Monday, June 24, 2019

Apple : iOS 13 vs iOS 12: here's what changed

Apple : iOS 13 vs iOS 12: here's what changed

iOS 13 vs iOS 12: here's what changed

Posted: 24 Jun 2019 01:54 PM PDT

iOS 13 has now landed in public beta form today, meaning that if you’re feeling adventurous you can download it now.

The question you’ve got to ask yourself is whether it’s worth the bugs and instability to get on board early, and to help answer that we’ve compared iOS 13 with iOS 12, so you can see exactly what’s new and different. iOS 13 has most of the stuff iOS 12 has, but it also has a whole lot more, and lots of improvements, as you’ll see below.

We’ve also highlighted which devices each version is actually available for, and when those less adventurous Apple users will be able to join the party.

iOS 13 vs iOS 12: availability and compatibility

The iOS 13 public beta is available now, with the final, finished release likely to land sometime in September, alongside the iPhone 11 range. iOS 12 of course is available in full, finished form already, and if you have an iOS device then chances are that’s what it’s running.

iOS 13 won’t be compatible with all devices that can run iOS 12 though. You need an iPhone 6S or iPhone SE or later, or an iPod Touch 7th Gen. That notably counts out the iPhone 5S, iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, all of which can run iOS 12.

Some iPads won’t be compatible with this year’s big update either, but no iPads are getting iOS 13, rather, compatible ones will be getting the new iPadOS.

iOS 13 vs iOS 12 Dark Mode and sign ins


Two big new features for iOS 13 are Dark Mode and Sign In with Apple. The former is a system-wide dark color scheme that also works with all native apps and will be available for third-party developers to integrate into their apps.

It’s designed to make using your iPhone easier on your eyes when in a low-light environment, and it can be set to come on at sunset or a specific time. There’s also a quick toggle for it in Control Center. Of course, you might also decide you just prefer using Dark Mode all the time.

Sign In with Apple meanwhile lets you use your Apple ID to sign into apps and sites with a single tap. It’s a similar idea to the sign in services Facebook and Google offer, but it puts privacy first, letting you do things like hide your email address. Apple also won’t track your activity or create a profile on you from it.

iOS 13 vs iOS 12: performance

iOS 12 offered significant performance boosts over iOS 11, but iOS 13 looks set to improve things further still.

Apple claims that apps launch up to two times faster using iOS 13, while Face ID is up to 30% faster. App downloads and updates are also set to get a lot smaller from “this fall”, though that will presumably apply to users on iOS 12 as well.

iOS 13 vs iOS 12: Siri

Siri seems to get better with every new version of iOS. iOS 12 enhanced Siri’s translation skills, massively improved its ability to make useful suggestions, and added Siri Shortcuts, which lets you create custom quick actions that you can trigger with a specific phrase. Siri will even suggest some Shortcuts that you might like to make as it learns your routine.

With iOS 13 that’s all still there of course, but it’s now even better, as Siri can ask follow-up questions when running a shortcut if any extra information is needed. Siri’s ability to make suggestions has also been further improved. For example, it can suggest specific shortcuts based on the time or location.

And you’re going to enjoy interacting with Siri more, as its voice has been made to sound more natural. This is thanks to ‘advanced neural text-to-speech technology’.

iOS 13 vs iOS 12: camera and photos

The camera and photos are two other areas that have been given a lot of attention for iOS 13. These features weren’t such a focus in iOS 12, but they weren’t completely ignored either.

The camera for example got an improved Portrait Lighting mode as part of iOS 12, while QR code reading became automatic, and the ability to search for specific photos was improved, as you could search by event and use multiple search terms at once.

With iOS 13, you can change the intensity of light in Portrait Mode, and a new monochromatic effect has been added. There’s also a completely redesigned editing experience, letting you individually review each effect and make use of new editing tools in the Photos app, such as ‘Vibrance’, ‘Noise Reduction’ and ‘Perspective Correction.’

The biggest change though comes to how photos are displayed, with a new Photos tab that can highlight shots from specific days, months or years.

iOS 13 vs iOS 12: Maps

Apple added more details to Maps with iOS 12, along with things like more accurate entrance locations and more up-to-date information, as well as switching to using its own mapping information, rather than relying on third parties.

With iOS 13 though Maps lets you get a look at places at ground level, in 3D, similar to Google Street View.

You can also get real-time transit information, and in select locations there are more realistic, detailed maps. Plus, you can more easily access favorite locations, so setting up navigation for places you often travel to is quicker.

iOS 13 vs iOS 12: Reminders, Messages and Memoji

Apple has also redesigned the Reminders app for iOS 13, giving it a completely new interface, support for attachments, and ‘smart lists’, which automatically organize and display your reminders, giving you the choice to view just those that are relevant today, flagged reminders, scheduled ones, or all of them.

Messages has been improved too. In iOS 12, Apple let you further personalize your interactions with extra Animoji and the Memoji feature (which creates a cartoon version of your own face).

Now, with iOS 13, Apple has added three more Animoji (an octopus, a mouse and a cow) and added loads more customization options for Memoji. Your phone can also now automatically generate sticker packs featuring your Animoji and Memoji.

As for the Messages app itself, you can now share your name and photo – but you can choose whether to do this with everyone, just your contacts, or no one. The search tool in Messages has also been improved. It will automatically display recent messages, images and the like that you might be searching for before you even start typing, then once you do type it will categorize the results.

iOS 13 vs iOS 12: augmented reality

iOS 12 added ARKit 2, which allowed for shared experiences in AR, opening the doors to all sorts of multiplayer AR games and apps.

With iOS 13, Apple has moved to ARKit 3, which allows AR content to realistically pass behind or in front of people in the real world, helping it look more realistic.

It also allows AR experiences to use both the front and rear cameras on your device at the same time, track multiple faces, and with Reality Composer you can create your own AR scenes, using simple drag and drop controls.

iOS 13 vs iOS 12: other features

That’s most of the headline features of iOS 13 covered, but there’s a whole lot more here too. iOS 12 added Grouped Notifications, screen time information, improvements to Do Not Disturb, a new Measure app, and more, including small updates to most of the stock apps.

You’ll find all of this in iOS 13 too, but with further additions and updates. For example, CarPlay, voice control, Safari, Notes, the App Store, Apple Health, Apple Music and more have all been updated in ways small and large. You can check out our iOS 13 guide for a more in-depth look just at what iOS 13 offers, but there’s a lot here.

Does that make it worth upgrading to now? Only you can answer that. If you can live without these features and improvements for a while it would make sense to wait for the stable release. If not, well, what are you waiting for?

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Open Source: the secret sauce to business success

Posted: 24 Jun 2019 01:49 PM PDT

Software is at the heart of the digital revolution and, ultimately, it is what determines the success, agility and competitiveness of businesses looking to succeed in today’s fast paced, digital world.

Open source is changing the way organisations build software, offering a strong and critical foundation for digital transformation, while bringing teams and departments together.  As the approach to in-house software development evolves, organisations understand that their success is determined by the way they participate in Open Source Software (OSS). This offers a realm of opportunities that do not just benefit the IT department, but the business at large.

Open Source, open mind

On OSS platforms, multiple individuals with diverse skill sets work together on software development projects. Sometimes thousands of people, from multiple geographies with diverse backgrounds, share ideas and best practice. Bringing together this wide range of ideas and skill sets is critical to driving innovation. Also, it's the businesses that actively contribute to OSS, as well as consume it, that attract the best developer talent and are the most innovative.

One other benefit of OSS is the ability to reuse code. Most businesses contribute back to the open source community, making their source code available for others to use. Some of the world's leading digital businesses such as Facebook and Google  are contributing, enabling any organisation to ‘stand on the shoulders of giants’ by building on leading edge software projects developed by the best. The ability to reuse code also boosts the quality and velocity of software development.

Image credit: Pixabay

Innovation through collaboration

The culture of collaboration embodied by DevOps has been evident for many years within the OSS community. Enterprises have now realised the value open source brings to the business and understand that the same culture and working methodology that drives innovation at speed in the open source community, also contribute to faster innovation inside the organisation. As a result, more and more forward looking businesses have adopted these same best practices to build software behind the safety of their firewall. An approach commonly known as “innersource.”

This is so successful that businesses including PayPal, Bloomberg and Walmart are adopting recognised open source best practices within their organisation to transform the way they develop software for their teams and their customers.

This way of working allows teams to break down departmental barriers, reduce silos and work towards the shared goal of enabling business priorities. This is an approach that other departments beyond IT can learn from in an age of digital innovation, making open source an influential and integral component to innovative business thinking. 

Recognising results

Open source does not just represent a new way of working and drive transformation across industries. As businesses embrace open source best practices and ‘innersource’, they become more efficient by reducing duplicate effort and breaking down barriers, so teams can share skills across the entire organisation. This creates a company culture where big ideas thrive and innovation becomes reality.

Decision-makers across the board must understand, communicate and harness the power of open source, if organisations are to adopt a collaborative and innovative mindset fit for today’s digital landscape. Open source collaboration does more than just bring great ideas to life, it brings people together and let them strive towards one common goal. And this is the most powerful asset a business can have.

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The best cheap 4K TV deals and sale prices in the US - June 2019

Posted: 24 Jun 2019 01:15 PM PDT

Amazon Prime Day is fast approaching, and that means killer deals on cheap TVs. Leading up to big July event we'll be updating this page with the best TV sales from top retailers like Amazon and Walmart. This is an excellent time to find Black Friday like prices on top brand 4K TVs from brands like LG, Samsung, Sony, and more. You'll find massive discounts on 4K TVs, smart TVs, and different sizes and prices that fit all TV viewing needs.

You will find all of our curated deals below. We've divided them into three different size categories as well as our pick for the best cheap TV deal of the week. These days you really don't have to pay much more to get a Ultra HD 4K set instead of an older-style HD one. If you're after the hottest tech in TV though, you may want to take a look at the cheapest OLED TV prices.

Whether you want a small TV with a price tag to match or something to show all the colors of the rainbow (and a few million more) with HDR, we've found plenty of options. Read on to find the TV you want at a great price!

cheap 75-inch TV deals prices sales Sceptre

TechRadar's cheap TV deal of the week

Cheap TV deals (40-49 inch)

Cheap TV deals (50-59 inch):

Cheap TV deals (60-85 inch):

More cheap TV sales:

Not found the right cheap TV for you today? Or maybe you'd prefer to directly browse the TVs at your favourite retailers instead of our highlights of the best cheap TV deals? We're updating this page on a regular basis, so you may have better look another day. If you want to take a look for yourself now though, here are the direct links to a the full collection of TV deals at multiple stores. 

Learn more about Prime Day with our guide on Amazon Prime Day 2019: everything you need to know for the July deals event.

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UK businesses losing money and customers due to inaccurate data

Posted: 24 Jun 2019 12:52 PM PDT

Businesses are missing out on revenue opportunities and losing customers as a result of bad data practices according to new research from Dun & Bradstreet.

To compile its new The Past, Present and Future of Data report, the firm surveyed over 500 business decision makers in the US and UK.

The report shows that almost 20 percent of businesses have lost a customer due to using incomplete or inaccurate information about them with an additional 15 percent of respondents saying they failed to sign a new contract with a customer for the same reason.

Almost a quarter of those surveyed (22%) said their financial forecasts have been inaccurate while 17 percent of organizations offered too much credit to a customer due to a lack of information about them and lost money as a result.

How data is structured

The way in which data is structured was also found to be a significant barrier in many organizations as the survey discovered indications that data is often poorly structured, difficult to access and out of date. Nearly half of the business leaders surveyed (46%) said that data is too siloed to make any sense of it with the biggest challenges to making use of data being protecting data privacy (34%), having accurate data (26%) and analyzing/processing that data (24%).

This lack of structure could be a direct result of the fact that 41 percent of those surveyed said that no one in their organization is responsible for the management of data. This lack of ownership could also be why 52 percent of respondents said they have not had the budget to implement data management practices within their organizations.

Dun & Bradstreet's report also shows that two thirds (65%) of business leaders said that data will be vital to the future success of their organization. However, less than a quarter of organizations (22%) have staff that are dedicated to data management and less than one fourth say that they have the necessary talent to implement data management properly.

Chief data scientist at Dun & Bradstreet, Anthony Scriffignano Ph.D offered further insight on the report's findings in a press release, saying: 

"Information has always been critical for businesses, but over the past decade, the volume of data, the types of information available and the ability to do new things with that data have expanded enormously. It's not surprising that many business leaders feel they are still catching up and their organizations are yet to make the most of data – and some have even been fined or lost customers due to incomplete or 'dirty' data."

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Best free games 2019: the top free games to download on PC

Posted: 24 Jun 2019 12:23 PM PDT

If you’re looking for the best free games to distract you with after a long day’s work, then you’ve come to the right spot. Everyone loves free stuff, especially when it comes to the best PC games. After all, there are so many fun, entertaining free games out there right now on PC, and, unlike Xbox and PlayStation, which periodically give out free games on Xbox Games With Gold and PlayStation Plus, respectively, things work much differently with gaming PCs. The top free games are a genre all their own.

Due to the huge popularity of free-to-play titles, the best free games are available from Steam, GOG and even (brace yourself) EA’s Origin client. You can even download the Epic Games Store app, and score some premium indie games for free every couple weeks.

