Apple : Google IO 2019: date and keynote predictions

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• Google IO 2019: date and keynote predictions
• Android Q release date and what's new
• Virtual reality needs spherical displays, say researchers
• Watch Game of Thrones online: how to stream season 8 from anywhere
• The future of headphones: touchscreen displays and integrated streaming
• I unlocked a stranger's car with my phone and drove off, and I want to do it again
• Another rumor points to super-fast storage for the OnePlus 7 Pro
• Du to showcase 5G technology before commercial launch
• UAE consumer electronics market to grow 6% to AED 14.2b this year
• The beautiful game: how FIFA became the champion of soccer simulators
• Live stream snooker World Championship 2019 final: how to watch Higgins vs Trump from anywhere
• With the iPhone SE fading away the iPhone 6S is the best cheap iPhone around
• Apex Legends is cracking down on cheaters
• Google Stadia may be the first good use for 5G phones
• MotoGP live stream: how to watch the 2019 Spanish motorcycle Grand Prix online from anywhere
• Next year's Snapdragon 865 chip could come in 4G and 5G versions
• The Elder Scrolls: Blades is now available for everyone
• Google IO 2019 livestream: how to watch the keynote online
• Get a free pair of Beats X headphones with these big data EE SIM only deals
• The Last of Us 2 release date, news, and rumors

Google IO 2019: date and keynote predictions Posted: 05 May 2019 02:32 PM PDT The Google IO 2019 keynote date is May 7, and we know a lot of the announcements in advance, just in case you can't wait for the official news to drop on Tuesday. Yes, Google IO is technically an annual developer conference, but increasingly, the company has used the keynote for big surprises about what it's working on. And in 2019, we're expecting this to be more true than ever. Android Q is scheduled to get beta 3 at Google IO, and we may get our first sight of the cheaper Google Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL at the Shoreline Amphitheatre, too. The Google Pixel 3 is among the best camera phones, and this version will be cheaper. What else will Google CEO Sundar Pichai unveil at the big keynote? Google Nest Hub Max plans to maximize what we liked about the Google Home Hub, and we expect more surprises from Google Assistant and maybe Google Duplex. Google IO is going to include a mix of hardware and software announcements, according to the latest rumors, and we're on the ground reporting on it live. Google IO date and time Google IO 2019 will run from May 7 to 9 at the Shoreline Amphitheatre in Mountain View, California, near the company's headquarters.  The event kicks off with an opening keynote at 10am PDT on May 7 and goes from there, with multiple simultaneous small sessions, demonstrations and stage presentations through the event's three-day span.  See the whole schedule on the Google IO 2019 website here. For those at home, Google will be livestreaming some of the above (especially the stage presentations) on its  website and YouTube channel. Image credit: TechRadar Google Pixel 3a Google IO 2019 is going to be the cue for the Pixel 3a to be unveiled, and we're likely to get this lower-cost Google Pixel 3 phone in two sizes. There's supposed to be a 5.6-inch version and 6-inch version, and leaks suggest that they'll cost $399 and $479, respectively. That's half the price of some flagships, and may be an excellent deal if it keeps the same top-of-the-line main camera. This Google IO announcement is a direct response to the iPhone XR and Samsung S10e. It's a phone that keeps the main features of the main flagship, but offering it at a more affordable price. More importantly, it also means being among the very first phones to get upgraded to the new version of Android – seriously, many smartphones for a lot more money haven’t yet upgraded to Android 9 Pie yet.  Image credit: Google Android Q at Google IO Android Q didn't wait for Google IO 2019 to be unveiled, but we're likely to get beta 3 at the keynote with new features, include dark mode. This builds on top of support for foldable phones and chat bubbles in Android Q beta 2. Better yet, the beta may expand beyond Pixel phones at Google IO. OnePlus may be among those getting in on the Android Q beta and we're also looking out for Nokia, Oppo, Sony, Vivo and Xiaomi to make announcements. They were also part of last year's Google IO as Android P beta participants. Besides the system-wide Dark Mode, we may also see support for Face ID-style facial authorization, deep press, desktop mod  and the end of the back button. These are rumored Android Q features yet to be confirmed. While we may not see Android Q until August (two months ahead of the expected Google Pixel 4 launch), Google IO 2019 looks like a nice peek at what's to come. Image credit: Android Police More Google IO hardware: Nest Hub Max The Google IO 2019 keynote may have more hardware announcements, and we're sure of this because the company may have accidentally shown off a new product in its connected speaker line.  Specifically, it's a device that might be an upsized version of its smart-speaker-and-screen Google Home Hub that came out earlier this year. Evidence suggests it will be named the Nest Hub Max.  While the original had a 7-inch screen, the Home Hub Max has a supposedly expanded 10-inch display. This would make it far better for watching media, either while relaxing or during a task (like a recipe or cooking tutorial). It allegedly packs stereo speakers. Crucially, this version is alleged to have a built-in Nest Cam security camera, which the original Home Hub omitted due to privacy (and likely cost-cutting) concerns. In any case, it shows Google is interested in releasing a more substantial home assistant and entertainment hub – though we don't know how much it'll cost. Speech substitution The events list for Google IO 2019 mentions Project Euphoria, which aims to leverage "Google technologies to give people with speech impairments their voice back." While it’s unclear what this specifically entails, it could be a new software app or a feature coming to Android, probably powered by machine learning. As we pointed out when the news hit, there’s no guarantee that Project Euphoria will go live anytime soon – it could just be introduced as a feature coming in the future, as Google is wont to do. Image credit: Google Other stuff at Google IO 2019? Google loves introducing new concepts at IO, but sometimes they aren’t nearly ready to be released right away. At least one feature that debuted at last year’s event is on this list: a mode in Google Maps that introduces AR overlays in the top half of the screen (a la Google Lens) while keeping the traditional map-and-arrow on the bottom. As we said at the time, Google didn’t state when this  unified guidance mode would come out – and we’re still waiting. Perhaps this is the year that a ‘StreetView AR’ gets added to Google Maps. It's entirely possible that Google will touch on its various operating systems and software, like Chrome or Android TV. Wear OS is possible, too, though the company just updated it to add more 'Tiles' mini-app shortcuts. We could also hear more about Google Stadia, the company's service announced earlier this year that streams AAA games from high-performance servers. Given how much the company shared at GDC in March, though, we might only see a cursory mention to remind everyone that the service is coming at some point later this year. We're expecting a lot of Android news out of Google IO 2019, and here are the best Android phones that will get those new features This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Android Q release date and what's new Posted: 05 May 2019 01:47 PM PDT The official Android Q release date is going to feel closer this week thanks to brand new features expected to be unveiled at Google's annual developer conference. Android Q may be the big highlight of Google IO 2019, along with new Google Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL phones, as we upgrade from Android Pie to Android 10 Q. You can install Android Q beta today, but it's unfinished and meant for developers. The Android Q release date is likely to be in August, according to Google's timeline.  What's new with Android Q? We've got a working features list below, based on what we've tested in the ongoing beta and rumors about what else is to come. Besides features, people are wondering when Android Q will come to OnePlus 6 and their other phones. We may hear more more about the beat expanding on Tuesday. Cut to the chase What is Android Q? It's the next version of Android When can you get Android Q beta? Download the Android Q developer beta now When will Android Q launch in full? Probably August   How much will Android Q cost? It will (assumedly) be a free update Android Q release date March 13: The first Android 10 developer beta has launched April 3: Android Q beta 2 gave us bugs fixes and app bubbles Early May: Android Q developer beta 3 is due near May 7 (probably at IO) Early June: The final incremental update, beta 4, should land in June July: Beta 5 and beta 6, release candidates, may land this month August: The final release has routinely happened in August Google's Android Q developer beta is already here – at least if you own a Pixel phone and are willing to test out an unfinished mobile operating system. We're eager to see additional phones get the Android Q beta at Google's keynote on Tuesday. OnePlus, Nokia, Oppo, Sony, Vivo and Xiaomi had phones with the Android P beta, so expect a similar announcement this week. Everyone asking if Android Q will come to OnePlus 6 and OnePlus 6T may be in luck, or it could come to the forthcoming OnePlus 7. Either way, these six companies (minus last year's seventh, Essential) have a good track record. The Android 10 Q release date timeline (Image credit: Google) Google has outlined six stages to its six-month-long beta process, including the initial release, three incremental updates, one update with final APIs and the official SDK, and then two release candidates. That's all before the final version of Android 10. Its monthly updates should give us an official Android Q release date in August, and historically, that's when we've seen the final update launch in past Android versions. But that doesn't mean every Android phone will have Android Q by August.  The roll out to other Android phones will happen throughout 2019 and even into 2020 as various manufacturers add their own features and interfaces to the operating system. There's a chance you'll have to wait months after the initial Android Q release before you see the OS update on your device. That long rollout isn't guaranteed, though: Google's Project Treble has been working to make it easier for phonemakers to update to the latest version of Android (and do it faster). Part of that progress has lead Treble to invite more manufacturers to participate in the Android Q beta, one of the project's team leads revealed on a podcast. What's new with Android Q features? We're getting a better idea of the new Android Q features to come thanks to the beta of Google's mobile operating system. Additional features and bug fixes have come with beta 2 and we expect the same from Android Q beta 3. Some of the changes are confirmed, while others remain rumors. Here's what you can expected ahead of the official Android Q release date in August. Android Q beta 2 foldables emulator (Image credit: Google) Foldable support Android Q is preparing for foldable phones in 2019, or "foldables and innovative new screens," according to the Android Developers Blog post. The Samsung Galaxy Fold – while it was in our hands briefly – seamlessly switched between the folded and unfolded screen states. By Google natively supporting this type of UI continuity in the backend, it'll likely come to more foldable phones when they launch with Android Q onboard. For developers, Android Q beta 2 includes a 'foldables emulator' in Android Studio 3.5, according to Dave Burke, Google's VP of Engineering. Android Q 'bubbles' multitasking You've seen the bubbles UI before if you've used Facebook Messenger chat heads. It's an easy way to keep active conversations on-screen as small floating profile pics, while going about your normal tasks in the rest of the interface. You can tap the pic when you want to switch back to the conversation. Google is supporting this idea throughout Android Q and calling it a new way to multitask. So far, its examples are coming to Messages and Hangouts. But Google is reducing development time, interactivity consistency, and user privacy safeguards, so expect to see it in additional apps outside of Google's ecosystem. System-wide dark mode rumor Android Q's first big leak was by the site XDA Developers, which allegedly got a hold of a January 2019 build of the new OS and showed off what might be coming – including an all-system dark mode, which tech expert Owen Williams confirmed was in the first developer beta. Supposedly, you'll be able to toggle it on in Display Settings, and in the main interface, Settings and Files will turn a dark gray. Other parts like the Volume panel, Quick Settings and Notifications turn black to show up against the darker background.  