Apple : AMD Navi release date, news and rumors |
- AMD Navi release date, news and rumors
- These cheap Halloween costume and decoration sales are scarily good
- Manage all of your cloud storage accounts in one place with Disk-O
- Best USB flash drives of 2019: Memory sticks for all your data storage needs
- England vs New Zealand live stream: how to watch Rugby World Cup 2019 semi-final from anywhere
- World Series 2019 live stream: how to watch Astros vs Nationals Game 3 online from anywhere
- Best external hard drives of 2019
- Walmart Early Access sale brings some great Black Friday savings to laptops
- US senators call for a probe into TikTok citing national security concerns
- The Best TV 2019: 10 big-screen TVs worth buying this year
- Walmart will give you a free game if you buy a Nintendo Switch before Black Friday
- Huawei will keep getting chipset tech from UK-based ARM despite US sanctions
- Best Nintendo Switch Online games for co-op and versus multiplayer
- Best Nintendo Switch accessories: make the most of your hybrid console
- White House security could be putting it at risk of cyberattack
- Rugby World Cup 2019 live stream: how to watch semi-finals free online and from anywhere
- The Dark Mode craze may do more harm than good – this is why
- Upgraded Bang & Olufsen headphones control your tunes hands-free
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| AMD Navi release date, news and rumors Posted: 25 Oct 2019 02:20 PM PDT Team Red finally unleashed its AMD Navi graphics cards soon after their reveal, following the release of AMD Radeon VII earlier this year. And so far, things are excellent. Based on our very favorable reviews of the AMD Radeon RX 5700 and AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT, it’s certainly looking like the company have designed these cards to take the PC components world – not to mention, the best gaming PCs – by storm while also giving Nvidia a run for it money. AMD first showcased these two cards at E3 2019 as mid-range GPUs crafted to compete with Nvidia's highly popular Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 and RTX 2060, unveiling their specs and how they measure up against these top contenders. And, recently, it also unveiled the much talked about Radeon RX 5500, a graphics card for 1080p players. It boasts 22 compute units, 1,408 stream processors and up to 8GB of GDDR6 video memory (VRAM). Alongside these AMD Navi updates, AMD also released their brand new game-developer toolkit, Fidelity FX, which has been available for free since June 10. Fidelity FX is designed to enable game developers get more detail and crispness in low contrast textures, allowing them to take full advantage of what these AMD Navi cards are capable of. On top of that, AMD has also rolled out its new 19.8.2 driver for its graphics cards, expected to bring support for HDCP 2.3 to Radeon RX 5700 cards as well as deliver up to 10% better performance of the much talked about third-person shooter, Control. Be sure to keep this page bookmarked, and we’ll keep it updated with all the latest AMD Navi information that surfaces. Cut to the Chase
At Computex 2019, AMD took the stage and showed a mysterious Radeon RX 5000 graphics card. AMD Navi release dateBoth the AMD Radeon RX 5700 and Radeon RX 5700 XT were released on July 7, alongside the Ryzen 3rd generation processors. These cards are now available for purchase at the AMD store, and each comes with a 3-month subscription Xbox Game Pass for PC free. As for the AMD Radeon RX 5500, AMD hasn't shared pricing or specific release date information. However, we expect to see the new graphics card sometime within the next couple of months. As for Navi 20, the rumored lineup for 2020, it's still anyone's guess. We do know that the Xbox Project Scarlett, powered by Navi, will be out Holiday 2020, so we could see the more powerful Navi chips released around that time. In fact, we've just recently seen leaked roadmaps that suggest their successors could be hitting the streets sometime in 2020. Both the AMD Radeon RX 5700 and Radeon RX 5700 XT were released on July 7, after their unveiling. AMD Navi priceAt Computex 2019, AMD took the stage and showed a mysterious Radeon RX 5000 graphics card going head to head against an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 in Strange Brigade, where it performed about 10% faster. It was later revealed that was the AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT. However, with E3 2019, AMD proved it’s still king when it comes to components for the masses. AMD revealed its two new graphics cards to be drastically cheaper than their competitors. The Radeon 5700 is currently priced at $349 (about £275, AU$500), a price tag that’s $50 cheaper than the RTX 2060 when it was released in January 2019. The Radeon 5700 XT, on the other hand, is $399 (about £315, AU$580). And, that’s with offering similar performance at 1440p to the new Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 Super at Ultra settings. Again, AMD has yet to share pricing or specific release date information on the AMD Radeon RX 5500. But, we’re hoping to get those soon before the year is over. AMD Navi is the first mainstream AMD graphics card to break away from the aging GCN architecture. AMD Navi specsRight off the bat, we know that AMD Navi is based on the new 7nm RDNA graphics architecture, making it the first mainstream AMD graphics card to break away from the aging GCN architecture. At Computex 2019, AMD said that we’re going to see 1.25X faster performance per clock and 1.5X performance per watt over GCN. This means not just improved performance in the best PC games, but also increased power efficiency. In addition, AMD Navi is using faster GDDR6 memory, compared to the GDDR5 in the Radeon RX 500 series. The lower-end AMD Radeon RX 5700 features 36 compute units, 2,304 stream processors and a boost clock of 1,725 MHz, not to mention 8GB of 14Gbps GDDR6 VRAM on a 256-bit bus, with 65 render output units (ROPs) and 256 texture units. The mid-range AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT, on the other hand, boasts 40 compute units, with 2,560 stream processors and a boost clock of 1,905MHz. This GPU also has 8GB of GDDR6 video memory (VRAM), 14Gbps GDDR6 VRAM, 64 ROPs and 256 texture units. That’s all well and good on paper, but what about their actual real-world performance? Well, AMD showed the Radeon RX 5700 XT in a demo against the RTX 2070, where it bested Nvidia's mid-range card in World War Z by about 10% at 1440p on Ultra. Indeed, during our tests of the card, we found the AMD Radeon RX 5700 XT to be a 1440p monster, with no massive drops in performance, no matter how demanding the game is. The Radeon RX 5700, on the other hand, performed better against the RTX 2060 by 21% in Battlefield V and by 9% in The Division 2, also at 1440p on Ultra. In our review, we hailed the Radeon RX 5700 as an absolute powerhouse at its price point, bringing 1440p gaming at Ultra settings to the mainstream. Rather than taking on the RTX 2080 Ti at the high end, AMD is looking comfortable inhabiting the mid-range where it has traditionally excelled. That is, until the PS5 launches. Back in April, Sony Lead System Architect Mark Cerny revealed that the PS5 would be using a custom AMD Navi GPU, and that it would be capable of some pretty impressive things. For instance, the PS5 will likely support ray tracing, along with 8K resolutions. We think that’s a little pie-in-the-sky, and we’d take it with a grain of salt. But, AMD Navi could theoretically mark a true generational shift when the next generation of consoles hits the streets. AMD Navi GPUs will also be behind Project Scarlett – the next Xbox. We don't know the exact specs, but Microsoft made a point to talk up its capabilities, mentioning things like "real time ray tracing", 8K capabilities and up to 120 fps gameplay. Beyond that, we have heard rumors about another generation of Navi graphics cards on the high-end hitting the streets in 2020. These high-end graphics cards are rumored to be code-named Navi 20, and should feature improved performance that takes on Nvidia’s flagship. We could see AMD graphics cards capable of 2020 in the future if these rumors are to be believed. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| These cheap Halloween costume and decoration sales are scarily good Posted: 25 Oct 2019 02:05 PM PDT If you're after cheap Halloween costume or decoration sales this spooky season, look no further than our top picks from Walmart, Amazon, and Best Buy. We've rounded up the very best Halloween deals from across the country, featuring spooky lighting solutions, party essentials, and extra costume accessories to give you an edge this year. While you may not see any of the particularly Halloween-focused products on Black Friday deals this year, the Philips Hue smart bulbs we highlight below may well feature. Keep an eye on our coverage throughout the shopping weekend for the best discounts.
Cheap Halloween decoration sales and discountsCheap Halloween costume sales and discountsCheap Halloween movies and games salesIf you're also after a new sound system for your Halloween party, check out our picks of the best Bose speaker prices around. Or, if you're looking for a smart speaker to control your Philips Hue bulbs with your voice, you may also want to take a look at the best deals on Amazon Echo products around. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Manage all of your cloud storage accounts in one place with Disk-O Posted: 25 Oct 2019 02:04 PM PDT Businesses and consumers alike are using multiple cloud storage services but this adds unnecessary complexity which is why the Mail.ru Group has announced the global availability of its cloud storage manager Disk-O. With Disk-O, users can safely and easily manage data from an unlimited number of personal cloud storage solutions on either their Mac or PC. The software provides access to files from providers such as Box, Dropbox and Google Drive right from a user's desktop. Files stored in the cloud appear as if they were connected by a virtual hard drive and this allows users to browse, transfer, edit, search and delete files from their cloud storage accounts without the need to download them.
Active cloud users leverage at least two to three cloud storage services on average and over time they collect an enormous amount of data across various services. However, accessing files stored in different services can be time consuming as users either have to visit each site individually or use their desktop applications which take up local storage space. Disk-OThe Mail.ru Group built Disk-O from the ground up to provide a smooth and intuitive user experience. The software allows users to access data stored in the cloud directly from a default file management system such as File Explorer on PC or Finder on Mac. Disk-O has already been installed on one million devices and the software is fully secured using SSL encryption and OAuth authentication. Users can also create a custom PIN to manage and access all of their connected cloud storage accounts for additional security. Deputy vice president and head of cloud and business services at Mail.Ru Group, Egor Ganin explained how Disk-O can help users save time when working on documents in the cloud, saying: “The beauty of Disk-O is that it empowers users to gain greater flexibility and control over their cloud storage services. Users can perform resource-intensive tasks like watching video files or working with large Photoshop documents with no latency as Disk-O ‘remembers’ recently opened files, accelerating their processing time.” Interested users can try out Disk-O themselves as Mail.Ru Group offers a free trial for seven days and the application can be connected to an unlimited number of accounts from Box, Dropbox, Google Drive, OneDrive and WebDAV with support for Amazon S3 and FTP coming soon.
