. Apple has redesigned its Control Center interface to make app switching even easier, and this tablet is compatible with the Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard. It's biggest weakness? The iPad Pro 12.9-inch price, and the size isn't a good fit for everyone. But If you can afford it and want the largest-sized iPad available, you're going to love this – it's a laptop-replacement for a lot people out there. Read the full review: iPad Pro 12.9 (2017) Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 The Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 is an upgrade over the Galaxy Tab S3 with an expanded 10.5-inch screen size and longer battery life, but it comes at a higher price and with a lofty promise to do so much more.  We really like the idea behind Samsung Dex for its desktop interface, but it's non-touch-friendly UI, performance issues, and questionable optional keyboard case prevent it from being a true desktop replacement. If you're looking for a premium Android tablet the Galaxy Tab S4 tops the billing, but it promises more than that and just doesn't deliver on everything. Don't get us wrong, the Tab S4 is indeed better than the Tab S3, but the value just isn't there for the money. Read the full review: Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 iPad mini 4 The best 7-inch tablet at the moment is definitely the iPad mini 4. If you like the look of Apple's new iPad 9.7 (2018) and the iPad Pro range, but find them a) too big, b) too expensive or c) both, then you're in luck as the diminutive iPad mini 4 gives you the best of Apple's tablet world in a form factor that's not only beautiful, but highly portable. It lacks the Pro features of a keyboard or Pencil support (the latter would be really nice to have on this smaller display), but overall it's got a decent screen upgrade and more than enough power to enjoy every day. Read the full review: iPad mini 4 iPad Pro 10.5 The iPad Pro 10.5-inch is one of the best tablets for anyone who wants a serious upgrade, even though the cheaper iPad 9.7 remains good enough for most people. Apple's iPad Pro 10.5 has standout features that give it a productivity boost, including Apple Pencil and Smart Keyboard compatibility. With iOS 11 on board this tablet is even a suitable laptop replacement for certain consumers. The new ProMotion screen adds an impressive layer of fluidity to daily use and the smaller bezels means you're getting far more display in a footprint not much bigger than the iPad Pro 9.7. It's an iPad for the professionals - but also one that media munchers will adore using. Read the full review: iPad Pro 10.5 Microsoft Surface Pro  Can a tablet really replace your laptop or home PC? That's still up for debate, but the best tablet trying to make that happen is the Microsoft Surface Pro. We’re surprised Microsoft has refrained from calling this the Surface Pro 5, as it's a big upgrade on the 4 - although it is rather expensive, like many tablets in this list. It does a fine job with the full blown version of Windows 10, an integrated kickstand and optional keyboard attachment.  Great for for creative professionals, students and everyday folks alike, this is a top choice and one of the best Windows laptops we've reviewed. Read the full review: Microsoft Surface Pro Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 The Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 may have been super-ceded by the Galaxy Tab S4, but with its lower price and more stable, simple approach it still comes in on top of the newer model. It has a HDR screen for the ultimate contrast ratio, four speakers that sound as good as those on all the iPad Pro models and there's an S Pen stylus that's included in the box. You won't get a free keyboard cover though, which if you buy on top of the tablet helps make it a good on-the-go productivity tool. The HDR-enabled 9.7-inch screen is also pretty useful, given that there are a lot of services out there using the improved quality - you can now get Netflix in premium color and brightness quality, for instance. Read the full review: Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 Asus ZenPad 3S 10 With an iPad-like design, the Asus ZenPad 3S 10 is something of a direct rival to Apple's best tablets if you want something with an alternative operating system. The screen is sharp and bright, and the power is decent - if not a well-known chipset running things. It's worth noting it's running Android Nougat software though, and Asus has yet to tell us if or when it'll get the latest Android Oreo upgrade. The battery life and build quality aren't quite up to Apple's standards, but then again, neither is the price - a good option if you want a larger screen for less. Read our full review: Asus ZenPad 3S 10 New iPad (2017) It may have now been replaced by the higher tech new iPad (2018), but the 2017 edition of Apple's iPad product is still a great buy and if you don't want to spend much it's a great choice for your next tablet. You don't get to use an Apple Pencil with this slate, but it comes with a crisp 9.7-inch display and punchy A9 power. You can't buy it directly from Apple anymore, but we've still seen it on sale from third-party retailers in certain areas around the world. There's no 16GB model, with this iPad kicking things off at a more reasonable 32GB, and if you need more space you can always opt for the 128GB variant. Read the full review: iPad (2017) Tablet apps As with today's best smartphones, applications play a big role on tablets – once you've decided which of these tablets is right for you, check out our top app lists so you can get your fill of Temple Run, update your friends on Facebook and read the latest news, all on a bigger screen. Best Android apps Best iPad apps Best free Android apps Best free iPad apps Best Android games Best free Android games Best iPad games Best free iPad games This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