Developers will also get an option that seems to force apps without dark modes to switch to the nighttime-friendly color scheme. Pressure-sensitive 'Deep Press' rumor Android Q may support a Force Touch-style feature (think 3D Touch in iPhones) in phones, per developer Till Kottman. You know the drill: press down on an app or icon and you'll trigger a different action than if you'd simply tapped the screen. In iPhones, this often brings up a contextual menu of alternate options. Kottman wasn't sure if the alleged feature, called 'Deep Press,' would enable phones to measure pressure or if they'd use "some ML magic." Either way, it would add functionality to Android phones that iPhones and Apple Watches have had for years. New Android Q privacy features The Android Developers Blog post announcing the developer beta confirmed a heavy emphasis on boosting privacy in Android Q. Users will have more control over app access to location info, shared files and repositories like Photos and Videos. Another helpful change: instead of apps automatically switching focus when they have an Activity in the background (like an alarm or call), appmakers and opt to send high-priority notifications first.  These might be some of the most onerous changes for developers in Android Q, which is why, as the Android Developers Blog post reads: "We are bringing these changes to you early, so you can have as much time as possible to prepare." Developer tools for apps: system settings, connectivity, media and more Developers will be able to show contextually-important system settings within their apps, which harnesses the 'Slices' feature that came in Android 9 Pie. So instead of having to navigate to Settings to switch on Airplane Mode or toggle Wi-Fi or Mobile Data on/off, say, you'll be able to do that right within your mobile browser. There are also tweaks to connectivity, including 'adaptive Wi-Fi' that enables high performance/low latency modes, which would be useful for things like online gaming or voice calls. Like all the depth and blur in Pixel camera software? In Android Q, apps can request depth data (JPEG + XMP metadata + depth and confidence map) to, say, offer "specialized blurs and bokeh options in your app," as the Android post suggests. "You can even use the data to create 3D images or support AR photography use-cases in the future." Android Q will also support more multimedia codecs: AV1 to let media providers stream high-quality video, Opus for audio encoding, and HDR10+ for high dynamic range video "on devices that support it" – like, say, the Samsung Galaxy S10 family. As for gaming, the Android Q beta enhances support for OpenGL along with bug fixes and more functionality.  More permissions XDA's leak also revealed a revamp of permissions, from the general to specific.  Users can look at a broad overview of which apps they've given permission for certain things – like, say, location or microphone access. There's a search function that lets you filter by permission item, allowing you to quickly see which apps you've given access to your camera, contacts, location and so on. You can also look at permissions each app has been granted and toggle them individually to set whether access is off, on, or only on while the app is open. Developer tools There are plenty of new developer tools described by the XDA leak, but it's not clear how all of them will function.  Freeform windows return, which lets you enable them after pressing and holding an app icon in the recent apps overview. On the other hand, XDA also found a feature called "Game Updates Package Preference" whose purpose is a bit of a mystery. Another, titled "force desktop mode," seems like it would push Android to an external display, Samsung DeX-style. Not all of the UI is finished, either, making some features – like screen recording – not totally comprehensible.  Face ID-style authentication for logins and purchases Another dive into the developer build XDA Developers acquired revealed the OS might get a feature iOS users have bragged about for awhile: Face ID. The next version of Android might support phones packing the hardware to use facial scans for authentication. It's unclear just how it will work, or if it would combine sensor readings for a comprehensive scan of facial features. But we did get hints via error codes in one of the OS' APK, which variably tell the user to move the phone in different directions for the device to get a better look at their face.  Other strings of code found by XDA are also promising, like one that blatantly informs users they can "Use your face to unlock your phone, authorize purchases, or sign in to apps." Whether phones will be able to use Face ID is another story: they need to have the hardware installed – whether that's sensors or the right specs – for the feature to work.  Goodbye back button, hello (only to) gesture controls While recent Android phones from different brands have tried to push their own gesture controls for years, the OS has always kept its static three-button navigation as an option. Those days might be at an end as that XDA preview build showed only gesture controls, per Tom's Guide. From the looks of it, users may only be able to use the navigation system present in the Google Pixel 3: a small pill at the bottom of the screen that you can swipe in the cardinal directions to get around.  It's key to note that Android allows brands to develop their own navigation methods and systems to go along with their overlays, so it's very unlikely that this will be the only way to navigate. This build is also a bit out of date, so who knows if something as integral as OS movement would be finalized that far out. Anything else? There were a couple other additional Android 10 odds and ends from that XDA leak, including a pair of new accessibility settings. Both apply to how long notification messages stay up, and seemingly apply to different kinds of notifications. The first are for "messages that ask you to take action," while the other apparently refers to notifications that pop up with simple reminders. You can toggle these to stay up between 30 seconds and 2 minutes. We're also seeing official support for HDR10+. A few phones this year, including the Samsung Galaxy S10 series, support the codec, and expect that trend to continue as Android Q launches on new devices. That's all we've seen for now, but new details will surely come up in the coming beta versions, at Google IO 2019 in May and from any leaks in between. What's next for iPhone? Here's what we expect to see from iOS 13 This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Virtual reality needs spherical displays, say researchers Posted: 05 May 2019 01:00 PM PDT Virtual reality is with us. It's real. It's here. But it's not exactly popular. Some think that's because we're social beings, and the idea of sitting on our own and being entertained alone and separated from others is off-putting. Technically impressive they might be, but if the likes of HTC Vive Pro, Google Daydream View and the new Oculus Go merely allow us to spend more time with computer-generated characters, they're only ever going to have niche appeal. Besides, collaboration between players, and even two players seeing each other, is tricky without accurate avatars, which means using a lot of hardware. Cue a ball-shaped VR display called Crystal that's designed to be watched by two people simultaneously, and uses relatively inexpensive off-the-shelf components. Could it replace VR headsets? What is Crystal? It's a mixed reality globe with a physical 24-inch hollow ball-shaped display that presents 3D virtual content, but overlaid on to the real world. “The system supports perspective-corrected rendering in stereoscopic view for a single viewer, in mono for two viewers, and with additional mobile screens for extra viewers,” reads a paper published by researchers at the University of British Columbia and University of Saskatchewan. “It integrates high precision multi-projector calibration, perceptual viewpoint calibration, high fidelity motion tracking and active flicker glasses to create a high frame rate, high resolution spherical display capable of presenting a multi-person mixed reality experience.” Put simply, each player gets their own perspective-corrected 3D experience. Researchers suggest that VR might be too solitary an experience to go mainstream. Image credit: Jamie Carter How does Crystal work? Crystal uses four carefully calibrated high-speed Optoma GT750ST mini short-throw projectors to create the images, which fill a plexiglass sphere coated with translucent projection paint. It uses advanced calibration and graphics rendering techniques to produce a complete, distortion-free 3D image even when viewed from multiple angles. That calibration is done using an OptiTrack optical tracking headset, so don't think of this as a hardware-killing invention. "We track a person's head so that the image on there looks correct from their perspective as they move around," says Sidney Fels, an electrical and computer engineering professor at UBC. "Using that, the person sees a beautiful 3D scene as they move around." That makes it viewable by more than one person, which makes it different to similar-looking 'fish tank virtual reality' (FTVR) displays that have existed for years and produce a stereo image of a 3D scene. Professor Sid Fels's globe VR display supports two or more players or viewers. Image credit: UBC What does Crystal do? Critically, it allows two people to see the created images. As well as encouraging a more sociable virtual reality that could be more interesting to people who like to play games with others rather than alone, it could also be useful for collaborating in the workplace. “The resurgence of headset VR in recent years has renewed interest in collaborative VR experiences,” reads the paper. “Co-location within the physical world affords many tangible and intangible benefits for collaboration.” Is Crystal any good? The whole point of Crystal is 'shared 3D' viewing; it allows two people to have unobstructed 3D perspective views into a spherical display while still being able to see and talk to one another. "When you look at our globe, the 3D illusion is rich and correct from any angle," says Fels. "This allows two users to use the display to do some sort of collaborative task or enjoy a multiplayer game, while being in the same space. It's one of the very first spherical VR systems with this capability." The researchers tested it over four day with multiple people cooperating in a ‘find the fish’ game, a 3D ping-pong game, and a cooperative apple-grabbing game. The players reported strong, believable 3D and motion parallax effects. HTC-Vive-HMD. Image credit: HTC How could Crystal be used? VR