Wednesday, July 10, 2019

Apple : Fitbit trackers are $30 cheaper today thanks to Amazon Prime Day

Apple : Fitbit trackers are $30 cheaper today thanks to Amazon Prime Day

Fitbit trackers are $30 cheaper today thanks to Amazon Prime Day

Posted: 10 Jul 2019 02:22 PM PDT

We’ve got less than a week until Amazon Prime Day, but the deals have already started coming in – including savings on a few of Fitbit fitness trackers.

Get $30 off four different selections: both the Fitbit Charge 3 regular and special editions, and both the Fitbit Versa smartwatch regular and special editions.

The Fitbit Charge 3 is an essentialist fitness tracker, packing multiple exercise modes and round-the-clock heart rate monitoring with up to a full week of battery life. It doesn’t have GPS tracking, but it is water and swim-resistant up to 50 meters. It comes in a graphite center color with black rubberized band or rose gold center with a blue grey band.

The Fitbit Charge 3 special edition costs a bit more, but the Lavender color swaps out the standard version’s rubber wristband for a higher-quality woven band. 

The other option is for a graphite center color matched with a stylishly perforated white silicone band.

The Fitbit Versa is the wearable company’s stab at an affordable fitness smartwatch, with local storage for music, exercise modes, app and smartphone support. 

You can get it in black, silver watch body with grey band, or rose body with a peach band.

The Fitbit Versa special edition adds an NFC chip to enable mobile purchases. It’s also got a textured fabric band, either in black or lavender colors.

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Why Amazon Prime Day is the perfect time to act on your PC build list

Posted: 10 Jul 2019 12:52 PM PDT

Now that AMD Navi and Ryzen 3rd Generation processors are out – not to mention those shiny new Nvidia RTX Super cards – you might be considering finally building that new gaming PC you’ve been dreaming about. And, well, now is the perfect time to do it – but you should wait until you can scoop up some Amazon Prime Day deals. 

It’s unlikely that you’re going to find a killer deal on PC components like the AMD Ryzen 9 3900X this soon after their release, but you know what hasn’t just had a high-profile release? The best RAM, SSDs, motherboards, power supplies and PC cases. You can save hundreds of dollars by finding a prodigious deal on any of these PC components. 

But, how do you know you’re getting the best deal on your PC components? There are so many out there these days, all of various quality, so ahead of Amazon Prime Day, we’ll show you what to look for, so you can build your PC with maximum Prime Day savings. 

RAM price drops are in effect for Prime Day

Over the last few months, RAM prices have been dropping precipitously. Just a year ago, it wouldn’t be out of the ordinary to spend around $200 for 16GB of DDR4 at a decent speed. Luckily, that isn’t the case anymore.

You can regularly find some decent RAM at that capacity for under $100, so it's not as much of an impact on your PC building budget as it was even a few months ago.

For example, right now on Amazon, you can find 16GB of Corsair Vengeance low-profile, 3000MHz RAM for just $70 on Amazon. That's only a 6% discount over the list price: we're sure much more attractive deals will appear on Amazon Prime Day. 

However, if you just can't wait until July 15 to build your PC, we still have your back. You can pick up a 32GB kit of Corsair Vengeance RGB Pro memory for just $164 on Amazon. That's a massive $130 discount on this beautiful kit of RAM. 

Great SSD deals inbound for Prime Day

Now that the prices of the best SSDs keep dropping every day, there's no real reason to not go for an SSD. They're faster, more reliable and you don't have to worry about vibrations ruining them. 

But, even if they are cheaper than they were two to three years ago, waiting until Amazon Prime Day to pick up your new solid state storage is a no brainer. Every single year, Amazon puts a ton of great SSDs on sale, and this year should be no different. 

Still, there are plenty of great SSDs on sale already if you absolutely need one today. 

For instance, you can pick up a 1TB Samsung 860 Evo for just $137 on Amazon, a savings of $62 – not bad for one of the best SSDs we've reviewed. However, that is just a SATA SSD, so you're not going to get the same kind of blistering speed you can find on an NVMe drive. 

Luckily, though, you can get a cheap NVMe drive right now. The Samsung 970 Evo is an absolute beast of an NVMe SSD, and you can pick up the 1TB version for just $169, which is a huge 43% discount. When we reviewed this SSD, we were able to get sequential read speeds of 3,562 MB/s – so apps and files should load quickly and reliably.

Get a great motherboard deal on Prime Day

Now, if you're planning on building a new PC with the new AMD Ryzen chips, you probably want to go for one of the new X570 boards. However, if you want to save some cash on your board, or if you are going to jump on one of the excellent Ryzen 2nd Generation deals going on right now, picking up an X470 or B450 board is an excellent choice, especially if you wait until Prime Day. 

Right now, the best motherboard deal we can find s probably the Asus Prime X470-Pro, which is sporting a hefty $25 discount on Amazon right now. This is a high-end motherboard, packed to the brim with a ton of cooling and RGB lighting. Plus, those white accents are absolutely gorgeous. 

Buying a new PSU on Prime Day just makes sense

The best power supplies are the unsung heroes of the PC components world. You won't notice the effect they have, but the amount of cash they can save you over time is astonishing. Plus, picking up a PSU with an 80+ rating can prevent house fires. 

So, when the opportunity to save some cash on a really great power supply shows up, you should absolutely take it. Not only will you save cash on your electricity bill over the years, but having a big chunk taken out of the up-front cost of your gaming PC can help a ton, too. 

Take the EVGA 1000 GQ as a prime example (pun intended). Right now on Amazon, you can save a solid $50 on this 1,000W power supply, bringing the price down to $139. It's an 80 Plus Gold-rated power supply, so its extremely efficient, and the high wattage means it can power even the beefiest gaming rig. 

Amazon Prime Day can save you big on a PC case

Finally, you can't build a great gaming PC in 2019 without an excellent PC case – otherwise how are you going to show it off? Luckily, you don't have to spend a fortune on the fanciest PC case on Newegg, especially if you wait for Prime Day. 

When you're hunting for a PC case befitting your exquisite PC build, you want to find one with a tempered glass side panel, plenty of room for cooling and, of course, as much RGB as can physically fit. 

There aren't a lot of really deep PC case discounts on Amazon ahead of Prime Day, but luckily you can pick up the Corsair Crystal 570X on Newegg, and save $40 while doing it.

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Fortnite Battle Royale update news, patch notes and more

Posted: 10 Jul 2019 12:20 PM PDT

In such a short space of time, Fortnite Battle Royale has become certified gaming phenomenon. Pitting 100 players against each other on a single map, it melds fun, cartoonish gameplay with a fierce competitive streak, and has attracted millions of players across the globe across all ages and demographics. 

Season 9 is now officially live, and we've got details of all the latest updates. We knew from the teaser tweet that we had a futuristic theme to look forward to, and so it's been proved.

To help you keep on top of what's new and what's coming up in Fortnite, we've put together this handy page which will be updated with all the latest announcements. So to get you ready for blast off, here's everything you need to know about Fortnite.

What is Fortnite?

There's been a lot of hype surrounding Fortnite since its release in July 2017. But what exactly is it? 

Fortnite is a battle royale game which sees you thrown onto an island with no weapons or armor and it's up to you to scavenge for supplies and fight for your life to be the last man or squad standing at the end of the game – with the added pressure of a shrinking map that closes in as the match progresses, forcing players into tighter skirmishes. 

The game is available for free on PC, Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android, with in-game purchases limited to purely cosmetic options.

Fortnite update news and Fortnite patch notes

  • What's new? Fortnite Season 9 is live and we're now on patch 9.3 which has also had three additional content updates. Check out the new items (the latest being Air Strike) in more detail below.

Fortnite is now into season 9 and version 9.30 is our latest patch which has recently been supplemented by some additional content updates.  

Air Strike

The latest addition to this update is the Air Strike. It’s a small canister which, when thrown, emits some colored smoke that calls down, well, an air strike. It quite literally does what it says on the tin. The 20 missiles the canister calls will spawn around 120 metres above it and will hit random points within a 9 meter radius, with each explosion having its own 3.5 meter blast radius. A missile hit will deal 75 damage to other players and 200 damage to structures. 

The Air Strike will be found in Floor Loot, Chests, Vending Machines, Llamas and Supply Drops and will come in stacks of 1 with a max stack size of 2.  

Drum Shotgun

The second content update has brought the introduction of the Drum Shotgun. Available in Common, Uncommon and Rare variants, this weapon does 45, 47 and 50 damage respectively and can be found as Floor Loot, in Vending Machines and in Loot Carriers. 

Revolver

The new Revolver, available in Epic and Legendary variants, is a powerful weapon that fires medium ammo. It does 63 or 66 damage per shot, depending on which variant you have, and it can be found as floor loot, in chests, vending machines, supply drops and loot carriers.

Pump Shotgun

Fan favorite weapon, the Pump Shotgun, is being unvaulted in this update in its Uncommon and Rare varieties. You'll find it as floor loot and in vending machines. Epic has brought the gun back to see how it plays with the Tactical and Combat Shotguns, which fans have been less fond of. 

Chug Splash

It may not sound like the most appetizing drink but this throwable added in the first 9.30 patch will allow you to heal yourself and other players.

The Chug Splash throwable is essentially a six pack of drinks which, when thrown explodes on impact. Any players in range of the explosion (yes, that's friends and enemies) will receive 20 health if injured. If health is full, then 20 shield will be added. 

The item can be found in a wide range of places, including as floor loot, in chests, in vending machines, supply drops, and llamas. They drop in stacks of two, up to a maximum of six.

Vaulted

Items vaulted with this update are Boom Bow, Dual Pistols, Dynamite, the Rare Tactical Assault Rifle, Impulse Grenades, Rift-to-Go and the Pirate Cannon. 

You can access the patch notes in full and see the latest Bug Fixes and Updates on the official Epic Blog.

Limited Time Modes

The 14 Days of Summer event may be coming to an end but Epic is swooping in with a nice bulky Limited Time Mode rotation for this update. 

  • High Explosives Squads: a battle using explosive weapons only. It’s a literal blast. 
  • Sneaky Silencers Solo: a nighttime hunt using silenced weapons. 
  • Classic Squads: a battle royale that only features weapons fro seasons 1 and 2.
  • Solid Gold Duos: Teams of two using only Legendary weapons
  • Catch Squads: a battle royale with no guns. Instead players can only use items that can be thrown or tossed so we’re talking grenades and their ilk. 
  • Blitz Squads: a fast-paced battle royale where the Storm is unrelenting.

Can I play Fortnite on mobile?

Yes you can! Well, maybe. After months of waiting, Fortnite is finally on both iOS and Android, though you'll need a phone that can actually run the game.

iOS users can download straight from the App Store. As long as you're using iOS 11 on iPhone 6S/SE, iPad Mini 4, iPad Air 2, iPad 2017, iPad Pro devices or later you'll be fine. Oh, and you'll need an internet connection, naturally.

Fortnite also hit Android phones and finally came out of beta in October 2018. You can see the full list of phones – and how to find the Fortnite Installer – on our Fortnite on Android page.

Is it the full game?

It is the full Fortnite game. There are some small differences: it’s not quite as visually impressive as it is on more powerful devices, the controls are touchscreen, and a lot of audio cues have been made visual so you can play comfortably in public without the need for headphones. But you won’t be missing out on any key features.  

Fortnite update patch notes

What's the deal with cross-play?

A sweet deal is what it is. While previously Xbox One and PS4 owners couldn't play the game together, Sony's U-turn on the matter means that now everyone across Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch, iOS, and Android can all take part in the crossfire.