From Battle Royale free-to-play games, like Fortnite, to online CCGs, like Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Links, the best free games cover a wide range of genres and styles. We tested the most popular titles, and picked out the best free games you must download today.

 Linux, Windows or Mac - which one is best for you? Watch our guide video below:

Bill Thomas and Gabe Carey have also contributed to this article

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This expansive, immersive multiplayer role-playing game from South Korea has been one of the most anticipated games to (hopefully) be released in the West. Lost Ask boasts stunning graphics, an action-centric MMORPG game set in a beautiful, extremely detailed world where you get to explore, go on quests and even meet other players.

Unfortunately, it’s not officially available in the Western market yet, but the CEO of Smilegate did express interest in bringing it to the US, Canada and Europe. And, rumor has it that the South Korean developer might do so in 2019, but that hasn’t been confirmed. Things look promising, however, as the beta is now available in Russia.

Release date: Hopefully sometime in 2019

1. Fortnite Battle Royale 

The Battle Royale is huge at the moment, and Epic Games has all but perfected it with Fortnite Battle Royale. Initially developed as a sort of add-on for Fortnite, Battle Royale took off in a way that nobody predicted, fast becoming one of the most played games of 2018.

One of the best free games right now, Fortnite Battle Royale is entirely based around a simple scenario: you’re dumped in a map with 99 other players in a free-for-all melee, and the only winner is the one who is left standing at the end. Because of its meteoric success, Epic Games is hard at work adding new game modes and features all the time. Take Playground mode, for instance – it dumps you in the map and lets you build up structures for a set amount of time before the floodgates open and the carnage begins.

What’s especially cool is that Fortnite lets you play with your friends, no matter what platform they’re on. Whether you’re on PC, Xbox One, iOS, Android or PS4, you’ll be able to be matched up against millions of other players from all these different platforms.

Dota 2

Image Credit: Valve

2. Dota 2 

The Dota universe may have derived from a WarCraft 3 mod, but Dota 2 is very much its own entity, and holds its own as one of the best free games.

This top-down arena battler is incredibly active, attracting multi-million dollar prize funds for serious tournament players. However, it’s not just for obsessives.

A brief tutorial now points out the ropes, with the Steam Community stepping in to provide guides to the original MOBA. Don't expect a warm welcome or easy learning curve from its complex gameplay mechanics, but bring a few friends and Dota 2 will have you hooked on one of the biggest crazes in PC history.

 3. Planetside 2 

Two years before Destiny dropped into orbit, we had Planetside 2, an epic, all-out first-person battle that’s so incredible, you might have to pinch yourself every time you load it. Just to remind yourself that a game this amazing is completely free. There are in-game purchases, of course, but you can still dive into the biggest battlefield in gaming and still have an awesome time with the default equipment.

There's simply nothing as exhilarating as taking part in a massed assault on an enemy base and coming out on top, or living in a world where an enemy convoy could appear on the horizon at any second. Planetside 2 is proof that 'free' doesn't mean prosaic.

Paths of Exile

Image Credit: Grinding Gear Games

4. Path of Exile

Path of Exile is a free dungeon crawler in the style of Diablo III, and it’s a tad different than most to the best free games out there. It’s not just about fragging real-life people until they scream at you in shrill pubescent tones through their Skype headsets.

Path of Exile is a bit more slow-paced than your typical multiplayer game, but give it time, and you might just find yourself hooked. There are hidden mechanics and features to uncover after playing for hours, as well as a huge skill tree to slowly progress through. It really is the best free game for former Diablo addicts.

Even basic loot can be useful because there's always an opportunity to enhance even the simplest weapon with magic. If you’re bored with the grind of Diablo III, it's a good one to check out.

5. League of Legends

Pick a champion and head into battle in this seminal free-to-play game from the creators of the Warcraft III mod, Dota. League of Legends’ automated matchmaking, diverse cast of characters and pristine maps have made it a multiplayer behemoth over the last few years, and one of the best free games on this list that will definitely stand the test of time.

It’s an aggressive gameplay experience for sure, but one that rewards good teamwork and careful tactics. You won’t master it overnight, but you’ll be having fun shortly after you hit that ‘play’ button.

Like Dota 2, League of Legends attracts many high-end players, and the top tournaments offer prize pools of over $1 million. The weird world of esports, eh?

Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft

Image Credit: Activision-Blizzard

6. Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft

Ever played Magic the Gathering, the card game? Hearthstone is Blizzard’s attempt at making an online version of it, for free.

In typical Blizzard style, it’s impressive. It’s immediately inviting, lacking the terrifying learning curve you would expect from an online fantasy card game. Hearthstone plays quickly, boasts a very casual visual approach and benefits from a basic rule set, all of which add up to a very approachable card battler that will give you plenty of fun – especially if you’re a World of WarCraft fan.

Not that it's not challenging as well, especially if you're up against an opponent that plays their cards right, which is why its gets our vote for one of the best free games to date.

7. Star Wars: The Old Republic

Taking the Star Wars MMORPG after Star Wars Galaxies went away (may it rest in peace), Star Wars: The Old Republic was not free at release. However, it has since, like so many MMORPGs before it, adopted the free to play model. If you want to get Sith kicks, this is the best way to get them for free.

Subscriptions are on hand for more in-game potential and end-game content, but in true best free games fashion, all the story missions are still available for free – it just might take a bit longer now.

It’s worth your time just to see the Star Wars universe from different sets of eyes, like the hyper-professional Imperial Agent and Bounty Hunter. If you want to go with the dull option and just have a generic Jedi Knight, though – you can totally do that.

Forza Motorsport 6 Apex

Image Credit: Microsoft

8. Forza Motorsport 6 Apex

Forza Motorsport 6 Apex in particular brings a complete Forza Motorsport game to PC gamers for the first time – before Forza Horizon 3 came out in 2016. It’s not quite the full-fledged experience you can expect with full entries to the series. However, Forza Motorsport 6 Apex is the best free game would could have asked for from Microsoft’s long-standing racing series.

When Xbox head Phil Spencer said he was going to bring the console's best franchises to the PC, he wasn't kidding. Among these notable games is Forza Motorsport.

Shunned by petrol-heads and embraced by gamers, Forza Motorsport may seem like an arcadey offshoot of its biggest rival on PlayStation, but it consistently looks and feels outstanding nonetheless.

9. Dauntless

Dauntless is essentially a household name at this point, becoming an overnight success on PC, thanks to Monster Hunter World. However, what if we told you that you could get a very similar experience for free, with a game that it’s also easier on your PC? Enter Dauntless.

Rather than the clear environmentalist focus of Monster Hunter: World, where you’re trying to preserve the habitats, Dauntless simplifies things a bit and just tasks you with slaying behemoths to protect a human colony.

The gameplay itself is much simpler as well, free of some of the more obtuse gameplay systems that you either love or hate in the Monster Hunter series. The core DNA of the series, however, is there – hunt monsters, craft gear, hunt more monsters, making it one of the best free games to have right now.

World of Tanks

Image Credit: Wargaming

10. World of Tanks

World of Tanks is a different kind of MMO, as you might have already guessed from the title. Team-based, massively multiplayer action with a huge range of war machines to drive into battle awaits, with new players able to jump into the fray right away.

The upgrade system adds a sense of personalization, while being surrounded by an entire army at all times to remind you that loners won’t survive on the battlefield. Get sucked in, and you may find yourself spending a chunk of your wages on great big chunks of virtual metal.

Some premium tanks cost just a few dollars, while others are more expensive. You can see where maker Wargaming is earning some cash from World of Tanks enthusiasts. Still, this doesn’t stop it from being one of the best free games right now.

11. Heroes of the Storm

It was only a matter of time before Blizzard dipped its toes in the MoBA phenomenon, and with Heroes of the Storm, we’re left asking: what took it so long? It’s an incredibly accessible esports title, sitting somewhere between League of Legends and DOTA 2 in terms of complexity, with the added bonus of playing characters you know and love.

That’s right: the roster is completely made up of Blizzard characters from across its library of classic games. If you’ve ever wondered who would win in a fight between Thrall and Kerrigan, Heroes of the Storm can show you how that fight plays out on the battlefield.

Blizzard knocked it out of the park here, making one of the best free games that keeps getting better by the day.

Everquest

Image Credit: Daybreak

12. Everquest

Its future was briefly uncertain after the sale of Sony's online entertainment division in February 2015, but Everquest has now returned with a vengeance, featuring new expansion packs and continued support by Daybreak Game Company. And, that’s one of the many reasons why it’s made our best free games list.

The first of its kind to commercially succeed with a 3D game engine, Everquest was released in 1999 as an MMORPG (massively multiplayer online role-playing game) and has since been documented as one of the most important games in the medium's history.

Featuring consistently released expansion packs (quite massive in scale, at least early on) with vast new areas, races and classes, Everquest brings to the table just about everything you would expect from an MMO. Plus, it's notably better at handling co-op than its alternatives.

13. Rift

Originally hailed as the game that would finally dethrone World of Warcraft, Rift had its moment – and is still going strong depending who you’re talking to. It brought innovation to a genre that was changing very slowly, letting you change your class whenever you felt like it.

The whole game is focused on separating giant boss battles and events that occupy entire zones. It’s ambitious, exciting, and massive with dozens of interdimensional rifts that keep things exciting and unique from other MMOs. And, even after Rift went free to play, Trion has stayed on top of things, rolling out regular expansions for everyone to enjoy.

Plus, you can ride on a landshark.

Runescape

Image Credit: Jagex

14. Runescape

Runescape is one of the biggest free-to-play MMOs out there, and now would be a good time to take a look. In 2013, it entered its third reboot – this is actually 'Runescape 3', although just jumping in now, you might not even realize that it has been around in one form or another for more than 10 years.

Despite the revamp, it's definitely not the sparkliest MMO in the world, but hanging onto this many players shows it's doing something right. The big change introduced in Runescape 3 that made it appear a lot more modern was the ability to see much further. In Runescape 2, the horizon quickly gave way to fog… not so now.

You can download the game for free or run it in your browser using Java, making it much more convenient than most other online role-players of this epic scale.

15. Maplestory

If you’re sick of the dark fantasy aesthetic of most MMORPGs, you’ll love Maplestory’s imaginative and inspired style. Described by Nexon as the original 2D side-scrolling MMO, Maplestory takes the classic Dungeons and Dragons-inspired genre, and makes it kawaii.

The lighter tone and customization of Maplestory makes it feel more like Harvest Moon than World of Warcraft or Rift. And, it’s more focused on improving cosmetics than many other MMOs, allowing players a lot more control over how their characters look.

Maplestory even has in-game weddings and dinosaurs that play guitar. Really, the only thing missing from Maplestory is an Oasis-inspired soundtrack.

Warframe

Image Credit: Digital Extremes

16. Warframe

If you're into third-person co-operative shooters, Warfarme is one of the best free games out there. Players take control of members of the Tenno, an ancient race warring with enemies such as the Grineer, the Corpus, the Infested and the Sentients. Your Tenno soldier uses the Crysis-style Warframe armor equipped with guns or melee weapons to fight back.

Better looking than your average free-to-play shooter, much fun can be had in Warframe's player-vs-enemy raids — so much so that some gamers see it as, "The Destiny that never was.” High praise all around.

17. Smite

Gods from every pantheon come together in Smite to battle it out in a free Dota/MOBA inspired clash. Even though Smite wears its influences on its sleeve – it comes from the same developer that made the FPS smash Tribes Ascend, but it’s still a completely different beast.

The camera is behind the characters this time, giving you a more direct connection to the action than simply guiding your lord around with a mouse. However, the premise will be either familiar if you've played its inspirations, or a way to get a feel for the style, if you haven't. Gods include Zeus, Thor, Kali, Artemis and... Cupid? Well, at least he has his own bow…

Lord of the Rings Online

Image Credit: Turbine

18. Lord of the Rings Online

There are so many MMOs that have been released or rereleased as free-to-play games, but Lord of the Rings Online is one of the titles that most warrants a second look. It’s already an excellent game in its own right, but it’s also one of the more mature MMOs on the market.

You’ll probably have to pay eventually to unlock adventure packs. However, there’s no subscription fee and nothing to buy up front, making it one of the best free games to immerse in right now. If you missed it at launch, or even if you quit playing since then, it’s time to give it a go.

 19. The Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit 

Life is Strange and its sequel are among the best modern adventure games on PC in 2018. Lucky for us, there’s now a free way to play this amazing series. Unveiled back at E3 2018, the Awesome Adventures of Captain Spirit places you in the shoes of a 9-year-old Chris as he, and his alter ego, Captain Spirit, go on an epic adventure.

It’s a free-to-play single player adventure game free of any kind of malicious microtransactions or predatory monetization – simply a nice prelude into Life is Strange 2. Just don’t go in expecting the longest gameplay experience in the world, as you’ll likely get through it in just a couple of hours. That still doesn’t stop it from being one of the best free games, however.

Eve Online

Image Credit: CCP Games

20. Eve Online

In 2003, Icelandic developer CCP Games unleashed Eve Online, an immersive and in-depth “sci-fi experience” that would ultimately garner the attention of well over 500,000 players. Eve Online is unlike any game in its category, thanks to the vast range of activities to take part in as well as its (appropriately) out of this world in-game economy.

