Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Apple : Intel's curious "The Element" shows up insides a teardown of its latest mini-computer

Apple : Intel's curious "The Element" shows up insides a teardown of its latest mini-computer

Intel's curious "The Element" shows up insides a teardown of its latest mini-computer

Posted: 22 Oct 2019 03:15 PM PDT

Earlier this year, Intel showed off the NUC Compute Element, previously known simply as The Element, and it was one of the best PC components at Computex. But, it was unclear just what sort of product we'd see built around it. Now, the details are starting to come together.

In a recent teardown from Chinese form KoolShare, spotted by Tom's Hardware, we've seen a glimpse of something called "The Element" inside Intel's upcoming NUC 9 extreme. 


By all outward appearances, the NUC 9 Extreme is a fairly straightforward computer, albeit a small one. Intel's trick with these NUC (Next Unit of Computing) devices, however, is to pack powerful desktop components into a small form factor. With the new NUC 9 Extreme, that appears to remain the case, even if it's on the larger side at 238 x 216 x 96mm.

Inside the NUC is where things get really interesting. At the base of the computer there's a 500W power supply, but above that is what would seem like a motherboard until you realize there's no CPU socket. Instead, there's just a PCB with two PCIe 3.0 x16 slots, another x4 slot, and an M.2 slot.

Enter the NUC Compute Element

Instead of putting a CPU into a socket on the motherboard, fitting in RAM and adding in storage, Intel has gone with the NUC Compute Element. It houses all of those components, but slides into a PCIe x16 slot and runs off an additional 8-pin power connection, very much like a graphics card. The unit found in the NUC 9 Extreme has two SO-DIMM slots, two M.2 ports, and can run reportedly run a Intel Core i5-9300H, Core i7-9750H, or Core i9-9980HK.

What Intel has effectively done with this design is find a way to take one half of the motherboard and convert it into a swappable component. Just as you can take a graphics card out of a PCIe slot and fit in a new one to boost the capabilities of your computer, you could take out a NUC Compute Element and slot in a new one to give the NUC 9 Extreme a boost. Of course, you may have re-install Windows. 

Since Intel CPU upgrades often require new motherboards, the transition to NUC Compute Element could end up being less wasteful, as it would let some of the traditional elements of the motherboard stick around between upgrades. It could also making picking PC components a little less daunting for newer PC builders.

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IBM questions Google quantum computing claims

Posted: 22 Oct 2019 02:35 PM PDT

In a draft paper which was accidentally leaked recently, Google claimed that it had reached “quantum supremacy” but now IBM has publicly questioned those claims in a blog post of its own.

Quantum supremacy is a concept which was originally put forth by Caltech professor John Preskill and in order to reach it, a company would need to demonstrate that a quantum computer could do something that today's classical computers cannot.

In its blog post, IBM's quantum team said that Google's claim of quantum supremacy was flawed because its Sycamore quantum processor had not yet exceeded the capabilities of classical computers, saying:

“Because the original meaning of the term “quantum supremacy,” as proposed by John Preskill in 2012, was to describe the point where quantum computers can do things that classical computers can’t, this threshold has not been met.”

Quantum computer vs supercomputer 

The leaked draft of the Google paper that recently appeared online explained that the company had posed a statistical math problem to its own prototype quantum processor called Sycamore and the world's fastest supercomputer called Summit at the Oak Ridge National Lab.

Using the experiment's results, the paper estimated that one of today's top supercomputers would need approximately 10,000 years to do what Sycamore did in 200 seconds.

However, IBM was responsible for developing Summit and the company says that the supercomputer could have done the work in two and a half days and possibly even faster if it was given more time to perfect the implementation. While this would still not make Summit faster than Sycamore, in his original definition of quantum supremacy, Preskill did say that a quantum computer would have to do something impossible for a classical computer to do, to reach the milestone. 

Google is expected to publish a peer-reviewed version of its leaked quantum supremacy paper which will be based on its latest Sycamore chip. IBM's recently released paper has yet to be peer reviewed but the company says that it will be soon.

Via Wired

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LG's new G8X ThinQ with Dual Screen gets a launch date and price in the US

Posted: 22 Oct 2019 02:15 PM PDT

You might have your eyes on the Samsung Galaxy Fold. but are biding your time for the foldable phone revolution to release models that don't break so easily. In the meantime, LG has forgone the intricacies of bendable displays with its LG G8X ThinQ smartphone paired with the LG Dual Screen, and released the launch details - and pricing - of its new phone-and-second-screen combo in a press release.

The new LG G8X will come November 1 in the US. And, the LG Dual Screen case will launch right alongside it, so customers won't have to wait to experience the exciting possibilities offered by a second display. 

Better still is the announcement of the price. The LG G8X is launching at $699. Considering the LG G8 started upwards of $800 when it arrived in the US, the new price of the LG G8X feels far more reasonable. LG is making even more amends, as the launch price includes the LG Dual Screen in the package. 

It will launch simultaneously at major US retailers and on mobile carriers, with pre-orders beginning October 25.

Setting expectations

We've already had an opportunity to go hands-on with the LG G8X ThinQ. It offers a definite degree of quality and polish, but still feels a tad bland when compared with the killer cameras or upgraded displays coming from other flagship phones.

The Dual Screen offers some novel uses and handy features. You can use it to house a large keyboard or video game controls. It can display photos as you take them while the main display continues to offer a live view of the camera. And, of course, you can run two apps side-by-side without having to cram them onto one display, instead giving each app a full 6.4 inches of screen space to stretch out.

It's plenty powerful, too, with a Snapdragon 855 chipset and 6GB of RAM. It comes with Android 9 Pie, instead of the newer Android 10, but LG should have an update in short order. Unfortunately, there's no 5G to help future-proof the LG G8X, but that is surely helping to keep the price below that of the $999 LG V50.'

For the price - and potential utility - the LG G8X is shaping up to be a very interesting phone for 2019.

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This could be Apple's iPhone 12 plan to minimize the notch

Posted: 22 Oct 2019 01:06 PM PDT

Apple is allegedly testing new Face ID prototypes with new optics – and some are small enough that the company may shrink the notch on its future phones, which could include the upcoming iPhone 12 series.

Apple is working on multiple variations of Face ID components, according to leaker Ben Geskin with follow-up information from PhoneArena. This includes lenses that will make notches smaller - or potentially even tiny enough to fit in the phone’s top bezel. 

What’s more, the new Face ID parts could be faster and more secure – as well as enable scanning from varying angles, including while laying flat. 