So if you've got friends that prefer PC, others that prefer console and you're off on holiday with your mobile, that's no reason for the fun to stop.

There's also cross-progression. So, if you're logged into your Fortnite account on mobile and you later log into your console to play there, everything you did on mobile later that day is carried over.  

Sounds great, how do I get it?

We have a guide on how to get Fortnite on mobile on TechRadar and we're constantly updating it with the latest rollout news. If your device isn't there yet, keep checking back and one day it probably will be.

What's a Fortnite Battle Pass?

The Battle Pass is a purchasable item in Fortnite that gives you access to exclusive in-game rewards. 

As players complete daily challenges and level up their rank, they earn Battle Stars which can then be used to unlock Tiers in their Battle Pass. Each new Tier you unlock will bring both Free and Premium rewards. The Tiers vary from season to season but in season three you get around 100 items in each Battle Pass which can take anywhere between 75 and 150 hours of play to unlock. 

Everyone that has a Battle Pass will get the Free reward they unlock, but only Premium Pass holders will get the Premium reward. Battle Pass Premium can only be purchased with in-game V bucks and not with real money.

You can purchase a Battle Pass for around £7/$10 in the Battle Pass tab of the game’s menu. 

Twitch Prime benefits

Those who use Twitch Prime and play Fortnite will be glad to know that they have access to free loot right now. Those with a Prime account can claim the Fortnite Twitch Prime Pack  and the Fortnite Twitch Prime Pack 2 which include a host of cosmetic items and are available across all platforms.

The first pack includes two exclusive gliders and outfits: the Havoc Outfit and Back Bling, plus the Sub Commander Outfit and Slipstream Glider.  The second pack contains three exclusive items for Fortnite’s Battle Royale mode including the camouflage-heavy Trailblazer Outfit, the True North Back Bling, and the Tenderizer Pickaxe. There’s also a brand new dance emote for those that like the dance floor as much as the battleground. 

The packs can only be claimed on a single platform, but they can be shared across PC/console and mobile as long as you use the same Epic account across these platforms. You can’t however, share your loot across PS4 and Xbox One even if you are using the same Epic account. 

(Image credits: Epic Games)

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Best Amazon Prime TV shows (July 2019): the best series to watch this month

Posted: 10 Jul 2019 11:51 AM PDT

Looking for the best Amazon Prime shows? You've come to the right place! We've got our fingers on the pulse of Amazon's streaming service, keeping tabs on each and every new show Amazon adds to Prime Video. 

To that end we've put together a list of our favorite shows on the service in every genre and suited for every taste. If you can't make up your mind on what to watch, you've come to the right place. 

  • July Update: There's plenty to look forward to in July in terms of Amazon Prime TV shows, like Good Omens, the long-awaited TV adaptation of the fantastical book from the magical minds of Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchet with a truly stellar cast, and Too Old to Die Young, from the fantastic Nicolas Winding Refn, although this violent revenge tale may be a little too much for a lazy Sunday afternoon TV binge. On the horizon we have a new series called The Boys to look forward to (it drops on July 26) and season four of All or Nothing.

In our guide you'll discover our pick of the best Amazon Prime TV shows that are currently on offer. We have options for fans of thrillers, comedy lovers and those who enjoy nothing more than a fantasy police drama. 

So, what's the best Amazon TV show to get sucked into without regretting it by the end of season 2? Read our Prime Video recommendations to find out.

  • You'll need a Prime subscription to watch Amazon Prime Instant Video for free, and best of all, you can get a free 7-day trial of Amazon Prime Video
  • Plus, with Amazon Prime Day right around the corner (July 15-16) now's a great time to join the service - even if you're just joining to take advantage of the deals
  • Not sure if Amazon is the streaming service for you? Compare the best cord-cutting options. 

If you can only watch one...

A promo image for Good Omens

Good Omens

Good Omens is like the Stranger Things of Amazon Prime Video - it's a series that came out of nowhere and has swept us off our feet. Based off the book by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, Good Omens is an addictive, bonkers yet heart-warming tale about good and evil, friendship, demons, angels and a future-gazing witch. It also doesn't hurt that it's pretty British (in a good way) and has an all-star cast. 

The series can be binged in one weekend - or one sitting if you can't face waiting a whole night for the final few episodes. For the bibliophiles out there, the TV series brings a few fresh characters and twists to the story, but is also faithful enough to the book to give those who have been fans for nearly thirty years a real treat. 

Amazon Prime or Netflix? Check out our comparison video below!

Bosch

With 20-something novels to mine for source material, Bosch is a character that was always destined for the small screen. Created by Michael Connelly but brilliantly brought to life by actor Titus Welliver, the series follows the exploits of LA Homicide detective Harry Bosch and features enough grit to pave the longest of driveways.

This is no surprise - the series has been created by Eric Overmyer, who was part of the alumni that created The Wire. Bosch is another show that has been put together by Amazon Studios - proving that streaming services are becoming just as powerful as the HBOs of the world when it comes to producing compelling drama.

Bosch Season 4 has now landed on Amazon Prime, continuing the saga of Harry Bosch and it comes with a nice uplift in quality too, building season upon season to become one of our favourite shows on Prime at the moment. 

Number of seasons on Amazon Prime: 5

Goliath

Billy Bob Thornton stars as a washed-up lawyer looking for a big break who stumbles on to a big case that may well give him the solace he needs. Made by David E Kelly who loves a bit of courtroom drama, having already created Boston Legal, The Practice and Ally McBeal, the show works well as a standalone series but there's talk that it may get a second season. Goliath is part of Amazon's Original series of TV shows.

Seasons on Amazon Prime: 2

Good Girls Revolt

Let me set the stage for this one: It's 1969, and there's a war going on in America. The war is being fought in business offices around the country and the group leading the charge are women in the workforce, fighting for equal rights and equal acknowledgement for the work they've performed for years. Good Girls Revolt is set in this backdrop, at a fictional news outlet where the women have for too long been swept under the rug.

The show scores major points for its poignant subject matter – both in the way that it covers the struggles of women in the workplace pre-1970, but also in the way it handles talking about the American history that the women in question are tasked with covering. Part raunchy history lesson, part stellar drama, Good Girls Revolt is a smart interpretation of a still-ongoing issue.

Seasons on Amazon Prime Instant Video: 1

Hand of God

Last seen in Sons of Anarchy, Ron Perlman has moved from the mad world of biker gangs into the stranger world of law. Perlman plays a vice-riddled barrister who, after suffering a breakdown, starts to believe he is a messenger from god.

The full first season for Hand of God arrived on Amazon Prime, after a successful pilot. A second season is also available, which will sadly be the last as Amazon has decided to not renew the show. This is a shame as it may not be a light-hearted ride - but it is one drama that takes dark turn after dark turn and is all the better for it.

Seasons on Amazon Prime: 2

The Last Tycoon

F Scott Fitzgerald may be known for The Great Gatsby and Tender Is The Night but The Last Tycoon - his last and unfinished novel - is perhaps his most ambitious piece of work. It peels away the glitz and glamour of Hollywood in the '30s to show a time when backstabbing was the norm, fascism was on the rise and everyone had an unbelievable amount of money. Kelsey Grammer is superb as movie mogul Pat Brady, while Matt Bomer is also great as Monroe Stahr, the up and coming film exec who wants to make it big. The Last Tycoon is occasionally flawed but it's a sumptuous watch.

Seasons on Amazon Prime: 1

Downton Abbey

Like watching fictional posh people live their lives in early-twentieth century opulence? You're not alone – millions of people tuned in to Downton Abbey during its TV run, and it's now available to stream in its entirety on Amazon Prime Video.

Following the trials and tribulations of the Crawley family on the titular Downton Abbey estate, it's a kitchen sink drama of sorts – except all the cutlery is made of silver, and it's an army of servants doing the washing up. 

Seasons on Amazon Prime Video: 7

Sneaky Pete

Sneaky Pete's plot maybe a little cliche - a con man assumes the identity of someone else to try and make a new break in the world - but Giovanni Ribisi is superb as Marius, the titular character and there's plenty of intrigue to keep you glued to this new Amazon Original. 

Interestingly, the show is co-created by Bryan Cranston which makes him the streaming king, given he's done so well with Breaking Bad on Netflix. Don't expect Sneaky Pete to be as intense as Breaking Bad - it's a crime caper, yes, but it doesn't take itself too seriously. 

As of March 2018, the second season of Sneaky Pete has landed on Amazon. The premise is that Marius is on the cusp of starting fresh and leaving all of his mess behind. But that'd hardly make a compelling second season, would it? Luckily for fans he's dragged back into the drama kicking and screaming.

Seasons on Amazon Prime: 3

Transparent

Anything Netflix can do, Amazon Prime can do better it seems, especially when it comes to winning a Golden Globe. Netflix may have made history by being the first streaming service to win a Golden Globe, courtesy of the acting talents of Kevin Spacey in House of Cards, but Amazon went and topped this by winning the Best TV Show prize in 2014 for Transparent.

It was much deserved. Transparent is everything you want in a TV show. It's heartwarming, funny and packs a real punch about a subject that doesn't get enough attention: transgenderism. Jeffrey Tambor's Maura Pfefferman is a television character we hope will be around for a long time.

The fourth season will be available to stream from 22 September.

Seasons on Amazon Prime: 4

Comedy

Catastrophe

From the minds of Sharon Horgan and Rob Delaney comes one of the funniest, most well-written sitcom in years. The plot is slight: a one-night stand turns into a relationship once Sharon announces she is pregnant. But the series contains some of the most cut-to-the-bone humour seen on TV. Combine this with a nice slab of pathos - nestled among many a sex joke - and what you have is a modern classic.

Check out the fourth and final season of the show on Amazon Prime now.

Seasons on Amazon Prime: 4

Comrade Detective

Comrade Detective is a weird gem on Amazon. Starring Channing Tatum and Joseph Gordon-Levitt, the show is a parody of gritty American buddy cop shows and Communist Propaganda from the Cold War.

It's an unusual combination, but it works. Each episode is presented as though it's a remastered real episode of a lost Romanian Communist Propaganda series from the 80s which was used to entertain and promote Communist ideals. The entire show was filmed in Romania with Romanian actors and then dubbed over by Tatum and Gordon-Levitt.

Seasons on Amazon Prime: 1

The Grand Tour

Clarkson, Hammond and the other one are back for Grand Tour: Season 3. Well, we kind of knew that they would be as they all have massive contracts that mean we will be seeing quite a few seasons of the Definitely Not Top Gear But Quite A Bit Like Top Gear show. This season sees Clarkson drive a fast car, Hammond drive a faster car and nearly die, and the other one drive a fast car considerably slower than the rest. If you enjoy watching middle aged men burn rubber in the middle of the desert, like a scene out of Mad Max: Fury Road, then this is for you. And if we haven't quite convinced you yet - Gizmodo offered up this quote about the show: "Some men doing stuff for no clearly defined reason." Lovely stuff. 

Seasons on Amazon Prime: 3 (new episodes weekly)

I Love Dick

Recently graduating from Amazon Originals pilot to fully fledged TV show, I Love Dick is a great subversive watch. The show stars Kevin Bacon and is based on the celebrated book that looks at a married couple who are having marriage issues and their relationship with college professor, Dick. Bacon is on top form as the charismatic Dick and the show's multiple POV storytelling (Rashomon style) works well.