These new Samsung Galaxy S10e deals from £27.99 a month just blew the rest away Posted: 01 Mar 2019 09:03 AM PST Our hunch was that for the two week pre-order period on Samsung Galaxy S10e deals, prices would hold pretty steady and that we wouldn't be in for a price drop until a month or two after the March 8 release date. How wrong we were. Carphone Warehouse's own network iD Mobile has let us have access to an EXCLUSIVE Samsung S10e deal that you won't find anywhere else on the internet - and it's absolutely outstanding. It's a tariff that starts great and then get's better the more you hear. On the face of it, you get the Samsung Galaxy S10e handset on a two year contract, with unlimited calls and texts and 1GB of data per month for £27.99 per month after paying £99.99 at the start. That's a total cost of £771, which is already far cheaper than anything else out there. And you can save another tenner if you enter the code IDMOFF10 at the checkout. If that all sounds ideal to you except that you fear that 1GB of data may be just a little bit stingy for your streaming, surfing and social media needs, then iD has another trick up its sleeve...a 50GB data boost that you can save up and use anytime that you head over the 1GB limit, thus tripling you effective monthly data limit. You won't find a better S10e bargain online. Read more on our EXCLUSIVE Galaxy S10e deal: Not a fan of the phone in black? Don't worry, this deal is also available in these colours: - Prism White - Prism Green - Canary Yellow  And if you want to know more about Samsung's new budget handset, then check out TechRadar's hands-on Samsung Galaxy S10e review for all the specs and opinion. See all of today's very best Galaxy S10e deals in the UK This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Google blocked a million apps from the Play Store in 2018 due to security issues Posted: 01 Mar 2019 09:00 AM PST Protecting its users security is high on the priority list for Google and the company recently revealed that it has prevented over a million Android apps from going live on the Play Store with active security issues. In a post on the Google Security Blog, the company explained how its Application Security Improvement Program has helped over 300,000 app developers fix problems with their software, saying: “Over its lifetime, the program has helped more than 300,000 developers to fix more than 1,000,000 apps on Google Play. In 2018 alone, the program helped over 30,000 developers fix over 75,000 apps. The downstream effect means that those 75,000 vulnerable apps are not distributed to users with the same security issues present, which we consider a win.” Half a billion Android users downloaded malware from Play Store 5 reasons Google Play and Apple App Store are offering false security for your data Google bans dozens of malicious photo-stealing Android apps from Play Store Google likens its Application Security Improvement Program to a routine physical where apps with no known issues run through its normal tests and continue on the process to being published in the Play Store. However, if there is a problem, the company provides a diagnosis and next steps for the app to get back to healthy form. Vulnerabilities covered According to the company, the program covers a broad range of issues with Android apps from security issues in certain versions of popular libraries all the way to unsafe TLS/SSL certificate validation. Google is continuously working to improve the program and in 2018, it deployed warnings for six additional security vulnerability classes including SQL injection, file-based cross-site scripting, cross-app scripting, leaked third-party credentials, scheme hijacking and JavaScript interface injection. The company plans to evolve the program as new exploits emerge and will continue developing it throughout 2019. Google hopes to see the program grow in the coming years to help developers worldwide build apps users can truly trust. Via Trusted Reviews We've also highlighted the best antivirus to help keep you protected from the latest cyber threats This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Elder Scrolls 6 release date, news and rumors Posted: 01 Mar 2019 08:58 AM PST Bethesda granted the wishes of Elder Scrolls fans everywhere when studio boss Todd Howard confirmed at E3 2018 that the developer is working on the highly-anticipated The Elder Scrolls 6. Although we only got a glimpse at a short teaser trailer, rumors immediately started speculating about where the latest Elder Scrolls title will be set, when it will release and when we will hear more.  So we've gathered and assessed all the news and rumors about The Elder Scrolls 6 in this handy guide. Here's everything you need to know. [Update: It looks like The Elder Scrolls 6 could be further away than we hoped.] Cut to the chase What is it? The highly anticipated sequel to the Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim When can I play it? Not soon What can I play it on? PC is a safe bet, as well as the latest console generations Elder Scrolls 6 release date – when can I play it? We might as well get the bad news out of the way first – you’re not likely to be playing The Elder Scrolls 6 any time soon. The good news, however, is that it’s been confirmed you will be able to...eventually.  The game was confirmed during Bethesda's E3 2018 conference but nothing more than a logo was given. We don't even have a subtitle or a release year. Todd Howard said that the game will be coming after Starfield, the company's next big IP. That means Elder Scrolls 6 could be years away. In addition, Youtuber SkullziTV (via GamesRadar) has been looking into the challenges Bethesda's parent company ZeniMax faces with regards to the Redfall trademark it has applied for. According to SkullziTV, trial dates suggest we won't be seeing any mentions of Redfall (aka the rumored name of the upcoming Elder Scrolls game) until after August 2020.   Elder Scrolls 6 trailer – when can I watch it? The only footage we have of Elder Scrolls 6 is a very short clip of the game's logo. Other than that, you might be waiting a while to see more. We think E3 2019 is a safe bet. Or maybe it'll leak beforehand. Here's the announcement trailer: Elder Scrolls 6 rumors It may be called the Elder Scrolls 6: Redfall Bethesda may have trademarked the name for the Elder Scrolls 6. According to a report by Newsweek, ZeniMax Media (Bethesda's parent company) filed a new trademark for 'Redfall' which the company stated was for a 'computer game software for use with computers and video game consoles'.  It's nothing solid, but there's a slim chance the new Elder Scrolls will be called Elder Scrolls 6: Redfall. Redditors are speculating the name is linked to the Redfall location in Tamriel or to the Redguard race in Elder Scrolls, however Bethesda has not confirmed or denied anything. Elder Scrolls 6 news It's official Bethesda is a busy studio: not only is it working on a brand new IP, it's also continuing to develop for Elder Scrolls Online and it's taking on the long commitment of Fallout 76. And that's only in its main RPG franchises. It's still got plenty going on elsewhere with mobile games, Dishonored, Prey and others. Thanks to Todd Howard, we know Bethesda is working on two huge new titles simultaneously, though their developments are staggered.  