Apple : Nokia's first 5G phone is coming in 2020 at a respectable price |
- Nokia's first 5G phone is coming in 2020 at a respectable price
- Intel reveals first AI chips
- Pokémon Go updates: all the news and rumors for what's coming next
- MoviePass data breach leaves credit card numbers open
- New iPhone 11 release date, price, news and leaks
- Dragon Age 4: everything we know so far about the open secret of a sequel
- Yubico launches world's first multi-OS security key
- Pokémon Sword and Shield release date, trailers, and brand new features
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- Cyberpunk 2077: release date, trailer and news
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- Best camera phones under Rs 20,000 in India for August 2019
- Best cheap phones 2019: our top budget mobiles in India
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| Nokia's first 5G phone is coming in 2020 at a respectable price Posted: 21 Aug 2019 02:25 PM PDT 5G is the next big thing in mobile technology, but right now it comes at a high price from mobile carriers, has limited availability, and is tied to expensive smartphones 5G phones. The good news is that Nokia brand phone-maker HMD Global has plans to change one aspect of that equation with a more affordable 5G smartphone, Digital Trends reports. "We see a particular opportunity for us in bringing 5G to a more affordable segment as we enter the market," according to HMD Global Chief Product Officer Juho Sarvikas. He then mentioned an aim to offer a phone at around half the price of what 5G devices currently cost. Specifically, Sarvikas said, "I would love to see us at half of the price where you have 5G today.” That phone will have a launch date in 2020.
The 5G market todayA 5G-ready Nokia phone that's half the price of current 5G phones could still be fairly expensive. Right now, it's almost exclusively premium devices that get the 5G treatment, and even then, it can be the premium versions of those premium version. For instance, Samsung Galaxy S10 and Note 10 families both have a 5G variant, but the Samsung Galaxy S10 5G is like an upgraded S10 Plus, and its $1,299/£1099/AU$1,850 price fits. The Note 10 didn't get a 5G variant, but the Note 10 Plus did, and that bumps the starting price up to $1,299/£1,099. LG has a more affordable 5G phone in the LG V50 ThinQ, but it still hits a hefty $999 (about £820, AU$1,445) price point. And, the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G is hard to compare since it's been exclusive to one carrier. If HMD Global can release a 5G phone at half the price of these competitors, it would make the new networking standard more accessible to many more people. Come 2020, the 5G Nokia phone might not be the only affordable option, though. There are rumors that Samsung has an affordable 5G phone in the works, and other manufacturers like Oppo and Xiaomi in the race as well. Motorola also has a claim to affordable 5G with the 5G Moto Mod paired with a Moto Z3 or Moto Z4, but the bulky mod is far from an elegant solution. More details on a 5G Nokia phone are likely to surface in the coming months, and we could see a debut at MWC next year. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Posted: 21 Aug 2019 01:17 PM PDT Intel has unveiled two new CPUs designed for large computing centers which will be the chipmaker's first to utilize artificial intelligence (AI). The two chips are the company's first offerings from its Nervana Neural Network Processor (NPP) line and one will be used to train AI systems while the other will handle inference. The Nervana NNP-T, codenamed Spring Crest, will be used for training and comes with 24 Tensor processing clusters that have been specifically designed to power neural networks. Intel's new system on a chip (SoC) provides users with everything they'll need to train an AI system on dedicated hardware. The Nervana NNP-I, codenamed Spring Hill, is the company's inference SoC that uses its 10 nanometer process technology along with Ice Lake cores to help users deploy trained AI systems.
AI workloadsIntel's new AI-focused SoCs are designed to handle AI workloads in data center environments so that users no longer have to utilize its Xeon CPUs to handle AI and machine learning tasks. Xeon chips are capable of handling such workloads, though they are not nearly as effective or efficient. The Nervana NNP-T and NNP-I were designed to compete with Google's Tensor Porcessing Unit, Nvidia's NVDLA-based tech and Amazon's AWS Inferentia chips. Vice president and general manager of Intel's Artificial Intelligence Products Group, Naveen Rao explained how the company's new processors will help facilitate a future where AI is everywhere, saying: “To get to a future state of ‘AI everywhere,’ we’ll need to address the crush of data being generated and ensure enterprises are empowered to make efficient use of their data, processing it where it’s collected when it makes sense and making smarter use of their upstream resources. Data centers and the cloud need to have access to performant and scalable general purpose computing and specialized acceleration for complex AI applications. In this future vision of AI everywhere, a holistic approach is needed—from hardware to software to applications.” Via The Inquirer This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Pokémon Go updates: all the news and rumors for what's coming next Posted: 21 Aug 2019 12:59 PM PDT Pokémon Go: the world's first augmented reality app to become a household name. Niantic's mobile AR game is still going strong two years after it first released, with a constant drip of events and updates keeping budding trainers glued to their phones and pounding the streets. And while it hasn't managed to top the peak of its popularity in 2016, it's still going strong and finding plenty of new ways to improve its player experience. So what's the latest news for Pokémon Go? As you'd expect, brand new features are being added all the time and community events are still going strong. Plus we have another some Safari Zone events and some Gen 5 Pokémon to look forward to. But without further ado, here's our guide to all the latest Pokémon Go news and updates.
Pokémon Go news and Pokémon Go updates
Team Rocket has finally landed in Pokémon Go and grunts are appearing at Pokéstops to battle players. You'll know a grunt awaits because the Pokéstop will be darker and have an 'R' appear over it. If you win the battle then the Team Rocket member will leave behind their Shadow Pokémon which you can attempt to catch with Premier Balls. Niantic has recently expanded the kind of Shadow Pokémon that will appear in the game so in addition to those Gen 1 Pokémon that included Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Rattata and Zubat, you might also come across Poliwag, Grimer, Muk, Drowzee, Hypno, Cubone, Scyther, Magikarp, Houndour and Houndoom. You can choose to catch and keep Shadow Pokémon as they are, or you can purify them—for that you'll need the required candy and stardust. There's also a brand new Special Research Quest called A Thousand-Year Slumber. Complete this seven-stage quest and you'll get the chance to catch the sleepy Pokémon Jirachi. When's the next Pokémon Go event?Safari Zone Pokémon Go Fest is now over but Safari Zones are coming soon to Taipei and Montreal. Those unable to attend the events in person will, of course, be able to enjoy some of the benefits that will be available globally. The first Safari Zone will take place in Montreal from September 20 to 22 at the Parc Jean-Drapeau. For this period, Pokémon known for their speed will appear more frequently in the safari zone and across Canada. For players further around the world, Yanma will appear more often. From October 3 to 6, another Safari Zone event will take place in the New Taipei Metropolitan Park. During this period, water, bug and grass type Pokémon will appear more frequently and the event is un-ticketed. Water Festival Those in need of more water-types are in luck: there's a Water Festival coming up! From August 23 to 30 water-types will appear more frequently in the wild, from eggs in Raids and as part of Field Research. On Wednesday 28 from 6pm until 7pm local time Uxie, Mesprit and Azelf will appear in five star Raids while on all other days, Pokémon like Blastoise, Vaporeon and Lapras will appear in other Raids. General bonuses during the event include double hatch candy while having a water Pokémon as a Buddy will halve the distance you have to walk in order to earn Buddy Candy. When's the next Pokémon Go Community Day?
Now that Ralts has had its day, the next Pokémon Go Community Day has been confirmed to be taking place on September 15, between 11am and 2pm local time which is much earlier than the previous two months which have been between 4pm and 7pm. The featured Pokémon for the event will be the grass-type Pokémon Turtwig. Across the day Turtwig will spawn more often and there will be a possibility you could encounter it in its shiny form for the first time. The event-specific move for Turtwig hasn't been confirmed yet but this will be revealed closer to the time. During the event, there will be triple Stardust awarded for any Pokémon caught and any Lure Modules will last for three hours rather than thirty minutes. Pokémon Go update: what's next?Niantic hasn't revealed any more plans for what's coming next in Pokémon Go in terms of the big picture but there are always new creatures and new events happening in the game. Big reveals can happen at any time, though, and we'll report them right here if and when any announcement happens. Gen 5 Pokémon have been confirmed to be coming to the game on September 16. It's not clear exactly how many Pokémon from the Unova region will be coming to the game but the three Gen 5 starters, Snivy, Oshawott and Tepig and their evolutionary forms have been confirmed as well as Patrat, Lillipup and Klink in normal and shiny variants.
Pokémon Go Plus dealsWant to buy yourself a Pokémon Go Plus wearable? Check some of today's best deals down below. (Image credits: Niantic/Pokémon Company) This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| MoviePass data breach leaves credit card numbers open Posted: 21 Aug 2019 12:52 PM PDT Movie ticket subscription service MoviePass is the latest company to suffer a data breach after tens of thousands of customer card numbers and personal credit cards were left unsecured on a server that was not password protected. The exposed database was discovered by SpiderSilk security researcher Mossab Hussein who found it on one of the company's many subdomains. The database itself is massive and contains over 161m records including some pertaining to the service's daily operations as well as sensitive user information such as MoviePass customer card numbers. MoviePass issues cards to its customers that are similar to normal debit cards and are issued by MasterCard. These cards contain a cash balance and the company deposits funds onto them which customers then use to pay to see movies.
When reviewing the records stored in the exposed database, TechCrunch also found information regarding MoviePass customers' personal credit card numbers including their expiry date as well as billing information such as names and postal addresses. However, some of the records contained card numbers where only the last four digits were visible. Exposed databaseAfter discovering the exposed database, Hussein reached out to MoviePass' chief executive Mitch Lowe to inform him of the matter but he did not hear back. The database was finally taken offline after TechCrunch reached out to the company. Hussein was able to find MoviePass' exposed database by using SpiderSilk's own web mapping tools which search for non-password protected databases which are connected to the internet and identify their owners. This information is then disclosed to companies privately, often in exchange for a bug bounty. According to the cyberthreat intelligence firm RiskIQ, the database may have been exposed for months as the company first detected the unsecured server in June. MoviePass has yet to publicly acknowledge the breach and this lapse in security will likely do little to help the company as it struggles to gain more customers after growing far too fast. The company has also faced scrutiny recently after it reportedly changed the passwords of users who use its service extensively to prevent them from seeing more films.
Via TechCrunch This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| New iPhone 11 release date, price, news and leaks Posted: 21 Aug 2019 12:18 PM PDT We now have a clear idea of the iPhone 11 launch date, and we're starting to see some real, solid leaks on how the upgraded handset will look - and what features they'll be packing. If you're not up to speed with what's coming out of the iPhone 2019 rumor mill, then prepare for some disappointment: the new iPhone range looks like it will just be an incremental upgrade. We've got some experience sifting through these rumors - we've been at it for over a decade - and nothing we've picked up suggests anything more than that. What does that mean? Well, a similar shape and size to previous launches (with three phones mooted for unveiling at the new iPhone 11 launch) but they won't bring amazing changes just now. If you're interested in what's coming next, then we're predicting 5G, whether the Lightning connector will finally get dropped, and possibly even a foldable phone - but either way, that won't be happening until we see the next iPhone in 2020 at the very least. Latest story: The iPhone 11 might use the same screen tech as the Samsung Galaxy S10, plus we think we may have got wind of the iPhone 11 launch date... and it's very much as we expected. Will we get the iPhone 11 'Pro' this year? We discuss this at greater length below, but as we're not expecting big changes this time around we doubt we'll get that much of a name change. It would make sense to save it for the cooler elements mentioned above, in 2020. What we do know is that the new iPhone 11 will be the poster-child for iOS 13, and we're pretty certain that we'll be seeing the iPhone 11, iPhone 11R and iPhone 11 Max... what Apple is going to call them remains a mystery though, with there being no obvious next step to the iPhone XS. The main change will be that camera upgrade - we're now fully expecting three sensors on the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Max, and just two on the iPhone 11R - but with enhanced capabilities on each model. What is of more interest is whether Apple will be pushing the iPhone 11R (if indeed it does call it that) as the iPhone XR is the phone that's most prominently featured on its homepage - suggesting the cheaper phone could almost be the star of the show this year. There will reportedly be some smart features added for charging, and Apple might finally have added in something users have been crying out for - read on to find out the full rundown of what TechRadar's iPhone experts expect to see for the new iPhone in 2019. We've rounded up the key iPhone 11 leaks in a little video just for you, to give a quick overview of what you may be able to expect later this year. New iPhone 11 release dateLike every year, we've been doing some sleuthing around the possible iPhone 11 release date, and we think we've got a pretty good idea around what's coming:
Apple hasn't held its phone event on a Monday for years, with Tuesday or Wednesday the most commonly used days. With the Wednesday being September 11, a day of mourning in the US that it's traditionally avoided, Apple will most likely pick an iPhone 11 launch date of Tuesday, September 10, 2019. Now, leaks from experienced phone-sleuther @evleaks suggested a roadmap of key phone launches coming later, but source code buried within the new iOS 13 beta release seems to confirm the iPhone 11 unveiling as Tuesday September 10. So that date is looking by far the most likely. This date allows Apple to ship its iPhones into retail channels well before the holiday rush, and is now a well-trodden path to do such. As for the new iPhone 11 pre-order date, Apple tends to open this on the Friday following the launch, which would be September 13 by our calculations. Finally, the new iPhone 11 release date - the day when you'll actually be able to get your hands on the handset for the first time - seems very likely to be a week later on Friday September 20, if previous releases are anything to go by. That prediction was bolstered by an analyst from Wedbush claiming that the three new iPhones launched in 2019 will all go on sale at the same time - the iPhone 11, 11 Max and 11R would all be on sale at the same time thanks to the production process being so much more mature this year - again, suggesting little in the way of upgrades. And it might not be just the new iPhone range that launches on this date, we may well also get the Apple Watch 5 then too. New iPhone 11 price: will it still be $1,000?
