Apple : The best cheap smart home devices and gadget deals in April 2019 |
- The best cheap smart home devices and gadget deals in April 2019
- MEGA launches new business-focused offering
- The best Samsung Galaxy Watch Active prices and deals in April 2019
- Firefox rolls out defense against two pernicious security and privacy issues
- Slack joins forces with Microsoft Office 365
- Best gaming chair 2019: the best PC gaming chairs
- Best gaming mouse pads 2019: the best mouse mats for gamers
- Best PC power supply 2019: top PSUs for your PC
- Best RAM 2019: the top memory for your PC
- Best CPU cooler 2019: top CPU coolers for your PC
- The best PC case 2019: top cases for your desktop computer
- Best webcams 2019: the top webcams for your PC
- Best computer speakers 2019: the best audio systems for your PC
- Samsung TV catalog 2019: here’s every new Samsung TV coming in 2019
- An Nvidia GPU benchmark leak suggests an RTX 2070 Ti, but the details are odd
- These Sky TV and broadband bundle deals are perfect for watching Game of Thrones
- EU publishes guidelines on building ethical AI
- Best all-in-one printer 2019: the top picks for print, scan and copy
- Red Dead Online: beta, latest news, updates and multiplayer features
- PS5: All the games, specs, news, and rumors for Sony’s Playstation 5
| The best cheap smart home devices and gadget deals in April 2019 Posted: 09 Apr 2019 01:38 PM PDT Upgrade your living space into a smart home without breaking the bank with our hand-picked smart home devices that include speakers, security cameras, light bulbs and more. Create a smart home hub with these gadgets that work with Amazon Alexa and the Google Assistant to simplify your technology and help make your day-to-day life even easier. The best smart home device dealsThe 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. Secure your home the smart way with the Schlage Connect Touchscreen Deadbolt. The Schlage connect features a touch screen keypad which allows for keyless entry. This lets every member in your family have their own 4-digit code that will be easy to remember. You can also create temporary codes for visitors and never have to worry about replacing locks or exchanging keys. The Schlage Connect is Z-Wave compatible and connects to your home automation system which allows you to lock or unlock your door remotely. You can also use your voice to control the lock with any Amazon Alexa compatible device. The deadbolt features a built-in alarm that comes in three different modes that will alert you when someone is coming or going and communicate any potential security threats. 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.
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| MEGA launches new business-focused offering Posted: 09 Apr 2019 01:34 PM PDT In an effort to better cater to the needs of business users, the cloud storage company MEGA has released a new product to help facilitate secure file storage, file sharing and communication for teams of users. The company's new product, MEGA for Business, allows one user to be elevated to administrator status with the ability to add or remove users in their MEGA team and transfer users or their files even if a user is unavailable or happens to forget their password. Teams will be able to communicate directly and securely with MEGAchat for text messaging and high quality audio and video calls. All of these communications are protected with 'zero-knowledge' user-controlled end-to-end encryption.
Product Development Facilitator at MEGA, Robert Richardson explained why the company decided to launch a version of its service just for businesses, saying: “MEGA Privacy has been helping users with security and privacy for over 5 years now, constantly adding more features to improve our users' experience. One of the common things we’ve been hearing from users is that MEGA is great for personal use, but they wish we had a solution for a business application. We’ve been listening and are proud to announce the release of MEGA for Business.” MEGA for BusinessMEGA for Business features full support for Windows, macOS and Linux and its MEGA desktop app allows for real time synchronization. Account admins will be able to transfer user data to the team admin account for auditing purposes or if a colleague is unavailable. They will also easily be able to disable or reactivate sub-users with no loss of data as well as securely add new users who automatically become contacts with existing users of the MEGA for Business account. MEGA for Business provides unlimited data storage and data transfer for $11 per month per user though a minimum of three users is required. The company recommends its new service for businesses that need to maintain confidential information such as lawyers working the clients, architects or engineers working with large data files, security consultancies or private investigators sharing files with clients or design studios transferring large multimedia files to clients. MEGA for Business is now available and you can learn more by visiting the company's website.
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| The best Samsung Galaxy Watch Active prices and deals in April 2019 Posted: 09 Apr 2019 01:03 PM PDT Samsung's announcement of its new Galaxy S10 phone wasn't the only new product information to drop. The tech retailer also announced its newest Galaxy smartwatch - the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active. The newest Samsung wearable is available now for purchase, so we've rounded up the best Samsung Galaxy watch prices and deals for from several retailers below. As the name implies, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active is focused on fitness, and its new design and features reflect that. The ultra-lightweight Galaxy Active comes in one size and features a 1.1-inch display. The fitness watch continually monitors your heart and will send alerts when an abnormal heart rate is detected. The Samsung watch can also help with your sleep and stress, analyzing your sleep patterns and sending you breathing exercises when high stress levels are detected. The Galaxy Active will also help you keep on track with your health and fitness goals by tracking up to 39 exercises and displaying your health summary on the smartwatch display. The waterproof watch comes in four different colors and has a battery that lasts for days on a single charge. Samsung Galaxy Watch pricesThe Samsung Galaxy Active Watch currently retails for $199.99/£229. The main reason the Active Watch is cheaper than the original Samsung Galaxy Watch ($329 / £279 for the 42mm model) is that the Active is missing the rotatable bezel, a core feature from the Samsung Galaxy Watch. So navigation of the menus and features is handled by the touchscreen and two side buttons. If you plan on using the Samsung watch just for fitness purposes, then the Galaxy Active is a great alternative at a lower price. You'll find all of the prices from several retailers below. You can also find out more about the Samsung smartwatch with our Samsung Galaxy Watch Active review. If you're interested in Samsung's newest phone you can find the best Samsung Galaxy S10 prices and deals in the US, and we've got you covered for UK pre-order deals of the Galaxy S10 too. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Firefox rolls out defense against two pernicious security and privacy issues Posted: 09 Apr 2019 12:49 PM PDT When you're browsing the internet, there are plenty of things you don't want to have happen. You probably don't want a sketchy website to identify and track you. And, you definitely don't want a webpage to use your computer's hardware and electricity to mine cryptocurrency that you don't get any cut of. Mozilla is tackling those issues with a new security tool in the Firefox browser. While the new security tools aren't here for the wide-release version of Firefox yet, they've both launched on Firefox Nightly 68 and Firefox Beta 67. They are not enabled by default, but Mozilla plans to eventually have them turned on automatically in all versions of Firefox. What and howThe new security tools aim to block scripts on websites that can identify your computers hardware or use that hardware to mine cryptocurrency. In the case of fingerprinting, scripts can identify the hardware in your computer and device configuration information to create an identifier for you that is independent of cookies. In other words, clearing the cookies from your browsers won't trick the sites, since they'd be able to check your computer's details again using the scripts and recognize it from the previous visit. Cryptojacking scripts, meanwhile, can be detrimental to your online experience, as they'll use your computer's processing power (and your battery or electricity), to mine cryptocurrency. This can be harmful to your computer while also slowing down performance of other tasks. Firefox's new security tool works by blocking these scripts. Mozilla has worked together with Disconnect to identify domains that serve these fingerprinting and cryoptojacking scripts. So, if they are detected, Firefox's Content Blocking protections will stop them from running. You can enable these security tools in Firefox Nightly 68 and Beta 67 by going to the Firefox main menu > Preferences > Privacy ad Security, selecting Custom under Content Blocking, and checking Cryptominers and Fingerprinters.
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| Slack joins forces with Microsoft Office 365 Posted: 09 Apr 2019 11:45 AM PDT Businesses use a wide variety of apps, tools and services to communicate and collaborate everyday and now Slack is making things easier for Office 365 users by integrating Microsoft's services into its platform. The messaging service is getting a new Outlook calendar and mail app, an updated OneDrive app and users will now be able to preview Office files directly within Slack. The company is making it easier to keep track of all your meetings and calendar invites by bringing them into Slack through the new Outlook calendar app. Users will receive a message when a meeting invite arrives and they will even be able to respond with just one click.
Reminders to join Skype, Webex or Zoom meetings will also appear and the Outlook calendar app will now be able to set your Slack status automatically based on your calendar including setting “out of office” as your status if it has been enabled in Outlook. Deeper integrationSlack users can now bring emails right into their channels thanks to the addition of Outlook mail integration. They will even be able to forward emails directly from Outlook into a Slack channel with the new Outlook add-in. Importing files from Microsoft's cloud storage service will also be possible as a result of an update to Slack's OneDrive app. This functionality is similar to the company's existing Dropbox and Google Drive integration which allows users to browse files and add them into a channel or direct message. Working with Office documents will now be easier in Slack as the company is enabling full previews of PowerPoint slides, Word documents and Excel spreadsheets. These files can be previewed without having to open them and the firm hopes to bring this functionality to OneDrive files as well. While Microsoft Teams has been gaining ground in its fight against Slack, many businesses often rely on both products for their workloads. By offering greater integration with Microsoft's products, Slack is giving its users another reason to continue using its platform as opposed to searching for an alternative. Via The Verge
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| Best gaming chair 2019: the best PC gaming chairs Posted: 09 Apr 2019 11:43 AM PDT Let’s say you just got a new gaming PC, a new gaming monitor and maybe even picked up some of the best PC games that’ve been on your list for a while. But, where are you going to sit? Rather than settling for that ratty old office chair handed down to you by your dad, the best gaming chairs can take your gaming experience to another level. After all, no one wants to emerge from an hours-long gaming binge looking like Igor from Young Frankenstein. But, these days there are so many gaming chairs on the market, and a lot of knockoffs that will break in a couple weeks. That’s why we thought it was about time we used our expert sitting knowledge to gather up the best gaming chairs on the market right now. From chairs that will make you look like a futuristic race car driver to more bland and stealthy affairs, we have you covered. We’ll help you find the perfect gaming chair for your set up, so you can spend more time sitting and gaming, and less time shopping. Because – let’s be honest – we do our own fair share of sitting here at TechRadar, and we’re very familiar with the best gaming chairs. Whereas most gaming chairs try to market themselves as being luxuriously upholstered with leather, Secretlab has shown fabric is the way to go. Between the Secretlab Titan’s SoftWeave fabric exterior and extremely plush padding, you won’t find anything softer or more comfortable this. This throne of gaming chairs also comes with a larger seat, subdued molding and built-in lumbar support, so it really is unlike anything else on the market. It’s no exaggeration to call the Noblechairs Epic Real Leather the best gaming chair. From the cross-thatched embroidery to the real leather of its namesake, if you’re looking for a no-compromises gaming throne, this is it. Plus, it’s surprisingly quick and easy to set up. And, once the set-up is complete, the Epic Real Leather is a dream to sit on – and you can customize your position however you want. Just do us a favor, and read the instructions while you’re setting it up. If you want to play games all day in comfort, but you don’t want a chair that looks like you’re playing games all day, the Autonomous ErgoChair 2 is for you. Marketed as an office chair, the ErgoChair 2 has a very modern and stylish aesthetic to it that will appeal to anyone that doesn’t use RGB as a personality trait. It’s not all style either, as the ErgoChair lets you adjust basically every part of the chair, so that no matter how your body is built, you’re guaranteed to be comfortable while gaming.