The different – and perhaps smaller – notch would only make it to the (assumedly named) iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max. This is assumedly due to the cost-cutting in the baseline iPhone 12 (as in the iPhone 11 before it) – but, good news, the new budget flagship will ditch the 2019 model’s LCD screen in favor of an OLED. Big news if true.

But wait, there’s more: rear cameras and 5G

The leaked information continues, suggesting that the rear camera block will stay, though the phones may get a Time of Flight sensor, while the budget flagship iPhone 12 could get one - or add a telephoto lens.

The phones’ bodies will get wider antennas on the top, bottom, and sides - over 1mm thick - to allegedly make them compatible with 5G networks, which they were expected to support in all 2020 iPhones.

Finally, while the iPhone 12 Pro models are expected to switch to USB-C at long last (while the budget flagship stays with Lightning), the leaked info suggests that Apple’s ultimate plan is to ditch ports entirely - charging will be done wirelessly, while ultra-wideband (UWB) tech will be used to transfer data. That portless plan won’t be put into action until 2023, Geskin’s information concludes.

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The Apple Watch 3 gets a $90 price cut at Amazon ahead of Black Friday

Posted: 22 Oct 2019 12:52 PM PDT

Amazon is slashing the price on the best-selling Apple Watch 3 ahead of the Black Friday sale event. Right now you can get the Series 3 smartwatch on sale for $189. That's a $90 discount and the lowest price we've seen for the GPS-only model watch. If you're interested in a bigger display, Walmart has the 42mm Apple Watch 3 on sale for $229.

The Apple Watch Series 3 is packed with health-focused while also keeping you connected. The series 3 watch helps you achieve your fitness goals by tracking popular workouts like running, yoga and cycling, and calories burned. The smartwatch also offers heart rate monitoring and will notify you when an unusually high or low heart rate is detected. The waterproof watch includes GPS technology and offers up to 18 hours of battery life.

As we mentioned above, this is the lowest price we've found for the Series 3 smartwatch, and we don't know how long Amazon will have the Apple watch on sale. The just-released Apple Watch 5 currently retails for $399, which makes this $189 Apple Watch 3 deal extremely appealing.

Apple Watch 3 deals:

See all the top deals in one place with our roundup of the best Black Friday Apple Watch deals of 2019.

Discover more models on sale with the best cheap Apple Watch prices and deals that are currently available.

You can learn more about the Series 3 smartwatch with our Apple Watch 3 review.

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Googling these celebrities might get you hacked

Posted: 22 Oct 2019 12:18 PM PDT

Looking for more information about your favorite celebrities online? You might want to be careful as it could get you hacked according to McAfee's 2019 list of the most dangerous celebrities to search for online.

For the thirteenth year in a row, the McAfee has researched which famous individuals generate the riskiest search results that could potentially expose fans to malicious websites and viruses.

Actress Alexis Bledel, most commonly known for portraying Rory Gilmore in the network TV show Gilmore Girls, tops this year's list followed by the Late Late Show's host James Corden. Game of Thrones star Sophie Turner came in third and other notable celebrities on McAfee's list include Anna Kendrick, Lupita Nyong'o, Jimmy Fallon, Jackie Chan, Lil Wayne, Nicki Minaj and Marvel actress Tessa Thompson.

Alexis Bledel and Sophie Turner's names are strongly associated with searches which include the term “torrent” which is why these two actresses appeared so high on this year's list. Although consumers have access to more content than ever before with a wide variety of streaming services now available, many still choose to put their digital lives at risk in exchange for pirated content.

Preying on consumers

Consumers are interacting with content across multiple devices and conducting potentially dangerous searches across the internet to find the latest information or gossip on them without fear of consequence.

However, for cybercriminals, this creates a huge opportunity to lure unsuspecting consumers to malicious websites that may install malware or steal personal information and passwords.

Chief consumer security evangelist at McAfee, Gary Davis explained that consumers need to educate themselves when it comes to searching for content online, saying:

“Consumers may not be fully aware that the searches they conduct pose risk, nor may they understand the detrimental effects that can occur when personal information is compromised in exchange for access to their favorite celebrities, movies, TV shows or music. Criminals use deceptive websites to dupe unsuspecting consumers into accessing malicious files or content. It is essential that consumers learn to protect their digital lives from lurking cybercriminals by thinking twice before they click on suspicious links or download content.” 

To avoid falling victim to malware and other cyber threats, McAfee recommends that users exercise caution on what they click, refrain from using illegal streaming sites and protect their devices online with antivirus and anti-malware software.

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Splunk: Welcome to the new age of data

Posted: 22 Oct 2019 12:16 PM PDT

The world is set to enter a new data age as the importance of mining your information becomes greater than ever, Splunk has said.

Speaking at the company's .conf19 event in Las Vegas, CEO Doug Merritt hailed the importance of data, and how making the most of the information your business gathers can be the key to success.

"There's no way that any parts of our lives can be separated from data going forward," Merritt said, "honestly, the data age is just beginning."

Data opportunities

Highlighting that 2019 marks the tenth year of .conf, Merritt also unveiled a new look for Splunk as the "Data-to-Everything" platform.

This view is built on three main pillars; covering working across all structures of data, from any source, and at any time scale, with Merritt noting the "infinite opportunity" that such in-depth data-driven insight can provide.

"In this coming age there will be only two types of companies - there will be those that are willing to seize the opportunity to make things happen with data, and those who will no longer exist."

"That may sound dramatic, but the more you think about it and analyse the potential opportunities, the more opportunities it presents."

"The world will depend on those who can capture, make sense of, and ultimately act on data."

"Your data needs to be liberated, to make the right things happen, at the right time, and get the right outcomes, we need to free and liberate our data."

With 92 of the Fortune 100 depending on Splunk technology, the company is well-placed to listen in to the trends affecting multi-national businesses, and is set to reveal a number of new platforms and services to help with just that later this week.

"We are bringing data to every question, to every decision and every action," Merritt concluded.

"The only limit is your imagination."

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Orkney hopes 5G can transform economy and island life

Posted: 22 Oct 2019 11:28 AM PDT

The first thing you notice about Orkney is how pretty it is. The views are spectacular when the clouds and mist deem you worthy to lay eyes upon them and it’s no surprise Orkney attracts so many visitors from the Scottish mainland and the cruise ships.

The second thing you might observe is the wind. And then you eventually notice how few trees there are to impede the sights. These two observations are not unrelated

Located off the cost of Scotland’s most northerly tip, the Orkney Islands are remote and exposed to the elements. These geographical characteristics make it difficult to build telecommunications infrastructure, while the islands’ population of just 22,000 make it less economically attractive to major providers.