Unfortunately, the Eve Online player base has been getting smaller since 2013. It shouldn’t be surprising that as time goes on, fewer and fewer gamers are interested in paying a subscription fee for a glorified space sim with a steep learning curve. However, since the Ascension Update, released back in November 2016, Eve Online has gone free to play – at least to an extent.

The new ‘alpha clones’ system featured in Eve Online is similar to the “unlimited free trial” featured in World of Warcraft. You can still engage with other players in piracy, manufacturing, trading, mining, exploration and combat, but certain skills will be off limits. If you don’t want to limit your access to some of the game’s most lumbering ships, you can always opt for the Omega subscription – otherwise, the game won’t cost a cent, which is why it makes for one of the best free games to grace the gaming world.

21.  Apex Legends 

To say that Battle Royale games are popular in 2019 would be a massive understatement, but the level of success that Apex Legends has enjoyed so quickly after launch speaks volumes. It’s definitely earned its spot on this list as one of the best free games. Not only is the game itself fantastic, bringing unique mechanics from the awesome Titanfall games to a Battle Royale, but the game itself has reached over a whopping 25 million players after a week.

Apex Legends places 60 players in the middle of a gigantic map, armed with a bunch of unique abilities that make both combat and traversal extremely addicting. It’s not quite the chaos of 100 player battle royale titles like Fortnite or PUBG, but it feels balanced. If somehow you haven’t jumped on the Apex Legends bandwagon yet, you’re sorely missing out.

Hawken

Image Credit: 505 Games

22. Hawken

Hawken is a game about mechs. But, not just any mechs – fast mechs. These aren’t your average slow, lumbering tanks of MechWarrior Online. These are more comparable to the Exoskeletons of Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare.

Of course, being a free-to-play game, expect to pay for upgrades to your starter mech. However, economical players can still get a taste for Hawken without spending a dime. Plus, attach an Oculus Rift, and you can see first-hand what VR games have in store for you. Admit it, you've wanted to know what it feels like to power a mech for yourself since Pacific Rim came out.

23. Evolve Stage 2

Hey, remember Evolve? Don’t worry if you don’t – it quickly fell off the face of the Earth after release, until it was eventually removed from Steam. But Turtle Rock re-released it back into beta a year and a half after its initial release, and it was then that Evolve was unleashed as a free-to-play experience. It was even given a new moniker: Evolve Stage 2, and now it’s one of the best free games we’ve ever played.

Despite going free-to-play, the game's core structure remains intact. It's a game of humans vs. zombies… err, monsters, a new twist on a beloved pastime. A team of four players, called hunters, is pitted up against a single monster, with each hunter assigned their own class. Of course, with four players taking on one, there is a unique catch — hence the game's title. Monsters start out at a basic level then evolve over time by killing and consuming wildlife in nearby areas.

Evolve cost $40 before, so rest assured you'll get access to a game that looks triple-A, even if much of the content is locked behind a paywall. Nevertheless, you can give it a shot for yourself for the nominal cost of $0 on Steam.

The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall

Image Credit: Bethesda Softworks

24. The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall

While we sit, anxiously awaiting whatever The Elder Scrolls VI ends up being, you should take the time to give the classic The Elder Scrolls II: Daggerfall a try. This 1990s RPG is a precursor to those incredibly popular RPGs, and is a bit of a classic in its own right.

Its game world is many times the size of any of its sequels – indeed it’s the size of a continent, and absolutely packed with atmosphere. It might look a little rough around the edges by today’s standards, but it’s worth exploring if you’re an Elder Scrolls fan.

It's available direct from Bethesda. The publisher started offering it for free to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the game. As if we didn't feel old enough already.

25. Starcraft II

One of the biggest games to ever hit the PC/Mac landscape is Starcraft II, a competitive real-time strategy game whose Wings of Liberty installment is just one of three parts of the campaign. At one time, it was massive in South Korea, but the scene fizzled out a bit when MOBAs like League of Legends and Dota 2 took over the scene. Maybe that’s why Blizzard decided to convert Starcraft II to the free-to-play business model.

As a result of its compelling strategy game mechanics, combined with creatively designed environments and a fascinating narrative that can only be expressed in a video game, Starcraft II is one of the most widely enjoyed eSports in the entire world, not to mention one of the best free games.

Of course, being a Blizzard game, you’ll need a Battle.net account to enjoy it. Other than that, both the campaign and the multiplayer are free to enjoy. Only certain characters require your prized coin.

Wolfenstein 3D

Image Credit: Bethesda Softworks

26. Wolfenstein 3D

Interested in knowing what Wolfenstein was before The New Order? Wolfenstein 3D is now free, and will take you back to the year 1992 when celebrity game developers John Carmack and John Romero teamed up to make a shareware game like nothing before it.

Wolfenstein 3D took concepts from Muse Software's Castle Wolfenstein and Beyond Castle Wolfenstein to shape a three-dimensional first-person shooter that would later inspire the development of Doom.

Keep in mind while playing that while Wolfenstein 3D was impressive for its time, it's probably not what you would expect from a first-person shooter of today's standards. Nonetheless, it's an easy and free way to experience game history in an old-school World War II game rich with narrative about, well, shooting Nazis in the face. Don't expect to be blown away by the story in the same way as the Wolfenstein franchise's more recent entries, however.

27. Team Fortress 2

It may be an old vet in gaming terms, but nothing offers such crazy fun as Team Fortress 2. Unlike most shooters of its age, players in this game are still there to have a good time rather than hurl abuse at newcomers, and there's no shortage of cool toys to have fun with. Endlessly silly and incredibly fresh, it's still one of the shooter genre's kings, free-to-play or not. Of course, it only makes sense for it to secure a place in our best free games list.

As you might guess, there are some micro-transactions involved. You can buy additional items, often used to customize your character. You can even create your own. It's fun, and gets you even more involved in TF2. Those cheeky devils at Valve obviously know what they're doing.

Yu-Gi-Oh Duel Links

Image Credit: Konami

28. Yu-Gi-Oh Duel Links

If you grew up in the ‘90s like we did, you have plenty of memories of playing Yu-Gi-Oh, maybe even watching the anime. Well, what if we told you that an injection of nostalgia is waiting in Yu-Gi-Oh Duel Links, and it’s free to boot?

In Yu-Gi-Oh Duel Links, you won’t just be able to play the titular card game competitively online.  You’ll also get to play against AI opponents voiced by actors from the anime. There are plenty of microtransactions here – you can buy new cards – but it’s a CCG in 2019, so there’s no real way around that. Be prepared to spend some cash.

29. Magic Duels

Magic: The Gathering is fun, but what if you could play it from the comfort of your PC? It’s definitely possible, thanks to Magic Duels. Whether you’re a first time player or a 20-year vet, Duels will let you do everything the card game does and more. While over 300 new cards are advertised as being accessible throughout the game, there’s also a unique story mode where you can experience Magic like never before.

If narrative in your card games isn't your cup of tea, there's also a Battle Mode in which you can challenge your friends, a four-player Two-Headed Giant battle and even an offline solo mode you can use for practice against AI.

DC Universe Online

Image Credit: Daybreak Game Company

30. DC Universe Online 

Though it's yet another free-to-play MMO on this list, DC Universe Online takes characters like Superman, Batman, Green Lantern and more into a massive (and shared) public world.

Choose whether you want to be a member of the Hero or Villain faction, then personalize your character. Soon, you'll be sent out into the world of DC Universe Online at the hands of Daybreak Game Company.

After some training, the game assigns you a position as either a member of the Justice League or The Society, depending on your choice of hero or villain. Unlike other MMOs on this list and outside it, DC Universe Online is designed to be much more interactive while also retaining traditional MMORPG elements such as leveling, raiding, inventories and post-game progression. It's also not difficult to play without using real-world currency too, which is why it has our best free games vote.

31. Paladins

It’s not hard to see why Paladins catches a lot of flack for its similarities to Overwatch. At the same time, the team-based shooter also bears many distinctions from that of Blizzard’s. Abilities are upgraded based on a collectible card system, and can completely change the way each character plays.

What’s more, unlike Overwatch, Paladins is completely free-to-play. While cosmetic items are available to buy using real-world currency, everything else can be unlocked simply by playing the game. For instance, you’ll start Paladins with a single deck of basic cards, and from there, unlock more dramatically impactful decks.

Regardless of how you choose to play Paladins, you’ll get XP as you play. As long as you’re completing the daily quests and achievements featured in the game, you’ll be compensated with Radiant Chests and Gold. These can be used to purchase more cards, costumes and weapon skins to make your characters more unique and skillful on the battlefield.

Pro Evolution Soccer 2018 Lite

Image Credit: Konami

32. Pro Evolution Soccer 2018 Lite

You might be familiar with Fifa already, but Pro Evolution Soccer – or PES – is one of the best-selling video game franchises of all-time, not to mention one of the best free games. It doesn’t have all the flair (or licensing) of its EA Sports rival, but some would argue that it’s the better soccer game series, not to mention one of the better sports series overall.

PES 2018, in particular, isn’t too much of an improvement over its predecessor, but it does introduce better dribbling and makes an effort to perfect the fan-favorite Master League mode. The ‘Lite’ version of Pro Evolution Soccer 2018 gives you access to the Online myClub and PES League Mode in addition to the Offline Exhibition Match and Training Mode, entirely for free.

There are in-app purchases along the way, and you can always upgrade to the full version later should this one not satisfy.

33. Spelunky

You can now get Spelunky on all sorts of platforms – it's pretty high-profile for an indie title. However, it started its life PC-exclusive, and its original 'non HD' Classic version is still available for free today.

The catch is that every time you play, the entire game is randomized to keep things exciting. In one game, you'll stumble through screen after screen of spiked horrors and swarming monsters; in the next, the software will bend over backwards to give you gold and help you on your way.

You learn how each randomized world ticks and which equipment will give you a fighting chance. And then you'll die some more. And scream. And restart. Again. Is this one of the best free games that has graced our screens, or what?

Neverwinter

Image Credit: Perfect World

34. Neverwinter

As a free MMO, Neverwinter sets a lofty standard for itself as it's based on perhaps the most iconic role-playing game of all-time, Dungeons & Dragons. Like everything else in the Dungeons & Dragons universe, the game takes place in the Forgotten Realms, specifically, as the name suggests, in Neverwinter.

Featuring eight character classes with groups of up to five players supported, Neverwinter is based on the fourth-edition rules of Dungeons & Dragons. However, the rules are slightly different, letting players heal their allies in addition to allowing for the use of special abilities in combat after racking up enough action points.

35. Doki Doki Literature Club

An ostensibly charming visual novel on the surface, Doki Doki Literature Club is a game that’s best experienced blindly. It comes from Dan Salvato, a game developer known best for his work in the Super Smash Bros. Melee modding community, who says he developed Doki Doki Literature Club because of his indifference towards anime.

That’s ironic considering the main character in Doki Doki Literature Club is obsessed with anime and manga, and has minimal experience with the writings of more prestigious authors. As engrossing as the trio of female supporting characters appear to be in Doki Doki Literature Club, we would advise against getting too attached to them.

Without spoiling the story, the first thing you see when you boot up Doki Doki Literature Club is a content warning, suggesting that those with severe anxiety refrain from playing altogether. It’s not entirely unwarranted, as you’re bound to learn the hard way that Doki Doki Literature Club is more horror than generic fan service.

Puzzle Pirates: Dark Seas

Image Credit: Grey Havens

36. Puzzle Pirates: Dark Seas

For nearly 15 years now, Puzzle Pirates has been a household name for kids with unrestricted access to the computer labs at school. It’s a massive, totally free-to-play multiplayer online role-playing game — among the best free games, in fact – originally created by the Sega-owned Three Rings Design. The goal is to join a crew and ideally become a captain, by completing puzzles alongside other players.

Puzzle Pirates: Dark Seas, on the other hand, is the Steam-exclusive version of Puzzle Pirates that brings in an entirely new ocean known as Obsidian. Dark Seas introduces factions and player-versus-player (PvP) combat in a way that didn’t exist prior to the Steam release of Puzzle Pirates. It also comes from a different developer, a nonprofit called Grey Havens, which was founded by several former members of Three Rings Design.

Before the advent of Dark Seas, you could only get the multiplayer portion of Puzzle Pirates on Steam. Now, the single-player mode can be downloaded and installed from Valve’s client as well.

37. Phantom Dust

Its development cycle was a disaster, but in the end, the Phantom Dust remaster prevailed. A new IP in the form of a Japanese budget card game for the original Xbox, it seemed to good to be true when Microsoft revealed back at E3 2014 that a complete remake was in the works… and, as it turns out, it was.

The remake was canned in 2016, but Microsoft still wanted to revive the cult classic one-off. As it turns out, the company did so with a remaster, not a remake. Luckily, the new version of Phantom Dust for Windows 10 (and Xbox One, for console-goers) is free to play unless you opt to purchase some of the in-game “multiplayer cards”.

Dwarf Fortress

Image Credit: Bay 12 Games

38. Dwarf Fortress

Inspiring the creation of Minecraft was no small feat for 2D sandbox game Dwarf Fortress. Dubbed a construction and management simulator, Dwarf Fortress takes simple text-based graphics into a more modern, 2006 piece of software. The game is often classified as a cult classic because of its open-ended nature, and serves as one of the most iconic examples of a procedurally generated roguelike.