The iPhone 11 price is almost certain not to drop this year - especially for the 'main' new iPhone. After all, Apple priced both the iPhone XS and iPhone X starting at $999 (£999, AU$1,579) and without a massive change to the design or functionality, a price hike doesn't seem likely. With news that Apple isn't selling as many iPhones as it previously forecast, there's a chance the iPhone 11 will be priced more affordably - although we reckon a price freeze, rather than a reduction, is a more likely move by Apple. That said, the new iPhone 11R could be a touch cheaper - depending on the new camera technology. A less-costly iPhone than last year (where the iPhone XR debuted for $749 / $749) could happen if not a lot changes to the hardware... but if Apple goes with the higher-power camera, then the same price is likely to be maintained, in our opinion. The addition of the iPhone 11 Pro rumor - which, it has to be noted, is based on a single tweet (one that does have some form in getting the naming right of past iPhones) - would suggest a price hike for the phones. But given analysts are suggesting that the new phones will 'lack novelty', we're not expecting the inflated cost that would bring. New iPhone, iPhone 11 or iPhone XI?What will Apple call the iPhone 2019? It's a tricky one: Apple has backed itself into a corner with the name. Roman numerals could well remain, but how does the iPhone XI follow the iPhone XS? Apple has been staunch on verbally calling the handsets the 'iPhone 10' and 'iPhone 10-S'. With that in mind, the iPhone XI seems to make the most sense, but then - if the older models remain - there will be an X, an XS and an XI (along with an XR) - and iPhone 11 is easier to understand. The iPhone XS and XS Max are great, but there's still room for improvement That doesn't easily point to the best, most-desirable model. So could Apple do what's been rumored for years and simply go for the 'new iPhone' as the 'main' XS replacement, and stick with the same iPhone XR name, albeit with a small spec upgrade? As mentioned, the iPhone Pro could be added to the mix, bringing it into line with its iPads (and indeed MacBooks) in terms of their naming, but we're rather doubtful of that. That said, we've now seen the names 'iPhone 11', 'iPhone 11 Pro' and 'iPhone 11 Pro Max' listed by a case-maker, so we can't rule out the 'Pro' moniker. iPhone 11 Pro Max seems very unlikely though. But Apple has already ditched numbered increments for Mac, MacBooks, TV and iPads, so 'new iPhone' would be a logical next step - even if iPhone 11 would be the most pleasing thing for consumers looking for the obviously best new phone. New iPhone 11 designWhat will the new iPhone look like? Pretty simple really: from the front, quite similar (according to the leaks we've seen). The biggest change will be on the back: a hefty triple-lens camera in a square design. We've included a video from Mobile Fun above, one that shows the best rendering of what most are expecting to see from the iPhone 11 when it launches later this year. That design shows up in most leaks we're seeing at the moment, with the three camera system being used on the iPhone 11 and 11 Max, with the iPhone 11R still getting the large square bump, but only two lenses. The square protrusion doesn't look as attractive as we're used to seeing on iPhones, but Apple could be springing a surprise to make sure it doesn't lose too much ground to Samsung, Huawei and Google. We've seen huge improvements to the camera quality there, and while Apple's iPhones are still superb at taking pictures on the go, extra capability like a wide-angle lens would be something extra and would explain the extra size of the sensors. Elsewhere, a leaker took a reported photo of the Galaxy Note 10 Plus - but did it with a phone that looked suspiciously like the iPhone 11R, with the double (rather than triple) lens array, according to the placement of the flash. Whether both are real is up for debate (the quality of the snap isn't great, and you'd expect better from Apple, even at this early development stage), but it shows in the real world what the design could be like. iPhone 11 case dummies (credit: SlashLeaks) In terms of the triple-lens camera, that's on show with the dummies leaked above. It's not confirmed but this matches what we've heard so far - giving us an early look at the likely iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Max. Back on the subject of the iPhone 11R, reports suggest that the new phone will be landing in purple and green shades - in addition to the current range of black, white, yellow and red - with coral and blue disappearing - after shards of the new material appeared. These shards were leaked by respected Apple writer Mark Gurman, who also showed the new iPhone range will have this larger camera protrusion in new case moldings, used by third-party manufacturers to secure your iPhone. We've elsewhere heard that all three new iPhones might come in black, white, gold and dark green shades, while one source adds that some models might have a subtle 'rainbow' finish. Another leak from CashKaro and OnLeaks, suggest the new iPhones will get a smaller (and more circular) mute button, but that's hardly going to raise the roof when the new iPhone 11 is announced on stage in September. Rumors of a frosted-glass back do appear once in a while, but (at best) this is likely to be a small variant and not indicative of the wider iPhone 11's design style - even if it would help improve wireless charging. New iPhone 11 display: the same or shifting?Right: let's get one thing straight... there's not going to be a flexible iPhone this year. While we've seen patents so far, that's as far as the rumor mill is cranking about a bendy Apple device - and that makes sense, given how many issues Samsung and Huawei have had with their bending handsets. So what will the iPhone 11 display look like? Well, the smart money is currently saying that things will remain the same. A rumor has stated that the 5.8-inch display will remain, with the bezels shrinking slightly, although that was an added line to a wider 'leak' that the iPhone will have a central camera - which we don't think will happen. While some reports say the display size will stay the same size, others think the main iPhone 11 will be larger. We believe that the same 5.8-inch screen will remain on the iPhone 11, as that will be cheaper for Apple to produce than making a whole new size.
Another way to save the cost would be to drop the 3D Touch element of the screen, according to investment bank Barclays (who claim to have spent time with the Asia supply chain). This is the feature that allows you to press harder to open up a new menu. That would be replaced by a more powerful haptic engine that would do... something. According to 9to5Mac, this is known internally as 'leap haptics' and the source code of iOS 13 hints at Haptic Touch, which would replace the smart 3D Touch menus that pop up. The same confusion over screen size doesn't seem to reign for the iPhone 11 Max screen, with some suggesting the same-sized display as the iPhone XS Max (at 6.5 inches), but fans will have to wait until 2020 before Apple will increase it to a sizable 6.7 inches. The best leaks also suggest that Apple will stick with an OLED display for the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Max, with the same (cheaper) LCD screen for the new 11R, which would help keep the cost down and preserve battery life. Though one source adds that the LCD screen on the iPhone 11R will see some improvements, such as better anti-aliasing. We've also heard reports that the two OLED iPhones will use the same display type as the Samsung Galaxy S10 and Samsung Galaxy Note 10. Usually Samsung makes a different screen for Apple, but using this one is no bad thing, as those ranges have some of the best displays around. New iPhone 11 camera: the biggest changeAs we've heavily discussed already, unless all the leaks are fake, the iPhone 11 camera looks pretty likely to pack a larger, more square lens array on the rear of the device. This is the only real hardware upgrade we're seeing from Apple this year, with 2019's iPhone coming with enhanced picture-taking capabilities. Schematics suggest the same thing, and most chassis leaks hint at the same square cut-out portion. Respected Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo has weighed in to say that one of these lenses might be almost invisible, adding at the same time that the selfie camera will get a boost from 7MP to 12MP. Image Credit: Weibo One source claims that only the iPhone 11 Max will have the three camera array, but that seems rather fanciful when Apple made a big deal in 2018 explaining how the iPhone XS and XS Max were almost identical bar the screen size - we expect three lenses on both the higher-end 11 variants. What will those lenses be? Well, smart money suggests that there will be three 12MP lenses: one that takes 'standard' photos (with decent low-light capabilities), one zoom lens, and a new wide-angle option opening up a new world of photography capabilities. That source is suggesting that the third lens on the iPhone 11 won't have optical image stabilization, which would be an interesting move, and that the flash will be even brighter and more useful.
The same source is also stating that the image processor inside will be enhanced, but we'd expect nothing less from a brand that's likely to push the camera prowess as the main reason to buy the new iPhone range. Apple's Neural Engine did bring some impressive boosts to the photo quality of the iPhone XS, so another jump forward could continue the brand's ability to just take photos that, well, look nice - thanks to intelligent algorithms working out what they're looking at. Smart Frame capabilities would add a better way to improve the snaps you're about to take, but we're still mostly in the dark about what that would bring at the moment. Elsewhere, we've heard that the iPhone 11 could use 'new' 12MP sensors, and will offer improved photography, with the three lenses apparently working in coordination in an RGB mode. One of the lenses is also said to offer a 120-degree field-of-view. What about the front camera? Well, there we're going to get an upgraded 10MP sensor (apparently) - but the same suggests that the new iPhone 11 will have 14MP and 10MP sensors on the rear, which seems unlikely. Even still, an upgrade to selfies would be a welcome addition. A laser-powered 3D camera was also supposedly destined for the new iPhone 11, but it seems more likely that we'll see that on the iPhone for 2020 (if at all), in a bid to really show off the new iPhone's augmented reality (AR) capabilities. Sadly, the notch looks like it will be staying the same size - even though the camera tech is shrinking down, as a source says the notch is staying the same this year. This aligns with rumors that the phone chassis isn't changing size, so does make sense. New iPhone 11 battery and featuresThe iPhone 11 battery was always going to be a source of much debate, with users asking every year for a little more juice coming out of their device. The good news for them is that a couple of nifty tricks might helps things along for the new iPhone in 2019. One thing we're not expecting is that the new iPhone will lose the Lightning connector, the Apple-only port that connects to all manner of accessories. Multiple rumors have stated that it might be replaced by USB-C, but it seems (for now) that won't be the case. We've now heard multiple times that it won't get USB-C, so don't expect a change from Lightning. That said, we could see a compromise here: Apple might finally bundle in the 18W charging block that would see the iPhone charge more quickly. The catch: the USB-A end (the connector most of us think of when imagining a USB lead) would be dropped for a smaller USB-C, allowing for speedier juicing. Another rumor supports this theory, using the same advanced charger that Apple introduced with the iPad Pro (2018) last October. Having that in the box would be a nice addition to the wireless charging that's almost certain to continue. That wireless charging would go two ways, meaning you'll be able to throw the AirPods, in a wireless charging case, onto the back of the iPhone 11 and be able to charge them up on the go. What about that battery pack? Well, noted Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo believes that the iPhone 11 will have a battery that's up to 25% bigger than the current iPhone XS, to allow for this reverse charging without destroying the battery life in a single day. A rumor has some actual number predictions: the iPhone 11 will pack a 3,200mAh battery (up from an estimated 2,658mAh), the iPhone 11 Max will get 3,500mAh (up from 3,174mAh), and the iPhone 11R will get 3,000mAh (slightly higher than the 2,942mAh of the iPhone XR). But it will be hard to ascertain how true these are given Apple's reluctance to share the exact capacity of each iPhone. Huawei and Samsung phones already pack so-called "reverse wireless charging" and it's been well-marketed as a key selling point - so it makes sense that Apple would want to offer it too.