Seasons on Amazon Prime Video TV: 1

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

A new series from Gilmore Girls creator, Amy Sherman-Palladino, The Marvelous Mrs Maisel tells the story of 1950s Jewish housewife Miriam Maisel. After her husband confesses he's been having an affair, Midge drunkenly gets on stage at a comedy club and discovers that she's utterly hilarious. In a time when women aren't encouraged to be publicly funny, Midge pursues her new-found comedic talent in the male-dominated stand up comedy world. 

Check out season two of the show on Amazon Prime now! 

Seasons to watch on Amazon Prime: 2

Mad Dogs

The UK version of Mad Dogs was a breath of fresh air when it first aired. Well, the first season was then it all went a little too strange. This remake - green-lit from Amazon's burgeoning Originals series - takes the best from the UK version and mixes it with a plot that's a little easier to follow and humour that's more laugh out loud than pitch black.

The premise is the same: a bunch of mates go and visit one friend at his luxury villa to celebrate his early retirement, only for murder, mayhem and mind-boggling plot developments to ensue. A touch of genius is the recasting of Ben Chaplin. While he played the rich, retiring Alvo in the UK version here he gets to try his luck in a bigger and better role.

Seasons on Amazon Prime: 1

Mozart in the Jungle

Now into its fourth series, Mozart in the Jungle was this surprise winner at the 2015 Golden Globes, where it won Best Comedy Series. The show is a comedy set in the strange world of classical music. Gael García Bernal plays young conductor Rodrigo who replaces a retiring conductor played by Malcolm McDowell. Based loosely on a true story and created by the likes of Jason Schwartzman and Roman Coppola, it's well worth a watch.

Seasons on Amazon Prime Video: 4

Parks and Recreation

Parks and Rec is a joy of a show. Originally seen as a quasi spin-off of the Office - using the same documentary style camerawork, awkward pauses, asides to camera - it soon grew from an amusing first season, about the goings on in the parks department of Pawnee, to a comedy phenomenon that spanned a fantastic seven seasons. It's not just the script that makes it great, it's also the characters - headed up by the ever-brilliant Amy Poehler.

Seasons on Amazon Prime: 7

Red Oaks

The '80s is the en vogue decade when it comes to nostalgia. Not only are Seth Gordon and Adam Goldberg mining the era for their superb prime-time sitcom The Goldbergs, Red Oaks has appeared to prove that it is respectable to set shows in the '80s. Amazon-exclusive Red Oaks - made by another Green, this time David Gordon - focuses on David, a tennis player at the Red Oaks country club and his summer shenanigans. Great casting - Jennifer Grey! - some brilliant nods to '80s films, a short run time means this is a series you can eat up in one neon-fuelled sitting.

The third and final season is now available to stream in its entirety on Amazon Prime and is a fitting end to one of the best shows around at the moment. 

Seasons on Amazon Prime Video: 3

Thrillers

The Americans

The Americans was cruelly mishandled when it originally came to UK TV, so we are glad it has finally found a decent place to reside. The show is a cracking crime period thriller that follows the exploits of a couple of KGB agents posing as US citizens around the time Ronald Reagan became US president.

It may occasionally flit between the ridiculous and the sublime but you would expect nothing more from a show that's main conceit comprises characters duelling with duality. The '80s setting is fantastic, too, though there aren't enough shell suits for our liking.

The final sixth season of The Americans is now free with Amazon Prime Video.

Seasons on Amazon Prime: 6

Mr Robot

The popularity of Mr. Robot meant that there was something of a bidding war to see who would show it. Amazon, Netflix and other more traditional broadcasters fought for it, proving that even bean counters can see the worth in counter culture.

Amazon won in the end and is the perfect place for a show that focuses on the exploits of hacker Elliot (a superb Rami Malek). Mr Robot is Fight Club for the Tor generation, lifting a lid on a world where what Linux kernel you use is not just a badge of honour but a way of life.

Now in its third season, Mr Robot is proving to be one of the most addictive things on television right now.

Seasons on Amazon Prime Video: 3

Man In The High Castle

There have been a number of successful Amazon pilots that have made it to a full series but none have the epic potential that Man In The High Castle has. This Philip K Dick adaptation is finally available to stream - with all episodes ready for your consumption. High Castle imagines what the world would be like if Germany had won World War II and the Nazis had taken global control. Turns out it's a bit worse than us all driving around in VW Beetles and wearing Hugo Boss coats.

Season 2 is now available and expands on the mythos. Given this is a cautionary tale about what could happen when the hard right takes over America, things suddenly don't feel too far fetched.

Seasons on Amazon Prime Video: 3

True Blood

One of the biggest advantages Amazon Prime Instant Video has over Netflix is its massive back-library of HBO programming that will make anyone with a monthly subscription salivate over. While each show could have its own entry on this list we instead chose to highlight the best of the bunch, starting with The Wire. A close, though vastly different second is True Blood, a show about the preternatural, social issues and sex. Lots and lots of sex. And if that  tag line doesn't sell you, nothing will.

Seasons on Amazon Prime Instant Video: 6

Vikings

If you have any interest in Norse mythology then the name Ragnar Lothbrok will mean a whole lot to you. Basically he was a king and powerful ruler that was a right git to the English and the French.

Vikings is a series that traces his Norse-based goings on with enough charm and scope to take on Game of Thrones in the sword and sandals stakes. Yes it takes a number of liberties with its source material but the acting is top class, as is the cinematography in a historical romp that's now deservedly in its fourth season - the second half of which is now available.

Seasons on Amazon Prime: 5

A still from the tv show you are wanted

You Are Wanted

The first season of this German cybercrime thriller has been on Amazon Prime for just over a year, but now the second season is available too. Set in Berlin, the TV show is about a man called Lukas who has all of his online accounts hacked and gets accused of being involved in criminal, terrorist activity. In the age where it feels like big companies know more about our data than we do, it's a compelling contemporary tale that might leave you feeling like you really go and tweak your privacy settings or delete your online presence altogether.

Seasons on Amazon Prime: 2

Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan

While the hype overblew the final product, Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan is still worth a watch. Starring John Krasinski (a.k.a. Jim from The Office) as the titular character who is "just a mere analyst". (Pro tip: He's not just an analyst.) Ryan's adventures are thrilling and entertaining, pure Tom Clancy incarnate. If action is your scene, check out the first season of Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan, now on Amazon Prime. 

Seasons on Amazon Prime: 1

Sports, the best of the rest, and coming soon

A promo shot/title screen from the original Tomorrow's World

Tomorrow's World

Tomorrow's World was a ground-breaking BBC documentary series that ran for 38 years from 1965 to 2003. In 2017 the brand was 'revived' as part of a new series that explores the same themes of technology, science and the future as an umbrella brand for BBC's science programming. 

The latest season has recently landed on Amazon Prime and it covers artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, biometrics, the quest for immortality and how researchers, big corporations, doctors, scientists and inventors are shaping the future. 

Seasons on Amazon Prime Video: 1

All Or Nothing

Anyone who wants something to fill their Friday Nights Lights hole need to look no further. This documentary is a superb look at how gruelling a season of American football is. It gives the viewer unprecedented access to the coaches, the staff and, most importantly, the players and it's a fantastic watch. Tying the whole thing together is also some superb narration from Mad Men's Jon Hamm.

Not keen on the American version of the sport? You can watch whole seasons of Manchester City play in the Premier League or watch the infamous New Zealand All Blacks tear it up on the rugby pitch. Whatever your sport, All or Nothing has you covered.

Seasons on Amazon: 5

Thursday Night Football

Speaking of the old gridiron, Fox and Amazon have teamed up to stream Thursday Night Football to Amazon Prime members. There aren't a ton of regular season games left in the season, but if you're a cord-cutter it's well worth tuning in for what's left. Expect to see this return in 2019, too.

Grand Prix Driver

This new Amazon Original documentary takes viewers underneath the glitz and glamour that is the surface of Formula 1, to explore the inner-workings of the 2017 McLaren team. Narrated by Michael Douglas, this documentary follows  rookie driver Stoffel Vandoorne over four episodes, as he and his team prepare for the 2017 Formula 1 World Championship. 

Season on Amazon Prime Video: 1

A promo shot from TV show Grimm

Grimm

Merge a fairy tale fantasy with a police drama and you get Grimm. It's all about Nick Burkhardt, a detective based in Portland in the US who discovers he's a Grimm. Which basically means he's a kind of mystical guardian who must keep the peace between humans and creatures called Wesen. As you might expect, a lot of the characters are inspired by Grimms' Fairy Tales, but the show draws from many other sources too to create a story that's a little like Buffy The Vampire Slayer, but with fairy tale creatures.

Seasons on Amazon Prime Video: 6

Coming soon to Amazon Prime: Oasis

The works of Michel Faber nearly always translate well to the big and small screen. The Crimson Petal and the White was given a great mini series adaptation by the Beeb in 2001. And Under The Skin is one of the most inventive films ever made. Another one of his works, The Book of Strange Things, has been given the Amazon Originals Pilot treatment. Called Oasis, the show is a twisty opaque look at a priest who is living in a human colony on another planet.  Richard Madden, last seen in Game of Thrones, stars. 

Coming eventually to Amazon Prime: The Lord of the Rings

The biggest project Amazon has in the books is its insanely expensive interpretation of The Lord of the Rings. The latest incarnation of Tolkien's classic fantasy tale will reach Game of Thrones heights... and budgets... with some $250 million set aside for production. Amazon has apparently already signed a five-season contract with the crew and production should start in the near future. Hold onto your hobbit holes! 

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Samsung Galaxy Note 10 potential render gives early look at the phone and stylus

Posted: 10 Jul 2019 11:43 AM PDT

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 is coming out soon on August 7, but we may be getting an early look thanks to some alleged leaked renders.

The renders, posted by leaker @ishangarwal24 on Twitter, show front, back and side views of the Note 10 in two colors: a silver-purple-blue gradient and a solid black. The S-Pen is present and accounted for... looking a bit rounded compared to earlier square-column styluses in the Note line.

If authentic, these renders support earlier hints that the Note 10 would have a single selfie camera in a punch hole at the top-center of the phone, as well as three rear cameras aligned vertically. 

The renders appear to be high-quality enough to be official images, and though they could always be well-produced fakes, it’s close enough to the phone’s launch that we wouldn’t be surprised if they were the real deal.

Note 10...and Note 10 Plus

That's not all – the same leaker followed up with another set of images for the long-rumored bigger, beefier version of the phone, which he calls the Galaxy Note 10 Plus (previously purported to be the Note 10 Pro). 


This is the first side-by-side comparisons we've seen between the smaller and larger Note 10 models ... and it does indeed seem like the Note 10 Plus is simply a wider, larger version.

In fact, they look identical. The big tip-off: the S-Pen stylus doesn't come up as high on the Note 10 Pro, and there seems to be a fourth sensor on the back -- perhaps a Time of Flight depth sensor, as appears on the Samsung Galaxy S10 5G. 

We'll see whether future leaks affirm the authenticity of these renders in the coming weeks, but either way, Samsung will give us the official word at its Unpacked event in August.

  • How will the Note 10 stack up? Compare it to the best Android phones out there

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Australia vs England live stream: how to watch Cricket World Cup 2019 semi-final from anywhere

Posted: 10 Jul 2019 10:56 AM PDT

Cricket's oldest rivals are set to do battle once more at Egbaston, with a place in the 2019 Cricket World Cup final the spoils for the victor. Clear your Thursday and use TechRadar as a bible to discover how to watch it - these are your Australia vs England live stream options - it's free Down Under but English fans will need to pay.