You don’t so much as sit on the Secretlab Omega, but rather, you float on it. Not only does this gaming chair some of the thickest foam we’ve ever had the luxury of sitting on, both the neck pillow and lumbar pillow are also made of memory foam covered in velour. Most gaming chairs are designed to be slept in, but the Secretlab Omega is the only one comfortable enough for us to doze off in long stretches. Leather and fabric have their advantages, namely to comfort and texture, but sometimes a mesh office chair is best – especially if you live in a warmer climate, where breathability is of utmost importance. The Respawn-300 combines the racing-seat design and lumbar support and mesh material from some high-end office chairs. It really does take comfort to another level and is one of the best PC gaming chairs you can buy today.
Corsair is known for making popular and high-end PC components and gaming peripherals. It’s only fitting, then, that they dip their toes into the gaming chair game – and they may have made one of the best gaming chairs yet. Covered top to bottom in breathable PU leather with neck and lumbar pillows wrapped in microfiber, you’ll be able to game both in comfort and style. And with its rollerblade-style wheels, you’ll be able to move it around on any surface without having to worry about scratching up your floor. Noblechairs is well known for crafting some of the best gaming chairs out there – and the Noblechairs Icon makes it clear why. While it’s more affordable than the flagship Epic Real Leather, it’s still extremely comfortable and one of the best PC gaming chairs out there. This is thanks to its nice lumbar pillow, which you can easily remove if you don’t like it. The Edge GX1 is a gaming chair that actively avoids the popular racing style that is increasingly popular with modern gaming chairs. Rather than sticking to a form factor that’s designed to limit your movement, the Edge GX1 instead aims to give an ergonomic experience, where comfort is the priority – while also providing a premium chair. And when we say premium, we mean it, with the Edge GX1 costing £800, a huge amount for a gaming chair. It’s hand-crafted in the UK, and there’s some great touches, such as inflatable lumbar support. It’s a huge asking price, but we’ve been using it for a while now, and it is very comfortable. You’ll have to adjust a bit, but once you get it right, it’s worth the high price. It ships worldwide from the UK, but US and Australia readers should beware the high shipping costs. You can only buy this chair direct from Edge There’s a certain subset of the PC gaming community that needs to have the absolute best of everything, at whatever the cost. These people are going to be absolutely enamored with the Vertagear Triigger 350 SE. It features over 350 individual components with a mix metal, mesh, leather and high-end plastics to create the ultimate PC gaming chair. If you have the money to spare, and you can’t stand to have anything less than the best, you might want to give this chair a look. The Nitro Concepts C80 is a gorgeous, comfortable gaming chair that could easily blend in in an office environment – it looks more expensive than it is. Nitro Concepts made one of the best gaming chairs by keeping the price down, while keeping compromises to a minimum – like using polyurethane instead of leather. And, no compromises were made in the build quality, either – this is an impressively sturdy gaming chair. Just make sure you get a friend to help you put it together – constructing this thing had us tearing our hair out.
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| Best gaming mouse pads 2019: the best mouse mats for gamers Posted: 09 Apr 2019 11:42 AM PDT Just a few years ago, the best mouse pad for gaming, was just a regular old mouse pad, maybe one with an extra-slick surface. Fast forward to 2019, however, and the best gaming mouse pads have changed drastically. Some even feature wireless charging, RGB lighting and a multitude of different surfaces. The best gaming mouse pads have evolved to include the latest features gamers demand from all their peripherals. It should be obvious that having a good mouse pad is essential, but if you’re already playing the best PC games on the best gaming PC with the best gaming mouse, why would you settle for anything less than the best mouse pad? Spoilers: you wouldn’t. Yeah, there are hundreds of mouse pads on the market, but that means it’s hard to find the best one for your needs. Whether you want to light up your desk like a Christmas Tree, or if you want a slick pad for maximum accuracy and response times in your favorite eSports title, we’ve found the best gaming mouse pads you can use today. Image Credit: Corsair The Corsair MM600 isn’t interested in distracting you with brightly colored lights like the MM800. Instead, it offers a great deal more versatility than its higher priced sibling. This double sided mouse pad stays secure in place with rubber stoppers on each corner so that your mouse moves – not your mouse pad. The MM600 is also made of aluminum, and features a low-friction surface that will boost your response times in-game. Image Credit: SteelSeries Existing solely as a budget mousepad, the SteelSeries QcK does exactly what you want out of a mousepad and nothing more. The QcK’s surface material has a high thread count for extremely precise mouse control and a smooth glide. At the same time, its rubber base helps prevent it from sliding around your desk while you’re gaming. It comes in a variety of shapes and sizes and there’s even a higher end version with RGB lighting – the SteelSeries QcK Prism. Image Credit: Cooler Master There are a lot of mouse pads out there that we love in theory, but just won’t fit our desk – either too big or entirely too small. However, the Cooler Master MP510 looks to get on top of this problem by offering 4 different sizes, from a small pad that’ll fit any desk to a giant mouse pad that will take up even the largest desk. It’s made of a durable Cordura fabric that won’t fray, stain or even absorb liquid. So, you won't have to panic when you inevitably spill your drink – except for all your other peripherals, we guess.
Image Credit: Razer Sure, everyone loves RGB lighting, but what if you’re looking for an unobtrusive, seamless desk surface? Well, the ultra thin – less than half a millimeter in height – Razer Sphex v2 is the mouse pad for you. Despite its thin profile, the polycarbonate surface is durable and optimised for laser or optical gaming mouse control. We picked the regular size, but if you have a smaller desk, there’s a Small size variant as well. Image Credit: Roccat The top of the Hiro+ is covered in a vulcanized silicone surface with a 3D structure to help increase your gaming accuracy and speed. The base has a non-slip surface for steady mouse control, and the edges have been rounded for a smoother profile. Its surface is also coated to protect from water and grime, and makes for easy cleaning. Image Credit: Corsair Most people think that the best gaming mouse pads are just glorified tablecloths that you move your mouse on top of. Well, until the Corsair MM1000 Qi hit the market, that was almost right. Not only is this thing one of the best gaming mouse pads, but it also features Qi charging. Launching alongside the Corsair Dark Core RGB SE, which itself features Qi compatibility, the MM1000 Qi isn’t just Corsair’s answer to the Logitech PowerPlay, it takes mouse pads to the next level. Image Credit: Razer If you’ve had your eye on a RGB mouse-pad to match all of your tricked out peripherals, and you didn’t want to settle for a rigid piece of plastic, you’re in luck. The Razer Goliathus takes Razer’s expert RGB implementation and throws into a soft gaming mouse pad that will let you score those headshots in comfort and style. Image Credit: Corsair You simply can’t go out looking for the best mouse mat for gaming in 2019 without considering RGB. All the hottest gaming peripherals right now boast about how they can light your desk up like a Christmas tree, and the Corsair MM800 RGB Polaris is no different. On top of Corsair’s always-fantastic RGB implementation, the MM800 uses a low-friction finish that’ll allow for quick and precise tracking across its surface. And if the lighting wasn’t enough, the MM800 uses Corsair’s special CUE2 interface to sync its lighting with your other peripherals and even your PC through RGB share. It’s even available in two materials: cloth and a micro-texture surface. Image Credit: Asus The Asus ROG Scabbard is less mouse pad and more ‘everything pad’. It can hold your laptop or keyboard and mouse, and whatever other accessories you have lying around – it’s seriously huge. It has a non-slip ROG-red rubber base and low-friction Sheath woven surface for gaming control. Asus has even temperature tested the ROG scabbard down to -30°C – but why you’d game in sub-zero conditions is unimaginable, unless you really take overclocking that seriously. Image Credit: MSI Are other mouse pads just too soft for your gaming setup? Well, if so, you’re in luck – the MSI Thunderstorm gaming mouse pad is all metal. To be precise, this gaming mouse pad is made of an anodized, hairline-surfaced aluminum material with rubber stoppers. This textured surface is optimized for mouse control and speed, while its L shape allows it to be situated close to the keyboard. And, if that metal surface is just too real for you, you can flip it over for a micro-textured surface and the comfort of cloth. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Best PC power supply 2019: top PSUs for your PC Posted: 09 Apr 2019 11:41 AM PDT Before you set out to build a new PC, you should find the best power supply for your build, as it really is critically important. They might not be as exciting as the best graphics card, but every PC component will rely on the power supply for, well, power. You don’t want to compromise on your power supply, even if it does mean you’ll have less cash for one of the best processors. Still, finding the best PC power supply doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. Even if you’re trying to save some cash, you can find a great deal on many of the best PSUs. Don’t worry, there are still high-end power supplies, rocking all the RGB lighting you’d expect and enough power capacity to power a small village – or one of the best gaming PCs with two RTX 2080 Tis in SLI. No matter what you’re looking for, you’ll find the best power supply for your build right here. And, finding the best power supply is so important. If you get a cheap one and it dies on you, replacing it is a terrible experience – trust us, we’ve been there. Many of the symptoms of a dying power supply can slip by completely unnoticed: they can be as subtle as lost power efficiency, and as obvious as having your PC burst into flames. So, don’t wait until something goes wrong, do yourself a favor and pick up one of the best PC power supplies right now. Image Credit: Corsair The Corsair RM750x scores the top spot on this list for one simple reason: it’s the most well-rounded power supply you can buy today. On top of a 10 year warranty and an 80 Gold Plus efficiency rating, the Corsair has a fully modular cable system. This means you only need to install the cables you need – you can say goodbye to the mess of cables and shoddy airflow that non-modular PSUs endure. Image Credit: EVGA If you’re looking for an affordable power supply that doesn’t suck, there aren’t a lot of options out there. In situations like this, an economical option like the EVGA 500 B1 may be right up your alley. For less than the price of a new game, you’ll get a full 500 watts of power transmitted through several SATA cables and two PCIe cables. This is hands down one of the best power supplies because it covers the bare essentials and nothing more, which is exactly what a budget part should do. The three year warranty is just the cherry on top.
Image Credit: be quiet! Even the best PSUs seem to have extremely loud fans, and unlike case fans, it’s not exactly easy to replace them. Luckily, the Straight Power 10 line-up runs nice and quiet. Options range from 400w to 700w, and they’re SLI and Crossfire certified. They’re also modular, meaning you only need to use the cables that are necessary for your build. Image Credit: SilverStone The best PC power supplies unfortunately tend to be giant hunks of metal that don’t fit into smaller PC cases. However, the Silverstone SFX SST SX550 is a compact power supply that fits in plenty of cases. It’s half the size of most of the other PSUs on this list, allowing for more room for better airflow. This makes it an easy pick for anyone building a mini ITX or micro ATX build, and you can even slide it into a mid- or full-tower, if you feel like it. And, with small form-factor PCs being all the rage in 2018 – it’s easy to see why the Silverstone SFX is one of the best PC power supplies. Image Credit: Corsair If you’re a serious builder that plans on building an absolute behemoth of a rig, with multiple graphics cards, cooling systems on top of some healthy overclocking, the Corsair AX1500i is the best PC power supply for you. It has the highest possible 80 Plus Titanium efficiency rating, and is fully modular, so you only need to add the cables your build actually requires. Image Credit: NZXT If you’re really trying to maximise the visual appeal of your build, a modular power supply is almost essential – you can avoid all of those messy looking wires cluttering up your case. The NZXT E650 takes things a step further. Not only is it a fully modular power supply, meaning you only need to connect the wires you actually need, but it’s also extremely attractive itself, begging to be shown off in your case. This is all topped off with an 80 Plus Gold efficiency rating and a 10-year warranty – not only will it look good, but it’ll deliver power efficiently and last forever while it does it. Image Credit: Thermaltake In 2018, if your PC isn’t strapped to the nines with RGB lighting, you’re not trying hard enough. Enter the Thermaltake Smart RGB 700W – not only does it have beautiful, addressable RGB lighting, but it also features a reliable 80 Plus efficiency rating and enough power to support even the best gaming PCs. Yeah, it’s not modular, but at less than a hundred bucks, we’re willing to look the other way – especially with that sick lighting.