This means Dwarf Fortress both randomizes its environments and makes the game's permadeath system a much more difficult problem to avoid. This led to the unofficial slogan for the game "Losing is fun," which was either ironic or an accurate description of what happens in the game. Tough to say either way.

One thing's for sure. If you want to experience an important part of games history, Dwarf Fortress is a solid start. It was even exhibited at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City back in 2013. Can't say that for a lot of free-to-play games, making this one of the best free games on offer in 2019.

39. Fable Fortune

After a troubled development cycle, Fable Fortune is the collectible card game that you probably thought would never get released. Either that, or you’ve never even heard of it. We can’t blame you. The team behind the Fable franchise – the illustrious group of individuals at Lionhead Studios – has since closed its doors two years ago.

In the time following Lionhead’s closure, its parent company, Microsoft, licensed off Fable Fortune to a group of former Lionhead developers at a new company called Flaming Fowl Studios. It was there that Fable Fortune found private funding despite a failed Kickstarter campaign. The end result is a fairly competitive card game that’s completely free to play.

Skeptics will be quick to compare Fable Fortune to Hearthstone. But other than the fact that they both make our best free games list, the two games differ drastically due to Fable Fortune’s more complex set of hero powers, less randomness and a morality system that rewards an understanding of its ‘good’ and ‘evil’ points.

Fallout Shelter

Image Credit: Bethesda Softworks

40. Fallout Shelter

If you're more interested in the property management systems of Fallout 4 rather than the overwhelming majority of the role-playing game's content, Fallout Shelter is a great place to start. Up until recently, the simulation game was limited to mobile platforms Android and iOS. However, with the introduction of Quests in version 1.6 of Fallout Shelter, Bethesda Softworks also felt the need to port the game to PC by way of the Bethesda.net client.

All in all, Fallout Shelter doesn't feel much different on PC, and that's undoubtedly a good thing. Mouse controls work well in lieu of a touchscreen, graphics are optimized even for low-end hardware and with windowed mode enabled by default, it's easy to find yourself caring after your vault residents during your downtime at work. With an indisputably manageable price point (free), albeit with micro-purchases on hand, Fallout Shelter could very well become the next Solitaire in your office or at school.

41. Brawlhalla

Have you been missing out on the action and just watching all your friends play Super Smash Bros Ultimate because you don’t have a Nintendo Switch? Well, with this game, you’re in luck. Brawlhalla is a 2-8 player 2D brawler that draws very heavy inspiration from Nintendo’s classic franchise.

And, it pulls it off. It’s an extraordinarily fun way to pass a few hours. With an esports league, you can rest assured you’ll always have people to test your skills against. It’s not quite the same as playing some Smash on a friend’s couch, but it’s close enough to be worth your time. And that’s why Brawlhalla makes it to our list of best free games.

Battleborn

Image Credit: 2K Games

42. Battleborn

CEO and president of Gearbox Software Randy Pitchford will tell you differently, but Battleborn is free-to-play. Officially classified as a “free trial” on Steam, there isn’t much to differentiate this hero shooter from other free-to-play games on the market. You can play for as long as you want using six of the game’s 30 characters, rotated weekly to shake things up.

Battleborn originally rolled out in May 2016, the same month as Overwatch. The main difference is that Battleborn draws influence from MOBA games. Overwatch, on the other hand, is a more traditional PvP shooter with an eccentric cast of characters. Battleborn also has a single-player campaign, which can be unlocked using real-world currency.

43. The Elder Scrolls: Legends

There’s an ostensibly neverending arms race developers are in right now to put out the next Hearthstone. That is, a wildly popular collectible card game (CCG) that’s “easy to learn but challenging to master.” Those are the words, verbatim, publisher Bethesda Softworks is using to describe The Elder Scrolls: Legends.

A CCG that draws inspiration from the lore of the company’s beloved RPG franchise, The Elder Scrolls: Legends separates itself from the likes of competing virtual card games such as Hearthstone and The Witcher 3’s Gwent by enacting a two-lane system that keeps players on their toes when it comes to devising strategies.

And, if you’re simply craving more Skyrim, you’ll be happy to know that the Heroes of Skyrim expansion for The Elder Scrolls: Legends packs in 150 additional cards, some of which are familiar faces like Aela the Huntress, J’Zargo and Delphine. It’s no doubt this one’s earned its spot on our best free games list.

Robocraft

Image Credit: Freejam

44. Robocraft

Whether you loved or hated World of Tanks, you’ll be pleased to know that Robocraft, a worthy addition to our list of best free games, is what you get when you take conventional vehicle combat and completely turn it on its head. From independent developer and publisher Freejam, Robocraft lets you commandeer jet cars (not jets and cars, but jet cars), tanks, flying warships, helicopters and drones.

In doing so, you’ll spend most of your time engaging in combat with other players online. Like a vehicle-based Fortnite, you’ll also experiment with different combinations of 250 preset blocks using a simple crafting interface, allowing you to equip the vehicle of your choosing with the weapons of your choosing as well.

Likewise, Robocraft lets you create or join clans with up to 50 members. Within those clans, you can invite friends to ‘parties’ and play cooperatively in an effort to take down other teams. Once everything is said and done, and you’re satisfied with your creations, you can showcase them at the virtualized Community Robot Factory in exchange for likes and shares.

45. Total War Battles: Kingdom

Real-time Strategy (RTS) games don't come much grander than those in the Total War series, and the latest entrant, Battles KINGDOM, is free-to-play. Available to play on iOS and Android, as well as PC, you can pick up where you left off when you're away from your main battlestation. Total War Battles: Kingdom is set at the turn of the 10th Century and integrates army management with kingdom building to deliver a bite-sized RTS game you can pick up and play anywhere, anytime.

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England vs Australia live stream: how to watch Cricket World Cup 2019 match from anywhere

Posted: 24 Jun 2019 12:08 PM PDT

The thing we're loving about the 2019 Cricket World Cup is that there are high profile matches around every corner. And they don't come much bigger than this one - England vs Australia. In an Ashes year, this is a dress rehearsal on the biggest stage. And calling a winner between these two is virtually impossible - even at the bookies, it appears.

Clear your Tuesday, because you're going to want to watch this one. That's why we've created this guide for getting an England vs Australia live stream, regardless of where you are in the world.

England's home Cricket World Cup has been seesawing from the sublime to the terrible. The highs of an 8 wicket win against the West Indies and Eoin Morgan leading the way to an astonishing 397/6 against Afghanistan, have been mirrored by surprise defeats to Pakistan and Sri Lanka. They now face the other best three teams in the tournament in a bid to avoid the embarrassment of crashing out of their own World Cup.

Australia have looked consistently impressive throughout, with their only blemish a defeat to the strong India team. Since then, they have vanquished Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh with relative ease. The brutal batting of David Warner and Aaron Finch have looked particularly foreboding, and England's bowlers will need to be on top form to stop them.

Both teams will be desperate to win this one and set the standard ahead of the Ashes - as well as for the 2019 Cricket World Cup, of course. Getting an England vs Australia live stream is the easy bit and you can continue reading to see how to watch from just about anywhere on Earth.

Watch a Cricket World Cup 2019 live stream from outside your country

It's bad news for UK viewers as you have to pay to watch, while the Aussies have this one for free - more details on that coverage and how to watch in Pakistan (for free), New Zealand, US and India.

But if you're away from your home country today, the minute you try to watch your domestic broadcast you'll discover that you can't because of geo-blocking. That's annoying, but by using a VPN you can watch it anyway without reverting to some dodgy, illegal feed you've dug out online.

How to watch the England game in the UK 

How to watch this World Cup game in Australia

How to stream 2019 Cricket World Cup online in India

How to get a FREE Cricket World Cup live stream in Pakistan

How to watch England vs Australia: New Zealand live stream 

How to watch England vs Australia: US live stream 

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Samsung TV catalog 2019: here’s every new Samsung TV coming in 2019

Posted: 24 Jun 2019 12:04 PM PDT

What does 2019 look like for Samsung TVs? The world's biggest manufacturer of televisions is, as always, firing on all cylinders. You can expect to see modular televisions, new 8K upscaling techniques, expanded use of the Bixby smart assistant and, strangely enough, an exclusive iTunes app for Samsung TVs.

Samsung is expecting the 8K market to grow pretty quickly over the next few years (up to 2 million units per year by 2020, and double that in 2021) but in the meantime the main focus is on the 4K UHD televisions on offer.

  • Update: Samsung has unveiled the pricing and release date details for its 2019 Serif TV series - the 55-inch Samsung QN55LS01RAFXZA is available now for $1,599.

Samsung's new range of dazzlingly bright QLED TVs are now available to buy in the US – or pre-order in the UK, before going on general sale March 27th. If QLED is still a bit too rich for your blood or the idea of a 2,000-nit TV sounds like a bit overkill, don't worry – there are still plenty of mid-class screens that offer solid picture performance at an affordable price.

With so many models to take in, we thought it'd be beneficial for to see the entire line-up, from the high-end QLED to the entry-level TVs, all on one page. 

One word of warning first: It’s worth noting that a lot of the specs listed below could potentially change as we get closer to the retail release of these screens, but for the most part the specs you see here should be the components that make it in the final product. 

Samsung MicroLED

Samsung's MicroLED is modular, meaning it can be built in a variety of different shapes and sizes (Image Credit: Samsung)

Samsung 2019 TV technology

So what has Samsung got planned for the year ahead?

For 2019, Samsung is pushing forward with its MicroLED panels, which feature millions of microscopic blue, red, and green LEDS for an incredible level of color and light control. On the large end, there's the new 219-inch model of Samsung's The Wall, and on the less-large-but-still-large end, the 75-inch The Window – made possible by smaller, more compact clusters of LEDS – with both looking ahead to a flexible future where you can customize your TV shape for any size or aspect ratio you please.

Of course, the star of the show for Samsung in 2019 is still the QLED, or 'quantum dot' TV screen – a variation on traditional LED-LCD panels that feature a peak brightness between 1,500 and 2,000 nits. For a reference point, that’s about twice as bright as the competition from 2017 and four to five times as bright as the HD/SDR TV you’re used to watching.  

Each QLED this year will feature a new ‘Ultra Viewing Angle’ technology, reworking the backlight to ensure improved contrast and colour accuracy even at tighter angles – a necessity given the ever-growing screen sizes. We've seen it in action, and the screens' ability to look as sharp and colorful from the side is pretty astounding – even if you'll likely be watching head-on most of the time.

The QLEDs will be getting HDR10+ too, while all but the entry level QLED models will be making use of Direct Full Array tech, to prevent light blooming and allow for greater control over contrast levels. 

Samsung QLED TV

Image Credit: Samsung

The virtual assistant Bixby will be one of the few common features across Samsung's MicroLED, QLED, and Ultra HD smart TV lineups – alongside various Samsung smart appliances, phones, and speakers. 

An 'improved AI algorithm' will make your Samsung TV better at recommending and displaying relevant TV content and apps, with expanded use of Bixby voice controls through your Samsung remote's 1.5m range microphone – as well as compatibility with Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and SmartThings connected smart home devices. Not to mention some smart Remote Access features for connecting to other devices through your TV.

On the software side, Samsung sets will be getting AirPlay 2 support for streaming iTunes content from Apple devices. 2019 will also be the first time Apple has offered a dedicated iTunes app for movies and TV shows for a non-Apple manufacturer – for now exclusively on Samsung TVs. Samsung's higher-end sets are also able to judge the location of your remote during setup, to optimize sound output for your room size and usual seating location.

We're likely to see wider expansion of Samsung's Ambient Mode. When the TV is turned off, Ambient Mode helps the TV mimic the color and pattern of the wall on which the TV is displayed, so that it blends seamlessly into home décor. It can also play music and display information about the news, weather, and traffic as well. While at first limited to QLED TVs, we're hoping to see the mode trickle down into more affordable devices too.

Many high-end Samsung sets also feature the OneConnect box, which outsources all of your HDMI, power inputs and the like into a piece of hardware separate from the TV, preventing a mess of cables hanging down from your new display.

Ambient Mode and Samsung's signature Invisible Cable will help these TVs seamlessly blend into their surroundings (Image Credit: Samsung)

Samsung Designer Series

Samsung The Wall (2019)

Samsung The Wall (2019). Image Credit: Samsung

The Wall (available in 143, 219 inches): Almost too big to be true? The Wall may not fit on most living room walls, but it's a testament to Samsung's desire to impress – featuring millions of microscopic LED for a huge level of color contrast and brightness control over each pixel. Made of a modular series of panels, the size is technically variable, though Samsung is still selling it in general size configurations as a starting point.

The first 143-inch model released in late 2018, though we now know a whopping 219-inch version is coming this year. Whichever you're looking at, you can be sure to expect an absolutely insane price tag. Check out our first look at The Wall by Samsung here.

The Window (available in 75-inches only): A smaller, but still objectively huge variation on The Wall television above. It's still modular, meaning you'll be able to vary the size somewhat at installation – and we're expecting it to hit some time in 2019.