Orcadians are aware of how beautiful their home is and value their way of life. But they also don’t want to be left behind when it comes to the economic and societal benefits of digital services.

Poor connectivity

There have been some efforts to improve matters. Thanks to Broadband Delivery UK (BDUK), there is 60 per cent superfast broadband coverage, but this is limited to the easiest and most economically viable parts of Orkney.

Areas, including the largest town of Kirkwall, also have 4G coverage. TechRadar Pro was able to get a decent signal in most places using EE’s network, but the use of 1800MHz spectrum makes it difficult for signals to penetrate the thick walls of Orkney's buildings.

There are also significant gaps in service. Local experts believe there are just five cell sites per mobile operator for the entire population and some of the outer islands only really have 2G, leaving residents unable to access even basic data services.

Shona Croy, strategic advisor for renewables and connectivity at Orkney Islands Council, believes Orkney suffers from a “market failure” that is negatively impacting public services, education and industries.

“Orkney has the worst connectivity in the UK and there’s no reason why it should have,” she says. “It’s a market opportunity [the telcos] are missing out on, and it’s not like we haven’t told them.”

Because of Orkney’s remoteness, it’s even difficult to get a technical problem fixed because of the cost and time it takes to get an engineer across from the mainland. And if the ferry linking Orkney to the rest of Scotland isn’t running because of weather, it’s even more expensive for the telcos. 

Some resident envy cast envious eyes on the Faroe Islands, a relatively nearby autonomous territory of Denmark with similar geographical traits, as they are served by a local provider in Faroese Telecom. The company has expressed an interest in helping Orkney, but current UK regulations don’t allow it to acquire spectrum licences solely for the islands.

Croy doesn’t really care about which technology is used to improve the situation so long as it gets better. She believes connectivity will lead to new applications such as IoT-enabled health sensors for the elderly and remote education can transform island life by bringing down the cost of labour intensive and expensive services.

It’s why the council was so keen to be part of 5GRuralFirst, one of a number of government-assisted 5G testbeds designed to identify and test the potential use cases for 5G. In Orkney, 5G is being used to help industries become more efficient, deliver broadcast signals more efficiently, and to promote tourism.

5G potential

One of the key aims of 5GRuralFirst is to demonstrate that the economics of traditional operator models aren't appropriate to measure the viability of network construction in rural areas.

Partners include local Wireless ISP Cloudnet, which was built out of a project to deliver white space-based communications services to ships, Cisco and researchers from the University of Strathclyde.

One key advantage in Orkney’s favour is that it is connected to a state-of-the-art Faroese subsea cable that heads on to Shetland and then the Faroe Islands themselves. The cable has 10 fibres, each with a capacity of 57Gbps, and dotted around the islands are a series of backhaul links.

So far, 5G has been switched on at 17 sites. Radio models have been done by students from the university, while Cloudnet managing director Greg Whitton uses his knowledge of the islands' topography and local community to aid rollout. For example, he might know an ideal hill on which to place a mast or a friendly farmer who will offer his land in exchange for free broadband.

Participants in the project say that if it was BT or another major company knocking on the farmer’s door then they’d be “rubbing their hands” at the prospect of high rents. However the local approach means 5GRuralFirst can connect communities more easily and more cost effectively.

Another example of typical ‘one size fits all’ approach to network deployment is equipment. Business models that deem Orkney not to be economically viable involve the use of kit from ‘tier one’ vendors. 5GRuralFirst is using software-based kit from tier two vendors which lowers the cost and allows for the construction of a network that can be upgraded once more Orcadians receive compatible handsets.

OpenRoaming

“The four major operators won’t bring 5G to Orkney themselves,” says Dez O’Connor, Cisco’s project lead. “They’re focusing on major cities and then they’ll go to towns with the next largest populations.

“They won’t build competing infrastructure on every single island with some only having a population of 50.”

5GRuralFirst is open to either working with or four the operators. For example, it could agree to build a network for one operator or become a neutral host for all four and reach roaming agreements.

Most of what the project wants to achieve would require some flexibility from regulators. At present, 5GRuralFirst isn’t allowed to offer SIM cards to residents. So instead, it has created a frictionless Wi-Fi network called ‘OpenRoaming’ that allows users to move from one hotspot to another with just one user identity authentication.

“OpenRoaming solves the security element of Wi-Fi,” adds O’Connor. “[To log on], you choose a provider (usually a mobile operator) that has identity for you and that you trust and you’re logged on.”

So far, there have been more than 3.8 million attempts to join the 5G network from 65,000 devices in the past month. While Orcadians are restricted to their ‘home’ network, tourists visiting the island will seek out the best possible network when they’re roaming.

This in itself could be a commercial opportunity for tour operators and cruise ships. As part of an excursion package, they could sell access to the OpenRoaming network alongside other tourist services. 5GRuralFirst has built an Augmented Reality (AR) app called ‘Orkney Origins’ to improve the tourist experience at the ancient village of Skara Brae as an example.

Industrial boost

Alongside tourism, Orkney is host to salmon farms, whisky distilleries and wind farms – some of the UK’s biggest industries. Local leaders believe if these sectors have survived on Orkney without access to better connectivity then they would be able to thrive with it.

At one wind farm, 5G is being used to record wind speed and weather measurements, automatically shutting down turbines if there is thunder. This real-time information is significantly more accurate than weather forecasts.

Councils and locals have invested in wind energy projects on Orkney, meaning greater efficiency doesn’t just improve access to power, it also increases the amount of power that can be sent to the National Grid. Any revenue that results can be reinvested into local services.

After Norway and Chile, UK is the world’s third largest producer of salmon in the world. Scottish Sea Farms operates several facilities in Orkney and is using technology to drive efficiencies and reduce the environmental impact of salmon farming.

5G is connecting solar-powered devices that monitor PH level, dissolved oxygen, and temperature. The sensors send reports every 10 minutes or so, with packets typically around 65kb in size. Scottish Sea Farms has also added devices onto feeding hoppers to detect any unusual activity. For example, a member of staff might forget to close the hopper or there could be a theft. 

The path forward

Everyone involved with 5GRuralFirst is enthusiastic about what has been achieved on Orkney but the project will eventually come to an end. Along with other pilots in Shropshire and Somerset, the findings from these trials will be used to inform the government’s 5G strategy and policies.

Residents have also been engaged, most notably through a music track created native composer Erland Cooper. 5G-enabled remote microphones collected sounds at each of the industries involved with the trial and Cooper created the composition called 'Tapestry' at his studio in London.