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| Best USB flash drives of 2019: Memory sticks for all your data storage needs Posted: 25 Oct 2019 01:17 PM PDT Purchasing the best USB flash drives for your needs is practically a necessity, no matter how you're using your gear, or what your daily computing needs are. Luckily, we’re here to help. In this list, we look at the best USB flash drives, each of which offer you safe, secure and portable storage for your important files, whether those are work documents or your travel photos. The best USB flash drives don't just allow you to quickly and conveniently move data from one PC to another. The brilliant memory sticks in this guide are versatile drives that offer an impressive amount of storage space in their small form factor. In addition, the best USB flash drives boast excellent build, so they fall apart when you’re storing them in your backpack or purse while on the go. The best USB memory sticks and flash drives also need to be dependable, so they don’t fail or break, resulting in you losing that important data. This means the best flash drives feature a durable build design. Speed is a major factor as well. Not only will the best flash drives transfer files faster with a high-speed rating, but it will also make running a ‘live CD’ operating system from the flash drive possible. To help you narrow down your choices of the best USB drives and find the most ideal one for you, we’ve assembled this list of the best USB flash drives you can buy in 2019. If USB drives are either too expensive (for the amount of storage you need) or their capacities are just not big enough (or you tend to lose them), you might also want to check out our list of the best external hard drives. If your flash drive needs demand blazing fast speeds, then the Patriot Supersonic Rage 2 is an excellent choice. (Image Credit: Patriot) If your flash drive needs demand blazing fast speeds, then one of the best USB flash drives to consider is the Patriot Supersonic Rage 2 is definitely the one for you. Sure, the price is high, but we were blown away with just how fast this device is. If you need to move around large files quickly, then this is definitely worth the cost. It also comes with 128GB of storage space, which is a phenomenal amount to carry around in your pocket. Just make sure you don't lose it! The Kingston Technology DataTraveler 100 Generation 3 is incredibly compact and affordable. (Image Credit: Kingston) At times, when purchasing a USB flash drive, the cost of postage and packaging actually constitute more of the price than the USB stick itself. However, the Kingston Technology DataTraveler 100 Generation 3 is incredibly compact and an affordable drive that is more than worth the cost of shipping. This flash drive is the most affordable 64GB USB 3.0 drive on the market, touting read/write speeds of 150Mbps and 70Mbps respectively to make it worth every cent. The SanDisk Extreme CZ80 offers plenty of storage space and fast file transfer speeds. (Image Credit: SanDisk) The brilliantly priced SanDisk Extreme CZ80 is among the best USB drives, as it offers plenty of storage space and fast file transfer speeds. Be prepared to be impressed as while it’s priced more towards the budget end of USB sticks, its performance is anything but budget. This one’s is a speedy little performer. Plus, the slide-out design of this stick means you can tuck the USB interface into the body when not in use, protecting it and minimizing the risk of it getting damaged when you're carrying it around. The Verbatim Pinstripe is the cheapest USB 3.0 drive on the market per GB. (Image Credit: Verbatim) This is the cheapest USB 3.0 drive on the market per GB. It comes with a two-year warranty as well as a capless/retractable cap design. It’s worth noting that Verbatim - a very well-known Japanese storage and memory manufacturer - sells it on its website where you’ll often find excellent deals on the device. As if it isn’t cheap enough as it is. The PNY Turbo 256GB boasts read/write speeds of 80Mbps and 20Mbps respectively. (Image Credit: PNY) PNY is another memory manufacturer turned player in the USB market. The PNY Turbo 256GB USB drive one of the best USB drives right now, featuring a capped design for protecting as well as read/write speeds of 80Mbps and 20Mbps respectively. These are not the fastest speeds out there so if you require something with more oomph, then check out some of the other USB drives in this roundup. The Patriot Viper Fang has a zinc alloy body with aluminum accent. (Image Credit: Patriot) The Patriot Supersonic is a USB 3.1 drive (compatible with USB 3.0 and 2.0) from one of the most established memory players on the market. However, the manufacturer is a relative newcomer to this segment. Still, this hard drive rightly deserves a spot on this list, with its a zinc alloy body with aluminum accent and read/write speeds of 380Mbps and 70Mbps respectively. Let’s just say that it’s no slouch. Plus, it also comes with a five-year warranty. The Samsung T3 SSD offers absurdly high read speeds of up to 450Mbps. (Image Credit: Samsung) If you are looking in the premium territory of the best USB flash drives, then the Samsung T3 is worth taking a look at. Not only does it offer absurdly high read speeds of up to 450Mbps thanks to Samsung's own 3D V-NAND technology, but it also comes with a three-year warranty and has a USB Type C connector. Note that it is much bigger than a traditional flash drive and it does cost about five times a traditional hard drive of a similar capacity. In comparison, a 1TB SSD like the Samsung EVO 850 costs just £240. It comes with V-NAND like the Samsung Portable T1 and it does boast speeds of 530Mbps and 520Mbps in read/write mode respectively. Note that you will need to get a separate enclosure to get it to work with a standard USB port. The SanDisk Ultra Fit CZ43 is a low-profile USB stick. (Image Credit: SanDisk) If you don't want a USB stick jutting out the side of your laptop or tablet while you use it or having one is simple not ideal – for example, when you’re using it while traveling, then a low-profile USB stick is an excellent choice. Take the SanDisk Ultra Fit CZ43. It’s small and light enough to easily carry around. And, when it's plugged into your laptop, it doesn't stick out much from the body, making it more secure when you’re using it on the go. That’s not all; it’s also very cheap, at around £10 for the 32GB version, with 64GB and 128GB versions also available. It's not quite as fast as many of the best USB flash drives we mentioned here, but if you want a small form factor USB stick, it's worth the trade-off. How to choose your USB memory sticks?
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| England vs New Zealand live stream: how to watch Rugby World Cup 2019 semi-final from anywhere Posted: 25 Oct 2019 01:15 PM PDT The first semi-final of the 2019 Rugby World Cup between England and New Zealand would have made a worthwhile finale, with it featuring arguably the tournament's two most impressive teams. A place in the Rugby World Cup final is at stake, but which team will run out as victors? Watch the action as it happens with our England vs New Zealand live stream guide. It really throws up the possibility of a classic match with both teams seemingly peaking at just the right time. England looked in control throughout their superb victory against Australia in the quarter finals, while New Zealand sent out a statement of their own with their 46-14 demolition of Ireland. England's win over the Aussies ensured they advanced to the semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup for the first time in 12 years. The big news ahead of this huge clash is that George Ford has been handed a shock recall to the side at fly-half by head coach Eddie Jones, with captain Owen Farrell switching to inside centre. Henry Slade makes way for Ford, while Mark Wilson replaces Lewis Ludlam on the bench. Scott Barrett comes in for New Zealand at blindside flanker, strengthening the size of the All Blacks' pack, while Ardie Savea moves from six to seven. Meanwhile, Patrick Tuipulotu has been shifted out to the bench, along with Sam Cane. The last meeting between the two teams saw New Zealand score a narrow 15-16 victory at Twickenham just under a year ago. The game promises to be an equally close encounter. The All Blacks go into the game as favourites, but England certainly have enough to pull off an against-the-odds win. You can watch all the action from pretty much anywhere on Earth by following our Rugby World Cup England vs New Zealand live stream guide below. How to watch the 2019 Rugby World Cup from outside your countryIf you're abroad for any of the Rugby World Cup somewhere that isn't showing it and don't want to miss out on catching the coverage, you'll inevitably find your home feed geo-blocked when you try to stream online. But don't sweat. With the option of a VPN, you can tune into those fixtures no matter where you are in the world without resorting to some dodgy feed on Reddit. And best of all, it's really easy to do (or read on for details on how to stream coverage from the UK, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada and the USA. How to stream England live in the UK for FREEHow to watch the All Blacks live in New Zealand for FREEHow to live stream England vs New Zealand in Australia for FREEHow to live stream England vs New Zealand in the US
Live stream Rugby World Cup 2019 match in CanadaThis posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| World Series 2019 live stream: how to watch Astros vs Nationals Game 3 online from anywhere Posted: 25 Oct 2019 12:57 PM PDT The MLB's 2019 World Series has got underway at a thundering pace after the Washington Nationals taking the NLCS championship while the Houston Astros won the ALCS championship. This means that the two top teams in the league are now facing off in a best-of-seven battle to see who will be this year’s champions - and we’ll help you live stream every World Series minute! The men from the capital took first blood on Tuesday night, with a closely fought 5-4 win. But then they really made the statement 24 hours later when they pummelled the Astros by a massive 12 runs to 3. The seventh inning is where they did all the damage to Houston's relief pitchers with a massive six RBIs. The Washington Nationals are heading to the World Series for the first time in franchise history after sweeping the Arizona Cardinals in the NLCS. The team won every game in the series and, because of this, they’ll be going into Tuesday’s first World Series game well rested and ready to take on the Astros. Could the Nationals win their first ever World Series? The New York Yankees may have won their first game against the Houston Astros in the ALCS championship but Houston was able to turn things around and the team went on to win games 2, 3 and 4. The Yankees then won game 5 but when the two teams returned to Houston for game 6, Jose Altuve secured the Astros place in the 2019 World Series with a walk-off home run in the 9th inning. The Astros won the World Series just two years ago in 2017 but will the team be able to do it again? Whether you’re a Nationals fan in DC, an Astros fan in Houston or just a fan of the sport of baseball, we’ll show you how to live stream every game in the 2019 World Series online from anywhere in the world. Keep reading and we’ll guide you through all of the options to watch this year’s World Series on your TV, computer and even on mobile.