is not just about gaming. The researchers think their creation could be useful for teleconferencing and computer-aided design. At CES 2019 in January, Belgian company Mimesys demoed a 5G-enabled holographic remote collaboration system with Intel using Magic Leap's mixed reality headsets (and also some awesome holographic business cards). It feels like you're in the room with someone, at least in a rudimentary way, because it overlays their image on to your surroundings. Crystal is a similarly ambitious kind of mixed reality, and its makers have big plans. "Imagine a remote user joining a meeting of local users," says Ian Stavness, a computer science professor at the University of Saskatchewan and a member of the research team. "At either location you can have a Crystal globe, which is great for seeing people's heads and faces in 3D, or you can have a team of industrial designers in a room, perfecting a design with the help of VR and motion tracking technology." To that end, Crystal also has a camera embedded in it. 360-degree cameras are making it easier to create VR video. Image credit: Insta360 What's next for Crystal? This is just-out-of-the-lab technology, so don't expect to see it as a finished product anytime soon, but the researchers think that the two-player version of Crystal is just the beginning. They are now working on a four-person version, which would open up a lot more use-cases such as  multiplayer VR gaming, virtual surgery and VR-aided learning. “Headsets, and VR versions in particular, impede feelings of real-world connectedness and situatedness between people as they share a virtual space,” says the paper. “Of all mixed reality technologies under active research and development, we believe that spherical displays have the best potential to provide the visual illusion of a virtual scene merged indistinguishable with the real environment.” So is it goodbye to VR headsets? "We're not saying that spherical VR will replace flat screens or headsets, but we think it can be a good option for VR activities where you still want to see and talk to other people," says Fels. "Be it at home or in the office, for work or play." Check out our guide to the best VR headsets This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Watch Game of Thrones online: how to stream season 8 from anywhere Posted: 05 May 2019 12:02 PM PDT Episode 1 reintroduced us to the world of Game of Thrones, episode 2 set up the big fight and episode 3 blew our minds, brought wave after wave of action and reminded us just how gripping Game of Thrones can be. Whether you want to catch up on episodes 1-3 or see how to catch episode 4, this is the place to be for all of your how to watch Game of Thrones online knowledge.  After, what is honestly one of the most dramatic episodes ever, all we can really say is why haven't you watched episode 3 of Game of Thrones?! We can only assume you were in a country with an early viewing time. But don't worry, you can now watch it and the other two episodes already released online.  If you're the keenest of fans seeing how to watch Game of Thrones online for episode 4, we're here to tell you when and where. The trouble is that thanks to live streamed episodes and time zones your viewing time can be anytime day or night depending on where you live - you can see a full list of viewing times and where to watch down below.  So if you’ve got everything ready for the new episode this weekend (popcorn and all) and just lack the streaming service and time, you can find everything you need to know about how to watch Game of Thrones online on this page. See the best TV streaming services currently available Watch Game of Thrones online: stream outside your country Want to watch Game of Thrones online in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand or India? We've found all of your best options and listed them below. But, if you find yourself in the unfortunate circumstances where you've booked a holiday over the duration of Game of Thrones season 8, then things get a bit more difficult. For those unlucky fans, all hope isn't lost yet. You will find that watching Game of Thrones won't be an option thanks to geo-blocking. This means that broadcasters do tend to try and stop you from watching in other countries, putting up some virtual roadblocks. How to watch and live stream the best sport and TV online from absolutely anywhere Watch Game of Thrones online in the USA Watch Game of Thrones online in the UK FREE Watch Game of Thrones online in Canada Watch Game of Thrones online in Australia Watch Game of Thrones online in New Zealand Watch Game of Thrones online in India How to watch seasons 1-7 of Game of Thrones online If you want to do some super speedy re-watching of the old seasons, we can tell you the best places to watch seasons 1-7 of Game of Thrones but be warned, there is a lot of content to catch up on.  Luckily, most of the streaming services above offer seasons 1-7 of the show, that means you can watch all of the old episodes and then smoothly move into the new season. Below we've listed each country with all of the different viewing platforms for the old seasons: US: The US has a tonne of options when it comes to the old seasons with: HBO GO, HBO Amazon channel, Amazon Prime, iTunes, Google Play Store, Microsoft Store. UK: With just as much choice, in the UK you can watch old episodes on. Your best bets are either NowTV or Sky Go. Other options include Amazon Prime, iTunes, Sky Store, PlayStation, Microsoft Store, Chili, TalkTalk TV or the Google Play Store. Canada: The options in Canada are a bit more limited, choose between: Crave Plus, iTunes, PlayStation, Microsoft Store or Google Play Store. Australia: Pretty similar to Canada, choose between Foxtel Now, iTunes, Microsoft Store, PlayStation or the Google Play Store. New Zealand: SoHo...yep that is pretty much your only option in New Zealand. But if you want to watch the new season you might as well watch the whole show right? India: Just Hotstar, but when its so cheap, do you really need to shop around? Elsewhere: Live somewhere not on this list? Try giving a VPN a try and connecting to one of the countries below with plenty of options for watching the show.  Game of Thrones Season 8 episode 4 preview - get yourself excited for the next episode Episode 3 got you craving some more action? Watch the trailer above to see what to expect this week. With all of the Starks, dragons and White Walkers, season 8 of Game of Thrones was well worth the wait. Scroll up to see where to watch the first episode where you live. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

The future of headphones: touchscreen displays and integrated streaming Posted: 05 May 2019 11:00 AM PDT 'This is a re-published article that we've picked as one of our favorites of the last year from our suite of TechRadar Originals'. What’s next for headphones? It may seem like a moot question. Surely we just want better audio, comfier cans, and better value across the board. Is there anything a pair of headphones could do that could actually change the way we listen to music? At the premium end of the headphones market, often what distinguishes models comes down to styling or brand loyalty – anyone can spot your Beats headphones at about 50 paces – as much as slight variations in what frequencies are drawn out of your tracks. It’s rare that you find a line of headphones offering a fundamentally different user experience, but that’s exactly what Funky Sound is aiming to do. The French audio startup, founded by its CEO Arnaud Perret, has rethought the relationship between audio hardware and the inputs played through it. So what is Funky Sound’s Debussy range going to do differently? A prélude to something different The products in the Debussy audio range are described as ‘smart autonomous headphones’, without the tyranny of either cables or the lossy Bluetooth connection robbing your music of audio detail. The range comprises the primary over-ear Prélude model, a premium Prélude X model, and a third on-ear 'mini' option. The design itself is clearly towards the luxury end of the scale – cue gold or platinum coloring, premium leather padding, musical notations running along the band, and light red, white and blue detailing to display the colors of the company’s French homeland. But it’s the touchscreen display that will really catch your eye. Set on the left-side can, this doubles up as a navigational menu and a visual synthesizer for your music, with the option of displaying your own images and videos to personalize what you want your headphones to show off. What also stands out is each pair’s on-board computer, one that’s able to run streaming apps like Tidal, Spotify and Deezer – over 4G or Wi-Fi – without outsourcing the processing to an external device. You can still link it with your smartphone or smartwatch for playback controls, but the music itself begins and ends in the headphones themselves. You’ll even be able to use an eSim to make calls without a handset. Apple Music vs Spotify: the two music streaming giants go head to head It’s hard to stress how novel an idea that feels. Audiophiles so often have to choose between the convenience of wireless Bluetooth and the assured sound quality of a cabled connection (although some more serious offerings like the RHA CL2 Planars offer both options out of the box).  While the success of Funky Sounds' headphones will come down to how well these systems and services are integrated, the vision on paper bodes well for the consumer. That all includes on-board storage too: the Prélude headphones will come with 32GB for audio files, while the Prélude X pack in a larger 64GB. The Prélude model alone could hold more than 10,000 MP3 tracks, and still have room for thousands of high-grade audio files (formats such as FLAC or Apple Lossless). Voice assistants like Alexa and Google Assistant are already starting to make their way into mainstream pairs of headphones, and Funky Sound plans to build in that sort of integration down the line – although with a basic own-brand AI assistant built in by default. Star backing As the name Debussy – after the French composer Claude Debussy – suggests, Funky Sounds is an audio brand focused on its heritage. Speaking to TechRadar, Arnaut Perret managed to name-drop everyone from Stevie Wonder to Kavinsky (the composer for Ryan Gosling vehicle Drive) as collaborators on the project, with assurances that there were even more “big names to come”. Funky Sound is making much of its connections as an assurance of quality, with the headphones’ built-in EQ mastered by regular Daft Punk collaborator Antoine Chabert. While we did have the chance to test out the headphones ourselves, there’s only so much we can infer from a prototype model – one without any of the smart features or touchscreen capability that Funky Sound promises will make the Préludes stand out from the crowd. The hardware and design we’ve seen are finalized, while the next nine months or so will be spend fully developing the software needed to make all these lofty promises, including an integrated DAC and real-time audio translation, a reality – that is, if someone with deeper cash reserves doesn’t get there first. “All the manufacturers will copy, for sure,” says Perret. “But all we’re building, with all the artists and branding, that experience we’re creating... that cannot be mimicked.” The audio brand has now launched a Kickstarter campaign to fund its range of Debussy headphones, and the next few months could either establish the range or consign it to the pile of nice-sounding tech ideas that didn't quite make it. Funky Sound says its Prélude headphones are aimed at “people for whom music is at the center of their life”. But if the technology moves within reach of more casual listeners, the convenience and reliability of a fully integrated system – one that can host all the various streaming services, apps, and storage you’d need to input audio into your ears – could well impact the way we all consume our music. Check out our list of the best headphones 2018 Best Black Friday Soundbar Deals This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