Having overcome a dangerous blip halfway through the round-robin phase, England managed two excellent wins against India and New Zealand as they scrambled their way into the last four. Australia let their top spot status slip away to India after a shock defeat in their final group match against South Africa.

England's recent ODI record against Australia had been near perfect, having won nine of the last ten encounters ahead of the World Cup, but their group phase match saw the Aussies ease their way to a 64-run win at Lord's. England's confidence will have grown since that defeat however, with their opening order massively boosted with the return of Jason Roy from his hamstring injury. 

Having entered the tournament somewhat under the radar with little hype, an early defeat to India saw Australia written off by plenty of pundits. As the tournament has progressed they've looked arguably the most assured side in the competition. Steve Smith and David Warner have both had a huge impact on their return to the Australia's batting order. Meanwhile, Mitchell Starc's 26 and counting wicket haul at the 2019 Cricket World Cup along with Nathan Lyon's impact as a world class spinner has provided skipper Aaron Finch with real options for mixing up the bowling.

You’ll be able to watch all the Cricket World Cup semi-final action with ease from anywhere in the world if you follow our Australia vs England live stream guide below.  

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

If you're in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, US or India and looking to find out how to watch this semi-final match, we've got all the details about the broadcaster in your region below.

If you're away from home country and looking to tune in you'll likely to find you won't be able to thanks to geo-blocking. Thankfully there's a way to alleviate that frustration. By using a VPN you'll be able to watch the game safely without having to take a chance on an illegal feed from a website that's likely infested with malware.

How to stream England's semi-final clash live in the UK 

How to watch a live stream of the semi-final in Australia for FREE

How to watch Australia vs England in New Zealand

How to live stream the 2019 Cricket World Cup online in India

How to live stream Australia vs England in Pakistan for FREE

How to watch Australia vs England: US live stream 

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There's a new Lord of the Rings MMO coming from ex-Destiny developers

Posted: 10 Jul 2019 10:25 AM PDT

Amazon Game Studios is teaming up with Athlon Games to co-develop to co-develop and publish a free-to-play Lord of the Rings MMO for PC and console.

We first heard news of the upcoming MMO last year, however Amazon Game Studios' involvement is new, as is the revelation that the studio brings with it a team that includes veteran developers who've worked on popular MMOs such as World of Warcraft and Destiny.

According to Amazon Game Studios, the MMO will take place in the Middle-earth portrayed in The Lord of the Rings literary trilogy. Previously the game was set to be a prequel to the well-known stories of Frodo and Bilbo Baggins, instead taking place in the deep history of Middle-earth, and conveniently avoiding any canonical issues.

“Tolkien’s Middle-earth is one of the richest fictional worlds in history, and it gives our team of experienced MMO developers – from the same studio developing New World – tremendous opportunity to play and create,"  said Amazon Games Studios VP, Christoph Hartmann. "We have a strong leadership team in place to helm this new project, and we’re actively growing our team to help build this incredible experience.”

The game is unrelated to the Lord of the Rings TV series Amazon Studios is developing and currently has no firm release date.

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Cyberpunk 2077 will look best on PS5 and Project Scarlett

Posted: 10 Jul 2019 10:10 AM PDT

When it comes to Cyberpunk 2077, the development team is putting consoles first, according to CD Projekt Red's UI director Alvin Liu.

In an interview with Wccftech, Liu was asked about the challenges of optimizing Cyberpunk 2077 for low-end hardware. 

"Actually no, we have a very custom engine, the RED Engine," Liu responded. "And actually, we’re targeting consoles as first class platforms and it looks amazing there. So obviously, if you spent, you know, $2,000 building your PC rig, it’s going to look better on that. But the graphics are quite amazing for what you’re going to get from Cyberpunk 2077 on consoles and low-end PCs."

Next-gen preparations?

Image credit: CD Projekt Red

It's not particularly surprising that the development team is choosing to focus primarily on consoles considering next-generation hardware such as the PS5 and Xbox Project Scarlett is just around the corner. 

In an interview with VG247 last year, CD Projekt Red revealed that Cyberpunk 2077 will be able to work with future gaming technology.

“Next gen hasn’t been announced yet, so we can only speculate,” CD Projekt Red president Adam Kiciński explained. “Technology-wise, Cyberpunk is very advanced. Our technology is ready to interface with future generations.

“The game is developed in such a way that it can use very powerful future equipment."

Liu's comments further suggest that Cyberpunk 2077 will be a cross-generation title, releasing on both current and next-generation consoles.

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All the SNES Mini's games: ranked from worst to best

Posted: 10 Jul 2019 09:36 AM PDT

If you're looking to play the best SNES games, the SNES Classic Edition is the best place to start. Not only will you find the best games from the '90s on there, but you'll find they're exactly as you remember them - they're perfect emulations of the original games. (We're looking in your direction, PlayStation Classic...)

But with so many iconic games on Nintendo's classic console it can be hard knowing where to start first. If you've gone ahead and added the entire library of classics by modding the console - not something we advocate for but something that does happen - the choice becomes even harder. 

Practically each and every title included on the system can rightly be regarded as a solid-gold classic, and ranking them has involved some serious hair splitting. 

But, in the end, we think we've been able to decide on the best SNES games - or at least, the best SNES games available on the SNES Classic - and have ranked them here from worst to best. 

Kirby's games struggled to find a truly receptive audience outside of Japan until very recently, and the odd combination of cute platforming and golf that's on display here makes Kirby's Dream Course a bizarre inclusion on the SNES Classic; the gameplay is fun but there are plenty of better games that could have be featured instead of this – Super Tennis is the one we're most aggrieved about not seeing. 

Not a terrible game by any means, but Nintendo could have done better.

The comical sequel to the original Punch-Out!! might lack Mike Tyson's beaming mug – he was included in the initial NES version before being replaced by "Mr. Dream" – but it's a better game overall thanks to deeper gameplay and large, appealing pugilists. 

The big issue is that it's too easy to memorise the tactics required to defeat each opponent, and this severely curtails the game's long-term appeal.

Capcom's side-scrolling action platformer is still as tough as old boots, with pixel-perfect precision required to overcome its grim fantasy levels. As an early release on the system it dazzled players with colourful and detailed graphics, but the crippling slowdown which occurs at busy moments is hard to stomach, especially in 2017. Still a classic, but one which has perhaps aged less gracefully than others.

Street Fighter II owes much of its enduring success to the million-selling ports which graced the SNES, with Turbo being the second to hit store shelves. 

With 12 playable characters (including the four bosses this time around) and a mirror-mode which lets both players select the same fighter and a much-needed speed boost, it remains irresistibly playable, especially if you can convince a fellow carbon-based lifeform to play. 

That said, we've put the game slightly lower down our list simply because superior versions of the game exist.

Something of a superstar on the 8-bit NES, Mega Man – or Rockman as he's known in Japan – appeared in several eye-catching 16-bit adventures. Mega Man X was the first and, some would argue, the best. It arguably struck the perfect balance between technical wizardry and compelling platforming action.

Nintendo's first Mode 7 racer may lack the embellishments of its more technically advanced sequels F-Zero X and F-Zero GX, but it's arguably the most accessible and instantly enjoyable entry in the series. The colourful presentation, tight controls and challenging courses make for a purebred speedfest which hasn't aged one bit; only the lack of a two-player mode holds it back.

Released for the first time ever on the SNES Classic, Star Fox 2 is perhaps the game many owners of the new system will boot up first. It's a fascinating illustration of how to evolve a gameplay concept, and jettisons the linear structure of the first game in favour of a more open, randomised set-up, with each gameplay session differing greatly from the last. The only negative is that things can sometimes feel a little loose and lacking in coherence.

Rare's pioneering use of pre-rendered characters caused jaws to drop all over the world when Donkey Kong Country made its debut in 1994, and while the game owes a massive debt to Super Mario, it's polished and entertaining enough to stand on its own as one of the best 16-bit platformers ever made. 

David Wise's groundbreaking soundtrack is the cherry on the top; how he made a non-CD system produce tunes of this quality is beyond human comprehension.

Known as Kirby's Fun Pak in Europe, this is a surprisingly robust collection of seven games, some of which have more depth than you might imagine. There are plenty of homages to other classic Nintendo games to be found, and because this was released quite late in the life of the SNES, it boasts some truly impressive, cartoon-like visuals. 

It's hard to believe that this was one of Konami's earliest SNES outings; with its incredible visuals, stirring soundtrack and impressive Mode 7 bonus levels, Contra III is rightly regarded as one of the finest run-and-gun blasters available. The two-player mode means you can bring a friend along for the ride, too.

Back in 1993, this was utterly groundbreaking stuff. The first SNES game to feature the assistance of the Super FX chip, Star Fox delivered cutting-edge 3D visuals in your living room. Ironically, the simplistic, unshaded polygon graphics lend the game a timeless quality, while the thrilling gameplay and superb music keep you glued to your controller.

Never released in the UK, this Squaresoft-developed RPG epic came late in the lifespan of the SNES and adopted the then-commonplace "CGI" look for its visuals – a fact which has perhaps caused it to age faster than other 16-bit examples of the genre. However, the game combines the best elements of Final Fantasy's turn-based combat system with action-based commands that make battles feel more exciting and skill-focused.

The gothic platformer starts off slow but soon develops into one of the best entries in Konami's long-running vampire-hunting series. Notable for its excellent use of Mode 7 sprite scaling and rotation, it's also famous for its beautiful soundtrack – another demonstration of just how adept the Sony-made sound chip inside the SNES really is.

Known as Final Fantasy III in the US only – it's actually Final Fantasy VI in the true chronology of the series – this is regarded by many as one of the finest JRPGs ever made, and with good reason. As well as possessing the usual gripping and addictive gameplay the franchise is famous for, this stellar outing also includes some of the most memorable characters to ever feature in a role-playing adventure, and packs a dramatic storyline to boot.

The second title in the Mother series of RPGs, EarthBound isn't like any other role-playing adventure you've seen. Set in modern times, it replaces dragons and orcs with bizarre aliens and its heroes are ordinary school kids who find themselves wrapped up in a fierce conflict which puts the fate of the world in the balance. Boasting an iconic soundtrack, humorous script and moving storyline, EarthBound is a true classic – despite not having seen release in the UK during the SNES' lifespan.

While it lacks the massive, non-linear structure of Super Mario World, this sequel harnesses the power of the Super FX chip to create some of the most eye-catching visual trickery ever achieved on the SNES. Instead of controlling Mario you're in charge of Yoshi, who can float in mid-air and hurl eggs at enemies. With a fresh gameplay idea on almost every each level, this is Shigeru Miyamoto at his most inventive and playful.

Arguably one of the most influential video games of all time, Super Metroid is the title responsible for laying down the "Metroidvania" blueprint so skillfully adopted by modern titles, such as the superb Axiom Verge. Konami's 1997 adventure Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is also credited with popularising this style of game, but it's Nintendo's SNES epic which should get the lion's share of the credit. Exploring a massive alien world packed with hidden passageways, new weapons and bloodthirsty enemies has rarely been this entertaining; this year's Metroid: Samus Returns on 3DS continues this fine tradition.

The game that started it all. Now a quarter of a century old, Super Mario Kart has to rank as one of the most influential titles in gaming; it created a whole new racing sub-genre and established a series which – at the time of writing – has sold over 100 million copies worldwide. And you know what? The 1992 original is still playable as its sequels, especially when there are two people involved. Don't forget that battle mode, too.