How to watch a World Series live stream from outside your countryWe have your viewing options below if you want to watch the baseball from the US, UK or Canada, including the routes you need if you don't have cable access. However, try watching your usual online coverage when you're abroad and you'll soon discover that you can due to broadcasters' geo-blocking. No, we don't suggest you go running to Reddit to see where you can stream a dodgy, illegal feed. It's by utilising a VPN - or Virtual Private Network - that allows you to change the IP address of your laptop or mobile to one in a different state or country which does have the stream so that you can watch the series from anywhere in the world. How to watch the Washington Nationals vs Houston Astros in the USIf you’re in the US and want to watch the 2019 World Series on TV, all of the games will be shown on Fox. For those who are out and about but still want to catch all of the action, Fox will stream every game live on its Fox Sports Go app but you will need to login using your cable provider’s credentials. Alternatively, cord cutters can watch the World Series online via a sports streaming service. We’ve listed our favorite options below to make things easier for you, so keep scrolling down to see our favorite streaming services for watching MLB online. How to stream World Series 2019 with MLB.TVOther ways to watch the 2019 World Series onlineThe dedicated MLB.TV won't be for everyone. If you want a paid option that includes other television and sports, then going for a more all-encompassing plan might be better for you. Below are some other options to consider. But remember that the same applies if you're trying to watch the your home team play locally during a blackout game - you'll need a VPN to do so, so check out how to do that above. World Series streaming for cord cutters
How to stream Astros vs Nationals live in the UKUK baseball fans trying to watch the 2019 World Series can do so on BT Sport which is included in BT’s TV bundles. If you aren't a BT Sport subscriber, you can sign up for the BT Sport app for £10 a month with the first three months free or subscribe via Sky TV or TalkTalk TV for £29.99 a month. Not in the UK but wanting to watch the BT Sport stream online from abroad? Then you'll want to go scroll back up and read about how to use a VPN to watch from anywhere. How to live stream Nationals vs Astros in CanadaIf you live in Canada and have a cable subscription, you’ll be able to watch the 2019 World Series on SportsNet. Not interested in signing up for cable just to watch some baseball? Don’t worry as MLB.TV is also available in Canada and with the Postseason Pass you’ll be able to watch the entirety of the 2019 World Series for just $24.99. 2019 World Series full scheduleGame 1: Washington Nationals at Houston Astros on Tuesday, October 22 Game 2: Washington Nationals at Houston Astros on Wednesday, October 23 Game 3: Houston Astros at Washington Nationals on Friday, October 25 Game 4: Houston Astros at Washington Nationals on Saturday, October 26 Game 5: Houston Astros at Washington Nationals on Sunday, October 27 Game 6: Washington Nationals at Houston Astros on Tuesday, October 29 Game 7: Washington Nationals at Houston Astros on Wednesday, October 30 All games start just after 8pm ET (5pm PT, 1am BST) and games 5,6 and 7 will only be played if necessary This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Best external hard drives of 2019 Posted: 25 Oct 2019 12:54 PM PDT Having one of the best external hard drives or backup hard drive in your setup, especially if your main computer is a laptop, is not only practical – It could also be money-saving as well, especially since some computer manufacturers out there charge a hefty sum when you’re configuring your laptop to have a bigger storage space. Plus, with Black Friday rapidly approaching, there's a good chance that we're going to see some major price cuts to the best external hard drives out there. If you do find a killer deal for any of the drives on this best external hard drive list, then you can buy in full confidence that you're getting a brilliant external drive for your money. Before we dive in to our list, let’s talk first about what makes an excellent external hard drive. When looking to buy the best external hard drive for your needs, there are quite a lot of things you need to consider - and our guide will help you on that. When buying the best external hard drive for your needs, you need to make sure you get a device that can safely and securely store your important files. Reliability is of the utmost importance here, as you do not want to buy an external hard drive that fails on you - making you lose all your important backups. The best external hard drives will also be quick - either because they use SSD (Solid State Drive) technology, or because they use the latest connectivity technology, such as USB-C. The biggest deciding factors when it comes to data transfer rates is the connection the drive uses, and whether it is a standard hard drive or a solid state drive (SSD). Many external hard drives utilize USB 2.0 connections. However, for faster speeds, you'll want USB 3.0 or ideally the newer USB Type-C connection. You'll also need to ensure your PC or laptop also has a USB Type-C port. You'll also need to think about how much storage space you need. The best external hard drives offer a range of storage space. We'd recommend 500GB to start, as that gives you plenty of space to store your files without costing too much money. That’s certainly good enough for most users.
However, if you’re dealing with large files – such as high-resolution photos and videos – in your typical workload, you should consider buying one with a bigger storage space. Luckily, many external hard drives offer terabytes (TB) of storage space for not much more money. Buying the best external hard drive for your needs involves figuring out how much space you need. You don't want to buy an external hard drive that's too small, end up running out of space and buying another one. However, you also don’t want to pay over the odds for storage space you'll never need. In addition, the best external hard drives are also dependable and rugged, so you can safely store your data without worry. The best external drives must also be light enough to carry in your bag, with large capacities so that you can keep your data safe when traveling. There's a huge range of external hard drives on offer, so we've listed the best external hard drives money can buy in 2019. Each external drive (or backup hard drive) on this list has been carefully handpicked to make sure it offers fast data transfer speeds – essential if you move lots of big files consistently, boast sturdy build quality so you don't have to worry about them breaking and losing your files, and have more than enough storage space on offer however much you need. Best external hard drives at a glance
The Buffalo's MiniStation Extreme NFC is great for budget consumers. (Image Credit: Buffalo) If you’re looking for the best external hard drive that will save you a ton of cash, Buffalo's MiniStation Extreme NFC could be your match made in heaven. With compatibility for both Mac and Windows machines, the Buffalo MiniStation Extreme NFC is very flexible, and comes with a rugged case that's dust and water resistant, along with a built-in USB 3.0 cable. Not only is your data kept protected from knocks and drops with the rugged shell, but it's also got 256-bit AES security features and NFC (Near Field Communication) features as well. Essentially it allows you to unlock the drive to get to your files quickly and easily by tapping the supplied NFC card onto the drive's body. Pretty neat!
The Western Digital My Passport Ultra is among the best external hard drives out there. (Image Credit: TechRadar) The latest generation of the Western Digital My Passport Ultra range of external hard drives is here, coming in sizes from 1TB to 4TB, and they’re among the best external hard drives out there. It features cloud storage and 256-AES encryption, along with WD's own software suite. It is a good performer when it comes to data transfer speeds but doesn't come near the top of the leaderboard. Unsurprisingly, it doesn't reach the top speeds of solid state external drives, but for external hard drives based on traditional HDDs, this is the drive to consider. If you'd rather have an external hard drive that takes advantage of solid state drive (SSD) speeds, then there's the Samsung Portable SSD T5. (Image Credit: Samsung) If you'd rather have an external hard drive that takes advantage of solid state drive (SSD) speeds, then the Samsung Portable SSD T5 is certainly among the best external hard drive for you. Samsung has an excellent reputation for external SSDs, thanks to products like the T3, and the T5 builds on its predecessor by adding a fast USB Type-C connection that ekes out every last drop of performance from the solid state drive inside. Of course, it's also backwards compatible with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 if your PC doesn't have USB Type-C. Be prepared to shell out a bit more cash, but it’s well worth it. Read the full review: Samsung Portable SSD T5 The Adata SD700 is great for those looking for a rugged storage device. (Image Credit: Adata) The Adata SD700 will suit those looking for a rugged storage device that can provide ample capacity without costing too much. It performs incredibly well and remains the only SSD we’ve seen that is IP68 rated. Thanks to the solid state drive that resides in this external hard drive, it's a lot faster than external drives that use traditional spinning hard drives, which means that you're getting great transfer speeds as well as rugged protection. It also comes in capacities up to 1TB, so you don't have to worry about missing out on storage space just because it uses an SSD - this drive really does hit all the right notes. The WD My Book Duo is the absolute largest capacity external hard drive. (Image Credit: WD) If you're looking for the absolute largest capacity external hard drive, then the WD My Book Duo 4TB is the one to get, offering a sizeable 4TB (you can also get versions with up to 20TB) of storage space over two hard drives. You might sacrifice some of the ample storage space, if you don’t mind losing some, so you can set the drives up in a RAID array, so you have file backups of your files should one of the drives die. This USB 3.0 drive has many of the features of a fully-fledged NAS device (including a high price), and if you have a router with a USB 3.0 port you could use this as a network attached storage device in its own right. The device, which comes with two-year warranty, has 256-bit AES hardware encryption, and automatic backup software (WD SmartWare Pro). Worth noting that the enclosure used is fully serviceable and that WD ships the drive already pre-formatted for Windows users (NTFS). The Buffalo MiniStation Thunderbolt is great for a device with a Thunderbolt port. (Image Credit: Buffalo) If you have a device with a Thunderbolt port, then this is a great option, as it provides twice the speeds of standard USB 3.0 drives. It's also not especially expensive compared to other Thunderbolt drives. The price is kept down due to its use of a traditional hard drive, rather than an SSD, which limits the potential speeds. It also comes with a USB 3.0 port for people without access to Thunderbolt.
The Seagate Backup Plus Desktop Drive combines speed and capacity. (Image Credit: Seagate) If you want to combine speed and capacity, then the Seagate Backup Plus Desktop Drive 5TB is definitely worth considering. It comes in a range of sizes up to 8TB and it beats the competition when it comes to read and write speeds as well. On top of this storage and speed, you get a decent amount of peace of mind thanks to Seagate's lower than average failure rates, especially in bigger capacity hard drives. You also get backup software, and the drive is compatible with both Windows and Macs, though it's formatted for Windows out of the box unless you go for a Mac-specific hard drive - though these are more expensive. There's a more premium feel to the My Passport Wireless Pro. (Image Credit: Western Digital) Even if we had mixed feelings on past versions of the My Passport Wireless, the 2016 “pro” variant of the external HDD restores faith in the Western Digital name. The design, for one, has been overhauled and no longer resembles the My Passport Ultra or My Passport for Mac. Instead, there’s now a more premium feel to the My Passport Wireless Pro. It resembles an external DVD drive, but considering the onboard SD card slot, don’t worry about getting it confused with anything else. For photographers, this will make the Wireless Pro stand out. For everyone else, there’s a massive 6,400mAh battery built into the device. This lets the drive be used completely free of wires over 2.4GHz or 5GHz channels. When it’s wired up, however, don’t expect cutting edge connection tech, as the My Passport Wireless Pro uses only USB Type-B to Type-A. Completely absent is the latest and greatest USB-C connection. Where the My Passport Wireless Pro compromises on affordability, it’s able to benefit in just about every other area. Of course, not everyone needs a wireless hard drive or SD card support, but for those who do, it’s almost essential. Read the full review: Western Digital My Passport Wireless Pro The LaCie Porsche Design Mobile Drive is an excellent challenger to the Seagate M3. (Image Credit: LaCie) You may have stumbled upon the LaCie Porsche Design Mobile Drive when perusing the Apple website for USB-C accessories. There’s a reason for that: the Porsche Design ships with both USB Type-C to Type-A and USB Type-C to Type-C connectors, making it a worthy candidate regardless of your setup. It’s expensive for an external hard drive, don’t get us wrong, especially if you’re in the market for the top-end 4TB option. On the other hand, this is an HDD that could theoretically output speeds of up to 5Gbps, if it weren’t hindered by the limits of SMR (Shingled Magnetic Recording) technology. Comprising five 800GB platters in a 15mm form factor, the LaCie Porsche Design Mobile is an excellent challenger to the Seagate M3, though it’s notably bigger in both weight and dimensions. Sure, it packs an extra convenience factor in the form of USB-C, but it should be noted that the Porsche Design Mobile is still limited to USB 3.0 speeds. Plus, even an aluminum finish can’t prevent it from clashing with your Rose Gold MacBook. Nevertheless, LaCie’s offering is the best USB-C external HDD money can buy, at least for the time being. Read our full review: LaCie Porsche Design Mobile Drive 4TB The iStorage diskAshur 2TB offer tight security like no other drives around. (Image Credit: iStorage) Typically, iStorage hard disks cater best to governments and multinational organizations around the world, for good reason too – they offer tight security like no other drives around. If someone tries to tamper with your iStorage drive, you can configure it to self-desturct. What's more, the data is encrypted by the 256-bit AES protocol, with multiple forms of protection in place to ensure the bad guys don't get in no matter how persistent. When you consider all that extra security, the prices won't scare you away either. Sure, it's still expensive, four times the price of an equivalent 2TB drive, and unlikely to be the most nimble performer. But, you're paying for a product that's virtually uncrackable. Bear in mind, though, you'll get no help from the manufacturer if things go awry and you lose your password. Read our full review: iStorage diskAshur DT Gabe Carey and Matt Hanson also contributed to this article This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Walmart Early Access sale brings some great Black Friday savings to laptops Posted: 25 Oct 2019 12:30 PM PDT Walmart has launched its Early Access sale, and isn't waiting until Black Friday or Cyber Monday to begin some serious price cuts. The Walmart Early Access sale is live right now, and it features some seriously impressive deals that we'd usually see later in the year when Black Friday rolls around. Not only are there some amazing savings to be had on laptops, but TVs, video games, cell phones and smart home gadgets have all seen some hefty price cuts as well. We've scoured Walmart's website to find some of the very best Early Access sale deals, with a particular focus on laptops. Also, make sure you check out our best Walmart Black Friday laptop deals and best Black Friday laptop deals guides for more great early deals. We also have a roundup of the best Black Friday Walmart deals as well, so stick with us if you want to get some serious savings from Walmart.