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| Best RAM 2019: the top memory for your PC Posted: 09 Apr 2019 11:40 AM PDT 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 memory. 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 spend entirely too much time studying PC hardware, and we’ve picked out the best RAM kits you can buy today. So, whether you’re looking for 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 LEDCorsair 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 RGBAt 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 PredatorKingston’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 FuryThis 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 RGBIf 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 DCSometimes, 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 D80If you’re building an all-out gaming rig, you’ll want the flashiest hardware on offer – who doesn’t want a gaming rig that lights up the entire room? If this sounds appealing, the Adata Spectrix D80 is the RAM to go for. Not only is it available in frequencies up to 5,000MHz, but it’s also liquid cooled, meaning you don’t have to worry about it overheating. 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 RGBHyperX 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 LPXCorsair’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 RAMG.Skill isn’t just dedicated to laptop and desktop RAM, but it also has memory upgrades for Macs. You see, Apple charges inordinate amounts for RAM upgrades, so going with a third party kit can save a ton of money. Well, as long as your Mac is old enough to still have upgradeable RAM. These SO-DIMM kits have a CAS latency between 9 and 11 and feature speeds between 1,333MHz and 1,600MHz. The best bang for your buck seems to be the G.Skill DDR3-1,333 for Mac. Image Credit: Crucial Best Laptop RAM: Crucial Ballistix SportCrucial 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 |
| Best CPU cooler 2019: top CPU coolers for your PC Posted: 09 Apr 2019 11:39 AM PDT What’s cooler than being cool? That’s right, keeping your PC components ice cold. And, before you go out to find more exciting components like the best graphics cards, you should seriously consider picking out the best CPU cooler, in order to build the best gaming PC you can. After all, keeping your CPU at a low temperature will increase your computer’s longevity – and performance. The best CPU coolers come in every shape and size right now, and finding the perfect cooler for your build depends on both your processor and whether or not you plan to overclock. Fortunately, you don’t have to take out a loan to upgrade – many of the best air coolers are extremely affordable. And, there are plenty of elaborate liquid cooling systems out there if you really want to take performance – and your budget – to the next level. No matter what you’re looking for, we’ll help you find the right CPU cooler for your build. We gathered up some of the best CPU coolers on the market. And, because we’ve used all of these coolers ourselves, you can be sure these heat dissipators are worth your time. Plus, with our price comparison tool, you’ll know you’re getting a killer deal every time. Image Credit: Noctua The Noctua NH-D15 is the best CPU cooler you can buy in 2019 simply because it performs just as well as – if not better than some liquid coolers, while costing a fraction of the price. Now, you might not be too familiar with Noctua’s name, as they’re relatively small in the CPU cooler world, but its business is centered around designing coolers, so you know that when you buy one of their products, you’re getting a product by people who really know their craft. Not only will you get fantastic cooling performance from the NH-D15, but it’s nearly silent too. Image Credit: Cooler Master There are some products out there that never really age out of relevance, and the Cooler Master Hyper 212 Evo is still one of the best CPU coolers on the market. Even though it only features four heat pipes and an aluminum fin structure, this legendary CPU cooler has proven again and again to be just as efficient as any liquid cooling system. This air cooler is designed to make heat dissipation a breeze – literally – whether you’re playing Metro Exodus at max settings or browsing Twitter. Image Credit: Noctua Noctua is an Austrian manufacturer that does one thing, and one thing only: make CPU coolers and fans. What this means is that while the Noctua NH-L9 is tiny, it is still capable of insane cooling with no compromises. This is a fantastic cooler for anyone with a smaller build, or even if you’re using a ton of large components, and you’re not comfortable with liquid cooling. Image Credit: Corsair Corsair has enjoyed a position at the top of the liquid cooling game for a while now, and the H100i Pro continues the trend. Not only is this thing obviously strapped in RGB lighting, but it also features impressive cooling performance, thanks to Corsair’s unique and powerful fans, which you can control through the iCue software. This all results in a CPU cooler that not only performs well, but that is also completely customizable. Image Credit: Deepcool If you’re looking for a powerful liquid cooler that’ll help contribute to your epic RGB setup, the Deepcool Gamerstorm Castle 240 RGB is the best CPU cooler for you. Beyond the ridiculous name, it’s a reliable AIO cooler that can push your overclocks higher and higher with addressable RGB that’s compatible with a wide range of controllers – so you can effortlessly sync your lighting. The CPU Block stands a little high, but when it looks this good, does it really matter? Image Credit: NZXT If you’re running one of the best processors, and you want to push it to the limit, the NZXT Kraken X72 is the best CPU cooler for overclocking. Not only does it pack a gigantic radiator, but its high fan speeds ensure that cooling performance is top-notch all the time. And, because it’s 2019, it features addressable RGB and an infinite mirror design that looks amazing in any case. Then, to top it all off, the NZXT Kraken X72 is backed by a 6 year warranty. Image Credit: Cooler Master There isn’t a single component that can’t be improved through RGB, and Cooler Master is well aware – jumping on the RGB bandwagon with the MasterLIquid ML 120R RGB. What’s more, it integrates some of the first addressable LEDs seen on a liquid cooler. This all-in-one liquid cooling solution isn’t just about aesthetics – it features an oxidation free pump and an efficient radiator. This means that not only will it last longer – but it’ll keep your CPU cooler, and all without giving up too much case real estate. Image Credit: Arctic For less than 70 big ones in both US dollars and British sterling, the Arctic Liquid Freezer 120 is a deal you can’t pass up if you’re on the prowl for a liquid cooler that won’t break the bank. While it lacks the bells and whistles of pricier, more extravagant liquid coolers, like the NZXT Kraken, the Arctic Liquid cooler is enough to get you by, not to mention it’s still a massive step up from the classic fan and heatsink pairing. So, while you can’t expect RGB lighting or software – or even hardware-based fan control, the 120mm variant of the Arctic Liquid Freezer will keep your system refrigerated at a (mostly) quiet volume.
Image Credit: Corsair Even if your budget will allow you to really go all-out on a serious liquid cooling solutions, if you have a smaller PC case, you’ll likely not have enough space. That’s where something like the Corsair Hydro H5 SF comes into play. Even on the smallest PC cases, you should able to use this CPU cooler to keep your CPU chilled, even if you have some beastly overclocks going on. And, because it’s a closed loop, you don’t even need to worry about maintenance. Set it up, and let it do its thing – you won’t be disappointed. Image Credit: NoFan Unless you’re already neck deep in the rabbit hole that is silent PC assembly, you’ve probably never heard of NoFan, a South Korean component company that specializes in helping enthusiasts reach that 0dBA silent sweet spot. In doing so, of course, you can count on severely limiting yourself in terms of power, with its CR-95C fanless solution being limited in compatibility to processors whose TDP fall below 95W. Still, the NoFan CR-95C is worth a shot for those sporting low-power rigs that prioritize tranquility over raw horsepower.
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| The best PC case 2019: top cases for your desktop computer Posted: 09 Apr 2019 11:38 AM PDT If you’re looking to build the best PC you can, it’s tempting to focus on the best graphics cards, processors, RAM and SSDs. But, which PC case do you go with? Do you save some cash, and get the cheapest metal box you can find? Or, do you pick up the best PC case you can find, so your components are kept cool – both in temperature and style? We might be biased, but we’d go with the latter. You won’t just get a more aesthetic experience, but your PC will last longer, too. The best PC cases may sound minor next to something ‘important’ like a processor or a beefy Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti. However, because heat is the mortal enemy of all PC components, having a reliable PC case that can optimize airflow is critically important to the lifespan of your PC. And, the best PC cases will determine how much room you have for future expansion. So, if you want to keep your PC running cool and up-to-date, you’ll want one of the best PC cases. But, there are just so many PC cases out there right now. And, while this means there are plenty of affordable options out there, it can be hard to get something worthwhile. That’s why we gathered up the best PC cases on the market right now. So, if you don’t know which chassis you’re building in yet, you’ve come to the right place. Image Credit: Corsair There’s a popular phrase out there: if you’re going to do it, do it big. We’re not totally sure if anyone ever actually said that, but the Corsair Obsidian 1000D would certainly qualify as ‘doing it big’. Packed front to back with 18 fan mounts and room for four 480mm radiators, this is the best PC case for keeping your system cool no matter how many high-end components you have. What’s more, this is a dual-system case, so you can build two separate computers here. Just think about it – you can fit both your gaming rig and your streaming PC into this single case. Image Credit: Fractal Design It is extremely rare to see any PC case that even vaguely resembles the Fractal Design Meshify-C. Given that the front of the case is entirely made of a mesh material sectioned off into an array of polygonal shapes, the Meshify-C has a unique style – without compromising on function. With two fans pre-installed, cooling is (forgive us) a breeze, even if the Meshify-C is held back by a number of obstacles. Image Credit: Nanoxia Nanoxia Deep Silence 4, as it’s name suggests, was crafted with the sole purpose of being quiet as a mouse. This silence-focused case is a well-balanced Micro ATX case that’s affordably priced and even accommodates some of the biggest, most powerful graphics cards with its spacious interior. The fact that you’ll rarely hear it go above 30 decibels is just icing on the very taciturn cake.