Samsung The Frame (2018)

Samsung The Frame (2018). Image Credit: Samsung

The Frame (available in 43-, 49-, 55- and 65-inches)

US model numbers (and price):  UN43LS003AFXZA ($1,299), UN55LS003AFXZA ($1,999), UN65LS003AFXZA ($2,799)
UK model numbers: UE43LS003AUXXU, UE55LS003AUXXU, UE65LS003AUXXU 

Samsung’s classiest TV gets an upgrade with a QLED panel – which feels necessary, given that the picture quality was the only thing letting this gorgeously made hunk of metal down. Blending form and function, this style-focused television may be the most attractive television Samsung has put out. Check out what we thought in our hands on The Frame (2019) review.

Samsung Serif TV (Image Credit: Samsung)

Serif TV (available in 43, 49, 55 inches) 

US model numbers (and price): QN55LS01RAFXZA ($1,599)

Samsung's stylish Serif TV also gets a QLED panel upgrade and Ambient Mode this year, hoping to marry looks and picture quality. Mounted on four pointy legs, the set looks straight out of a fashion catalogue – and you can see what we thought of it in our hands on Samsung Serif TV (2019) review.

Samsung QLED 2019 Models

Samsung Q900R QLED TV (Image Credit: Samsung)

Samsung Q900R / Q950R QLED TV (available in 65, 75, 82, and 85-inches) 

US model numbers (and price): QN65Q900RBFXZA ($4,999), QN75Q900RBFXZA ($6,999),  QN82Q900RBFXZA ($9,999), QN85Q900RAFXZA ($14,999)
UK model numbers: QE65Q950RBTXXU, QE75Q950RBTXXU, QE82Q950RBTXXU

Unbelievably, Samsung’s monstrously large 8K TV is still considered a QLED TV. It’s the top of the list for numerous reasons – size and resolution being the most obvious two – but also its ability to use artificial intelligence upscale SD content to 8K HDR. While it's an absolute beauty to behold, the 65, 75, and 85-inch (or 82-inch in the UK) sizes will put you back a pretty penny, starting at £4,999 / $4,999 (around AU$7,082) for the smallest model. Check our review link below for more pricing info.

Samsung Q90 QLED TV (Image Credit: Samsung)

Samsung Q90 QLED TV (available in 55-, 65-, 75-, and 82-inches)

US model numbers (and price):  QN65Q90RAFXZA ($3,499), QN75Q90RAFXZA ($4,999), QN82Q90RAFXZA ($6,499)
UK model numbers: QE55Q90RATXXU, QE65Q90RATXXU, QE75Q90RATXXU

Samsung's 2019 flagship 4K QLED is the Samsung Q90 QLED TV. Like last year you can expect Ambient Mode and better black levels thanks to its Direct Full Array panel alongside the screen’s insanely iridescent peak brightness. But new this year is the addition of ‘Ultra Viewing Angle’ technology, which restructures the TV’s panels so the backlight passes through the panel with lights evenly onto the screen. 

In the UK you get the choice of a smaller 55-inch model, while the US swaps this out with a larger 82-inch.

Samsung Q80 QLED TV (Image Credit: Samsung)

Samsung Q85 / Q80 QLED TV (available in 55-, 65-, 75- and 82-inches)

US model numbers (and price): QN55Q80RAFXZA ($1,999), QN65Q80RAFXZA ($2,799), QN75Q80RAFXZA ($3,799)
UK model numbers: QE55Q85RATXXU, QE65Q85RATXXU, QE75Q85RATXXU , QE55Q80RATXXU, QE65Q80RATXXU

Moving down the line a bit is Samsung’s Q80 QLED TV. Like the Q90, you’ll see a Direct Full Array panel with a feature set that includes Ambient Mode and the Bixby. The Q80 uses far fewer backlight dimming zones than its Q9FN sibling  but still looks great and has a more affordable price point. In the UK, the alternative Q85 QLED model bundles in the external OneConnect box and tidy transparent cable too, as well as coming in a larger 75-inch size.

Samsung Q70 QLED TV (Image Credit: Samsung)

Samsung Q70 QLED TV  (available in 49-, 55-, 65-, 75- and 82-inches) 

US model numbers (and price):  QN49Q70RAFXZA ($1,249), QN55Q70RAFXZA ($1,499), QN65Q70RAFXZA ($2,199), QN75Q70RAFXZA ($3,299), QN82Q70RAFXZA ($4,499)
UK model numbers: No model numbers announced yet   

The Samsung Q7FN was the golden ticket to 2018's QLED line-up. Offering one of the best price-to-performance ratios in the entire line-up, it was the Q7F that roped droves of AV enthusiasts into buying a QLED TV. That said, it could be our TV of the year in 2019 as Samsung has listened to our feedback and swapped the edge-lit display for full array LED-LCD that will definitely improve contrast. 

 Samsung Q60 QLED TV (Image Credit: Samsung) 

Samsung Q60 QLED TV (available in 43-, 49-, 55-, 65-, 75- and 82-inches)  

US model numbers (and price):  QN43Q60RAFXZA ($799), QN49Q60RAFXZA ($999), QN55Q60RAFXZA ($1,199), QN65Q60RAFXZA ($1,799), QN75Q60RAFXZA ($2,999), QN82Q60RAFXZA ($3,799)
UK model numbers: No model numbers announced yet   

Last up in the QLED line-up is the entry-level Samsung Q60 QLED TV. The Q6-Series began its life as a special edition that Samsung added around the holidays in 2016, and now it appears the TV has claimed a permanent spot in the line-up. The Q60 is a bit less bright overall than the rest of its Quantum Dot-equipped brethren and still uses the  oldedge-lit design but if you’re looking for some of the same spectacular colors at a spectacular price, the Q60 will be the best place to get it.

Samsung 2019 Premium UHD Models

Samsung RU8000 (available in 49-, 55-, 65-, 75- and 82-inches)  

US model numbers:  UN49RU8000FXZA ($799), UN55RU8000FXZA ($999),  UN65RU8000FXZA ($1,399), UN75RU8000FXZA ($2,199), UN82RU8000FXZA ($3,199)
UK model numbers: None announced yet 

The first highest series in Samsung's 4K UHD lineup is the RU8000, a sequel to last year’s NU8000. We expect that the RU8000 will use an edge-lit LED LCD panel and a quad-core processor, but that's yet to be confirmed. Expect both HDR10 and HDR10+ support in addition to Bixby and Samsung’s Smart TV platform. 

Samsung RU7300 (Image Credit: Samsung)

Samsung RU7300 (available in 55- and 65-inches)

US model numbers: UN55RU7300FXZA ($699), UN65RU7300FXZA  ($999)
UK model numbers: None announced yet          

Underneath the RU8000 is the curved Samsung RU7300. It's not available in as many sizes as its older sibling, but it should fulfill the niche of a curved screen for folks who want to upgrade to a 4K HDR TV. You’ll likely find the same edge-lit LED LCD panel and processor as the RU8000, but that's still to be determined. 

Samsung RU7100 (available in 43-, 49-, 55-, 58-, 65- and 75-inches)

US model numbers: UN43RU7100FXZA ($429), UN50RU7100FXZA ($499),  UN55RU7100FXZA ($599), UN58RU7100FXZA ($649), UN65RU7100FXZA ($899), UN75RU7100FXZA ($1,599)  
UK model numbers: None announced yet

The last entry in the 2018 RU Series is Samsung’s RU7100. We don't have a ton of information on Samsung's lowest-end screen in 2019, but we do know that you'll have your choice of screen sizes - the RU7100 will come in a 43-, 49-, 55-, 58-, 65- and 75-inch variation.

Everything you need to know about the new TV launches of 2019:

Philips TV range 2019: everything you need to know from OLED+ to ‘The One’

Sony TV lineup 2019: every Sony Bravia and Master Series set coming this year

LG TV catalog 2019: here’s every LG TV model coming this year

Panasonic TV lineup 2019: the one Panasonic TV we've seen so far

Hisense TV lineup 2019: the year of ULED television

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New Samsung SmartThings Cam is coming to take on the Amazon Cloud Cam

Posted: 24 Jun 2019 12:00 PM PDT

In the ongoing war for your smart home, Samsung’s SmartThings brand is releasing a trio of new products that includes a cheaper Cloud Cam alternative: the lineup of 2019 products consists of the SmartThings Cam ($89.99), SmartThings Wifi Smart Plug ($17.99) and SmartThings Smart Bulb ($9.99) - all of which go on sale today.

While the Samsung SmartThings Smart Bulb seems to be a shot across the bow of smart bulb competitors Sengled, Philips and LIFX, it’s the SmartThings Cam and SmartThings Wifi Smart Plug that pose the biggest threat to Amazon.    

They're a challenge because not only are Samsung’s products cheaper than Amazon’s, but also because they’re also compatible with both major smart platforms, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, plus Samsung’s expanding Bixby platform.

The good news is that, according to Samsung, you don't even need a Samsung SmartThings hub for the SmartThings Cam - it works without any additional hardware. Samsung isn't clear if one is required for the Smart Plug and Smart Bulb, but we'd err on the side of caution and buy one if you plan on investing in Samsung's burgeoning smart platform.

The battle for the smart home

In Amazon's defense, however, it's still pretty much the market leader when it comes to smart speakers and smart displays thanks to its Amazon Echo family of devices. 

That's an area that Samsung has found real problems breaking into, not the least of which is because of the still-MIA Samsung Galaxy Home smart speaker. 

Until that comes out, Samsung's best play into your smart home is its series of QLED TVs that pack in Bixby, or its smart appliances – an area that Amazon hasn't really touched outside of its Amazon Basics Alexa Microwave.

Are three products going to turn the tide in Samsung's favor? Probably not. But, when Samsung finally figures out its Galaxy Home smart speaker, these devices could be the first crucial components in an all-Samsung smart home.

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What kind of laptop do you need for college work, really?

Posted: 24 Jun 2019 11:36 AM PDT

When you’re out there looking for a student laptop, it’s easy to feel tempted by the latest and greatest hardware. You’ll see the new MacBook Pro with up to an Intel Core i9 processor (CPU) and 32GB of memory (RAM) – not to mention the beefy AMD Vega graphics – and likely assume you need that power to get through your school work effectively.

Luckily, you probably don’t.

Sure, there are some students that really need that kind of horsepower. Engineering students are going to need a ton of graphics processor (GPU) and CPU power to get their school projects off the ground, likewise anyone that’s doing video or 3D course work. But, if you’re just trying to get that term paper done for your English class, a Chromebook with just 4GB of RAM will likely be enough.

We’re going to take a deep dive into the kind of hardware you’re going to need to get your schoolwork done, paying special attention to the different kinds of workloads that students are likely going to run into on a daily basis. The good news? You may come out of this and save some cash by getting a more appropriate laptop for your specific studies. 

Microsoft Surface Go

Microsoft's Surface Go should be an affordable dream for liberal arts students. (Image Credit: TechRadar)

 You don’t need a powerful laptop for writing 

Here at TechRadar, we do a lot of writing, so you can take it from us: you don’t need an absolute beast of a laptop to get your writing done. As long as you have 8GB of RAM – even 4GB if you're cash-strapped – you should be more than fine most of the time. This is especially true if you’re only working on one or two projects at a time, as individual Google Docs tabs won’t really eat up too much of your system resources. 

However, we will acknowledge that there are certain people that like to have 30 browser tabs open while listening to Apple Music (we’re certainly guilty). If that’s a luxury you can’t live without, the bump up to 16GB of RAM is worth the price of admission.

Then, let’s talk about your processor. If you’ve been shopping around for a laptop for a while, you’ve likely seen plenty that advertise an Intel Core i7 or Core i9 processor, likely coupled with a four-figure price tag.

You don’t need one of those, either.

For most people, an Intel Core i5 processor is going to be more than enough to get your work done, especially if you get an 8th-generation Intel Kaby Lake Refresh or Whiskey Lake Ultrabook chip. You’ll get four cores and high enough clock speeds to power through whatever you need to do.

Case in point: the Microsoft Surface Go is one of our favorite laptops for students – especially those majoring in liberal arts fields. It’s not exceptionally powerful, but it still has enough umph to get through your general schoolwork. It doesn’t hurt that the Windows tablet is basically designed to work perfectly with Windows, since it was designed by Microsoft, but it still serves as proof that a less-powerful laptop is more than good enough.

And, don’t feel like you’re locked into macOS Catalina or Windows 10, either. The best Chromebooks make for awesome general student laptops, as they pack only what’s necessary. If all you do for school is within a web browser, you really don’t need anything more than a Chromebook. Plus, there are plenty of them out there these days that have gorgeous displays that are great for catching some Netflix in your downtime.

Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon

The latest Lenovo Thinkpad X1 Carbon is a powerhouse. (Image Credit: TechRadar)

 Blinded by science 

However, there are plenty of scenarios where you might actually need more power. Not everyone’s college workload begins and ends with writing a paper.

Heavy compute workloads, like those that Engineering and Computer Science students are going to run into will require, well, heavier computing. For these students, picking up a laptop with a powerful CPU and even a strong graphics processor is a must. While this does mean that Engineering students have an excuse to go with one of the latest gaming laptops, but there are plenty of laptops that are designed with compute-heavy workloads.

Laptops like the Lenovo ThinkPad P73 mobile workstation come equipped with Nvidia Quadro graphics and Intel Xeon processors to better facilitate compute-heavy workloads. They’re kind of pricey, and not the most attractive devices, but a mobile workstation might be perfect for engineering students.