Recently confirmed for the reboot treatment by Square Enix, Secret of Mana – or Seiken Densetsu 2, as it's known in Japan – is comfortably one of the most iconic JRPGs in existence. It got pretty much everything right back in 1993; engaging real-time combat, sumptuous visuals, gorgeous music and – perhaps most important of all – a gripping storyline populated with memorable characters.

The best platformer ever made? We personally don't feel there's any room for debate here; Super Mario World is nothing short of a masterpiece; a finely-tuned 2D epic spanning a massive, non-linear game world which is literally bursting with new ideas. Finishing every single stage takes days if not weeks of effort, and the controls are tight and joyfully precise. And to think this was one of the first games released on the SNES – remarkable.

Here it is – the big one. While subsequent Zelda adventures have expanded the scope of the series, A Link to the Past remains the best instalment for many fans. It's the benchmark many RPGs attempted to emulate in the decades that have passed since its launch; Nintendo's game managed to combine real-time combat, challenging boss battles, head-scratching puzzles and a seemingly never-ending overworld – all done on a humble 16-bit console. A true classic.

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Wi-Fi 6 guidelines aim to help operators cope with mobile traffic

Posted: 10 Jul 2019 09:32 AM PDT

The Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA) has published deployment guidelines for mobile operators, as well as enterprises and vendors, ahead of the launch of Wi-Fi 6 later this year.

Wi-Fi 6 is the first generation of wireless broadband to adopt a more consumer-friendly nomenclature, similar to 4G or 5G, rather than the more technical system that has seen previous standards given technical monikers like ‘802.11ac.’

Among other things, Wi-Fi 6 is expected to deliver faster speeds and greater capacity, with the wireless industry positioning it as a complementary technology to 5G that can help organisations and communications providers cope with the growing amount of data traffic.

Wi-Fi 6

This, the WBA argues, will help meet customer demand and satisfy any Service Level Agreements (SLAs). However, Wi-Fi 6 is also an attempt to ensure that wireless broadband isn’t sidelined in favour of 5G.

The WBA says the number of Wi-Fi enabled devices now stands at 9 billion – more than one for every person on the planet – while enterprise data traffic is set to rise from 33 exabytes at present to 63 exabytes by 2022.

The new guidelines published by the organisation – and developed with members including BT, Broadcom and Cisco – aim to provide a consistent framework for Wi-Fi 6 deployments in high density areas like stadiums, apartment blocks and public venues. 

There are also provisions for Internet of Things (IoT) and enterprise networks.

Areas covered include RF planning and design, MU-MIMO, band steering and backwards compatibility with previous generations of Wi-Fi.

“Since its inception 20 years ago, Wi-Fi has become a fundamental expectation for consumers and enterprises alike,” said Tiago Rodrigues, General Manager, WBA.

“Not only is global demand for Wi-Fi continuing unabated, but operators worldwide are ramping up 5G networks, and governmental authorities around the world are preparing to open 6GHz spectrum to Wi-Fi traffic. 

“Today’s announcement illustrates the dedication of the WBA and its member companies to providing timely, expert direction to ensure that Wi-Fi deployments successfully accommodate all of these global factors.”

Many operators around the world are now focussing on the construction of converged networks comprising fixed, mobile and wireless connectivity. The idea is that the end user is seamlessly connected regardless of technology. Wi-Fi 6 should be a major boost to such efforts.

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The best Carphone Warehouse deals in July 2019

Posted: 10 Jul 2019 09:12 AM PDT

Carphone Warehouse is the UK's biggest phone retailer and a superb place to browse the latest mobile phone deals. Indeed, not only is Carphone the UK's biggest, it's also the largest independent telecoms retailer in Europe. It sells the widest range of handsets in the UK across almost all the main UK networks - Vodafone, EE and O2 as well as its own network, iD.

- Carphone Warehouse's best pay monthly deals

- Carphone Warehouse's best SIM-free phone prices 

We'll help you narrow down the retailer's best prices on the market's flagship phones - including the likes of the iPhone XR, Samsung Galaxy S10 and Huawei P30 - using our industry-leading price comparison below.

After our comparison widget, read on to find out the best Carphone Warehouse deals on these and many more handsets. Plus, we'll tell you all you need to know about buying a handset through Carphone Warehouse.

  • Not bothered about buying from Carphone? Then be sure to check out our all-encompassing guide to the best mobile phone deals

The best Carphone Warehouse deals:

Carphone Warehouse pay as you go phones 

As you might know, pay as you go (PAYG) deals don't tie you into any kind of contract whatsoever. You simply buy a phone from Carphone Warehouse and then top up your minutes, texts and data when you need it (you'll know when you've run out). You also don't get credit checked, which you do with any type of pay monthly contract. Lots of handsets are available from Carphone on PAYG deals including phones from Samsung, Sony and Motorola. View all the Carphone Warehouse pay as you go deals. 

Carphone Warehouse upgrades 

Carphone Warehouse offers upgrades across the networks it offers on pay monthly and, what's more, you don't need to have bought from the retailer before. You can use Carphone's online upgrade checker to see if you're eligible. Some networks will even let you upgrade early such as O2, which lets you upgrade 30 days before the end of your current deal. 

Note that you'll need to enter all your network details into the upgrade checker so Carphone Warehouse can check with your network. So it's best to have your bill to hand.

Text to Switch with Carphone

If you plan on switching mobile phone networks, Carphone Warehouse (like all of other retailers) now operates a text to switch programme. That means that when you buy a new mobile phone contract from Carphone, you can simply text your old network to get your code and switch, making it a far easier process than before.

Will Carphone Warehouse let me keep my number?  

In a word, yes. You need to ask your current network for your PAC code (done using the text to switch method mentioned above). 

Once you've got the PAC it's valid for 30 days - so don't hang about! if it expires you'll need to get another one. 

Next, buy your new phone from Carphone Warehouse and tell them your PAC and your number will be transferred within a few days. If your new phone is on Virgin you'll need to call them directly once your phone is connected. 

Trade ins with Carphone Warehouse  

We all like a new phone, but if you're just stuffing your old handsets into a drawer then you're missing out, because you can get decent cash for your old handset. Carphone Warehouse offers a decent trade in scheme, with many two year old handsets still worth £200 - worth doing! Carphone will send you a packet to use to send in your handset, too. 

Check out how much your handset is worth.

Mobiles.co.uk and e2save

If you've been extensively hunting the web for the best price on your new mobile, you may have come across Mobiles.co.uk and e2save. These two websites are part of the Carphone Warehouse family, but frequently come up with much better prices than Carphone manages itself.

Mobiles.co.uk features brilliant deals on the majority of the current flagship phones and if you enter the code 10OFF at the checkout, you'll save an extra tenner on the upfront price of the handset. e2save usually offers better value on older, budget phones - so if spending a lot on a new phone doesn't hold much appeal, click on the link above to see if they can help you out.

Who is Carphone Warehouse?

Carphone Warehouse is the UK's largest phone retailer that sells the widest range of handsets in the UK across almost all the main UK networks - Vodafone, EE, Virgin and O2 as well as its own network, iD which is fantastic for budget deals and SIM only offerings.

Originally started in a London flat in 1989, Carphone Warehouse grew to have 20 stores by 1994 and floated in 2000. In 2014 it merged with Dixons Retail to form Dixons Carphone, hence why many Currys PC World stores now incorporate Carphone Warehouse concessions. The retail giant owns the iD network. It's a virtual network that uses the Three mobile network. 

How to contact Carphone Warehouse  

If you need to contact Carphone Warehouse, you can do so via this page depending on what you need to do. If you need buying advice, there's also a large section of frequently asked questions to help you.

What Carphone Warehouse locations are near me? 

There are over 2,400 Carphone Warehouse stores across Europe, including 1,100 in the UK. There are also many inside or alongside branches of Currys PC World. Find your local Carphone Warehouse using the Store Locator.

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What is Google Cloud Storage?

Posted: 10 Jul 2019 09:00 AM PDT

Google is one of the biggest cloud storage providers in the world. With more than 2.5 billion active Android devices, the advertising and search giant has to allocate potentially up to 20 Exabytes (assuming a ratio of two devices per user account); that almost 20 billion GB of data as each Gmail account is tied to a 15GB free cloud storage tier.

That’s a lot of hard disk drives and a lot of servers (probably more than a million) spread over the world. The real number is likely to be far less than that because, well, not all people use that much storage and the emergence of Facebook means that billions store their pictures elsewhere. 

 Meet Google One 

When it comes to consumer cloud storage, Google has three main data pools for end-users: Google Drive, Gmail and Google Photos; they all share the same free storage quota as part of Google One, Google’s new membership scheme which gives you access to experts, expanded storage and more. 

Paid for options are available should you want to put more data online. 100GB storage will cost you $15.99 per year with the most expensive tier, 30TB coming in at a whopping $2,880 a year. In addition, photos and videos stored using the "High Quality" size (photos - up to 16-megapixel, videos - up to full HD) do not take any space at all from your storage quota.

Now unless you have a super fast Gigabit broadband, your upload speeds are likely to be slow. Uploading at 2Mbps means that you will upload up to 22GB a day; that’s in theory. Assuming you have a dedicated internet line, it will take you nearly four years to fill your 30TB storage. The obvious backup strategy to maximize storage efficiency that you should be able to use. 

 The “other” Google Cloud Storage 

Outside of its consumer market, Google also operate one of the largest public clouds in the world (alongside Amazon, Microsoft, IBM and Oracle). Google Cloud Storage (similar to AWS S3) is one of its core components and offers unified object storage to developers and enterprises.

As part of Google Cloud Platform, it offers to businesses, three storage tiers (standard, nearline and coldline), with pricing depending on the frequency of access (more than once a month, less than once amonth, less than once a year). That sort of storage is not easily available to end users but is cheaper especially if you don’t need a lot of data. 

20GB storage will cost you a mere $4.80 per year, going down to $1.20 per year for coldline storage for and you get $300 credit for free for the first 12 months when you try Google Cloud Platform. You can potentially store several TB of data for free for a year but all this will have to be moved out within 30 days of your trial period ending. 

You do get charged extra though for accessing and moving data and for performing actions within the cloud storage environment. It is worth noting that G Suite, Google’s bundle of business applications, gives you unlimited cloud storage for $12 per month across six users, so that’s a maximum of $864 over a year. That is significantly less than the near $3K charged for 30TB.

If you have a lot of data to backup (tape, USB flash drive or hard disk drives) in Google’s cloud then you can even get a third party to do it for you. Currently Google has vetted only Iron Mountain and Zadara Storage to do it. 

You will have to pay them to move the data physically from your peripherals to Google’s data centres. It will be expensive especially if you are not based in the US but at least you won’t need to wait for years. As always, make sure you have double or triple backup before sending or shipping something as sensitive as terabytes or even petabytes worth of data. 

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The best cheap tablets and deals 2019: the top budget options

Posted: 10 Jul 2019 08:46 AM PDT

If you're looking for the best cheap tablets around, you've come to the right place. 

Not everyone wants to pay hundreds for a slate, and these top budget tablets are great for web browsing, emails, video streaming and simple gaming.

They're great to have as a family device, or purely for the kids with a variety of parental controls available (especially on Amazon's offerings), or for those who want a bigger screen for tasks that are just a little too fiddly to do on a smartphone.

The best tablet in the world is the iPad Pro 11, while the best Android tablet is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S4, but both will set you back a lot of cash. Best budget tablets they are not. 