We now know that one of them is the Elder Scrolls 6. Having returned to Skyrim after some time away, Howard compared it to seeing an old friend from high school, adding that the time away had given him the chance to see Skyrim as a gamer for the first time.  This, to us, would be the perfect time to start applying this new perspective to the next title in the series.  At the very least we can say we know it won’t just be called Elder Scrolls 6. There’s going to be a colon and another word to round the title off if previous releases are anything to go by.  Where will Elder Scrolls 6 be set? We’re also willing to bet that like all the other games in the series it’s going to be set in the continent of Tamriel, the map of which is below. Previous games have taken us to Highrock, Hammerfell, Morrowind, Cyrodil, and Skyrim. Valenwood, Elsweyr and Black Marsh are the biggest places left to explore. Though there’s still much of Morrowind left to explore, we imagine much of that will be covered in the upcoming Elder Scrolls Online title.  So, Valenwood, Elsweyr or Black Marsh. Which looks most likely? Rumors online are heavily pointing towards Black Marsh, the home of the world’s reptilian Argonian race.  There isn’t actually any solid reason for this rumor, but its swampy marshlands and network of islands would make for an interesting geographic change for the series, though it’s a geography that would leave itself open to comparison with the Witcher 3.  It’s probably the region of Tamriel that we know the least about so Bethesda would have plenty of room to be creative. That said, Elsweyr would also be an interesting geography change with its dry plains and harsh badlands that the Khajit call home.  It would certainly be nice to find out more about the culture of either the Khajit or the Argonians so both of these extremely different settings have an understandable appeal to fans. There is, however, weight to a rumor that Elder Scrolls 6 could be set in Valenwood. Valenwood is the home of the Bosmer and it’s an area of Tamriel that Bethesda hasn’t explored much.  The rumor that the game will be set here is based on a reported internal Bethesda memo from all the way back in 2014. In this memo, Bethesda employees were reportedly wanted against using the terms Fallout: Nuka World, Elder Scrolls VI or Project Greenheart. Though it was initially believed to be a fake, Fallout: Nuka World ended up being a big DLC release for Fallout 4 which gives slightly more weight to rumor that Project Greenheart is in fact the codename for the next Elder Scrolls title. The fact that Greenheart is a city in the verdant region of Valenwood makes this even more interesting.  Forest and jungle settings are hard to get right in games and it’d be really interesting to see Bethesda get creative with the part of Tamriel that’s said to have rejected civilization and embraced the wilderness.  It's hard to tell from the short E3 clip we have of the game but our first impression is that the game world looks a lot more like Valenwood or Elsweyr than Black Marsh. In an interview with Eurogamer, Todd Howard confirmed the team has settled on the location - but he won't tell us where yet.  What features can we expect? Homebuilding A feature that we’re fairly certain will be included in the game to some degree is house building or town creation. Skyrim introduced the idea of designing and maintaining a homestead with its Hearthfire DLC, which Fallout 4 expanded upon with the introduction of its settlement mechanic and the Elder Scrolls online built upon again with its Homestead DLC. This leads neatly into a further expansion of such features in the next Elder Scrolls title as it felt not-quite-finished in Fallout.  It would be a feature that would actually fit in particularly well with the rumored Valenwood setting, if it involved the player adapting to the wilderness in the way the resident Bosmer have with their treetop cities. In a similar way the player used debris and junk to craft their settlement in Fallout, they could use their natural environment to do so in Elder Scrolls in a nice contrast. A whole new story In a recent interview with Gamespot, Todd Howard said that Bethesda is looking into how exactly it tells stories in its games. Howard noted that Skyrim and Fallout 4 take slightly different approaches to stories, with Skyrim leaving things more open to the player’s vision and Fallout guiding them more firmly through a story Now he says the studio are looking how to “tell a better story in an open world.”  He said “each of our games we've had successes and failures and if you ask us internally, we have new ideas that we want to explore in the future because we feel like we haven't really cracked it yet the way we think it could be.” Being aware of the differences between Skyrim and Fallout’s approaches to storytelling and the fact that both have positives and negatives suggests that the next Elder Scrolls title could strike some kind of balance between giving the player completely free reign and telling a story around their character.  It’s hard to deny that The Witcher 3 has had a massive impact on what players expect in terms of including an engaging story in an open world game.  Though we don’t in any way want Bethesda to just churn out a Witcher copy (we’re not sure it’d be possible anyway) it does put a certain amount of pressure on Bethesda when it comes to achieving high-quality environmental and quest-based story telling.  Something we don’t expect to see, though, is multiplayer. Skyrim certainly doesn’t suffer from a lack of multiplayer and it wouldn’t really make all that much sense to incorporate any online multiplayer gameplay with the Elder Scrolls Online still rolling along.  Virtual reality It's not a certainty by any means but the fact that Bethesda released a full VR experience for Skyrim means it's not out of the question. What would we like to see? Well, something we’d like to see and fully expect to see is improved graphics and reduced bugginess. The remastered version of Skyrim showed just how far things have come visually since the game’s first release so we fully expect any title following on from it to be of that standard if not much higher, depending on how far away the game is. There’s actually a fairly good chance that the game could be created using an entirely new game engine – after it created an entirely new engine for Skyrim we don’t think it’s unlikely Bethesda will do the same for Elder Scrolls 6 and any Fallout sequels.  The Bethesda game studio in Montreal is currently looking to hire an engine programmer so it’s well worth watching this space.  (Image credits: Bethesda) Prepare for Elder Scrolls 6 with the best graphics card of 2018 This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Beyond the recipe: the developers trying to improve how we cook in games Posted: 01 Mar 2019 08:45 AM PST Cooking can mean anything from cracking an egg to matching the right wine with a meal. It’s baking and barbeque, managing a kitchen, and designing dishes that look gorgeous on camera. Cooking is an art. It’s about improvisation, trying new things, making mistakes, and creating delicious food. The culinary ocean is both wide and deep - so why haven’t cooking games reflected that? TechRadar spoke to some of the leading indie developers in the field to learn about the challenges they face in trying to serve up an authentic culinary experience, and how they're leading the charge in spicing up the cooking game genre.  Whisky business Overcooked. (Image credit: Ghost Town Games) “The actual complexity of what people do in a kitchen is overwhelming," Battle Chef Brigade developer Tom Eastman tells TechRadar. "Turning that into a fun gameplay mechanic is difficult. It’s really hard for the player to understand how well they made a dish if they’re following a real world recipe - there’s no way for them to taste it. "It was so complicated to figure out how to make a system that made sense game-wise when everyone knows the real tools and the real foods." Trinket Studios' Battle Chef Brigade is an anime-style action RPG which combines combo-based hunting and puzzle-based cooking in a narrative-driven adventure. It's a far cry from the cooking games we're used to seeing and a much-needed breath of fresh air for the genre. "The actual complexity of what people do in a kitchen is overwhelming. Turning that into a fun gameplay mechanic is difficult. It's really hard for the player to understand how well they made a dish if they're following a real world recipe - there's no way for them to taste it." Tom Eastman - Trinket Studios Cooking titles have been restricted to a few categories for as long as we can remember. They’re either fun, mini-game oriented titles where you follow a recipe like Cooking Mama or restaurant management-focused games like Diner Dash. It doesn’t help that cooking systems inside larger games, like Breath of the Wild, are usually nothing more than crafting systems. While some kooky exceptions to the rule exist - like the Japanese PlayStation game Ore no Ryomi, Sushi Striker: The Way of Sushido on Nintendo Switch, and Supreme Pizza Empire on Steam - there's still plenty of room for improvement. “We started off with a system where you could make pretty much anything," Eastman explains. "We quickly ran into the problem where there was an infinite list of things the player could make, so we had to limit ourselves. "It was really hard for the player to understand how well they made a dish if they were following a real world recipe. That’s where the fantasy element came in. We also needed a way to construct the cooking in an understandable and approachable way; that’s the road that led to judges scoring based off categories.” Chop and change Cook, Serve , Delicious! 2!! (Image credit: Vertigo Gaming) The developers of Battle Chef Brigade, Overcooked, and Cook, Serve, Delicious! all agree that the lack of depth in the genre is due to how hard it is to accurately capture cooking in game form. They all know first hand as well, since they had to cut large swaths of their games due to complexity, including an actual recipe book that players could use in Overcooked and a whole food plating mini game in Battle Chef Brigade. Several of those cut segments could easily be a entire game on their own.  “A cooking game is any game that focuses on food as its primary goal, where you’re preparing or serving it first and foremost. Anything could be a cooking game,” Cook, Serve, Delicious! developer David Galindo tells TechRadar. “Plenty of games have proven that too. I didn’t think a match three puzzle could be a cooking game, but that’s part of what Battle Chef Brigade is and it's very much a cooking game.” One surefire method that developers of games like Battle Chef Brigade use is focusing development on a singular concept. Trinket Studios wanted to capture the vibe and showmanship of a cooking competition in an action game, Galindo wanted to share the feeling of dread he experienced at his barista job and turn the feeling of being overwhelmed into anxiety-ridden fun, and Ghost Town Games focused solely on the chaos that erupts in the physical space of the kitchen. "The nice thing with cooking as a genre is that it comes with universal appeal." Ollie De-Vine - Ghost Town Games “Most cooking games focus on the minutiae, the manipulation of the items. We wanted to deal with it in the moment for Overcooked. We wanted it to be about cooperation more than anything else really,” says Phil Duncan, one of the minds behind Overcooked. “We didn’t start from a cooking angle, we wanted to make games that were good for cooperative play and we fell into cooking.” Overcooked didn’t have to be a series about cooking - the team could’ve easily made it about cleaning, construction, or even gray boxes pushing around other, even grayer boxes in order to achieve some perfect assembly of gray boxes. They chose cooking to make their chaotic cooperative mechanics easily accessible to a wide audience, since everyone knows how to make a burger. “Initially, we didn’t think of Overcooked as a cooking game, although the game has cooking in the name and all you do is cook,” said Ollie De-Vine, the other half of Ghost Town Games. “The nice thing with cooking as a genre is that it comes with universal appeal.” “It hasn’t been explored as much though, there are whole waves of the cooking system that we’ve ignored,” he adds. “Experimenting with ingredients, preparation techniques, and other parts of the process are missing. The difficulty comes from where you have to gamify them.” Penne for your thoughts Overcooked 2. (Image credit: Ghost Town Games) The list of cooking elements that games haven’t explored is as long as they come - since everything from table etiquette to actually growing the food in a garden can be considered part of the genre. You could fill an entire 20-hour game with the intricacies and logistics of farm-to-table or you could create a Flight Control-esque game where you plot out the paths of the wait staff through increasingly complicated restaurant floor plans. The number of possibilities is endless, and it didn’t take long for the developers we spoke to to pop off a few ideas.  Eastman talked about creating a game that is all about plating food according to different aethstetics, De-Vine and Duncan floated the idea of creating a game where you sing to plants to help them grow (dubbed PhotoSINGthesis), and Galindo said he loved the idea of a ‘Sims Cuisine’ where you manage an entire restaurant franchise. Obviously it’s easier to talk about ideas than actually create them, but it still means that there’s a wealth of ideas to explore if designers feel so inclined.  “Cooking is a well understood, but fairly complicated process. If you simplify part of that down then people can use intuition to understand how fairly complicated things work,” Eastman said. “Don’t do what we did where we approached improvisational cooking as a goal with no idea how to tackle it. Whatever you choose, you’ll need to simplify it to make it a good system for a game, focus on the mechanics and not the food itself.” Read more: Best indie games on PC and consoles This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