Image Credit: NZXT Every single day mini-ITX gets more popular, and closer to toppling Micro ATX. And, it makes sense – why not spring for a small computer that can get just as much work done as a full tower? NZXT’s new H-series case line manages to integrate a ton of the same features as its Micro ATX and mid-tower equivalents, with mesmerizing, built-in and smart device-controlled RGB lighting and an adaptive noise sensor that sees improvement only by way of the Grid+ V3 fan controller. Image Credit: Phanteks When you first look at the Phanteks Evolv Shift X, it looks more like a sound bar than one of the best PC cases, but this helps it vanish into any living area or studio setup. It’s flexible to the point that it looks natural placed under a TV as it does on a desk, next to one of the best gaming monitors. It may only be compatible with a Mini-ITX motherboard, but the Phanteks Evolv Shift X offers tons of space for components and liquid cooling loops. If this case is a little large for your preference, you can get the smaller Phanteks Evolv Shift for easier management. Image Credit: Fractal Design Fractal Design wins again with the Define R5, yet another mid-tower case with a gorgeous aesthetic. The metallic and blue LED-lit face of this case is simple, yet elegant, and is accompanied by noise dampening materials throughout its interior. In spite of the detachable ModuVent panels and drive trays not being toolessly accessible, it’s incredibly easy to build a system inside of the Fractal Design Define R5, plus it’s not as expense as you’d expect from a PC case with such a pretentious name, either. Image Credit: Cooler Master Cooler Master is kind of known for, well, cooling things – and the Cooler Master H500P Mesh is evidence of how it got there. This beautiful RGB-packed case has plenty of room for airflow, even accommodating up to 360mm radiators on the top and front for when you really want to take your cooling to the next level. Add on top of that the RGB lighting and tempered glass side panel and you have the potential to build something beautiful with this case. Go for it. Image Credit: Corsair If you’re looking to save a few bucks, while still getting one of the best PC cases, look no further than the Corsair Carbide Series SPEC-04 Tempered Glass. Not only does it have plenty of space for airflow, it also has a deceptively large amount of space for future expansion, meaning that even at this low price point, you won’t have to worry about fitting a full-sized graphics card. And, when you’re done building, the tempered glass side panel will allow you to show off your handiwork. Image Credit: Antec The Antec Cube is without a doubt the best PC case for you Razer fans out there. While Razer hasn’t made its own desktop PC (not yet, anyway), you can build a Mini-ITX gaming PC, pretending it’s a razer product. You see, Antec partnered with Razer to bring its signature green-infused flare to the Cube, a small form-factor chassis. Complete with a deceptively high amount of space for future expansion, the Antec Cube is also compact enough to travel with. Image Credit: Phantex Who says dual-system builds have to be in a hulking full-tower case? The Phanteks Evolv X takes dual-system compatibility and squeezes it into a mid-tower. Even with that second Mini-ITX motherboard installed, there’s plenty of room for E-ATX motherboards and power supplies, and ample cooling. It is pricey for a mid-tower case, but with all this functionality, it kind of has to be. It’s thanks to all of these high-end features that the Phanteks Evolv X is one of the best PC cases around today.
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| Best webcams 2019: the top webcams for your PC Posted: 09 Apr 2019 11:37 AM PDT While it’s true that it’s hard to find a laptop or all-in-one PC without an HD webcam built in, many desktop PC users need an external solution. Luckily, there are so many webcams out there to choose from. These days, you can pick up one of the best webcams yourself for a similar – or even better – experience. So, what should you look for in the best webcams? Well, like most things, it’ll boil down to how you use it. Are you looking to become the next Twitch celebrity? Or, do you just want to have some friendly video calls every now and then? Regardless of what you’re on the market for, we’ll make sure you find the right webcam for you. From high-quality shooters with high-end aesthetics and high resolution, to affordable webcams that will get the job done, we’ve found all the best webcams. We’ve even included our exclusive price comparison tool, so you can be sure you’re getting the best webcam deal. Image Credit: Logitech Logitech's newest webcam, the Logitech G922 Pro Stream features the same classy design as the C920 before it, but it’s especially interesting for gamers this time around. The C922 still boasts excellent 1080p video quality when it comes to hosting video calls, and its automatic low-light correction makes it a great cam for streaming with the lights off. It also supports background removal, making it ideal for budding YouTubers. Image Credit: Razer The Razer Kiyo looks weird, that’s for sure, but it’s still one of the best webcams out there for streaming – something that’s unbelievably popular right now. But, with the Razer Kiyo, Razer has stripped away a lot of the bells and whistles that more premium webcams offer, focusing instead on what matters to game streamers – good image quality and lighting through a “Light Ring”. This ensures you don’t need to spend a ton of time configuring the stream – just plug in the Razer Kiyo and get to work. Image Credit: Microsoft If you’re looking for a webcam that prioritizes value above all else, or even if you just need it for video calls, the Microsoft LifeCam HD-3000 is for you. You won’t get 1080p video at this price point, but you do get automatic color correction, a noise-cancelling unidirectional microphone and a stand to fit laptops and desktops alike. It’s an affordable solution to any PC without a camera, or even a camera that isn’t very good. Image Credit: Mevo If you’re trying to do some live streaming, or you’re trying to capture the magic of the real world, Mevo might be right up your alley. If you’re an aspiring journalist, you’re going to want to keep an eye on the Mevo or the Mevo Plus, as either of these webcams will let you capture footage live, no matter where you are in the world – as long as you can connect to a mobile network. As an bonus, Mevo is small and inconspicuous enough to not distract your subject in the middle of an interview. Image Credit: Microsoft Aimed at pro users with large displays, the LifeCam Studio features a familiar combination of 1080p recording and 720p live video calling. It rotates 360 degrees, and can be mounted on a tripod with autofocus. The wideband mic delivers crystal clear sound and Microsoft’s TrueColor system will shift the exposure dynamically to keep you well lit. It’s a great choice for business conferencing and presentations. Read the full review: Microsoft LifeCam Studio Image Credit: Logitech Have you ever looked at a webcam in disgust because it doesn’t push as many pixels as your smartphone? Well, the Logitech Brio might be right up your alley. With a 4K UHD resolution and HDR, the Logitech Brio has brought high fidelity to the world of the best webcams. And, if that wasn’t enough, it also features Windows Hello functionality and an easy to use stand which will let you position it wherever you need. Image Credit: Creative Creative may not be the first company you think of when you’re looking for the best webcams, but after the Creative Labs Senz3D, that will change. This space-age webcam has more features than you can shake a stick at, and the high-tech 3D scanner and facial tracking tech promises to lead to some intriguing things in both AR functionality and even gaming. It isn’t cheap, but you’re getting all the bells and whistles with this Creative webcam Image Credit: Logitech The C930e claims to be Logitech's most advanced HD webcam and it's also one of the most expensive ones on the market. But, unlike traditional webcams, which rely on the PC to do the heavy lifting, this unit does the video encoding itself, which should in turn result in better video quality. The wide, 90-degree field of view means it’s well-suited to business videoconferencing and presentations, and of course it’s Skype-certified for PC and Mac. Image Credit: Samsung Samsung smart TV’s aren’t compatible with most of the best webcams. Luckily, though, Samsung has its own proprietary camera for its H, HU, JS and JU models. We wouldn’t recommend buying one for Skype, as the smart TV version of Skype is no longer supported, but if you want to use Samsung’s own gesture control features and its virtual mirror for fitness apps, then it’s your only real option.
Image Credit: Ausdom If you’re looking for a full HD webcam without the full HD webcam price, this little webcam is currently pretty cheap. Bolstering resolutions up to 1080p HD while supporting 12MP stills, a noise-cancelling microphone and low-light compensation, this camera is feature-packed yet frugal. There’s no autofocus and you don’t get a big bundle of software, but the low, low price more than makes up for any shortcomings.
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| Best computer speakers 2019: the best audio systems for your PC Posted: 09 Apr 2019 11:36 AM PDT You’ve probably already heard plenty of people out there telling you that the best headphones are the only way to get fantastic sound when using a computer. But, what if you’re not comfortable wearing headphones day-in and day-out? For everyone else, the best computer speakers are a fantastic ideal. Still, like any piece of PC hardware, finding the best computer speakers isn’t quite as easy as you’d think. Before you pick the best computer speakers for your setup, there are a few things you need to consider. How do they sound? Is the surround or stereo separation up to snuff? Do they start to grate on you after a couple minutes? Is the sound nice and balanced? These are all important questions to ask. It’s also important to consider what you’ll do with your new speakers. Are you looking tto play some of PC games, like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, where immersion is the name of the game? Do you just want to watch Glass, trying to piece together exactly what’s happening in that movie? Or, do you just want to sit back, relax and vibe to the new Weyes Blood album? No matter what you want to do, we’ve found the best computer speakers for the job, so you can revolutionize the way your PC sounds. Image Credit: Audioengine Sure, the Audioengine A2+ launched four years ago, but they’re still the best computer speakers on the market. These aesthetically pleasing speakers will work with your PC’s USB port for uncompressed audio and beautiful audio quality with its built-in DAC. The Audioengine A2+ doesn’t come with a bass, but that’s not a problem unless you need really deep bass. Luckily, there is an RCA output, so it’s a breeze to connect an external woofer. Image Credit: Logitech While they may be more expensive than you’d expect to pay for the brand’s speakers, the Logitech Z623 is still very affordable when you consider just how powerful they are. The Z623 may look like your average pair of speakers, but its subwoofer produces a thundering sound that can easily dialed up or down depending on your preference. And, it offers a great soundstage – with great highs and mids – making for a more immersive gaming and movie experience. Image Credit: Logitech Logitech is practically a household name in home entertainment and gaming, but never before has it combined the two so spectacularly. The first Logitech computer speakers designed for gaming, the Logitech G560 are the best computer speakers for gaming – no contest. Not only do they feature RGB lighting, but through Logitech’s software, the multi-colored illumination can adapt to any kind of content you consume – whether it’s your favorite game, or the latest music. Image Credit: Razer The Razer Nommo has a weird name, a weird appearance and a high price. And, while you might find yourself wincing at the $500 price tag, the Razer Nommo Pro has a lot to offer. You get a beefy down-firing subwoofer that’ll almost literally blow you away, but it also features Razer Chroma, so they’ll look just as good as they sound. There are definitely cheaper computer speakers out there, but with this level of quality, the Razer Nommo Pro is worth it.
Image Credit: Harman Kardon If you look at the Harmon Kardon Soundsticks III long enough, they’ll start looking like some kind of jellyfish. These translucent computer speakers look more like a modern art installation, rather than a functional speaker system – but that all changes once you turn them on. This speaker and sub combo features booming bass thanks to its woofer, while still producing crisp highs. You’ll get excellent sound at a decent price, making it perfect for music fans with a mid-range budget.
Image Credit: Edifier It might be a bit bassy for some people, but the Edifier E25 Luna Eclipse is a gorgeous speaker setup that not only looks good, but it also features amazing sound. The Luna, which comes in red, white and black, offers a powerful but controlled bass, fantastic balance with sharp mids and good stereo separation. It even includes a really nifty little remote control. The Luna Eclipse are some of the best computer speakers out there, especially if you like to pump up the volume with little to no distortion – and, who doesn’t? Image Credit: Logitech The Logitech MX Sound Speakers are simply the best wireless PC speakers you can buy today. They’re a thing of beauty, with their eccentric circular design and silver accents. And, for the price, they definitely deliver a little more than what you’d expect from the best laptop speakers. The bass may sometimes overpower the mids and highs, but it still delivers an excellent soundstage and powerful audio, which makes it great for gaming. It also features dual Bluetooth connectivity so you can connect two devices simultaneously. Finally, the backlit motion sensor controls are so sensitive, a light touch is all it needs. Read the full review: Logitech MX Sound Image Credit: Klipsch The Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 speaker system brings enhanced sound for versatile use, so that whether you’re listening to music, watching movies, or playing games, you’re getting the best computer speaker experience. These THX-certified speakers boast power, a wide frequency range (31Hz to 20kHz), and a detailed audio quality with punch bass, maximum clarity and great balance. We’re not exaggerating when we say it’s powerful enough to replicate that home theater quality.
