Apple : Google Pixel 4 XL case render leak shows all the angles we haven’t seen before |
- Google Pixel 4 XL case render leak shows all the angles we haven’t seen before
- The Apple Watch Series 3 gets a price cut at Walmart's 'The Big Save' sale
- Senegal vs Algeria live stream: how to watch African Cup of Nations 2019 final online from anywhere
- Best APM tools in 2019
- Best small mouse 2019: the best small mice you can buy today
- Dell's Black Friday in July Mega Deals end today with huge £420 price cut for the XPS 13
- 4K TV deal: get the Samsung 55-inch TV at its lowest price ever at Walmart
- Cheap SIM only deal bargain: 2GB data for £5/pm for the first 3 months
- 5G: everything you need to know
- Prime Day extended: big discounts still available on the Amazon Echo Dot
- Best Linux web hosting services of 2019
- Is FaceApp safe? A deeper look at the viral hit
- Fake Office 365 site installs malware as browser update
- PlayStation VR 2: all the latest PSVR 2 rumors
- Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 release date, price, news and leaks
- Gears 5: release date, news and trailers
- BritBox is putting BBC and ITV shows behind a paywall – and people aren't happy
- Microsoft is encouraging you to save cash on Game Pass Ultimate with 'lifehack'
| Google Pixel 4 XL case render leak shows all the angles we haven’t seen before Posted: 19 Jul 2019 12:57 PM PDT The Google Pixel 4 leaks are coming faster and faster, and there’s a new one for the larger Google Pixel 4 XL today allegedly showing the upcoming smartphone from the top, bottom and side to side – almost a complete picture of the device. This leak comes courtesy of Twitter user Sudhanshu Ambhore (@sudhanshu1414) and originally spotted by MSPowerUser. The tweets purport to show the Pixel 4 XL within and beside transparent cases. This leak lines up with previous ones ... mostly. It does indeed show off a square triple-camera housing in the upper left of the back – a serious departure for the single-rear-lens Google Pixel line – and much thinner side bezels, as well as an apparent ditching of the notch by returning to a simple blacked-out top bezel. The differences? The previous Google Pixel 4 XL leak – our first potential look at the phone – showed off dual front-facing cameras clustered to the left of a central speaker. The new leak has them on either side of presumably where a central speaker would be (there isn’t one visible in the render). Plus, there’s an extra small aperture to the right of the rear camera’s flashlight, too small to be a lens, that could be a "spectral sensor" for low-light photography, PhoneArena theorizes. They’re intriguing divergences since we can only speculate which one is closer to the truth, especially since Google’s own teasingly cropped reveal of the Google Pixel 4 doesn’t help either case. So, what does the new leak show?Aside from supporting the overall shape and format we’ve seen in previous leaks, the new angles give us an idea of what features the Google Pixel 4 XL will – and will not – include. Obviously, Google’s own reveal lacked a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, so we could safely predict that both versions of the new phone will include an in-screen fingerprint sensor; all the cool phones are doing it this year, from the mighty Samsung Galaxy S10 to the midrange Moto Z4. The lack of a cutout on either side of the case render rules out a side-mounted fingerprint sensor. Sadly, we only see a USB-C port at the bottom, so there’s not much hope for a 3.5mm headphone jack making a comeback after it surprisingly appeared in the midrange Google Pixel 3a. The port is also flanked by two grille ports – ostensibly for speakers – which means the new flagship may not have forward-facing audio (though, it could come in stereo from the top earpiece, as the iPhone XS does). In any case, these are just preliminary renders, and a lot of details could be wrong in the final version. One thing’s for sure: your Google Pixel 4 cases are going to look funky with that big square cutout.
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| The Apple Watch Series 3 gets a price cut at Walmart's 'The Big Save' sale Posted: 19 Jul 2019 12:11 PM PDT If you're looking for a killer deal on an Apple Watch, then you're in luck. Walmart's 'The Big Save' summer sale is happening now and has the Apple Watch Series 3 down to $199. That's an $80 discount and the lowest price we've found for the best-selling smartwatch. Walmart also has the Apple Watch 3 with Cellular on sale for $299. Apple Watch deals:If you want your smartwatch to include LTE connectivity, Walmart also has the Apple Watch Series 3 with Cellular on sale for $299. Shop more of Walmart's best deals that are happening now on TVs, laptops, appliances, and more. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Senegal vs Algeria live stream: how to watch African Cup of Nations 2019 final online from anywhere Posted: 19 Jul 2019 11:53 AM PDT It all comes down to Senegal vs Algeria to see who will win the 2019 African Cup of Nations. A tournament of giant killings, dramatic finishes and great goals, it really has lived up to all expectations. Tonight's final now has the makings of being a classic. And you can watch every kick from anywhere on Earth - with this dedicated Senegal vs Algeria live stream guide. Senegal, who have never won the competition previously, go into the game as favourites with Betfair, having conceded just one goal in the 2019 tournament so far. While Algeria, who reached the final with a dramatic last gasp Riyad Mahrez free kick, will be aiming to win the tournament for the fist time since their triumph as hosts in 1990. Key to Senegal's march to the final has been its water-tight defence, but that solidity may have been dealt a blow. Man mountain centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly is suspended after picking up a harsh booking in their semi-final against Tunisia. Algeria have a 100% record to protect following their dramatic win over Nigeria, with only the Ivory Coast taking them beyond normal time and into penalties. Like Senegal, Algeria also have a significant absentee at the back, with steady first choice right-back Youcef Atal ruled out with a fractured collarbone. The two teams met in the group stages, with Algeria winning 1-0 thanks to a second-half Youcef Belaili strike. Algeria have proved to be something of a perennial bogey team for Senegal, having won only 4 of their 13 encounters, with their opponents edging the head-to-head with five victories. Will Liverpool forward Sadio Mane make it a perfect summer by leading Senegal to their first AFCON title to go alongside winning the Champions League, or will Algeria's Riyad Mahrez add an AFCON winners medal to his Premier League Champions one for Man City? Don't miss any of the action from today's game by reading our our Senegal vs Algeria African Cup of Nations 2019 final live stream guide below.
How to watch the African Cup of Nations 2019 from outside your countryBelow we have a full rundown of your watching options in different countries - check out how to watch the final in the UK, US (where Fubo can help you watch with a free trial) Canada and Australia. The problems start when you try to watch your domestic coverage online while out of the country. Give its a go...you'll quickly find your stream in geo-blocked. That's super annoying, but not unavoidable. We've found that using a Virtual Private Network - or VPN - to be a handy solution. You select a server in your home country and then watch as if you were sat back at home on your couch. How to stream Senegal vs Algeria live in the UKHow to watch a live stream of Senegal vs Algeria in the US- Discover our pick of all the US's best sports streaming sites How to watch a Algeria vs Senegal live stream in CanadaHow to watch a Senegal vs Algeria live stream in AustraliaThis posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Posted: 19 Jul 2019 11:53 AM PDT It's one thing to manage IT infrastructure and networks, but often it's the applications that require the most attention. It's not just that there can be so many of them, but also the fact they tend to update frequently which can cause problems with software conflicts and unexpected issues with hardware. This is where application performance management (APM) software tools can really reduce the IT management burden, by providing a single platform to manage all apps rather than having to manage and trouble-shoot each one individually. This means a single dashboard from which you can manage updates, watch for conflicts, and deal with any faults or errors that may arise because of app events, data, or resource use. It also means you can get an overall view of performance making it easy and quick to not just identify any problems with apps resolve any such issues. We've therefore looked at the best in APM tools, where the software can be used not just for monitoring but also for general optimization as part of an overall IT strategy.
Image credit: Datadog Datadog APM is a SaaS-based platform for monitoring, troubleshooting, and optimizing applications. It does this through a number of features, not least by providing full-stack visibility, which allows customers to collect, search, and analyze traces across their full infrastructure, whether cloud-based, servers, or applications. This can be done via a global overview which can be drilled down to a specific line of code, using a combination of analytics and software metrics. Real-time interactive dashboards provide the mapping of data services and clusters, with one-click navigation allowing processes to be isolated. These can be customized according to need, such as by using drag-and-drop performance dashboards, or automated using APIs, to provide performance alerts. Datadog's APM can be deployed on most popular libraries and frameworks with a single command, providing instant monitoring. It also supports the OpenTracing protocols for applications and framework developers for distributed vendor-neutral tracing. Pricing for the APM with distributed tracing begins at $36 per host per month for up to one million events per host, but is discounted to $31 if paid annually. For an extra fee you can include the trace search and analytics add-on, which costs $1.52 per million APM events if paid monthly, but is discounted to $1.27 if paid annually. Image credit: Loupe Loupe is an effective, feature-packed application performance management tool. Aimed at enterprises and IT administrators, this solution lets you trace events, performance and other metrics to work out the causes of issues affecting software negatively. A good APM solution will help you find problems with apps straight away, and if you’ve got to hunt through a sprawling list of potential issues, then it’s going to be hard to do that. However, Loupe automatically groups log events so you can find and address performance issues with a minimum of fuss. The system also gives you a visual understanding of your application usage and offers insights into bottlenecks that can subsequently be tackled. It’s easy to get up and running with this system, as you don’t have to install anything onto your servers – the setup process is very nicely streamlined. Loupe offers a free trial, but no free tier. Image credit: Kaseya Plenty of businesses use the cloud along with on-premise systems, and when you have a bunch of different apps – from cloud through hybrid to traditional software installations – monitoring them all can be very difficult. Traverse Monitoring is an APM tool that aims to tackle these sort of scenarios. It can automatically discover apps, networks, servers and systems, meaning you don’t have to dedicate time in order to configure things manually. Once it’s set up and running, Traverse will monitor each device and app to determine if there are any issues, including on-premise, cloud and hybrid technology. If a problem is identified, it’ll fire up a troubleshooting process and try to resolve it before your business is affected. You can also back up and restore changes across your applications, and you’re sent predictive analytics concerning their overall performance. Image credit: Stackify If you’re a developer or have a team of software engineers working within your company, then it’s obviously quite common to come across performance issues and other bugs. Stackify Retrace is a targeted ‘devAPM’ system, giving development professionals the tools they need to find and address problems effectively. The platform alerts developers if any issues and bugs have been found, and it can be used to improve performance levels across test and production servers. Retrace has been designed so that it provides visibility, data and actionable insights into app performance and faults. When issues arise, alerts are sent to a choice of destinations, including via email, SMS, or Slack. There’s a centralized dashboard that displays code performance and metrics, including errors and logs. Stackify can also be used with most common app stacks, and this is a highly scalable SaaS solution, so it’s easy to install and use. Pricing is $50 (£38) per month per server. Image credit: ManageEngine Applications Manager from ManageEngine is a tool which does exactly what it says on the tin. It’s being marketed as an enterprise-ready, usable and affordable APM. Businesses are provided with everything they need to ensure critical applications and systems are always in perfect working order. This solution can find and address issues involving the end user, applications and important components such as databases, servers, ERP packages, web services, cloud platforms and virtual systems. Applications Manager works with a single install and allows you to address issues easily, plus when looking further down the road, it’s highly scalable – indeed, it can scale to up to 50,000 applications. Pricing is not detailed on the website. Image credit: Pixabay Other APM options to considerThere are a number of other vendors leading the way with APM solutions. Here we'll provide a few more options for you to consider as part of your IT infrastructure management. LogicMonitor offers automated hybrid infrastructure monitoring and analytics, which means it can automatically monitor all devices, or work with a preconfigured set of rules for the tools you use. LogicMonitor's platform works with servers, cloud, VMs, storage, networks, and apps, as well as websites. In short, it offers a pretty comprehensive set of options for monitoring a wide range of necessary applications. Dynatrace looks to simplify complexities in cloud management, not least with the automated monitoring of dynamic microservices. It makes it easy to visualize and monitor all services and provide alerts for events, not least unexpected access to files and information. As a platform it really is very comprehensive in being able to identify problems and help staff rectify them, even when such issues have previously gone unnoticed or have been difficult to pin down. New Relic APM monitoring uses clear visualization to help identify performance levels, bottlenecks, and dependencies, by offering a complete overview of your operating environment. Aside from automated processes, the charts are well-presented and make it very clear where root causes lie, making it easier to identify and fix problems. It also works with a lot of data, not just from the apps being monitored, but also key metrics from user agents to make identifying solutions to issues easier to adapt for customer needs. Microsoft System Center aims to make it easier to deploy, configure, and manage the IT infrastructure that you're monitoring. The interface is easy to use and reliable, but you may still find there's something of a learning curve as it has a broad range of software features. However, once you get to grips with those, it can be very easy to configure you own custom system and deployments. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Best small mouse 2019: the best small mice you can buy today Posted: 19 Jul 2019 11:24 AM PDT There are many reasons to opt for the best small mouse when you’re building your new rig or upgrading your old peripherals. To start, if you’ve got small to average-sized hands, a smaller mouse will be more comfortable and less fatiguing to use. But, the best small mice are great for other things, too. If you’re a traveling or work remotely and would like to get through your busy workload at a shared workspace, having a compact mouse to effortlessly stash in your messenger bag or backpack is convenient. Not to mention, space-saving. If you’re looking for a small mouse, you’ve come to the right spot. We scoured the streets (and cyberspace) to find the best small mice you must consider for your next peripheral purchase, some of which are best for productivity, some are excellent gaming mice, all under five inches in length. And, if you’ve struck out so far in your search for the best small mouse for you, worry not. You’re sure to find one on this list. And, while we haven't had a chance to test every single mouse on this list, we used our mouse expertise to find some smaller mice that should absolutely satisfy your needs. Claw grip gamers will love this diminutive peripheral, especially if they’ve got smaller hands. The Cooler Master MasterMouse MM520 is very feature-rich for a gaming mouse that’s under $50, and rightly so. With seven programmable buttons, up to 12,000 DPI, four On-the-Fly DPI Adjustment profiles, OMRON switches rated for 20 million clicks and three RGB lighting zones that are fully programmable, you’re definitely more than getting your money’s worth. And, that is why this best small mouse is one of our favorite gaming mice. At that price, however, just don’t expect this mouse to have the most rigid build quality. Read the full review: Cooler Master MasterMouse MM520 Are wireless mice even good for gaming? If there’s low enough latency, then it will definitely work. And, in the Corsair Harpoon RGB Wireless’ case, that’s not the only gaming-friendly feature. Also among the best gaming mice we’ve ever tested, this small mouse delivers top-notch performance at a very accessible price tag. It also comes with 10,000 DPI, as well as many of the bells and whistles you could want, from RGB lighting and six fully programmable buttons to up to 60 hours of battery life. If the wireless thing just isn’t cutting it for you, wired connectivity is also on hand. Read the full review: Corsair Harpoon Wireless Because of Logitech’s knack for creating some of the most ingenious peripherals on the market, it’s hardly a surprise that the Swiss manufacturer is topping our best small mouse list with its MX Anywhere 2S. This petite pointer, which also gets our vote as one of the best mice, is barely 4 inches in size, which is why Logitech is touting it as an on-the-go device, but there’s a lot more to this mouse than its compact body. For efficient multi-tasking and seamless workflows, the MX Anywhere 2S utilizes Logitech flow so you can move across three computers without much fuss. It also offers hyper-fast scrolling, tracks on any surface, and only needs three minutes of charging for a full day’s use. Best of all, it’s sculpted beautifully, like an adorable robot mouse that you’d want to be best friends with. Unfortunately, we haven't had a chance to test the Logitech MX Anywhere 2S, but looking at the spec sheet, we're sure this is the best small mouse you can buy today. If you’ve read some of our best Mac reviews, we’re pretty sure you know how we feel about Apple’s Magic Mouse and its follow up, Magic Mouse 2. These svelte peripherals are the best companions to your macOS machine. In fact, they’re the best small mouse for your MacBook Pro or MacBook Air. Among its many features are the multi-touch surface so you can swipe and scroll as if you’re using a touchscreen, and the wireless functionality so you won’t be held back by those pesky cables. This successor also tracks easier, moves smoother and pairs more effortlessly with your Mac. And, at under an inch thick, it’ll slip easily wherever you want to put it, including your shirt pocket. Prefer working at your favorite coffee shop so you can caffeinate yourself all day? Logitech’s M330 Silent Plus didn’t just make the cut because of its small body at 4.15 inches long and 2.67 inches wide. It made this list because it’s the best small mouse we’ve found that’s near silent, so much so that it got the Quiet Mark certification from the UK Noise Abatement Society. Mind you, it’s not just its left and right buttons that are quiet (while still offering that satisfying tactile feel). It’ll also quietly glide over the surface its on, and that scroll wheel will roll smoothly and silently too. Other features to love include its energy-saving functionality, wireless connection and Logitech’s Advanced Optical Tracking for precise movements. We don't have a full review of the Logitech M330 Silent Plus, but we can absolutely tell that it deserves a spot on this list. The Microsoft Bluetooth Mobile Mouse 3600 isn’t just the best small mouse for a mobile lifestyle, but it’s also extremely comfortable to use, with its beautifully sculpted design. One of the most affordable mice on this list, this tiny tracker actually has a lot to offer: from the 4-way scroll wheel that will let you navigate seamlessly and its BlueTrack technology for more precision, to the fact that it doesn’t require a transceiver to connect to your laptop or desktop computer, instead utilizing the power of Bluetooth 4.0 technology. It’s not rechargeable, but with battery life of up to 12 months, you’ll still save money. This ace for ambidexterity is more than just affordable. It’s actually the cheapest mouse on this list at less than 20 bucks, which means flexibility all around, whatever your budget and scrolling hand is. For that, this is definitely one of the best small mice for everyone. But, there’s more to a mouse than that (or the fact that it’s small and portable): it’s also very comfortable to use, has wireless functionality and offers up to six months of battery usage. Best yet, it comes in different (read: attractive and vibrant) colors, which adds a bit of pizzazz to your boring setup. If you’re looking for something that’s extra ultra-thin, then Logitech’s Ultrathin Touch Mouse T630 may just be fated to join your computer setup. The manufacturer actually designed this thin and tiny mouse for Ultrabooks. At 3.35 inches long and 0.71mm thick, it’s definitely well-deserving of its accolade as the best small mouse, especially with that gorgeous brushed metal body and silky-smooth surface. We’re fans of its touch functionality, Easy-Switch technology (to switch from one device to another) and its quick, one-minute charging time for an additional hour of use. Mind the price tag; this svelte mouse isn’t exactly cheap but, it might just be worth the money. In the computing scene, it’s hard to take something seriously when its touting candy-colored designs, but in Logitech Wireless Ultra Portable M187 case, we’ll happily make an exception. Small and portable, this wireless mouse comes in three different – not to mention, adorable – colors that we’re fans of: blue, teal and blossom. If you’re not, it makes for the perfect, affordable gift. Don’t let that low price tag fool you, either. This mouse is very reliable and will do an excellent job getting you through your productivity tasks. It’s not rechargeable, not at that price, but it will make that single AAA battery last for six months. Much like the Logitech Wireless Ultra Portable M187, this mouse is very attractive. In fact, it comes in more vibrant colors – our favorite’s the purple on green one. But this highly-rated mouse has another thing going for it: it’s the smallest mouse on this list. But wait, there’s more. The Jelly Comb Slim Wireless Mouse is quiet, reliable, durable enough at over 5 million clicks and has a 15 meter range. Again, it’s not rechargeable, but it’ll make that single AAA battery last for up to 18 months. And, since you get all of that for less than $10, you can go crazy and buy all the colors you want (there’s more than 20 of them). This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Dell's Black Friday in July Mega Deals end today with huge £420 price cut for the XPS 13 Posted: 19 Jul 2019 09:07 AM PDT Dell's Black Friday in July event runs all month, but today is the last day of its "Mega Deals" promotion – but it's ending in style by knocking an incredible £420 off the Dell XPS 13 (2019), which in our view is the best laptop money can buy right now. That drops the price of Dell's flagship ultrabook to £999 – which is easily one of the best prices we've seen for the new laptop. If that's still a bit too expensive, then don't worry, as Dell has some other compelling deals on more affordable laptops as well. The Dell XPS 13 deal has now sold out. Check out these other great Dell XPS 13 deals: These deals end 11:59 tonight, July 19, and as we mentioned above, today marks the end of Dell's Mega Sales event – so don't hang around if you see a deal you like, as this could be your last chance!
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| 4K TV deal: get the Samsung 55-inch TV at its lowest price ever at Walmart Posted: 19 Jul 2019 08:57 AM PDT Walmart's 'The Big Save' sale is happening now and it's a fantastic time to find massive savings on 4K TVs. You'll find Black Friday like prices on top brand TVs from brands like Samsung, LG, Sony, and more. You'll find a variety of different sizes, features, and prices, so there's a TV for everyone's viewing needs. Walmart's best cheap TV deals:See more of best cheap TV deals and sale prices that are currently going on. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Cheap SIM only deal bargain: 2GB data for £5/pm for the first 3 months Posted: 19 Jul 2019 08:46 AM PDT We all love a good bargain, and a new SIM only deal from a lesser-known name in the world of SIMO is offering just that. Dropping the cheapest Sim only deal on the market, this special offer from Smarty is a must grab for any bargain hunter out there. Discounting the price of its small SIM only plan, Smarty is now offering a spend of just £5 a month. That price gets you 2GB of data, making it easily the cheapest option available. However, as part of this promo from Smarty, that price only sticks around for 3 months, before jumping back up to £7.50 a month. But, thanks to Smarty's flexibility - there are some options here. Smarty operates on 1-month rolling contracts. That means you could hang around for 3 months, reaping the benefits of cheap bills and then disappear. Or, when those three months are up, roll onto the £7.50 a month contract, which is also an excellent price. We've listed all of the details of this offer down below. Or if you would rather go for something different (more data perhaps?) then take a look through our guide to the UK's best SIM only deals.
Smarty's superb SIM only deal in full:What other SIM only deals are available?When it comes to cheap SIMO contracts, this is looking like the winning option. But, if you're looking to keep that £5 pricing for longer than three months, your only option is with iD. It costs £5 a month and is still a 1-month rolling contract. However, you do only get 1GB of data and 500 minutes of calls. On the complete opposite end of the spectrum, some of the best value contracts right now offer a load of data. Three's unlimited data offer is a bargain right now for example. At £11 a month for the first six months and then £22 for the rest of it, Three is making unlimited data pretty affordable right now. Or, for something in the middle, Vodafone's 8GB of data for £10 a month is an affordable way to get a decent amount of internet each month.
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| 5G: everything you need to know Posted: 19 Jul 2019 08:46 AM PDT What is 5G?5G networks are the next generation of mobile internet connectivity, offering faster speeds and more reliable connections on smartphones and other devices than ever before. Combining cutting-edge network technology and the very latest research, 5G should offer connections that are multitudes faster than current connections, with average download speeds of around 1GBps expected to soon be the norm. The networks will help power a huge rise in Internet of Things technology, providing the infrastructure needed to carry huge amounts of data, allowing for a smarter and more connected world. With development well underway and testbeds already live across the world, 5G networks are expected to launch across the world by 2020, working alongside existing 3G and 4G technology to provide speedier connections that stay online no matter where you are. When will 5G launch?In the US Verizon surprised most of the world by launching its 5G network at the start of April 2019, making it the first globally to offer the next-generation network. It's currently only available in limited parts of Chicago and a few other locations, and there are just two handsets currently available to use on the new 5G network. In Chicago, US we've managed to obtain speeds of up to 1.4Gbps, which is massively faster than 4G's theoretical top speed of 300Mbps (although average speeds tend to be below 100Mbps). However, 5G coverage is patchy and we had to move around the city's various 5G masts to get this top speed. We did tend to get around 1Gbps quite consistently though. 5G in London, UK is more of a mixed bag, with speeds in our test ranging from 200Mbps to 550Mbps - still much quicker than 4G, but not the same level as we are seeing in Chicago. AT&T has rolled out its 5G network to 19 cities across the States, but it still doesn't offer any 5G phones - with your only option for now a 5G Netgear Nitehawk mobile hotspot. Meanwhile, T-Mobile is yet to launch its 5G network in the US, but it previously said it would bring 5G to 30 cities, starting in New York City, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Las Vegas.
In the UK EE was the first UK carrier to launch its 5G network, switching it on in six cities on May 30 2019. It's promised to bring 5G to 10 further cities by the end of 2019. It was followed by Vodafone on July 3, 2019, when it launched 5G in seven cities, rolling out to a further eight towns and cities on July 17. O2 and Three have also committed to launching 5G networks in 2019, but we're yet to get a firm release date from either carrier. Three has at least given some detail, with its 5G home broadband launching in August and its mobile proposition following later this year, and it plans to have 5G in 25 towns and cities before the end of the year.