The same goes for any students who need to cut their teeth on creative workloads, too. If you’re doing a lot of video editing or 3D work, a thin and light Ultrabook just isn’t going to cut it. You’re going to need a workstation-class device in that situation as well.

We get that students don’t have the money to drop on a pro-level device, though, so something like the Dell XPS 15 or a 15-inch MacBook Pro should be able to get the job done, too.

Razer Blade

The brand-new Razer Blade is a stylish gaming beast. (Image Credit: TechRadar)

 Have some fun, though 

College isn’t all about getting school work done, though, we know that. If all you did was put your head down and get work done, you’d get burnt out pretty quickly, and no one should have to go through that. So, you should also take entertainment into consideration.

If you need to sit down and watch Netflix to give your brain a break, there’s absolutely no shame in that. Luckily, these days most laptops are capable of powering Netflix, so the trick will be to find one with a display that’s up to your standards. If you’re a resolution snob like we are, there are plenty of laptops with 4K displays so you can watch your favorite shows in all their glory. Even if the laptop you pick up doesn’t have a 4K display built in, pretty much every laptop on the market will let you connect to your dorm room TV and support 4K over HDMI or USB-C.

But, what about gaming? If PC gaming is more your speed, one thing you need to realize right out of the bat is that picking up a laptop with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 is going to be very expensive. However, if you just want to play some Overwatch in 1080p between classes, you can pick out a laptop with a GTX 1660 Ti or GTX 1650, and that will be plenty. If you have the cash to burn, we won’t judge you for picking out the best gaming laptops, so you can play PC games like Cyberpunk 2077 with ray tracing enabled. 

You don’t need to buy the most powerful laptop to get your schoolwork done, but there’s no shame in admitting that you want the most powerful laptop. Life is more than schoolwork, so, like, enjoy yourself.

Asus Chromebook Flip C302

Looking to save cash? Try a Chromebook. (Image Credit: TechRadar)

 So, what should I buy? 

If there’s one thing you take away from this, it’s that you should consider what you actually need before you jump on the hype train for that new MacBook that everyone else has. You can save a ton of money by just picking up what you actually need. 

That being said, if you want to do some heavier computing stuff for fun, there’s no shame in picking up a beefier computer. Just realize that opting for more power will often result in an inflated price tag.

At the end of the day, there is a lot of misinformation out there about what you need to get your work done. If your budget is just a few hundred bucks, there are plenty of options out there for you. Keep in mind that the best Chromebooks still exist in 2019, and might be the perfect choice for your schoolwork needs, especially if you just need to do some word processing in Google Docs.

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Best laptops under $500: the best budget laptops around

Posted: 24 Jun 2019 11:35 AM PDT

We know that times are hard for almost everyone out there, and that doesn’t make replacing your aging laptop hardware any easier. Luckily, the list of the best laptops under $500 is slowly growing with truly quality devices that are worth the plastic and silicon they were printed on.

While it’s still a small gathering of worthy laptops under $500, we’ve rounded up the most impressive that we’ve reviewed within the past year. Our list includes both forms of 2-in-1 laptops and incredibly affordable Chromebooks that will get the job done for minimal impact to your bottom line.

Each of the products below scored at least four stars in one of our in-depth reviews, making them worthy of inclusion in a TechRadar buying guide. With that, you can buy one of these laptops with confidence that it has been thoroughly tested and critiqued by our expert editors.

Microsoft Surface Go

An affordable Surface device has been in demand since the first Surface Pro, but the wait has ended at last. Microsoft's Surface Go is not only the best Windows tablet for ultra-mobility, but the best cheap laptop around. Thin, feathery, mobile and elegant, but without the high cost, Microsoft has packed in everything they could in a Surface for under 500 bucks. If you’re a student, or just looking to spend less than a grand on a laptop, the Microsoft Surface Go is a winner for both work and play.

Read the full review: Microsoft Surface Go

Acer Switch 3

The Microsoft Surface Book 2 is plenty pricey, but the Acer Switch 3 is a fine alternative for far less cash. This tablet is designed around largely the same idea as the Surface Book 2, but it's clearly less capable, thanks to lower-power components. However, for most tasks it's a plucky little computer. What this 2-in-1 laptop holds over Microsoft's 'Pro' and 'Go' models is that it comes with the keyboard included. Of course, the Acer Switch 3 comes in several configurations, with USB-C, 8GB of memory, an IPS touchscreen and an Intel Core i3 7100U processor coming with the pricier option.

Read the full review: Acer Switch 3 

Dell Inspiron Chromebook 11 2-in-1


The top Chromebook is an affordable product that anyone can approach. And, in that vein, it's easy to see how the Dell Inspiron Chromebook 11 2-in-1 cuts the mustard. This isn’t the strongest Chromebook out there – rather, it's exactly what people need it to be: budget-friendly, easy to use and able to take a beating. The Dell Inspiron 11 2-in-1 is ready to handle all your web browsing and document editing, and for that it's one of the best cheap laptops, as it won’t shatter from a simple stumble.

Read the full review: Dell Inspiron Chromebook 11 2-in-1

Acer Chromebook 15

With a shiny chassis that rivals the most recent MacBook, it’s easier to forgive the fact that the Acer Chromebook 15 is the only straight-laced laptop on this list. Every other laptop on this list is fully convertible, leaving the Acer Chromebook 15 having to prove itself with more than stylish looks. This gorgeous, 15-inch Chromebook makes an amazing impression with its battery life, too, lasting nearly 17 hours in our battery test. That's crazy for a 15-inch laptop – Chromebook or not.

Read the full review: Acer Chromebook 15

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Best gaming keyboard 2019: the best gaming keyboards we've tested

Posted: 24 Jun 2019 11:19 AM PDT

If you just dropped a bunch of cash on the best gaming PC, you might be tempted to pick up a $10 keyboard and call it a day. If it works, it works, right?

On the contrary, for the best gaming experience, it’s in your best interest to invest in one of the best gaming keyboards, especially after spending so much on your PC. Otherwise, you’re only doing yourself, and all your new PC games, a disservice by not picking up one of the best gaming keyboards.

And, much like with the best gaming mice, a gaming keyboard can make or break your game. The best gaming keyboards, unlike many other PC components and peripherals, can actually make you better at the PC games you play, especially if you use a mechanical keyboard.

Before you to pick up the best gaming keyboard for you, make sure to consider the kind of switches you want. Membrane switches are typically considered the worst for gaming, so finding a mechanical keyboard is ideal. And, don’t forget about RGB lighting – it wouldn’t be 2019 without having your desk light up like a Christmas tree.

So, what makes the best keyboard for gaming? Even if you don’t have a large budget, there’s an excellent gaming keyboard for you. If, on the other hand, money isn’t an issue, there are a ton of feature-rich keyboards with all the bells and whistles.

Let’s dive into all the best gaming keyboards you can buy today, all of which have been tested and reviewed by us.

SteelSeries Apex Pro

Image credit: Bill Thomas

The SteelSeries Apex Pro’s svelte aesthetic and clever OLED display are only the beginning. In fact, they’re only the cherry on top of an already sweet gaming keyboard. The SteelSeries Apex Pro gets our coveted 5-star rating for many reasons, the biggest of which are its stunning and solid build, custom actuation and comfortable – not to mention, quiet – magnetic switches. Performance-wise, it’s among the best gaming keyboards we’ve tested yet, which makes its $199 price tag worth the splurge.

Read the full review: SteelSeries Apex Pro

Razer Huntsman Elite

Razer Huntsman Elite

Razer is takes speed to a whole new level with the Huntsman Elite, due to its new optomechanical switches. That sounds like a mouthful, but essentially, that means that it’s a combination mechanical switches with optical sensors, which Razer has managed to do. This unthinkable allows the Huntsman Elite to take actuation to the next level, and you would be hard-pressed to find a faster keyboard on the market. But, switches aside, it’s remarkably comfortable to type on, and it’s covered with more RGB lighting than you can shake a stick at. Sure, it needs two USB cables for power and costs a small fortune, but with tech like this, it’s absolutely worth it.

Read the full review: Razer Huntsman Elite 

Roccat Vulcan 120 Aimo

Roccat Vulcan 120 Aimo

If you want to get a keyboard that looks and feels good, then Roccat Vulcan 120 should be at the top of your gaming keyboard wish list. This svelte keyboard uses Roccat’s own Titan switches, rather than the Cherry MX switches found on most other keyboards on this list. And, we can vouch for how superb they are. Not only does this gaming keyboard have amazing tactile feedback, but it’s comfortable to type on and won’t keep your roommates awake all night. It really isn’t hard to see why this is one of the best gaming keyboards on the market today.

Read the full review: Roccat Vulcan 120 Aimo 

Logitech G513

Logitech G513

One of the biggest issues with Cherry MX Red keys is that while they’re good for gaming, they’re not ideal for typing anything other than your Steam credentials. And, that’s why the Logitech G513 and its Romer-G Linear switches steal the show. With its brushed metal finish that is, miraculously, practically immune to fingerprints, it all adds up to one of the best gaming keyboards on the market in 2019.

Read the full review: Logitech G513 

Alienware Pro Gaming Keyboard AW768

Alienware Pro Gaming Keyboard AW768

When you think Alienware, “value” is probably the last word to come to mind. But, if we’re being honest, the Alienware Pro Gaming Keyboard AW768 is a genuinely great deal. At under 100 bucks or quid, you’re getting the toughest gaming keyboard with mechanical keys, dedicated macro keys and slick aesthetics. It’s not the most feature rich gaming keyboard in the game, but at this price, it really doesn’t need to be. One of the best gaming keyboards, this gets the job done, and looks good while doing it too. That’s enough to make the Alienware Pro Gaming Keyboard AW768 one of our favorite gaming keyboards.

Read the full review: Alienware Pro Gaming Keyboard AW768 

Cooler Master MasterSet MS120

Cooler Master MasterSet MS120

Not everything has to be super high-end, and the Cooler Master MasterSet MS120 is a testament to that. It’s a keyboard and mouse set, and while the mouse isn’t all that great, the keyboard is the star of the show. Sitting at just under a hundred bucks, the MasterSet’s keyboard is affordable while being up there with its more premium ‘mem-chanical’ competitors. The switches on offer bring a ton of tactile feedback and deep travel, and won’t keep your whole house awake at night as you’re furiously pounding away on it during an intense late-night Overwatch match. The Cooler Master MasterSet MS120 is, without a doubt, one of the best gaming keyboards under $100.

Read the full review: Cooler Master MasterSet MS120 

Corsair K63 Wireless

Corsair K63 Wireless

We have seen many wired gaming mice over the last few years, but not many wireless gaming keyboards. Until the Corsair K63 Wireless keyboard hit the shelves. The computer peripherals company took what made the wired version of the K63 so great, and put it into a wireless version – without compromising on much at all. Packing tight Cherry MX Red switches, full RGB lighting and convenient media controls, the K63 wireless is proof that wireless keyboards can be very capable in 2019, even for gaming.

Read the full review: Corsair K63 Wireless 

Corsair K95 RGB Platinum

Corsair K95 RGB Platinum

A $159 price tag on a gaming keyboard might a tad too steep, but the Corsair K95 RGB Platinum, one of the best gaming keyboards we’ve tested in the last few months, really does give you a lot of ounce for your bounce. And, we’re not talking the more trivial bells and whistles like fancy RGB lighting – although since we are on the subject, this one’s got a whole lot of them, not to mention its integrated 19-zone light bar and the 16.8 million color options, to boot. By a lot of bang, we mean that its 6 dedicated macro keys, 8MB on-board storage and aircraft-grade anodized brushed aluminum frame.

Read the full review: Corsair K95 RGB Platinum

Havit Low Profile Mechanical Keyboard

Havit Low Profile Mechanical Keyboard

You might be thinking that if you’ve seen one of the best gaming keyboards, you’ve seen them all: big, garish hunks of metal with bright RGB lighting. And, while the Havit Low Profile Mechanical Keyboard definitely has the RGB lighting, it leaves the rest of the cliches in the past where they belong. This appealing and responsive keyboard is only as big as it needs to be, and is thus extremely comfortable to type as well as game on. There are no multimedia buttons, but we’d happily make that trade any day for a keyboard this good at such a low price.

Read the full review: Havit Low Profile Mechanical Keyboard  

Razer Cynosa Chroma

Razer Cynosa Chroma

If you’re new to PC gaming and in the market for a keyboard that’ll perform admirably without the high price tag that a lot of mechanical keyboards have, the Razer Cynosa Chroma might be for you. It does not have the tactile clickiness of a higher-end board, but the hybrid mesh switches perform well enough, boasting a 1ms polling rate and 10-key rollover. That’s not to mention the sick RGB lighting. It’s one of the best gaming keyboards for PC gaming newbies who might not necessarily want to spend money on the slickest rig just yet.

Read the full review: Razer Cynosa Chroma 

Bill Thomas, Gabe Carey and Michelle Rae Uy have also contributed to this article

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iPadOS: public beta, release date and features list

Posted: 24 Jun 2019 11:13 AM PDT

The iPadOS public beta has officially launched with a host of new features that from Apple that make your iPad distinct from an iPhone running iOS 13.