Image Credit: Dell Dell’s AE715 may not be the most powerful speaker in the market. It produces a decent 360-degree sound that, while is fairly common in portable audio, is a rarity with computer speakers. For it's low, low price, this Bluetooth speaker is nothing amazing; not a lot of bass and there’s a bit of delay, but the audio quality good enough if your listening standards aren’t quite as demanding. However, what you’re getting in exchange are its wireless functionality, the USB charging port so you can charge the device, and the built-in mic so you can use it for conference calls. It’s definitely a great portable, wireless solution.
Image Credit: Mackie Mackie CR4BT promises professional-grade performance, which is a lot more than what its competitors offer. The question is, does it really do that? Well, they sound good for a premium pair of speakers, but there are drawbacks including thinner mid range, and high bass cut off at 70 Hz, which means while there’s good bass presence, you might be missing the really low stuff. The pros, however, include the acoustic foam pads to isolate the speakers from the surface it’s standing on, and the front auxiliary input. Overall, these aren’t your run-of-the-mill computer speakers. They are useful for multimedia creation and production as well.
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| Samsung TV catalog 2019: here’s every new Samsung TV coming in 2019 Posted: 09 Apr 2019 10:45 AM PDT What does 2019 look like for Samsung TVs? The world's biggest manufacturer of televisions is, as always, firing on all cylinders. You can expect to see modular televisions, new 8K upscaling techniques, expanded use of the Bixby smart assistant and, strangely enough, an exclusive iTunes app for Samsung TVs. Samsung is expecting the 8K market to grow pretty quickly over the next few years (up to 2 million units per year by 2020, and double that in 2021) but in the meantime the main focus is on the 4K UHD televisions on offer.
Samsung's new range of dazzlingly bright QLED TVs are now available to buy in the US – or pre-order in the UK, before going on general sale March 27th. If QLED is still a bit too rich for your blood or the idea of a 2,000-nit TV sounds like a bit overkill, don't worry – there are still plenty of mid-class screens that offer solid picture performance at an affordable price. With so many models to take in, we thought it'd be beneficial for to see the entire line-up, from the high-end QLED to the entry-level TVs, all on one page. One word of warning first: It’s worth noting that a lot of the specs listed below could potentially change as we get closer to the retail release of these screens, but for the most part the specs you see here should be the components that make it in the final product. Samsung's MicroLED is modular, meaning it can be built in a variety of different shapes and sizes (Image Credit: Samsung) Samsung 2019 TV technologySo what has Samsung got planned for the year ahead? For 2019, Samsung is pushing forward with its MicroLED panels, which feature millions of microscopic blue, red, and green LEDS for an incredible level of color and light control. On the large end, there's the new 219-inch model of Samsung's The Wall, and on the less-large-but-still-large end, the 75-inch The Window – made possible by smaller, more compact clusters of LEDS – with both looking ahead to a flexible future where you can customize your TV shape for any size or aspect ratio you please. Of course, the star of the show for Samsung in 2019 is still the QLED, or 'quantum dot' TV screen – a variation on traditional LED-LCD panels that feature a peak brightness between 1,500 and 2,000 nits. For a reference point, that’s about twice as bright as the competition from 2017 and four to five times as bright as the HD/SDR TV you’re used to watching. Each QLED this year will feature a new ‘Ultra Viewing Angle’ technology, reworking the backlight to ensure improved contrast and colour accuracy even at tighter angles – a necessity given the ever-growing screen sizes. We've seen it in action, and the screens' ability to look as sharp and colorful from the side is pretty astounding – even if you'll likely be watching head-on most of the time. The QLEDs will be getting HDR10+ too, while all but the entry level QLED models will be making use of Direct Full Array tech, to prevent light blooming and allow for greater control over contrast levels. Image Credit: Samsung The virtual assistant Bixby will be one of the few common features across Samsung's MicroLED, QLED, and Ultra HD lineups – alongside various Samsung smart appliances, phones, and speakers. An 'improved AI algorithm' will make your Samsung TV better at recommending and displaying relevant TV content and apps, with expanded use of Bixby voice controls through your Samsung remote's 1.5m range microphone – as well as compatibility with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and SmartThings connected smart home devices. Not to mention some smart Remote Access features for connecting to other devices through your TV. On the software side, Samsung sets will be getting AirPlay 2 support for streaming iTunes content from Apple devices. 2019 will also be the first time Apple has offered a dedicated iTunes app for movies and TV shows for a non-Apple manufacturer – for now exclusively on Samsung TVs. Samsung's higher-end sets are also able to judge the location of your remote during setup, to optimize sound output for your room size and usual seating location. We're likely to see wider expansion of Samsung's Ambient Mode. When the TV is turned off, Ambient Mode helps the TV mimic the color and pattern of the wall on which the TV is displayed, so that it blends seamlessly into home décor. It can also play music and display information about the news, weather, and traffic as well. While at first limited to QLED TVs, we're hoping to see the mode trickle down into more affordable devices too. Many high-end Samsung sets also feature the OneConnect box, which outsources all of your HDMI, power inputs and the like into a piece of hardware separate from the TV, preventing a mess of cables hanging down from your new display. Ambient Mode and Samsung's signature Invisible Cable will help these TVs seamlessly blend into their surroundings (Image Credit: Samsung) Samsung Designer SeriesSamsung The Wall (2019). Image Credit: Samsung The Wall (available in 143, 219 inches): Almost too big to be true? The Wall may not fit on most living room walls, but it's a testament to Samsung's desire to impress – featuring millions of microscopic LED for a huge level of color contrast and brightness control over each pixel. Made of a modular series of panels, the size is technically variable, though Samsung is still selling it in general size configurations as a starting point. The first 143-inch model released in late 2018, though we now know a whopping 219-inch version is coming this year. Whichever you're looking at, you can be sure to expect an absolutely insane price tag. Check out our first look at The Wall by Samsung here. The Window (available in 75-inches only): A smaller, but still objectively huge variation on The Wall television above. It's still modular, meaning you'll be able to vary the size somewhat at installation – and we're expecting it to hit some time in 2019. Samsung The Frame (2018). Image Credit: Samsung The Frame (available in 43-, 49-, 55- and 65-inches) US model numbers (and price): UN43LS003AFXZA ($1,299), UN55LS003AFXZA ($1,999), UN65LS003AFXZA ($2,799) Samsung’s classiest TV gets an upgrade with a QLED panel – which feels necessary, given that the picture quality was the only thing letting this gorgeously made hunk of metal down. Blending form and function, this style-focused television may be the most attractive television Samsung has put out. Check out what we thought in our hands on The Frame (2019) review. Samsung Serif TV (Image Credit: TechRadar) Serif TV (available in 43, 49, 55 inches) Samsung's stylish Serif TV also gets a QLED panel upgrade, hoping to marry looks and picture quality. Mounted on four pointy legs, the set looks straight out of a fashion catalogue – and you can see what we thought of it in our hands on Samsung Serif TV (2019) review. Samsung QLED 2019 ModelsSamsung Q900R QLED TV (Image Credit: Samsung) Samsung Q900R / Q950R QLED TV (available in 65, 75, 82, and 85-inches) US model numbers (and price): QN65Q900RBFXZA ($4,999), QN75Q900RBFXZA ($6,999), QN82Q900RBFXZA ($9,999), QN85Q900RAFXZA ($14,999) Unbelievably, Samsung’s monstrously large 8K TV is still considered a QLED TV. It’s the top of the list for numerous reasons – size and resolution being the most obvious two – but also its ability to use artificial intelligence upscale SD content to 8K HDR. While it's an absolute beauty to behold, the 65, 75, and 85-inch (or 82-inch in the UK) sizes will put you back a pretty penny, starting at £4,999 / $4,999 (around AU$7,082) for the smallest model. Check our review link below for more pricing info.
Samsung Q90 QLED TV (Image Credit: Samsung) Samsung Q90 QLED TV (available in 55-, 65-, 75-, and 82-inches) US model numbers (and price): QN65Q90RAFXZA ($3,499), QN75Q90RAFXZA ($4,999), QN82Q90RAFXZA ($6,499) Samsung's 2019 flagship 4K QLED is the Samsung Q90 QLED TV. Like last year you can expect Ambient Mode and better black levels thanks to its Direct Full Array panel alongside the screen’s insanely iridescent peak brightness. But new this year is the addition of ‘Ultra Viewing Angle’ technology, which restructures the TV’s panels so the backlight passes through the panel with lights evenly onto the screen. In the UK you get the choice of a smaller 55-inch model, while the US swaps this out with a larger 82-inch.
Samsung Q80 QLED TV (Image Credit: Samsung) Samsung Q85 / Q80 QLED TV (available in 55-, 65-, 75- and 82-inches) US model numbers (and price): QN55Q80RAFXZA ($1,999), QN65Q80RAFXZA ($2,799), QN75Q80RAFXZA ($3,799) Moving down the line a bit is Samsung’s Q80 QLED TV. Like the Q90, you’ll see a Direct Full Array panel with a feature set that includes Ambient Mode and the Bixby. The Q80 uses far fewer backlight dimming zones than its Q9FN sibling but still looks great and has a more affordable price point. In the UK, the alternative Q85 QLED model bundles in the external OneConnect box and tidy transparent cable too, as well as coming in a larger 75-inch size.
Samsung Q70 QLED TV (Image Credit: Samsung) Samsung Q70 QLED TV (available in 49-, 55-, 65-, 75- and 82-inches) US model numbers (and price): QN49Q70RAFXZA ($1,249), QN55Q70RAFXZA ($1,499), QN65Q70RAFXZA ($2,199), QN75Q70RAFXZA ($3,299), QN82Q70RAFXZA ($4,499) The Samsung Q7FN was the golden ticket to 2018's QLED line-up. Offering one of the best price-to-performance ratios in the entire line-up, it was the Q7F that roped droves of AV enthusiasts into buying a QLED TV. That said, it could be our TV of the year in 2019 as Samsung has listened to our feedback and swapped the edge-lit display for full array LED-LCD that will definitely improve contrast. Samsung Q60 QLED TV (Image Credit: Samsung) Samsung Q60 QLED TV (available in 43-, 49-, 55-, 65-, 75- and 82-inches) US model numbers (and price): QN43Q60RAFXZA ($799), QN49Q60RAFXZA ($999), QN55Q60RAFXZA ($1,199), QN65Q60RAFXZA ($1,799), QN75Q60RAFXZA ($2,999), QN82Q60RAFXZA ($3,799) Last up in the QLED line-up is the entry-level Samsung Q60 QLED TV. The Q6-Series began its life as a special edition that Samsung added around the holidays in 2016, and now it appears the TV has claimed a permanent spot in the line-up. The Q60 is a bit less bright overall than the rest of its Quantum Dot-equipped brethren and still uses the oldedge-lit design but if you’re looking for some of the same spectacular colors at a spectacular price, the Q60 will be the best place to get it.