The best cheap MacBook Pro deal prices and sales in March 2019 Posted: 01 Mar 2019 08:22 AM PST Welcome to the home of the best cheap MacBook Pro prices. Here at TechRadar, we check around for the cheapest MacBook Pro deals in the sales every day at the top retailers on the net. So you're certainly in the right place to save money on your new Apple laptop. Better yet, we've just updated our guide with the latest models. We've still included the earlier models, as some of them are a lot cheaper.  The MacBook Pro has become the go to laptop range for professionals and enthusiasts alike, absolutely powering through tasks regular laptops fear. Apple's staggering lineup of Retina screens lead the way for crisp visuals and the increasingly excellent physical design of the laptops themselves has seen the latest MacBook Pro usurp the svelte form of the MacBook Air. You want the best there is, but there's no reason to pay more than you should for it. If you want to save some money you could check out the other non-Pro MacBook deals or maybe even a standard cheap laptop deal. The 2018 version of the 13-inch Apple MacBook Pro is the best yet, comes with the Touch Bar as standard and features a range of improvements over the older models. The screen resolution may be the same with the excellent Retina display, but now there's True Tone technology inside that senses ambient lighting in the room or outdoors to adjust the brightness of the screen for the best possible picture. The keyboard is quieter and less 'clicky' too. You're getting the brand new 8th-gen Coffee Lake core processor and the quad-core CPUs have doubled the performance of the 2017 models. With more options for larger RAM too, options really open up for creatives and professionals with the MacBook Pro 2018. The larger 15-inch version of the 2018 MacBook Pro with the Touch Bar is generally going to cost a fair bit more than the 13-inch model, but that's not just because of the larger screen. This model packs a lot more under the hood too, with Apple providing multiple options with increased RAM, extra processing power with a six core Coffee Lake processor and larger SSD storage options. Naturally, you're getting the same improvements over the 2017 version too like the True Tone screen technology and quieter keyboard. This really is a powerhouse laptop for designers and industry creatives. If you don't need all the power though, we'd consider the cheaper 13-inch model, or maybe even one of the older versions found below if the prices are right for you. The best Macbook Pro with Touch Bar (2017) prices 2017 update: The 2017 lineup has recently been released too. The newer models aren't a massive upgrade over the 2016 lineup. Actually the -admittedly still excellent- retina display and overall size are the same. If you're looking for increased performance, you're in luck as the new models have been upgraded to include the 7th-gen Kaby Lake processor chips for enhanced 4K streaming and media editing. The new 2017 MacBook Pros will eventually phase out the older models, which means you'll more than likely be able to snag a cheap MacBook Pro deal on the older laptops. 2016 was crying out for a refresh of the MacBook Pro and Apple once again come up with something rather special. In addition to the internal spec getting a long awaited upgrade and that gorgeous Retina display (available in 13-inch and 15-inch flavours), Apple has introduced their long-rumoured Touch Bar technology. This mini-LED display replaces the Function keys and comes up with different touch display controls for an increasing number of programs. Uses so far include Safari bookmarks, predictive text, search field, emojis, photo galleries or even more intensive actions like photo editing or mixing records. Simple, yet innovative. Expect rival firms to start copying it soon. This new 13-inch MacBook Pro is the cheapest way to get your hands on one of Apple's latest laptops, released in late 2016. This is the lightest MacBook Pro ever made, but still packs an incredible punch with 2.0GHz dual-core Intel Core i5 or 2.4GHz dual-core Intel Core i7 processor options. You don't get the new Touch Bar on this version, but you do get a Retina display and the new larger trackpad. Prices start around $1,499/£1,449/AU$2,199. Stay updated on the latest prices in the comparison chart below. MacBook Pro 13-inch - no Touch Bar (2017) 2017 update: Just like the aforementioned Touch Bar models, the screen and shape are unchanged since the 2016 models. You are getting the new Kaby Lake 7th-gen processor though.  2016's lineup was very expensive, which is why we're delighted to see that Apple has released an even cheaper 13-inch model for an entry-level, but still very modern, MacBook Pro experience. This does come at the cost of a smaller storage capacity though, with the cheapest options including a 128GB SSD instead of 256GB. These new 2017 models will start to phase out some of the older ones, so keep an eye on our comparison charts as we expect to see some tasty discounts on the 2016 crew as retailers make way for the new breed. The 2015 MacBook Pro didn't undergo a dramatic reimagining, but then there wasn't anything particularly wrong with it in the first place. Improvements to its performance mean it's better value than before, and the noticeably improved battery life makes it even more of a mobile workhorse. As ever the cost of adding memory and storage soon sends the price tag into orbit, but even the stock MacBook Pro is an incredibly versatile computer and arguably Apple's best ever laptop. Newer MacBooks may be more portable, but the Pro has all the power.  If you're looking for the larger-sized laptop experience in the MacBook range, you'll be wanting to take a look at the seriously impressive specs of the 2015 model 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display. The Intel Core i7 2.5 Ghz processor combined with 16GB of RAM will make light work of anything you can throw at it. 512GB of super fast flash storage, a new Force Touch trackpad and that incredible four million pixel-packing display make this one of the best laptops in the business. Keep your new laptop secure with the best Mac VPN This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