What 5G phones are available?Image Credit: TechRadar A number of 5G phone announcements have been made in 2019, however only a handful are currently available, and the choice is further limited by country and carrier. In the US, Motorola's 5G Moto Mod provides next-generation connectivity to a select few Moto Z handsets, plus the Samsung Galaxy S10 5G is also available. For those in the UK, you can currently get hold of five 5G phones; the Samsung Galaxy S10 5G, Oppo Reno 5G, OnePlus 7 Pro 5G, Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 5G and the LG V50 ThinQ 5G. How fast is 5G?5G speeds will vary between locations, countries, carriers and devices, but on the whole the average internet speed you can expect should be much greater than what's currently offered on 4G. We've been testing the first 5G networks in both the US and UK, and have found speeds to be a little bit of a mixed bag. 5G - the latest news17/07 - DEVICES - Half of all smartphones sold in 2023 'will be 5G' - Mobile phone market will contract again in 2019... 17/07 - NETWORKS - UK and South Korea team up for 5G trial - UK consortium to trial 5G on Seoul Metro and Glasgow Subway in £2.4m 5G RailNext project... 17/07 - NETWORKS - Vodafone extends UK 5G network to 8 more towns and cities - Raising the total to 15 locations... 16/07 - NETWORKS - Three switches on cloud-based 5G core network - Operator prepares for August 5G launch... 16/07 - NETWORKS - MPs: No technical reason to ban Huawei from UK 5G - Parliamentary Committee submits findings to government... 15/07 - DEVICES - This little box delivers unlimited 5G for an incredible £50 per month - Vodafone sells 5G for the same price at 4G... 09/07 - NETWORKS - Early 5G networks are more than two times faster than 4G - mmWave spectrum helps US to top of table... 08/07 - NETWORKS - 5G connected car plans get boost as EU Wi-Fi plans rejected - Member states vote against proposals... 06/07 - NETWORKS - 5G speeds and coverage aren't just patchy where you are, it's worldwide - Our 5G speed tour takes us to Korea and it's more of the same... 03/07 - NETWORKS - Vodafone says its 5G can boost UK businesses - Offering 5G at 4G prices could be Vodafone’s stand-out... 03/07 - NETWORKS - Vodafone 5G turned on in 7 cities and it's the same price as 4G - The second UK network to launch 5G... 03/07 - DEVICES - Many iPhone owners don't know if their device is 5G capable, according to survey - Or even what model they're using... 02/07 - NETWORKS - BT is switching on its 5G network in Autumn - But there's no exact date yet... 01/07 - NETWORKS - Intel announces major 5G IP auction - Chipmaker will sell of its cellular and connected device patent portfolios... 01/07 - NETWORKS - Three: 5G is our "biggest opportunity" - Contiguous spectrum and infrastructure boost could be the key to helping Three pull ahead in 5G... 01/07 - DEVICES - 5G smartphone shipments will overtake 4G by 2023 - 1.9 billion 5G smartphones predicted to ship in the next five years... 01/07 - DEVICES - New 5G phones may not get much cheaper for 2-3 years - Waiting on the networks to improve... 28/06 - ANALYSIS - How emergency services and disaster recovery will benefit from 5G - Emergency vehicles will become digital hubs for connected first-responders... 27/06 - ANALYSIS - How 5G is set to revolutionize healthcare - Say goodbye to the doctor's waiting room... 25/06 - ANALYSIS - What does 5G mean for autonomous vehicles? - 5G could transform driving forever... 24/06 - DEVICES - Samsung could be working on the first affordable 5G phone - It's not the Galaxy Note 10... 21/06- NETWORKS - How is 5G set to change the classroom? - Faster, smarter and more interactive – a new generation of learning... 18/06 - NETWORKS - Expensive spectrum puts European 5G at risk - Operators need capital to invest in 5G networks... 18/06 - NETWORKS - What does 5G mean for robotics? - A helping hand without the lag... 18/06 - NETWORKS - Three holds more 5G trials ahead of summer launch - Operator details 5G FWA trials and site upgrades... 17/06 - NETWORKS - Will livestreaming become more popular because of 5G? - 5G isn’t just a speed boost – it’s a huge upgrade... 16/06 - DEVICES - How will smartwatches and fitness trackers make use of 5G? - Smartwatches and fitness trackers could be even more useful with 5G... 15/06 - NETWORKS - 5G and the tactile internet: what really is it? - With 5G, we can go beyond audio and video, communicating through touch... 14/06 - NETWORKS - Qualcomm readies for a 5G future - IoT and super-connected mobile devices among the areas set to benefit... 14/06 - NETWORKS - 5 things about 5G more important than the speed - It’s a digital revolution, not just a speed-boost... 13/06 - NETWORKS - How the 5G network could benefit the military - Will the armed services embrace 5G all-guns-blazing? 13/06 - NETWORKS - Government wants to ease 5G planning laws as more funding promised - Culture Secretary wants to unlock the potential of 5G... 13/06 - NETWORKS - South Korea reaches one million 5G users - 5G adoption outpaces 4G networks... 13/06 - DEVICES - Apple targets Intel's German modem business for its 5G creds - Apple wants to build own 5G modem... 12/06 - ANALYSIS - 5G and smart cities: everything you need to know - Smart cities are nearly here, and could change everything... 12/06 - NETWORKS - UK government won't rush 5G security report despite growing operator unrest - Culture Secretary says it will take as long as it takes... 11/06 - DEVICES - Is 5G the key to virtual reality finally going mainstream? - The next-gen of mobile connectivity is the boost VR needs... 11/06 - NETWORKS - Ericsson predicts faster than anticipated 5G adoption - Strong support from operators and vendors... 10/06 - NETWORKS - Tech firms 'limit' engineer discussions with Huawei on 5G standards - Major 5G vendors cautious after US ruling... 10/06 - DEVICES - Will apps have to change to support 5G? - Opportunities and challenges await... 10/06 - NETWORKS - European Huawei and ZTE 5G ban would cost operators €55bn - Leaked GSMA report reveals scale of impact... 10/06 - NETWORKS - Three's 5G will be 'UK's fastest' when it launches in 25 cities before the end of the year - Fast and true... 08/06 - DEVICES - This is how 5G will take mobile gaming to the next level - Console-grade graphics on the go thanks to 5G? Surely not! 06/06 - NETWORKS - 10 things 5G can do that 4G can’t - 5G could be a game-changer... 06/06 - NETWORKS - Huawei works on 5G with Russian operator MTS - Boost for beleaguered firm... 05/06 - NETWORKS - 5G security: does more data mean increased risk? - The volume and value of data will increase in the era of 5G... 05/06 - NETWORKS - UK 'needs to create Huawei 5G competitor' - Matt Hancock warns against rash actions as Trump pushes for Huawei agreement... 04/06 - NETWORKS - Nokia secures 42 commercial 5G deals - Nokia pitches itself as one-stop-shop for 5G... 04/06 - NETWORKS - Who's winning the race to 5G? - Network providers are racing to deploy the next generation of wireless... 03/06 - NETWORKS - Which network is currently ahead in the race to 5G? - Only one network will appeal to 5G early adopters... 03/06 - NETWORKS - Transforming sports for spectators: the 5G effect - Better for fans, better for broadcasters... 01/06 - NETWORKS - Will 5G solve signal issues at stadiums, festivals and venues? - Mo spectrum, fewer problems... 01/06 - NETWORKS - 5G and film: how will the tech change how we consume movies? - Get used to a world of portrait-first video... 01/06 - NETWORKS - How 5G could improve augmented reality - 5G could be the key to unlocking AR's potential... 31/05 - NETWORKS - How 5G could make your home smarter - 5G will make your home smarter, faster, and better... 31/05 - DEVICES - 5G will help smartphone sales recover in late 2019 - Market will still contract in 2019... 31/05 - NETWORKS - The unsung heroes of 5G: which companies are pushing the tech forward? - From Qualcomm to ZTE... 29/05 - OPINION - A new force on the horizon: the future of video will be 5G - 5G technology is finally moving from hype to real testing and deployment... 29/05 - NETWORKS - Europe has best 4G ahead of 5G launches - UK 4G availability nears 85 per cent... 29/05 - DEVICES - 5G phones are expensive, but MediaTek wants to change that - We talk to MediaTek on its plans to introduce feasibly-priced 5G phones... 27/05 - DEVICES - Is this what mobile 5G gaming will look like? - Game on... 24/05 - NETWORKS - Ofcom proposes further duct and pole access to boost 5G - Regulator wants to help spread of 5G... 23/05 - DEVICES - Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 is the UK's first 5G phone - And Vodafone is selling it first... 23/05 - DEVICES - Dixons Carphone pulls Huawei 5G handsets - EE and Vodafone suspend pre-orders... 22/05 - NETWORKS - The CEO of EE just made the best case for 5G yet - We'll use it for things we don't even know we need right now... 22/05 - DEVICES - EE temporarily pulls Huawei Mate 20 X from 5G line after Android restrictions - But perhaps not permanently... 22/05 - NETWORKS - EE targets businesses as it launches 5G 'Phase One' - EE wins UK 5G race and will launch next week, pitches reliability and convergence... 22/05 - NETWORKS - EE targets businesses as it launches 5G 'Phase One' - EE wins UK 5G race and will launch next week, pitches reliability and convergence... 22/05 - NETWORKS - EE will launch the UK's first 5G network on May 30 - Bringing a new level of connectivity... 20/05 - NETWORKS - Lamp post rows could delay UK 5G rollout - Operators and councils clash over street furniture 14/05 - NETWORKS - Vodafone 5G will launch in seven UK cities this July - And it will cost the same as 4G... 10/05 - DEVICES - 3 ways Android Q is being built for 5G - Giving developers – and users – more info... 10/05 - NETWORKS - O2 improves indoor coverage for 5G as revenues rise - Shopping centres, stadiums and other public services are covered... 09/05 - NETWORKS - UK 5G could be delayed over security worries - Culture Secretary won't rule out UK 5G delay as Huawei debate rumbles on... 09/05 - NETWORKS - BT increases fibre target and promises imminent EE 5G launch - BT targets 4m fibre premises by 2021... 07/05 - NETWORKS - Ericsson: Consumers will pay more for 5G and there are use cases - Ericsson makes case for 5G to the industry... 04/05 - DEVICES - The first 5G phone in Europe was unexpected - and here's what it means for you - A new champion enters the ring... 03/05 - NETWORKS - South Korea reaches 260,000 5G users - However some alrady complain of technical and coverage issues... 02/05 - DEVICES - Huawei is developing a 5G 8K TV because that's apparently a thing now - 5G is coming… to your TV... 01/05 - DEVICES - EE sets foundations for 5G with new Smart Plans phone deals - More flexibility the intention from UK's fastest phone network... 29/04 - NETWORKS - China urges UK to act independently over Huawei and 5G - Chinese ambassador says Britain should resist pressure... 26/04 - NETWORKS - EE brings 5G to Glastonbury 2019 - Operator to build 5G network at famous music festival... 26/04 - DEVICES - Apple could be working on a 5G iPad Pro - But we won't see it for a few more years... 24/04 - OPINION - UK's Huawei decision ends uncertainty for 5G operators - Huawei ruling matters far more to politicians than to networks... 24/04 - NETWORKS - The UK will let Huawei build selected parts of its 5G infrastructure - Chinese company still banned from providing 'core' elements... 23/04 - NETWORKS - EU backs WiFi over 5G for connected cars - European Commission chose WiFi as it is currently available unlike 5G... 17/04 - DEVICES - Intel abandons plans for 5G smartphone modems - Intel won't supply modems for the iPhone 5G... 17/04 - DEVICES - Huawei has no plans to supply Apple with 5G modem chips - Founder had suggested it was a possibility... 17/04 - ANALYSIS - Driving the future: the route to autonomous travel is vested in a reliable 5G infrastructure - Why its vital to ensure reliable 5G coverage for connected and autonomous vehicles... 17/04 - DEVICES - We might see iPhone 5G in 2020 after all - 5G's back on the menu... 17/04 - NETWORKS - Huawei agrees 40 5G contracts - Huawei sees 5G customer base grow... 16/04 - ANALYSIS - 5G: How will businesses benefit? - 5G is coming...is your business prepared? 15/04 - NETWORKS - Trump vows not to nationalise 5G as FCC makes funding and spectrum available - FCC to auction 3400MHz of spectrum... 