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| US senators call for a probe into TikTok citing national security concerns Posted: 25 Oct 2019 11:48 AM PDT US Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senator Tom Cotton have asked officials in the intelligence community to investigate the popular Chinese-owned app TikTok to see whether it poses a risk to national security. In a letter to the acting director of national intelligence Joseph Maguire, the senators raised concerns about how the video sharing platform collects user data and questioned whether it censors content for US users. They also suggested that TikTok could be targeted by foreign influence campaigns. In the US, there is growing concern over security and censorship issues with TikTok, which is owned by the Beijing-based tech company ByteDance, and other content platforms that are owned by Chinese companies.
Senator Marco Rubio has also asked US authorities to review allegations that the Chinese government uses TikTok for political censorship. US user dataSenator Schumer and Senator Cotton have both urged investigators to look into how TikTok collects users' location data and other sensitive personal information. While TikTok says that US user data is stored in the US, the senators argue that ByteDance is still governed by Chinese laws. Earlier this month, Senator Rubio asked that a US national security panel review ByteDance's acquisition of Musical.ly back in 2017. He was also concerned that TikTok “only had a few videos of the Hong Kong protests that have been dominating international headlines for months”. In a statement to Reuters, a TikTok spokesperson explained that China does not have jurisdiction over the app's content because the app does not operate in China, saying: “The Chinese government does not request that TikTok censor content. To be clear: We do not remove videos based on the presence of Hong Kong protest content. TikTok is committed to being a trusted and responsible corporate citizen in the US, which includes working with Congress and all relevant regulatory agencies.” Hopefully will learn more about how TikTok handles US user data and whether or not the video sharing platform is actually a threat to US national security if the intelligence community ends up deciding to follow up on the senators' request.
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| The Best TV 2019: 10 big-screen TVs worth buying this year Posted: 25 Oct 2019 11:26 AM PDT You don't have to wait until Black Friday or Cyber Monday to find great deals on the best TVs of 2019 - every week, companies like LG, Samsung and Sony partner with retailers to offer big discounts on some of the their best screens. Shopping for a new TV can be tough, especially if it's been a few years since you last bought a big screen. TVs can have complicated names, complicated feature sets and price tags that seem to shoot up without reason. It's so easy to give up searching that most folks just plunk down money on whatever's cheapest - even if that means getting the worst TV on the shelf. We don't want that happen. In fact, we're going to do everything in our power to help you find the best TV in your price range. That's what this list is all about.
The TVs listed below are based on scores assigned by our sterling team of reviewers and compiled by TechRadar editors based on price and performance. At the top of our list you'll find the brand-new Samsung Q90, available now, which is an early contender for TV of the year. Behind it is LG's new 2019 C9 OLED and a stellar Vizio screen that can reach up to 3,000 nits of peak brightness. We've got models from Samsung, LG, Sony, TCL and Vizio below, so if you've got a particular brand affiliation – or an ecosystem you want to stay within – there's something for you. After you've found a TV on page one, the second page will teach you more about what makes a TV tick and why those specs matter so much. "Should I buy a TV now or wait it out?"This is a question we get a lot. Like most technology (cough, iPhones) TVs are getting incrementally better all the time – which means, yes, if you wait a year - or even a few months - there will probably be a bigger, flashier TV out there for less money. But while doing so will certainly net you a larger screen at a better price, some of the best panels are already being manufactured today. Tomorrow's screens might be a bit larger, a bit brighter and a bit cheaper, but today's screens are just as competent in their own right. We can say that with confidence knowing that most manufacturers have finally embraced the three most important standards in TVs: Ultra HD, Wide Color Gamut and HDR (HDR10 and Dolby Vision). If a TV you're looking at doesn't support at least one of these, you should probably look somewhere else. Not sure where to start? Here are the best TVs we tested this year. What can we expect for Black Friday / Cyber Monday?At this point, it's impossible to predict which TVs will get a substantial price drop during Black Friday this year... well, almost impossible. While we can't guarantee anything it's very likely that each of the manufacturers will offer deals on both their flagship screens as well as some of their cheaper models. For Samsung, this will likely include deals on both the low-end RU7100 and RU8000, as well as deals on the Samsung Q60 and Samsung Q70 Series. LG is harder to predict, but we're expecting to get a little money off the top of the LG C9 OLED and its three Nano Cell series screens. Sony might markdown the X850G and X950G, but we're less confident in those predictions. For ultra-budget screens, we can probably expect to see a sale on TCL's excellent 6-Series from 2018, the new H8F and H9F from Hisense and basically every TV in Vizio's lineup from the V-Series all the way up to the P-Series Quantum X. We'll update this article with deals later in the month, but for up-to-the-minute TV deals, check out our best Black Friday TV deals page. Image credit: Samsung Last year, the Samsung Q9FN was the TV to beat. It won plaudits galore for its features and image quality, not to mention its excellent, improved smart platform that came with Bixby support and Samsung SmartThings. However it wasn’t perfect and there were legitimate complaints about viewing angles and an over-aggressive local dimming system that crushed detail just above black. Samsung has clearly taken these criticisms to heart, and directly addressed them in the Q90. The new model has a visibly superior viewing angle that holds its own against an OLED TV, and the local dimming delivers deep blacks without losing shadow detail. To that end, the new Ultra Black Elite filter is nothing short of a revelation, rejecting ambient light in a way that just staggers belief. The Q90 is able to deliver images that can directly compete with an OLED, with natural colors, bright highlights, deep blacks, and well defined shadows. It can also surpass any OLED when it comes to HDR, with images that are often breathtaking in their detail and dynamic range. In fact our only real criticism would be that, unlike some of the competition, the Q90 doesn’t support Dolby Vision. However in all other respects the Samsung Q90 is an absolutely stellar TV that takes QLED to another level. Read the full review: Samsung Q90R QLED TV LG C9 OLED Series (2019) The LG C9 is a truly exceptional 4K OLED TV that takes what was so impressive about last year’s C8 OLED and builds on it. The major difference is the inclusion of the 2nd generation Alpha9 processor, which uses AI enhancements to deliver stellar SDR and HDR images, and helps make the upscaling and processing second-to-none with incredible levels of detail and image fidelity. As is the case with all OLED TVs the panel brightness pales when compared to an LCD TV, but brightness isn’t everything. The absolute blacks and pixel level of precision afforded by the self-emissive technology ensures that HDR looks stunning. There’s support for Dolby Vision as well, and only the absence of HDR10+ disappoints. There are other OLEDs worth considering this year (see: LG's own E9 Series) but we think the OLED C9 offers the best price-to-performance ratio of any TV under the sun in the year 2019. Read the full review: LG C9 OLED (OLED55C9, OLED65C9, OLED77C9) The Vizio P-Series Quantum X is a home run for Vizio. Sure, the SmartCast interface isn’t all the great, and the speakers are worth bypassing, but the TV is packed with awesome features and backed up by an excellent image quality. We’re looking forward to AirPlay 2 and HomeKit support, but even without those features the TV is still one of the best options in its price range. If you truly have deep pockets and want the best image quality out there, then it’s still worth going for LG's OLED or Samsung's QLED TVs - but in the absence of a six-figure salary, the $2,199 Vizio P-Series Quantum X PX-65G1 is clearly an excellent option for those that want quantum dot tech in a smart TV at Vizio-level prices. Read the full review: Vizio P-Series Quantum (PQ65-F1) Samsung Q900R QLED TV With most people - *cough* content providers - only just getting to grips with 4K resolution, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Samsung had gone nuts by introducing the world’s first true 8K TV. And yet, while it's easy to be critical about the Samsung Q900R, it truly does usher in a new era of TV picture quality. Its native 8K pictures are incredible, looking just like the real world - only better. But even more crucially given the dearth of true 8K content for the foreseeable future, the 85Q900R makes all today’s lower resolution sources look better than they do anywhere else, too. Whether 8K delivers the same impact on smaller screens remains to be seen, but if you have a big enough room and budget, the 85Q900R is a vision of the future that’s actually spectacularly worth buying today. Sony Bravia A9G OLED (2019) A direct replacement for last year's Sony A9F/AF9 OLED, the Sony A9G/AG9 Master Series OLED is the new flagship of Sony’s TV fleet. It embraces a characteristically minimalist design that disguises a host of cutting-edge features like Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support, plus Netflix Calibrated Mode (of interest to many), and IMAX Enhanced certification (of interest to few). This is a screen that looks premium, and has a spec on the right side of righteous. The Android platform is easy to live with, that vibrating sound system entertaining and picture quality top notch. Offering Dolby Vision is a welcome refinement, but the caveat is a lack of support for HDR10+. That said, it does a fabulous job up-scaling HD/SDR so it's easy to overlook the lack of at least one HDR format. It's undoubtedly expensive but, all things considered, this glass is class. Read the full review: Sony A9G Master Series OLED LG E9 OLED Series (2019) The LG B9 OLED absolutely delivers on its promise – to give shoppers a cheaper way into a world of OLED, with the sharp contrast and vivid colors that involves. Inevitably there are some corners cut to get there, and you’re not getting the excellent experience of the C9 or E9 – while the delayed launch of the budget B9 model, and continuing price cuts to more premium sets, means this year’s B Series isn’t quite the deal it would have been a few months ago. If the B9 is all your budget allows for, it’s a solid purchase, though scrimping and saving for the LG C9 OLED – and keeping an eye out for it in the Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales – may be a better decision in the long run. Samsung Q70R QLED TV (2019) Samsung’s flagship Q90R QLED TV blew us away recently with its wider viewing angles, deeper blacks, and superior HDR images - sadly, however, not everyone can afford the flagship model. So what can Samsung offer for those wanting to experience QLED picture quality on a budget? Despite sitting lower down in the QLED line-up, the Q70R includes the same comprehensive