Apple : The top three Disney Plus titles we’re watching right now |
- The top three Disney Plus titles we’re watching right now
- Best webcams 2019: the top webcams for your PC
- Best computer speakers 2019: the best audio systems for your PC
- Motorola Razr 2019 launch live blog
- Best HP laptops 2019: the top HP laptops we’ve seen and tested
- ZoneAlarm hit in data breach
- The best gaming keyboards
- Mozilla leads partnership to take WebAssembly beyond the browser
- The best Black Friday TV deals at Walmart: early savings from Samsung, LG, & more
- The best gaming PC
- The best home printer
- Pokémon Go updates: all the news and rumors for what's coming next
- The best gaming mouse
- Marvel’s Avengers game release date, news, trailers and first impressions
- Diablo 4 is official - everything you need to know
- The Last of Us 2 release date, trailers, news and rumors
- What it’s like to use the massive 11.6in screen on the 2020 Subaru Legacy Outback
- Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order gameplay, release date, trailers and news
- Best laptops for engineering students in 2019
- Disney Plus has 10 million subscribers after just 24 hours
| The top three Disney Plus titles we’re watching right now Posted: 13 Nov 2019 02:00 PM PST Signed up to Disney Plus yet? With the launch of the much-hyped Disney streaming service now here, the first hordes of viewers will be descending on the service to start browsing, bingeing and bellowing at their favorite Disney Plus titles. Disney Plus may not have the breadth of content as say, Netflix or Amazon Prime, but there’s certainly enough to start with for the launch library, especially as there are now double the number of Marvel movies on the platform as we expected. If you feel spoilt for choice, or just don’t know what your priority should be, here are the top three shows and films the TechRadar team will be ticking off first. And remember, if the choices here don't take your fancy, you can always check out out best Disney Plus movies guide to fill your next few evenings. 1. The MandalorianThe Mandalorian is the kind of Star Wars story it feels like we haven't seen before. It's more directly inspired by Westerns than any previous live-action entry set in this universe – based on the first episode, at least. Its lead character doesn't talk much, and the show generally feels like the least-talky Star Wars has ever been, with all that busy lore pushed into the background in favor of a straightforward storytelling style. This feels like one small tale set in the Star Wars universe, and that's incredibly refreshing. The slower pace of it might not be for everyone, but at 39 minutes for this first episode, it really respects your time for a modern TV show. The action, too – barring maybe a couple of CG sequences – feels in line with what you'd expect from a major motion picture. Let's hope the rest of the season maintains this level of quality, and that it's a sign of things to come for originals on Disney Plus. 2. The SimpsonsOne of the most influential sitcoms of all time, The Simpsons has entertained generations of fans with its mix of cartoon antics, heartfelt drama, and brilliantly wry satire. Not all of it is necessary watching – inevitable when a show stretches on for so many season – but with the whole back catalogue available, you can either see where it began or jump into any of the 30 seasons shown here. Be warned, though: Disney has seen fit to put every episode of The Simpsons in a 16:9 widescreen format – the same as the photos in this article – meaning the original few seasons have been cropped from the original 4:3 aspect ratio they enjoyed on those old, square CRT televisions, and even lost out on some sight gags as a result. We’re hoping Disney fixes this in due course, but in the meantime, maybe stick to the later seasons (even if they're far from the best). 3. All the Star Wars movies (in 4K/HDR)That galaxy far, far away now looks a lot, lot closer – with even the original trilogy and Star Wars prequels being shown in 4K resolution for the first time. You’ll need a 4K TV to make the most of it, but with Dolby Vision HDR enhancing color and contrast too, it means these Star Wars movies have never looked better – or sounded better, with spatial Dolby Atmos audio wringing the most of out those lightsaber sound effects and cantina bands we know and love. You can find all the existing Star Wars films on Disney Plus, including Episodes I-VIII, Rogue One, and Solo: A Star Wars Story – so you’ve got no excuse not to watch them all in preparation for Episode IX: The Rise of Skywalker this December.