To a degree, one aim of the project has already been fulfilled. Earlier this year Ofcom said it wanted to give businesses and rural communities the opportunity to build mobile networks by using licensed but unused spectrum on a local basis. There is also a suggestion that there could be a more regional approach to regulation in the future.

For example, EE could give a community project in Orkney access to its spectrum in exchange for a roaming agreement. What’s more, the additional coverage could count towards the fulfilment of each operators’ coverage obligations. In theory, the barriers to Faroese Telecom's involvement could also be removed.

“We need to either work with them or do something for them,” concludes Whitton.

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Dynabook reveals one of first Microsoft secured-core PCs

Posted: 22 Oct 2019 11:06 AM PDT

Dynabook has announced it will be partnering with Microsoft to offer up the first in the company's new Windows 10 Secured-core PCs.

The first Dynabook devices to offer this next-level hardware, software and identity protection are available now which makes the company one of the first manufacturers to bring Secured-core PCs to market.

The Portégé X30-F and Tecra X40-F, which were first announced on July 9, are the first 13” and 14” notebooks to be Dynabook-branded in Europe following the re-brand of Toshiba's computer business in April of this year. These laptops are elegantly designed and come equipped with a range of features intended to provide seamless connectivity and reliability.

The Tecra X50F, announced on September 5, weighs in at just 1.42kg and boasts an impressive 17-hour battery life. The device offers the high brightness of a 15” Sharp IGZO FHD LCD screen without compromising portability, performance or reliability on the go.

Secured-core PCs

Secured-core PCs are designed to handle mission-critical data and protect workers in some of the most data-sensitive industries such as healthcare providers handling medical records and other personally identifiable information (PII), high profile industries targeted by phishing and other attacks and businesses that employ mobile workers who need to be able to access business-critical information outside of the office.

Managing director of Dynabook Europe GmbH, Damian Jaume explained why the company decided to partner with Microsoft to develop its new Secured-core PCs, saying:

“Dramatic developments in digital technologies have fuelled the growth and needs of the mobile workforce. Now in an age of mass data proliferation and an increased threat landscape, organisations need to rapidly adapt to this changing environment. Current network infrastructures were not built with the requirements of today’s security in mind. Devices are often the first line of defence for organisations – but those operating in the most data-sensitive of industries need an added layer of security to ensure comprehensive protection. That is why we’re partnering with Microsoft to develop an integrated hardware and software approach to security.” 

Dynabook may be one of the first device manufacturers to offer Secured-core PCs but expect others to follow suit now that Microsoft has officially announced its new security-focused initiative.

  • Protect all of your devices from the latest cyber threats with the best antivirus software

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Microsoft signs huge SAP cloud deal

Posted: 22 Oct 2019 10:31 AM PDT

Moving data to the cloud may be about to get a lot easier after SAP and Microsoft have struck a new three-year partnership.

The deal, disclosed in SAP's recent third quarter financial update, will see Microsoft contributing 18 percentage points to a 39 percent year-over-year growth for its cloud bookings.

The partnership aims to solve one of SAP customers most common pain points, that it is challenging to move from SAP's on-premise model to remote servers.

In a call with investors, SAP co-CEO Jennifer Morgan explained how the company's deal with Microsoft will work, saying:

“Microsoft will bundle SAP cloud services into a bundle we call Embrace, and they’ll sell these directly through their field organization to their customers who will run SAP the in Azure cloud.”

SAP and Microsoft

Although the deal will see Microsoft and SAP work together to help businesses move their data to the cloud, it is not exclusive. SAP plans to continue working with other cloud giants such as Amazon and Google according to Morgan, who said:

“As always, choice will prevail as we recognize that many of our customers also run SAP on AWS and GCP, for example. Customers will still have benefits of the best-run SAP in their public cloud of choice.”

SAP has worked with Microsoft in the past and last year, the two companies together with Adobe announced a partnership to take the massive amount of data generated by their customers and bring it together into one package running on Azure. The three companies also worked together on last year's Open Data Initiative. Additionally, back in 2016, the SAP and Microsoft reached a deal to integrate software and bring SAP business databases to Azure.

SAP's new partnership with Microsoft comes at an important time for the company after a major leadership change which saw CEO Bill McDermott step down and he was replaced by co-CEO Jennifer Morgan and Christian Klein.

Via GeekWire

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Samsung Galaxy Home speaker: will it ever be released?

Posted: 22 Oct 2019 10:10 AM PDT

Remember the Samsung Galaxy Home speaker? It's missed yet another release date, leaving the world wondering when exactly we will see the the company's first Bixby-powered smart speaker.

Back in June, Kim Hyun-suk, one of Samsung's co-CEOs and the President of the Consumer Electronics division, told the Korea Herald, that the company is aiming for a "mid-second half of the year" launch.

If that sounds confusing, "other Samsung executives" told the Herald to "expect a Q3 rollout", according to Phone Arena.

[Update: The Samsung Develop Conference is coming up on October 29 - 30 – could we see the Galaxy Home speaker then? Stay tuned for what could finally be the release of this elusive smart speaker.]

Now that Samsung's third financial quarter has come and gone, there's still no sign of the Galaxy Home speaker – and it's not the first time Samsung has missed the deadline with this particular device.

samsung smart speaker

A 2020 release?

The Samsung Galaxy Home was initially slated for an April 2019 release, but as the month came and went, it became clear that the spaceship-looking rival to the Amazon Echo, Apple HomePod and Google Home wouldn't be landing anytime soon.

Even if the Galaxy Home does arrive in the next few months, we still don't know which territories it will be available in. It was rumored last year that the Bixby-controlled smart speaker would come to "China, Korea, and the US ahead of other markets", but it's unclear whether Samsung will stick to that rollout strategy.

We got a brief first look at the speaker in August 2018, which sports a rather odd shape - like the bulb of a flower resting on three silver pegs that act as a stand. The possibility we'll get to test it fully before the end of the year is looking less and less likely.  

Via The Verge

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Best PS4 apps: essential PS4 apps you need to download

Posted: 22 Oct 2019 10:00 AM PDT

The PS4 and PS4 Pro are two of the best consoles money can buy - well, until the release of the PS5. But what makes these consoles great is that they don't simply stop at being a gaming machine, they're also excellent devices for video and music - primed to become the centre of your home entertainment rig. 

Sure, the Xbox One may offer a few more apps, but there are plenty of great options for non-gaming entertainment on Sony's popular console, and all of the major apps are available.

With dozens of apps to choose from, and many having additional subscription fees, finding the right PS4 apps can be daunting. This is why we've created this handy guide to the best PS4 apps available right now. We're constantly updating this list to offer you the best choices around.

Also make sure to keep an eye on our best PS4 and PS4 Pro Black Friday deals, if you're in the mood for a bargain. 