smart platform, extensive connections, and cutting-edge features found further up the range. This isn’t the flashiest-looking TV that Samsung has ever made, but if your funds are limited the Q70 is a cracking QLED all-rounder that’s worth checking out. Read the full review: Samsung Q70R QLED TV Sony Bravia X950G Series (2019) OK, so you don't want (or can't afford) Sony's new A9G OLED or the fantastic-but-pricey Z9G. So what should you buy? Check out the X950G series. With superb 4K image clarity, powerful SDR-to-HDR remastering, and a smooth direct LED backlight, Sony is offering something very different with the X950G. Right out of the box, the best way to describe the image quality of the X950G is… well, natural. It’s not flashy. It’s not overly bright. Colors aren’t oversaturated. It’s just a really natural picture with subdued colors and great black levels perfect for HD/SDR content. That said, if you’re the kind of person that wants a bit more pop to your images all you need to do is turn on Live Color in the picture settings. This mode works on HD/SDR content to add a bit more color saturation to the image and helps to make the image ‘pop’ in a way that really grabs your attention. It’s a shame that poor sound quality ruined such a great 4K/HDR TV, however, taken by itself, the Sony X950G is an immaculate screen with a ton of potential. Read the full review: Sony BRAVIA X950G (XBR-65X950G) TCL 6-Series (R615, R617) (2018) If you had deep pockets and checkbook filled with blank checks, we’d tell you to reach deep and shell out for only the best TVs on the market - LG’s crazy-thin OLED W8 or Samsung’s ultra-bright Q9FN QLED (both featured on this list). But that’s not realistic. For the vast, vast majority of us, our budget to spend on a TV is limited to somewhere under $1,000 - and often less than that. To that end, it’s absolutely fair to say that the TCL 6-Series is the best TV you can possibly get in this price range. Its performance per dollar is unmatched and its picture quality - despite a few minor flaws - will truly impress you. Read the full review: TCL 6-Series (R615, R617) Hisense's H8 Series has long offered high quality at a very reasonable price, but this year's new H8F really takes the cake in terms of value and performance: It's the company's best value TV yet and offers both Android TV and the company's proprietary ULED TV tech that it claims offers better contrast than rival LED TVs. When it comes to raw picture quality, the Hisense H8F is simply the best TV in this price range. At $500, the TV offers a stellar image quality, with beautifully deep black-levels and crisp colors - all in a manageable 55-inch package. Sure, the audio leaves a lot to be desired, and you may or may not like Android TV, but you can always buy a Roku streaming stick or Apple TV, and use the TV with a stereo surround system or other speakers - leaving the Hisense H8F to do what it’s best at: display a great image. Read the full review: Hisense H8F (55H8F) Continue on to page two to read about what to look for when buying a TV!
What TV technology is best? Which is the best LCD TV? Which screen size is best for your living room? What's the difference between LCD and LED TVs? The answers aren't always obvious. In fact, buying a new TV can be stressful even for the tech-savvy - there are so many brands, so many features, so many screen sizes, colors, technologies and flavors to choose from. So which one is right for you, your family and your living space? In this guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about buying a new TV. What types of TV are there out there?There are a lot of different screen types out there, all working in different ways to produce the same results. Each technology has its own unique strengths and weaknesses so here are some basics to consider: LCD TV: CCFL LED TV: Direct LED LED TV: Edge LED OLED TV Quantum Dot Plasma TV Curved TV What resolution tech should I go for?HD Ultra HD and 4K HDR What else should I consider?Buying a flatscreen television is a major investment and one that you can't afford to take lightly. Just popping into the closest store and grabbing the first plasma or LCD you see won't get you the best deal, the screen that suits your needs, or the gear you require to make the most of your new purchase. Size matters People tend to pick the size of their flat TV based on the amount of space they have for it, this isn't necessarily wise. Flat TVs take up much less space than you might think, so your new TV may end up a foot or two further away from your viewing position, making the picture appear smaller. Also, with hi-def, you can have a bigger screen and the same viewing distance without worrying about seeing blemishes inherent to the source. A 4K TV's lack of noise means that the ideal distance to sit from the screen is three to four times the height of the TV. How to calculate the right size HD TV:The trick here is to ensure that your TV is big enough to fill your line of vision, but small enough to be sharp and clear. Remember, if you intend to only watch standard-definition sources, the bigger the screen gets, the worse the image will look. The ideal screen size can be calculated by multiplying the distance that you intend to sit away from it by 0.535 and then rounding this up to the nearest size. So, if you sit 80in away from your TV, the ideal size is 42-inch (80 x 0.535= 42.8). What features should I look out for?Features are too numerous to go into here, but here are some things you should consider. Photo viewing: If you have a digital camera, a TV that has a slot for memory cards or a USB socket for a card reader will let you view your photos onscreen. Here are some of the things we look for when we review a screen, so you should, too... Contrast: Bright whites shouldn't have any signs of green, pink or blue in them, while blacks should look solid and not washed out, grey, green or blue. Colours: Look at how bright and solid they are; how noiseless their edges are; how 'dotty' richly saturated areas are and how natural skin looks, especially in dim scenes. Fine detail: How much texture does the screen give? Does a tree look like a green lump, or can you see the individual leaves Edges: Check for ghosting, bright halos and jaggedness, especially around curves. Motion: Check moving objects and quick camera pans for smearing or blurring, trailing, jerkiness and fizzing dotty noise. Image artefacts: Look for blockiness, colour bands, grain, smearing, dot crawl: anything that looks like it's added by the TV picture processing or a weak TV tuner. Tinker with a TV's picture settings before making a final decision. Factory settings are rarely good for everyday viewing. What about sound?To provide the best audio to complement the pictures, your TV should be hooked up to a surround sound system, but this isn't always an option. So, here's what we listen for when testing a TV's speakers: Bass: Deep, rounded rumbles that don't cause the set to rattle or speakers to distort, cramp or overwhelm the rest of the sound; but that expand when needed. Vocals: Voices should sound open, rich and clear, not boxed in, nasal or thin. Trebles: Treble effects should sound clean, rounded and smooth in loud scenes and shouldn't dominate the soundstage. Soundstage width/depth: A good TV should throw the sound away from the TV, to the sides, forward and back, to give an extra dimension to what's on screen, without losing any coherence. How many HDMI sockets do I need?For a living room TV you should be looking for a minimum of 3 HDMI inputs. If you want to attach a set-top box as well as games consoles etc, those HDMI ports will fill up fast. Do I want to hang my TV on the wall?First off, you'll need to consult a construction expert to check that the wall in question is strong enough to support a flatscreen. Then find out if the set you want is designed to be wall-mounted and, if so, ask if the relevant bracket is included in the basic package or as an optional extra. Will I be connecting it to a home cinema?If the answer is no, you might want to think more carefully about your set's audio performance. Look for a screen that can go as loud as you'll need without distortion or cabinet rattle. Consider how dialogue sounds and how much low-end rumble the bass is capable of. Conversely, it's pointless paying out more cash for exceptional built-in speakers if you already have a decent home cinema system. Happy shopping! This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Walmart will give you a free game if you buy a Nintendo Switch before Black Friday Posted: 25 Oct 2019 11:00 AM PDT While bundle deals are nothing new, they remain the best way to save some money when buying a new system - I mean what’s a new console without something to play on it, right? Some of the best bundle deals happen during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, but Walmart is getting a jump on the deal days with a Nintendo Switch bundle that pairs a console with your choice of a game for $330 (a savings of $30). The list of games you can choose from includes Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Super Mario Odyssey, Splatoon 2, Legend of Zelda, and Super Mario Party. Walmart is also throwing in a bonus Switch accessory that includes an Ematic Nintendo Switch or a PowerA Stealth Case Kit. Looking to get something a bit more... powerful? Walmart also has a pre-Black Friday deals on the Xbox One S that see the system paired with Call of Duty Modern Warfare for $249. Definitely worth checking out if you're buying for an older gamer this year.
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| Huawei will keep getting chipset tech from UK-based ARM despite US sanctions Posted: 25 Oct 2019 10:48 AM PDT The US government’s Huawei ban has been troublesome, but at least processors for its smartphones are in the clear: the UK-based ARM, which supplies the Chinese company with chipset tech, decided it can do so without violating US trade sanctions. Huawei uses ARM blueprints to design chipsets that end up in its smartphones like the P30 Pro and Mate 30 Pro. The ARM legal team has decided that, since the tech originates in the UK, it doesn’t violate the US-enacted trade sanctions, according to a Reuters report. This should restart business between the two, which was halted in May after the US bans ratcheted up. The US government granted a reprieve on its ban to certain companies until November, but mostly to give them time to wean themselves off of doing business with Huawei. At least now the Chinese tech giant can relax that its smartphones can still get ever-important tech to power its cutting-edge Kirin 990 processors, which appear in both the latest Mate 30 phones and the second edition of its foldable phone, the Huawei Mate Xs. ARM-designed Huawei processors today - and into the futureThe tech behind the Kirin 990 won’t violate US sanctions- but what about future chips? A comment by an ARM spokesperson provided to Reuters may provide a clue: “ARM’s v8 and v9 are UK-origin technologies,” an ARM spokeswoman told Reuters via email on Friday. “ARM can provide support to HiSilicon for the ARM v8-A architecture, as well as the next generation of that architecture, following a comprehensive review of both architectures, which have been determined to be of UK origin.” ARM’s v8 tech lies at the foundation of most modern mobile chips, including those used by Apple, Qualcomm, MediaTek, and Samsung in addition to Huawei, as Android Authority points out - but the v9 hasn’t been mentioned or introduced yet. Conceivably, this means Huawei’s next-generation mobile chipsets - whatever succeeds the Kirin 990, and perhaps processors down the line. While the company’s Android-replacing HarmonyOS is still a ways off, given next year’s phones (like the P40) will still run a version of Android with company-provided apps to replace Google’s, at least the company’s processors may remain in familiar territory.