The iPhone 11 Max might not get as much of an upgrade, but a rumored 15% battery boost would still be a large jump forward compared to the current Max device - and without the device getting thicker, thanks to possible upgrades in the screen tech. Having said though, elsewhere we've heard that the iPhone 11 Max will have a 3,969mAh battery, which really would be quite an upgrade. However, the same source says that charging will still be stuck at a slow 5W, in contrast to the 18W rumor above. What about some other smaller features? Well, another possible upgrade is that, according to one source at least, Face ID will be improved for the new iPhone 11 range, allowing it to work from wider angles. As for power, Apple always introduces a new chipset with its new iPhone launches, and the A13 chip is being touted for the iPhone 11, with analysts claiming a manufacturer is lined up to produce the chip. After Apple made a huge deal about the AI learning capabilities of the A12 Bionic chip, one has to assume the big changes to the new chipset are going to be a big talking point come September this year. In terms of storage, one source says the range will offer 128GB, 256GB and 512GB capacities, while another points to 64GB, 256GB and 512GB. Either way, 1TB is looking unlikely. Let's move onto the more experimental features that may (read: mostly patents and leaks of things that could be possible in smartphones) be seen in the new iPhone 11 - but we think they're pretty unlikely. For one: the new iPhones may be easier to use in the rain. A report claims Apple is experimenting with a new tech that allows you to use the phone's screen underwater. Could we throw the iPhone 11 in? Image credit: TechRadar What's more, a patent suggests the camera on a future iPhone would be able to tell when you're underwater and alter settings accordingly, so that underwater photographs look better. Perhaps the iPhone 11 could have sub-epidermal scanning to be unlocked, in which the front camera would scan the veins and blood vessels in your face using IR to make sure it's actually you unlocking the phone. These blood pathways in your face are the most secure way of monitoring who you are - and can't be fooled in the same way as Face ID theoretically can be. Another patent meanwhile points to the return of Touch ID, but not as you know it. Rather, the patent talks about a system that would recognize your fingerprint when placed anywhere on the screen. So it would be an in-screen scanner that works across the whole display, though we're not convinced Apple will actually use this - lots of weird and wonderful things get patented with nothing coming of them. For something else a little bit weird, a patent filed by Apple shows a system in which a sensor monitors chemicals in the air, in order to 'smell' odors – including body odor. That would be a pretty cool feature for the Apple Watch 5 rather than an iPhone, though. Inside the device we've heard talk that the iPhone 11 will include support for the latest Wi-Fi 6 connection standards – though 5G tech will have to wait until the 2020 iPhones. One other out there rumor about the iPhone 11 is that it could be compatible with the Apple Pencil - but we've heard that a number of times and we're not going to be drawn in to believing such a thing this year - especially not the size of the Apple Pencil we're seeing right now, which would be be bigger than any iPhone device. That said, the Pencil could be charged on the rumored new wireless charging rear of the new iPhone - so that does make things seem a touch more believable. New iPhone 11: what we want to seeWe were mostly impressed with the iPhone XS range last year, but that doesn't mean they're perfect - talk to any ardent Android user and they'll give chapter and verse on why the iPhone isn't anywhere near as well-spec'd as their device. That does kind of miss the point of the iPhone - Apple's never been about the spec, more the usability and overall polish - but there are some things we'd like to see more (or less) of with the iPhone 11 range: 1. No notch (or, at least, a smaller one)The iPhone X made the smartphone notch a mainstream 'thing' - but with the advent of punch-hole cameras and under-screen technology on our phones, the notch needs to go. While Apple needs that space to chuck in the array of sensors that make Face ID as secure as it is, we want a new solution - and Apple has the means to work out what that is, as well as helping attract a new raft of users. The notch is big... imagine if it wasn't there on the new iPhone 2. A new designWhile the current design of the iPhone XS and XS Max is one of the best out there, we want something new, something more. Apple could make things more sleek, remove more of the physical buttons or even wrap the screen around - a statement can be made with some smart engineering. Sadly, that doesn't seem likely to appear until 2020's iPhone - the new iPhone in 2019 looks destined to stay rather similar to the last two generations' design. 3. Better battery lifeWe say this ever year, but the fact remains that iPhones still aren't the strongest performers when it comes to battery life. That said, the iPhone XR was one of the longest-lasting devices ever from the Cupertino brand, so let's see some of the prowess baked into the larger, more expensive iPhones. It's not easy (damned physics keeps getting in the way) but that doesn't mean improvements can't be made. 4. eSIM onlyThe current iPhones - the XS, XS Max and iPhone XR - all pack an eSim alongside their main, physical card. While it would be weird at first, Apple has the power to change users' attitudes to what's acceptable on a smartphone (think how everyone is now losing the headphone jack) and making the SIM virtual would allow greater freedom to hop between networks and deals at will, rather than being stuck on one contract for too long. With 5G on the way, that's going to see a lot more competition for users - and flexibility will be the number one benefit for those wanting a great phone deal. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Dragon Age 4: everything we know so far about the open secret of a sequel Posted: 21 Aug 2019 12:17 PM PDT They say good things come to those who wait and we’re hopeful that will be the case for Dragon Age fans who are patiently hanging on for news of the fourth instalment in the franchise. After being an open secret for so long, Dragon Age 4 has now been confirmed by executive producer Mark Darrah and we’ve even been teased by a minute-long trailer. At the moment we’re cautiously calling the game Dragon Age 4 but this title isn’t confirmed and the series’ naming pattern makes it hard to predict for certain whether we’ll be looking at a named or a numbered game. What we do know, though, is that Dragon Age is definitely coming so we think it’s only appropriate to keep an eye on the latest news and begin piecing together a picture of what the game might look like when it finally takes flight. As such, we’ve put together this this hub of news and rumors to keep you on top of the latest happenings from the land of Thedas. [Update: Fernando Melo, lead producer on Dragon Age 4, has left BioWare. Read on to find out more.] Cut to the chase
Dragon Age 4 trailersThe Game Awards 2018 had plenty of reveals but one of the biggest was a teaser trailer for Dragon Age 4. At only a minute long, the trailer doesn’t give much away but the hashtag TheDreadWolfRises as well as the appearance of Inquisition’s Solas is enough to pique any fan’s interest. You can watch the teaser trailer below: Dragon Age 4 release dateDespite the fact that the game’s development has long been a very open secret, Dragon Age 4 has only just been officially announced by BioWare. But, even now, BioWare isn't ready to say much about the game. "Hey everyone, we have been working on a new Dragon Age game for quite a while now and I am pleased to finally tease the existence of this project," said Mark Darrah, executive producer on a BioWare blog post. "While we won’t be sharing any details for now, I can tell you we have been building a new team around a core of Dragon Age veterans, people I’ve worked with on Dragon Age, Jade Empire, and some of whom I’ve worked with since the Baldur’s Gate days. "I’m so excited to show you more!" Back in May 2017, writer Alexis Kennedy revealed that he was working on a part of the game’s story in an interview with Eurogamer. This part of the story, he revealed, is “well-segregated from other parts of the game”. At this point in time, the game was still clearly in the very early stages of development. A later report from Kotaku suggested that some of the Dragon Age development team had been pulled off the title to focus on creating Anthem which would understandably cause delays to the game's development. In addition, a report by Venture Beat suggests Dragon Age 4's release date is at least three years away and a title for the fourth installation hasn't even been chosen yet "according to sources familiar with the studio". Basically, it looks like Dragon Age 4, if that is its real name, is still early in its development and it could be a while before BioWare open the curtains on any kind of release window. At the moment we’d expect the game will release on PS4, Xbox One and PC but it’s hard not to note that preparations for the next generation ramping up and it’s uncertain whether consoles such as PS5 and Xbox Two will be here by the time Dragon Age 4 is released. Dragon Age 4 news and rumorsFernando Melo departure On the heels of Anthem's lead producer, Ben Irving, Dragon Age 4 lead producer, Fernando Melo has left BioWare. Melo worked on Dragon Age: Origins and Dragon Age 2 before being appointed lead producer on Dragon Age 4 (codenamed 'Morrison'.) In a thread of tweets, Melo explained that he is taking "time to disconnect" after 12 years at BioWare and in an email to his colleagues he said that "Morrison is well underway to becoming the definitive Dragon Age experience" which bodes well for fans. Gamescom 2019 Setting to be teased by new short story collection Beyond the authors working on the book, there's little to go on so far as to what the collection will contain. However, its title "Tevinter Nights" seems a certain tease as to where the Dragon Age franchise is headed next. Each Dragon Age game so far has, more or less, focussed on one region or area of the continent of Thedas, in which the games are set. So, Dragon Age Origins introduced Ferelden, Dragon Age 2 focused on the single city of Kirkwall, and Dragon Age: Inquisition spanned the Orlesian Empire. Regularly referenced is the Tevinter Imperium, an area where magic is less strictly policed than in other realms of Thedas, with its mage population often seen as antagonists in the Dragon Age universe. The title of the new short story collection adds weight to the rumour that Dragon Age 4 will be set in the Tevinter Imperium. Not only has BioWare previously used books to set up forthcoming locations and characters in its games (Weekes, for instance, wrote a book called "The Masked Empire", which was published prior to the release of Inquisition and introduced ancillary characters and quest lines), but also Dragon Age Inquisition's final DLC scene saw the player character Inquisitor stab a knife into the heart of the Tevinter Imperium on a map. Live Service elements may be included but they aren't likely to be like Anthem However, in Kotaku’s most recent April 2019 report it’s been suggested that while Dragon Age 4 game could potentially include Anthem-like live elements, it won’t simply be “Anthem with dragons”. One developer told Kotaku: “The idea was that Anthem would be the online game and that Dragon Age and Mass Effect, while they may experiment with online portions, that’s not what defines them as franchises. I don’t think you’ll see us completely change those franchises.” This suggests that any live plans for Dragon Age aren’t likely to take the form of a shared online world exactly like Anthem’s and will still be suited to the single-player adventuring Dragon Age is known for. In a tweet in January 2018, Casey Hudson also stated that the “live” elements being considered are actually ways of continuing the game’s story after the main story has been completed. A big take away from Kotaku’s report is that at this early stage in the game’s development, as with any game, very few things are absolutely set in stone, with another developer stating: “They have a lot of unanswered questions. Plus I know it’s going to change like five times in the next two years.” So, regardless of what Dragon Age 4’s live elements look like now they could change drastically over the next few weeks, months or even years. Official announcement The Game Awards 2018 What that announcement turned out to be, interestingly, was the game's first 1-minute-long teaser trailer that re-introduced Fen'Harel, the elven god of betrayal, and Solas from Dragon Age Inquisition. We didn't get any gameplay or story details but, for now, the confirmation from BioWare is enough to keep the hype train chugging. Roundabout confirmations The most recent non-official confirmation has come from executive producer Mark Darrah, who tweeted in January 2018 that he’s working on both Dragon Age as well as BioWare’s next big IP, Anthem. Though he’s now left the company, BioWare veteran Mike Laidlaw was tweeting that there was still another couple of games in Dragon Age series yet back in mid-2017. Even before that, Alexis Kennedy became the writer that launched a thousand headlines after comments he made in an interview with Eurogamer were taken as a semi-official confirmation of the game’s existence and his place in it. In the interview Kennedy teased that he's been "given considerable autonomy to work on a storyline bit of lore which is well-segregated from other parts of the game.“ ”I don't want to exaggerate the degree of the chunk [I'm writing],“ Kennedy he was at pains to add. ”It's nothing that grandiose, but it is distinct. It's a bit of lore which has not been addressed much to date in Dragon Age.“ Story and character After Mark Darrah tweeted that he was working on the game, BioWare general manager Casey Hudson chipped in with his own elaborative tweet. In this tweet he said it was “too early to talk details” but the game would be “story & character focused.” It’s not clear whether this will be a brand new standalone game or whether it’ll continue on directly from Inquisition. Certainly, the end of Inquisition's Trespasser DLC suggests there is a story thread to follow with Solas, which would see the Inquisitor chase the elf down to stop his plans. The teaser trailer from The Game Awards 2018 also hints heavily that this will be the case. We already know there are writers working on lore and side quests, following Alexis Kennedy’s interview with Eurogamer in 2017 in which he confirmed he was working on a part of the game that’s “well-segregated” from the rest and focuses on some lore that’s not been widely addressed. Kennedy, who has worked on titles such as Sunless Sea and Fallen London, said the subject matter would not be surprising to those familiar with his work. To us this implies that his quest (or quests) will include thoughtful choices, themes of tragic love and desire and an underlying sense of unease. New live elements Naturally, there was some fan panic in response to this given EA’s increasing penchant for service-based games. Fans expressed concern that BioWare was going to take the Dragon Age series down a Destiny 2, always-online multiplayer route. That doesn’t appear to be the case, however. In his tweet, Casey Hudson also stated that the “live” elements being considered are actually ways of continuing the game’s story after the main story has been completed. This is something we’ve already seen in games such as Assassin’s Creed Origins. Things we'd like to seeA world like Dragon Age: Inquisition Explore more of Thedas The fact that the area is references throughout other Dragon Age games is enough to make us think it’s a viable setting for Dragon Age 4. However, the ending of Dragon Age: Inquisition’s Trespasser DLC makes us think it even more likely, as it sees the Inquisitor stab a dagger into a map of the Imperium with a vow to track down Solas. Solve that cliffhanger (Image credits: BioWare)
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| Yubico launches world's first multi-OS security key Posted: 21 Aug 2019 12:10 PM PDT Yubico is making it easier for users to secure their accounts on every device they use with the launch of its new YubiKey 5Ci. The company's new security key features both USB-C and Lightning connectors on a single device which makes it the perfect solution for enterprises and consumers that require strong hardware-backed authentication on iOS, Android, macOS or Windows devices. The YubiKey 5Ci can be used to secure 1Password, Bitwarden, Dashlane, Idaptive, LastPass and Okta mobile apps on iOS while additional services can be accessed through the Brave browser iOS app. Logins from a number of popular websites including Bitbucket, GitHub, Login.gov, Twitter and 1Password are all supported in Brave browser with one of Yubico's security keys.
Through the Yubico Developer Program, the company is continuing to work with the creators of popular iOS apps and browser supported services. Dropbox, Keeper Security, SecMaker and others are partners that are planning to add YubiKey 5Ci support to their apps soon. YubiKey 5CiThe YubiKey 5Ci also offers authentication over a USB-C connection and this means Yubico's latest security key is compatible with nearly every laptop and mobile device with a USB-C port. While some capabilities are not supported on iPad Pro models with USB-C ports, you can check to see if your device is compatible by checking the company's works with YubiKey catalog. Chief solutions officer at Yubico, Jerrod Chong explained how the YubiKey 5Ci fills a gap in the mobile authentication ecosystem, saying: “The YubiKey 5Ci fills a critical gap in the mobile authentication ecosystem. It is the first iOS-friendly security key on the market to offer strong, yet simple authentication over a Lightning connection, while still delivering a unified experience across other mobile, desktop or laptop devices. In an increasingly mobile-first world, where users are not tied to one machine, the YubiKey 5Ci serves an important role as a portable root of trust, proving that users are who they say they are, no matter what device they are on.” The YubiKey 5Ci comes equipped with the FIDO2/WebAuthn, FIDO U2F, OTP (one-time password), PIV (Smart Card) and OpenPGP protocols. The device is available for purchase now and interested users can pick up a YubiKey 5Ci for $70 on Yubico's website.