When it comes to streaming apps Netflix is like Corn Flakes: it's the original and the best. Twenty years after its inception as a DVD rent-by-mail company, Netflix has grown to become the most-used streaming service thanks to its immense library of on-demand movies and shows.

In fact, Netflix has grown to the point where it has now produces its own content, including comedy specials from top performers, and award-winning programs like Stranger Things. It's a must-have on any system, so grab it for your PS4.

What's it cost? The basic plan costs £5.99 / $8.99 / AU$9.99 a month, the standard plan costs £8.99 / $12.99 / AU$13.99 per month, and the premium plan costs £11.99 / $15.99 / AU$17.99 per month. Not sure which is best? Check out Which Netflix plan is for you?

There may be several killer US-only PS4 apps, but the UK gets some unmissable apps too. BBC iPlayer is top of our list. 

Like iPlayer on other platforms, this app lets you stream most recently-broadcast shows on the BBC's channels. It's the first place to head if you don't want to pay for an all-you-can-binge service like Netflix. 

What's it cost? BBC iPlayer is free to use in the UK. Access to it is part of the license fee, which you should pay if you have a TV at home.

Remember back in the day when Amazon was just a really big online bookstore? It's grown considerably since and currently has a selection of digital movie purchases and rentals second only to iTunes. Beyond that, Amazon also has a pretty large selection of movies and TV shows that can be watched at any time and at any pace with an Amazon Instant subscription.

What's it cost? A subscription to Amazon Prime, required for access to Amazon Prime Video on PS4, will run you $119/£79 per year. However, even without the Amazon Prime membership, you can still rent or buy digital copies of your favorite shows and movies, which varies in price.

Chances are you've paid for content before. Whether it's a DVD, a VHS or a digital copy, somewhere down the line you've picked up your favorite films for keeps. What Plex does is let you take the digital copies of those films stored on your computer and stream them to almost any device under the sun via the Plex Media Server.

Plex only recently hit the PlayStation Store, but has made a splash with its digital media-loving audience. As one of the best apps on PlayStation 3, Plex is no stranger to Sony systems. It was a key reason that media enthusiasts chose Sony last generation and may again this time around.

What's it cost? In order to use Plex on a PS4 you need to be a Plex Pass subscriber as well as own a mid-level computer that you can use as the media center. Plex Pass will run you $4.99 (£3, about AU$6) per month or, alternatively, $3.33 (£2, about AU$5) per month if you sign up for a year.

We've got to give credit where credit's due – IGN makes a pretty awesome PS4 app. Chockfull of round table discussions, developer interviews and reviews, IGN's PS4 app combines one of the world's best video game websites with one of the world's best video game consoles. 

Navigating around it can be a bit of a chore, but if you know what you're looking for – either because you've seen your friends playing a new game or because you've read about a cool new title on a great website like TechRadar – IGN's PS4 app makes for a great supplemental source of information. 

What's it cost? IGN's PS4 app is completely free. 

It used to be that the only way to keep up with World Wrestling Entertainment's biggest monthly shows was by spending $40-$50 dollars every month. Fortunately, there's now the WWE Network, an online-only channel that streams previous shows from WWE, WCW and ECW, original shows like top 10 lists and reality programs, and, of course, WWE's major events like WrestleMania, Money in the Bank and the Royal Rumble.

What's it cost? WWE isn't shy about telling viewers about the incredible value they get for "$10.99" (£9.99 in the UK), the monthly cost of a subscription. Heck, it's even on a t-shirt! It's obviously a great value for hardcore viewers, but that low price point makes the WWE Network a pretty fantastic value for lapsed fans as well.

Sharing your in-game activities is a central part of the PS4 ... heck, there's even a button on your controller dedicated to it. Beyond the surface level stuff like your friends' activities listed for any game you choose, you can be a bit more proactive and join Twitch, the world's largest game streaming site.

Twitch is great for both the streaming voyeur and superstar alike. Want to get some online rep and perhaps one day make as a big online personality? Twitch is the place to start that adventure. Just want to kick back and watch someone speed-run that impossibly difficult section of Dark Souls 3? You can do that too.  

What's it cost? Twitch is completely free. 

Live music television might be a relic of the past, but online music videos are here to stay. So while Spotify might have the music streaming market cornered, if you're looking to watch your favorite pop, rock and metal stars in full HD, there's no better place to do it than Vevo. 

Vevo's PS4 app is simplistic, sure, but thankfully that makes it pretty easy navigate. Not sure what you want to listen to? Check out the featured playlist or scroll through some playlists. Have a favorite artist in mind already? Jump down to the search bar to see which videos you can scrounge up. Easy peasy. 

What's it cost? Vevo's PS4 app is completely free. 

The most popular video site on the internet is also a pretty darn good app, too. Whether you want to watch comedy skits or long-form video game commentary tracks, there's plenty of stuff you can watch for long (or short) periods on PlayStation 4.

The Xbox One and PS4 versions of these apps are almost indistinguishable from one another, though it's hard to fault YouTube for failing to improve upon its tried and true console user interface.

What's it cost? As you might expect, downloading the app is free and most of the content is free to watch, though some creators (mostly major movie studios) do charge rental fees for a few videos. YouTube video creators have the option to insert advertisements at the beginning and in the middle of their video in order to make a little bit of extra money at the viewer's expense - an option which they often exercise.

Music apps get the short stick on consoles. On the occasion when you'd like to listen to some tunes on your TV, there's only one real option for the PS4: Spotify. Fortunately, it just so happens that it's to be one of the best music streaming services in the world.

For the last seven years, Spotify has been amassing one of the largest streamable music libraries in the world, and it's at your disposal on the PlayStation 4. If there's a popular song you want to hear, there's a good chance you can find it amongst Spotify's 20-million-plus tunes, add it to your playlists, and find similar songs via Spotify's recommendations.

What's it cost? You can listen to Spotify for free, though you'll have to deal with an average sound quality and frequent advertisements between tunes. The $10/£10 monthly subscription eliminates ads, bumps up the sound quality, and allows users to download tunes for offline listening (though that last bit is only available on mobile devices and desktops, unfortunately).

Formerly known for having the biggest library of recent hit movies, Home Box Office's real draw over the last decade is its consistent slate of award-winning original shows (see: Game of Thrones).

HBO Go collects a wide swath of recent movies and almost every major program that's aired on the channel. From classics like The Sopranos and Curb Your Enthusiasm to modern hits like Veep and Game of Thrones, there may be no greater collection of exclusive on-demand shows than HBO Go's.