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| Best Nintendo Switch Online games for co-op and versus multiplayer Posted: 25 Oct 2019 10:46 AM PDT Some games are best for playing solo, but others only come into their own with friends, family – or angry strangers on the internet. To help you pick the best online and multiplayer games for playing on the Nintendo Switch, we've put together this extensive list of the best co-op or competitive titles currently available. The Nintendo Switch Online service launched last September, bringing a paid subscription service for accessing online play, alongside a host of other features like cloud saves and retro game emulation. The paid online service isn't necessary for playing most games on the Nintendo Switch eShop, but you'll still need it if you want to get the most out of your multiplayer titles. If you've been through our Nintendo Switch review and bought a console already, and want to know the best reasons for signing up to the online service too, these are the local co-op and online multiplayer games that get all the better for having Nintendo Switch Online. Keep in mind, you may get discounts on these titles during Black Friday and Cyber Monday so keep an eye on our Nintendo Switch Black Friday deals page.
Easy to play, hard to master, Super Smash Bros has always been a Nintendo stalwart: a mad fighting game brawler that pits video game characters from across Nintendo’s extensive catalogue against each other in battle. Pikachu vs Luigi. Kirby vs Ice Climbers. Toon Link vs Samus. The chaos knows no ends. Super Smash Bros Ultimate is the closest thing to a definitive Smash Bros we’ve seen, with every single character ever to have appeared across the franchise – with some fun new ones bundled in, including Metroid’s Ridley and Donkey Kong Country’s King K. Rule. Add to that over 100 stages, countless gameplay improvements and a bunch of new modes to jump into, and you have a Smash Bros entry making a strong case for signing up to Nintendo Switch Online. Play for: online multiplayer, local co-op Let's be honest, the main selling point of Nintendo Switch Online is probably the NES games that come bundled in. There's no Virtual Console this time around, so you're reliant on Nintendo leasing you the retro classics rather than letting you buy what you want at any time. Even so, these games have been lovingly remastered with plenty of pleasingly modern features to let you pause, save, and reload each NES game at any point during play. Not to mention different viewing options if you want that more authentic arcade machine feel. Actual two-player games here Ice Climbers or Balloon Fight are perfect for a nostalgia trip with your buddies. And even the solo titles – Donkey Kong, The Legend of Zelda, and so on – have been updated for more connected play, meaning you can swap between Joy-Con controllers with a friend or enjoy voice chat over the Switch smartphone app while you take a trip down memory lane. Other NES titles you get at launch include Soccer, Tennis, Mario Bros, Super Mario Bros, Super Mario Bros 3, Ghosts 'n Goblins, Excitebike, Tecmo Bowl, and Yoshi. But there'll be a steady trickle of other games each month for subscribers – the original NES Metroid game hits mid-November – which are bound to start including comparatively more recent SNES and N64 games down the line. Play for: local co-op We couldn’t make a list of the best online games without this: a beautifully Nintendo take on team-based shooters with teenage squids splaying maps with colored ink. The fun, cartoony art style and fluid gameplay are exactly what you expect from Nintendo, with a sharply competitive streak and quick-fire matches that make it perfect for short play sessions. The first game did the impressive job of pulling players to the struggling Wii U console, and while the loss of a second screen on the Nintendo Switch entry is mourned, this is still a wonderfully fun game. The single player offering has got stronger with the recent Octo expansion, but don’t be mistaken: this is a masterful multiplayer game through and through. There are local co-op options if you have more than one Switch to hand, though the game doesn’t support split-screen play on a television. Play for: online multiplayer Weapons, shields, engines, and... love? Lovers in a Dangerous Spacetime is a funky 2D shooter that sees you pilot a spaceship across the galaxy to help restore love to the universe. The popping visuals and bumping soundtrack are what make this game, though the cooperative elements also aim to bring you and your other players closer together – you won't make it through the game without them. There's technically a single-player mode, but for the full force of this lovingly-made indie game, you'll want to find someone to share it with. Play for: local co-op Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is in a sense of repackaging of the Wii U entry – but is still well worth your time and money. Accessible with plenty of modes, vehicles, and on-track madness, Nintendo's iconic arcade racer is always one of the best multiplayer games out there, while this entry comes with a set of new characters and all the previously released DLC included from the starting line. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe caters for four players in split-screen co-op, or up to eight consoles linked up wirelessly – or against anyone you like online. Play for: online multiplayer or local co-op How to improve on ‘the beautiful game’ of football? By replacing humans with cars, obviously. Rocket League is that wonderfully simple premise that everyone can get behind: haphazardly zooming across a pitch and occasionally knocking a giant ball into the goal. It’s on pretty much every gaming system out there by now but is an affordable must-buy if you don’t have it on another console already. Play for: online multiplayer and local co-op A casual co-op game about the most stressful restaurant kitchen imaginable. Overcooked 2 supports up to four players in couch co-op – though you'll need a joy-con for each one of you – and will see you cooking up a storm as you all try to keep your kitchen running in increasingly madcap and unstable environments (hot air balloons, anyone?). Cue flaming dinners, furious customers, and shifting stages that faithfully recreate the stress of being a working chef (not really). It’s simple but chaotic, and perfect for a quiet / loud night in after actually making yourself dinner. Play for: local co-op or online multiplayer Ok, so, technically Fortnite doesn’t require Nintendo Switch Online – like any free-to-play game on the console – but it’s a must-have for anyone into online competitive gaming. Fortnite is a stupidly successful take on the battle royale genre, which drops 100 players into a shrinking map and lets the chaos ensure, with neat building mechanics and plenty of llama-based humor to make it stand out from the crowd. Publisher Epic Games constantly tweaks and improves the service, bringing in new modes and items to make sure there’s always something new to try out too. And it’s played by everyone from 10-year-olds to full-grown adults, and apparently the Canadian rapper Drake, so don’t worry about not fitting in. Cross-play also means you can compete with players on their Xbox One, PC, PS4, or on mobile. The game makes its fortunes selling cosmetic items or letting you choose your own character – rather than randomly selecting one – but there’s no obligation to fork out. The Nintendo Switch version even supports motion controls, if you fancy setting yourself more of a challenge in the online arena. Play for: online multiplayer Pokken Tournament DX is a 360-degree fighting game with a roster of Pokemon to take each other on in 1-on-1 or 3-on-3 battles. Another fantastic Wii U game that didn’t get the love it deserved – until it was ported over to the Switch, with even more pocket monsters to play with. This isn’t the turn-based combat you’ll know from the mainline series, either – here you have to choose your moves and movements in real-time to take down your opponents, adding a real rush to proceedings. Not to mention the HD graphics, with character builds and attack animations brought into their lively 3D splendor. But it’s not all looks: this is a satisfying fighting game with great mechanics and plenty of nostalgia for fans of the series. Play for: local co-op or online multiplayer Minecraft on Nintendo Switch? The second best-selling video game of all time (after Tetris) has come far since it first launched in beta back in 2011. The mining and building mechanics offer near-endless scope for creation, combining the fun and freedom of Lego with the possibilities of virtual sandbox game. Make the castle of your dreams, create to-scale replicas of the Millenium Falcon, or wander around the countless creations of friends and strangers across the globe. It's well suited to the Switch's pick-up-and-play mentality, even if it's playable on pretty much everything by now – notably in VR – with plenty of cross-play between platforms. There are various modes for different styles of play, including a Creative Mode that lets you focus on building, or an Adventure Mode more geared towards exploring other user-created maps and areas. Play for: online multiplayer or local co-op Is this the Nintendo Switch's definitive party game? The Mario Party franchise has been running for 20 years and almost as many entries, pitting an eclectic mix of Mario characters against each other as they compete in a virtual board game. The eleventh in the series, Super Mario Party undoes some of the missteps of recent years and brings back the competitive edge, with a bunch of new modes, fresh new minigames, and added layers of strategy to bring the party all over again. If you have two Switch consoles between you, you can even link them up to fire cannons or splice together fruit from one screen to another – a neat addition that shows how much potential the Switch has for new kinds of play. The only place you'll be playing online will be Toad's Rec Room, where you can compete in four-person minigames for those prized leaderboard places – rather than risking strangers dropping out of a 20-turn board game mid-way. But whether you're playing online or just chilling on the sofa with some friends, this should be at the top of your multiplayer list. Play for: online multiplayer or local co-op This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Best Nintendo Switch accessories: make the most of your hybrid console Posted: 25 Oct 2019 10:15 AM PDT Nintendo's super portable Nintendo Switch works right out of the box, but if you're looking for some accessories to go with it, you've come to the right place. Whether you're looking for a top Switch controller, an eye-catching carry case, or something a little different, we've got you covered. Due to the Switch's success, it's created a brand new market for accessories designed specially for its new brand of on-the-go gaming. That means both Nintendo and a whole host of third-party companies that specialize in accessories have been busy creating and launching extra bits of kit that will work with your console. Many of these Switch accessories are nice to have and they can also help to enhance your gaming experience in a big way. But it's not just about making your gaming experience better. Screen protectors and carry cases will help you keep your console well-protected when you're out-and-about, while portable chargers can keep your Nintendo device going for longer. What we're saying is: there's a Nintendo Switch accessory out there for every need and budget. It's also worth noting you may be able to grab big discounts on these Switch accessories during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, so keep an eye on our Nintendo Switch Black Friday deals page. Read on for our pick of the best Switch accessories that are currently available. We explain what they're used for, who needs them, and how they can be useful. And be sure to keep checking back, we'll update this list when new accessories you need to know about are launched.