12/04 - NETWORKS - O2 switches on 5G spectrum to power connected car tests - AutoAir tests connected and autonomous vehicle technology... 11/04 - NETWORKS - BT boosts network capacity to cope with FTTP and 5G data growth - BT first to use Nokia 7750 SR-s platform... 10/04 - DEVICES - Exclusive: We could see a Black Shark 5G phone before the end of the year - Embracing cloud gaming... 10/04 - DEVICES - Google Stadia may be the first good use for 5G phones - You could soon be playing AAA games on your smartphone... 10/04 - NETWORKS - Mobile industry pushes 5G as EU debates Wi-Fi standard for connected cars - GSMA says Wi-Fi is old technology... 10/04 - OPINION - 5G's impact on the future of work - How the next generation of wireless technology will empower fontline workers... 09/04 - NETWORKS - AT&T just opened 5G in seven more cities, still doesn’t have a 5G phone - Hotspot or bust... 08/04 - DEVICES - The world's first 5G phone: our hands-on with the future of smartphones - Impressions from our five days with the first 5G phone you can buy... 08/04 - DEVICES - Apple's iPhone 2020 may have 5G trouble, but Huawei is eager to help - If Intel can't deliver, and Apple and Qualcomm can't make up... 05/04 - NETWORKS - Huawei 5G ban could cost UK economy £6.8bn - Report says ban would damage UK 5G leadership bid... 04/04 - DEVICES - Samsung starts mass production of 5G chips - Next-generation modem and RF receivers go into production... 03/04 - NETWORKS - 5G set to deliver £15.7bn in business revenue by 2025 - Barclays says conditions must be right... 02/04 - ANALYSIS - The future of cybersecurity in a 5G-connected world - With more endpoints comes more ways a hacker can penetrate your network... 26/03 - NETWORKS - Ofcom confirms 5G, USO and rural 4G among priorities for 2019 - Regulator issues update for industry... 25/03 - NETWORKS - EU 'won't ban' Huawei from 5G networks - EU wants member states to share cybersecurity data instead... 21/03 - NETWORKS - Three increases annual revenues ahead of 5G launch - Operator says 2018 was solid foundational year... 14/03 - DEVICES - What will future 5G smartphones look like? - Industry experts believe a new era is upon us... 13/03 - NETWORKS - Verizon to launch mobile 5G next month - Verizon set to launch first 5G mobile broadband service... 13/03 - DEVICES - Nissan uses 5G to put an augmented reality co-driver in your passenger seat - A virtual companion for lonely road trips... 12/03 - NETWORKS - Germany makes private 5G spectrum available for industry - IIoT gets boost with local network pledge... 11/03 - NETWORKS - Germany won't ban Huawei but tightens rules for all 5G vendors - Ministers and regulator say they don't want to ban Huawei... 08/03 - ANALYSIS - 5G and a better-connected world - Turning the next generation of wireless into a reality... 07/03 - NETWORKS - Vodafone UK expands 5G launch to 19 towns and cities - More locations named ahead of commercial launch... 07/03 - NETWORKS - 15m Brits would switch to 5G now - But 5G adoption will be slower than 4G, says Deloitte... 06/03 - NETWORKS - Five Eyes "needs major 5G vendor" - Former Australian Prime Minister warns Five Eyes nations on 5G security... 03/03 - DEVICES - Why have so many 5G phones been launched already this year? - Surely, it’s too early? 02/03 - DEVICES - Foldable phones, 5G and cinematic screens: how smartphones are changing this year - MWC 2019 showed a quiet revolution is coming... 01/03 - DEVICES - Motorola targets mid-range in 5G and foldable smartphone era - "New dawn" beckons for Motorola in the mobile market... 28/02 - NETWORKS - BT hires 1,600 apprentices ahead of EE 5G launch - BT looks for apprentice and graduates to future proof workforce... 27/02 - NETWORKS - Security and cost worries could harm 5G - Business and technology executives underestimate the disruptive prospects of 5G... 27/02 - NETWORKS - FC Barcelona's Nou Camp will be 'first' 5G stadium - Fans to benefit from immersive 5G experiences... 26/02 - DEVICES - Sprint 5G: all the phones coming to the next-gen network - Top networks require top phones... 26/02 - NETWORKS - Nokia says it is the one-stop shop for 5G network gear - Nokia details new equipment and operator partnerships... 26/02 - NETWORKS - Google Fi customers will get 5G from Sprint's network - MVNO gets 5G... 25/02 - NETWORKS - Security flaws in 4G and 5G revealed - New flaws allow attackers to intercept calls and track user locations... 25/02 - DEVICES - Sony will make a 5G phone, but only when the tech rolls out - It won't be left behind in 5G race... 25/02 - DEVICES - Lenovo teases first 5G laptop powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 8cx - But, what’s taking so long – and where are the rest? 25/02 - NETWORKS - GSMA: One in seven connections will be 5G by 2025 - GSMA kicks off MWC with prediction for the market... 25/02 - DEVICES - Affordable 5G phones will arrive in early 2020 - Not a flagship exclusive for long... 25/02 - DEVICES - HTC 5G home hub gets you ready for superfast internet - Get your home or office 5G-ready... 24/02 - DEVICES - Xiaomi Mi Mix 3 5G may be your first 5G-ready phone - One of the first 5G phones of MWC 2019... 22/02 - DEVICES - Will Samsung enjoy first mover advantage with 5G? - Samsung beats rivals to 5G smartphone... 22/02 - ANALYSIS - Huawei: We make it cheaper and simpler to deploy 5G - Head of carrier business touts benefits of 5G kit ahead of MWC... 21/02 - NETWORKS - 5G could solve major 4G congestion - Current 4G download speeds differ greatly depending on country and time of day... 21/02 - DEVICES - Gemalto makes 5G SIM card available to operators - Gemalto pitches "world-first" 5G SIM card... 21/02 - NETWORKS - O2 5G confirmed to launch in these four cities in 2019 - O2 5G will go live in UK capitals this year... 20/12 - NETWORKS - 5G will account for a quarter of UK mobile data traffic by 2022 - UK will be second only to the US in 5G... 20/02 - NETWORKS - Vodafone 'world-first' connects smartphones to 5G network - Vodafone connects handset in Barcelona ahead of MWC next week... 19/02 - DEVICES - You may want to hold off buying a 5G phone until 2020 - This second generation 5G modem will make a difference... 19/02 - NETWORKS - Three trials cloud core 5G network with staff - Full rollout expected later in 2019... 19/02 - ANALYSIS - Does sports content hold the key to 5G adoption? - Tokyo Olympics and Euro 2020 could be first time many experience 5G... 18/02 - NETWORKS - UK 'doesn't need to ban' Huawei 5G kit - Huawei's 5G equipment is a 'manageable risk', NCSC apparently claims... 18/02 - NETWORKS - Vodafone UK switches on first 5G airport - Manchester Airport upgraded to superfast speeds for consumers to try out 5G... 15/02 - NETWORKS - Three brings 5G to the catwalk and its flagship store - Three shows off 5G to consumers at London Fashion Week... 13/02 - NETWORKS - UK switches on first 5G factory trials - Worcestershire 5G testbed goes live... 11/02 - NETWORKS - Sprint sues AT&T over '5GE' claim - Rivals clash in 5G row... 11/02 - ANALYSIS - AI, 5G and the race to completely autonomous vehicles - Now is the time to implement a data-centric architecture... 08/02 - NETWORKS - Trump anticipated to ban 5G networks from using Chinese tech - An executive order is expected to come before MWC... 07/02 - DEVICES - Vodafone trials 5G form factor device with Ericsson and Qualcomm - Operator takes step forward in 5G development... 06/02 - NETWORKS - US urges EU to reconsider role of Huawei in 5G - US ramps up pressure on Huawei with stark warning... 05/02 - NETWORKS - Ericsson joins O-RAN to drive intelligent 5G radio development - Ericsson extends commitment to open standards... 04/02 - NETWORKS - GSMA suggests Huawei 5G talks at MWC - Industry concerned at Huawei 5G exclusion following long-term controversies... 01/02 - DEVICES - Huawei 5G foldable phone teased in MWC 2019 press conference invite - Our first look at the world's first foldable 5G phone... 31/01 - ANALYSIS - Investing in a 5G future: The role of MNOs - 5G's 2020 rollout is fast approaching... 31/01 - NETWORKS - Nokia predicts staggered demand for 5G kit in 2019 - Nokia reports increased revenue and profit in Q4... 31/01 - DEVICES - 5G phones: these are going to be the first next-gen handsets - The new 5G phones of 2019 and beyond... 31/01 - DEVICES - LG hints strongly at 5G foldable phones for 2019 - Taking the fight to Samsung's Galaxy X... 28/01 - NETWORKS - Chinese EU Ambassador says Huawei 5G ban would be 'self-defeating' - Senior diplomat dismisses security fears as fabrications... 25/01 - DEVICES - Huawei says it'll show off a foldable 5G phone at MWC 2019 - The world's first 5G phone with a foldable screen... 24/01 - HARDWARE - Huawei reveals 5G modem and base station chips - Huawei chips will ease deployment and widen support... 22/01 - NETWORKS - Vodafone and O2 team up on 5G network sharing - Two operators look at options for mast infrastructure as they extend network sharing deal to cover 5G... 17/01 - NETWORKS - Huawei faces US probe as Germany considers 5G options - US DoJ reportedly accuses Huawei of trade secret theft... 14/01 - NETWORKS - US government shutdown is threat to 5G rollout - Industry body warns about impact of FCC shutdown... 14/01 - HARDWARE - Intel wants to be your one-stop shop for 5G - Intel VP tells us that “5G runs on Intel”... 14/01 - DEVICES - Apple looks at Samsung and MediaTek modems for 5G iPhone - Latest revelations from Qualcomm's antitrust trial... 12/01 - DEVICES - iPhone 11 tipped to have faster Wi-Fi, but 5G might have to wait - Better speeds for the 2019 iPhones? 11/01 - NETWORKS - Ericsson tests strengthen wireless backhaul's suitability for 5G - Ericsson and Deutsche Telekom trials achieve 'fibre-like' performance... 10/01 - NETWORKS - T-Mobile continues US 5G crusade with 600MHz call tests - T-Mobile completes multi-band call tests with Ericsson and Intel... 09/01 - DEVICES - 5G and fixed displays to drive smartphone sales in 2019 - Research suggests 5G might be silver bullet... 09/01 - NETWORKS - AT&T claims advanced 4G is '5G' - Software update claims advanced 4G is 5G Evolution... 08/01 - DEVICES - 5G can be tonic for smartphone saturation - GSMA Intelligence finds 80 per cent of developed world owns a smartphone... 08/01 - HARDWARE - Intel targets 5G base stations with 'Snow Ridge' chips - Intel hopes edge computing advantage will pay off... 08/01 - NETWORKS - The Galaxy S10 isn't at CES 2019, but Samsung's 5G plans are here - Samsung Galaxy S10 is here in pieces if you look closely... 06/01 - DEVICES - Byton confirms M-Byte car will be available in 2019 with AI, 5G and 48-inch display - That's a whole lot of screen... 04/01 - ANALYSIS - What to expect from 5G at CES 2019 - 5G could be the star of the show at CES 2019... Selected 2018 5G news24/12 - ANALYSIS - Three CEO: Capacity, not speed is the true 5G revolution - Dave Dyson talks up Three's 5G strategy... 19/12 - NETWORKS - 'Strong' business demand for 5G could be tempered by network transformation - Gartner says operator focus is on consumer applications... 17/12 - ANALYSIS - The coming 5G revolution - How the next generation of mobile connectivity will bring emerging technologies to life... 14/12 - NETWORKS - 5G could add billions to world GDP - Unlocking the right 5G spectrum will make all the difference... 13/12 - NETWORKS - Huawei will do 'anything' to be trusted 5G partner - Huawei says if there's anything it can do to ease security concerns, it will do it... 10/12 - NETWORKS - Vodafone to use manhole covers to improve 4G and 5G - Vodafone hopes street level infrastructure will improve network... 10/12 - ANALYSIS - 5G is just the beginning for the future of smartphones - The future of mobile looks promising... 06/12 - ANALYSIS - Vodafone Business rebrand highlights strategic focus in 5G era - Vodafone Enterprise is now Vodafone Business... 06/12 - NETWORKS - We need rigorous 5G testing before we get in the driverless car - Autonomous vehicles will rely heavily on next generation networks... 05/12 - NETWORKS - How 5G technologies can be implemented more efficiently - Knowing where to place 'small cells' will make all the difference... 04/12 - NETWORKS - Arqiva and CityFibre to build 5G small cell network in London - Hammersmith & Fulham will host UK's largest pilot to date... 03/12 - NETWORKS - Three Korean operators launch 5G networks - Operators bring forward South Korea 5G launch... 