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| Pokémon Sword and Shield release date, trailers, and brand new features Posted: 21 Aug 2019 12:02 PM PDT After releasing some of the best games in franchise history on the Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo and Game Freak are finally ready to bring the main Pokémon games to the Nintendo Switch – the first of which are called Pokémon Sword and Shield. The games will release globally on Nintendo Switch this November and will bring with them a brand-new region, features and Pokémon for trainers to swoon over. The official Pokémon YouTube channel has been dripping feeding us with snippets of gameplay and Pokémon designs too – though not everyone is happy with what's been shown so far (more on this below). The Sword and Shield games will be set in the Galar Region (basically, a Pokémon-ified version of the United Kingdom) and will include a number of creatures including three new starting Pokémon, Scorbunny, Sobble, and Grookey. We'll also see a new mechanic called Dynamaxing that will replace Z-Moves and Mega-Evolutions – and apparently even Poké Jobs that help your Pokémon gain experience. So how does Sword and Shield stack up to Pokémon Let's Go: Pikachu and Eevee on Switch? Those games acted as a sort of reboot of the original Red and Blue titles for the Nintendo Gameboy, and for many didn't count as a 'core' Pokémon experience. Players will be looking to Pokémon Sword and Shield to bring the true Pokémon experience to Nintendo Switch, and expectations are much, much higher. So what do we know, and what are we hoping to see when Pokémon Sword and Shield launch this year? Read on to find out. [Update: As hoped, Pokémon Sword and Shield has made an appearance at Gamescom 2019. Read on to find out more about what's been shown and watch new footage from the Galar region!]
Cut to the chase
Image credit: Nintendo Pokémon Sword and Shield release dateDuring a special Pokémon Sword and Shield focused Nintendo Direct on June 5, Nintendo revealed that Pokémon Sword and Shield will release globally on November 15, 2019. In addition, Nintendo announced pre-orders for a double-pack edition of the games will be available soon. Pokémon Sword and Shield trailersWondering what towns in the Galar region might look like? A brand new trailer dropped during Gamescom will give you a better idea. Rolling verdant hills, quaint train stations and the ever-familiar comfort of the Pokémon Center. Check out the new footage below: Pokémon Sword and Shield will made battling bigger and better than ever, and we mean the former quite literally. In a trailer released in August 2019, some new battle mechanics are explored. Watch the trailer below to see new Hidden Abilities, moves, items and some more details about Dynamaxing. A new day, a new trailer. We were expecting possibly more of an in-depth Pokémon Direct, but this two-minute clip does give us a look at some new Pokémon designs – as well as some 'rivals' you'll be facing off against in the game. Check out the video below: Another recent Pokémon Sword and Shield trailer gave us a closer look at Dynamaxing, new Pokémon and the Galar Pokémon League. Check it out below: The best glimpse we've had of Pokémon Sword and Shield was during a special Nintendo Direct in June. The Nintendo Direct shed a lot of light on what new features we can expect alongside some new Pokémon pals. Check out the video below: The first Pokémon Sword and Shield trailer didn't give too much away, but you can see the first glimpse of the environments and art style. You also get a first look at three new starter Pokémon: the fire-rabbit Scorbunny, twig-monkey Grookey, and a sad-looking tadpole (sadpole?) called Sobble. Check the trailer out below: The last video, released right around the time of E3 2019, highlighted some of the geographical features of the Galar Region and introduced us to raid battles – a mechanic taken from the Pokémon Go mobile game. Pokémon Sword and Shield screenshotsPokémon Sword and Shield news and featuresGamescom 2019 Gamescom 2019 is here and despite that fact that Nintendo dropped a new Pokémon trailer merely days before the event, more new footage has been shown. Aren't we spoiled. The new footage gives a good look at an as-yet-unnamed town in the Galar region. This footage reveals that in addition to the previously revealed flying taxi service in the game, players will also be able to travel by train. Hopefully the attempt to reflect the UK will only be surface level or we'll get nowhere by rail. Towns will also have, as expected, Pokémon Centers, grocery stores and clothing stores to have a look around and spend some money. New battle mechanics In a recent trailer, some brand new battle details have been confirmed. Corviknight is shown to have a Hidden Ability called Mirror Armor which will allow it to reflect any stat-lowering effects back at its opponents. Hidden Abilities, it’s been confirmed in a blog post, are slightly more special than standard abilities as they’ll only feature in Pokémon that have been caught in Max Raid Battles (so a Corviknight you catch from a normal encounter won't have the Mirror Armor ability). These Max Raid Battles, coincidentally, are the way to encounter another kind of special Pokémon: one that's capable of Gigantamaxing. If you’re really lucky you might go into a Max Raid Battle and come away with a Pokémon that can Gigantamax and has a Hidden Ability but that’ll be a very rare event and you’ll have to take part in a lot of Raids. New items will also be introduced to the game. One of these is Room Service, which will lower the speed of the Pokémon holding it during Trick Room. The other is Eject Pack which will switch the holding Pokémon out of battle if its stats are lowered, allowing you to replace it with another from your team. Battling online A few more details on the Online Battle Stadium have been confirmed. Players with a Nintendo Switch Online subscription will be able to connect over the internet and compete in single or double battles. These battles can be ranked or casual, with the former involving facing trainers of similar ranks to try and earn points to move up, while the latter is, well, just for fun. With things working through the Nintendo Switch Online service, that means Pokémon Global Link is not supported. Pokémon have jobs now An official listing on the Pokémon Sword and Shield's website shows a way of earning experience points by freelancing your Pokémon out to random employers. Exploitation, or a fun summer job? At the very least it's a great way of ensuring your boxed Pokémon aren't languishing while you take your main team on your adventure as can sometimes happen. It seems something of a shame that you can't go along with your Pokémon and take part in a mini game for some jobs but either way it's a great way to keep your Pokémon training and to bring in some special items as rewards. Region variants Regional variations of familiar Pokémon always make exploring new areas even more fun. The region variants for the Galarian region really play up that U.K inspiration. There’s Galarian Weezing which is clearly drawing heavily on the Industrial Revolution with its chimney pipe hat and Victorian factory-owner vibe. Meanwhile Zigzagoon and Linoon have taken on a more badger-like appearance. There’s also an entirely new Pokémon confirmed for the Galar region: Morpeko. This little hamster-like creature is adorable until It gets hungry. In perhaps the most relatable Pokémon behaviour ever, when Morpeko enters hangry mode, it goes from electric type to dark type and looks utterly merciless. The bad guys Pokémon grunt organisations are very rarely subtle and Team Yell are continuing that trend with their name, their fashion and their utter adoration of Marnie. Marnie is one of your main rivals in Sword and Shield and she’s hell bent on becoming a champion. Team Yell are her followers who will get in your way in order to help her get there. Bede is your other rival. He’s a little more mysterious than Marnie (and looks a little more like a grandmother too). While he’s also aiming to become champion, he’s got other motives you’ll be aiming to uncover. Brand new models The Pokémon Sword and Shield development team has been facing ire from fans following the news that every single Pokémon ever won’t be available to catch in the new games with the latest rumors suggesting that Game Freak has been utilising old 3DS creature models for the Switch game in order to cut costs. This theory has been shot down by an older Famitsu interview with Junichi Masuda and Shigeru Ohmori (via Polygon) in which it’s stated that the models for the new game have been created from scratch. It was also said that the more intensive graphics of the Switch has lengthened the time needed to render Pokémon so the limited Pokédex would have come at some point. Version-exclusive Gym Leaders Pokémon Sword and Shield will have version-exclusive Gym Leaders. In Pokémon Sword you will battle karate prodigy Bea, while in Pokémon Shield, you take on emo king Allister. Gigantamaxing Previously we had heard of the Dynamax feature that allows Pokémon to become super-sized during battles, however Nintendo has now revealed the "phenomenon" of Gigantamaxing. While Dynamaxing can only occur in specific areas of the Galar region, and is a common occurrence for Pokémon from the region, Gigantaxmaxing is only specific to certain species of Pokémon and kicks things up a notch by not only increasing a Pokémon's size but also its appearance. In addition, Gigantamaxing boosts the power of the Pokémon and allows it to use a unique move known as a G-Max Move - each G-Max Move is particular to a specific species of Gigantamax Pokémon. More new Pokémon In a recent trailer Nintendo introduced us to some more new Pokémon we'll be encountering in Galar, including the walking ice-cream sundae Alcremie, adorable puppy Yamper, coal chunk Rolycoly and steel dragon Duraludon. Image credit: Nintendo Doubling Down Pokémon producer Junichi Masuda has reiterated the news that not all Pokémon would be available to catch in Sword and Shield in a statement to fans on the official Pokémon site. In the statement, Masuda thanked fans for their love of the Pokémon series but reaffirmed the decision to limit Pokémon in the game to those within the Galar region. He did, however, add that "even if a specific Pokémon is not available in Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield, that does not mean it will not appear in future games." Fan backlash against the news has been severe but it seems that Game Freak is sticking to its guns. Masuda added in his statement that the Galar region will see “the world of Pokémon continues to evolve. The Galar region offers new Pokémon to encounter, Trainers to battle, and adventures to embark on. We are pouring our hearts into these games, and we hope you will look forward to joining us on this new journey.“ Can't catch 'em all It's been confirmed that Pokémon Sword and Shield will not feature every Pokémon from the franchise so far, making them the first mainline games to do so. Given there are now more than 800 species of Pokémon this is, perhaps, not all that surprising. The reason, according to Game Freak producer Junichi Masuda (via Famitsu), is that on reaching generation eight there will be more than a thousand Pokémon in the Pokédex. Such a large number means "it has become extremely difficult to make Pokémon with a new personality play an active part and to balance their compatibility" as well as to make sure they'll all be balanced in battle. Not only that, it would be too difficult to have so many in-game models with a high enough graphical quality. Though the choice saddens Masuda, he says that it's a decision he "had to make some day" and that he's opting to "choose the quality". Poké Ball Plus Pokémon Ball Plus We didn't hear much about Pokémon Sword and Shield during Nintendo Direct at E3 2019, but it was teased that the Pokémon Ball Plus can be used to take your in-game Pokémon for "a stroll". However, the ball cannot be used as a controller. In addition, it was teased that "good things" will happen if you build up a strong connection to one Pokémon in particular. Release date revealed Nintendo held a special Pokémon Sword and Shield focused Nintendo Direct on June 5 that revealed both games will release globally on November 15, 2019. Max Raid Battles Much like Pokémon Go, Sword and Shield has a feature which allows trainers to team up with up to three others online to take on more powerful Pokémon. Legendaries Pokémon Sword and Shield's wolf-like Legendary Pokémon are Zacian (sword) and Zamazenta (shield). Dynamax Mode This new mode allows trainers to make their Pokémon giant and super-powered. This mode can only be activated once during a battle and lasts three turns before a Pokémon reverts to normal size. Image credit: Nintendo More new Pokémon Alongside the starter Pokémon, Nintendo has also revealed a few more new Pokémon joining Sword and Shield: Wooloo (sheep Pokémon), Gossifleur (a fancy lady Pokémon that evolves into Eldegoss), Drednaw (who resembles a snapping turtle) and Corviknight (a raven and glorified taxi service for the Galar region). Wild Area Galar features a Wild Area where trainers can explore, battle and capture Pokémon. Which Pokémon appear depends on the environment and weather. Stadiums Trainers will battle Pokémon leaders in Stadiums rather than the usual gyms. These stadiums are huge and packed with a cheering audience. New characters Nintendo revealed your new rival is Hop, whose older brother is the Pokémon champion of Galar. Meanwhile Professor Magnolia and her assistant Sonia will act as your guides. Image credit: Nintendo Trainer outfit customization will be a feature While it's not a brand new feature, trainer outfit customization has been popular with Pokémon players since it was introduced in X and Y. And it's a feature which a recent Uniqlo competition has confirmed will be in Pokémon Sword and Shield. In a collaboration with The Pokémon Company, the clothing brand asked fans to design a top which would then be sold in stores. Now that the winning entry has been chosen (a design featuring Magikarp and Gyrados) it's been revealed that the top will also be wearable in Pokémon Sword and Shield as a trainer outfit. Just how many more outfit options there'll be in the games isn't known yet, but we're hoping to catch a glimpse of some more if Nintendo shows us some new Sword and Shield footage during its E3 conference this year. Made for handheld While the Pokémon Let's Go games were developed with TV mode in mind, Nintendo President Shuntaro Furukawa has stated that Pokémon Sword and Shield will "emphasize the fun of playing Nintendo Switch in handheld mode." Furukawa made the comments during Nintendo's March 2019 Financial Results Briefing (via Nintendo Life). Image credit: Nintendo A whole new world We know the game is set in a brand new region of Galar, rather than a rehash of Kanto or a previously visited territory. Galar seems to be loosely inspired by England's cities and countryside, with rolling hills and brickwork cities to explore. The trailer also showed glimpses of jewel-encrusted mines and what might even be a football stadium (see the kit below), though we're waiting to see whether competing in a Pokémon-themed Football World Cup will be possible for players. Brand new Pokémon Yup, this is a new generation of Pokémon, meaning you'll be seeing a lot of new faces – as well as a lot of old ones. The trailer gave us a mix of familiar Pokémon like Pikachu and Hoothoot along the new starters, and we're hoping Game Freak manage to keep the new designs interesting (no ice cream or candelabra Pokémon, please.) Modern to the core Sword and Shield look to retain the look and 3D animation style of the Pokeémon Let's Go games that launched on Nintendo Switch last year. Pokémon games haven't been flat 2D games in years, and has increasingly been moving towards full-size avatars and 3D environments. Some may miss the old-school pixel charm of the earlier games – and find the 3D creature models a bit bland – but for better or worse this is what we're getting. Pokémon Stars what? What still confuses us is that we've been waiting for the long-rumored Pokémon Stars game for over two years now, Eurogamer. published a report in late 2016 that said multiple sources had confirmed a new version of Pokémon Sun and Moon was being developed for the Switch under the code named Pokémon Stars. While it never materialized, 'Stars' could well have been a code-name for what eventually became the Let's Go games, or could still prove a Switch port for the Sun and Moon games.