Samsung 2019 Premium UHD ModelsSamsung RU8000 (available in 49-, 55-, 65-, 75- and 82-inches) US model numbers: UN49RU8000FXZA ($799), UN55RU8000FXZA ($999), UN65RU8000FXZA ($1,399), UN75RU8000FXZA ($2,199), UN82RU8000FXZA ($3,199) The first highest series in Samsung's 4K UHD lineup is the RU8000, a sequel to last year’s NU8000. We expect that the RU8000 will use an edge-lit LED LCD panel and a quad-core processor, but that's yet to be confirmed. Expect both HDR10 and HDR10+ support in addition to Bixby and Samsung’s Smart TV platform.
Samsung RU7300 (Image Credit: Samsung) Samsung RU7300 (available in 55- and 65-inches) US model numbers: UN55RU7300FXZA ($699), UN65RU7300FXZA ($999) Underneath the RU8000 is the curved Samsung RU7300. It's not available in as many sizes as its older sibling, but it should fulfill the niche of a curved screen for folks who want to upgrade to a 4K HDR TV. You’ll likely find the same edge-lit LED LCD panel and processor as the RU8000, but that's still to be determined.
Samsung RU7100 (available in 43-, 49-, 55-, 58-, 65- and 75-inches) US model numbers: UN43RU7100FXZA ($429), UN50RU7100FXZA ($499), UN55RU7100FXZA ($599), UN58RU7100FXZA ($649), UN65RU7100FXZA ($899), UN75RU7100FXZA ($1,599) The last entry in the 2018 RU Series is Samsung’s RU7100. We don't have a ton of information on Samsung's lowest-end screen in 2019, but we do know that you'll have your choice of screen sizes - the RU7100 will come in a 43-, 49-, 55-, 58-, 65- and 75-inch variation. Everything you need to know about the new TV launches of 2019: Philips TV range 2019: everything you need to know from OLED+ to ‘The One’ Sony TV lineup 2019: every Sony Bravia and Master Series set coming this year LG TV catalog 2019: here’s every LG TV model coming this year Panasonic TV lineup 2019: the one Panasonic TV we've seen so far Hisense TV lineup 2019: the year of ULED television This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| An Nvidia GPU benchmark leak suggests an RTX 2070 Ti, but the details are odd Posted: 09 Apr 2019 10:40 AM PDT An unidentified Nvidia GPU has shown up on UserBenchmark with performance that fits it neatly between a GeForce RTX 2070 and GeForce RTX 2080. The benchmarks were shared by Twitter user Momomo_US, but the fine details about the GPU are dubious. It's not implausible that Nvidia is planning on a GeForce RTX 2070 Ti to fit between its 2070 and 2080. It's released Ti variants in the past to fill gaps, but it feels early for an RTX 2070 Ti to begin with. Nvidia's GTX 1070 Ti didn't premier for more than a year after the GTX 1070. The RTX 2070, meanwhile, hasn't even been on the market for half a year.
Confusing detailsThe early leak of this benchmark may not mean too much, since Nvidia hasn't said anything about a launch, so there could still be plenty of time before an announcement and public release. But, there are some other details that don't make this seem like a likely product. According to the data in the benchmarks, the graphics card has a core clock of 1,590MHz. This is a decent step above the base clock of the RTX 2070, which sits at 1,410MHz. However, UserBenchmark data for the RTX 2070 shows core speeds in the ballpark of 2,100MHz, so it's unclear whether the clock speeds shown for the unidentified card are actually base clocks. It's possible the card could have lower clocks but a higher core count to achieve its higher performance, but the memory situation also raises questions. The benchmark shows 7.5GB of GDDR6 memory for the unidentified graphics card. Compare that to the 8GB found on both the RTX 2070 and RTX 2080, and it doesn't fit neatly in the middle. Neither does the 3,150MHz memory speed. The RTX 2070 shows up with a memory speed of 3,500MHz in UserBenchmark. So, for this card to be an RTX 2070 Ti while having lower core clocks, less VRAM and lower memory speeds, Nvidia would need some very clever marketing to sell it. It makes even less sense when considering what it would go up against. AMD's Radeon VII competes directly with the RTX 2080 in price and performance. If the AMD card had occupied the void between the RTX 2070 and 2080, then a new 2070 Ti would make a lot of sense. But, that's not the case. Given all of the odd details, this leaked benchmark doesn't seem incredibly plausible as an RTX 2070 Ti.
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| These Sky TV and broadband bundle deals are perfect for watching Game of Thrones Posted: 09 Apr 2019 10:31 AM PDT With Game of Thrones finally returning after a two year hiatus for its final season, you are going to want to know how to watch it this weekend as it happens. The bad news is that there are only two places you can catch the show in the UK - Sky and Now TV. The good news though is that Sky has a whole host of broadband and TV deals ranging from basic and affordable to all-singing all-dancing - and they all come with the option to watch Game of Thrones. Whether you want ADSL broadband and the ability to watch the show at the cheapest possible price, or you consider broadband and TV deals to be an investment worth going all in for, Sky has an option for you. We've listed our favourite three Sky TV and broadband deals below so you can find the best option to watch the beginning of the end this weekend. 1. Cheap and cheerful2. Best overall value3. The best of the bestWe're fully aware that Sky's website isn't exactly the easiest to navigate and you may open the link, confused at the price. Don't worry...you're not doing it wrong. Just click through each stage adding the features we've mentioned and it will all add up to the correct price by the time you get to the checkout.
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| EU publishes guidelines on building ethical AI Posted: 09 Apr 2019 10:20 AM PDT As artificial intelligence begins to play a greater role in our everyday lives, the EU has published its first guidelines for the ethical development of AI, warning tech giants that algorithms must not discriminate against users due to their age, race or gender. The European Commission has laid out seven principles it believes will help create “trustworthy” AI programs while reaffirming that businesses must still comply with existing legislation on privacy, consumer protection and environmental standards. By publishing its ethical AI guidelines first, the EU hopes that its high ethical standards will provide a competitive advantage for businesses in the region and that eventually its guidelines will be adopted on a global scale.
EU commissioner for the digital economy, Mariya Gabriel explained how the EU's approach to ethics in AI differs from that of other countries or businesses, saying: “AI is developing at an exponential pace. We don’t want to stop innovation but the added value of the EU approach is that we are making it a people-focused process. People are in charge.” Trustworthy AITo help draw up its guidelines on ethical AI, the EU consulted a group of 52 experts from a variety of industries including tech companies, non-governmental organizations and academics. While the guidelines are non-binding, a pilot phase will run until early 2020 to give businesses a chance to give feedback on them before they become official. While the full list can be found here, the guidelines cover a wide variety of topics including human agency and oversight, technical robustness and safety, privacy and data governance, transparency, diversity, non-discrimination and fairness, environmental and societal well-being and accountability. The US and China currently the lead the way in AI development which is why the EU has decided to focus instead on the ethics of AI as it looks to shape the technology's future in the region and perhaps even one day the world. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Best all-in-one printer 2019: the top picks for print, scan and copy Posted: 09 Apr 2019 10:20 AM PDT If you're looking for the best all-in-one printer money can buy in 2019, then you've come to the right place. In this list, we have gathered together the very best all-in-one printers for a range of budgets. These brilliant devices can handle standard print capabilities as well as photocopying, scanning and even faxing as well. The best all-in-one printers on this list are great choices for small and medium sized businesses – and even home users. This is because you can save a decent amount of money – and space – because you don't have to buy three or four different devices for each individual task. Plus, don't think that any of these devices are simply jack of all trades, masters of none. Each printer on this best all-in-one printers guide does an excellent job of all the tasks it's built for, be it printing off documents, photo copying files or scanning images to edit on a PC. You'll still get excellent print, scan and fax quality, and our list of the best all-in-one printers will make sure you get the perfect device for your needs. Image Credit: TechRadar Like many of Canon’s inkjet printers, this compact all-in-one device uses five separate ink cartridges to deliver vivid and natural-looking photographs on glossy paper. It also has a handy SD Card reader for photographers. But it is also well equipped for use in the office. There’s a fax facility for those that need it, an automatic document feeder and high-res scanner. The print speed is a little slow, even for an inkjet, but it is very easy to use thanks to its large touchscreen interface and both Bluetooth and Wi-fi connectivity. All this in a unit that could fit inside a filing cabinet.
Image Credit: Epson This boxy all-in-one won’t win any beauty contests, but the impressive feature set is more attractive. It can hold 150-sheets of paper with another 35 in the automatic document feeder and it can churn them at a faster rate than many laser printers. Being an inkjet, its colour and photo performance is strong and also economical, particularly if you upgrade to Epson’s high capacity cartridges. Every feature we can think of, from faxing to cloud printing is covered by this competent four-in-one.
Image Credit: Brother This all-singing all-in-one comes with a long list of features and equally impressive specifications. The paper tray can hold 250 sheets and the automatic document feeder, another 50. It’s maximum print speed can rival laser printers and the cost per page is only a little higher if you buy the high capacity inkjet carts. Colour prints look bold and bright, but this machine’s party trick is its ability to print on A3-size paper.
Image Credit: HP If you have the space for it, this multifunction device will serve a small business well thanks to its consistently crisp print quality, useful 35-sheet automatic document feeder and automated photocopying skills. This is a mono machine and it’s not the fastest laser on the block, but it’s quicker than any inkjet and offers an attractive blend of features and performance.
Image Credit: HP This compact and affordable all-in-one can print, scan and photocopy, but its real strength is in printing photos on photo paper. To meet the price point, it’s fairly light on features, so there’s no Ethernet port, or front USB port for example and it prints very slowly, but the results are rather good when it comes to full colour photos. The supplied starter cartridges are rather light on ink, but if you replace them with high-capacity carts, then the running cost is fairly competitive too. Image Credit: Lexmark Lexmark’s heavy duty all-in-one is a reliable workhorse for the busy home office, or small business. There’s plenty of room for paper and toner, so the recommended monthly duty of 250-2,500 is realistic. With duplex scanning as well as printing it makes a first class photocopier. It’s not the fastest laser printer out there, but a wealth of security features and an easy interface more than makes up for the shortfall. Image Credit: TechRadar Brother’s broad range of business-like all-in-ones includes both laser and inkjet models and sometimes the line between them is blurred. This feature-packed four-in-one device prints as quickly as a laser and has a high capacity for ink and paper, but being an inkjet, it’s also very good at printing photos. It’s also a little smaller than an equivalent laser model and you’d be hard pressed to find a laser at this price that can handle A3 paper.
Image Credit: Canon Aimed at the small to medium business, this feature-packed all in one feels well made and looks great on paper too. The print speed is impressive and there’s room for 250 sheets of paper in the main tray, plus 50 more in the multipurpose tray. It makes a fine photocopier with dual-sided scanning and duplex printing and though it might seem expensive, it comes with enough toner to keep your workforce printing for up to 6,300 mono, or 5,000 colour pages.
Image Credit: Xerox If you can find room in your office for this substantial four-in-one laser device, it will almost certainly meet your printing, scanning and copying requirements. It has a very high capacity for toner and paper, with room for 550 sheets in the main paper tray and another 150 in its multipurpose tray. It photocopies and prints very quickly and the large touchscreen interface is the most sophisticated you will find on the front of any printer.