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| Best webcams 2019: the top webcams for your PC Posted: 13 Nov 2019 01:56 PM PST If you have a desktop PC set up and require one of the best webcams to use for work, for connecting with friends and family, and for broadcasting your gaming, you’ve come to the right place. We scoured the peripherals market for the best of the best webcams 2019 has to offer, and put together a list for you. After all, while the laptops or all-in-one PCs already come equipped with fairly good cameras, the desktop users out there still require a great webcam. In fact, it’s still a quintessential add-on to the desktop PC rig, which is why there’s a lot of amazing webcams to choose from on the market. With our help, you’ll end up with one of the best webcams to turn your desktop into a live streaming or video-conferencing monster. It’s just a matter for picking the best one that meets your needs. Do you need one primarily for video conferencing with colleagues? Are you looking for a webcam for Twitch or YouTube? Or do you need an affordable option that you’ll only be using for chatting with friends and family? This buying guide will help you find the best webcams for you, as we’ve gathered a variety of options for you to check out. Whether you want something with 4K resolution, can swivel around 360 degrees, or comes equipped with a quality mic, you’ll find something to fit your needs. And, with Black Friday fast approaching, we should start seeing holiday deals pop up. Keep a close watch on our exclusive price comparison tool for the bargain pricing on the best webcams. Best webcams at a glance
The Logitech C922 Pro Stream features the same classy design as its predecessor, but with something interesting for gamers. First on our list of the best webcams 2019 has to offer is Logitech's newest one, the Logitech G922 Pro Stream. It features the same classy design as its predecessor, the C920, but it’s especially interesting for gamers this time around. The C922 still boasts excellent 1080p video quality, great for hosting video calls, and its automatic low-light correction makes it a fantastic cam for streaming with the lights off. It also supports background removal, making it ideal for budding YouTubers. Should you buy the Logitech G922 Pro Stream? Razer Kiyo focuses on what matters most to game streamers and YouTube vloggers. (Image Credit: Razer) The Razer Kiyo might look weird, a testament to Razer’s unique designs, but it’s still one of the best webcams out there for streaming – which is unbelievably popular in this day and age. With the Razer Kiyo, Razer has stripped away a lot of the bells and whistles that more premium webcams offer, focusing instead on what matters most to game streamers and YouTube vloggers – good image quality and lighting through a “Light Ring”. You don’t need to spend a ton of time configuring the stream – just plug in the Razer Kiyo and get to work. The Microsoft LifeCam Studio is one of the best webcams out there. (Image Credit: Microsoft) The Microsoft LifeCam Studio is one of the best webcams out there. Aimed at pro users with large displays, it features a familiar configuration of 1080p recording and 720p live video calling. It rotates 360 degrees, and can be mounted on a tripod with autofocus. The wideband mic delivers crystal clear audio, and Microsoft’s TrueColor system will shift the exposure dynamically to keep you well lit, making it a great choice for business conferencing and presentations. Mevo allows you to capture footage live, no matter where you are in the world. (Image Credit: Mevo) If you’re an aspiring journalist, or even if you’re just trying to capture footage in the wild, Mevo might be one of the best webcams for you. Either the Mevo or Mevo Plus will allow you to capture footage live, no matter where you are in the world – as long as you can connect to a mobile network. Plus, because Mevo is small and inconspicuous, it won’t distract your subject during an interview. Microsoft LifeCam Studio is made for business conferencing and presentations. (Image Credit: Microsoft) It isn’t the most attractive webcam, but the LifeCam Studio isn’t really designed to be attractive. Instead, it’s made for business conferencing and presentations, with its 1080p recording, 720p live video calling and wideband mic to deliver crystal clear sound. This is a serious peripheral – one that requires a powerful PC for max settings – but that doesn’t mean it’s lacking bells and whistles. For instance, it comes with 360-degree rotating capabilities and Microsoft’s TrueColor system, which will shift the exposure dynamically to keep you well lit. Read the full review: Microsoft LifeCam Studio Logitech Brio has brought high fidelity to the world of the best webcams. (Image Credit: Logitech) Have you ever looked at a webcam in disgust because it just can’t hold up to your smartphone? Well, the Logitech Brio might be the webcam you’ve been looking for. With a 4K UHD resolution and HDR, the Logitech Brio has brought high fidelity to the world of the best webcams. If that wasn’t enough, it also boasts Windows Hello functionality and an easy to use stand, which will let you position it to capture your best side. The Creative Labs Senz3D has more features than you can imagine. (Image Credit: Creative) Creative may not be the first company that comes to mind when you’re in the market for the best webcams, but with the Creative Labs Senz3D, that’s clearly changed. This space-age webcam has more features than you can imagine, and the high-tech 3D scanner and facial tracking tech promises to lead to some intriguing things in both AR functionality and even gaming. It isn’t exactly cheap, but you’re getting all the bells and whistles with this offering from Creative. Logitech C930e is Logitech's most advanced HD webcam yet. (Image Credit: Logitech) The C930e claims to be Logitech's most advanced HD webcam yet, so it isn’t surprising that it's also one of Logitech’s most expensive offerings. However, unlike traditional webcams, which rely on the PC for all the heavy lifting, this unit does the video encoding itself, which should in turn result in better video quality. The wide, 90-degree field of view means it’s well-suited to business video conferencing and presentations. And of course, it’s Skype-certified for PC and Mac. The Samsung VG-STC5000 boasts Samsung's own gesture control features and virtual mirror for fitness apps. (Image Credit: Samsung) While Samsung smart TV’s have limited compatibility with most of the best webcams out there, the company has its own proprietary camera for its H, HU, JS and JU models. We wouldn’t recommend buying one for Skype, as the smart TV version of Skype is no longer supported, but if you want to use Samsung’s own gesture control features and virtual mirror for fitness apps, then it’s really your only option.