I unlocked a stranger's car with my phone and drove off, and I want to do it again Posted: 05 May 2019 09:00 AM PDT This is a re-published article that we've picked as one of our favorites of the last year from our suite of TechRadar Originals'. I don't have the keys, and I never will. I don't know the owner, and I'll never meet them. This definitely isn't my car, but I'm about to get in and drive off. This isn't a tale of daylight robbery, nor me recounting my latest escapades in GTA. No, this is a real story of a simple – and surprisingly affordable - technology I wish I could buy right now for my own car. As I walk up to the 2013 Audi A3 parked on a side-street in East London I slide an iPhone 5S out of my pocket and I look nervously over my shoulder. Is that man staring at me? I'm not stealing this car, honest. Move along, nothing to see here. I unlock the phone, load an app and gain access to the car – a vehicle owned by a member of the public, and one I've never come into contact with in my life until now. Back it up It’s the tech, more than the novel hire service, that has really piqued my interest here – I want it in my car. Right now. Unlocking a car with your smartphone is nothing new, but until now it's been reserved for premium models which come with the technology built-in. The key part of the technology I used is that it can be installed in any car, making dumb cars somewhat smart. While the Audi A3 has a color display, Bluetooth connectivity and satellite navigation, it can't be unlocked with a phone. Instead, online vehicle hire service HiyaCar has installed a small device which plugs into the Audi's onboard computer and allows renters to lock and unlock the car from the firm's smartphone app. Image Credit: TechRadar The car isn't owned by the hire firm though. Rather, people who find their car spending a lot of time sitting outside doing nothing can advertise their vehicle on the app for others to rent by the hour or day. It's a similar service to AirBnB only, you know, for cars. Insurance is covered in the price you pay to rent the car, and with a virtual key on your smartphone the owner doesn't need to worry about you stealing the physical key, or getting another one cut. In fact, you don't even need to meet the owner, which makes pick-ups and drop-offs much easier. The 30 minute transformation And the best thing about it – HiyaCar currently charges just £99 to have it installed. That's much cheaper than buying a whole new car and a price I'd more than happily pay in return for the functionality if it were available to me. I spoke to HiyaCar COO & co-founder, Rob Larmour about the technology the firm uses to provide this service, and it's surprisingly flexible, quick to fit and affordable. The average install of a QuickStart Box takes around 30 minutes, and it can be done at the side of the road, on driveways and in carparks. It plugs in to almost any car – transforming older, 'dumb' cars into something a little more 21st century. As well as allowing you to lock and unlock, the QuickStart Box can also let you start the ignition in cars with a push-button system – elevating the system above the keyless entry Car Club offerings. For older cars which still require a physical key to be inserted and turned in the ignition, a 'dead key' is kept in the glovebox. This allows the user to start the engine, but not lock or unlock the car.  If it were to be stolen, the thief wouldn't be able to access the car if it was locked, nor would the dead key start the ignition without the car being unlocked via the app first. The box also comes with GPS and telematics, allowing the location and vital stats of the car to be tracked remotely, providing an additional layer of security for the owner. Image Credit: TechRadar Not perfect… yet There are a few limitations for now. You currently can't use the tech as the owner, as the app only allows it to be utilized by the person hiring the car, plus you need to be within Bluetooth range of the car for it to work. That means you won't be unlocking your car from the other side of the parking lot, as you need to be within a few feet of the vehicle for your phone to connect. It takes a few seconds for your phone to connect via Bluetooth, which means there's a delay once you've approached the car before you're able to get it. If you're looking for a quick getaway you may not want this, but on the plus side you can have the engine running before your bum hits the seat. This is an exciting development in the car tech world, and considering the reasonably low cost and quick install time it’s a piece of technology I can see catching on. A tweak of the app, a slightly quicker interface and easy availability will have me reaching for my wallet in no time. John McCann is getting behind the wheel to give you an alternative look at the wealth of cars - and the tech inside them - available today. From superfast sports cars to tech-packed hatchbacks, he'll take you through a range of makes, models, power and price tags in his regular TR Drives column. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Another rumor points to super-fast storage for the OnePlus 7 Pro Posted: 05 May 2019 06:30 AM PDT We're just days away from the official OnePlus 7 unveiling on May 14, and the rumors and teasers continue to roll on. Today's tidbit of information is about the ultra-fast UFS 3.0 storage that is apparently heading to the OnePlus 7 Pro. Sources speaking to the usually reliable XDA Developers say the Pro model will be the first phone to use the storage standard, which was announced last year. The key improvements are in read and write speeds, so that means whenever the OnePlus 7 Pro needs to save something to the internal storage, or dredge something up that's previously been saved, it should all happen very, very quickly. OnePlus explains its IP ratings policy Google Stadia and 5G phones The very best games for Android It's actually a rumor we've heard in previous specs leaks, so we'd say this has a very good chance of coming to pass – although it might push up the price premium on the Pro model at the same time. Storage upgrade UFS stands for Universal Flash Storage, and the third generation of the technology improves the connections between storage and phone, which in theory should make everything happen more quickly. UFS 3.0 chips can also handle higher temperatures, which might come in handy if you're pushing your phone with some high-level gaming. We're hearing that the OnePlus 7 Pro is going to come with 128GB or 256GB of internal storage. The standard OnePlus 7 is being tipped to match those storage levels, but might not have the UFS 3.0 upgrade. Whatever the specs and designs in the pipeline, we'll know for sure when OnePlus reveals all on May 14. As always, we'll bring you the announcements as they happen. OnePlus 7 Pro might be worse than the OnePlus 7 in one way This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Du to showcase 5G technology before commercial launch Posted: 05 May 2019 06:11 AM PDT Dubai-based telecom operator du is going to showcase the potential and benefits of the fifth-generation (5G) cellular technology to the customers at its stores in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. From May 8, residents can experience the speed and latency when compared to 4G before it is commercially launched it in the UAE. Osman Sultan, CEO of from Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (EITC), the parent company of du, told TechRadar Middle East recently that its network is ready for 5G and it is happening much sooner than expected. 5G is expected to deliver speeds that are 100 times faster than 4G and can provide up to 10Gbps. Also, where 4G offers a latency of 15-20 milliseconds, 5G will be one millisecond. Sultan believes that at the start, speed is going to be the key differentiator for 5G which will be targeted more towards outdoor coverage rather than indoor. The latency part will come at a later stage. “In this quarter, we will have significant 5G coverage in Dubai,” he said. With the 5G new radio access (5G NR) technology, the initial phase will deliver unprecedented high data speeds. Following that, the technology will evolve to deliver the remaining set of capabilities. The telecom operator aims to install more than 700 5G-enabled stations by the end of 2019. For this, the operator is expecting a 60 per cent increase in capital expenditure (CapEx) this year to AED 1.6 billion compared to AED 1 billion last year. The company has already invested AED 181 million in the first three months of this year in a bid to ramp up preparations for the launch of 5G and drive digital transformation. With the likely introduction of 5G in the UAE, Sukhdev Singh, executive director at research and consulting services provider Kantar, said that it is expected that service providers would look at new avenues of business growth which could be driven more by enterprise solutions, at least to begin with. However, he said that Singh said 5G smartphones and 5G routers for home use are expected to be available in the second half of this year but at relatively higher prices. The operator has signed partnerships with Nokia, Affirmed Networks and MediaTek to launch next-generation Narrow-Band IoT services, which is critical to the successful adoption of 5G technology. “We are creating a new track of revenue streams by forming alliances as it will enable devices to deliver a wealth of smart city applications ranging from smart metering, smart parking, trackers, smart health, industrial and agriculture use cases,” Sultan said. Network ready for 5G says CEO of UAE-based telco du 5G deployment will be the hottest topic of discussion at ITU conference in Egypt This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

UAE consumer electronics market to grow 6% to AED 14.2b this year Posted: 05 May 2019 05:12 AM PDT The total consumer electronics market in the UAE is expected to grow by 5.97 per cent to AED 14.2 billion this year compared to AED 13.4 billion last year, an industry expert said. Isam Arshad, a research analyst at Euromonitor International, told TechRadar Middle East that mature products such as laptops, digital cameras and LCD TVs are struggling to remain in demand and manufacturers are keen to push for premium features and technological improvements to boost sales. “People are looking to buy TVs with sizes over 50 inches and, at the same time; most of the key retailers are also displaying these sizes at their stores. The unit prices for OLED TVs are declining and that is attracting customers. Even the manufacturers have come to a consensus that the prices are extremely high for them to push in the market,” he said. According to the research firm, the retail value of TV sales is expected to fall by 10.52 per cent to AED 1.7 billion this year compared to AED 1.9 billion last year. Even laptop sales are expected to fall by 12.5 per cent to AED 1.4 billion this year compared to AED 1.6 billion a year ago. Arshad believes that one of the major reasons people are not buying conventional laptops is due to the cannabilisation of smartphones with people using Microsoft Office apps on their smartphones more than on laptops. However, he does see a surge in demand for gaming laptops.  