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| MSI updates lineup of creator laptops with 10th-Gen Intel Core processors Posted: 21 Aug 2019 11:30 AM PDT The latest Intel Comet Lake CPUs are popping up all over the place this week after their announcement during Gamescom 2019, and now MSI has unveiled a series of laptops that will include the new hardware. The new laptops coming from MSI are the Prestige 14, Prestige 15, and Modern 14. These are machines focused on creative professionals who have just as much need for high performance internals as need for sharp, color-accurate displays. That's just what MSI is promising with the new machines, and at the heart of that experience is the new Intel processors. Intel just announced Comet Lake Y-Series and U-Series processors that serve as the 10th generation of its Core lineup. And, the Comet Lake chips are still built on a 14nm (nanometer) process, but step up performance and efficiency. MSI's new machines will feature up to the Intel Core i7-10710U, the highest-spec model announced so far, which features six cores, 12 thread, 12MB of cache, a 1.1GHz base clock and a single-core boost up to 4.7GHz.
Not just CPUsBeyond the Intel CPUs, the Prestige and Modern laptops still have plenty to offer. All of them at thin and light. On the light end, the Modern 14 weighs just 2.62 pounds, while the Prestige 15 tips the scales at 3.64 pounds. All three laptops share another thing in common: thickness. Despite varying screen sizes, all three measure just 16mm thick. In spite of that, they pack plenty of power. Both Prestige models support up to Nvidia GTX 1650 Max-Q graphics, while the Modern 14 can include GeForce MX250 graphics. Color accuracy is another serious element of these products. The Prestige models include up to 4K Ultra HD displays with 100% coverage of the AdobeRGB color space, while the Modern 14's Full HD display can hit 100% coverage of the sRGB color space. The new laptops are available for pre-order at Newegg, with the Modern 14 starting at a stunningly low $749 (about £615, AU$1,100).
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| Best phones with big display in India Posted: 21 Aug 2019 11:29 AM PDT Big screen smartphones may seem commonplace these days, but at one point of time, there was only an odd phone that would sport a big display. However, once smartphones with big displays went mainstream with the introduction of several budget offerings, they have been the rage ever since. While companies like Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo and others capitalised on this trend, it is worth noting that not all big screen smartphones are comparable. Several aspects like the display technology, sharpness, brightness and even touch response matter a lot. If you are looking for a smartphone with a big, vivid display, we have compiled a list of the best big screen smartphones in India across different price segments. Samsung has been the go-to smartphone maker besides Apple when it comes to stunning, sharp displays. That is reflected in the Galaxy S10 Plus as well, which features a 6.4-inch Dynamic AMOLED display with a laser-cut capsule hole on the top right. This, coupled with the thin bezels mean that you get a big, high resolution display that is pocketable. The Galaxy S10 runs on Android 9.0 Pie with the brand new One UI on top. One of the goals of One UI is to make UI navigation easier on big screen smartphones, making it the perfect complement. It is powered by the Exynos 9820 chipset and has ample memory and storage to keep performance up to snuff. Read the full review: Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus review While the Galaxy S10 Plus is a great smartphone, there is no beating the Galaxy Note series when it comes the best big display smartphones. Undoubtedly, the Galaxy Note 10 Plus is the best smartphone out there if you are looking for a big display. In conjunction with One UI and the enhanced S-Pen, the Galaxy Note 10 Plus offers an unrivalled big screen experience. Add to it the fact that the Note 10 Plus features the latest cutting-edge technology that Samsung currently has to offer and you get the perfect recipe for a great experience. At launch, the Pixel 3 XL offered one of the best camera experiences on an Android smartphone, and even bested the latest iPhone in the market. However, the fact that it has a fairly big 6.3-inch display goes unnoticed. The Pixel 3 XL’s big high-resolution display is complemented by an octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset and 4GB RAM which is good enough to binge watch Netflix or Hotstar occasionally and you get the cleanest UI experience with fast updates Also Read: Google Pixel 3 XL review Huawei has come out of the shadows over the last few years, establishing itself in many major markets around the world. The P30 Pro is the company’s most advanced smartphone to be launched recently. It sports a 6.47-inch OLED display with a 1080 x 2340 resolution, 19.5:9 aspect ratio and 398ppi pixel density. The Huawei P30 Pro excels in most multitasking aspects, offering a zippy fast and smooth experience. The EMUI custom interface does need some optimisations, but overall, the display, camera and the performance offer a very solid experience. Read the full review: Huawei P30 Pro review Samsung has refined its smartphones a lot over the last few years and the Galaxy Note series remains the best testament to this. Although the Galaxy Note 9 is now a year old, it is still an excellent option if you want a big display smartphone. Featuring a stunning 6.3-inch Quad HD Super AMOLED display, the Galaxy Note 9 delivers on all fronts – it offers a stunning, vivid display, a powerful chipset, a dual camera setup and a minimal design that stays functional. Also Read: Samsung Galaxy Note 9 review For a while, Apple continued to offer iPhones with displays that were smaller on an average when compared to the competition. That, however, changed with the 'Plus' and the 'XS' series. The iPhone XS Max has the biggest display on an iPhone so far, making it a great companion for gaming and watching TV shows or movies. If budget is not a constraint, the iPhone XS Max is the phone to go for as it brings a supersized experience to the table that is very user centric - a vivid screen that is backed by great audio output and the sheer power of the A12 Bionic. Also Read: Apple iPhone XS Max review With the launch of the OnePlus 7 Pro, the Chinese smartphone maker has propelled itself to the next level. The 7 Pro is supposed to take the fight to the high-end premium offerings like the Galaxy S10 series and the iPhone XS. Sporting a Quad HD+ panel for the first time, the OnePlus 7 Pro is the most premium smartphone till date. This reflects in its performance, design as well as the price. Xiaomi promised its new Redmi K series would be “Flagship Killer 2.0” and that seems to be fairly accurate, given the kind of specs that the Redmi K20 Pro offers at a starting price of Rs 27,999. Xiaomi is clearly taking the battle to OnePlus, which has developed a cult-like following amongst people looking for premium specs at affordable prices. OnePlus constantly increasing the prices of its smartphones has also helped in popularizing the Redmi K20 Pro. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Nvidia Super RTX release date, news and rumors Posted: 21 Aug 2019 11:23 AM PDT Nvidia has unleashed the Nvidia Super RTX, which are essentially the ‘Super’ versions of its existing RTX lineup, perhaps in the face of AMD Navi graphics cards, which are meant to compete with these popular Nvidia Turing card. We first heard of these Nvidia Super RTX graphics cards back in May, before Computex 2019, when Team Green released a cryptic teaser video for an untitled 'Super' GeForce product. However, when Computex came and went without a hint of any GeForce GPUs, we assumed these cards would appear at E3 2019, when AMD showed off the Radeon RX 5700 XT and RX 5700.
However, rather than getting a contentious reveal at E3 2019, we just started to see leaks suggesting that this 'Super' GeForce card would actually span the entire RTX lineup – from the RTX 2060 to the RTX 2080 Ti. We also started seeing rumors that the Nvidia Super RTX lineup would appear in mid-July, with an announcement on June 21, but that day also came and went with no signs of even one of the rumored five ‘Super’ GPUs. Instead, Nvidia opted to give them a more low-key release, with the RTX 2060 Super and RTX 2070 Super cards rolling out on July 9th, and the RTX 2080 Super getting released on July 23rd. We have since tested and reviewed all three GPUs, and even compared them with their RTX counterparts to see how they’ve improved. However, the RTX 2080 Super may not be the last Super RTX. A new Nvidia graphics card had made an appearance in an AIDA64 changelog, and it could be an RTX 2080 Ti Super. So be sure to keep this page bookmarked, as we'll update it with any Nvidia Super RTX news that comes our way. Cut to the chase
Nvidia Super RTX release dateWe were hearing rumors that the Nvidia Super RTX cards would be announced on June 21, but that never happened. Yet, according to rumors from Videocardz, we expected to see them hit the streets in mid-July. Still, because these were unconfirmed rumors, we took them with a grain of salt. Luckily, Nvidia didn’t disappoint, delivering the RTX 2060 Super and RTX 2070 Super cards on July 9th, and the RTX 2080 Super on July 23rd. As far as the rumored RTX 2080 Ti Super, there’s no word yet as to when it’ll hit the streets (or even if an RTX 2080 Ti Super does exist.) Nvidia Super RTX priceThe 'Super' iterations of the Nvidia GeForce RTX lineup falls largely in line with their predecessors, especially since AMD’s Navi cards have very competitive price tags. Prior RTX cards will get bumped down in price as a result. For instance, the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 launched in October 2018 at $499 while the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 came out at $449 with the noticeable $50 price drop. We went ahead and listed the pricing for the current Nvidia GeForce RTX Super lineup below:
Nvidia Super RTX specsBack when we first saw that initial Nvidia Super RTX tease, we assumed it was the video memory (VRAM) speed bump that's been rumored for months. This would be a bump in memory bandwidth from 14 Gigabits per second (Gbps) to 16Gbps – minor, but impactful. However, when Wccftech came out with its leak in June, suggesting that every card from the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 to the RTX 2080 Ti would get a massive spec bump, and we had to take notice. The idea here is that the RTX 2080 Ti would get an all-new (and, currently, unspecified), GPU, taking up the $1,199 (£1,099, AU$1,899) price point while the existing flagship would see a price cut. We don't know what that GPU will be, no one really does, but the Wccftech leak suggests that it's not simply a cut-down Quadro GPU. This leak implied that the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 would get the RTX 2080 Ti GPU, while getting a VRAM bump up to 11GB, effectively making it an RTX 2080 Ti itself. However, it’s performance doesn’t quite come as close to the RTX 2080 Ti. A video from Toms Hardware Germany also suggested that the RTX 2080 Ti would not be among the new Nvidia Super RTX lineup. Instead, it would top out with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Super, and that would get a boost to 3,072 CUDA cores from 2,944, alongside that VRAM speed bump we mentioned earlier. But again, if Tom’s Hardware’s report that the Santa Clara company is working on an all-new graphics card that might be the Super version of the RTX 2080 Ti holds water, then there might be more options for you on the horizon. We went ahead and listed the Nvidia Super RTX cards specifications below:
But, what's interesting here is that these are all cut-down versions of the GPUs above them in the existing Nvidia Turing product stack. Not only that, but the RTX 2060, which only has 6GB of GDDR6, sees a bump up to 8GB, giving it a more future-proof frame buffer. At the end of the day, whichever Super RTX card you decide on depends on what you need it for and which card you’re upgrading from. The RTX 2080 Super hasn’t proven to be a considerable upgrade from the RTX 2080, for example. However, if you’re upgrading from a GTX card, it’s definitely worth it, especially as it saw a $100 price drop from its predecessor. Images Credit: TechRadar Michelle Rae Uy also contributed to this article. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Cyberpunk 2077: release date, trailer and news Posted: 21 Aug 2019 10:36 AM PDT There's still a while to wait before we can officially get our hands on Cyberpunk 2077 but, from what we've seen and heard so far, it seems like CD Projekt Red's dystopian RPG will definitely be worth the wait. Landing on Xbox One, PC, and PS4, Cyberpunk 2077 looks set to be a vast open-world game, draped in dizzying neon colors, and packed with more branching storylines than you could shake a drone at. In both an extended trailer and in our hands-off demo at E3 2019, we saw a bit more of the metropolis of the future, where body modification has become an obsession, and you're an outlaw in the sleazy underbelly of the city. Want the full scoop on Cyberpunk 2077? Here's all the news, trailers, and announcements we've had so far. [Update: It's all go in the world of Cyberpunk 2077. Not only will the game be making a grand appearance at Gamescom this month, its release will be followed up by a spin-off card game in 2020. Read on to find out more!] Cut to the Chase