In fact, none of Apple's current fleet of slates manage to dip below the £250 mark we've set for our best budget tablets round up, but if it is iPads you desire check out our best iPad roundup. The most affordable option is the iPad 9.7 which starts at £319.

All hope is not lost though, as we've got the list of the best cheap tablets you can buy right now below - but let's make one thing clear. There aren't many to choose from.

It's slim pickings for anyone looking to pick up a cheap tablet these days as the market for low-cost slates has somewhat fallen away, but the ones below offer excellent value for money.

We're still waiting to see our first budget tablet launch of 2019 as well, which means there aren't any new entries in our round-up just yet - but the ones we do have below are still worth your consideration.

Before you dive into the list, remember that our best cheap tablets may be about to get even cheaper. How? Well it's Amazon Prime Day from July 15-16, which is a two-day sales event where the online retailer slashes prices across various product categories, including tech.

In previous years this has seen discounts to some of our best cheap tablets, with Amazon's own Fire tablets all but guaranteed some form of price drop, and we may see Samsung and Huawei slates also slide. So keep an eye out!

Best cheap tablets: Lenovo Tab 4 8 Plus

Image Credit: Lenovo

In a sea of slates and smartphones, crafting a device that has enough personality to stand out and enough quality to be worth caring about is a difficult proposition.

With the Tab 4 8 Plus, Lenovo has succeeded in producing something with a flavor of its own, and something that makes the mid-range Android tablet market worth attention once again.

If you already have an Android device, commute regularly and want something a little nicer than an Amazon tablet, this is the obvious next step.

Read the full review: Lenovo Tab 4 8 Plus

Best cheap tablets: Amazon Fire HD 10

Image Credit: Amazon

If you have an Amazon Prime membership and you want a big screen tablet for watching movies and TV, reading, and a spot of gaming, the Fire HD 10 is a great option. If you also have a limited budget, then it’s your best option.

It's a great value package for a 10-inch screen tablet. It does have obvious weaknesses, like the plastic design and useless cameras, but they’re understandable in a tablet at this price.

Read the full review: Amazon Fire HD 10 (2017)

Best cheap tablets: Amazon Fire HD 8

Image Credit: Amazon

The Amazon HD 8 was rebooted for 2018 with a slightly updated look, better front facing camera and a larger storage option.

They are useful upgrades and ensure it remains in our best budget tablet list. 

It's no tablet king, but it does what it sets out to well. Its crazy low price tag means it's perfect to hand off to the kids without the fear that they're wielding an expensive bit of kit around.

It may be too small for some, and the cameras aren't up to much, but the Fire HD 8 gives you the core tablet experience for not very much outlay, making it a budget tablet worth buying.

Read the full review: Amazon Fire HD 8

Best cheap tablets: Amazon Fire 7

Image Credit: Amazon

Notice the lack of 'HD' in the name of the Amazon Fire 7, compared to the other Amazon slates on this list? That's because the screen quality of the tablet is, well, not HD.

That's a compromise you'll have to make if you're wanting Amazon's latest, super-cheap device, as it won't grace your eyes with a stunning display or slick performance. However there is enough power under the hood to get you through basic tasks, like streaming content or shopping.

It's also great as a Kindle device, if you want your Kindle to also come with Alexa and the internet and the best books of all, movies.

Read the full review: Amazon Fire 7 (2019)

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The growing potential of e-Signatures

Posted: 10 Jul 2019 08:46 AM PDT

The value of global exports has almost doubled since 1996, driven significantly by the internet.  Today it is easier than ever to quickly generate global exposure for a brand.  In fact, some of the world’s most famous and globally successful businesses did not exist 20 years ago.  Chinese smartphone manufacturer Xiaomi was founded in 2010 and now controls almost 10% of global smartphone shipments. Facebook was founded in 2004, Airbnb in 2008 and Uber in 2009.

The power of global trade

While the companies mentioned above have enjoyed phenomenal global growth, many businesses are now looking outside of home markets for new sales.  Huge markets such as China, India and South America offer companies new opportunities to tap into growing populations.

International trade is not easy.  Businesses often find it challenging to balance the risk of fast expansion with remaining cash positive, causing significant “growing pains”.  Issues such as language barriers, different legal and regulatory systems and local business customs can all challenge businesses to take advantage of international opportunities.

The enabling effect of technology

Technology can be a game changer for companies looking to benefit from the opportunities offered by international trade.  

Websites have enabled companies to have a global presence from day one; social media provides the opportunity to extend reach quickly in multiple languages and to tap into sentiment in different countries and regions.  Cloud-based tools such as accountancy packages and global CRM platforms make it easier for companies to manage their business and customers simply.  Global access to currency provides an effective way to pay and get paid anywhere in the world.

The contract conundrum

One area where businesses often struggle to digitize is in creating, sharing and signing contracts.  This should not be the case.  E-Signature technology has been legally recognized around the world for most of the past 20 years.  Deploying a trusted e-signature platform to manage contracts can be a powerful tool for the management of global contracts.

e-Signatures: The benefits

The primary benefit of e-signing contracts is speed of delivery.  Contracts are often the result of a long series of negotiations.  Once all parties are happy that an agreement has been reached, it is in everyone’s interests to get the contract signed as soon as possible.  

Digital provides an ideal environment for this, particularly where e-signatures are legally binding and can be effected quickly.  Waiting days for contracts to be manually typed and posted for signature is not a realistic proposition in the digital age.

Documents supporting e-signatures are quick and simple to review.  Contracts are simple to search for relevant terms within the contract to double check validity and accuracy, saving time and effort.  Amendments can be agreed and made in real time, enabling companies to work in a collaborative way.

Traditional paper contracts are easily mislaid.  In the event of a significant event (such as a fire or flood) contracts might be lost forever, causing administrative issues for the parties involved.  In the case of e-signature contracts, businesses can save copies on cloud-based storage with multiple backups and redundancy built in.  

Finally, in an era where businesses are being encouraged to consider the impact of their activities on the environment, e-signature contracts offer a greener, more carbon neutral approach to management of contracts.  Combined, these benefits deliver a faster, simpler, more transparent, less risky and greener approach to the management of contracts.  

Deploying e-Signatures

Companies wishing to deploy e-signature technology need to ensure they work with trusted third parties.  In the EU the legal admissibility of a signature cannot be refused on the grounds that it is in electronic format. Any electronic signature made through a trusted service certified by an EU country, therefore, has evidential value within the whole European Union.

In 2014 the EU created the eIDAS regulations.  These set out the rules for the legal use and recognition of electronic signature procedures. Businesses should ensure their e-Signature partner complies with these regulations.

Conclusion

Building a successful business is difficult enough.  If technology can make things smoother, it makes sense to deploy it.  E-Signature not only saves businesses time and hassle but it also makes it simpler to quickly formalize relations with new partners.  In an increasingly global world of business, this acts as a glue to bind businesses together.


Luc Pallavidino is the CEO & co-founder at Yousign

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New Nintendo Switch: everything we want to see from the next Switch console

Posted: 10 Jul 2019 08:40 AM PDT

Nintendo has announced the Nintendo Switch Lite, a lighter, more compact version of the Switch that is dedicated to handheld gaming. 

Rumors have been circling for a while now that a new Nintendo Switch was on the way, but whether this would take the form of a Switch Pro, Switch Mini or even two new Switch consoles has been unclear. We now know a handheld Nintendo Switch Lite is definitely on the way - confirming a report by the Wall Street Journal. 

So is this the only new Nintendo Switch on the horizon? Well, no, we don't think so. The same report also claimed a second premium version of the console with "enhanced features targeted at avid videogamers" is on the way. So it's entirely possible the Switch Lite is only one of two new Nintendo Switch consoles and we'll be seeing another in the future.

Could we be seeing another new Nintendo Switch, and what new features will it offer? While we wait for more definitive answers, we've run through the likely (and unlikely) possibilities below...

New Nintendo Switch

Image credit: Nintendo

New Nintendo Switch release date

We expected Nintendo to announce a new Nintendo Switch console sometime soon, and we were right. The House of Mario announced its new handheld-focused Nintendo Switch Lite is due release on September 20, 2019 but we don't think that's the only new Nintendo Switch up its sleeve.

The Wall Street Journal report suggests another premium Nintendo Switch console is also on the way and, while we're taking these rumors which a pinch of salt, it did correctly predict the release of a lighter, more compact Nintendo Switch. But when could we see this premium console?

Based on these industry trends, it would make sense for Nintendo to release an upgraded version of the Switch hardware (or a design) between two and three years into its lifetime, which would mean we could see another new Switch in late 2019 or 2020. While the Switch lite focuses on redesign, its possible a second new Switch would focus on hardware improvements - maybe a Switch Pro? 

We'd expect Nintendo to release another new model before the Xbox Project Scarlett or PS5 hits shelves – likely in late 2019 – chiming with the report from the Wall Street Journal that predicted a new Nintendo Switch model in mid-to-late 2019. While we know the Switch lite is launching in September,2019,  it's possible we will see a second new console releasing closer to the end of the year - just in time for the holidays.  

But if a second new Nintendo Switch ends up with a 2020 release, it's likely that it will be in direct competition with the next Xbox and PS5 release as Sony has already confirmed we won't see the PS5 before mid-2020 and Xbox Project Scarlett is due for release at the end of 2020.

New Nintendo Switch

Image credit: Nintendo

New Nintendo Switch price

Obviously redesigns cost money, and redesigns with improved hardware doubly so.  We wouldn't be surprised if a new Switch with updated hardware costs considerably more than the current Switch's £279 / $299 pricing, especially considering rumors suggest the new console will be "premium". 

In addition, the Switch Lite isn't exactly cheap. The new handheld Switch costs $199.99 (roughly £160 or AU$290), which isn't too far off the original's price.

New Nintendo Switch news and rumors

Despite the fact that Nintendo has announced the Switch Lite, there are rumors suggesting a second new Nintendo Switch could be on the way. 

Nintendo Switch Lite announced
The Nintendo Switch Lite is a much smaller, solely handheld version of the Nintendo Switch and comes in three different colors: yellow, gray and turquoise.

According to Nintendo, the Nintendo Switch Lite is a device "dedicated to handheld gameplay". The device has integrated controls and, unlike its larger predecessor, will not support video output to TV.

In addition, the Switch Lite will only play Nintendo Switch games that support handheld mode.

This new Nintendo Switch will launch on September 20, 2019 and cost $199.99 (roughly £160 or AU$290). 

A limited edition Nintendo Switch Lite Zacian & Zamazenta Edition console will also launch on November 8 to celebrate the upcoming Pokémon Sword and Shield games - this version will feature cyan and magenta buttons, and illustrations of the two new Legendary Pokémon. 

Two new Nintendo Switch devices
A Wall Street Journal report suggests that Nintendo is working on two individual Switch variants that, rather than making the current Nintendo Switch obsolete, would put it in the middle of a range growing to suit all budgets.

According the publication's sources, the first of these new devices will be aimed at budget gamers, and will see the Switch presented in a more traditional handheld-first format. It'll replace removable Joy-Cons with fixed ones, and ditch their HD Rumble feature in order to bring costs down. This was confirmed with the announcement of the Nintendo Switch Lite.

The second new version of the Nintendo Switch, going by the rumor, is a little harder to pin down, but would be a premium version of the console with "enhanced features targeted at avid videogamers." That's not to suggest it would be aiming for 4K or HDR visuals, but would more likely have features and services baked in that would accommodate the modern obsession with streaming to platforms like Twitch. 

The confirmation of the Switch Lite adds some weight to this report and could mean we will see another new premium Switch console at a future date.