while laptop sales. Wearables on the rise Wearables, which are gaining traction in the region with the launch of new models, are expected to reach AED 542 million this year compared to AED 446 million a year ago, witnessing a growth of 21.53 per cent. “The injection of luxury and fashion brands is also attracting fashionistas, who are more interested in aesthetics than technology,” Arshad said. However, he said that newer categories such as wireless speakers and wearable electronics are subject to lower price erosion as manufacturers make a concerted effort to incorporate more features and better audio quality to avoid competing in the low-end segment. He added that manufacturers are incorporating more features (voice assistants) at more affordable price points and voice assistants have become more refined now and can recognise any accent. In the consumer electronics category, he said that smartphones are the money makers and contribute more than 46 per cent to the total sales. Retail value of smartphone sales is expected to reach AED 6.6 billion this year compared to AED 5.3 billion a year ago amid a slowdown in volume. Arshad said that consumers in the UAE are price sensitive and the majority fall in the middle class segment. “Salaries are expected to remain the same this year compared to a growth last year. People are expected to postpone their purchases.” Even though Samsung is the market leader followed by Huawei and Apple, brand loyalty is taking a hit. Globally, smartphone sales declined for the sixth consecutive time during the first quarter of the year, with shipments falling 3.5 per cent to 310.8 million units. Samsung saw volumes fall 8.1 per cent while Apple fell 30.2 per cent year on year, the only positive factor was the 50 per cent growth from Huawei. “Apple and Samsung have brand loyalty still in the UAE. When people want to upgrade their devices, they would prefer to stick to the same user interface and features.  The chances of a Samsung user upgrading to another Samsung phone is around 60 per cent. “It is easier for a Samsung user to make a move to a Huawei phone as both run on Android. Huawei phones have more features than Samsung phones and are reasonably priced.  Huawei also has promotions throughout the year, a marketing technique, whereby they give headsets and watches as freebies. Now Xiaomi is also following suit,” he said. Even though about 70 per cent of the Apple users who used to upgrade their devices every year are now upgrading every year by only 50 per cent, he said and added that one of the reasons is the high price point and the lack of accessories as freebies. “Chinese companies are no longer content being fast-followers. They lead the smartphone market in terms of innovation. Vivo managed to launch the X21 that integrate biometric authentication into the display itself in June last year, ahead of Apple and Samsung,” Arshad said. Moreover, he said that Xiaomi is following the same model of Huawei and it is getting noticed. “They both entered as a low-priced competitor in the market but are now giving rivals a run for their money.   Oppo and Vivo are driving sales, especially among the blue-collar workers,” he said. Arshad said that Huawei is gaining market share and it is taking the market share from Samsung and Apple. “Huawei and other Chinese players will gain more market share this year while Samsung will be flat and Apple may see a decline,” he said. Online sales to surge 10% but still contributes only 15.5% of total sales in UAE Online retail sales of consumer electronics in the UAE is expected to grow faster than offline retail this year but still contributes only 15.5 per cent of the overall sales. Internet retailing or online retail sales are expected to grow by 10 per cent to AED 2.2 billion this year compared to AED 2 billion a year ago, according to estimates by research firm Euromonitor International. The total consumer electronics market in the UAE is expected to grow by 5.97 per cent to AED 14.2 billion this year compared to AED 13.4 billion last year. Isam Arshad said that electronics and appliance specialist retailers will remain the “dominant channel” for consumer electronics despite the continued rise of internet retailing. “Consumers shopping for high-value products such as the latest ultra-HD LCD TVs would still prefer to look at the products in retail outlets before buying,” he said. Quoting a Euromonitor’s Lifestyle Survey, he said that elderly and female consumers prefer to buy electronic products in the store, rather than online. “Retailers are also experimenting with omnichannel retailing, allowing retailers to reach out to consumers on all platforms. Digital presence is a necessity for both retailers and manufacturers as connected consumers read reviews and product specifications online,” he said. People are increasingly going online, he said and it is due to the decreasing prices of broadband and more households now have access to the internet. “People will never buy a branded watch from online expect from the online retailer of the brand, due to trust. So when Amazon’s name comes in instead of Souq, it brings more trust among consumers and adds more weightage,” he said. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

The beautiful game: how FIFA became the champion of soccer simulators Posted: 05 May 2019 05:00 AM PDT It’s a little bizarre to imagine a gaming landscape in which FIFA didn’t exist, but the very first entry in the series didn’t arrive until 1993. Prior to this, soccer simulators weren’t really simulators at all, but more of an arcadey approximation of the beautiful game.  But by the early ’90s, there was a shift in the games development scene where studios wanted to create sports games that closely resembled their real-life counterparts as much as possible. Sensible Soccer was one of the earliest, back in 1992, with its more traditional birds eye view and after touch controls, but when FIFA emerged from the tunnel it had one thing on its mind: true authenticity. What made FIFA International Soccer different from the rest was… well, FIFA. Publisher EA likely coughed up a lot of money to secure the official licence of the international soccer governing body, but it gave this inaugural entry an instant weight its competitors lacked outside their core brands.  By shifting the view from top-down to an isometric position, FIFA offered more of an intimate approach to player movement and opened up the passing game as a result. It sold well over 500,000 units at the time, an unheard of figure for a brand new sports IP, and secured the development of a sequel - FIFA 95. Footie goes 3D We've come a long way since FIFA Internal Soccer From here, the series’ annual release schedule began with haste. The demand for a finely-tuned soccer simulator was clearly there (especially in Europe) and FIFA 95 tapped into this with the removal of one-touch passing and an enhanced take on set-pieces. By the time FIFA 96 rolled around in 1995, more changes were afoot. The advent of more powerful consoles capable of supporting 3D renders enabled original developer Extended Play Productions to create 3D models in a ‘virtual stadium’ that not only utilized real player names and likenesses (a first for the series at this point), but created a far more realistic experience. By the time FIFA 97 laced up its boots the following year, the series had fully embraced polygonal player models, leaving the sprites utilized in many previous versions behind. The introduction of commentary voice over (another first, courtesy of the legendary John Motson), the inclusion of more official leagues (Malaysia’s M-League being one) and a brilliant six-a-side mode really showed EA was upping its game. When FIFA: World to Road Cup 98 followed it up in 1997, we were starting to see something resembling the level of quality we see today, with more official teams, additional stadia and a proper use of the off-side rule. FIFA 98 was also the first use of licensed music in the form of Blur’s ‘Song 2’, as well as tracks from Electric Skychurch and The Crystal Method. The slightly sluggish controls of FIFA’s early forway in 3D was also much improved, and by the time FIFA 99 dropped a year later, the addition of better player facial animation and movement helped ease the loss of that beloved indoor six-a-side mode. The M-League was also dropped, but we got two new official leagues from Belgium and Portugal to take its place. New millennium, new FIFA  Remember back when JVC sponsored Arsenal? FIFA 2000 welcomed in the new millennium with a handful of small but welcome tweaks to overall play, the introduction of the official Major League Soccer (MLS) league and overhauled commentary from John Motson, Mark Lawrenson and Chris Waddle. The US version included Phil Schoen and Julie Foudy on VO, the first woman to ever be awarded the FIFA Fair Play Award. Shooting was also much improved, but defense became a little less robust as a result.  FIFA Football 2001 helped address some of these issues with precision shooting, but the eighth entry in the series did far more for the franchise than simple tweaks. It was a launch title for the PlayStation 2 in the EU and was the very first entry to support online multiplayer. This was years before the advent of FIFA Ultimate Team, and while it was primitive, the support for online play was a huge deal that would prove to be a deciding factor in its popularity. And with the FIFA licence now including official team badges, the days of fictitious leagues, players and emblems was far disappearing.  The next few years saw more features introduced and removed as EA Canada (the studio that had taken over development of the series from around FIFA 99 onwards) began adding in power bars or shooting and passing, as well as actively making passing and dribbling purposefully more difficult. FIFA Football 2003 added in a ‘freestyle control’ system for more flair when dribbling, while off the ball touches made more intricate passing a reality in FIFA Football 2004. While the next instalment wasn’t a huge improvement, the return of the create-a-player mode was welcomed with open arms. Rewriting a winning formula Bless the rains down in AFIFA FIFA 06, much like FIFA 97 and FIFA 2001 before it, was another milestone for the franchise. EA Canada built a brand new engine for the game, so every element from matchday presentation to ball physics was entirely different when it launched in 2005. It was another step towards simulated realism, as well as vastly improved online multiplayer infrastructure. FIFA 07 continued to tweak the new engine, while FIFA 08 introduced Be A Pro mode for the very first time and cooperative online play.  When FIFA 09 arrived, it brought with it some much needed enhancements to the nuance of play, including better collision and a jostle system when battling for control of the ball. A Clubs mode was added for better online matchmaking in tournaments, while a certain mode called Ultimate Team was added as a downloadable extra on the side. It was a lowkey introduction to an element that would make FIFA one of the most profitable franchises of all time. FIFA 10 gave Manager mode a much needed overhaul, adding in Assistant Manager options in what was touted as a ‘Total Football Experience’ at the time. The Journey ahead It's hard to imagine when we thought these players looked realistic... Over the next few years, FIFA continued to hold off its biggest competitor - Pro Evolution Soccer - simply by holding onto the official licenses for the world’s biggest soccer leagues and its talent, as well as finding a balance between pure simulation and more accessible modes. From FIFA 10 all the way to FIFA 15 gradually improving individual player skills, passing accuracy and team chemistry. FIFA 14 also saw the transition to the Ignite engine. However, FIFA 16 served as another important milestone by introducing pro female players for the very first time - including motion capture courtesy of Alex Morgan, Sydney Leroux, Megan Rapinoe and Steph Catley. By FIFA 17, EA Canada decided to finally give the only sports sim out there not developed by EA worth its salt - the brilliant NBA 2K series - a run for its money by investing in a proper narrative-driven story mode. Following the exploits of young prospect Alex Hunter, its mixture of player choice and in-match stipulations offered something entirely fresh and new to a series often entirely focused on the intricacies of match day realism. This was also the year EA decided to shift FIFA onto a new engine - DICE’s Frostbite 3. EA continued and conclude The Journey through FIFA 18 and FIFA 19, with the latter carrying the torch