What's it cost? Unfortunately, HBO Go is only currently usable if you have HBO on cable. If you want HBO's library without the cable bill, however, you can download HBO Now. In Go's defense, most cable operators now offer cheaper packages that carry little more than local channels and HBO for a reasonable price (usually in the $20 a month range).

Another bit of bad news comes in the form of a weird restriction that keeps Comcast subscribers from accessing HBO on PlayStation consoles (whereas Xbox One owners can tie their Comcast accounts to their console).

Subs vs dubs? Goku vs Naruto? Crunchyroll vs Funimation? These sound like tough questions to answer, but they're not. Subs always beat dubs. Goku can destroy planets, so it's no contest there. And Crunchyroll offers shows for free as long as you can stomach a few advertisements. Its the clear winner. 

Of course, that said, if you want to watch the latest episode of your favorite shows without the constant interruption you can always opt into Crunchyroll's premium plan, which only runs you about $6.95 (or about £5.50) per month.

What's it cost? Crunchyroll is free with ads, or you can pay $6.95 (£4.99 in the UK) per month to become a premium member.

Former cable subscribers know how tough it is to make up for the sheer amount of content lost when cutting the cord. While the likes of Netflix and Hulu have quite a bit of content (and great original programming to boot), most alternatives lack the depth of a pricy cable plan with a spacious DVR.

While it's still very limited in its availability, PlayStation Vue could become one of the biggest cable-killers around. PlayStation Vue offers dozens of the most popular channels (either live or archived) at prices far more accommodating than cable. It's also smarter than any cable option we've seen, giving suggestions on live programming based on what you've watched before and storing far more content than any DVR thanks to cloud saving.

What's it cost? PlayStation Vue is a cable competitor and is priced as such. The cheapest option bundles over 50 networks for $29 per month, while you can get over 80 channels for around $80. 

Even though they legally can't say the phrase "Red Bull gives you wings*" any more, Red Bull's PS4 app is as close as you can get the stimulating highs of adventure without a can of the energy drink. On it, you can find any number of extreme sports, as well as some footage of the cool events the company sponsors year after year. 

There's "live" TV there as well if you're just looking to be put on the edge of your seat, and plenty of channels if you're keyed into a specific interest. (* They are allowed to say Red Bull gives you wiiiings, however, and that's cool.)

What's it cost? Red Bull TV is completely free. 

Don't be ashamed if you attempted to put a PlayStation 3 game in your PS4 after purchasing Sony's next-gen console. Both the PS2 and PS3 touted backwards compatibility as a major feature before the PS4 ditched it to focus more power on modern games. It may have taken awhile, but there is now a way to explore a portion of the PlayStation 3's catalog via streaming, and it's called PlayStation Now.

There are around 300 games to rent and over 100 with unlimited access via a subscription. This means if you're iffy about buying an older PS3 to attach to your television, Now has a ton of options for those who want to play the previous generation's greatest games.

What's it cost? For $9.99/£8.99 a month you can subscribe to unlimited access to over 100 games via the PlayStation Now app.

PS4 apps aren't all music or movie-related. OK, 95% of them are, but here's a good exception. This one's called WeatherNation and it gives you a fairly good look at both the national and local forecasts. Want to see if you should head outside to play baseball instead of sitting inside and playing another season of MLB The Show? This is your ticket to meteorology on-demand. 

We have some issues with the app – it looks like it was developed by an intern – but overall we really liked how simple it was to get started and find exactly what we were looking for. 

What's it cost? WeatherNation is completely free. 

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Apple could launch AR glasses in 2020 if it finds a reason for you to buy them

Posted: 22 Oct 2019 09:48 AM PDT

Ever since Google Glass hit the scene, we've been wondering how Apple would respond. It turns out that Apple didn't need to have a comeback, but it appears Apple could have an augmented reality (AR) headset in the works for 2020 anyway, according to Bloomberg Businessweek.

Apple is planning AR glasses for sometime in 2020 to come alongside an updated 5G iPhone, reports Mark Gurman. At first, the glasses would be more of an accessory for the iPhone by pairing with it and putting information like texts and maps in front of users at a glance. If it can also pull off games, it'll be a step ahead of the simple display for Google Glass and the display-less tech glasses like Snapchat Spectacles 2 or Amazon Echo Frames.

The Apple AR glasses could get their own app store to offer up experiences tailored to the hardware, as not every iPhone app would be a perfect fit for a display worn on your face. Gurmnan suggests the AR glasses could later become a standalone successor to the iPhone. But Apple first needs to find a reason to make its glasses seem like a necessity, nailing down the killer app that offers more than marginal convenience over a smartphone or smartwatch.

2020 feeling like the future

We've been following rumors on the Apple AR glasses for some time, as they often crop up. And, 2020 looks like a good year for Apple to make the push.

The company has had ARKit for a while now on its iPhones and iPads, but attention for the feature has waned. At its press event in September, Apple didn't even highlight ARKit features for the iPhone 11. This could come down to Apple hunkering down on AR development to get the hottest features ready for next year.

2020 is shaping up to be the right year for Apple to make a big push into a new space. 5G is here and growing, with 2020 likely to be the year it goes big. Other device makers are innovating with the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Fold and Microsoft Surface Duo. If Apple sticks to the iterative updates we've seen the last couple years, the iPhones and MacBooks of 2020 could feel like relics in the face of new product form factors.

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Paying for Spotify Premium? You can get a Google Home Mini for free

Posted: 22 Oct 2019 09:45 AM PDT

Spotify has brought back one of its best freebies for Spotify Premium users, offering a free Google Home Mini to those who claim the deal in good time.

It's not just a perk for new sign-ups either, meaning that anyone who currently has and pays for a Premium plan can get the miniature smart speaker sent to them – though only for those of you in the US. For the first time, individual Premium subscribers are eligible alongside those on the Family plan too.

The Family plan is a pretty cost-effective away to pay less for Spotify Premium – the ad-free option – with a sizable discount for each person added to the plan. While a Premium subscription usually costs $9.99 per user, the Family plan allows you to add up to five other relatives or flatmates for only $14.99, for a total six users.

There's no end date specified, though a blog post by Spotify says the deal will be active "while supplies last", meaning you could have a few weeks or a few hours depending on how much stock Spotify has put aside for the promotion. For context, a similar promotion from 2018 ran through November and December.

You can claim your free Google Home Mini on Spotify's Family or Premium sign-up pages here.

Speakers for all

It's notable that Spotify is rolling out is promotion to more subscribers than before, though the 2017 Google Home Mini is now a year older than when the promotion started – and there's an upgraded model on the block, the Google Nest Mini.