29/11 - NETWORKS - 5G will require mobile operators to rethink the role of Wi-Fi - Operators may need to de-prioritise Wi-Fi in 5G era... 27/11 - NETWORKS - 5G will have 'fastest ever' global rollout - Ericsson Mobility Report says Europe will fall behind without market changes... 22/11 - NETWORKS - Nokia creates Access Networks Division for end-to-end 5G - Nokia hopes organisational changes will give it 5G advantage... 20/11 - HARDWARE - Huawei urges operators to trust its 5G vision as it shifts 10,000 base stations - Huawei Chairman Ken Hu details 'Cloud X' vision... 20/11 - NETWORKS - Three: 5G wireless broadband can be genuine alternative to fibre - Three-commissioned report touts price-saving benefits of 5G FWA... 16/11 - ANALYSIS - 2025: the year of 5G entertainment - Intel's Alex Gledhill tells us how 5G can benefit all areas of work and life... 15/11 - RESEARCH - Samsung invests $22bn in AI and 5G - Korean tech giant aims to control 20 per cent of the network equipment market... 15/11 - NETWORKS - US begins auction of 5G spectrum - US operators bid for high range spectrum to power mobile broadband services.. 15/11 - HARDWARE - German government 'urged' to consider Huawei 5G ban - Reports suggest push could have come too late... 08/11 - POLICY - Ofcom CTO: Spectrum and security are biggest 5G challenges - Ofcom CTO Mansoor Hanif discusses the barriers to fulfilling 5G potential... 07/11 - NETWORKS - How 5G will enable the next generation of IoT deployments - Canonical head tells us why next-generation networks are the key to innovation... 07/11 - NETWORKS - Three reveals £2bn UK 5G investment - 5G set to be a "game-changer" in the UK says Three CEO Dave Dyson... 06/11 - NETWORKS - GSMA: Operators need prime spectrum to fulfill 5G potential - Industry body publishes paper ahead of WRC-19... 05/11 - NETWORKS - 5G operator revenues to reach £230bn by 2025 - Research suggests £46bn in 5G R&D will be well spent... 03/11 - DEVICES - Apple tipped to launch a 5G iPhone in 2020 - Super-fast speeds on the way... 31/10 - NETWORKS - BT CTO: Convergence of fibre, 5G and Wi-Fi will create 'one network to rule them all' - Howard Watson believes convergence will be a key differentiatior in telecoms... 26/10 - NETWORKS - Trump lays out US 5G strategy - Order looks to ease progress towards 5G network deployment in the US... 22/10 - NETWORKS - EU could back Wi-Fi over 5G for connected cars - Draft proposals could see Wi-Fi rules set before 5G... 17/10 - PRODUCTS - Samsung buys Zhilabs to power 5G analytics - Samsung's 5G efforts continue with purchase of analytics experts... 16/10 - NETWORKS - European mobile giants urge pro-5G investment policies - Leading CEOs urge EU regulators to consider importance of connectivity... 12/10 - PRODUCTS - New Nokia kit promises more rapid and effective 5G FWA deployments - Operators can get new high gain antennas and gateways... 12/10 - NETWORKS - Deutsche Telekom plots 99 per cent 5G coverage by 2025 - German operator details plans for 5G rollout... 01/10 - INNOVATION - Samsung partners with AT&T to build a 5G tech lab - Facility will research ways 5G could improve manufacturing... 26/09 - ANALYSIS - Could 5G networks herald the arrival of a four-day work week? Increased productivity as a result of 5G powered technologies could disrupt the traditional work week... 25/09 - DEVICES - Manufacturers hope 5G and foldable displays will drive smartphone growth - Analysts believe the smartphone will be unrecognisable by 2027... 12/09 - NETWORKS - T-Mobile signs $3.5bn 5G network deal with Ericsson - T-Mobile secures second major 5G equipment deal... 07/09 - FEATURE - Inside the 5G factory: How Nokia's research aids its own production - Nokia's Oulu facility has been involved in every generation of mobile technology... 05/09 - NETWORKS - San Marino will have Europe's first 5G network - Microstate will be a testbed for TIM... 31/08 - ANALYSIS - Golf's digital ambitions make it an unlikely 5G pioneer - Golf looks to new technologies - including 5G... 30/08 - DEVICES - Larger screens and 5G to drive smartphone growth through to 2022 - Smartphone market 'generally healthy' despite recent dip... 23/08 - ANALYSIS - Huawei & ZTE banned from Australia 5G networks - Australian government says 5G architecture makes it too risky... 22/08 - NETWORKS - Speed takes centre stage as operators ramp up 5G testing - Report suggests 82 per cent of mobile operators worldwide are testing 5G... 07/08 - NETWORKS - US set to lose out to China in 5G race - Deloitte report urges policymakers to promote investment... 23/07 - REGULATION - UK Government promises new regulations and investment for full fibre and 5G - Government report outlines plans to deliver fibre to entire UK by 2033... 20/07 - NETWORKS - Barriers to 5G could stop UK being a global leader - BSG report identifies issues and resolutions... 28/06 - NETWORKS - "World's first" 5G network launches - Finnish operator Elisa claims global first in launching a commercial 5G network... 27/06 - ANALYSIS - The World Cup and 5G: the trials you need to know about - 5G will change how you watch football forever... 25/06 - NETWORKS - UK 'needs shared spectrum' for 5G - Ofcom urged to rethink 5G spectrum auction to ensure fairer rollout... 19/06 - NETWORKS - Mobile signal woes 'strengthens' business case for 5G - Only half of mobile users in the UK are happy with their speeds, but willing to pay more for faster service... 13/06 - NETWORKS - Vodafone: 5G smartphone uncertainty means focus on core network and IoT - Vodafone UK CTO says 5G will be a gamechanger, but smartphone innovation in the 4G era won't be matched... 01/06 - ANALYSIS - 5G UK - How far away are we really? - 5G will deliver immediate benefits in 2019, but the true mobile revolution will take time... 25/05 - POLICY - Mobile industry 'shouldn't wait' for 5G to roll out small cells - Small cells will be essential for delivering the 5G vision but industry warns there is no time too wait... 16/05 - NETWORKS - Mobile IoT networks to be a 'core component' of 5G - GSMA says NB-IoT and LTE-M deployments are paving the way for massive IoT powered by 5G... 08/05 - PRODUCTS - Why self-driving vehicles could be the biggest winner in a 5G world - Telefónica tells us why autonomous vehicles are set to be a key 5G use case... 05/04 - NETWORKS - Mobile networks fork out £1.4bn for 5G spectrum - Ofcom publishes the results of its 5G spectrum auction, revealing that the UK's biggest mobile network operators spent almost £1.4 billion... 28/03 - NETWORKS - 5G RuralFirst looks at smart farming, spectrum sharing and broadcasting - Government funded project will use Cisco tech to help transform rural lives... 27/03 - NETWORKS - GSMA: 5G will be dominant mobile tech in USA by 2025 - Mobile industry body report shows US will be a 5G leader... 14/03 - NETWORKS - O2: 5G will save local councils and households £6bn a year - Report details how smart technologies powered by 5G can improve society... 11/03 - DEVICES - 5G a key factor to seamless VR experience, says Lenovo EMEA President - Lenovo wants to create memorable experiences for its customers, but is that enough? 09/03 - NETWORKS - Ofcom plans new rural coverage obligations for 700MHz spectrum - Ofcom says 700MHz is an important opportunity to improve rural coverage as it plans for 5G future... 03/03 - NETWORKS - Qualcomm hopes 5G vision will stand out from the hype - Qualcomm's influence in the industry is significant, so its 5G roadmap is worth listening too... 28/02 - NETWORKS - Intel and NTT DoCoMo prepare 5G plans for Tokyo 2020 Olympics - After success at PyeongChang 2018, Intel is stepping up plans for next Olympics... 27/02 - MOBILE - Qualcomm looks to make it easier to make 5G phones - Launch will help OEMs build 5G connectivity into more devices... 27/02 - PRODUCTS - Get ready for a 5G Internet of the Sky - Drones like the Ehang 184 will usher in a 5G-powered autonomous airspace... 23/02 - NETWORKS - Why PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics are a 5G milestone - Athletes are making history at the Winter Olympics, but it's an important event for 5G networks too... 16/02 - NETWORKS - Why startups and research can make the UK a 5G leader - Does the UK really need to be first to the mark or be an industry powerhouse to be a 5G leader? 07/02 - MOBILE - 5G set to push mobile data use sky-high - Giffgaff research estimates customers will use nearly 100GB of mobile data a month by 2025... What will 5G networks mean for me?
How fast will 5G be?It’s still not exactly known how much faster 5G will be than 4G, as much of the technology is still under development. That being said, the networks should provide a significant upgrade to current download and upload speeds - with the GSMA proposing minimum download speeds of around 1GBps. Most estimates expect the average speed of 5G networks to reach 10Gb/s, and some even think transfer rates could reach a whopping 800Gb/s. This would mean that users could download a full-length HD quality film in a matter of seconds, and that downloading and installing software upgrades would be completed much faster than today. What will a 5G network need?The GSMA has outlined eight criteria for 5G networks, with a connection needing meet a majority of these in order to qualify as 5G:
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| Prime Day extended: big discounts still available on the Amazon Echo Dot Posted: 19 Jul 2019 08:28 AM PDT Update: Amazon US has just changed up the offer on the Echo Dot. A single Dot now costs the usual $49.99 (boo!). However, a new promotion has just started where you can get two Echo dots for the price of one. Use the discount code DOT2PACK at checkout and you'll see the discount come though. UK buyers can still get one for £24.99 (half price), but we wouldn't wait long as it looks like it won't last much longer and we wouldn't bank on a similar 2-for-1 off appearing as in the US. Original story follows... While Amazon Prime Day is officially over, there are still some hot deals that are available on the tech giant's site. Our favorite Prime Day extended sale is the Echo Dot smart speaker that's on sale for $24.99. That's a 50% discount and only $3 more than the Prime Day all-time low price. UK readers can also still get the Echo Dot on sale for £24.99. The Echo Dot works with Amazon Alexa to play music, answer questions, check the news, and more completely hands-free. You can also use your voice to stream songs from services like Amazon Music, Apple Music, and Spotify and listen to audiobooks from Audible. The smart speaker works with thousands of smart home devices to turn on lights, adjust the temperature, lock the door without lifting a finger. The 3rd-generation Echo Dot is available in charcoal, heather gray and sandstone so you can match the smart speaker to your home decor. The best Echo Dot deals:Echo Dot: common questionsIf you're undecided on the Echo Dot or want to learn more about the smart speaker, we've answered some common questions below to help make your buying decision. You can see more of the best cheap Amazon Echo prices and deals that are currently available. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Best Linux web hosting services of 2019 Posted: 19 Jul 2019 08:04 AM PDT Linux hosting is everywhere. Whether you're looking for a simple shared web hosting account or a powerful dedicated server, the chances are that you'll be offered a Linux-based option first. In many cases, you might not care. If your hosting needs are simple, you'll probably choose an account based on the allocated web space, bandwidth and similar features – the operating system is so far down most people's priority list that often it's not even mentioned in comparison tables. But if you're an experienced user, know more about Linux, or you perhaps need to build a technically complex website where you have full control over everything, it's a different story. You might want to choose your preferred distro or control panel. You could need more control over the server and its components. Hosts may throw in all kinds of goodies to get you started – a firewall, mail server, private DNS – and offer quality support to keep your site up and running. Every web host has its own idea of what makes a great Linux package, but we've listed five of our favorite providers to point you in the right direction. Keep reading to find out more.