first lit in FIFA 16 by enabling you to play as a female player in that same mode. With FIFA 20 on the horizon, fans are hoping this next instalment will continue to improve the series’ finely-tuned formula. Modes such as Pro Clubs have needed overhauling for years, and there’s hope a little more consistency on the pitch and a merger between Career mode and The Journey could help the next iteration of FIFA be the most important chapter yet. Read more: Here's everything we know so far about FIFA 20 This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Live stream snooker World Championship 2019 final: how to watch Higgins vs Trump from anywhere Posted: 05 May 2019 04:05 AM PDT So we've made it to the final after a fortnight of fascinating snooker from the 2019 World Snooker Championship. It's been a vintage year featuring the most century breaks ever, the first whitewash in decades and, of course, one of the biggest shock results in the history of sport! And with this guide you can find out how to get a World Championship snooker live stream from absolutely anywhere in the world you are. It all got started when world number one and snooker legend Ronnie O'Sullivan suffered a surprise defeat at the hands of 23-year-old amateur James Cahill in the first round. Astonishing stuff - Ronnie was the pre-tournament favourite for this year's crown. But now we've reached the final - John Higgins vs Judd Trump. If that sounds familiar, then you may be remembering the 2011 World Snooker Championship final when Higgins won the same matchup. That was the last of the Wizard of Wishaw's four world titles to date, and this is is third final in a row. Judd Trump on the other hand, is still seeking his first crown. His potting throughout the tournament has been extraordinary...can the 29-year-old left-hander win the big one at the Crucible? The great news is that getting a snooker live stream of the 2019 World Championship is really easy, as the BBC has the rights to show it in all its glory. And even if you're going to be outside the UK keep reading as we’ll show you how to watch from wherever you are. Football fan? Don't miss out on a Champions League live stream from anywhere How to watch the Snooker World Championships for free in the UK Live stream the Snooker World Championship from outside your country If you're not in the UK this fortnight and find the BBC coverage geo-blocked where you are, then there are still ways you can watch. Firstly, you can scroll down to see international viewing options. Or, if you're still struggling, get out of this tricky snooker with a VPN. It's really easy to do - and even easier with our three step guide below. Live stream the Snooker World Championship on Facebook If you don’t happen to live in the UK, don’t worry as the 2019 World Championship is again being broadcast in more than 30 countries around the world for free on Facebook. The list of countries included features the US, Pakistan, India, Brazil, Colombia and more from the Americas and Asia. All you need is a Facebook login to watch the live action, with your choice of which table to watch at any one time. Head on over to the World Snooker Facebook page to watch. How to watch the Snooker World Championship in Australia How to watch a snooker live stream in Canada This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

With the iPhone SE fading away the iPhone 6S is the best cheap iPhone around Posted: 05 May 2019 04:01 AM PDT The iPhone SE was a one of a kind when it came to the world of phones. A sentence that feels weird considering nothing really stood out about the device. But the factor that brought in the crowds and made iPhone SE deals a choice for the masses was its position as the cheapest iPhone. But now, it seems like the SE is dying out, very few retailers still stock the device and prices seem sporadic at best. So where do you now turn to get an affordable price from the notoriously expensive Apple? iPhone 6S deals. The iPhone 6S came out a whole year before the SE and yet, in almost every way it is better. It's bigger, has a larger battery and stronger processor and offers 3D touch, a feature that never quite made it to the SE. Best of all, the prices have dropped significantly and now cost roughly the same as the iPhone SE at its cheapest, making it the perfect cheap iPhone.  We've listed our top picks for iPhone 6S deals below but if none of them quite do it for you, check out our guide to the best mobile phone deals. Whether you feel a calling to Android or a higher-spec iPhone, you'll find everything there. Heart set on Apple? Compare the best iPhone deals on our dedicated page The best cheap iPhone 6S deals See what other budget phones are out there with our cheap smartphone guide Discover all of this weekend's best bank holiday sales This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Apex Legends is cracking down on cheaters Posted: 05 May 2019 03:15 AM PDT Apex Legends is the latest big name in battle royale gaming but with popularity comes problems and one of the biggest problems for developer Respawn, thus far, appears to be cheaters.  It was only a month after Apex Legends launched that Respawn announced its no nonsense attitude towards cheating. The developer wasn’t forthcoming with information on how it was catching “crafty” cheaters but it did confirm that in March it had already banned more than 350,000 players on PC alone.  Respawn has given fans an update on its fight against cheating players and the number of bans now stands at 770,000.  'A constant war' In its post on the Apex Legends subreddit, the developer remained reticent about its methods of catching players out “so as to not give a head's up to the cheat makers“ but it promised it is “attacking this from every angle, from improvements to detecting cheaters, bolstering resources and tools, to improving processes and other sneaky things to combat sellers and cheaters.” Whatever Respawn is doing appears to be working. In addition to the 770,000 bans it’s doled out  it has also managed to stop more than 300,000 new account creations and has banned 4000 cheat seller accounts in the past 20 days alone. As a result, it says that it’s managed to cut the number of matches on PC with cheating or spamming by half.  This success doesn’t mean Respawn will be easing up any time soon; it calls its actions “It is a constant war with the cheat makers that we will continue to fight.” This is the latest in the Respawn's quest to make Apex Legends a quality gaming experience for its fans after it announced that it would be focusing on fewer, better updates "with a focus on quality of content over novelty or speed of release." Keep up to date with the latest news from Apex Legends This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Google Stadia may be the first good use for 5G phones Posted: 05 May 2019 03:00 AM PDT  his is a re-published article that we've picked as one of our favorites of the last year from our suite of TechRadar Originals “Who is 5G for?” is a question a lot of tech writers and business pundits are asking right now. Phone companies are tripping over themselves to release 5G smartphones, with the likes of Samsung, Huawei, LG, OnePlus and many more announcing 5G variations on existing phones or entirely new handsets – despite the fact 5G networks aren’t in place. When it is in place, by the end of 2019 or beginning of 2020, 5G will provide much faster internet speeds of up to 1Gbps and a more reliable connection than 4G – but who will benefit from these incredible connection speeds? Could the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 have a 5G model? What do we expect from the new iPhone 11? Check out our thoughts on the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 At the moment Netflix requires 1.5Mbps to stream movies, while games require a slightly faster connection, with Fortnite needing around 3Mbps, and HD video streaming requires faster speeds still at 5Mbps – but even that’s a fraction of the peak 4G speed of 100Mbps, let alone 5G’s 1Gbps (or 1,000Mbps). Of course not everyone gets peak 4G speeds, with most providers’ speeds sitting between 15Mbps and 30Mbps; but it’s rare to be in a situation where 4G speeds aren’t enough, so 5G seems rather excessive – which brings us back to our original question of who, exactly, needs such speeds. Sure, movie fans will benefit from faster downloads, but that’s more of a convenience than a game-changer, and while 5G will have important applications in the area of autonomous vehicles it’ll be a few years yet before driverless cars take to our roads in a big way. The Moto Z3 with a 5G mod, the first 5G phone available. Image credit: TechRadar In the short term, though, it could be gamers who’ll be among the first to enjoy the benefits of 5G, thanks to Google’s unveiling of its Google Stadia game-streaming platform.  What is Google Stadia?  Google Stadia is a cloud gaming platform – that means you’ll be able to play games on a computer, tablet or smartphone without downloading them, as Google’s cloud computing network will power the game, so all you’d need is a solid internet connection. Google is positioning Stadia as the ‘Netflix of gaming’ – you’ll be able to scroll through a menu of games before choosing one to immediately start playing, with no lengthy download required before you can jump into the action. While there’s no information on a release date, price structure, or the number or calibre of games that will be available, if successful Stadia could transform the way we play games. Google Stadia. Image credit: TechRadar As well as playing on your computer or phone you can use Chromecast to play on a TV via your phone, using a new Stadia Controller designed by Google.  Since all the processing for the game you’re playing is handled by the cloud, you won’t have to have the latest and most powerful devices to use Stadia, but you’ll need a pretty quick connection speed to play online. Google recommends a minimum of 15Mbps, with latency below 40ms and data loss below 5%, but those requirements will increase sharply for games with more demanding graphics, or which require a quick internet speed to play online on top of the streaming speed. Wi-Fi will be sufficient to stream games when you’re at home, but if you’re out and about or somewhere with an unreliable connection you’ll need an alternative – and that’s where 5G steps into the spotlight. What will mobile gaming be like with 5G and Stadia?  Although it hasn’t been confirmed by Google, it’s likely that Stadia will enable you to stream blockbuster games, which ordinarily would be exclusive to consoles or high-end PCs, on your smartphone or tablet. The Razer Phone 2, a specialist gaming handset. Image credit: TechRadar With the super-fast speeds of 5G available both at home and when you’re out and about, playing both mobile and traditionally non-mobile games on the go will be no problem at all – you could find yourself using the Stadia Controller along with your phone to play Borderlands 3 or Starfield on the train on your way to work, or in a coffee shop. You’ll also be able to cast your gaming from your phone to a TV or other screen, and use your phone as a tiny console on which to play all your games. It’s possible that computers and portable devices would have different libraries on Stadia, but since all the processing is done by Google, there’s no reason why playing console games on a phone isn’t a possibility if you have fast enough internet speeds. What else does Google Stadia mean for smartphones?  