What is Cyberpunk 2077?Cyberpunk 2077 is a neon cyberpunk game that has The Witcher 3 developer CD Projekt Red moving from a gritty, high fantasy world to an equally gritty, science fiction world metropolis. It's based off the pen-and-paper RPG of the same name, but plays a hell of a lot like The Matrix game we've always wanted. We caught our first peek at the game behind closed doors at E3 2018 – you can check out what we saw in the 48-minute walkthrough video below (in the trailers section). Cyberpunk 2077 is a game that looks vastly different from its developer's The Witcher series, with towering neon skyscrapers, bionic enhancements and a focus on vertical movement rather than wide open plains. It's also all in first-person. At E3 2019 we learned a lot more about the plot of the game, which features the one and only Keanu Reeves. Reeves plays a character named Johnny Silverhand who's embedded in a biochip that's placed in the main character's brain. In order to unlock the secrets to the biochip, what basically becomes the main thread of the game, Silverhand will guide you to Alt Cunningham, the most legendary net runner of all-time. The only problem? She’s dead. But her consciousness lives on the web and you’ll need to do whatever it takes to track her down – including, but not limited to, befriending or eliminating leaders of the biggest gangs in Night City. Cyberpunk 2077 trailersE3 2019 gave us the latest, slickest trailer yet, with a look at some new characters, weapon-play, and even Keanu Reeves, who will be playing the rock star Johnny Silverhand. Get your fix in the trailer below. In March 2019, we got yet another video, this time of the development team gearing up for the E3 2019 showcase event. Those hoping for a 2019 release may want to start to brace themselves however – though the game remains without a release date, the suggestion of the video below is that development is still in full swing, and a release date may be some time away yet: After a veritable truckload of hype, CD Projekt Red released 48 minutes of gameplay footage, based on the demo journalists saw at E3 2018. In it, you'll see what gunplay looks like, character creation and backstory assignment, plus how you'll upgrade yourself via cybernetic enhancements. You'll meet some of the characters in Cyberpunk's seedy crime circuit and explore the city on foot and in vehicles. (Quick warning: the trailer contains nudity, violence and swearing.) We were treated to a Cyberpunk 2077 trailer during E3 2018 which you can watch below:
Cyberpunk 2077 release date: April 16, 2020In the game’s first official teaser trailer, it was stated that the game will be coming “when it’s ready,” but now we have an official release date: April 16, 2020, care of the E3 2019 trailer. This is despite an investor call in early 2016 that suggested that Cyberpunk 2077 would be released before June 2019. It was also said in this call that CD Projekt Red is planning to release two new triple A RPGs before 2021. It was later clarified in forums that Cyberpunk 2077 would be the first of these games to arrive and work on the second would not start before Cyberpunk 2077 was finished. Image Credit: CD Projekt Red Considering The Witcher 3 took around three and a half years to develop, a 2019 release didn't seem unmanageable for the studio. But the scale of the development, as well as rumors of the game being a cross-gen Xbox Two and PS5 title, it makes sense that the game has taken longer than initially anticipated. Cyberpunk 2077 news and featuresIs multiplayer still on the cards? "We are doing R&D into multiplayer but we're focusing on single-player experience, and that's what you'll get in 2020," said Jonkers, not being drawn on whether a multiplayer component could be available at launch, added afterwards, or not included at all. GTA-style radio Coming to Stadia Gamescom 2019 Spin-off card game “The game thrusts players into the dark alleyways of Night City, where ruthless gangs clash with corporations in an endless war for money, power, and control. “In Cyberpunk 2077: Afterlife, players become Fixers, the data brokers and masterminds in Night City that recruit cyberpunks, equip them with gear, and send them out on missions. But nothing's free in Night City. Players need to balance between what they want and what they can actually afford. Using an innovative drafting mechanic and special dashboard, players must decide which cards they want to buy, and which to sacrifice for funds in order to purchase new ones. Each successful mission raises the player's Street Cred, with mission survivors becoming Veterans, imparting their knowledge and experience to newer recruits. In this chrome-infused world, Street Cred is the only currency that truly matters.” Hardcore mode that says goodbye to UI Of course, it’s not just the hardcore players that are being catered to in Cyberpunk 2077; Liu revealed that there will also be modes for those who are less experienced with first person games and shooters and wish to enjoy a more laidback experience. “If you want to play more casually for the story and maybe you’re not experienced with shooters, which was a real big concern for us. We want to tell a story and maybe you’re a big fan of The Witcher and you’re not comfortable playing a shooter, we have settings available for that.” Liu explains that as well as settings for less experienced players, there will also be weapons. The smart gun, for example, will help players to aim. Though it comes at the cost of the smart gun being a weaker and slower weapon. It will, however, be a good start for those looking to get to grips with the aiming system. For those unfamiliar with first person games, there’s also going to be a Field of View slider. Making more of the game world visible through the eyes of the avatar should alleviate that sense of tunnel vision that comes from trading third person view for first person and the potential for nausea this can cause some players. Environmental hazards Settings available for those uncomfortable with FPS Cyberpunk 2077 will look just as good on console as PC "Actually no, we have a very custom engine, the RED Engine," Liu responded. "And actually, we’re targeting consoles as first-class platforms and it looks amazing there. So obviously, if you spent, you know, $2,000 building your PC rig, it’s going to look better on that. But the graphics are quite amazing for what you’re going to get from Cyberpunk 2077 on consoles and low-end PCs." Could we see a movie adaptation in the future? "I can’t really say anything on that," Pondsmith told VGC in response to whether he is optioning the Cyberpunk movie rights. "But with Keanu Reeves being tied up in things, it’s become much more of a possibility." "At this point we are teaching people about this new kind of cyberpunk. My favorite film is Blade Runner, but I recognise inherently that it’s a cerebral film and 2049 was even more cerebral. A cerebral film is not necessarily going to allow other people to enter that space and understand it, but at the same time you don’t want to do it totally action." Keanu Reeves' band gets its first single There may or may not be three games in development Take your pick of protagonists There will be romance There will be no morality system There's more than Night City Multiple Endings New Cyberpunk 2077 gameplay shown at E3 2019, but not playable Inside Pacifica, two gangs – The Animals and The Voodoo Boys – are fighting for supremacy. In order to meet Bridgitte, the head of the Voodoo Boys, you'll have to first deal with her lieutenant Placide, who wants you to infiltrate The Animals' hideout. Your goal, at least you're told, is to find a high-tech van that's monitoring all the network traffic in Pacifica. To get to this van, you'll have to make your way past The Animals' crew. The reason they're called The Animals, it turns out, is because they take a drug that enhances their muscle mass. To get through them you'll either need to fight your way through – a risky proposition – or sneak your way into the hideout. Image Credit: CD Projekt Red Customization: perks, skills and attributes The choices are vast, and while they're not completely limitless, CD Projekt Red doesn’t want to confine you to a single play style or set path. The reasoning behind that, it seems, is to better mirror the game’s source material – a 30-year-old tabletop role playing game called Cyberpunk (however, there was also a later edition called Cyberpunk 2020). Behind all of the hacking and gunplay lies a fairly complex RPG – the perks screen we saw during our demo had more than 20 perks to choose from and level up. These perks impact how your character plays, but can also impact what choices you have in conversations with the world’s NPCs. Image Credit: CD Projekt Red Vampire Bloodlines and Deus Ex were inspirations for the game Tomaskiewicz said that games such as Deus Ex, Vampire Bloodlines and Elder Scrolls had influenced him in his work on Cyberpunk 2077's quests. He cites the original Deus Ex as a particular influence and praises the ways in which it gives players the freedom to complete missions in multiple ways. This suggests we can expect a great deal of freedom and complexity and non-linearity in Cyberpunk 2077’s missions as well as in the protagonist you'll be using to cause havoc in the game world which is something quite different from the tight gameplay-loop found in The Witcher. CD Projekt Red is working on two AAA titles – both to be released by 2021 This release window was reaffirmed on the official CD Projekt Red forums, with moderator Donata Popławska confirming the studio is sticking to its original roadmap. "As far as the strategy of the CD Projekt Capital Group for 2016-2021 is concerned, its plans to release the second AAA game by 2021 remain unchanged," the moderator wrote (translated via Resetera user Antiax). However, Popławska did not expand on what the second AAA title to be released in this time frame could be. "We are currently focusing on the production and promotion of Cyberpunk, so we do not want to comment on further projects," they continued. Lady Gaga could be making an appearance? In addition ActuGaming claims the collaboration will be officially announced at E3 2019, with Gaga rumored to be making an appearance at the gaming convention. Last year Gaga tweeted a strange mix of letters and numbers, which the official Cyberpunk 2077 Twitter account replied to with "Of course! Of course we will!", suggesting the A Star is Born actress would be involved with the game in some way or another. E3 2018 confirmed features It's a first person RPG set in a huge open world known as Night City – a metropolis split into six districts, each offering a different environment to explore. During the demo we only saw a small part of one of them. Players can create their own character called V and embark on their journey to crawl up from the criminal underbelly. This is a dark game and though The Witcher series is mature, this takes it to a new level. As you'd expect, the game lets you augment your body using various bits of tech – illegal or otherwise – and you can use drugs to enhance your combat, or a kind of digital brain-hack called 'Braindance'. We know weapons are wide ranging and seriously creative, with smart guns and bullets as well as terrifying Mantis Blades for melee. There are no loading screens in Cyberpunk 2077 and the story and side quests are branching and numerous, and your choices genuinely impact the outcome. You can read more about how impressed were were by what we saw. E3 2018 secret message In the message CD Projekt first apologises for "staying silent longer than we planned" but following the release of The Witcher 3 Blood and Wine the developer wanted to wait until it had "something meaningful and substantial" to show. It goes on to say that the vision for Cyberpunk is "an alternative version of the future where America is in pieces, megacorporations control all aspects of civilized life, and gangs rule the rest." This game will, CD Projekt says, be a "true single player, story-driven RPG" where you'll be able to create your own character. At the moment the developer isn't ready to confirm any kind of release date and asks for more patience. It also says it has "no bloody clue" about how big the game is but does say it's "seriously big." Image Credit: CD Projekt Red It could be on the next generation of consoles Given the game's current timeline, it's possible it could launch on current systems in April (PS4, Xbox One) and then next-gen systems (PlayStation 5, Xbox Two) later in the year. It will be on Steam It’s going to be bigger than The Witcher 3 In fact, he said that The Witcher 3 was being treated as a learning experience and that they could do better. To do better, the studio has doubled in size with studio head Adam Badowski saying that after The Witcher 3, Cyberpunk 2077 needs to be “even better, even bigger, even more revolutionary” than what had originally been planned. Image Credit: CD Projekt Red You’ll be travelling on more advanced tech than boats and horses Don’t expect horses and basic boats here – a job listing for a Senior Vehicle Artist for the studio said they’d be expected to work on “incredibly complex vehicles, planes, bikes, robots and mechanics.“ There may be multiplayer The company president said in March 2018 that these elements are not on the table right now, so it's possible that they'll be introduced after the game's release in a sort of online world like GTA Online. There will be online Whether or not the online elements will feed into the multiplayer is unclear. But there won't be microtransactions It appears that while many studios are feeling the need to move to a service model to ensure their titles make money, CD Projekt is staying committed to the story-driven single player experience with Cyberpunk 2077, one which served them very well with The Witcher. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Best free website builder 2019 Posted: 21 Aug 2019 10:35 AM PDT Creating a website used to be the domain (geddit?) of professional designers and coders, but thanks to free website builder applications, these days it's something anyone can tackle. The problem is that there are so many website creation applications and services vying for attention that it can be difficult to know which one to opt for – this is where we can help. We've collated the very best free website builders available, including a mixture of offline software and online tools. It's usually quicker, easier and more efficient to create and edit a site entirely online with a WYSIWYG editor, but if you want complete control over every aspect of your site's design and web hosting, you'll need a desktop-based free website builder. So whether you're looking to create a site for your business, a new blog, or you just fancy creating an online presence for yourself, here are the best free website builder services to help you out.