InMotion Hosting is a professional Linux web host which delivers high levels of power and control right across its range. InMotion's shared hosting includes many beginner-friendly features, for example – free website migration, a bundled website builder, regular backups – but that's just the start. More experienced users will be happy to see support for MySQL and PostreSQL databases, PHP 7, Ruby, Perl and Python, SSH access and more. There are interesting touches wherever you look. You don't just get the option to have WordPress, PrestaShop or Joomla preinstalled, for instance – InMotion throws in WP-CLI to enable managing multiple WordPress installations from the command line. It's a far more capable product than you might expect, considering prices start at $5.99 (£4.30) a month for the two-year plan. It's a similar story as you upgrade. Optional self-managed VPS hosting – from $19.99 (£14.30) a month for the initial term – gives you a choice of OS and a firewall, but after that, you're able to install, optimize and configure the server however you like. Even InMotion's managed VPS hosting still gives you root access for considerable low-level control. For the operating system, you get to choose from CentOS, Ubuntu or Debian. If you encounter some setup issues, the Launch Assist feature gives you a minimum of two hours with an InMotion tech support person to help you solve any problems. Every Linux host claims to offer the best possible technical support, but separating the experts from the pretenders isn't always easy. One way to identify the most knowledgeable providers is to check their high-end products. You won't get the same level of support if you're buying a basic shared hosting package, but just knowing that level of expertise is available somewhere in the company can be useful. SiteGround is a great example. If the company's standard hosting products aren't enough, it can build enterprise-level solutions from scratch, and SiteGround's website lists some of the technologies it supports: custom private clouds, smart use of Linux containers, replication between databases, and in-depth expertise in WordPress, Drupal, Nginx, Apache, PHP, MySQL, MongoDB, ElasticSearch, Redis, Solr, Memcached and more. This is clearly a provider that knows what it's doing. Home users won't get the same level of support, of course, but even SiteGround's shared hosting plan delivers more than you might expect: free Let's Encrypt SSLs, cPanel and SSH access, Cloudflare integration, unlimited emails and databases, HTTP/2-enabled servers, free daily backups, and 24/7 technical support by phone, chat and a ticket system. Not bad at $3.95 (£2.95 for UK) a month plus tax for the initial term, $11.95 (£8.95 for UK) afterwards. Ramping up to a VPS-like Cloud Hosting plan gets you a very well-specified CentOS system. MySQL 5, PostgreSQL, 5 PHP versions, HHVM, Apache, Nginx, Exim mail server, a private DNS server setup and Iptables firewall are all preinstalled and managed by SiteGround. Prices start at $80 (£48 for UK) a month plus tax. Opt for a dedicated server and you'll get high-end extras like Git integration and performance-boosting Nginx-based cache options for WordPress, Memcached and HHVM. You probably won't want all these features – maybe you only need a few – but they do provide a strong indicator of the company's technical expertise. If you're looking for a provider that can support your site and help it grow, SiteGround could be a wise choice. Linux hosting is available from just about everyone, but anything less than a dedicated server is often fully managed by the provider (they set up, manage and maintain the OS and all its components for you). That's great for beginners, but more experienced users might be frustrated by the lack of features and control. Hostwinds' unmanaged VPS packages allow you to take complete charge of your workspace. You can choose from a range of operating systems, including CentOS, Ubuntu, openSUSE, Debian and Fedora. You can tweak and set up the operating system however you like, configure your own backup scheme, and more. Unmanaged packages bring responsibilities, too. If there's a missing update or some mystery software issue, you'll be the one who has to fix it. But that shouldn't be too intimidating for Linux users, and many elements of Hostwinds' packages remain simple and easy-to-use (site management via cPanel, automated WordPress and other installs via Softaculous, one-click Nextcloud install, and so on). Even better, as you're not paying for management, Hostwinds gives you a 50% discount on every package. Normal managed Linux VPS packages range from $10.99 (£8.5) for 1 CPU core, 1GB RAM, 30GB disk space, 1TB traffic, up to $526.99 (£404) for 16 cores, 96GB RAM, 750GB disk space, 9TB traffic – but the unmanaged range runs from $4.99 (£3.60) to $328.99 (£249.50) - currently there is a 53% discount on managed packages and 10% for unmanaged. There's no long-term contract required, so you can try the service for as little as a month to see if it works for you. Part of the appeal of Linux hosting should be the level of control you get over your working environment, but this doesn't happen with every provider. Often you're presented with a standard base environment – typically CentOS and cPanel – with no standard ability to choose anything else. Liquid Web has been providing quality VPS and dedicated hosting packages for years, and one reason for this success could be its flexibility. Whatever you're after, the company offers in-depth low-level control over your server specifications. You're not stuck with a single version of CentOS, for instance. Liquid Web offers CentOS 6 (optionally with CloudLinux) and 7, as well as Debian 8, Ubuntu 14.04 and 16.04. The CentOS 7 images can include cPanel or Plesk, and plans are available in a mix of self-managed, core-managed and fully-managed variations. There's even more power over some supplementary features. While other hosts might throw in a standard backup plan, Liquid Web enables choosing how many daily backups you'd like to retain, or it can squeeze as many backups as will fit into a defined amount of disk space. Both options are charged at a very reasonable $0.12 per GB per month, so you only pay for whatever you use. However your server is configured, Liquid Web's excellent support is on hand 24/7/365 to resolve problems as quickly as possible. And we do mean quickly: if, say, there's a hardware failure, the company promises it will be replaced within 30 minutes of the problem being identified. What's more, Liquid Web backs up these promises with an impressive service level agreement. If the company doesn't respond to an initial helpdesk ticket within 30 minutes, you'll be credited with 10 times the amount they missed it by, and there are similar clauses to cover you for power outages, network failure and more. Choosing the right Linux host can be difficult, especially if you're a hosting newbie and unsure of which features you might need. One option is to gain some experience by signing up with a flexible budget host like OVH. The company doesn't have the best support and we wouldn't recommend it for business-critical sites, but you do get a huge amount for your money and it's a very cheap way to learn more about your Linux options. Do you need a wider choice of operating systems, for instance? OVH VPS plans support Arch Linux, CentOS 6, CentOS 7, Debian 7, Debian 8, Debian 9, Fedora 26, Ubuntu 14.04 Server and Ubuntu 16.04 Server, along with Kubuntu 14.04 Desktop if you need a user interface. You're not restricted to cPanel as a website manager, either: OVH also supports CozyCloud, Plesk Onyx, Vesta CP and Virtualmin. OVH says you can have WordPress, Drupal, Joomla! and PrestaShop pre-installed, conveniently, although there's no mention of a general Softaculous-type one-click application installer. Still, with full root access you should be able to manually set up whatever you need. What's really impressive here is the price, which starts at just $4 (£2.99) per month, excluding the VAT. OVH isn't the best Linux host by any means, but it does provide a very cheap way to experiment with different distros and control panels to find out what works for you. It’s well worth a look for Linux newbies or anyone who feels they need more hosting experience before handing over the big money. You might also want to check out our other website hosting buying guides:
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| Is FaceApp safe? A deeper look at the viral hit Posted: 19 Jul 2019 07:47 AM PDT If you’ve been on Facebook, Twitter or pretty much any other social medium in the last few days then you can’t have failed to notice it - FaceApp is everywhere. Despite launching way back in January 2017, the app has suddenly received a new lease of viral life. But as quickly as it has appeared, the worries about what the company is actually doing with our photos and our privacy have followed too. So, is it time to worry? What is FaceApp?Where have you been, grandad? FaceApp is the hot new trend. It's an iPhone and Android app that takes your photos and performs some digitally wizardry to manipulate your face through a number of clever filters. The old age filter has become particularly popular because it is available for use in the app for free. It's pretty amazing too, and is able to produce highly convincing results. How does FaceApp work?The app works its magic by using the power of machine learning. This is a new technique that is increasingly ubiquitous in computing. Essentially, rather than try to explain to a computer what it means to age - and describe using code what a wrinkle, grey hair or Werther's Originals are - the computer will figure them out for itself by being "trained" with thousands of other photos of old people. The results are pretty impressive - if not entirely accurate. Run a photo of someone who is old now from when they were young, and FaceApp is unlikely to produce an image which looks exactly like them now.
What data does FaceApp collect?So this is the important question! As quickly as the app has gone viral, so have the privacy worries. So much so that US Senator Chuck Schumer has called for the FBI to investigate the app. And there are many posts going viral on Facebook and other social media urging users to approach the app with caution. The worry seems to hinge on the fact that in order for the app to work, the user must grant the app access to the photos on your phone - just like you have to with Instagram or a billion other apps. What’s worrying people is two things: What this conceivably means is that the app has access to all of the photos on your phone, so if developers chose to do so, they could conceivably tell the app to upload all or your photos to their servers, or pass them on to other organisations. What's amplifying this worry is that the company that makes the app, Wireless Lab, is based in St Petersburg, Russia. So… is FaceApp uploading my photos?Despite the initial worries, at the moment the evidence suggests that the app is behaving responsibly and not uploading all of our photos. Several other developers have analysed what is being transmitted, and have concluded that all the app is uploading are the photos that the user chooses to apply filters to. This is because unlike, say, Instagram filters, the photo processing on FaceApp takes place in the cloud. In other words, all the app does is upload the photo and then download the completed stuff - all of the clever digital ageing takes place on servers elsewhere. The reason for the app working this way could be two-fold: First, this sort of processing is very hard to do locally. The reason machine learning is so powerful now is because processing can take place using the processing power contained within entire server farms if necessary - rather than relying on the processor in your phone. Secondly, this could help the developers improve their product. They could use all of the pictures we upload to more accurately train FaceApp's machine learning models - resulting in even more realistic photos. And because all of the processing takes place in the cloud, it also means they can conceivably update and improve filters without needing to have everyone update the apps on their phone. The developers have said that everything that is uploaded is deleted within a couple of days. The reason it hangs on to the data for that long in the first place is apparently to avoid having to process the same images twice: If two people upload the same image (which isn’t unlikely if you want to digitally age a celebrity), it means they only have to have their servers do the hard work of processing the images once. What do the FaceApp terms and conditions say?One of the factors that has been amplifying the concerns has been the terms and conditions that have gone viral. And on the face of it, they sound pretty draconian: "You grant FaceApp a perpetual, irrevocable, nonexclusive, royalty-free, worldwide, fully-paid, transferable sub-licensable license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, create derivative works from, distribute, publicly perform and display your User Content and any name, username or likeness provided in connection with your User Content in all media formats and channels now known or later developed, without compensation to you. "When you post or otherwise share User Content on or through our Services, you understand that your User Content and any associated information (such as your [username], location or profile photo) will be visible to the public." Yikes! What is important to bear in mind however, is that they are not a million miles away from those used by other social media apps. The only real difference - and it is significant - is that unlike, say, Facebook or Google, there isn’t an easy way to delete your data from the app. At the moment, you have to email support with a written request - though the developers have reportedly said they are planning to make this easier. There is also a secondary concern that the app does not comply with the strict new GDPR rules with its advertising. Whether this has merit or not we'll leave to the lawyers - but this isn't really the meat of the privacy concerns. Should we be worried that the company is Russian?And this… is the contentious bit. The fact that Wireless Lab is based in Russia is perhaps why FaceApp has attracted the skepticism of politicians more than any other app. And these concerns are not entirely without merit. Russia, of course, has a fairly notorious recent history of using technology to meddle in international affairs: From the digital operations conducted during the 2016 US election, to hacking the power grid in Ukraine. It is definitely conceivably that Vladimir Putin might see this latest viral sensation as a means by which to access the data of westerners or other adversaries… somehow. There is no evidence that, say, the Russian government or military is obtaining data from the app or involved in the company in any way, and the company itself has said that data is in fact stored on Amazon and Google's cloud servers outside of Russia. However, there is arguably cause for concern about the location of the company headquarters. If Vladimir Putin wanted to access the data for some reason (maybe he wants to see everyone’s selfies?), by virtue of the location of the company and its employees, he would have some pretty significant leverage. So… should we be worried about FaceApp?Ultimately, with FaceApp we're making the same privacy trade-offs and considerations we make with any other app. When we download Instagram, should we worry that the US government might want to have a flick through our photo albums? Perhaps we might assume there are more safeguards there because America is a functioning democracy. And what about other apps that are surging in popularity like TikTok? That app, which has made real inroads with young people, is owned by a Chinese company. So there is a strong case for similar reservations there - though because the scaremongering hasn’t gone viral in quite the same way, nobody seems to care. So is FaceApp safe? As with any app it depends on the risks that you’re willing to take. Perhaps the best takeaway from FaceApp blowing up is that if nothing else, it is a potent reminder that you should check your privacy and sharing settings on every app you download - not just the ones that go viral. 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| Fake Office 365 site installs malware as browser update Posted: 19 Jul 2019 07:41 AM PDT Microsoft users have been warned to watch out for a fake Office 365 site which is pushing malware disguised as a software update. The site, discovered by researchers at MalwareHunterTeam, is designed to resemble a Microsoft-owned site, and even contains links that direct to pages hosted on Microsoft domains. However after being on the site for a few seconds, users are presented with an alert saying that their browser needs to be updated in order to stay online.
Fake updateThe site even presents different landing pages depending on the browser being users, offering up alerts tailored to Chrome and Firefox users which say their supposedly outdated software version could lead to errors and loss of data. Clicking on the update button will lead to the downloading of the TrickBot Trojan, which will install itself onto the victim's device and begin transmitting information about their online habits. TrickBot is a particularly nasty form of malware that is notorious for stealing user information such as passwords as well as browsing history and autofill data. This form installs itself into the Windows svchost.exe service, meaning it is largely hidden from detection in Task Manager. The researchers behind the detection say that anyone affected by the scam should immediately perform a scan of their device, and ensure any passwords used on there are changed immediately.
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| PlayStation VR 2: all the latest PSVR 2 rumors Posted: 19 Jul 2019 07:39 AM PDT With the PS4 and PS4 Pro life-cycles officially reaching their ends, and Sony confirming PS5 details, we can't help but wonder what Sony has in store as a successor to PlayStation VR. Could it be PSVR 2? Sony did technically release a second PSVR headset back in 2017: the CUH-ZVR2 added HDR compatibility, integrated headphones and a smaller connective cord. But, the true PSVR 2.0 will feature a much greater jump in specs that will take advantage of next-gen hardware to up its resolution, pixel quality and refresh rate. The main question is, will the PlayStation VR 2 simply improve on its predecessor’s visuals, or will it add features like 6DoF tracking or even go wireless to compete with Oculus Rift and HTC Vive? We’ve got the latest rumors and industry insider info on what the PlayStation VR 2 could look like, its likely release date, potential backwards compatibility and much more. Moss on PSVR. (Image credit: Sony) Cut to the chase
PSVR 2 release dateIt’s almost certain that PSVR 2 will work exclusively with the PlayStation 5, but we probably won't be seeing the next-generation PlayStation until at least mid-2020. With no official word yet on a PlayStation 5 release date it's difficult to pin down exactly when we might get to see a PS5 console or the PSVR 2 - although Sony has confirmed we won't see the PS5 in 2019. If Sony mostly allocates its manpower to PS5 production, then the PSVR 2 could launch much later than the console’s release date - perhaps a year or more. PlayStation VR launched three years after the PS4, after all. PSVR (Image credit: Sony) However, Siliconera spotted two new filings relating to Sony's virtual reality headset which could point to the sort of experiences the company is planning for the future. The pair were filed in 2017 and 2018 respectively, suggesting that (if they've been pursued by Sony) they could soon bear fruit. The first relates to live events. Sony's patent describes a scenario where a user is in attendance at a real world location, such as a sports stadium, with the headset "anchoring" them "to a physical location in the venue". They'd be surrounded by real-world attendees, letting them watch the event as if they were actually there. It sounds similar to other live VR applications, like Next VR, Melody VR or Oculus Venues. More interesting, then, is the second application. This one speaks of turning buddies from your PSN games list into spectators of your games as you play. So, rather than generic NPC crowds in the stands of a FIFA match or along the track of a Gran Turismo race, your friends could chose to have an avatar representation of themselves turn up in your game. These avatars could be true to life, or any sort of stylized representation they choose to submit. They could either choose to spectate in real-time in virtual reality, or show their support through a "pre-programmed" clip. The fact Sony has already applied for these patents suggests PSVR 2 could be closer than we thought...