If you're not particularly taken with the bundled Joy-Con controllers and want something a little more traditional, consider picking up the Nintendo Switch Pro controller as your next Nintendo Switch accessory. Though the Joy-Con controllers do have a grip which unties them to form a single device, they don't come with traditional D-pads, and they don't look quite as ergonomically sound as these Pro controller upgrades do. With their motion controls, HD rumble and Amiibo support, these are a solid alternative to the original Nintendo Switch Joy-Con controllers that come in the box with a Switch. Xenoblade Chronicles, Super Smash Bros Ultimate and Splatoon 2-themed options are also available if you're able to spend a little more. The Nintendo Switch Pro controllers are great for single players, but you might want to pick up some extra Joy-Cons controllers to get gaming with a few friends... which brings us to our next Nintendo Switch accessory. Unless you want to make the purchase of Joy-Con controllers a prerequisite for entry to your home, you're going to be found short if the opportunity arises for a multiplayer gaming sessions the next time a few friends pop round. Switch Joy-Con color selections are growing all the time too. Alongside the neon red and blue and grey versions which were available at launch, it's now possible to pick up a matching neon yellow pair and a Splatoon 2-inspired neon pink and green set too. Joy-Con controllers can be purchased separately or in a pair, as your needs and budget allow. It's worth noting that you save a little on each individual controller by paying for a pair outright, however. Letting your fragile Nintendo Switch jostle around in a bag during your commute into work or school isn't recommended, even though the Switch is relatively sturdy. Cue the Power Shell Case from Nyko as our next Nintendo Switch accessory, which will give your hybrid console a bit more protection while traveling from A to B. Not only does the Power Shell protect your coveted handheld, it charges it too (via a built-in 5000mAh battery pack) – doubling the Switch's battery life. All that, plus room to store up to 12 games and four SD cards, makes this a great option for the dedicated Nintendo Switch gamer. Nintendo also offer a variety of similar travel cases with special editions including Zelda, Splatoon and Mario Kart.
If you'd rather not buy a Pro controller for your Nintendo Switch but you would like your additional Joy-Con controllers to be slightly more comfortable when they’re being used separately, then a grip kit Switch accessory is always an option. This kit containing two controller grips and two thumb grips will make your slim Joy-Con controllers slightly bulkier, and more akin to a traditional controller shape, which should reduce any discomfort that would arise in a longer play session. If you're a fan of physical media over downloads, this is the Nintendo Switch accessory for you: a game card case for taking your Switch on the go. Even if you're just storing games at home, it's a better way of keeping your cartridges in order than piling up each of the individual game boxes. Nintendo offers its own cases in black or clear. This compact one from HORI holds 24 Switch game cards and two microSD cards, which should keep you going for a good long while. True LAN parties are actually possible on the Nintendo Switch, but only if you pick up an Ethernet adapter as your next Switch accessory – the console doesn't actually have a standard Ethernet port itself. You can connect up to 10 docked Nintendo Switch consoles for an intense gaming tournament with your friends, and not have to worry about dodgy wireless connections. As you might have noticed, the Joy-Con grip that comes boxed with your Nintendo Switch won't charge your Joy-Con controllers... but considering the Joy-Con controllers have around 20 hours of battery life in them, it shouldn't prove to be too much of a problem. However, we all have those times post-play where we just throw our Switch controller on the sofa and walk away. If you just know you're likely to play with the grip frequently and forget to reattach the controllers to your docked console, this could be your next Nintendo Switch accessory. Considering you buy protective accessories for your phone, and for your tablet, and for your laptop, we'd say it's also worth buying them for your Nintendo Switch to keep it secure and safe when it's undocked and on the move. You can get this nifty Mario case officially licensed by Nintendo which includes a screen protector, earbuds, character-branded Joy-Con Armor Guards, thumb caps, cleaning cloth, and applicator for $20/£30. If, however, you're less concerned about themed branding, there's also a starter kit from Orzly available which will set you back $13/£13. We'd definitely recommend picking up this kit as your next Nintendo Switch accessory for the screen protector alone – bearing in mind we've seen reports of players scratching the tablet screen when docking the console for home play, they're worth investing in. A simple Switch accessory, but an important one, especially if you think you're going to be purchasing your games digitally rather than using game cards. The Nintendo Switch only has 32GB of internal memory, and considering games like The Legend of Zelda will take up to around 13GB of that in one go, the ability to expand the console's memory is pretty much essential. The Switch supports microSD and SDHC cards as well as SDXC cards of up to 2TB, even though the latter will seriously cost you – see the best options out there on our Nintendo Switch SD cards guide. Think you'll probably play the Nintendo Switch in tabletop mode a lot? Then you'll want to look into purchasing the HORI playstand as a Switch accessory. Although the Switch has a flip-out leg on its rear that will support it, it doesn't really leave any clearance for plugging a charging cable into the USB-C port on the console's base. On the other hand, the HORI playstand is built to allow this, lifting the console off the surface you're playing on, as well as offering adjustable angles for more comfortable gaming. Legend of Zelda and Mario editions are also available from Nintendo. Here's a Nintendo Switch accessory for those planning to use their console on the go a lot: a nice sturdy sturdy external battery pack is just the job for getting more gaming time in while you're away from home. The Switch's portable battery life isn’t unreasonable, but it isn't stellar either, and since you can’t guarantee you're always going to be near a plug socket to top up its charge, a back up power source is handy (just make sure you always have a USB-C cable about your person to connect it too). These are our picks of the best portable battery packs to help you choose. Given that it is mostly screen, we'd recommend buying some kind of protector for your Nintendo Switch console at your earliest opportunity. Users have reported scratching their console when lifting it from the dock, but as anyone with a phone or tablet will know, you don't need a dock for accidents to happen – so this is definitely a worthy Switch accessory to add to your shopping list. The Nintendo Switch itself may be a portable console, but its bulky dock isn't – and that's not ideal if you want to take the entire set up on the go to play on a TV that isn't your own. Enter a third-party Switch accessory for that problem: Nyko has introduced a much smaller dock for the Nintendo Switch, one that's small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. Being so tiny, it doesn't have the comforting stability of Nintendo's official dock, and nor does it include any USB ports, but it's a great on-the-go solution. With a recommended retail price of $50 (about £38) it's an affordable one, too. The dock has been released and can be purchased on Nyko's official website. Do be warned before buying and using third-party docks for the Nintendo Switch, though – there have been reports that they're bricking player consoles and Nintendo is not open to repairing devices that have been damaged by unlicensed peripherals. Read the reviews carefully before buying. While the Switch's Joy-Con controllers don't have dismal battery life, we do sometimes forget to charge them. If you're forever finding your battery is running low mid-game you might be interested in Nintendo's official Joy-Con battery packs during your Switch accessory shopping. This battery pack will essentially slide onto the back of your Joy-Con controllers and power them using AA batteries. They do add slightly more bulk to the devices, but this might actually suit those who feel the Joy-Cons are on the small side. If you take your Nintendo Switch Mario Karting seriously, you might be interested in a Joy-Con steering wheel adaptor. This wireless wheel Switch accessory uses the motion sensors in the Joy-Con to allow you to feel like you're driving a real cart. There's a learning curve to using these accessories, and they're on the small side, but they do add a new dimension to racing games. It's especially convenient that they come in a pair so you don't have to send your friends off to buy their own. Mario and Luigi editions are also available. Part software, part hardware, Nintendo Labo is one of the coolest accessories that you have to get for your Nintendo Switch console. If building cardboard peripherals which work with real games and can be reprogrammed in whatever way you like sounds like a neat idea, then you definitely want to take a look at this. Nintendo Labo is great for any kids and adults that have an interest in building, creating and tinkering around with tech, and Nintendo has been regularly releasing fresh updates to it as well. This isn't the best gaming headset in the world, but it's one of the most intriguing when it comes to cheap gaming headsets. The HyperX Cloud Alpha is great for those who aren't hugely picky when it comes to their Nintendo Switch headset and simply want something affordable that does what it says on the tin. Though it lacks both surround sound and style, the HyperX Cloud Alpha is the best headset in its price bracket. Its 2.1 stereo sound is top-notch, with its dual-chamber drivers producing less distortion and better low-end sounds. There's no getting around how adorable this Nintendo Switch carry case is - it's probably our favorite on the market. Officially licensed by Nintendo, this Pikachu-themed accessory comes in the form of a gold, metal case featuring everyone's favorite Pokémon. The metal sheen and gold coloring is enough to sell this in our minds. You might not get the shock absorption of some of the other cases in this list, and you won't fit much in aside from the console itself and five game cartridges, but judging by looks alone Hori's case warrants a place. The lightning bolt design on the inner lining is pretty neat too. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| White House security could be putting it at risk of cyberattack Posted: 25 Oct 2019 09:54 AM PDT The White House could be setting itself up for a cyberattack according to an internal memo on cybersecurity, obtained by Axios, which warns that “the White House is posturing itself to be electronically compromised once again”. The reason for this is the fact that at least a dozen top or high-level officials have either resigned or been pushed out of a cybersecurity mission established under President Obama with the aim of protecting the White House from Russian hacking and other cyber threats. The former Office of the Chief Information Security Officer (OCISO) was folded into the Office of the Chief Information Officer (OCIO) back in July and officials from the now non-existent office have warned about new intelligence vulnerabilities.
According to one White House official familiar with the matter, this consolidation could end up leading to a “Wild West” atmosphere in the White House where threats that were previously contained could end up doing a lot of damage. Internal memoAxios learned of the security concerns from an internal memo which was written by a senior White House cybersecurity director who left the cybersecurity mission created during Obama's presidency. The memo's author, Dimitrios Vastakis who held the position of branch chief of White House computer network defense, wrote it with the intention to inform others of the current cybersecurity situation at the White House but it also served as his formal resignation letter. In his former position, Vastakis worked in the OCISO which was created following a breach of White House computers by Russian hackers in 2014. OCISO itself was established to “take on the responsibility of securing the Presidential Information Technology Community (PITC) network” according to the internal memo. President Trump's team has been trying to force out the career staff as well as the expert staff hired under Obama and the source who revealed this information said that the effects could leave the White House vulnerable to a “network compromise”. While cleaning house may seem like the right move from President Trump's position, dealing with staff hired under the Obama administration would likely be much easier than dealing with the cyberattacks their departure could end up leading to.