If games are processed by the cloud instead of on devices, phones will no longer need the newest and best chipsets to play new games – older handsets with lesser processors will be able to play them too, which could lead to a reduced focus on cutting-edge chipsets for new phones. For example the Snapdragon 855, Qualcomm’s latest chipset which runs the Samsung Galaxy S10 and Xiaomi Mi 9, among others, is great for playing demanding mobile games; but if most people are using cloud gaming, such an advanced processor won’t be necessary in the phone. Of course, people use their phones for tasks other than gaming, but as one of the most intensive tasks for a device, it’s one of the main reasons for having an advanced chipset. Soon you could play high-end games on the Moto G7 Power, a decidedly low-end phone. Image credit: TechRadar This in turn could cause a problem for brands that create gaming-specific phones – the Razer Phone 2 and Asus ROG, for example, are positioned as handsets that are great for playing games on, but if any half-decent smartphone can play the newest games, gaming phones’ unique selling point suddenly becomes a lot less unique. Instead of processors, features like displays or speakers could become more important in phones as companies try to angle their device as the best for streaming games and creating immersive experiences. One possible repercussion, however, is that traditionally mobile games could suffer a hit – if they’re able to play the latest and greatest AAA games on a phone, fewer people would be willing to settle for a simpler mobile game, and the increased demand for big-name titles could mean independent studios suffer. What changes now?  Right now we don’t know for sure when Google Stadia will launch, or when 5G will roll out in different regions – both are expected to be widely available by the end of 2019, but that’s quite a big window.  For now, then, it’s business as usual – it’s likely companies like Microsoft and Sony will be worried about how Google Stadia could affect the Xbox Two and PS5, and phone manufacturers are probably considering how the shift to cloud processing will influence their design philosophies, but don’t expect anything big to change overnight. OnLive, Google Stadia and the long road to a worthy game streaming service This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

MotoGP live stream: how to watch the 2019 Spanish motorcycle Grand Prix online from anywhere Posted: 05 May 2019 02:35 AM PDT The 2019 MotoGP 2019 season is well under way with the fourth race due to take place this weekend in Spain. On Marc Marquez's home turf, the Spanish motorcycle Grand Prix is going to be a real battle of a race for everyone else on the tarmac. And you can live stream the MotoGP action using this guide. The Gran Premio Red Bull de España will take place on Sunday, May 5 in Jerez. Last year saw Spain's own Marc Marquez (Honda) take the victory as he marched towards a third straight world title and five in the last six years. Also competing this year is the legendary Valentino Rossi, for his 19th year racing. But the 2019 MotoGP hasn't been plain sailing for Marquez so far, he won in Argentina but Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati) took the opening race in Qatar and Alex Rins (Suzuki) took top spot in the US. Will the Spaniards stronghold on title come to an end this year? To keep up with every knee-scraping turn you can watch all the action using a live stream with this guide. Read on to live stream MotoGP 2019 from anywhere you happen to be in the world. Football fan? See how to get a Champions League live stream no matter where you are How to live stream MotoGP from outside your country To see how you can live stream the MotoGP action in the UK, Australia, the US, Canada and New Zealand, read on further down this page to see the broadcast options. But if you want to stream the riding from outside your country, you may find that it's geo-blocked. Discover how to get an F1 live stream from every single Grand Prix this season How to stream MotoGP live from Spain in the UK How to watch the Spanish MotoGP in the US Check out the overall best sports streaming sites in the US today How live stream the Spanish MotoGP in Australia How to watch a Spanish MotoGP live stream in the Canada How to get a Spanish MotoGP live stream in New Zealand This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Next year's Snapdragon 865 chip could come in 4G and 5G versions Posted: 05 May 2019 02:30 AM PDT The Qualcomm Snapdragon 855 is powering some of the best phones on the market in 2019, but we're already hearing rumors about what the Snapdragon 865 might bring with it – particular in terms of 5G. According to a tweet from Roland Quandt at WinFuture and a report from GizChina, there could be a version of the flagship chipset without integrated 5G, giving manufacturers more flexibility. Based on what we've heard so far from Qualcomm, a 5G modem is supposedly going to be integrated into the Snapdragon 865, so everything you need to get connected to next-gen speeds will come built in. We tried the first 5G phone 5G phones for 2019, rounded up Microsoft reveals the HoloLens 2 While that's still going to happen as far as we know, a variation without the extra 5G could be used in markets where the cellular tech isn't available, to keep prices down. To 5G or not to 5G With phones including the Samsung Galaxy S10 now available in 5G editions, consumers can now get their hands on 5G smartphones for the first time. The infrastructure required to support 5G is still in the early stages of rolling out, however: in countries where it is available, you can only pick it up on certain networks in certain cities. That situation will of course improve over time, but it sounds as though Qualcomm could decide to announce the Snapdragon 865 with and without an integrated 5G modem. We should find out later this year. Having 5G integrated on at least one Snapdragon 865 model would give manufacturers extra room for other components, and maybe even a bigger battery. Here's everything you need to know about 5G so far This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

The Elder Scrolls: Blades is now available for everyone Posted: 05 May 2019 02:16 AM PDT After a period of invite-only early access, Bethesda has announced that The Elder Scrolls: Blades can now be downloaded and played by everyone with a supported iOS or Android device.  That's right, there's no need to register for early access or even use a Bethesda account, you can just download the game from Google Play or the App Store now.  When it was first announced, it was confirmed that Elder Scrolls: Blades would be coming to PC and consoles as well as mobile but for the moment the release is limited to mobile devices. That’s no bad thing, though; in our hands-on review of the game we found Blades to be “a thoroughly enjoyable experience” despite not being a completely fresh take on the universe. While it’s now open to everyone, The Elder Scrolls: Blades is still a work-in-progress early access game and this is worth bearing in mind before you play. According to Bethesda's FAQ, however, any early access progress or purchases you make will be carried over to the main game.  If you just can’t wait until The Elder Scrolls 6 for a new Tamriel fix, then you can download The Elder Scrolls: Blades now on iOS and Android.  Prefer to think about The Elder Scrolls 6? Here are a few items we'd like to see in that game This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Google IO 2019 livestream: how to watch the keynote online Posted: 05 May 2019 02:00 AM PDT The Google IO 2019 keynote starts at 10am ET (1pm PT, 6pm BST), and we'll be reporting live from Mountain View, California to bring you all the latest Google has to offer, and you'll be able to watch along with the Google IO livestream. Google IO, or as the company styles it Google I/O, is the search giant's annual developer conference where it showcases everything we can expect from the coming year of Android and Google services. So if you want to know what the next 12 months of tech brings, you need to know how to watch the Google IO 2019 keynote. How to livestream Google IO 2019 You'll likely be able to watch the keynote on the Google IO website, which is currently running a countdown clock to big event right now.  Google will also likely livestream the keynote on YouTube, with the Google Developer's channel hosting the video last year. When Google unveils its stream, we'll add it into this article so you can easily find it. For now, enjoy Google's highlight reel from Google IO 2018. What to expect at Google IO 2019 There are a few things we're hoping to see from the Google IO livestream. One is the rumored Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL smartphones, which we've heard will be budget alternatives to the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL. Another big announcement could be around the next version of its mobile operating system, with new features for Android 10 likely to be revealed on stage. Google will probably also unveil a range of new features and changes to its Google Suite of apps, which it recently discontinued a load of, so perhaps we'll see some of the features in the old apps added to the newer ones. TechRadar will be at Google IO and analyzing all the announcements, from hardware announcements to software upgrades, so stay tuned over the coming days for all our expert commentary. Google could be planning to get your smartphone to talk to you This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Get a free pair of Beats X headphones with these big data EE SIM only deals Posted: 05 May 2019 01:58 AM PDT We've been graced with a lot of brilliant, big data SIM only deals recently. But the one thing they've all been missing is an added incentive. When it comes SIMOs, the amount of data you're getting and the cost you're paying are paramount. But combining great cost, tonnes of data and a freebie to entice you in...well that just the perfect combination. Showing other networks how it's done, EE is now offering a free pair of Beats X wireless headphones with one of its big data SIMO plans. Pay just £27 a month and you'll receive not only the free headphones but also 50GB of data every month.  If you like the idea of lots of data and EE's fast connection speeds, but the cost has put you off there's another option for you. Drop the price by £4 a month and you can still get 25GB of data, you do lose the free headphones though.  Both of these EE SIM only deals are Essential Plans. That means that at any point you can sign up for free 6 month trials to Amazon Prime Video, MTV Play, Apple Music and a 3 month free trial for BT Sport - just to add to the overall value of these offers. Compare these offers to the rest with our SIM only deals guide These impressive EE SIM only deals What if I want a shorter term SIM only deal? A full year with EE sound like a little bit too long for you? No problem. If flexibility is what you're after then Smarty, a relatively new player to the game, has a 30-day flexible unlimited data plan for just £25 a month. So it's a tad more pricey and not necessarily a name you'll be familiar with, but at least you know that you can break at any time and you'll have no caps on your usage. Plus, Smarty is currently throwing in a £20 Amazon voucher. Bonus! Still not convinced? Select from our list of best SIM only deals in the UK today This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