Astro Bot Rescue Mission on PSVR. (Image credit: Sony) PSVR 2 news and rumorsCould it track eye movement and head motion? What will that do for VR? According to the Sony Interactive Entertainment patent, it will enhance immersion by refining what each eye sees - aka ‘parallax images’ - for improved stereoscopic depth. Sony is also developing tech to keep those images relative when you rotate/tilt your head. But there are other possibilities for eye-tracking in VR, including alternative control methods and/or interface options - which would be a great accessibility option for disabled gamers. Image credit: Sony/USPTO PlayStation VR 2 could fuel the future of Gran Turismo “The first thing that’s going to be affected by more power is VR,” Yamauchi told GT Planet. “I don’t think that there’s anything else that requires that much processing power. I really like VR; I’m one to believe in the possibilities of it, and it’s very suited for a driving game.” As Gran Turismo is a PlayStation exclusive series, it's likely that the future of the racing franchise will be fuelled by PlayStation VR and its likely successor: PlayStation VR 2. While Sony hasn't officially confirmed that PSVR 2 is in development, Yamauchi's comments suggest that the company will be leaning into VR in a big way when it comes to the upcoming PS5. “VR is something that really depends on the evolution of GPU power, and the hardware for it, like display devices even," Yamauchi continued. "It’s something where you can never have enough computing power; there’s always going to be that hardware limit, and that limit is never going to be high enough for us! Obviously that’s going to gradually improve over time and we’ll make sure to follow that.” Gran Turismo Sport (Image credit: Polyphony Digital) Current PSVR headsets will work with the PS5 Speaking to Wired, Mark Cerny (lead system architect at Sony working on the upcoming console) confirmed that all existing versions of the PlayStation VR will be compatible with the next-gen console. Whether there will be a new PlayStation VR 2 at launch is currently unclear. Cerny said, “I won't go into the details of our VR strategy today." While he didn't say that Sony won't be updating its virtual reality headset at the launch of the next-gen console, he was swift to clarify that it's worth buying an existing PSVR if you haven't already got one. He also said, "VR is very important to us and the current PSVR headset is compatible with the new console.” Backwards compatible Good news for glasses wearers? These Sony developed prescription glasses would be custom-designed for the wearer and gaze would be able to be detected by the VR headset via an encoded sensor. In other words, glasses-wearers could use VR much easier. We don't expect these glasses to come cheap, but the implementation of eye gaze software does mean we can probably expect it to arrive in the PSVR 2... PSVR 2 priceThe current PlayStation VR starter bundle retails for $200 / £259 / AU$420, but this affordable cost came after several price drops. The original price for a full bundle, $499 (£399, about AU$650), could give us a good idea of what Sony will charge for the PSVR 2 headset. Of course, this new headset will have some potentially expensive tech to go with the PS5’s increased potential. Japan Display (JDI), a LCD manufacturer co-run by Sony, recently unveiled its 3.2-inch, 1,001 pixels-per-inch (ppi) displays with 2160 x 2432 resolution. PSVR currently uses 386 ppi and 1920 x 1080 resolution for its one 5.7-inch screen. How pixel density can improve the VR experience. (Image credit: JDI) Adding better display quality, as well as doubling the screen count, could jump up the price. Currently, the only somewhat “next-gen” VR headset on the market is the HTC Vive Pro, which retails for $800, £800 or around AU$1,045. Depending on the PSVR 2’s hardware, Sony could choose to list it as a premium device. But, that would likely go against its brand of offering an affordable entry into VR. We’re hopeful Sony will avoid pricing all but the wealthiest among us out of VR.
We also spotted a patent for upgraded motion-control wands with finger tracking and haptic feedback. Higher-cost bundles of PSVR 2 may very well include these controllers for VR experiences that a DualShock controller can’t provide. The PS4 Pro will be over four years old by early 2021. (Image credit: Sony) Why be a PlayStation 5 exclusive?PlayStation 4 owners (especially Pro owners) might be a bit peeved when they discover they can’t make PSVR 2 work on their consoles. But, it could be Sony’s only option to make its second headset feel truly next-gen. We tested out PSVR on the PS4 and compared the graphical quality to the Pro. In “Pro Mode”, we spotted minor improvements in textures, graininess and lag reduction. Ultimately, though, the difference didn’t feel that momentous. While the PS4 Pro certainly packs a punch, it may not have the capacity to support VR with the higher resolution and pixel density that Sony’s new JDI displays enable. The PSVR 2 could demand processing power that last-gen consoles simply can’t match. The PlayStation 5 will use the newest AMD Ryzen CPU and updated Radeon graphics, an upgrade from the AMD Jaguar CPU of the PS4 and Pro. Sony could have trouble making its new headset compatible with two separate graphics systems. All the updated hardware, design and accessoriesThe most concrete info we have on what PSVR 2 could be capable of comes from JDI’s announcement of its 3.2-inch display with 1,001ppi and 2160 x 2432 resolution. JDI claims that this display will reduce latency to 2.2msec (compared to >18msec today), allow for 120Hz (same as the PSVR 1), and demand less processing power to achieve better image quality—potentially unlocking a lighter, smaller design for the headset. The upgraded AMD Ryzen chip that Sony is implementing in the PS5 could certainly achieve the processing power necessary to support these displays. Credit: AMD Sony, which uses JDI’s screens for its smartphones, will very likely rely on these upgraded displays for its new headset. Considering we already found the PSVR 1’s design comfortable for long playing periods, this could make its heir apparent even more enjoyable to use. Of course, if the PlayStation VR 2 does go with dual displays, this will make the graphical demand for the headset much more difficult to achieve. For example, if Sony wanted 4K VR, then the PS5 would need to be capable of 8K streaming - which it will be. We do suspect that the PSVR 2 could go wireless, considering Sony prioritized cutting down the size and weight of the cord that connects the headset to the console in its PSVR 1 upgrade, it’s clear the company sees it as disruptive, even annoying. Removing it entirely is the logical next step. By doing so, Sony will also make it easier to support room tracking for PSVR 2. Oculus and HTC have supported 6DoF tracking for experiences for a couple of years now, and it’s one of the primary areas in which PSVR falls short of its competition. The PlayStation Camera does track your head and controller movements as you play while seated, but can’t keep track if you move around, and our reviewers found that it frequently lost track of the controller even while motionless. Adding support for room tracking will only help Sony in increasing the size of its game library, as it will support more experiences that rely on wandering around a room. Of course, this could mean that the new PSVR 2 bundle will include a couple of room sensors to augment the Camera’s tracking. Most first-gen VR bundles came with the camera included, but none included 6DoF tracking sensors. (Image credit: Sony) However, Sony could instead take the route that Lenovo did with the Mirage Solo headset, which adds WorldSense tracking tech inside of the headset itself. Reducing the number of peripherals could make the experience less onerous to set up. We also suspect that Sony has plans to double down on Move controllers. A patent shows that it wants to compete with the Oculus Touch and Vive controller by adding improved tracking functionality to its Move wands. (Image credit: Sony) Sony’s most promising idea is its “reaction force generator”, which would have portions of the Move wand expand or contract based on whatever the user is currently “holding” in-game. This tech could make experiences feel more immersive than before, without having to give up on controllers entirely (see: Oculus’ haptic gloves). In addition, according to another published patent (spotted by Upload VR), Sony is working on "prescription glasses with eye gaze tracking and electro optical signaling to a HMD". These Sony developed prescription glasses would be custom-designed for the wearer and gaze would be able to be detected by the VR headset via an encoded sensor. In other words, glasses-wearers could use VR much easier. We don't expect these glasses to come cheap, but the implementation of eye gaze software does mean we can probably expect it to arrive in the PSVR 2.
PSVR 2: just what the VR industry needs?As we've mentioned, PlayStation VR hasn't met Sony's sales expectations, but its sales are nothing to sneeze at compared to the high-end VR headset competition, but Sony had expected the entire VR market to grow. Instead, Sony likely worries that VR will stay too niche to make the profits the company once hoped for. Kodera said Sony would have a more “realistic outlook” on what kind of future sales it can expect. Kodera’s statement implies that Sony remains committed to producing more VR devices. Unfortunately, the tepid VR market could mean Sony invests less time and money into future VR experiences. But, ideally, the PlayStation VR 2 and other next-gen headsets with better specs and fewer cords could revitalize the market and keep Sony fully on board with VR.
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| Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 release date, price, news and leaks Posted: 19 Jul 2019 07:33 AM PDT Samsung is back at its peak in the smartwatch game as the company is making some of the best smart wristwear that money can buy with its best-in-class Samsung Galaxy Watch, and 2019's impressive Samsung Galaxy Watch Active. Now, here's the weird thing - Samsung has often released a new smartwatch in August of each year, but the last 12 months have proven different as it released the Galaxy Watch Active in February around six months after the original Galaxy Watch. We're nearing the year anniversary of the launch of the Galaxy Watch, but instead of releasing a Galaxy Watch 2, it seems Samsung is instead planning to release a sequel to the Watch Active. We had expected Samsung to offer two lines of watches; one with top-end features and a high price tag, the other a little slimmed down but still offering lots for anyone who doesn't want to spend as much. That idea may have gone out the window though with lots of leaks and rumors suggesting we'll be seeing the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 around six months after the original was released. It seems August 7 may be the big day where we'll hear about Samsung's next smartwatch, and below we're going to talk you through everything we know about it so far.
Cut to the chase
Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 release date and priceThe original Samsung Galaxy Watch Active Samsung's original Galaxy Watch Active was announced in February 2019 alongside the Galaxy S10 smartphone line, so often we wouldn't expect to see a follow-up product until a full year later. Rumors suggest we'll be seeing it much before then with multiple sources claiming it'll be introduced alongside the Galaxy Note 10 on August 7. That's at Samsung's own Unpacked event, where we may also get a glimpse of the company's Galaxy Tab S6 tablet. If that is the case, we will likely see Samsung release the watch to retailers - and therefore wrists - before the end of August this year. There's no gurantee that will be the case though, as it would make more sense for Samsung to introduce a new variant of its Galaxy Watch first. We'd initially expected that to be called the Samsung Galaxy Watch 2, but we won't know anything for certain until August 7. As for price, we'd expect it to be a similar amount to the Galaxy Watch Active that launched at around $199.99 / £229 / AU$348. Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 leaks and rumorsIf you're going to know about one leak of the Galaxy Watch Active 2, you'll likely want see the leaked press image that you can see below. It comes from Android Headlines and shows a device that looks remarkably similar to the original Galaxy Watch Active. You can see the two buttons on the right edge and a circular screen that lacks a rotating bezel. There are a few little differences from the original Galaxy Watch Active that the eagle-eyed among you may have spotted. The power button has a red ring around it on this edition, which we assume is a way of distinguishing it from the original device in a similar way to what Apple did on the crown of its Apple Watch 3. The Apple Watch 3 with its red accented crown The leaked image also seems to show a leather strap rather than a silicone one, but considering this is a sporty watch we'd assume there will be a silicone option for your wrist as well. This isn't the first time we've seen that leaked design either. The video below from SamMobile shows the same design, lending credence to both leaks and meaning these may both prove accurate come launch day. The SamMobile video does come with some extra detail though, where the sources the site spoke to claimed that an LTE version of the watch will be available at launch. That's a feature the company didn't see fit to include on the original Galaxy Watch Active, so you were restricted to Wi-Fi to be able to connect to the internet on your device. Although it's difficult to tell from the photos, it seems the Galaxy Watch Active 2 may also come in two different sizes. Those are said to be 40mm and 44mm, which is a change from the original that only launched in 40mm. It's not as big as the 46mm version of the Galaxy Watch, but it's still a step up that may make this a more appropriate device for those with larger wrists without alienating anyone looking for a smaller device. The original Samsung Galaxy Watch Active Away from the design, it's expected the Galaxy Watch Active 2 will come with some top-end features that are currently only available on the Apple Watch and a few other smaller name devices. One of those is an ECG monitor that was first reported by SamMobile and later backed up by sources speaking to Wareable. That would mark the first time Samsung has introduced the tech to a smartwatch, which was first included on a consumer product in the Apple Watch 4 late last year. An electrocardiogram (ECG) is a test that can detect an irregular heartbeat, which can be a sign of a variety of different heart problems including atrial fibrillation. According to Wareable's report, the feature will be included on the watch but you shouldn't expect to be able to use it at launch. It's thought the company won't be able to activate the feature until early 2020, and it may be a longer wait for other markets too. It's also expected to introduce fall detection tech that can prove useful for older people. That same report also gives more evidence of there being an LTE version alongside a Wi-Fi only variant and a third Under Amour-branded variant as well. According to the report it'll come with more fitness features, but exactly what those will be are currently unclear. We'd expect to see returning features from the original watch including Tizen software, Bixby support, a 24/7 heart rate tracker, wireless charging and an IP68 water-resistant design. What we want to seeBefore we see the new smartwatch from Samsung, we’ve had a think about what we’d like to see the company bring to its next-gen smartwatch. An innovative bezelOne of the ways Samsung has slimmed down the Galaxy Watch for its Active model is by losing the rotating bezel. That’s all well and good, but it’s one of the few features that makes Samsung’s top-end watch unique. Maybe Samsung can find a way to keep this easy to use functionality on the watch without the need for a super thick bezel. Perhaps a display that stretches to the edge and works in a similar way when you drag your finger around the outside. We don’t know exactly how this’ll would work on the Galaxy Watch Active, but we’d like to see Samsung play around with a few ideas for its next smartwatch. More storageThis is a simple one, and something we brought up in our review of the original Galaxy Watch Active. It just simply needs more storage so you can fill it full of more apps and music. Currently you’re restricted to 4GB of data on the Galaxy Watch Active, so we’d love to see the company double that up to 8GB or perhaps - if it can find a way - squeeze in 16GB. An LTE versionAnother simple fix here considering the original Galaxy Watch was capable of an LTE connection, if you spent a bit extra, but we’d like to see the Galaxy Watch Active 2 introduce mobile internet. This way you’d be able to keep using your watch even when your phone isn’t around, which is a big deal for anyone who wants to use it when out running. Improvements to BixbyBixby is nowhere near as useful as Google Assistant or Siri are on competing smartwatches, so we'd like to see the company step-up its voice assistant game in the coming months. It'd be nice to hear about some new exclusive features for the Galaxy Watch line too. An ECG monitorIt debuted on the Apple Watch 4, and while it's not a feature you'll use every day it feels like it's nearly a must-have on a top-end smartwatch. Alternatives like the Amazfit Verge 2 and Withings Move ECG will soon offer the feature too, so we'd love to see Samsung embrace the idea of an electrocardiogram on your wrist with its next smartwatch. More style choicesThe original color line up for the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active The original Samsung Galaxy Watch Active came in four colors; black, silver, rose gold and Sea Green. That last one is a shade that's nearing dark blue when you see it in person, and we'd like to see Samsung get a bit more experimental with its color options for the next watch. Considering this is the cheaper alternative to the premium Samsung Galaxy Watch line, we'd love to see the company embrace that more and offer a variety of design choices with perhaps even bolder color options for people to choose from. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Gears 5: release date, news and trailers Posted: 19 Jul 2019 07:26 AM PDT Microsoft's exclusive Gears of War series is one of the most popular to hit Xbox, with the Lancer and its chainsaw bayonet as recognizable as Halo’s iconic Warthog. And at the Microsoft E3 2019 keynote, the company announced Gears 5 is coming out September 10, 2019. Called Gears 5 rather than Gears 'of War' 5 the latest game in the series will have a female protagonist, Kait. Marcus Phoenix will still appear, but Kait will take the starring role as she leads her team on a personal mission continuing from the emotional ending of Gears of War 4. Microsoft shared more details about Gears 5 during it's E3 2019 conference: a new 3-player online and local co-op mode 'Escape,' a special character pack featuring Terminator skins in a crossover with the upcoming 'Terminator: Dark Fate' film, and a new teaser. Another fun addition: Gears 5 will get a Map Editor, a first for the series, per an Xbox official tweet. And if you sign up for the new Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, you can play the game four days early on September 6. [Update: Gears 5 is the 'largest Gears to date', according to The Coalition. Read on to find out more.] Cut to the chase
Gears 5 trailersAhead of some Versus Tech Tests in July, The Coalition released a trailer showing off the game’s brand new Arcade mode. At E3 2019, Microsoft gave more details about Gears 5, including the new 3-player co-op mode Escape. Here's the trailer, showing off the three new characters who will fight to get out of a Locust-infested area. Microsoft and The Coalition studio head Rod Ferguson confirmed Gears of War 5 during the Xbox Keynote at E3 2018. To go alongside the announcement we got a new trailer starring Kait Diaz, Marcus Fenix and the rest of the Gears crew. Locusts will again play a major role in the series when the game comes out later this year. You can check out the Gears 5 announcement trailer below: Gears 5 release dateGears 5 is coming on September 10, 2019, as Microsoft announced during its E3 2019 keynote. But you can get it four days early on September 6 if you subscribe to the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. Gears 5 news and featuresThe "largest Gears to date" In an interview with Game Informer, The Coalition's multiplayer design director Ryan Cleven revealed the next installation in the Gears of War franchise is going to be the biggest we've seen yet, primarily due to its wide and diverse range of modes. "Gears 5 is the largest Gears of War to date," Cleven said. "It's the largest campaign ever made, the largest PvE ever made, the largest versus ever made." This isn't particularly surprising considering the vast number of single and multiplayer modes Gears 5 is bringing with it: Campaign, Escape, Horde, Arcade, Tour of Duty, Bootcamp, Escalation, King of the Hill, Arms Race, Dodgeball, Execution, Guardian, Team Deathmatch and Warzone. And, those are just some of the ones we know about at launch. In addition, Gears 5 will feature new map-building and sharing tools which will keep players busy for hours on end. Multiplayer Tech Tests coming in July The Coalition has confirmed that it will be kicking off multiplayer tech tests for Gears 5 in July. The testing will take place across two sessions: July 19 to July 22 and July 26 to July 29. Pre-load will be available from July 17. According to the studio, those taking part in the tests, whether they’re on Xbox One or PC, will be playing three distinct Versus modes across two of the game’s new multiplayer maps. These modes will be Arcade, Escalation and King of the Hill. There will also be a chance to try out the new features Bootcamp and Tour of Duty. Access to the tests is included with Xbox Game Pass memberships but non-members can also get involved by pre-ordering Gears 5 from the Windows and Xbox stores or through participating third-party retailers who will be distributing the access codes. System requirements If you want to purchase the game or take part in testing sessions on PC you’ll need to make sure your machine is up to scratch. The Coalition has confirmed the minimum, recommended and ideal system specs required for Gears 5. Recommended specs
No loot boxes or season passes As we count down the days until Gear 5's September release, The Coalition has announced some more details around how players will be earning new content and items as they play. In Gears 5, all DLC maps will be free in both matchmaking and private play scenarios and there won't be any loot boxes in sight. New content will be earned through the Tour of Duty system. This will involve daily challenges and medals that you can complete to rank up and earn cosmetic rewards and you'll also get some of the in-game currency, Iron. It will, according to Coalition, be clear what's required of you to earn each item and there will be no premium, pay-only content in Tour of Duty. As well as getting a small amount of Iron through Tour of Duty, you'll also be able to buy it using real-world currency. All store purchases will also be direct so there won't be any RNG causing issues. Another way to unlock new content will simply be by playing - supply drops will happen at random as you rack up the hours and these can't be purchased with real-world currency. If you get a duplicate item, it'll automatically be scrapped and you'll be able to use the remnants to craft new items or upgrade skills. E3 2019 We got hands on with Gears 5 during E3 2019. Our first impressions of Escape Mode are that it's a fun co-op experience but that it runs the risk of growing repetitive. XO18 show During the XO18 show in November, 2018, The Coalition studio head Rod Ferguson promised "a bunch of innovations, a bunch of changes, a bunch of things that are really exciting and different but still feel like Gears of War" (via GamesRadar). Cult of personality During the XO18 show in November, 2018, The Coalition studio head Rod Ferguson E3 2018 Gears of War 5 was confirmed during E3 2018, and will be called Gears 5 to be released in 2019. Following on from the ending of Gears of War 4, this game will follow Kait as the star of a new trilogy. Breaking her chain of command, the game will follow Kait as she breaks the chain of command and takes her squad on a decidedly personal mission. PC Gaming Microsoft has been pushing its PC Play Anywhere program, that sees you able to take your Xbox games and play them on Windows PCs. Gears of War 4 made use of it way back in 2016, so there’s no reason why Microsoft would drop the service for a sequel. (Which is a nice change, considering Gears of War 2 and 3 never saw releases on PC.) What we want to see from Gears 5Unanswered questions Gears of War 4 ended with JD and Kait fighting their way through the Swarm to try and save Reyna, Kait’s mother, only to find it was too late. Reyna wasn’t dead but the Swarm were trying to integrate her into their hive and removing her would kill her. But, at Reyna’s request, JD and Kait tear her away from the Swarm. Before she does, Reyna teases a great mystery: she gives Kait a necklace that she says she was given by her own mother, Kait’s grandmother. The symbol is one Gears fans will recognize looks remarkably similar to one worn by Queen Myrrah of the Locust, your nemesis in original trilogy. A Gears sequel would have to explore this further – are Reyna and Kait descendants of the Locust? There are hints that Adam Fenix, Marcus’ father, JD’s grandfather was close to Myrrah before the wars, so there’s a chance that Locusts and humans coupled but it would be new territory for a Gears of War game to explore. Wish List Besides continuing the campaign story, we’d like to see more of the changed world we were introduced to in Gears of War 4. Taking place 25 years after the original trilogy, the sequel is set in a world where humans were forced to abandon fossil fuels and collect together in small martial law-governed encampments and violent windstorms sweep the land, tearing up anything left unprotected. Gears of War 5 should explore that further, showing us how desperate humans are trying to fight off the Swarm on a planet that is trying to kill them. The Coalition worked to make Gears of War 4’s battlefields more dynamic places, giving you the ability to pull enemies out of cover and leap forward with short range charges. A sequel should continue this, giving players greater freedom of movement and ways to break stalemates between human and Swarm forces. The original Gears of War cemented the cover shooter as a subgenre, now its sequels have to rattle its foundations by taking away the safety of sitting behind a low wall. (Image credits: The Coalition/Microsoft)
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| BritBox is putting BBC and ITV shows behind a paywall – and people aren't happy Posted: 19 Jul 2019 07:23 AM PDT BritBox is approaching. Over two years after the streaming service launched in the US and Canada – largely as a way to export quality British TV overseas – BritBox is coming back home, with a UK launch officially coming between October and December this year. As a joint venture between UK broadcasters BBC and ITV, BritBox will bundle in a variety of classic and modern TV shows for a monthly subscription of £5.99 per month ($6.99 in the US).
This BBC News article on the announcement confirmed that "Many ITV and BBC programmes will move on to BritBox after they have been broadcast on TV and fallen off the broadcasters' own catch-up services – BBC iPlayer and ITV Hub." BBC iPlayer currently can only host content for 30 days after broadcast, though it is appealing to Ofcom to extend this to a whole year instead. However, not everything from these broadcasters will make their way to BritBox, and the service looks set to host exclusive shows and content not available through other channels or services. It also seems like a way to monetize BBC and ITV's extensive back catalogues, with shows like Midsomer Murders, Doctor Who, Poirot, and Gavin & Stacey which have countless episodes racked up over the years. Suffice to say, not everyone is happy about this. Don't I already pay the BBC?UK viewers already have various avenues for watching BBC and ITV content, and separating this content into another platform, while retaining the current catch-up options, feels slightly convoluted. Obviously the content catalogues won't be the same, and BritBox content will be able to feature content for longer than iPlayer, which restricts the amount of time after broadcast that you can watch something online. The concern is that more content will be funnelled into BritBox, with increasingly less being available through the likes of iPlayer. Given that UK viewers legally have to pay a UK license fee to access BBC TV channels and iPlayer, a further fee will rub some the wrong way. We could see people opting for one over the other, but there's bound to be some friction given the overlap of content – and the fact that the same content will be on different services at different times. The idea of joint streaming service between BBC and ITV was mooted by competition watchdogs around a decade ago, and it's clear that the players involved are playing catch-up with the likes of Netflix, especially with Disney Plus and Apple TV Plus on the horizon. But speaking to BBC News, former BBC executive Ashley Highfield suggested BritBox isn't "something that's going to take over from Netflix. It's probably going to rub alongside." So should you subscribe in the UK? Check our our BritBox guide for our full run-down of the service, but until it launches, and unless the issue of people paying the license fee is worked out, we're stuck with a lot of muddled messages. Mark Pocock, home comms expert at broadbandchoices.co.uk, commented on the incoming launch, saying that "Ultimately this announcement raises more questions than it answers, but does demonstrate that viewing habits are changing, to the point that even traditional entertainment institutions like BBC risk compromising their reputation to keep up.”
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| Microsoft is encouraging you to save cash on Game Pass Ultimate with 'lifehack' Posted: 19 Jul 2019 07:03 AM PDT Remember when we told you that you about how to get your hands on the best Xbox Game Pass Ultimate deal? For those not already in the know, players essentially worked out that by extending their existing Xbox Live Gold subscription, and then taking advantage of the £1/$1 introductory offer on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, they could make big savings. That's because when you upgrade to Ultimate, your entire subscription is also upgraded, but you pay the same price as you had previously for Xbox Live Gold - which is cheaper than an Ultimate subscription. In a surprising move, Microsoft is now encouraging players to take advantage of the "lifehack" in order to get huge savings on Xbox Game Pass Ultimate - the company is even telling players how to do it. "It’s a great deal if you love games, but we want to help you get the most out of your membership by sharing a little lifehack to ensure you get as much bang as possible for your proverbial gaming bucks," Microsoft writes on its blog.
What's the deal?For the last month, Microsoft has been running a deal which gives you one month of the new Xbox Game Pass Ultimate service for $1 / £1 instead of the standard $14.99 / £10.99. This combines Xbox Live Gold, Xbox Game Pass and Xbox Game Pass for PC, rolled into the same subscription. Individually, they'd cost $9.99 a month, each, with some additional savings if you buy them annually at a lump sum. This is already a good deal. But, there's a way to make it even better - essentially bringing Xbox Live subscribers the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate upgrade for 36 months for just $1 / £1. How this works is that Microsoft is taking any remaining time you have left on Xbox Live Gold and converting it to Game Pass Ultimate when you add the new $1 / £1 for 1 month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate deal to your account. So, even if you've had Gold for a while or you're a new customer, there are still lots of savings to be made. For more information, here's how to get the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate deal.
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