Wix makes it very easy to design a website, while giving experts plenty of power to customize elements if they need it Wix is a big-name website builder which offers a free plan, enabling you to have the run of this service without having to put your hand in your pocket. And you benefit from one of the most impressive website editors in the business. This editor can be run in ADI (Artificial Design Intelligence) mode, which has a very basic interface to keep everything really simple and user-friendly. This is great for beginners, as you can create a basic site without even remotely breaking a sweat (a range of attractive templates are provided, as well). Those who want to get more involved with tweaking the design of their website can step up to the full Wix editor, which boasts powerful functionality, and the ability to really hone your website and get it looking just as you want. Visual previews of page elements make it easy to pick what you need for any particular part of a web page, too. Wix is so polished that putting together your site using the editor feels more like using a native application rather than a website builder, and it also sports excellent support for a diverse range of media, and quality customer support as well, even on the free plan. In addition, Wix Turbo was recently released which improves the performance and speed of all Wix websites. Powerful blogging functionality rounds things off nicely, and you’re getting a truly high quality offering with the free version of this website builder. Constant Contact provides an intelligent website builder and ecommerce store platform, both of which are free to use. Setting up a website is easy using drag-and-drop functionality, allowing you to set up a design simply and easily, and insert the features you need. Settings are automatically optimized for mobile platforms and SEO, and there is a free image library with over 50,000 images included as part of the package. The ecommerce platform allows for online payments through Paypal, Mollie, or Stripe. There are order and inventory features that automatically updates inventory with orders, and sends an email alert when items become out-of-stock. While the basic level website is free, there are paid plans which add more features. Additionally, there is also a paid email marketing option available to allow you to reach new customers. Overall, Constant Contact does a good job of setting up the basics. The free plan is a great way to set up your website, and there is a 60-day free trial if you do upgrade. If you want to create a website as quickly as possible, look no further than Weebly. It's so easy to use, you'll have a great-looking site online in mere minutes Weebly offers you two ways to build your website. Both involve creating it online, and both are as quick and painless as possible. The simplest option is to use the basic editor builder which will guide you through a series of questions before automatically creating a site for you. There is scope for customization, but the focus here is really on fast results for anyone who is terrified of designing websites. A more hands-on approach is available if you decide to use the standard Editor. There are literally hundreds of stylish templates to choose from – and, yes, they are genuinely impressive – which you can tweak and tailor to your needs using a beautiful WYSIWYG editor. Despite being a cloud-based website builder, Weebly gives you a great degree of control over the look of your site and placement of page elements. You can also liven it up using additional features such as a newsletter and live chat. This power and flexibility make Weebly a top-notch website builder. WordPress is the tool of choice for many blog owners. It takes a little getting used to, but once you've mastered it, you'll love its flexibility Causing a slight degree of confusion, there are actually two different versions of WordPress. The more complex variant can be downloaded from wordpress.org, and you will need to upload it to your own web space and install it using the automated online installer. You can then customize the templates and use add-ons to make the site your own. This is the route many bloggers go down, but there is a simpler option for people who don’t want the hassle of fiddling about with scripts and getting dirty with hardcore editing. The hosted version of WordPress lets you create your own site on wordpress.com. You can create everything from a blog or photo site, to a fully fledged online store, and there are a number of templates to choose from. Additionally, Mailchimp users have a benefit of adding a Mailchimp block, which can grow your mailing list among other things. Whether you're creating a static site, or a blog-style site with regularly updated content, the online editor is a joy to use and allows just about anyone to create an impressive, professional-looking site. The only downside is the limited range of plugins and templates compared with the desktop website builder. WebSite X5 makes building a website on your desktop easy, with good-looking templates and an intuitive site builder Incomedia WebSite X5 received an overhaul in April 2019 with new templates, an updated interface, new paid versions and more. The main thing to note is that the service now has a free version for everyone (note that the free version for TechRadar readers is still available to download). There are two paid versions, Evo and Pro, priced at $79.99 and $229 respectively. This is a one time purchase and naturally, both versions come with additional and improved features compared to the free one. There is also a demo version of both paid versions that you can try out. Unlike WordPress and Wix, WebSite X5 is a desktop website builder, which means you can work on your site offline and have more freedom to make your website look exactly the way you want. There's a range of ready-made templates to choose from, or you can create your own design from scratch. Next, build up your site map, showing the hierarchy of your pages and how they connect to one another – a feature you won't find in most web-based site builder apps. Once that's done, you're ready to start building your pages using Website X5's simple drag-and-drop interface, which includes tools for editing both rich text and photos. If you don't want to be tied down to an online site builder, WebSite X5 is the tool for you. CoffeeCup Free HTML Editor isn't a WYSIWYG website builder, but it provides a live preview of your site as you create it CoffeeCup Free HTML Editor is one of a dying breed of web building programs that don't use a CMS (content management system). While not in the same league as the likes of Adobe Dreamweaver, Free HTML Editor packs quite a professional punch. With split screen code/preview views, it's possible to see the effect the changes you make have straight away. To help you get started quickly, there are a number of templates built into the program, and there are some very nice features such as tag and code suggestions as you type. For absolute beginners, the program might seem a little overwhelming to start with, but it's worth sticking with – assuming you have some HTML knowledge. There is one slight issue; a number of features, such as spell-checking and code optimization, are only included in the paid-for version of the program. If you've used WordPress before, you might be interested in the power of Joomla. It's not as easy to use though, so beginners are better off sticking with a simpler option like Wix Joomla is a well-known name in the CMS world. It may not be as popular as WordPress, but it offers the same two options: build a site using the web app at launch.joomla.org and have it hosted on the company's servers, or download the software from joomla.org and host it yourself. If you choose the latter option, you'll notice that the interface is much less approachable than WordPress. It's not completely impenetrable, but there are lots of menus and options to work through and it doesn't feel quite as polished as WordPress. Joomla's online website builder is nearly as complex, but doesn't involve the same setup process, making it a better option for beginners. Its key selling point is a huge collection of themes and extensions, which provide endless ways to customize the way your site looks and works. You might also want to check out our other website hosting buying guides:
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| Luigi's Mansion 3: release date, news, and features Posted: 21 Aug 2019 10:31 AM PDT It’s been six long years since Nintendo last released a game in the Luigi’s Mansion series, and with fans beginning to give up hope of another, the announcement that a sequel will hit Nintendo Switch in 2019 is very welcome news indeed. Announced with a trailer during a Nintendo Direct on September 13, 2018 the tentatively named Luigi’s Mansion 3, is set to be released on Switch this Halloween - very spooky indeed. During Nintendo Direct at E3 2019, we got a bunch of new details about what we can expect from the next game in the spooky series. Here's everything we know so far about Luigi's Mansion 3. [Update: We got hands on with Luigi's Mansion 3 at Gamescom 2019.] Cut to the chase
Image credit: Nintendo Luigi's Mansion 3 release dateLuigi's Mansion 3 will launch for Nintendo Switch on October 31st, 2019 (AKA Halloween!). It's a very fitting release date for such a spooky title. Luigi’s Mansion 3 trailersNintendo dropped a more in-depth gameplay trailer for Luigi's Mansion 3 during E3 2019. Check it out below: Although the first trailer doesn’t give away much, it does give us a sneak peek at the high quality graphics and gameplay. Check it out below: Luigi's Mansion 3 news and rumorsPuzzles Gamescom 2019 Releasing this Halloween ScareScaper mode Lots of rooms in the hotel Gooigi Image credit: Nintendo New functions Story Poltergust G-00
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| Best camera phones under Rs 20,000 in India for August 2019 Posted: 21 Aug 2019 10:26 AM PDT Two years ago, finding a budget smartphone with a good camera would have been possible only if you went the seconds route and bought a used smartphone. Fast forward to 2019, though, and the entire scenario has changed for good. Still, it is easy to get lost in the megapixel race. Smartphone makers try to one-up each other by offering higher resolution cameras, but not all megapixels are created equal. A good camera smartphone is a function of many things like the sensor size, image processing algorithms, other software optimisations and the camera resolution is only one aspect of this. With that being said, there are several very good camera smartphones in the budget segment in India now. We have prepared a list of smartphones with impressive cameras under Rs 20,000 that you should look out for.
Xiaomi has dominated the budget and entry-level smartphone segments for a long time now. This is no different this year either - the launch of the Redmi Note 7 Pro changed the market dynamics yet again. Offering a high-resolution, premium-grade 48MP camera at budget prices was the primary clincher for the Redmi Note 7 Pro. Apart from its imaging capabilities, the Redmi Note 7 Pro offers a great bang for your buck thanks to the great display, a well-balanced chipset and battery life that we've all grown to expect from Xiaomi's Redmi Note series. Topping it all off is the glass design which gives it a premium look. It has a great value for money quotient which is why the Redmi Note 7 Pro is the phone to buy. Read our full review of the Redmi Note 7 Pro Xiaomi's smartphones have been a hit in the budget segment and that trend has continued for years. However, not everyone is a fan of MIUI and Xiaomi has acknowledged that with the launch of its Android One series of smartphones. The Mi A3 is the latest in this line of smartphones. It runs on clean, stock Android and should get updates faster than other phones. It also offers a decent camera experience, an in-display fingerprint sensor and a big battery at very aggressive prices, making it a great option if you want all these features. The Poco F1, the only launch so far from Xiaomi’s first sub-brand Poco is a feature packed mid-range device. It is the cheapest Snapdragon 845 powered device in India and with the recent price cuts, it offers even more value for your money. While the device’s design is something that the company has compromised on, the Poco F1 is durable with a sturdy plastic build. If you prefer performance over looks, the Poco F1 is the device for you. It is priced starting at Rs 17,999 in India. Read the full review: POCO F1 Review If you are looking for a smartphone that will stand out, the Realme X is another device worth considering. It offers excellent value for money in and is packed with features. The device features a pop-up selfie camera and comes with a gradient back design. The company has offered a near bezel less display with the device, giving it a premium look. Along with the pop-up selfie camera, the device also sports an in-display fingerprint sensor, making it one of the most affordable devices to feature these two technologies. It has a starting price tag of Rs 16,999 and is available in three color options. The Samsung Galaxy A50 has a lot going for it. The device features a glossy finish and sports an attractive display, a triple camera setup that includes a good daylight camera, and decent battery life with fast charging support all make it a phone that’s worth considering when you go out to buy a new smartphone. While the Galaxy A50 performs well in daylight, its low-light images are not up to the mark. If you are a heavy gamer, you might want to skip this device and look at the other devices mentioned in this list. The device is available starting at Rs 18,490 in Black, Blue and White color options. The Realme 5 Pro is the latest kid on the black and it truly represents Realme's aim of taking on established smartphone makers in India. Featuring a mid-range Snapdragon chipset and offering a quad-camera setup in the budget segment, Realme 5 Pro could be your next smartphone. If you want a smartphone that offers great value for money and if you don't want to use MIUI again (we've all been a Xiaomi user at some point of time), the Realme 5 Pro is worth considering.
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| Best cheap phones 2019: our top budget mobiles in India Posted: 21 Aug 2019 10:19 AM PDT Buying a budget smartphone under Rs 20,000 in India has never been so easy and yet so difficult. So easy because there are a plethora of options available in the market, and so difficult because of the same reason. While there is ample choice available, choosing the best smartphone under Rs 20,000 can become a daunting task if you get lost. Nevertheless, choice is always a great thing. While Motorola truly started the budget smartphone revolution in India, Xiaomi has carried and still continues to carry that torch since it debuted in India. Now, rivals like Vivo, Oppo, Realme and even Samsung are putting up a fight against Xiaomi, so we as consumers are spoilt for choice. The best selling brands in country, including Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo and Samsung, all have their strategy for this year aimed towards launching as many budget phones are possible. Here is a list of the best phones that you can get under ₹20,000 in India. The Realme 5 Pro is the latest kid on the black and it truly represents Realme's aim of taking on established smartphone makers in India. Featuring a mid-range Snapdragon chipset and offering a quad-camera setup in the budget segment, Realme 5 Pro could be your next smartphone. If you want a smartphone that offers great value for money and if you don't want to use MIUI again (we've all been a Xiaomi user at some point of time), the Realme 5 Pro is worth considering. Xiaomi Redmi Note 7 Pro Xiaomi has dominated the budget and entry-level smartphone segments for a long time now. This is no different this year either - the launch of the Redmi Note 7 Pro changed the market dynamics yet again. Offering a high-resolution, premium grade 48MP camera at budget prices was the primary clincher for the Redmi Note 7 Pro. Apart from its imaging capabilities, the Redmi Note 7 Pro offers a great bang for your buck thanks to the great display, a well-balanced chipset and battery life that we've all grown to expect from Xiaomi's Redmi Note series. Topping it all off is the glass design which gives it a premium look. It has a great value for money quotient which is why the Redmi Note 7 Pro is the phone to buy. Read the full review: Redmi Note 7 Pro review Poco F1 The Poco F1, the only launch so far from Xiaomi’s first sub-brand Poco is a feature packed mid-range device. It is the cheapest Snapdragon 845 powered device in India and with the recent price cuts, it offers even more value for your money. While the device’s design is something that the company has compromised on, the Poco F1 is durable with a sturdy plastic build. If you prefer performance over looks, the Poco F1 is the device for you. It is priced starting at Rs 17,999 in India. Read the full review: POCO F1 Review The Redmi Note 7S replaces the Redmi Note 7 and offers 48MP camera under Rs 10,000. It features the same gradient glass back design, waterdrop notch and a bright high-quality display at the same time. When you also consider the massive 4,000mAh battery and the updated MIUI skin, the Redmi Note 7S sounds like a very good proposition. Samsung has been trying to reinvent itself in the budget segment for a while now, and the Galaxy M series is a good testament of the company's efforts. The Galaxy M30 offers a good balance between power, performance and battery life. Add to it, Samsung's excellent Super AMOLED display, a massive battery that can last for a couple of days on a single charge and a wide angle camera, you have a recipe for a great phone that has a competitive advantage over its competitors. Read our review of the Samsung Galaxy M30 Vivo Z1 Pro Vivo has upped its game in the budget and mid-range segments over the last few months in India. While a few other smartphones are aimed specifically at a slightly younger audience, Vivo has tried to offer a slightly more rounded package with the Z1 Pro. The Z1 Pro is also one of the few smartphones in this price range to sport a punch hole notch. If you are looking for a smartphone that offers really long battery life, the Z1 Pro won't let you down with its massive 5,000mAh battery. The display, camera and the glossy design round off the remaining important aspects. Samsung Galaxy A50 The Samsung Galaxy A50 has a lot going for it. The device features a glossy finish and sports an attractive display, a triple camera setup that includes a good daylight camera, and decent battery life with fast charging support all make it a phone that’s worth considering when you go out to buy a new smartphone. While the Galaxy A50 performs well in daylight, its low-light images are not up to the mark. If you are a heavy gamer, you might want to skip this device and look at the other devices mentioned in this list. The device is available starting at Rs 18,490 in Black, Blue and White color options. Realme X The Realme X is another device that offers excellent value for money in the sub-Rs 25,000 segment. It features a pop-up selfie camera and comes with a gradient back design. The company has offered a near bezel less display with the device, giving it a premium look. Along with the pop-up selfie camera, the device also sports an in-display fingerprint sensor, making it one of the most affordable devices to feature these two technologies. It has a starting price tag of Rs 16,999 and is available in three color options. Blowing some serious heat, Realme has launched another worthy contender in the budget segment with the Realme 5. Aimed at buyers who are looking for a smartphone that delivers great bang for their buck, the Realme 5 is powered by a decently powered Snapdragon chipset. The Realme 5 is powered by a massive battery and this, in combination with the HD resolution display should mean the phone should easily last for a couple of days with normal usage. Xiaomi's smartphones have been a hit in the budget segment and that trend has continued for years. However, not everyone is a fan of MIUI and Xiaomi has acknowledged that with the launch of its Android One series of smartphones. The Mi A3 is the latest in this line of smartphones. It runs on clean, stock Android and should get updates faster than other phones. It also offers a decent camera experience, an in-display fingerprint sensor and a big battery at very aggressive prices, making it a great option if you want all these features.