The Last of Us 2 release date, news, and rumors Posted: 05 May 2019 12:38 AM PDT As endings go, The Last of Us's was pretty conclusive. But as it turns out, that hasn't stopped The Last of Us developer Naughty Dog from cranking out a sequel in the form of The Last of Us 2 – or, The Last of Us Part II if we're using its proper name.  Given the first game was hailed by players and critics alike as a masterpiece with excellent, emotional storytelling and engaging, realistic characters, we have to admit that the decision to release a follow-up isn't particularly shocking. We'd probably have been more surprised if there wasn't one. And yet, when The Last of Us 2 was first announced, we'd be lying if we said our heart didn't skip a beat.  How The Last Of Us raised the bar for video game narratives The Last of Us 2 was first announced by Naughty Dog at PlayStation Experience in 2016 alongside a teaser trailer and as we're now into 2019, we're now hoping to hear an official release date any day now.  Although we got a closer look at the game, Sony didn't give us any hints during E3 2018 when we'd see the game, but it's looking more and more likely that we'll have to wait until 2019 to see what becomes of Ellie in the brutal post-cure world. [Update: We could see an update for The Last of Us 2 before E3 2019.] Cut to the chase What is it? The sequel to the critically acclaimed post-apocalyptic game The Last of Us When can I play it? It’ll be a while from now, late 2019 or early 2020 What can I play it on? PlayStation 4 The Last of Us 2 trailers  The most recent trailer we have for The Last of Us 2 was shown during E3 2018. This trailer finally gives us a look at Ellie in an intimate scene before cutting away to some of the brutal but stealth-based combat we can expect to see in the game when it's launched. The gameplay sequence gives us a look at Ellie fighting for her life in the wild. Success in a fight appears to require the right balance between stealth and all out attack as damage seems to have a more realistic impact. Ellie can move quietly between areas, taking weapons from bodies and crafting, before bursting out and taking down her enemies.  See the gameplay for yourself below. The Last of Us Part 2 had another trailer drop during PSX 2017. During a panel it was confirmed that the game will be set in the city of Seattle and the darker themes we know are coming were touched upon. You can watch the panel for yourself below: Another trailer for the game was shown at Sony's press conference during the 2017 Paris Games Week. This trailer is around 5 minutes long, focusing on conflicts between the human factions in the game. It shows part 2 is going to have a dark story, perhaps even darker than the first, and the trailer is fairly harrowing to watch.  Visually impressive though it is, do note that it's gory before you watch it for yourself below.  The first look at the game came with its announcement at PlayStation Experience in 2016. Despite the fact that the game is early in development, the trailer showed a full (non-gameplay) scene that features both Ellie and Joel. You can watch it below: The Last of Us 2 release date The Last of Us 2 has been in the works for a while but we're still waiting for a definite release date. Considering Naughty Dog has seen the bad side of promising a solid release date and missing it before it’s hard to blame them for not committing at this stage.  In a recent interview with Vorterix, the game's composer, Gustavo Santaolalla, said that it's going to launch in 2019. Naturally, this hasn't been confirmed so we'd take it with a pinch of salt. However, it doesn't seem all that implausible as a release window given that in-game footage was only shown as recently as Paris Games Week. What we know so far We could see more before E3 2019 Sony isn't coming to E3 2019 but that doesn't mean it's not going to be making announcements around that time and a big update for The Last of Us Part 2 could be imminent. Hopes have been raised by an industry insider on a Resetera thread which discusses a potential release date for the game. User Aokiji, who has made some accurate leaks before, said "Considering we’re getting an official TLOU2 update before E3, would be really weird if it wasn’t 2019 now wouldn’t it ." Now, any news that doesn't come from Naughty Dog or Sony itself should, of course, be taken with a pinch of salt. However, the time feels ripe for an update on the progress of the game. With E3 2019 only just over a month away, we don't have long to wait to find out.  Definitely coming to E3 2018 Sony has confirmed the time and date of its E3 conference as June 11 at 6pm PT/ 9am BST. And Sony Worldwide Studios boss, Shawn Layden, has confirmed during a PlayStation Blogcast that the Last of Us 2 will feature. Layden said that Sony has decided to "refresh and remake its show" and that fans can expect to see "deep dives", gaining a better understanding of where Naughty Dog is and plans to go with the title.  Mocap is underway Things have been quiet on the official news front for The Last of Us 2 but we've been glad to see some studio insiders and actors from the game posting images on social media which show that the game's motion capture is well underway. Actors Ashley Johnson and Shannon Woodward have both posted images of themselves wearing mocap suits. They didn't give much away but the fact that Naughty Dog is this far into the motion capture process suggests we might at least be closer to hearing about a possible release date.  Troy Baker is impressed The Last of Us 2 is still in the works, but we now know that one of its lead voice actors, Troy Baker, has had an in-depth look and he thinks the game is 'awesome'. It's not clear whether Baker just saw some gameplay or had the chance to go hands-on himself but according to GameRant he said during MCM Comic Con at Birmingham “It’s a fantastic story. It’s a fantastic game. We just finished a playtest. It’s looking awesome. I can’t for it to be on shelves.” Though we can't be sure where exactly in the development process it is (during PSX, it was said that Naughty Dog had reached around the 50 to 60% mark) this playtest is an encouraging sign.  Directors With Neil Druckmann having been promoted to Vice President of Naughty Dog, The Last of Us 2 now has two confirmed directors. Druckmann will, of course, still be heavily involved in the creation of the game but it's now being headed up by Anthony Newman and Kurt Margenau, both of whom were lead designers on Uncharted 4.  Story Although it was no slouch in the gameplay department, it was the story told by The Last of Us that stuck with us for months afterwards. Naturally Naughty Dog had to give us some kind of hint about where the sequel would go.  At the moment we know The Last of Us 2 will take place in the city of Seattle, five years after the end of the original game, with a 19 year old Ellie taking the starring playable role. Joel will still appear in the game but if the teaser trailer is anything to go by, he could be a much more passive presence.  This time around, Ellie is extremely angry about...something. From what we saw from the teaser trailer she wants revenge, which to her appears to be a dish best served deadly.  She does, after all, promise to “kill every last one of them.” It’s not clear who “them” is but it could signal that the Fireflies, the first game's well-meaning but morally grey antagonists, will make a return. Anger, hate and revenge are going to be key themes this time around so expect to be in for an emotionally heavy ride.  As Joel is such a passive presence in the trailer there’s been speculation that he’s actually dead, appearing in Ellie’s mind’s eye, and Ellie’s anger and vengeance will be directed at those who caused his death. This isn’t entirely unlikely but it’s purely speculation at this point. It is worth pointing out, however, that Neil Druckmann did reveal in an interview with PlayStation Lifestyle that this announcement trailer footage is not a scene that will actually take place in the real game.  In the trailer for the game shown at Paris Games Week in 2017, we got a look at how dark the game is likely to be. The trailer focuses on the opposing relationships between human characters in the game and features some seriously cringe-inducing violence.  It doesn't tell us much about any new characters of how they'll relate to one another but it does confirm that we're going into a dark game world in The Last of Us part 2.  In a recent panel at PSX both Druckmann and Gross said that though the game's story will indeed be dark and there'll be a focus on the theme of hate, "there is hope" and there will be "lighthearted moments."  We can't pretend we're not relieved to hear this after the game's controversial Paris Games Week trailer which, Druckmann said, was intended to highlight the game's exploration of the pursuit of justice. Ellie is one of the most real and refreshing characters we’ve seen in gaming so it’s exciting that Naughty Dog are going to take her story further and put her in center stage.  The creative director of the game, Neil Druckmann has said that the story will be about Ellie and Joel’s relationship and that though the story would be complementary to the story of the first game, it would be much larger.  When asked at a PSX panel whether or not Joel or Ellie may die, Druckmann responded that "no one is safe" highlighting that the game's story really could go anywhere.  Hopes are particularly high for this larger story as it’s been revealed that one of the writers of Westworld, Halley Gross, will be co-writing the game’s story. Having someone who’s written scripts for such an incredibly popular and successful show should be a boon for the game's story.  Gameplay Not much is being said about gameplay at the moment. Neil Druckmann said at a PSX Panel that there would, however, be some differences as a result of Ellie being the playable character rather than Joel.  “Ellie plays differently than Joel [...] Some things are evolution, some things are reinvention, but there will be a gameplay reveal down the road.” It’s hard to glean much from this, but if Naughty Dog take the approach that’s frequently taken with playable female characters, Ellie will probably be more swift on her feet than Joel was but perhaps less able to take damage.  This won't be the first time we've had the chance to play as Ellie, after the first game put us in her shoes for a short mission, but here the purpose of the mission was to make her feel weak in comparison to Joel. We can only hope her abilities will be expanded for the sequel. In the Paris Games Week trailer she certainly looks far physically stronger than she did in the first game.  We expect to see much more in terms of gameplay from E3 2018 after Druckmann stated in the PSX panel that more details for the game would emerge at that event.  What we'd like to see from The Last of Us 2 A new setting Given that time has moved on 5 years from the end of the first game, it’d be nice to see Joel and Ellie in a new location too. It doesn’t necessarily have to be far from the setting of the first game but considering we have the two lead characters and their relationship to keep us tied to the first game, it’d be nice to play in a new location to keep things feeling fresh and make the introduction of new characters feel more plausible.  Druckmann has said that this game’s story will be larger than the story of the first game and we imagine this necessitates a slightly more expansive setting. More frightening enemies The infected in the first game are terrifying and threatening and we want to see more of that. Things don’t have to change too much but new classes of enemy, new character designs and new ways to defeat them would be excellent.  Considering we’ll be playing as Ellie now rather than Joel we imagine players will have to learn to take a different approach to combat anyway as it’s been said she’ll play differently. It’d also be great to see more human enemies as well as the infected. We saw more than a few morally grey factions make an appearance in the first game so to expand on this and maybe introduce some more elements would be interesting.  The exploration of the morality of humanity in post-apocalyptic scenes is always interesting, particularly considering in games you’re interacting with it directly and feeling its impact more strongly than in most mediums.  The Last of Us 2 has the chance to make a real emotional impact through the human areas it presents us with. The return of multiplayer Multiplayer in The Last of Us was surprisingly good so we wouldn’t be averse to seeing it return here. If the game’s main story is going to be as heavy as we expect, it’d certainly be nice to have the option to break free for a while without leaving the game world and connect with others online.  (Image credits: Naughty Dog) Check out our picks of the best PS4 games right now This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

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