Image Credit: Canon This large black box contains everything a small business could need from a multifunction device. Aside from faxing, printing, scanning and copying, it has a fast and reliable automatic document feeder and a large colour touchscreen. The two paper trays can hold 500 sheets of paper making it ideal for high workloads and for an inkjet, it can churn them out at a remarkable rate. The print quality in both colour and mono is equally impressive.
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| Red Dead Online: beta, latest news, updates and multiplayer features Posted: 09 Apr 2019 10:04 AM PDT Red Dead Online's beta is well underway. But with such a massive open-world to explore in Red Dead Redemption 2's single-player story, why should you be excited about the game's online mode? Rockstar's open-world Western game, a prequel to 2010's Red Dead Redemption, was released to wide critical acclaim last year and was all anyone could talk about for months on end. While you might have expected an online mode to be live from the game's successful launch, it makes sense that Rockstar wants you to focus on the main story – and boy is there a lot of it – before waltzing into a less narrative-driven multiplayer experience in Red Dead Online.
Rockstar has proved itself at converting a massive single-player game into a lively online experience, as shown in the launch of GTA Online in 2013, which has become almost as massive a phenomenon as the mainline GTA V game it spun off from. So what can you expect from Red Dead Online, and how can you access it? [Update: The latest Red Dead Online beta update adds the Plunder Showdown mode.] Cut to the chase
Red Dead Online beta accessYou can access the Red Dead Online beta by selecting the 'Online' option from the Red Dead Redemption 2 title menu (at the top-right hand side of the screen). Read Dead Online latest updateThe latest red Dead Online beta update adds the Plunder Showdown mode, which sees up to 16 players form teams and battle to capture supplies from a central location and bring them back to their bases – or strategize to plunder them from a rival team’s base. Red Dead Online featuresUp in Smoke Ability Cards Fishing Challenge Upcoming updates
Spoils of War Extra Showdown XP Rare 'Limited Stock' Items New Weapon: Evans Repeater Fool's Gold event Other Free Roam events
Player visibility Overly aggressive players will become more visible to other players with a progressively darkening dot that incrementally shifts from blue to dark red. Your visibility increases through bad deeds such as attacking and killing other players or their horses outside of a structured mode, free Roam mission, event or competition. The shorter the time between bad acts, the more your visibility increases - to warn others of your misdeeds. If you decide to be more wholesome, then your dot will gradually return to normal. The introduction of posse-wide parleys and improving feuds will mean that you'll be able to initiate parley that applies to your attacker’s entire posse after just a single kill. Alternatively, if you’d rather challenge your opponent, you can initiate a feud, posse Feud or leader feud after one kill, quickly turning a dispute into a timed mini-deathmatch for rival players to fight out amongst themselves in free roam, earning points for each kill on the opposing player. Bounty hunters and law balancing Criminal behavior will have bounty values and honor consequences that scale based on the severity of the crime. Daily challenges First update "Your feedback from these early days will be instrumental in helping formulate updates to every aspect of the experience," the statement read. "Our current areas of focus include the in-game economy, which will require some additional balancing in order to ensure all activities are appropriately rewarding and fun, as well as some persistent bugs that are causing some players to be kicked from sessions. "The game has been developed so that we will be able to quickly make any adjustments like these, and we plan to get updates out as early as the end of this week with more updates to come next week. Feedback from the community has been invaluable, and we will continue to keep you regularly updated as things progress." Rockstar then rolled out its first set of "adjustments" to the Red Dead Online beta which aimed to a create a "more balanced, fun and rewarding overall experience, across all modes and missions". This included increasing cash and gold payments, reducing prices of weapons and balancing the values of select pelts, skins and fish. Gun Rush mode Rockstar added a attle royale Gun Rush mode, which sees up to 32 players "scrambling to gather weapons and ammunition in a rapidly shrinking play area".ke changes based on player feedback such as adding daily challenges, upgrading the law and bounty system, changing parley and decreasing proximity-based player blips. In addition, Rockstar is "working on lots of new content" that is due for release this year. This includes all-new missions, dynamic events, more competitive modes, and new weapons and clothing. Finally, Xbox One players can also now access the red chestnut Arabian horse, alligator skin ranch cutter saddle and the high roller double-action revolver. Multiplayer modes
Character customization A range of activities Based on Red Dead Redemption 2 gameplay Red Dead Online: what we want to seeAll the minigames A slow, slow pace Maybe some zombies though Cross-platform play We'd love to see PS4 and Xbox One owners play together in Red Dead Online's wild west, though Sony have also proven themselves a stickler on this point in the past – even if it eventually succumbed to pressure on Fortnite cross-platform play. (Image credits: Rockstar Games)
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| PS5: All the games, specs, news, and rumors for Sony’s Playstation 5 Posted: 09 Apr 2019 09:56 AM PDT Now that the PS4 is officially reaching the end of its life cycle (that's direct from Sony), our thoughts are inevitably turning to the PS5 – so what exactly is in store for the Sony PlayStation 5 and when can be expect it to release? Sony is currently keeping tight-lipped when it comes to specific plans for the PS5: but we know that a PlayStation 5 release date will definitely be revealed in the coming months, thanks to Sony Interactive Entertainment's President and CEO Shawn Layden confirming as much in an interview with Golem.de. In addition, Sony president Kenichiro Yoshida confirmed the company is working on a next-generation console in an interview with the Financial Times. Back in May, Sony Interactive CEO John Kodera revealed to the Wall Street Journal that the PlayStation 5 would not be releasing until at least 2021. However, a report from Ace Securities claimed the PS5 could release as soon as Christmas 2019 - earlier than the Xbox Two. Even though we don't know exactly what to expect from the PS5 (or if that'll even be its name), we do know that the rumors, wish lists and alarmingly convincing 'leaked' renders in the run up to a console reveal are a big part of the fun. One such rumor is that the PS5 could be backwards compatible with the PS4, PS3, PS2, and original PlayStation, meaning its games library could stretch right back to the glory days of the mid 90s. In that spirit, we've gathered together everything we most want to see from the PlayStation 5 and what its stand-out features might be when it arrives. PS5 release dateImage credit: Sony With no official word yet a PlayStation 5 release date, and Sony officially confirming it won't be at E3 2019, it's difficult to pin down exactly when we might get to see a PS5 console. Some analysts are predicting the PlayStation 5 release date could be around 2020 or 2021, for example, while others say 2019 – so just the three-year window, then. Speaking to GamingBolt, Michael Pachter said that though he thinks the PS5 will be a half-step and will be backwards-compatible with the PS4 Pro, he doesn't think we'll see it until "2019 or 2020 but probably 2019". This would make sense as it would fall in line with predictions for when the 4K TV market in the US will reach 50%. "I think Sony has probably got the next console cycle lined up already," he says, "I think they already know what they've got to do." A report from Ace Securities also claimed the PS5 could release as soon as Christmas 2019 - but that seems a bit optimistic to us. More recently Pachter clarified this claim, saying that Sony would most likely release the new console in 2020. He added that at this time he thinks the PS4 Pro will become the base model PlayStation and will see a reduction in price. Meanwhile a recent report from Kotaku's Jason Schreier backs up this thinking. He spoke to a number of developers about likely release dates with most of the conversations pointing to a 2020 release. He writes: "There is information about the PlayStation 5 floating around at both first- and third-party companies, but it’s far more limited than it would be if the console’s release was imminent." A recent Wall Street Journal report points to a release around three years away, with Sony's John Kodera stating: “We will use the next three years to prepare the next step, to crouch down so that we can jump higher in the future." Not long after this, Sony's new CEO, Kenichiro Yoshida, released a three-year business plan for the company which predicted the company's profits would dip in the run up to 2021. This is the kind of dip that may come as the PlayStation 4 reaches market saturation, before the launch of the PS5. So mark your calendars for 2019, 2020 and 2021 then...