The best cheap MacBook sale prices and deals in March 2019 Posted: 01 Mar 2019 08:15 AM PST If you're looking for the best cheap MacBook sale prices, you've come to the right place, as we've just updated our guide with the latest models. The decision of whether or not you should pick up a new MacBook is an easy one: does it play to your strengths? Maybe you need the lightest and most portable macOS machine out there today, one with good battery life. Or, maybe you just don’t like Windows? Whatever your reason, there are plenty of deals out there to help you save on a MacBook deal. Our exclusive price comparison tool will check the price of every readily available model of MacBook on all major retail websites, so you can be sure you’re always getting the best MacBook deal. We've stopped comparing MacBook prices on some older models if they're not widely available or if they generally cost more than newer versions despite the dated tech inside. All you need to do now is work out whether it’s a MacBook, a MacBook Pro or a MacBook Air that you want. We'll help though. If you're not quite set on a MacBook (they are rather pricey), then we have some alternative options for you, along with the best prices. Take a look at our selection of best laptops for other top performing machines or our cheap laptop deals for solid buys that won't break the bank as we search for great prices all year round. If the freshest MacBook prices are what you're after though, you'll find them all below. The 2018 version of the 13-inch Apple MacBook Pro is the best yet, comes with the Touch Bar as standard and features a range of improvements over the older models. The screen resolution may be the same with the excellent Retina display, but now there's True Tone technology inside that senses ambient lighting in the room or outdoors to adjust the brightness of the screen for the best possible picture. The keyboard is quieter and less 'clicky' too. You're getting the brand new 8th-gen Coffee Lake core processor and the quad-core CPUs have doubled the performance of the 2017 models. With more options for larger RAM too, options really open up for creatives and professionals with the MacBook Pro 2018. The larger 15-inch version of the 2018 MacBook Pro with the Touch Bar is generally going to cost a fair bit more than the 13-inch model, but that's not just because of the larger screen. This model packs a lot more under the hood too, with Apple providing multiple options with increased RAM, extra processing power with a six core Coffee Lake processor and larger SSD storage options. Naturally, you're getting the same improvements over the 2017 version too like the True Tone screen technology and quieter keyboard. This really is a powerhouse laptop for designers and industry creatives. If you don't need all the power though, we'd consider the cheaper 13-inch model, or maybe even one of the older versions found below if the prices are right for you. The cheapest MacBook Air (2017) sale prices The MacBook Air series is making a comeback We have to admit, we thought Apple was done with the MacBook Air line after the new Pro lineup was just as compact and almost as light. Apple has given the 13-inch MacBook Air its first update since 2015 though. This means you can now get a much healthier 8GB of RAM instead of 4GB along with a processor upgrade to 1.8GHz (over 1.6GHz) making it much better at multi-tasking. Older MacBook Air stock is gradually disappearing from retailers now although prices have been stubbornly high even on refurbs. In all honesty, you're getting much better value by opting for this modern version instead. The cheapest Macbook (2017) prices The Kaby Lake upgrade you've been waiting for? The screen and compact dimensions on the 2017 MacBook are the same as the 2016 edition. But if you're weighing up the actual differences between the new 2017 and 2016 MacBooks, here are some key points to consider. You're now getting the 7th-gen Kaby Lake processors with i5 and i7 options now available. 2015 MacBook owners are more likely to appreciate the improvements really. The prices we're seeing lately though aren't that much more expensive than the 2016 models. MacBook Pro (2017) 13 and 15-inch deals (with Touch Bar)   A touch above the rest? The 2017 updates to the MacBook Pro lineup didn't change an awful lot in all honesty. The main improvement was the upgrade to Kaby Lake processors. The 7th-gen chips offer increased performance for 4K streaming and media editing. Eventually the 2016 versions will disappear at most retailers, but it's worth keeping an eye on the comparison chart below to see if there any are discounted models lingering around. MacBook Pro (2016) 13 and 15-inch deals (with Touch Bar)  2016 was crying out for a refresh of the MacBook Pro and Apple once again came up with something rather special. In addition to the internal spec getting a long awaited upgrade and that gorgeous Retina display (available in 13-inch and 15-inch flavours), Apple introduced its long-rumoured Touch Bar technology. This mini-LED display replaces the Function keys and comes up with different touch display controls for loads of different programs. Uses so far include safari bookmarks, predictive text, search field, emojis, photo galleries or even more intensive actions like photo editing or mixing records. Simple, yet innovative. 2017/2016 MacBook Pro 13-inch deals (no Touch Bar) The 2016 and 2017 models are MacBook Air rivals with Pro spec The older 13-inch MacBook Pros are amongst the cheaper options if you want to go Pro. These versions don't come with a Touch Bar which is something to factor in when comparing how much you'll save versus the added functionality the new tech could add to your work and computing life in general. These are incredibly light for MacBook Pros, but they still pack an incredible punch with 2.3GHz (2.0GHz on the 2016 model) and dual core processors ranging from i5 to i7. The trackpads are larger than older MacBook Pros too and you're getting fantastic Retina displays which still look stunning today. The best cheap Macbook (2016) sale prices If you decide that Apple's mini marvel is for you, you're getting one of the best Macbooks Apple's ever made. With faster internals than the outdated 2015 model , it's capable of zipping through lesser-demanding tasks without complaining and leaves you with more confidence to get the job done. Plus, well, look at it. MacBook Pro 13-inch with Retina display (2015) deals The older and smaller MacBook Pro is still a force of nature The 2015 MacBook Pro didn't undergo a dramatic reimagining, but then there wasn't anything particularly wrong with it in the first place. Improvements to its performance meant it was better value than before, and the noticeably improved battery life makes it even more of a mobile workhorse. MacBook Pro 15-inch with Retina display (2015) deals Looking for something a bit bigger? If you're looking for the larger-sized laptop experience in the MacBook range, the 2015 model 15-inch MacBook Pro with Retina display is still an impressive piece of kit and arguably worth a shout even today if you can get a good price. The Intel Core i7 2.5 GHz processor combined with 16GB of RAM will make light work of anything you can throw at it. 512GB of super fast flash storage, a new Force Touch trackpad and that incredible four million pixel-packing display make this a fantastic laptop. 