We have a list of the best iPadOS features you'll be able to experience in public beta 1. Sure, there are shared a lot of changes. After all, it "builds on the same foundation as iOS," according to Apple, but expect iPadOS to grow more into its own operating system over time.

iPadOS brings a variety of critical improvements to the tablet UI. Some of these make better use of screen real estate while others introduce new gesture controls (and even mouse support) for a better tablet experience. In short, iPad users won't just run an upsized iOS any longer.

iPadOS release date and public beta timing

The iPadOS public beta release date was June 24, and it contains a lot of the features Apple shows us at its WWDC 2019 keynote. We have see more when the final version of the software exits beta, likely in September.

In previous years September has been the month in which Apple rolls out its new software to the public to coincide with the launch of its new iPhones, and we expect the same activity around the iPhone 11 this year.

Which iPads will work with iPadOS?

Apple has confirmed that the "iPad Air 2 and later, all iPad Pro models, iPad 5th generation and later, and iPad mini 4 and later" will all get the iPadOS update when it releases later this year.

So which iPads are missing out this year, after getting iOS 12 in 2018? Well it's the end of the update road for the original iPad Air, iPad Mini 2 and iPad Mini 3. It's unclear if older iPads will be getting iOS 13 or if they've been completely left behind.

The following iPads will get an update to iPadOS later this year.

New iPadOS home screen

iPadOS

Today View alongside a tighter grid of apps on the new iPadOS home screen. Image credit: Apple

The first big change over you'll notice in iPadOS is on the new home screen. The grid of app icons is tighter, allowing you to fit more on the screen and reducing the amount of dead space on the display.

With a tighter grid of apps, there's now an option to show Today View alongside them, for a more useful overview screen.

It can be added to the Home screen for quick access to widgets with a simple swipe from the left side of the screen, and you can switch out the widgets pinned here to display the ones most relevant to you.

iPadOS has a new way to multitask

iPadOS

Slide Over in iPadOS in action, with a side view of Messages over Safari. Image credit: Apple

Multitasking also gets an upgrade on iPadOS is a few ways. 

First up, you'll be able to use Split View to see two app windows at a time for the same app, or two different apps. iPadOS uses a drag-and-drop interface here, making switching between apps and windows easy.

Slide Over lets you quickly pull up an app in a side window, over the top of another app – allowing you to quickly check things such as emails, messages or reminders without having to exit the current app you're using.

Dragging up from the bottom of the screen will allow you to move between apps in the Slide Over panel.

Apple has also brought the Mac's Exposé feature to iPadOS, allowing you to get an overview of all your open apps – making it easy to jump between them, and close down any you no longer need running in the background.

iPadOS gets USB drive and SD card support

iPadOS features

USB drive and SD card support arrives in iPadOS. Image credit: Apple

External storage fans rejoice! iPadOS will allow you to plug a USB drive or SD card reader into your iPad, and the Files app will be able to read the plugin and allow you to easily manage data between the iPad's internal storage and the external drive.

Files gets a Column View to better take advantage of the iPad's wide screen, and the iCloud Drive allows folder sharing, and will show content from a USB drive or SD card if they're plugged in.

There's good news for photographers too, as support is being built into iPadOS to allow you to plug your camera into your iPad and import images directly into editing apps such as Lightroom.

iPadOS performance boost

Your current iPad could get a performance boost when iPadOS arrives, with Apple claiming that its tablet-specific operating system is quicker than iOS 12.

It says Face ID unlocks are up to 30% faster, while apps launch up to twice as fast as on iOS 12 – and apps themselves should be smaller in download size (by up to 50%), taking up less of that precious storage space. 

Desktop-quality websites and browsing on iPadOS

The Safari web browser is also improved with iPadOS, because it's no longer purely tied to iOS and a mobile ecosystem. 

That's right: you're no longer just viewing mobile sites, as iPadOS views websites in a modified desktop view that's a bit cleaner and optimized for touch.

It doesn't just work with Apple's websites either – the likes of Google Docs and Wordpress web apps will also work better with Safari on iPadOS.

Apple's browser will also get a download manager, 30 new keyboard shortcuts, and improved tab management when iPadOS lands later this year.

New iPadOS gestures

One of the bigger features across the whole of iPadOS are the new gestures. The ones we've seen are pretty simple: three-finger pinch to cut, three-finger splay to paste, three-finger swipe to undo. Easy.

In some apps, you'll also be able to two-finger-pinch the keyboard to shrink it to iOS mobile size and move it around. Plunk it next to the side of the screen and boom: you can type on it with one thumb. 

Add to that the new gestures for the home screen and multi-tasking, and there may be a learning curve required to get used to all the new interactions which come with iPadOS. 

Markup and much more on iPadOS

Markup also gets an update, and you'll be able to mark up entire web pages, documents and emails. 

A simple swipe up from the corner with your Apple Pencil launches markup and brings up the newly-redesigned tool palette, which can be dragged around and repositioned anywhere on the screen.

And speaking of the Pencil, Apple has reduced the latency of its input from 20ms to 9ms, which means you'll get a more natural, pen-like experience when using it.

Plenty of new features that are coming to iOS 13 are also headed to iPadOS, like Dark Mode, custom fonts, the new Photos organized by machine learning, and the SwiftKey-like slide-and-type QuickPath keyboard feature.

Mouse support for iPadOS

iPadOS does supports connecting a mouse to your iPad, though it's not something you'll find front-and-center on the official iPadOS features list.

Developer Steve Troughton-Smith initially tweeted out instructions he'd discovered to connect a mouse through new Accessibility settings, and Tom's Guide successfully activated a mouse on an iPad. While it doesn't seem to be the smoothest thing, we're excited for a serious leap in the iPad family's productivity potential and accessibility. 

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Today is the last day to register a .uk domain

Posted: 24 Jun 2019 10:51 AM PDT

Businesses and individuals with a third-level domain (.co.uk, .org.uk, .me.uk, .net.uk, .plc.uk or .ltd.uk) have until Tuesday morning to secure the shorter second level (.uk) equivalent of their domain before it becomes available to the public.

Five years ago, Nominet, the registry for the .uk domain launched a new shorter domain ending called .uk. Registrants of existing .co.uk domains were given five years to decide if they wanted the corresponding .uk domain.

On Tuesday, June 25, the five year 'Right of Registration' period will come to an end with the deadline closing at 6:00 am BST. So if you haven't yet registered for a .uk domain, now is your last chance.

Of the original ten million rights, around 1.8m are still available for the rights holder to exercise. If you believe you may have the right to a .uk domain, you can easily check to see if you do by heading to this website and entering your domain.

Right of Registration

As the deadline approaches, many big brands such as Samsung, Audi and Toyota have signed up for their .uk domains.

However, once the deadline closes on Tuesday morning, all outstanding rights expire and the domains will become generally available in July.

Managing Director of Registry Solutions at Nominet, Eleanor Bradley explained that while it is the last day for businesses and invdividuals to claim their .uk domain, their existing .co.uk domains will not be affected, saying:

“With the deadline approaching, companies and individuals need to take action now to avoid missing out on securing the shorter domain. By taking up the equivalent .uk they guarantee they – and no-one else – can use it now and in the future. But it’s a choice. In a world with hundreds of different domain endings already available, from .uk and .com to .london and .vip, we know not everyone will feel it’s a priority.  For those happy with the .co.uk domain they already have, it is important to know that it will continue as normal.”

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The Outer Worlds: release date, news, trailers and gameplay

Posted: 24 Jun 2019 10:46 AM PDT

There's very good reason to be excited about The Outer Worlds, a new single-player sci-fi shooter-looter RPG from Obsidian Entertainment. Not only is this the team that brought us one of the most beloved entries in the Fallout franchise, Fallout: New Vegas but, according to its senior narrative designer, Megan Starks, The Outer Worlds isn't afraid to borrow from Bethesda's post-apocalyptic franchise.

The premise of the game goes like this: Set on the frontier of space, The Outer Worlds has the player awakening from hibernation amidst a conspiracy to destroy Halycon – a colony residing at the edge of the galaxy  driven by big-brand corporations. It's your call how to playand what to choose, with your actions influencing how the story unfolds and the fate of Haylcon itself. Expect hilarious subtext and commentary on corporations and capitalism, plus dialogue choices and combat that keeps you on your toes.

Interested? So are we. Here's everything we know so far about The Outer Worlds.

Cut to the chase

  • What is it? Obsidian's new single-player sci-fi RPG
  • When can I play it? October 25 2019 
  • What can I play it on? PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC

The Outer Worlds release date

The Outer Worlds will come out for PlayStation 4, Xbox One and PC on October 25 2019. The announcement came during Microsoft's E3 2019 keynote, which is available to view down below.

The Outer Worlds trailers

Obsidian showed off 20 minutes of gameplay footage at PAX East, with some witty dialogue, crazy-looking weapons, and a companion who always jumps into the action feet-first. It's also a great look at one of the vibrant city environments (read: a lot of neon).

And in this Game Informer video, The Outer Worlds' co-director Tim Cain and lead designer Charles Staples show off some combat gameplay:

Obsidian announced The Outer Worlds at The Game Awards 2018 with an official announcement trailer. You can check it out below:

The Outer Worlds news and features

Slow-mo combat

Comparisons to Fallout's V.A.T.S. system will be inevitable, but the PAX East demo shows off something called "tactical time dilation", which slows down time to take the pressure off fast-paced combat encounters:

"We are trying to give opportunities for people who aren't the best shooter players, to slow things down a bit, get their bearings, and then make decisions that will actually help them during combat".

Science weapons

The demo also mentioned 'science weapons', which are apparently high-tech items with fun or downright oddball effects – think glowing scythes with corrosion damage, or a purple stick that freezes enemies and shrinks civilians' heads. There'll be science weapons for every weapon type, so it won't just be in melee either.

Six main character stats

There'll be six main character stats influencing your character's skills, speed, and success in both combat and social interaction: Strength, Dexterity, Intelligence, Perception, Charm, and Temperament.

It's the last one that interest us most: does a grumpy temperament stop people wanting to talk to you, or an easy-going one change your dialogue options?

Image credit: Obsidian Entertainment

All of the jokes

All signs point towards The Outer Worlds not taking itself too seriously. The NPCs really lean into parody, rattling off the names of their favorite brands and speaking obliviously of their "odious interpersonal skills" – while your dialogue options will really let you poke fun.

Lots of character customization, little screen time

While you'll get to customize your character's appearance, it seems you won't even have a voice. In an interview with Polygon, co-creator Leonard Boyarsky revealed the team has taken an "old-school" approach to the game to allow resources to be focused on a complex narrative.

You can play the way you want

In the same interview, Obsidian revealed The Outer Worlds is a player-driven game, which means you essentially have the free will to choose whether you want to be a hero, villain or anything in-between through branching dialogue options. 

Obsidian through and through

Speaking to TechRadar at E3 2019, senior narrative design Megan Starks assured us that The Outer Worlds will not disappoint fans of Obsidian's previous games.

"The things you love about the games that we make, we want to provide to you in The Outer Worlds," Starks told us. "It is very player-choice driven, we want a really rich story but everything you do has reactivity to it and you can play the way that you want to play whether that’s good, evil, psychopath, whether you want to side with the scientists and try to save the system or whether you want to join the board and reinforce their agenda or if you want to double-cross both of them and do a lone-wolf thing. 

"I think that’s part of it. The games people already like from the studio, you are going to get that same experience here. "

Image credit: Obsidian Entertainment

Companions

Once you progress far enough in the game you will receive your own star ship and crew. These crew members can act as companions as well as offering their own opinion on current events and choices. There's no romance options, though (you can save that stuff for Dragon Age 4). However, if you do something your companion dislikes then it's possible they will abandon you.

The world is affected by your actions

Speaking to TechRadar at E3 2019, The Outer Worlds' senior narrative designer, Megan Starks, explained that the player's actions not only affects the story but the world around them. Starks presented the example of Marauder-infested areas, which can be cleared out. If you choose to do so then you may find wildlife take over the area later in the game. 

Similarly other choices affect character reactions (including whether companions choose to abandon you) and environment. "We do in every way try to have the game react to what you’re doing in the world," Starks explained. 

Brand awareness

As a story centred around corporations, it's no surprise The Outer Worlds will offer various weapons and items to purchase from 10 different brands. Where will your (brand) loyalties lie?

Alternative consequences

Rather than take the immediate consequence of something like a critical wound, you have the option to accept a flaw instead. This is a permanent negative debuff which will remain with you throughout the game.

Image credit: Obsidian Entertainment

The Outer Worlds: what we want to see

We're sure to get more details over the coming months in the run-up to The Outer World's release (whenever in 2019 that is). In the meantime, here's everything we're hoping Obsidian delivers with the final product.

A gripping main storyline (with some meaningful choices)

Blending real player freedom with a structured narrative is a difficult juggling act. Few games have managed this as well as the original Mass Effect trilogy, so we'll be eager to see whether Obsidian can repeat the trick for their own sci-fi RPG.

A working game engine

You'd think we wouldn't have to put this, but so many big studios are ending up shipping unfinished games because of the scale of their enterprises (Assassin's Creed Unity, Fallout 76, etc). Obsidian's track record, though, and the smaller size of its team, suggests they'll be working within their means.