There's a host of new Amazon Echo products that were announced at September's launch event, including a new Amazon Echo Dot with Clock, Alexa-enabled smart glasses, and an Amazon Echo Studio model with Dolby Atmos-enabled speakers.

But with Black Friday and Cyber Monday coming up, you can expect a number of deals on older smart home devices across the board – even if Spotify's offer of a free model is hard to pass up.

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Get a free 12 months of Disney Plus on launch thanks to Verizon's Disney deal

Posted: 22 Oct 2019 09:04 AM PDT

Whether you've been counting down the days for the launch of Disney Plus or you're just slightly interested, you can't deny this great deal Verizon is offering. 

It seems that Verizon is buying into the hype of the potentially game-changing new TV service. From Tuesday, November 12 (the day of the big unveiling) - Verizon will offer a year of free Disney+. This offer is available to Verizon's 4G LTE and 5G unlimited wireless customers, along with anybody signing up for new Verizon Fios Home Internet and 5G Home Internet offers.

Not a Verizon customer yet? No problem, just go to the Verizon website and sign up for one of the included plans and you'll be eligible for this offer as well. The unlimited plans are available on a whole range of smartphones.

What will be on Disney Plus?

What won't!? If you're thinking that Disney Plus is just about the children and a select tribe of avid fans, think again. Apart from showing a host of Disney content, it will also air other shows and movies from the likes of Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic and more. 

Not to mention Disney's recent Fox acquisition, which means you can also expect to see the likes of The Simpsons and other Fox content on the service, too. That's a whole range of binge watching for a starting price of only $6.99 per month.

So if you already have Verizon or are in the market for a new phone plan but unsure which carrier to choose, this new offer may just swing you Verizon's way.

Read more on this:

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How domain names can be used as a great tech marketing tool

Posted: 22 Oct 2019 09:00 AM PDT

As an industry racing to define the future, the short-term success of product marketing often steals the broader focus from the slower wheel of brand development. It’s easy to see why. 

Developing a deeper story, overarching relationship with the audience, and the overall big picture seems less important, especially considering the rising competition. But it’s important.

According to statistics, worldwide spending on technology reached $3,360 billion in 2019. 50% of tech growth worldwide is because of emerging technology such as IoT software and hardware, AR/VR, SaaS+PaaS, robotics, AI, big data, and next-gen security.

In fact, not too long ago, in 2016 Interbrand survey showed that tech companies occupy half of the top 24 brands. Apple and Google were at the 1st and 2nd place with Facebook and Amazon not too far behind in their report of top growing brands. 

Why innovation is needed in tech branding techniques

Your tech startup branding strategy, at the least, deserves as much prominence as the development of your tech. These are three reasons it is important to focus on building a tech brand:

Competitive advantage

Strong brands build a protective fortress around your product. They allow you to achieve differentiation from your competitors in a way that goes beyond just copying your product features.  

High-quality traffic and improved conversion

A brand that is in touch with its customers renders a concrete benefit of direct and referral traffic famously known as word-of-mouth. This is traffic you don’t have to pay to acquire. The source and authenticity of such referrals also help brands see higher conversion rates. A good example of this would be soda brands. Coke and Pepsi are one of the first to come to mind followed by a handful of other brands.

Loyalty and repurchase

Have you ever deliberated buying something and thought, well my friend bought is and they were satisfied, so even though it’s a bit costly I’ll go with it? Users with an implicit trust in your brand will convert readily. Your brand promise alleviates this ease in decision making. 

The benefits of building a brand are wholesome, but the hurdle is making peace with the long-term process which isn’t as quick as a feature launch or an AB test. Therefore, tech entrepreneurs with a short-term focus tussle to rationalize long-term investments.

But the brands who made that investment ended up with a brand promise that was unmistakably clear. Here are some examples:

  • Microsoft Business empowers businesses to take advantage of a rapidly developing world of digital technology.
  • Google promises to organize the world’s information to make it accessible to all.
  • AT&T promises to perfect customer experience and satisfaction.

Strategically, your branding strategy will form the nucleus that supports everything you do with your brand in the future. So, how to make it a good one?

Domain names as a branding tool

As someone in the tech business, you understand the importance of getting the details right. Your domain name is one such important detail. They are much more than a mere web address. A well-thought-out domain name can be the differentiating factor between creating a successful brand or getting lost in the vast cyberspace.

A great domain name for your tech business will have these two key aspects:

Searchable

This refers to the SEO principles that you must address. A domain name with the right keywords allows you to maximize your search engine performance. With voice search gradually taking the lead, your domain name must be something that can be easily understood by Alexa or Siri or Cortona.

Marketable

Your domain name must connect with your prospective audience and aptly reflect what your brand stands for.

What makes for a brandable domain name?

A domain name that can be used for branding is:

  • Short, pronounceable, and easy to remember
  • Devoid of any hyphens, numbers, or misspellings (unless you have a brand name that’s often misspelled, then you could consider registering multiple options and redirecting them all to the primary address)
  • Free of any legal hassles (trademark/copyright)
  • Descriptive of your business and industry
  • Innovative

5 ways tech brand can stand out in their branding

Tech startups are known for their pioneering solutions and innovative products. And if you’re a tech startup, you’re probably wondering what domain name would be worthy of the innovation you proffer. 

With hundreds of new domain extensions now at your disposal, you can get creative with your name choices. However, this creativity goes beyond opting for goofy names. Tech startup founders are shifting from choosing outlandish names to names that clearly explain what they do.

Example of such simple and evocative domain names are:

  • www.shadow.tech
  • www.brilliant.tech
  • www.decision.tech
  • www.pragmatic.tech

Towards this, listed below are five reasons to help you understand why you should also opt for a short and memorable name on relevant new domain extensions to better brand your tech startup.

Exact match names

How many tech startups do you know that can say that their brand name is exactly the same as their domain name? With new domain extensions such as .tech, there is a high probability of securing a brand/domain name that aligns with your business and its ideologies. For example, a brand name could be Cloud Dot Tech and its subsequent domain name could be www.couddot.tech.

A better reflection of your technology background

Using a short, sharp, and substantive name on a related domain extension is a clever way of demonstrating who you are and what you do. Furthermore, an astute online identity can help you build a viable brand. For example, if your tech startup is fronted with a .TECH domain extension, any user who comes across it will know what your business is about.

Slick brand positioning

Effective positioning is half the battle triumphed when it comes to branding. And a relevant domain name does exactly that for your brand. A web address such as www.thewomen.store suggests that it’s an eCommerce business dedicated to women or www.newoffice.tech establishes that you provide tech for offices. 