PS5 competitionImage credit: Sony Although we're hideously impatient for news of a PlayStation 5 release date, we can't fault Sony for taking another few years to really milk the last of the PS4, given it's huge and loyal player base. After all, the PS4 Pro is still relatively new to the market and its direct competitor, the Microsoft's Xbox One X, is an even more recent release. Thanks to recent leaks, we already know Microsoft is working on the next Xbox, which is likely to be announced at E3 2019. So it's likely Sony is also deep into development of the PS5. According to gaming industry analyst Hideki Yasuda (via T3), and his firm Ace Economic Research Institute, "the introduction of the PS5 will be at the end of 2019". A 2019 release would be much earlier than expected and could give Sony a real advantage as the next generation console would release before the Xbox Two. If we're honest, we can't really see any urgent need to start a new generation right now. And given Microsoft's growing commitment to backwards compatibility, we think it's key for Sony to really think carefully about its next steps. Despite Yasuda's report, a two to three-year wait make a lot more sense to us. However, it could be Sony is trying to throw Microsoft a sucker-punch from left-field by releasing earlier than expected. In addition, Slightly Mad Studios has announced it is working on a high-powered next-generation console called the 'Mad Box'. PS5 news and rumorsImage credit: Sony Solid news on the PlayStation 5 is pretty thin on the ground at the moment, but as always, we do have rumors about what could be coming down the line – and we've collected and assessed them right here. Patent suggests backwards compatibility Kenichiro Yoshida confirms next-gen Ace Economic Research Institute report The report estimates that "the introduction of the PS5 will be at the end of 2019". If this is true, then it'll be a massive blow to Microsoft who has confirmed the Xbox Two (codenamed "Xbox Scarlett") will not launch until 2020. PS5 game development is in full swing John Kodera talks life cycles During the meeting, Kodera made it clear that Sony is still very much behind the console but warned that sales are expected to slow this year, in line with expectations as market saturation approaches. As a console gets to this point in its lifecycle, it's natural to start looking forward to the next iteration. Kodera stated that the time passing from now until 2021 would be a period where Sony would hunker down – which suggests that a new big idea could be around the corner. Perhaps 2021 will be the time to expect the PS5? No E3 2018 appearance Image credit: CD Projekt Eurogamer tech analysis Even if Sony did manage to push its console out at this date, the cost of production would make the PS5 far too expensive, making it more likely that we won't see the console released until the end of 2020, if Sony has any intention of making it an appealing proposition. Andrew House talks the next generation In other markets, however, he thinks that streaming games will be a big part of the next generation of consoles. House also stated that he thinks the PS4 and the PS4 Pro still have a long life in them yet. This doesn't necessarily cancel out the rumors that the PS5 will be with us in the next one to two years; if the reports that the console will be backwards-compatible are true then the PS4 generation will remain relevant long into the lifecycle of the PS5. Regardless, given that House was unwilling to comment on the PS5 despite being pushed, these details can only be considered speculation at the moment. The SemiAcccurate report In addition to this, SemiAccurate also reports that Sony will use this console to push its VR efforts even further, with VR-tech baked in at the Silicon level, and will sport a GPU based on AMD's Navi architecture with a CPU that's potentially a custom item from AMD's Zen line. Though SemiAcccurate has a decent track record with its reports, having accurately reported Nintendo's Nvidia partnership for the Switch and the PS4 specs back in 2012, we still say take this with a pinch of salt. Though the specs sound plausible, a 2019 release date seems a little far-fetched. Regardless of how many developer kits that Sony has distributed, it feels too soon after the release of the PS4 Pro for the next PlayStation console just now... and we're getting towards the end of 2018. Image credit: TechRadar The Marcus Sellars claims However, Sellars didn't provide any evidence to back up his claims so they really can't be taken as anything more than rumor at the moment. Something which may be interesting in relation to this, though, is that recently CD Projekt Red revealed that their upcoming title Cyberpunk 2077 was being developed for current and next generation consoles which came as a great surprise to many. Whether this means they're one of the third-party developers at work with these rumored kits is yet to be confirmed. Even if development kits are in the hands of developers, this doesn't mean the PS5 is coming any time soon. It could still be another couple of years before any kind of reveal in terms of hardware. The patent The PlayStation Plus news PS5: Can we have proper 4K gaming?Image credit: Sony The PS4 Pro offers a tantalising hint of what 4K gaming could be like. But the stark fact remains: it still doesn’t have the grunt to do native 4K consistently. Its “checkerboard” technique of taking single pixels and using each to render four pixels in 4K resolution is clever, and it can do native 4K output, but it often has to sacrifice resolution to keep performance consistent. Chris Kingsley, CTO and co-founder of developer Rebellion, dangles an even more ambitious technological carrot in front of a putative PS5: “Obviously new hardware should be able to support 4K TVs and possibly even 8K TVs at a push!” Native 4K support, surely, will be a basic requirement of the PlayStation 5. And if Sony cracks that particular problem with alacrity, it could even mean that a PlayStation 5 will arrive sooner than anticipated. Aside from 4K visuals, if recent showings at GDC 2018 are anything to go by we certainly can expect the next generation to offer incredible visual advancements in terms of character models. During GDC, we got a glimpse of what the next generation of games might look like and it's left us extremely excited for the PS5. Real-time ray tracing was revealed to be the next big thing in rendering while Epic Games gave us a taste of how it might be used to create the most lifelike characters ever. Using its capture technology, the Unreal Engine creator displayed a future with character models so realistic they bring us close to crossing the uncanny valley. Watch a performance from Andy Serkis below to see just how capable these new development technologies are: “Honestly, between five and ten years from now, I don't think you're going to be able to tell the difference between the real and the virtual world,” Epic CTO Kim Libreri told GamesIndustry.biz, “You'll see hardware that can support these kinds of capabilities pretty shortly, and then, finally, the greatest blockbuster with the most complicated effects, within ten years, you'll be able to do that in real-time.” When Libreri tells us we'll see hardware that can support this technology "pretty shortly" we can't be sure, but we like to think she's talking about the yet-to-be-announced PS5. PS5: The VR effectImage credit: Sony Sony became the first console manufacturer to embrace virtual reality, thanks to the PlayStation VR, but if you examine PlayStation VR closely – and observe how it operates on the PS4 Pro – it invites speculation about how a PlayStation 5 console might take VR to a new level. Currently, PlayStation VR operates at lower resolution than the Oculus Rift and HTC Vive – but, as it stands, even its current incarnation almost pushes the base PlayStation 4 beyond its limits. Running a PlayStation VR on a PS4 Pro brings improved frame-rates, which are very handy indeed in terms of the overall VR experience, but even the PS4 Pro can’t overcome the resolution constraints set by the PlayStation VR headset.
So it’s a good bet that, presuming PlayStation VR is successful (and it already appears to be catching on) Sony will want to return to the market with a second, markedly higher-tech iteration: which would provide an obvious selling point for the PlayStation 5. And if a PlayStation VR 2 headset could be sold without an external black box, it should be markedly cheaper, further accelerating VR’s march into the mainstream. A recent report from SemiAcccurate, which claims that the PS5 will have virtual reality capabilities built-in at silicon level, suggests this will indeed be the case. PlayStation VR Rebellion’s Kingsley makes another good point about second-generation VR. “Anything that reduces the leads has to be a good thing,” he says. The umbilical cord which currently attaches VR headset-wearers to their consoles or PCs obviously goes against VR’s entire immersive nature, and we’re already beginning to see, for example, a third-party implementation for the HTC Vive that renders it wireless. It’s a safe bet that the capacity for running a wireless PlayStation VR 2 will be built into the PS5. But Kingsley’s PlayStation VR 2 wish-list goes further: “Wide vertical and horizontal field-of-view would be top of my list, and of course, that would require 4K resolution per eye, and high dynamic range would be great too.” HDR and wider fields of view should be achievable but sadly, we don’t reckon full 4K VR is likely to be a possibility even for the PS5. As Kingsley points out, that would require 4K rendering per eye, which equates to 8K rendering overall, which we expect to be beyond the PS5’s capabilities. That said, perhaps Sony will find some clever technological bodge to get around that before it releases its fifth PlayStation console. Ratchet and Clank What form will the PS5 take?It has been suggested that future consoles like the PlayStation 5 could take radically different forms to current ones, thanks to advances in cloud computing and game streaming, doing away with the components that make today's devices so bulky. However, we reckon it's unlikely that Sony will take a more Nintendo-like approach and put the PS5 in a tiny box. One reason for that is that with the PS4, Sony has only just committed to using what are basically the innards of a PC – the first three PlayStation variants used proprietary components (and which in the PS3 impacted sales). Developers, certainly, were massively relieved that the PS4 took the PC route.
“Developers want the ability to make the best games using the minimum amount of effort. We want to focus on being creative and getting things to just work,” Kingsley says. “So the hardware should be based around current console hardware, which is in turn based on PC hardware. We always want fast CPUs and GPUs, but lots of fast RAM is also very important – it’s no use having fast processors if they are starved of data.” All the above are achievable, but will the PS5 still have a hard disk? Sony Computer Entertainment President and CEO Andrew House spoke at the PS4’s launch about how deciding to put hard disks and 8GB of RAM in the PS4 were both “billion-dollar decisions”. The fact that Sony has now made external hard drive support possible for the PS4 and Pro is a step in the right direction and this is something that could be carried over to the PS5, which will undoubtedly have to deal with even larger 4K assets. It seems certain that Sony is very keen to hear what its community thinks – recently a group called PlayStation Voice sent out surveys to members of its closed community asking them what their expectations of the PS5 are. One community member posted the email they received and found themselves removed from the group for breaking its non-disclosure agreements. According to PSU, PlayStation Voice is a community run by third-party consumer insight agency, Join the Dots. Once information has been gathered, it's fed back to clients (the client in this case presumably being Sony PlayStation). Admittedly, this doesn't tell us much about PS5 itself, other than that things are likely to be still in the very early stages. While it's unlikely that Sony would use the information gathered from its communities to decide exactly which features will be included in the console, the ideas of fans can certainly spark a good deal of inspiration. PS5 and streaming gamesOf course, if games were just streamed to the PS5 that problem would disappear entirely, and Sony already has a game-streaming service in the form of PlayStation Now. So why isn’t this more of a definite feature rather than something on our wishlist? Well, Sony is remaining tight-lipped about PlayStation Now uptake figures, but we suspect they are pretty unimpressive. It has certainly had issues with setting the right subscription charges, given that PlayStation Now effectively gives backwards compatibility – a “luxury” that was previously free for owners of PlayStation 2s and 3s.
But the biggest issue is broadband speeds. Even 4K TV requires a minimum of 25Mbps broadband in order to provide satisfactory streaming, and it’s doubtful whether 4K game streaming – with extra information on top of the visual side – would even work reliably at such speeds. There would be nothing to stop Sony launching a small form-factor cloud-based version of the PS5 console for those with mega-fast broadband, perhaps with a mobile phone-style subscription model that has an upfront hardware costs (something Microsoft is thinking about). But for the PS5 to sell anything like its predecessors, there would have to be a conventional version with similar innards to the PS4. Chancellor Philip Hammond has previously announced an infrastructure investment aimed at bringing fast broadband and 5G mobile data to the UK – but the earliest that would have an impact would be 2021, and the PS5 will almost certainly arrive before then. Perhaps its first mid-cycle update, though, will be a streaming version which takes advantage of burgeoning 5G networks? PS5 games PS5: optical discs or not?The rise of downloadable games, which continue to eat into the physical disc market, means that pundits have been predicting that consoles will go discless for about a decade now. However, our guess is that the PS5 won’t be the first system to risk venturing down that road, at least not until it catches wind of Microsoft doing the same thing. Sony has taken a lot of (justifiable) flak for not putting a 4K Blu-ray drive in the PS4 Pro – making it a less attractive purchase for film and TV buffs than the Xbox One S or the Xbox One X. Surveys continue to show that gamers are still attached to the possibility of buying games on physical discs – not least because they can then sell them (a practice that the games industry hates), and keep hard disk space usage at a manageable level. If Sony were to axe the Blu-ray drive from the PS5, gamers would expect several terabytes of storage in compensation. Kingsley gives a developer’s view on the topic: “I think the days of delivering films and games via disc are on the decline, as most people are going digital; however, some people like physical discs, so who knows whether that decline will level out and remain present but at a lower level than now?” Download figures have been on the rise over the last year but EA CFO Blake Jorgensen has said that he thinks consoles and disc drives will continue to stick around. “Consoles and disc drives probably stay around for a long period of time [...] I think it's the consumer deciding what's the easiest way for them to buy a game. “And it may mean they no longer have a store down the street from them so they decide to buy it [digitally] maybe it's easier for them to do.” PS4 So when can we expect the PS5?Given that the PlayStation 4 was launched in 2013 and Sony’s previous consoles arrived in six-year intervals, it would be easy to project that it will launch the PlayStation 5 in 2019 at the earliest. The sort of technology available then should easily allow full native 4K games without saddling the PS5 with a massive price-tag and, by 2019, 4K TVs will be the norm, rather than the exception, in the average household.
So it would be a surprise if Sony doesn’t want to capitalize on that at the earliest possible juncture. However, Kingsley points at the PS4 Pro, and reckons that could have an effect on the length of the current console cycle: “It’s a difficult one to judge, but overall I think it’s fair to say that the overall cycle will lengthen slightly.” Especially if the PS4 Pro wildly outsells the base PS4, which admittedly isn’t something we anticipate happening once it has reached a critical mass of households with 4K TVs. So perhaps 2020 might be the year in which Sony unleashes the PS5 on the world, as the first native 4K console with wireless VR... as long as Microsoft doesn’t get there first. What games can we expect to see on PS5?If the backwards compatibility patent mentioned above is actually applied, we can expect to see the whole PS4 library available to play on the PS5. Or, perhaps we'll see another round of remasters as we did when moving from the PS3 to the PS4. However, we imagine there will be some games being developed specifically for this new PlayStation 5 console generation and the extra power it's likely to offer. Already we've seen CD Projekt Red mention that it's developing for this generation as well as the next, and alongside the rumors that there are already developers kits out in the open, we think there's a good chance that Cyberpunk 2077 will be one of the early PS5 titles. Check out our PS4 vs PS4:PSVR compared and explained video below.
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