Image credit: Obsidian Entertainment

Some actual space exploration

Sure, having giant planets looming in the sky is cool, but if we don't actual get to enjoy exploring the stars it's little more than wallpaper. Here's hoping Obsidian gives you an environment to explore, rather than making a game that could just have easily been set back on Earth.

The beginning of great things to come

With Microsoft having recently acquired Obsidian, there's no telling what that injection of cash could do to the development team's ambitions. If The Outer Worlds proves a hit, we could be seeing a lot more of it down the line, with the resources to really make it galactic.

(Image credits: Obsidian Entertainment)

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Save $50 on the AMD Ryzen 5 2600 on Amazon

Posted: 24 Jun 2019 10:41 AM PDT

We're still waiting for Amazon Prime Day to arrive, but you're in luck if you need to get an affordable processor before then. The Ryzen 5 2600, one of the best budget processors is 25% off on Amazon today in the US, meaning you can pick it up for as little as $149.99. 

This is a 6-core, 12-thread desktop processor with a boost clock of 3.9GHz. What's better, because all AMD processors are unlocked, you can overclock it to get even more performance – as long as you pick out a compatible motherboard. This is easily one of the best processors for gaming, especially in this price range – you won't have any trouble with your CPU bottlenecking your gaming performance. Our advice, though – pair the Ryzen 5 2600 with some speedy RAM to squeeze out some extra performance. 

At its regular price of $199, the AMD Ryzen 5 2600 is already a steal for how much performance you're getting. But, at just $149, there's no reason not to jump on it. 

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Apple launches iOS 13 and iPadOS public beta early

Posted: 24 Jun 2019 10:37 AM PDT

Apple must be feeling confident about iOS 13 and iPadOS, as the public beta for both operating system updates has launched a week sooner than anticipated.

Originally scheduled for July, Apple's public beta program allows you to get iOS 13 as well as iPadOS today and test them out on your existing iPhone and iPad, respectively.

There are a lot of changes attached to iOS 13, and even more in the separate iPadOS public beta. Apple is treating them as a distinct software platforms this year.

iOS 13 and iPadOS change list

We already have a good idea of what you'll experience in the iOS 13 and iPadOS beta program, given the first look Apple gave us at WWDC 2019 on June 3.

Dark Mode is the biggest highlight, letting you invert those bright white backgrounds on first-party apps into black and dark gray colors. That's a huge plus when you're reading in bed at night.

iOS 13 is changing up the QuickType keyboard with the new QuickPath keyboard, a feature that allows you to trace-type, like you can on Android keyboards. Not having to lift your finger to form words is a nice perk for anyone wielding a big phone.

Find My is a brand new app debuting with iOS 13 and iPadOS public beta, combining the tracking features of Find My Friends and Find My iPhone into one app. Editing in the Photos app has also been overhauled, as has the way you sort your pictures and videos.

You don't have to own a newer iPhone to take advantage of Memoji stickers, the personalized motionless character that now lives in your emoji list with tons of fun expressions. It will work on older iPhones without the TrueDepth camera.

Want all of the iOS 13 features in a list? We've got a full page up and running detailing the changing coming today and in the pipeline for the final software's release date.

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macOS Catalina public beta is now available to download

Posted: 24 Jun 2019 10:31 AM PDT

If you can’t wait until later this year to test out Apple’s latest operating system, then you can now download the macOS Catalina public beta.

Apple has now released the early version of macOS Catalina for anyone with a compatible Mac to try out. Initially, macOS Catalina was released as a Developer Preview, which required people to enrol in the Apple Developer Program, which costs $100 (about £69, AU$140).

However, the public beta is free. Check out our guide on how to download and install the macOS 10.15 Catalina public beta for steps on how to get the software.

Use with caution

As the macOS Catalina public beta is an early version of Apple’s operating system for Macs and MacBooks, you should only install it if you’re happy with the risk of running a beta version. Because it’s an early version, there will be incomplete features – as well as bugs and other issues – that come part and parcel with a beta release.

The aim of releasing beta versions is for people to test the software and report back with any problems. This will allow Apple to fix those issues before the official release of macOS Catalina, which we expect to be around September 2019, going by previous macOS releases.

If you rely on your Mac for important tasks and don’t want to risk running into any bugs or errors, we recommend holding off until later this year.

However, if you want to try out the very latest features then you can sign up for the Apple Beta Software Program. Just make sure you back up your Mac first.

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Best gaming laptops 2019: the 10 top gaming laptops we've reviewed

Posted: 24 Jun 2019 10:30 AM PDT

So, whether you have the space for a thicc desktop replacement that boasts the most powerful graphics and processors so that you can run the Division 2 and Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice with the settings cranked, or you just want a thin and light gaming laptop that’ll let you play your favorite games while on the go, we’ve got the best gaming laptops on here that will satisfy your gaming needs. Yes, that includes affordable ones that will help you stick to your budget. And, don’t worry, we’ve tested the best gaming laptops ourselves, so you know they’re up to snuff.

The best gaming laptops have evolved so much in such a short amount of time, and now they’re more powerful than ever before. Thanks to more powerful components like the Nvidia RTX graphics, the top-of-the-line gaming laptops can run the best PC games at the highest resolutions and frame rates. You won’t even need to build the best gaming PC to get powerful hardware and performance anymore, not when the top gaming laptops come in every shape and size.

So, don’t judge a gaming laptop by its cover. Thanks to Nvidia Turing Max-Q graphics for laptops to start, many of the best gaming laptop hide great power inside their relatively compact chassis. Look at the aptly named MSI GS65 Stealth, for instance. And, if you want a beastly desktop replacement, that option is still open to you, with devices like the MSI GT75 that demand attention from anyone that steps in the room.

Asus ROG Zephyrus S GX701

These days, the best gaming laptop manufacturers are in a race for designing the thinnest gaming laptop that also showcase raw power. Right now, the one leading the charge might just be the Asus ROG Zephyrus GX701. At just 0.7 inches thick, this beast of a laptop conceals an Intel Coffee Lake Core i7 chip, Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Max-Q graphics and 16GB of RAM. That means you can play any PC game under the sun on Ultra, and also take it with you wherever you go – excellent for nomads with a penchant for gaming. Plus, it’s packed with RGB lighting that’ll dazzle just about anyone.

Read the full review: Asus ROG Zephyrus S GX701 

MSI GS65 Stealth

If you would like to play some of the best PC games on the move, and very discreetly, the MSI GS65 Stealth might just be the gaming laptop of your dreams. Coming in at just 0.69 inches thick and boasting impressive hardware like Intel Coffee Lake processors and Nvidia GeForce GTX 10-series – refreshed with RTX 20-series graphics at CES – the MSI GS65 Stealth packs a punch in its very svelte package. There’s nothing you won’t be able to throw at this thing that’ll slow it down. And, thanks to the smart aesthetic, you’ll be able to bring this beefy rig everywhere you go, making it the best gaming laptop on the market right now.

Read the full review: MSI GS65 Stealth 

Razer Blade

For a few years now, the Razer Blade has constantly been named as one of the best gaming laptops on the market. Rightly so, as it packs some powerful components in its elegant chassis that also boast a beautiful display. That’s true for the 2019 model as well, which now rocks up to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080. That is, frankly, a ton of power for a laptop with this thin. If that’s not enough graphics power for you, you can use the Razer Core for future expansion. It’s pricey, no doubt about it, but it might be worth it if style and power are equally important to you.

Read the full review: Razer Blade

Lenovo Legion Y740

The Lenovo Legion Y740 packs a lot of muscle inside its stylish, accessible chassis, combining a very high refresh rate, Nvidia Turing graphics and a powerful processor with a gloriously effective thermal cooling, a cable management system and a number of applications for customizations. It’s as close to a complete package as you can get, wrapped in a gorgeous chassis that you’d be proud to show off to friends and strangers. It still has the remnants of a gaming look, only made elegant so that you could be gaming in public and no one would be the wiser. And, despite its unfortunate keyboard and webcam placement, as well as its subpar battery life, it’s still one of the best gaming laptops we tested in 2019.

Read the full review: Lenovo Legion Y740

MSI GT75 Titan

A handful of gaming laptops just don’t pull any punches, enabling you to run any game you can imagine on Ultra without breaking a sweat – and the MSI GT75 Titan is a terrific example. It’s a titanic desktop replacement packed with 6-core Intel Coffee Lake processors, plenty of RAM and powerful Nvidia Pascal graphics. Aptly named, this is indeed a titan, and is neither portable nor cafe-friendly. However, if raw power is what you’re after, this is the best gaming laptop for you, as long as you’ve got the budget for it.

Read the full review: MSI GT75 Titan

Asus ROG G703GI

Thin and light gaming laptops are super popular right now. However, if you’re OK with a thick, heavy and monstrous laptop, as long as it can breeze through any game you throw at it, then the Asus ROG G703GI is your best bet. This gaming machine is massive, not to mention one of the more expensive Asus laptops, but it does justify its size and price with gaming performance that can rival the best gaming PCs. With its two power bricks, it’s not exactly an ideal travel companion. Leave this one at home where it belongs.

Read the full review: Asus ROG G703GI 

Asus ROG Strix GL502

It may not have the most innovative design, trading in the usual black and red aesthetic for one that makes it feel like Halloween all year round (no complaints here, but some might not find it particularly appealing). But, it’s undoubtedly one of the best laptops when it comes to gaming in 1080p. In fact, we are able to crank the settings all the way up in Overwatch without ever going below 60fps. It doesn’t offer the longest battery life, but that’s what chargers are for. And, the screen, power and onboard sound system more than make up for it.

Read the full review: Asus ROG Strix GL502

  • This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Alienware 17 R5

Acer Predator Helios 500

If you’re looking for a gaming powerhouse, and you don’t have the cash to shell out for one of those svelte gaming laptops, the Acer Predator Helios 500 is might be the perfect choice. It’s packed with up to an Intel Core i9 processor and full-fat Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 graphics, and therefore will be able to handle any game you throw at it. So even if it’s not the most portable device in the world, and the speakers and trackpad are mediocre, you’ve still got an ace here.

Read the full review: Acer Predator Helios 500

Asus ROG Zephyrus S GX531GX

Thin like an Ultrabook, yet powerful as any gaming machine should, and with an incredible cooling system to cool it all down, the Asus Zephyrus S GX531GX is one of the best gaming laptops we’ve tested in 2019. It boasts an 8th-generation Intel Core i7 backed by Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Max-Q graphics and up to 24GB RAM, which means that this beast should take you a long way in gaming, whether you’re a casual gamer or a pro. We’re definitely fans, though probably not of its price. This pricey powerhouse is not for the shallow-pocketed, but with premium components come a premium price. Only invest if you’ve got the tenders.

Read the full review: Asus Zephyrus S GX531GX

Gigabyte Aero 15

Another thin option is the Gigabyte Aero 15, which – at 0.74 inches – definitely fits the svelte bill while still delivering top-notch gaming performance. That’s mostly thanks to its Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 and an Intel Core i9 CPU. It’s also ray tracing ready, making it even more future-proof. However, its thin form factor is a double-edged sword: the Core i9 gets way too hot and can throttle. Keep that in mind if you plan on doing any sustained creative work, like editing all your videos. And, maybe have a desk cooler handy.

Read the full review: Gigabyte Aero 15

Gabe Carey, Bill Thomas and Michelle Rae Uy have also contributed to this article

Images Credit: TechRadar

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Sweden vs Canada live stream: how to watch today's Women's World Cup 2019 match from anywhere

Posted: 24 Jun 2019 10:15 AM PDT

Having suffered a blow to their confidence with a 2-0 defeat to the USA, Sweden nevertheless find themselves in the knockout stages of the 2019 Women's World Cup and will look to put their last match behind them. Canada's route to the second round of the Women's World Cup was a similar story, with back-to-back wins followed by humbling defeat in their final game - in the Canucks' case a 2-1 loss to the Netherlands. 

On paper it looks like we're set for tightly-contested game, and it's one you'll be able to watch from anywhere around the world with our Sweden vs Canada live stream guide below. 

Canada edged into the last 16 thanks in no small part to its lock tight defence which has only conceded in two of their previous 10 matches. They will need to be at their best once again here this evening to thwart the Swedes who will have striker Kosovare Asllani back from injury.

With Sweden having also been fairly resolute at the back in recent times, keeping five clean sheets in their previous ten games, its looking unlikely we're about to witness a goal-fest.

Up for grabs tonight is a quarter-final clash with Germany, after they saw off Nigeria 3-0 in confident fashion on Saturday. Don't miss any of today's action by following the instructions below and grabbing a live stream of Sweden vs Canada wherever you are in the world.

Watch a FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 live stream from outside your country

If you're in UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, we've got your viewing options listed below. If you're out of the country for today's match, you may find that geo-blocking will prevent you from watching your regular domestic coverage from abroad. You don't have to risk watching the match on a dodgy stream, however.

With the option of using a VPN service, you can tune into the match no matter where you are in the world, and its super easy to set up.

How to watch a FIFA Women's World Cup live stream in Canada

Live stream Canada vs Sweden in the US

- Discover our pick of all the US's best sports streaming sites

As well as opening up your viewing options for the Women's World Cup, using a VPN allows you to watch all your domestic sports coverage from abroad.

How to stream Sweden vs Canada live in the UK 

How to watch Sweden vs Canada live stream in Australia

How to watch a Sweden vs Canada live stream in New Zealand

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