This is positioning done right.

Strong tech brand

Access to names on new domain extensions implies that you can obtain a short, noteworthy, and pertinent name on a relevant domain extension – qualities that make a nifty brand. One-word domain names that are simple and lacking any grammatical flaws,  special characters or numbers make for a spectacular online identity.

For instance, www.insight.tech, and www.mondial.tech, www.brilliant.tech are a few great examples of brandable online identities.

Competitive advantage

The chief purpose for any business is to vanquish the competition and strike as an authority in a niche. While delivering an unequaled care competency and contributing innovative products in the tech space is important, picking a smart domain name that demolishes clichés and appropriately markets those products is equally important. 

Because a domain name is the first touchpoint between your startup and anyone your user who comes across it.

The importance of branding

There’s a silver lining to the fact that tech startups tend to underestimate branding. It means that by shaping yours, you can acquire an edge on your competitors.

As a tech startup founder, step back from the lemming rush on the short term and reflect on what you do and why (your vision). Ensure that every detail about you is unique, something that most others in your space are missing out on.

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Dark mode for WhatsApp: everything you need to know

Posted: 22 Oct 2019 08:51 AM PDT

Since the launch of Android 10 and iOS 13, both of which feature their own system-wide dark modes, developers have been rushing to create dark versions of their apps. Google Chrome, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter all have smart dark options available, but so far WhatsApp has remained pale and interesting. That all looks likely to change, though.

Dark mode for WhatsApp is expected to arrive very soon, and although it's not yet available to try, we have some idea of what the updated app will look like when it begins rolling out to our phones.

What to expect

According to WABetaInfo, which specializes in dissecting WhatsApp beta releases, the app's developers are currently working on a dark mode for its iOS and Android apps, and optimizing the new design before its release.

It looks like the new color scheme will be mainly dark blue rather than black or gray, and will be activated automatically if you've selected your phone's system-wide dark mode. The app's splash screen is also expected to be darkened, which will avoid the problem some apps have where a person using dark mode is startled by an unexpected burst of white light

WhatsApp's sticker and emoji menus have been updated with dark backgrounds, and developers have been hard at work adapting the app's signature message bubbles to suit the new look.

We could also see a handful of other new features arriving along with dark mode, including self-destructing messages that are deleted after a certain period of time. Based on leaked screengrabs, it looks as though you'll be able to set messages to be erased after a period between five minutes and an hour.

Rival messaging apps Facebook Messenger, Telegram and Signal already offer a similar feature, so it's an overdue addition to WhatsApp.

Beta releases have also revealed a new option that will allow you to completely hide updates from muted contacts. Currently, if you mute a contact, their updates will appear grayed out, but still visible. When the new update rolls out, you'll be able to hide them fully, and only see them if you choose to.

When it's coming

We don't yet know; WhatsApp's developers don't appear to be in any hurry to complete and release the app's dark mode, and have yet to reveal when the option will become available.

When WhatsApp finally receives its dark makeover, we'll provide full instructions explaining how to activate it and start messaging in style.

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The best iPhone 7 deals in October 2019

Posted: 22 Oct 2019 08:44 AM PDT

It might now be a good few models behind but iPhone 7 deals are still an excellent purchase thanks to their position as the standout cheap iPhone. For those who like Apple but not the crazy high prices that come with it, this is the place to be.

The release of Apple's iPhone 11 and its two more powerful models was a big reminder of the costly nature of Apple and just another reason the iPhone 7 could be the ideal phone for you.

But despite its age the iPhone 7 still rocks many of the specs we have come to expect from Apple. A mid-size battery, strong processor and the much loved iOS features Apple has made famous.

When it comes to choosing the tariff for you there is still a surprisingly large range of iPhone 7 deals. Big data remains affordable and brilliant cheap contracts under £20 are readily available. And with Black Friday almost here, we're expecting prices to drop even further!

On this page you'll find all of the best iPhone 7 deals you can get right now. Whether you're looking for unlimited data, a free phone or any other type of tariff, you can use our comparison chart below to choose the cheapest option out there. Scroll down to find the best deal for you.

See also: iPhone 8 deals | iPhone 7 Plus deals | iPhone 7 SIM-free | Samsung Galaxy S8 deals | Best mobile phone deals | iPhone deals 

The Apple iPhone 7 might now have fallen behind, becoming one of Apple's older devices and yet, the specs till hold up. The battery might not be market leading but for the price you pay for iPhone 7 deals, the water resistance, impressive camera and strong processor are a perfect combination.

Read TechRadar's full iPhone 7 review


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There's only a few days left to vote in the Golden Joystick Awards 2019

Posted: 22 Oct 2019 08:39 AM PDT

There's only a few days left to vote in the 37th Golden Joystick Awards over at our sister publication GamesRadar. 

The Golden Joystick Awards honor the best videogames of the year across a variety of categories with a glitzy award ceremony.

This year's awards are being held on November 15 at London's Bloomsbury Big Top, with comedian Danny Wallace returning as the host.

Categories

This year voting is open across a whopping 17 different categories including Most Wanted Game, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, PC, Indie and Multiplayer Games of the Year, alongside new categories: Best Gaming Hardware and Best Game Expansion.

But, who is in the running? Well, indie open-world mystery Outer Wilds has the most nominations including Best Storytelling and Best Visual Design, while paranormal adventure Control boasts four nominations including Best Audio and Best Visual Design.

Meanwhile Metro Exodus, Observation, Days Gone, Tetris Effect, Sunless Skies and Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, also boast multiple nominations.

Here is the full list of categories you can vote for:

  • Best Storytelling    
  • Best Visual Design    
  • Best Audio    
  • Best Indie Game    
  • Best Multiplayer Game in partnership with Servers and Gameye
  • Best Game Expansion
  • Still Playing Award   
  • Esports Game of the Year in partnership with Corsair   
  • Best VR / AR Game 
  • Best Gaming Hardware
  • Studio of the Year    
  • Mobile Game of the Year    
  • Nintendo Game of the Year    
  • PlayStation Game of the Year    
  • PC Game of the Year    
  • Xbox Game of the Year
  • Most Wanted Game

Once again there will be a dedicated one-week voting window for Ultimate Game of the Year held at the end of the voting period. The voting for Ultimate Game of the Year will open on October 25 and close on November 1.

In addition, the critics choice award winners will be revealed on the night for Critics Choice Award, Breakthrough Award, Lifetime Achievement and Outstanding Contribution award.

You can see the full shortlist and cast your vote over on GamesRadar, with voting closing on October 24. If that's not enough for you, every voter will receive a free ebook worth up to £9.99. 

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