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| Rugby World Cup 2019 live stream: how to watch semi-finals free online and from anywhere Posted: 25 Oct 2019 09:47 AM PDT We're almost at the big one - only one match separates four teams from the 2019 Rugby World Cup final. Rugby's quartet of top ranked nations have made it to the final four and so far the tournament has certainly lived up to the hype. You can watch all the action from the semi-final crunch matches - no matter where you are - by following our Rugby World Cup live stream guide below. Unsurprisingly, the majority of pundits (and bookies) still have New Zealand as favourites, with South Africa and England behind. But we've already witnessed more than our fair share of memorable moments. The brilliant hosts Japan shocking Ireland and Scotland, Wales overpowering Australia and that intense match up between New Zealand and South Africa being just some of the awesome highlights. The balance of power in the rugby world has shifted at least a little towards the northern hemisphere in recent years, with Wales and England both having been in and around the world number one ranking position. Can one of them take the Web Ellis Cup in 2019 for the first time in 16 years? There's even a chance we may have our first ever all-European final. New Zealand or England? Wales or South Africa? It all feels too close to call! If you want to know where you'll be able to watch every single match, we'll tell you exactly where you can catch it online with a Rugby World Cup live stream and the broadcasters that are showing it absolutely FREE. No matter where on Earth you are, we'll make sure you know where to catch the coverage. How to watch the 2019 Rugby World Cup from outside your countryYou don't have to miss a single minute of the 2019 Rugby World Cup - even if you're abroad and discover that your home broadcaster's online coverage is geo-blocked (we hate it when that happens). If that happens to you and you're desperate to watch your domestic coverage - whether that be in the UK or Australia (where it's free), New Zealand or the US (where it isn't) or anywhere else in the world - there's still a way to get it that doesn't involve putting your security at risk with some dodgy, illegal stream from Reddit. You can simply use a VPN to login back to your country that is broadcasting the actions, and it's really easy to do: 2019 Rugby World Cup remaining fixturesAll times in local Japan time and BST Saturday, October 26 - Semi-finals England vs New Zealand at International Stadium Yokohama - 5pm JST, 9am BST Sunday, October 27 - Semi-finals Wales vs South Africa at International Stadium Yokohama - 6pm JST, 9am GMT Saturday, October 26 - Bronze final TBC vs TBC at Oita Stadium - 6pm JST, 9am GMT Sunday, October 27 - FINAL TBC vs TBC at International Stadium Yokohama - 6pm JST, 9am GMT How to stream Rugby World Cup 2019 live in the UK for FREELive stream the Rugby World Cup in Australia for FREEHow to watch the Rugby World Cup 2019 in New Zealand FREELive stream the Rugby World Cup 2019 in South AfricaHow to watch the 2019 Rugby World Cup: US live stream
Live stream Rugby World Cup 2019 matches in CanadaWhat is the format of the 2019 Rugby World Cup?The Rugby World Cup is a twenty-team tournament. Each country begins in one of four pools that each contain five teams. Each team plays one match against each of the other teams in the same pool. The teams finishing in the top two of each pool advance to the quarter-finals from where the tournament goes into a familiar knockout format. Who are the favourites for the Rugby World Cup?While Ireland go into the tournament as the world’s no.1 ranked team, three-time World Cup winners New Zealand are the clear favourites with Betfair.com to once again lift the Webb Ellis Cup in Japan. What team won the 2015 Rugby World Cup?The All Blacks won their second World Cup on the spin back in 2015 in emphatic style with a 34-17 victory over Australia at Twickenham. What teams are competing in this year's Rugby World Cup?Argentina Australia Canada England Fiji France Georgia Ireland Italy Japan Namibia New Zealand Russia Samoa Scotland South Africa Tonga Uruguay USA Wales This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| The Dark Mode craze may do more harm than good – this is why Posted: 25 Oct 2019 09:33 AM PDT The hot new topic in terms of smartphone and computer software right now is Dark Mode, an optional system look that flips the colors of an app or operating system to make it, well, dark. Instagram has a dark mode, as does Chrome, WhatsApp, Gmail, and iOS 13, and it seems apps and developers are tripping over themselves to create a new dark mode for their software. There's just one problem which none of these hard-working people seem to have considered that makes their work redundant, and the attention they've taken from other projects will be in vain: all in all, dark mode looks totally awful. That's not a dig at any dark mode in particular, and no developers have implemented it particularly poorly (well, apart from Android 10). But in the rush for developers to see if they could implement dark mode on their apps, no-one asked if they should - and taken stock of how it might be reworked better rather than just following the trend. Beyond that, there are legitimate reasons why developers shouldn't be focusing on Dark Mode. Here's why the Dark Mode craze is just crazy. Dark Mode hurts to look atHave you ever gone onto a website, typically an older forum page from back when web design really kicked off, and seen a black background with white text (usually in comic sans) and found it totally hard to read? Pure black backgrounds with white font can be really hard to read, and it causes halation or visual distortion for many people. Having to look at this for long periods of time can cause serious eye strain, which means it's no wonder modern society uses white backgrounds with black or gray font for... well, everything. Dark Mode is dark with white text, and it can cause the aforementioned eye problems. More than that, it just looks ugly, and when smartphones are trying harder and harder to look beautiful in terms of design and software, it makes no sense to create a horrible-looking dark filter. Sure, ugliness is an opinion – but this is an opinion article, so that's to be expected. No good for low-lightOne of the main reasons behind Dark Mode (or excuses for its existence, if you're not feeling charitable) is that it's better for low-light settings, so you can use it in bed without blinding yourself or someone else. And there's merit behind that reasoning: the blue lights in phone screens have been known to stop people sleeping, as the brain misinterprets the blue light as daylight. There's merit behind the reasoning, but not behind the execution, as Dark Mode would only be a useful way of cutting out blue light if functions to this end didn't already exist. But they do. Many phones have blue light filters, which you can schedule to kick in at a certain time to reduce the blue light from your phone screens – typically this means between 10PM and 7AM, your phone display has a slight red hue. Some smartphones, like Sony phones, have more permanent options that let you customize the RGB makeup of your display to suit your vision. Then there's the issue of bright lights in bed waking up your significant other (although if you're frequently using your phone in bed, that's a whole different issue). For years now, phones have had adaptive brightness, and before that you could manually change the brightness of your phone. In short, if your handset is too bright, dial down the brightness! Dark Mode is a solution to a problem that already has a solution – and this second solution is just wasting time that developers could be spending on other projects. Just turn it offThere are some minor perks to a dark mode, such as its battery saving potential. But since Dark Mode is surprisingly hard to develop (as Chrome for desktop shows), it would be more efficient for developers to work on battery optimization tricks. Of course, the obvious response to 'dark mode is bad' is simply 'just turn it off then', and I certainly will, but there's more to the issue than that. With every developer around being tasked to create a hasty dark mode, seemingly just because everyone else is, that means manpower is going to be turned away from other tasks that are arguably more important for the longevity of operating systems and apps. Operating system developers are in the midst of their own battles right now: Apple's MacOS Catalina is murdering nearly every computer it touches, and Microsoft's Windows 10 is tripping over basically every hurdle it gets near. Similarly, apps and social media platforms have bigger issues that need addressing in terms of usability: YouTube needs to sort out the algorithm that its top content creators keep getting shafted by; Twitter needs editable tweets; Instagram needs to fix its auto-ban algorithm that many have ridiculed as overzealous. In short, developers all have problems they need to face and address, but if they spend their time creating pithy dark modes instead of fixing problems, they're letting their platforms sink further down into the plughole that the internet is becoming. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Upgraded Bang & Olufsen headphones control your tunes hands-free Posted: 25 Oct 2019 09:28 AM PDT Bang & Olufsen is well known for combining audio fidelity with luxe, fashion-forward design, and it's latest headphones, the Beoplay H4, are no exception. Now upgraded to include support for voice assistance as well as a more refined look, these wireless headphones contain some truly smart tech beneath their glossy exterior.
When they were originally launched a couple of years ago, the BeoPlay H4 headphones were the brand’s cheapest over-ear model and, and offered a solid sonic performance (except for some issues with overpowering bass frequencies). Bang & Olufsen don't seem to have made any changes to the sound with the newly upgraded H4s, instead focussing on design and the convenience of built-in support for voice assistants. What's new?For starters, there's a dedicated button that you press and hold to summon your device's voice assistant, whether you use Alexa or Google Assistant. This allows you to ask for your favorite song, get news updates, skip tracks, and more – all through your voice alone. There's also a slider button to turn the headphones on and off. Making calls should be easier with the new Beoplay H4s, thanks to an additional microphone that's designed to improve voice quality. You should also find that watching videos is more seamless, with support for aptX low latency technology for better synchronization between picture and audio. Bang & Olufsen has made some aesthetic changes as well, including a sleeker braided cable and a new anodized aluminum disc on the outer housings of the headphones, which contrasts beautifully with the other materials. A word of warning on the materials; these headphones are not suitable for anyone who avoids using animal products, as the ear cushions and headband are made from lambskin. We're sure it's very soft, but it's by no means vegan-friendly. Being made from premium materials, these Bang & Olufsen headphones aren't exactly cheap, despite being an entry-point to the luxurious brand's range. They're available to buy for £250 / $300, which works out at around AU$440, the same price as their predecessors. The launch of an upgraded model means that we're likely to see Bang & Olufsen headphone deals over Black Friday and Cyber Monday. In fact, the original H4s are already discounted in some stores – check out the deals below for more information. Today's best Bang & Olufsen headphone deal (US)Today's best Bang & Olufsen headphone deals (UK)This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Disney Plus is stopping theaters screening Fox movies – and viewers will lose out Posted: 25 Oct 2019 09:16 AM PDT Disney Plus will no doubt be the talk of the town when it launches in November, with a host of films and franchises from across Marvel, Star Wars, Pixar, and even 21st Century Fox. But it seems that Disney’s acquisition of Fox – welcomed by many for the hit series and IP it brought to Disney’s streaming service – may have some unfavorable consequences for viewers. Vulture has reported on various cinema owners and film festival programmers who are being refused the rights to show certain Fox movies, now under new ownership at Disney. Titles such as The Omen, The Fly, Moulin Rouge, and various Alien films are now increasingly difficult to show, with Disney reportedly denying requests by establishments that had previously shown the films without trouble.
While Disney has yet to make a public declaration of its intention here, Vulture quotes a film distributor who says the restrictions won’t apply to not-for-profit businesses or public art institutions. What’s even more worrying is that the new law for Fox movies doesn’t seem to be enforced consistently, with different distributors finding they had rights to show certain films revoked for different reasons, without explanation, or even if they fit Disney’s criteria. With Disney Plus set to launch in mid-November in its first few territories, a world of Disney is about to get opened wide – but at the same time, it looks like that world is getting a lot smaller. Oh Mickey, you're so financialRestricting access to a property to drum up demand – in this case, for the Disney Plus catalogue – makes business sense, and is certainly characteristic of Disney. The House of Mickey has long uses something called the ‘Disney Vault’ model, which saw classic Disney movies become near impossible to buy on disc or stream until a limited re-release. But it’s a worrying move for cinema goers who can’t see some of their favorite classic films in the setting they were originally shown, and is likely to have a substantial impact on the profitability of various movie theaters – already struggling in the streaming age – as iconic properties are yanked away from them. As much as the acquisition of Fox was good news for some fans, in that it brought The Simpsons to Disney Plus, and has paved the way for favorite X-Men characters to enter the MCU in some capacity, it’s clear that many other viewers – and the people used to serving their movie needs – are being left behind.
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