New Nintendo Switch

Nintendo Switch Lite (Image credit: Nintendo)

E3 2019 rumors - untrue
A report by Bloomberg suggested we could see the budget model launch as early as June, with E3 2019 proving a natural time to showcase the product. Nintendo squashed rumors of an E3 reveal and we ultimately got no word on Nintendo hardware during the Nintendo's E3 2019 livestream. However the Switch Lite was announced in July, 2019.

The 5.0 firmware dig
Though the Nintendo Switch’s 5.0 firmware update wasn’t up to much on the surface, hackers on Switchbrew dug into the upgrade and found evidence which suggests a hardware refresh is in the works. 

Switchbrew discovered references to a new T214 chip (which would be a small improvement on the current T210) as well as an updated printed circuit board and 8GB of RAM instead of the current 4GB. 

While any kind of chip upgrade could simply be Nintendo’s response to some hardware security problems which have emerged with the current SoC – like the homebrew hackers who have started creating pirated Switch titles – the new PCB and increased RAM suggest something more than this: a more powerful device.

New Nintendo Switch

Labo's cardboard accessories show Nintendo's intense focus on peripherals (Image credit: Nintendo)

It's important to note that the files uncovered by these Switchbrew members contain neither a timescale nor a definitive statement of intent from Nintendo. 

The Switch is proof that state-of-the-art technology isn't the sole key to success in a wider sense, but it’s important to remember that as far as handhelds are concerned, the Switch is at the cutting edge and Nintendo will need to keep it there. If these hardware upgrade rumors turn out to be true, Nintendo has plenty of time before it has to do any kind of hardware refresh. 

AR and VR support
VR and AR support for the Switch never looked likely, with the MD of Nintendo France citing a lack of mainstream appeal for the technology back in 2018, but the Labo VR Kit shows Nintendo has changed its mind about the viability of VR.

The Switch doesn't have the high resolution of most VR gaming rigs, so we could see an advanced model with 2K or 4K resolution to improve those close-up VR experiences. However, given the VR Kit is still focused mainly on children, we'd be surprised to see a visual overhaul simply for this one peripheral.

New Nintendo Switch

Don't expect to see this anytime soon (Image credit: Nintendo)

What about 3D?
Another Nintendo patent came to light in early 2019: this time for a 3D sensor array that sits above your television, and creates a stereoscopic image in a similar way to the 3DS, meaning you wouldn't even need glasses.

3D visuals felt like a passing gimmick even with Nintendo's handheld consoles – and the troubled Microsoft Kinect camera will no doubt keep it wary of unnecessary TV peripherals. But getting convincing 3D imaging on standard 2D TVs may the step needed to bring 3D gaming mainstream.

Could it support 4K?
While Sony and Microsoft push at the 4K market, there isn’t really any big reason for Nintendo, the company that staunchly sets itself apart from other hardware producers, to follow suit. 

In the same interview where he dismissed VR, Nintendo France General Manager Philippe Lavoué also brushed off 4K saying that the technology has “not been adopted by the majority” and it would, therefore, be too early for Nintendo to jump in. 

New Nintendo Switch

Image credit: Nintendo

Nintendo didn’t enter the HD console market until 2012 when it released the Wii U. This was around four years after Sony and Microsoft and at the point when more than 75% of US households actually had HD displays in their home. 

Miyamoto however has said he wished Nintendo had done the jump to HD sooner than this, saying that the display technology became popular around three years before Nintendo expected it to. It's expected that by 2020, 50% of US households will have adopted 4K technology and it might be at this point that Nintendo decides to join the 4K fray, rather than waiting until the 75% market saturation of before. 

  • Looking forward to the next generation of gaming? Read more about what we want to see from the Xbox Two and PS5

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The best Huawei phones of 2019: find your perfect Huawei

Posted: 10 Jul 2019 08:20 AM PDT

Huawei is one of the biggest smartphone manufacturers in the world, and reached that point by offering a wide range of excellent handsets for people to buy.

From its affordable phones like the Huawei P Smart to flagships like the Huawei Mate 20 Pro and Huawei P30 Pro, and the upcoming foldable Huawei Mate X, Huawei puts out a wide range of devices to choose from.

That means it can be hard to pick the best smartphone for you – especially since Google suspended Huawei's future access to Android Play Store, so no-one really knows what Huawei’s future will look like. Google and Huawei have confirmed current Huawei phones will still be serviced with security and OS updates though, so phones on this list should be fine.

If you’re willing to go for a Huawei smartphone, this list will let you know their strenghts and weaknesses, so you can make an informed decision on which is best. Because everyone’s on a different budget, some of the top phones on this list might not be for you – but we’ve made sure to include something for everyone somewhere in our rankings.

For those who are eager to throw your money at a Huawei phone, don’t forget Amazon Prime Day 2019 is just around the corner, which will bring many discounts and savings to various products, including smartphones, so hold out on buying a new device until you see what’s cheap.

Best Huawei Phone

Image Credit: TechRadar

The Huawei P30 Pro is the best Huawei phone you can buy right now. It's the best phone we've used when it comes to photography with the cameras the P30 Pro's real party piece, providing staggeringly good 5x and 10x zoom, and a digital 50x zoom with gets you insanely close to objects far off in the distance. Its low-light capabilities are also top-notch.

The large 6.47-inch screen on the P30 Pro may 'only' have a Full HD+ resolution, but it's bright, clear and colorful providing an excellent canvas for your apps and games.

There's no worry when it comes to the P30 Pro potentially running out of juice, the battery life here is excellent. We regularly got to the end of the day with 30% or more left in the tank.

The P30 Pro not only sets a new standard for Huawei, it sets a new standard for the entire mobile industry. Its cameras are quite simply astonishing, the design is eye-catching and the power plentiful. It’s a true flagship smartphone.

Read more: Huawei P30 Pro review

Best Huawei Phone

Image Credit: TechRadar

The Huawei Mate 20 Pro is the best Huawei phone you can buy right now, offering up a heady mix of design, power and performance with a few party pieces thrown in too.

It builds on the excellent P20 and P20 Pro, offering up even more screen, enhanced triple rear cameras and an in-display fingerprint scanner.

The Mate 20 Pro packs a huge 6.39-inch display giving you a huge amount of space for gaming and movies, and its QHD resolution and HDR10 support ensures everything looks great. There is a wide notch at the top of the display though.

It also boasts three cameras on the rear, nabbing the excellent 40MP wide-angle and 8MP telephoto lenses from the P20 Pro - but the third sensor is new. It's an ultra-wide 16MP snapper allowing you to cram even more of your surroundings into each shot.

The Mate 20 Pro is a full-featured phone for a full-featured price - it even has a few tricks you won’t see elsewhere, and more powerful specs than most of its competitors.

Read more: Huawei Mate 20 Pro review

Best Huawei Phone

Image Credit: TechRadar

The Huawei P30 has a smaller screen than the P30 Pro, and makes do with just the three rear cameras and a maximum zoom of 30x, but it's still one of the best Huawei phones around.

With a 6.1-inch display the P30 is a little easier to manage in the hand than its larger sibling, and with a Full HD+ and plenty of colour it's a top smartphone screen. You can expect to get excellent battery life from the Huawei P30, with the phone often lasting a day and a half on a single charge without issue.

While the three cameras on the rear aren't quite as good as the four on the P30 Pro, they still offer up an impressive shooting experience with 5x, 10x and 30x zoom and great low-light abilities.

There's heaps of power, a handy headphone jack (something the Pro can't boast) and a more manageable form factor for one-handed use. And of course, it's a little cheaper too.

Read more: Huawei P30 review

Best Huawei Phone

Image Credit: TechRadar

The Huawei P20 Pro may not be Huawei's latest flagship any more, but it still has a lot going for it, with the highlight being its exceedingly impressive and versatile triple-lens rear camera.

That camera allows for 3x optical zoom and proves surprisingly adept at night shots, which is usually a setting that phone cameras really struggle with.

Other highlights of the Huawei P20 Pro include a big, long-lasting battery, and an even bigger AMOLED screen that delivers vivid colors on a large scale.

The Huawei P20 Pro also has a striking design, with a metal frame and a glass back, that optionally comes in a gradient color scheme that sees the colors shift from purple at the top to a turquoise shade at the bottom.

Like any good flagship the Huawei P20 Pro also has facial recognition, a fingerprint scanner and lots of RAM.

There’s no wireless charging and the chipset isn’t quite a match for some flagships, but it’s not far off, and as a complete package the Huawei P20 Pro can compete with any other handset, as its strong ranking in our best smartphones list attests.

Read more: Huawei P20 Pro review

Best Huawei phones

Image Credit: TechRadar

The Huawei Mate 20 X is a smartphone... just. With a huge display, this Huawei phone is actually closer to a tablet that happens to make calls as well.

Despite the size of its display, the tiny bezels mean it's just about manageable as a phone, and there's plenty of power and features packed into its large frame.

Folks who want to get the most out of their content, won’t mind being encumbered in favor of having the extra screen real estate and sheer power. The OLED display is vibrant with decent contrast and excellent for watching videos or working on documents. 

Gamers will love the zippy performance and extra screen space not obscured by their thumbs. Moreover, the phone can endure pretty much any power-hungry app you throw at it and still comfortably last a day and then some.

Read more: Huawei Mate 20 X review

Best Huawei Phone

Image Credit: TechRadar

The standard Huawei Mate 20 may be worse than the Huawei Mate 20 Pro, but it’s still a strong phone in its own right and it’s cheaper too.

Other than the lower – though still high – price, highlights include a 4,000mAh battery which in our tests delivered excellent life, and top-end power, thanks to the use of an octa-core Kirin 980 chipset and up to 6GB of RAM.

The Huawei Mate 20 also has a triple-lens camera on the back. This isn’t the same selection of lenses as its Pro-level sibling, but still makes for a versatile setup.

And in some ways the Mate 20 actually has the Mate 20 Pro beat, as its 6.53-inch screen is larger, and it has a headphone port, which the fancier phone doesn’t.

Read more: Huawei Mate 20 review

Best Huawei Phone

Image Credit: TechRadar

While the Huawei Mate 10 Pro landed back in late 2017 it’s still a very strong handset.

And while there are now larger Huawei handsets, this is still a big phone, with a 6.0-inch 1080 x 2160 AMOLED screen giving you plenty of space to enjoy apps, games and video.

As with the P20 Pro, the Mate 10 Pro also has great battery life, thanks to the big 4,000mAh juice pack inside it. And the design, while lacking the flashy colors of Huawei’s newer flagship, still impresses, thanks to a glass back, a metal frame, minimal bezel around the screen and water resistance.

Elsewhere you get a powerful dual-lens camera, loud stereo speakers and exactly the same chipset as the Huawei P20 Pro, making this a surprisingly powerful phone for its age.

Read more: Huawei Mate 10 Pro review

Best Huawei Phone

Image Credit: TechRadar

While no match for the P20 Pro, the standard Huawei P20 is still a very strong phone in its own right, and cheaper too.

It has much in common with its Pro companion, including a stylish metal and glass build, a Kirin 970 octa-core chipset, facial recognition and loads of storage.

Plenty more differs though, as with the Huawei P20 you get a dual rather than triple-lens camera, a 5.8-inch 1080 x 2240 LCD screen and a smaller 3,400mAh battery. Still, taken in isolation those are all still very solid specs.

In fact, while neither the camera nor battery is quite a match for the P20’s larger sibling, both are still strong enough for us to praise them in our review. So if you want something slightly smaller and slightly more affordable than Huawei’s headline handset, the P20 is a good option.