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| iPhone 11 may have USB-C element, but not on the handset itself Posted: 21 Aug 2019 10:11 AM PDT The iPhone 11 will finally ditch its 5W charger and come with a USB-C wall adapter in the box that will recharge its batteries faster, according to a new rumor. It doesn’t seem like the phones themselves will ditch the dependable Lightning port - Apple will just ship the iPhone 11 with the 18W wall charger introduced with the latest iPad Pro along with a Lightning-to-USB-C cable. While you could pick up a USB-C charger and use them with the iPhone XS or iPhone XR today, packing them in-box is exciting news for anyone who doesn’t want to spend more to charge their phones faster. It might not happen - the leak comes courtesy of a tweet by ChargerLAB, which incorrectly asserted last year that a new USB-C charger would arrive with the iPhone XS-generation. Instead, they came with the iPad Pro models that came in October, as 9to5Mac pointed out. Still, it would help Apple gain a bit of ground in the fast-charging race they’re desperately losing to literally every Android flagship. The OnePlus 7 Pro comes with a 20W fast charger in the box, and the new Samsung Galaxy Note 10 packs a 25W charger - though you can opt to buy the 45W charger they’re selling separately. Bigger batteries, too?Fast charging would help top up even bigger batteries: the Taiwan-based site Digitimes claims that all three iPhone 11 models (regular, Max, and budget R-equivalent) are getting larger capacities than last year’s models. According to these estimates, the iPhone 11 will pack a 3,200mAh battery (up from an estimated 2,658mAh), the iPhone 11 Max will get 3,500mAh (up from 3,174mAh), and the iPhone 11R will get 3,000mAh (slightly higher than the 2,942mAh of the iPhone XR). We’ve heard previous rumors that the new iPhones will get additional battery - Apple analyst Ming-Chi Kuo estimated the standard model would get 25% more capacity than the iPhone XS - but these increases feel a bit more conservative, with a 9% increase of the next Max over the last model. (Given the iPhone XR packed more battery than the iPhone XS, perhaps the Digitimes estimates have swapped those two.) We'll see how accurate these rumors are when the iPhone 11 launches, which we expect to be on September 10.
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| Posted: 21 Aug 2019 10:05 AM PDT Website builders have been around for decades but a new generation now exploit new technologies like responsive and mobile platforms. A website builder can help individuals or businesses build anything from a simple single-page site to a professional web store, even if you've no design or HTML experience at all. Whether you're a sole trader or a multinational corporation, just about every business needs an online presence – in other words, a website. A growing number are adding bells and whistles like an email list or form facility, domain name registration and much more. Even if you don't sell products online a site can help people find you, learn more about your skills and services, and provide a way to share your details with other potential customers. It's like having a permanent, always-on-call personal assistant, ready to answer queries. And it can even be free
More experienced users can customize and fine-tune the design to suit their own needs, or perhaps install a more traditional web design package that allows them to build the perfect site from scratch. There are free options, but these often have major restrictions, including limits on the size of the site and the lack of any ability to use your own domain. Fortunately, the commercial options are very reasonably priced, from around £5/$5 to £10/$10 a month, with hosting included. To help you decide which option is best for your needs, we’ve picked out the cream of the crop: these are the five top players in the website building world right now. Wix has more than 100 million registered users Wix is one of the most popular online website creators, offering a range of plans and products. The free version has Wix branding, limited storage space (500MB) and bandwidth, but move up to the most popular plan (unlimited) and there’s no Wix ads. You get unlimited bandwidth (hence its name) and 10GB storage, along with a free domain, Google Ad vouchers and much more. The e-commerce plans start with the "Business Basic" plan with a price of $17 (£13.30) per month. An excellent collection of 500 plus templates gets the design process off to a quick start. The drag-and-drop editor gives you all kinds of tools and features to explore – an image editor, video backgrounds, animations, social buttons, an integrated site blog – and just about everything can be tweaked, tuned and restyled. Furthermore, as of recently, Wix introduced Wix Turbo, which increases the speed and performance of websites substantially. All the core editing functions are really smartly designed, and operate more like a native app than your average website builder. Wix does have some weaknesses, with tech support seeming a little sluggish and limited in some respects. But there’s no denying that the superb editor and range of top-notch templates make it easy for web building novices to create something impressive. 1&1 IONOS is one of the biggest web hosting companies in the world There’s a lot to like here in terms of a powerful drag-and-drop editor bristling with professional features and highly customizable templates, but at the outset, let’s make it clear that this isn’t the cheapest service around. There’s no free plan (or indeed trial – although there is a 30-day money-back guarantee), and the most basic plan is priced at $1 (£1 for UK) a month for first six months, rising to $7 (£7 for UK) afterwards. That gives you unlimited pages and web space, a simple integrated blog, limited SEO settings, plus website backup and restore, so it’s a touch pricey for what you get. That said, 1&1 IONOS MyWebsite offers a wide range of responsive templates, and an editor which provides loads of potential adjustments and tweaks, all with plenty of visual feedback and context-sensitive menus to help streamline the whole process. What’s clever here is that the top-level stuff is easy to use and understand for beginners, yet expert users can dive more deeply into the menus to really play around and customize elements. You also get your own personal consultant free of charge. Other highly useful features include the ability to point to your old website in order to import media content from there straight into your new site. This could be a huge timesaver for some. There also an e-commerce plan starting at $1 – (£1 for UK) – a month for the first six months, rising to $25 - (£25 for UK) a month). Weebly is one of the few website builders that offer a free hosting tier. Weebly is another big name in the website building world which offers a powerful editor and capable set of features. There’s a free plan, which like Wix limits space to 500MB and imposes ads on your site. However, if you move up to the Professional plan – at $12 (£9.5) a month – the ads and storage limit are dropped, plus you get a free domain, and even support for a web store containing up to 25 products. The supercharged Business plan lets you create sites with unlimited web store products and high-end store features like product reviews and discount coupons, retailing at $25 (£19) a month. The service offers hundreds of professionally-designed web templates, covering just about any site type. The drag-and-drop editor is neatly designed, although you don’t get full control over where you can position elements on the page, and the interface can seem a little cluttered. A further niggle is that there is no global Undo feature. Like Wix, we found tech support was a little wobbly in terms of sluggish responses, but Weebly offers a host of powerful features, some very stylish templates, and easy access to free images for your site is another definite boon. As we’ve seen, many a website builder pitch themselves towards novices and making life easy for the less site-savvy out there, but what about experts who want powerful low-level control? Those are the users Voog has in mind. So you don’t get many templates here, for example, and there’s the bare minimum of media support – but what you do get is a compact drag-and-drop editor which does its best to stay out of your way. There are weaknesses here, and the interface is somewhat clunky in respects – and it’s another which lacks a global Undo function – but it has some real power you can drill down into. For example, clicking a text box gives you the option to use bullet-point lists, insert tables or videos, or even edit the HTML source to customize effects. Voog also lets multiple users easily collaborate on a site project, and if you’re after nifty, unusual features like these, you won’t see them elsewhere. The entry-level Starter plan is priced at $7.40 (£5.30) per month (billed annually) and gives you 2GB storage, and all the core features you’ll need, including SSL security (although it’s limited to 30 pages). If you know what you’re doing in terms of website design, and want some true power and customization capabilities, there is a 30-day trial you can check out (no credit card details needed). Jimdo is a somewhat quirky website builder targeted largely at novice users, but it’s well worth your attention for a number of reasons, not the least of which is a free plan which boasts more than the average offering. Yes, there are the usual limitations including adverts, a 500MB storage limit, no custom domain, and very limited SEO. But there are a few features you won't get in other free plans, like a password protected area, for example. The site editor itself is simple and consistent, even if it’s somewhat unconventional in terms of its design. Also, the editor doesn’t have as many functions and features as some rivals. For example, there aren’t that many templates, and the widgets on offer aren’t as plentiful as you might find elsewhere – plus there’s no global Undo (although Jimdo isn’t alone in this respect). Another neat touch is a good web knowledgebase which means help is generally close at hand when it comes to troubleshooting. Overall, this is a compelling product, that is well worth giving a whirl. You might also want to check out our other website hosting buying guides:
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| Asus ZenBook 13 Edition 30 is a ridiculously premium limited-edition laptop Posted: 21 Aug 2019 08:56 AM PDT Asus has announced the limited edition ZenBook 13 Edition 30, a super-stylish luxury laptop to celebrate its 30th birthday. Encased in a hand-crafted and fitted genuine Italian leather body in Pearl White, with Rose Gold diamond-cut edges and 18-karat rose-gold logo, this is an insanely premium-looking (or garish, depending on your tastes) laptop, and it seems like Asus is going all out to celebrate its 30th anniversary.
To accompany the design, the ZenBook 13 Edition 30 will come with some exclusive accessories, including a Pearl White mouse, a leather-look box and mouse pad, and a genuine-leather sleeve. ScreenPad starIt’s not all about the outside bling, however, as Asus has packed in some new features within the ZenBook 13 Edition 30 as well. This includes the new ScreenPad 2.0, which is a touchscreen placed where the trackpad of a laptop usually is. According to Asus, the ScreenPad 2.0 of the ZenBook 13 Edition 30 is more energy efficient, more than doubling battery life when the ScreenPad is in use. It also features impressively thin bezels around the screen, with a 95% screen-to-body ratio, which Asus claims makes it the world’s most compact laptop in its class. Other specs include an 8th generation Intel Core i7 processor, Nvidia GeForce MX250 graphics, 16GB of RAM, SSD and Wi-Fi 5. It’s available exclusively at the Asus Store for $1,399.99 (around £1,200, AU$2,000), which isn’t too bad considering the flashy design.
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| Ransomware: an evolving threat Posted: 21 Aug 2019 08:52 AM PDT Ransomware is any malware that holds your data ransom. These days it usually involves encrypting a victim’s data before asking for cash (typically cryptocurrency) to decrypt. Ransomware ruled the malware world since late 2013, but finally saw a decline last year. The general drop in malware numbers, along with defensive improvements by the IT world in general (such as more widespread backup adoption), were factors, but have also led this threat to become more targeted and ruthless. Delivery MethodsWhen ransomware first appeared, it was typically distributed via huge email and exploit kit campaigns. Consumer and business users alike were struck without much discretion. Today, many ransomware criminals prefer to select their targets to maximize their payouts. There’s a cost to doing business when it comes to infecting people, and the larger the larger the group of people you are trying to hit, the more it costs. Exploit kitsSimply visiting some websites can get you infected, even if you don’t try to download anything. This is usually done by exploiting weaknesses in the software used to browse the web such as your browser, Java, or Flash. Content management and development tools like WordPress and Microsoft Silverlight, respectively, are also common sources of vulnerabilities. But there’s a lot of software and web trickery involved in delivering infections this way, so the bulk of this work is packaged into an exploit kit which can be rented out to criminals to help them spread their malware. Renting an exploit kit can cost $1,000 a month, so this method of delivery isn’t for everyone. Only those cybercriminals who’re sufficiently motivated and funded. Eric Klonowski, Webroot Principal Threat Research Analyst, says, “Because the cost of exploitation has risen so dramatically over the course of the last decade, we’ll continue to see a drop in the use of 0-days in the wild (as well as associated private exploit leaks). "Without a doubt, state actors will continue to hoard these for use on the highest-value targets, but expect to see a stop to Shadowbrokers-esque occurrences. The mentioned leaks probably served as a powerful wake-up call internally with regards to who has access to these utilities (or perhaps, where they’re left behind).” Exploits for use in both malware and web threats are harder to come by these days and, accordingly, we are seeing a drop in the number of exploit kits and a rise in the cost of exploits in the wild. This threat isn’t going anywhere, but it is declining. Email campaignsSpam emails are a great way of spreading malware. They’re advantageous fo criminals as they can hit millions of victims at a time. Beating email filters, creating a convincing phishing message, crafting a dropper, and beating security in general is tough to do on a large scale, however. Running these big campaigns requires work and expertise so, much like an exploit kit, they are expensive to rent. Targeted attacksThe likelihood of a target paying a ransom and how much that ransom is likely to be is subject to a number of factors, including:
Since the probability of success varies based on the target’s circumstances, it’s important to note that there are ways of narrowing target selection using exploit kits or email campaigns, but they are more scattershot than other, more targeted attacks. Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP)Remote Desktop Protocol, or RDP, is a popular Microsoft system used mainly by admins to connect remotely to servers and other endpoints. When enabled by poor setups and poor password policies, cybercriminals can easily hack them. RDP breaches are nothing new, but sadly the business world (and particularly the small business sector) has been ignoring the threat for years. Recently, government agencies in the US and UK have issued warnings about this completely preventable attack. Less sophisticated cybercriminals can buy RDP access to already hacked machines on the dark web. Access to machines in major airports has been spotted on dark web marketplaces for just a few dollars. Spear phishingIf you know your target, you can tailor an email specifically to fool them. This is known as spear phishing, and it’s an extremely effective technique that’s used in a lot of headline ransomware cases. Modular malwareModular malware attacks a system in different stages. After running on a machine, some reconnaissance is done before the malware reinitiates its communications with its base and additional payloads are downloaded. TrickbotThe modular banking Trojan Trickbot has also been seen dropping ransomware like Bitpaymer onto machines. Recently it’s been used to test a company’s worth before allowing attackers to deploy remote access tools and Ryuk (ransomware) to encrypt the most valuable information they have. The actors behind this Trickbot/Ryuk campaign only pursue large, lucrative targets they know they can cripple. Trickbot itself is often dropped by another piece of modular malware, Emotet. What are the current trends?As we’ve noted, ransomware use may be on the decline due to heightened defences and greater awareness of the threat, but the broader, more noteworthy trend is to pursue more carefully selected targets. RDP reaches have been the largest source of ransomware calls to our support teams in the last 2 years. They are totally devastating to those that are hit, so ransoms are often paid. Modular malware involves researching a target before deciding if or how to execute and they have been surging as a threat for the last six months. AutomationWhen we talk about selecting targets, you might be inclined the assume that there is a human involved. But, wherever practical, the attack will be coded to free up manpower. Malware routinely will decide not to run if it is in a virtualised environment or if there are analysis tools installed on machines. Slick automation is used by Trickbot and Emotet to keep botnets running and to spread using stolen credentials. RDP breaches are easier than ever due to automated processes scouring the internet for targets to exploit. Expect more and more intelligent automation from ransomware and other malware in future. What can I do?
Kelvin Murray is a Senior Threat Researcher at Webroot. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
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