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The best cheap Amazon Kindle sale prices and deals in March 2019 Posted: 01 Mar 2019 08:15 AM PST A cheap Kindle sale is never that far away in these parts as Amazon is keen to stay atop of the ereader pile. Kindle prices on most of the devices are already great value given the high quality you get in your hands. We're rounding up all the cheapest Kindle deals as various retailers throw down to try to offer your the best bargains. On this page we'll dig out the discounts on every type of Kindle ereader still readily available. If you're interested than just reading books, there are the Amazon Fire tablets to consider and they're immeasurably cheaper alternative to those pricey iPads. While Kindles and Fire tablets are Amazon products, you'll find them competitively priced by multiple retailers. Don't worry about having to compare and contrast prices though, we'll do the cross-checking to ensure you can see the latest Kindle prices from a wide range of stores to ensure you get the best price from trustworthy retailers. We've got our eye on every model out there and have price comparison charts for them all. Everything from the basic Kindle, the excellent Paperwhite all-rounder (including the super new 2018 version), all the way up to the fancier Kindle Oasis luxury ereader. And the Fire tablet range is covered to from the super cheap 7-inch model and up to the larger 10-version with the Kids Edition Fire tablets priced and compared too. Naturally we'll explain the differences between the devices too so you can make the most informed decision about which one suits you best. Want more functionality from your tablet? Then take a look at our best iPad deals. What makes a good Kindle price? If this is your first Kindle, you'll be wanting to know - how do you tell a good Kindle sale price when you see one? Luckily, there are so many good ones out there it's pretty easy! Follow @TRDeals on Twitter for the latest offers Kindle ereaders don't have LCD screens or powerful internal components which means they're usually a lot cheaper than tablets and phones. The screens are fantastic for glare-free reading and an immediate improvement over using the Kindle app on your phone or tablet. If you can find the Kindle Paperwhite for under US$129/£120/AU$199 you're getting a good price, while the Kindle 2016 model (which has all but disappeared from Australian stores) has a fairly static price of US$80/£59, but every now and then it dips lower. The top of the line Kindle Oasis model prices start at $269/£229/AU$389 and rarely drops lower. What do 'Special Offers' mean on the Kindle listings? When looking at a Kindle ereader listing, whether it's on Amazon's website, or on a different retailer's site, you'll often see 'includes special offers' in the title or item description. Choose without special offers and the price will jump up £10/US$20. Essentially, these Special Offers act as Amazon-based screensaver-style advertisements on your Kindle device. So when you pop your Kindle on from sleep mode you'll see an ad for a book on Amazon's Kindle store, or maybe a third party ad. Annoying right? Actually, I opted for with Special Offers (I do love a cheap deal), and it's not bothered me one bit. You can swipe the ad away easily (no trying to find the tiny X icon here) and get on with your reading straight away. When in sleep mode, the ads cycle on the screen, but they're not illuminated and they don't seem to consume any power. They don't slow anything down when powering on the device after shutdown either. Seeing as they don't interfere with the experience at all, I'm glad I didn't spend the extra £10 to block them. Hey, some of them (sales ads etc) have been worth clicking through to. If you really don't like them though, you can always pay the difference at a later date to get them removed. So we'd opt for the cheaper 'includes special offers' option first. Here are the best cheap Kindle prices currently available... Kindle Paperwhite 2018 prices Amazon has an updated version of the excellent Kindle Paperwhite and it's just been released. And this is no mere by-the-numbers update with a deep dive on internal spec sheet required to spot the differences (let's leave that to the MacBooks right?). The 2018 version of the Paperwhite is so good you might be tempted to ditch the previous version, which we still love very much. The backlit screen is now flush with the bezel, meaning no more places for dust or hair to get stuck. And part of the reasoning behind this upgrade is to ensure the Kindle Paperwhite is now a waterproof ereader, just like the far more expensive (but absolutely beautiful) Kindle Oasis. The cheapest model now has double the storage capacity at 8GB which is handy if you you're reading image-heavy books like graphic novels/comics. And it's 20 grams lighter. That extra space is also handy for audiobooks, a new addition to the Paperwhite that you can take advantage of via bluetooth speakers/headphones. We expect prices to drop on the older model to clear stock out, so you could get a decent discount there (see further down this page for the older Paperwhite prices). As for the new Kindle Paperwhite 2018, prices start at $129.99/£119.99/AU$199. The 2018 Kindle Paperwhite is well on its way to surpassing the previous model, which was already the best value ereader on the planet. Kindle Paperwhite deals The best standard Kindle ever is a value-for-money winner The 6th generation Kindle Paperwhite is the best value Kindle yet, it's the most cost effective ereader on the market and it easily beats the Kobo Aura on performance and design. Unlike the cheaper model, this one comes with screen lighting. Amazon has managed to create a fast electronic