Read more: Huawei P20 review

Best Huawei Phone

Image Credit: TechRadar

The Huawei P Smart is one of Huawei’s most affordable handsets, so its price is definitely a plus, but it wouldn’t be in this list if it was simply cheap.

For one thing, it has an attractive design, with an aluminum back that looks like something you’d expect to pay more for. It also has a fairly sizeable 5.65-inch screen with a trendy 18:9 aspect ratio and a 1080 x 2160 resolution, making it sharp too.

Plus, the Huawei P Smart has a dual-lens rear camera, and though the selfie camera only has a single lens, it and the rear snapper are both capable of background blur in shots.

Performance isn’t perfect, and you sacrifice some features such as fast charging, but overall the Huawei P Smart is a budget beast.

Read more: Huawei P Smart review

Best Huawei phone

Image Credit: TechRadar

Despite having P30 in its name, the Huawei P30 Lite is no match for the rest of the range and nor is it a flagship. Instead it’s a mid-ranger, but it’s quite a good one.

For one thing, it looks good, with a glass-backed design that’s similar to the Huawei P30, down to the notch on the front.

It also has a similarly good screen to its pricier sibling, as it has a 6.15-inch 1080 x 2312 display with a pixel density of around 415 pixels per inch.

Plus it has face unlock, a triple-lens rear camera, an octa-core chipset and 4/6GB of RAM. However, this is a mid-range chipset and not as good as the ones some similarly priced alternatives have.

Overall, it's a solid mid-range handset, but attempting to say it belongs in the same family as the other two P30 devices feels like a little bit of a stretch.

Read more: Huawei P30 Lite review

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The new Nintendo Switch Lite undermines what made the original Switch so special

Posted: 10 Jul 2019 08:20 AM PDT

The Nintendo Switch Lite is smaller, lighter and cheaper than a regular Nintendo Switch, and, most importantly after months of rumors, it’s real, having been announced by the House of Mario. 

Having options as to how to spend our hard-earned gaming money is welcome, and the prospect of a more affordable Switch is definitely tantalising. 

But the Nintendo Switch Lite is almost certainly not better than its existing stablemate. And that’s before considering the potential for it to be problematic overall for the company’s existing player base, as it undermines what made the first Nintendo Switch hardware so unique and special in the first place.

Price versus performance

Cheaper than the original at $199 (converting directly £160 and AU$288, but expect those prices to round up to the nearest hundred), the Nintendo Switch Lite ditches the option for docked TV play for a handheld-only experience. That also means you’ve no longer the option to detach the Joy-Con controllers too.

The Nintendo Switch Lite. Image Credit: Nintendo

And with these changes, the Nintendo Switch Lite becomes just another handheld. A handheld that has some great games, admittedly, but one that has none of the tactile, transforming toy-like wonder that brought so much excitement at the original console’s initial reveal.

It promised to be the console to fit all situations. You had on-the-go play, ala the Nintendo Switch Lite, but you also had docked TV big-screen play, including optional motion controllers, as well as the ability to huddle around a kick-standing Switch screen propped up solo, for gaming friends who needed to get their multiplayer game on wherever they may be.

The Nintendo Switch Lite becomes just another handheld

The Nintendo Switch Lite does away with all this possibility, removing the dock and kickstand entirely, and as a result has also removed the hardware flexibility that made the console so attractively unique in the first place.

The argument, of course, will be that for many existing Switch owners, it primarily is just another handheld console. Nintendo’s choice to make a handheld-only console has been informed by data it’s seen from its player’s user habits, according to still-superbly-named CEO Doug Bowser, suggesting that couch-based-play on the Nintendo Switch isn’t perhaps as popular as you’d imagine.

“It’s more about how we’ve observed them playing,” Bowser said of the console’s audience when speaking to The Verge. “We have the ability to track how people play games and play our titles, so I would say that it’s really an option that offers more choices to people.”

A layer of complexity

But what this argument does not defend is the fact that this new hardware introduces a layer of complexity when purchasing games for the Nintendo Switch Lite, effectively splitting the player base. 

Put simply, some titles will not work properly with the Nintendo Switch Lite, while a few more will only work if you grab some sold-separately Joy-Cons and pair them with the new hardware.

Nintendo Switch

The more flexible original Nintendo Switch. Image Credit: TechRadar

“If a game supports Joy-Con functions such as HD rumble, IR Motion Camera and Joy-Con motion sensors, some features will not be available using Nintendo Switch Lite alone,” reads a line on the Nintendo Switch Lite product page, which knocks out instant, out-of-the-box access to Mario Tennis Aces, Snipperclips and Snipperclips Plus.

Then there are the games that don’t support handheld mode, such as Super Mario Party, 1-2-Switch and the majority of the Nintendo Labo Toy-Con kits – or, in other words, a swathe of the console’s most-popular social multiplayer games. To play them you’ll need additional Joy-Cons – as well as a means to charge them, such as the Charging Grip accessory, as you won’t be able to charge them through the Nintendo Switch Lite itself as you would with a regular Switch.

Nintendo has history with this sort of manoeuvre – there was a whole subset of Nintendo 3DS games that would only work properly if you had a New Nintendo 3DS - Xenoblade Chronicles 3D being one such splintered title.

Of course, if these games and features are of desperate importance to you, there’s a simple fix – avoid the Nintendo Switch Lite and get the original model instead. But it does then put an implied (and who knows whether or not in time, mandated) impetus to make games that do not serve the richer feature set of the original Switch in order to better serve the wider Switch family. That’d be a crying shame.

With rumors of a full-on Nintendo Switch 2, or Nintendo Switch Pro still circulating, here’s hoping its introduction won’t further fracture and complicate what until this point has otherwise been a near-perfect playtime gadget.

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The best Samsung Galaxy Note 8 deals in July 2019

Posted: 10 Jul 2019 08:17 AM PDT

In theory, Samsung Galaxy Note 8 deals should now be old news - right? Well we would disagree, the phone might have now been replaced by a few newer Samsung models but it still stands as one of their best releases yet, now at a super affordable price.

Both the Samsung Galaxy Note 9 and the Galaxy S10 have come out since, full of high-end specs but, they both carry massive price tags. Samsung Galaxy Note 8 deals are definitely still well worth a look. And it's still getting cheaper!

The Note 8 is not by any means a budget device, however. It's a absolutely massive  smartphone, not just in size but also in raw power. It's got the screen size and specification smarts to be a competitor to the highly praised iPhone X or iPhone's new massive iPhone XS Max and neither of those come cheap. But there are now some excellent Samsung Galaxy Note 8 deals floating around. Check out our comparison chart and handpicked favourite Galaxy Note 8 deals below.

Now we know some of you may have fiery memories of the Galaxy Note 7 in your head when looking at this device but leave those worries behind. Both the Note 8 and 9 have massively improved their batteries and you won't be facing overheating problems anymore. Samsung Galaxy Note 8 deals truly are miles ahead of the 7 in every way.

5 best Galaxy Note 8 deals in the UK today:

Should I get the Galaxy Note 8 SIM free?

Are you determined to get the very best price? Always looking to see how you can trim a few pounds off your new favourite gadget? As you probably know, you can now pick up cheap SIM only deals for as little as £4 a month, which could make it worth buying a SIM and handset separately.

The Galaxy Note 8's RRP has dropped massively recently to £649. That is much cheaper than it used to be but you will still be putting up a big chunk of money upfront. Even if you get the cheapest SIM card (usually around £4 a month for 500MB data), that would still cost near to £800 over the two years. You're probably better cranking up the upfront cost in our price comparison chart above, imposing a low maximum for monthlies and finding a cheaper deal in the long run.

To get the best price on your new SIM free Galaxy, you can head to our cheapest unlocked Note 8 deals page.

Wondering what all the fuss is about? Well the fervour for the Note 8 is probably doubled due to the fact that the Note 7 was pulled from shelves soon after release. But it doesn't take more than one look at the Note 8 to see that it justifies the hype.

The huge 6.3-inch ‘Infinity Display,’ is gorgeous to look at, the 6GB RAM innards go like a train and there are two best-in-class rear cameras. It's expensive, but we think the Note 8 is worth it. 

Read TechRadar's full Samsung Galaxy Note 8 review

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Wimbledon 2019 live stream: how to watch quarter-final tennis online from anywhere

Posted: 10 Jul 2019 08:16 AM PDT

So who's going to have their name inscribed on the Wimbledon 2019 trophies by the end of Sunday? The players are dropping like flies as only the best grass court players progress to the latter stages. The likes of Djokovic and Serena Williams are already through...who will join them in the semi-finals?. Get out the strawberries and cream and watch all the action with a Wimbledon live stream...no matter where in the world you are.

This is the 133rd Wimbledon Championships and there have been plenty of talking points already at the All England Lawn Tennis Club. Despite homegrown hero Andy Murray not being fit enough to play in the singles this year, he has played some very enjoyable doubles in a formidable team with the awesome Serena Williams.

Last year saw Novak Djokovic win the gentlemen's singles title and Angelique Kerber take the ladies' singles title. Since then Djokovic has won the Australian Open while Rafael Nadal took victory at the French Open. This year's hot favourite to take the silverware home from Wimbledon is Djokovic with Roger Federer and Nadal closely following. The women's favourite is Williams followed by Simona Halep - Johanna Konta's loss brought an end to British hopes in the singles in 2019.

You can live stream Wimbledon 2019 tennis using the guide below so read on to find out how to get your lawn tennis fix from anywhere in the world.

Use a VPN to live stream all the tennis at Wimbledon from outside your country

One of the most prestigious events on the sporting calendar, Wimbledon 2019 is of course being broadcast worldwide with some countries (Australia, New Zealand and, naturally, the UK) getting free Wimbledon live streams. Not so much luck if you're across the Atlantic - sorry US tennis fans.

But if you don't have easy access to watch Wimbledon when away from your country and want to catch all of that geo-blocked domestic coverage, then you can still watch it by downloading and installing a VPN. That way you can login to a server back in your country and then watch as if you were sat in the British Isles.

How to live stream Wimbledon 2019 in the UK for free

Live stream Wimbledon for FREE at Wimbledon.com and YouTube

Wimbledon.com is globally live streaming action and that goes for Wimbledon's YouTube channel, too, so handy if you want to watch via an app on your mobile phone or tablet.

The trouble is, assuming Wimbledon 2019 is the same as last year, it doesn't have the rights to show the big action from the show courts - that becomes a particular problem if you're only interested in the top seeds and as the fortnight reaches its climax. We reckon you should stick to the breadth of coverage offered by the BBC if you can.

How to watch Wimbledon 2019: live stream in the US

It's also worth noting that ESPN+ will have additional Wimbledon live stream coverage from the outer courts.

Logging in to the broadcast from overseas is also a great option using a US VPN and following the instructions above.

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

How to watch tennis from Wimbledon: Australia stream

How to live stream Wimbledon 2019 in Canada

The best ways to stream Wimbledon 2019 live in New Zealand for free

Wimbledon 2019 - quarter-final matches

Ladies' draw

Alison Riske vs Serena Williams

Barbora Strýcová vs Johanna Konta

Elina Svitolina vs Karolína Muchová

Simona Halep vs Zhang Shuai


Gentlemen's draw

Novak Djokovic vs David Goffin

Guido Pella vs Roberto Bautista Agut

Sam Querrey vs Rafael Nadal

Kei Nishikori vs Roger Federer

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