ink tablet with inventive reading apps. You can lookup words in the dictionary without leaving your page, or even flick through any relevant Wikipedia entries for most words or terms. The latest version's screen is now just as good as the more expensive Voyage model. As far as value for money goes, this is the one to beat. Amazon Kindle (2016) deals The new 2016 Kindle (also known as the 'All-New Kindle' and ‘Kindle Touch 2016’ in Australia) is the updated version of the entry level Kindle last released in 2014. If you want the cheapest option, this is the one you should go for as the 2014 version has been discontinued and any deals you see are probably for preowned or refurbished units. With prices starting around £60/US$80/AU$109 you're getting a bargain. The 2016 model is also available in white (the 2014 was black only), it's lighter, thinner, has double the RAM speed and double the storage capacity at 4GB. The lack of a lit screen is the only thing holding it back really. Kindle Oasis deals The luxury waterproof ereader you've been waiting for? The reinvigorated all-new Kindle Oasis costs US$249/£229/AU$389 for the cheapest Wi-Fi version. This is an upgrade over the older Oasis (which is no longer available) and a huge improvement. It's 15% cheaper, bigger and also the first waterproof kindle, arguably justifying the top end price-tag. The Kindle Oasis is also the first kindle to support Aubidle audio books, although you'll need a pair of bluetooth wireless headphones to use this feature as there's no built-in speaker or 3.5mm headphone port. This new Kindle ereader's 7-inch screen makes it the largest in the current Kindle range and tempting for readers wanting to view a larger page, meaning you won't have to turn pages as often. The page turn buttons are given a wider bezel on the side than the Kindle Voyage, making it easier to hold one-handed - the screen will flip over to accommodate left-handed readers too. The considerably cheaper Voyage and Paperwhite models are excellent alternatives and feature the same screen resolution. That larger screen and waterproofing for peace of mind are pretty tempting though. Kindle Voyage deals A bit overpriced and outdated in today's world The Voyage used to be the most expensive Kindle around before the Oasis arrived, and it would seem Amazon is slowly phasing this model out in favour of it. The Voyage is still one of the best ebook readers available. It has a compact design and a sharp screen. Although, the last two versions of the far cheaper Paperwhite now comes with the same 300ppi backlit screen. The Kindle Voyage has a flush display making the device easy to keep clean, adaptive screen lighting for easier lighting adjustments and additional page turning buttons. The buttons are a nice feature, but given the new 2018 version of the Kindle Paperwhite also has a flush screen and is waterproof, the Voyage is too expensive nowadays for us to whole heartedly recommend.  Amazon tablet deals Want something a bit more advanced than a Kindle ereader? If your needs are a bit more media-intensive as you want a handheld device for gaming, viewing movies (especially on Amazon Prime) and browsing the web, an Amazon tablet could be for you. Naturally, there's a Kindle app, but the glass screen can be a hindrance for extended reading sessions. Australian readers should note that these Fire tablets aren't available Down Under. Amazon Fire 7 deals Amazon's most popular Fire tablet Sitting at the budget end of Amazon's Kindle tablet range, the Fire 7 is generally the cheapest of the lot as it doesn't have a HD screen. Amazon has just refreshed the Fire 7 range though and it now comes with Alexa, the virtual assistant from the Amazon Echo devices. You can also have different profiles - some for the kids - through Amazon FreeTime. Amazon Fire HD 8 deals The All-New Amazon Fire HD 8 is an improved beast For this low price, the Amazon Fire HD 8 is one of the best tablets around, especially if you're happy to jump into Amazon's ecosystem. Mobile gamers will appreciate the improved tech inside the more recent versions as it comes with more storage, 50% more RAM and a 1.3GHz processor. Better yet, the 2018 edition seen below now comes with integrated hands-free Alexa - the excellent virtual assistant from the Amazon Echo range. You're not paying any more for the privilege either, so we'd only recommend the latest version. Amazon Fire HD 10 deals  The All-New Amazon Fire HD 10 is a much-needed upgraded The new and improved Fire HD 10-inch tablet finally joins Amazon's other Fire tablets with the 'All-New' treatment. This is good news for buyers as this replacement is cheaper than the scant few deals available for the old Fire HD 10. The cheapest model now comes with 32GB of storage instead of 16GB, has a clear full HD 1080p screen and has twice as much RAM to run even faster than before. All this and the RRP comes in at just £149/$149. The headline feature though is the introduction of the voice-controlled Alexa app (one and the same as the Echo devices) to the tablet. We're a bit sad to see the old aluminium body go, as it looks a little less premium with the plastic finishes (black, red and blue available at launch so far). But seeing as we'd be putting a protective cover on it anyways, it doesn't really make any difference when we think about it. Amazon Fire 7 Kids Edition Got tech-hungry children, but don't want them to get their grubby mitts on your tablet or phone all the time? The Amazon Fire Kids Edition tablet could be the answer. In addition to enhanced durability (look at the size of that housing), it also comes with a two-year guarantee, which covers the tablet -even if the kids break it- no questions asked. There are plenty of software safeguards too, such as making sure they can only watch appropriate content online, adjustable screen-time limits and access to loads of age-appropriate games. Amazon Fire HD 8 Kids Edition Bigger and better than the Fire 7 Kids. You're getting a larger screen with HD visuals. The sound is better too as the mono speaker has been banished for Dolby Atmos and dual stereo speakers. The battery has been boosted up to around 12 hours, compared to the eight offered by the smaller model and you get 32GB of storage instead of 16GB. You're still getting that same tough build quality and two year guarantee too. Come on, don't make your child grow up with SD visuals. Doesn't everyone deserve HD, even if they are going to smear jam all over it and throw it around a bit? We check our Kindle deals every day to make sure they're always up to date and available! This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

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