The AUSDOM 1080P HD Webcam boasts resolutions of up to 1080p HD while supporting 12MP stills. (Image Credit: Ausdom) If you’re looking for a full HD webcam without that hefty price tag, this may be one of the best webcams for you. Boasting resolutions of up to 1080p HD while supporting 12MP stills, a noise-cancelling microphone and low-light compensation, this camera is feature-rich. There’s no autofocus, and you don’t get a big bundle of software, but that bargain price more than makes up for any shortcomings, which is why it’s earned a place on our best webcams list. Bill Thomas has also contributed to this article
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| Best computer speakers 2019: the best audio systems for your PC Posted: 13 Nov 2019 01:51 PM PST Can’t decide whether getting one of the best computer speakers for your PC is worth it? Many gamers agree – to truly experience immersive audio while PC gaming, using one of the best gaming headsets is the way to go. However, wearing headphones can become fatiguing when you’ve worn them for a long time, which makes the best computer speakers a stellar alternative. And, not only to give your ears a break. Having one of the best computer speakers in your PC setup, whether you’ve got a laptop or a PC, will help enhance your computer’s audio output. Especially one with an incredible sound stage, high-quality speakers will give you a more immersive experience when you’re watching movies, gaming or just listening to good music. Lucky for you, we scoured the market for the best computer speakers out there, to make it easier for you to pick the right one for your setup and your budget. From affordable audio outputs to superior-quality speakers, you’ll find one for you on this list. What’s even better is that the biggest shopping day of the year is almost upon us. With Black Friday just around the corner, some of the computer speakers on this list should be more affordable than ever. Picking the best computer speakersComputer speakers, like any computer peripheral, can be a confusing mess of options and might not be easy to figure out what’s best for you. So we are here to help. There are certain things that might be more important to you, like sound quality, type of connection, whether there’s a subwoofer, or something else. How is the sound? Is it balanced, or does it have lots of bass or can it get fatiguing after a few minutes? Also, what is your priority? Perhaps it’s not just all about sound quality. Perhaps, instead of hi-fi audiophile-level audio, you want one that sounds decent but also saves you some cash. Or you do want that hi-fi clarity. Maybe as a gamer or cinephile, you care about surround sound or a good soundstage. These are all crucial elements to finding the best computer speakers for you. Also, consider what your set-up is whether you’re a few inches from a 4K gaming monitor or lounging back while playing PC games like Rage 2, where you still want full immersion, including feeling those explosions deep in your spleen. The good news is that whether it’s gaming, movies or music you want the best computer speakers for, there are quite a few options out there. Regardless of what you want from your audio experience, one of these best computer speakers we’ve rounded up will fit the bill. Best computer speakers at a glance:
Audioengine A2+ will function with your PC's USB port for uncompressed audio and amazing sound quality with its built-in DAC. While the Audioengine A2+ arrived on the scene four years back, they are still conceivably among the best computer speakers on the market. These slick-looking speakers will function with your PC’s USB port for uncompressed audio and amazing sound quality with its built-in DAC. The Audioengine A2+ comes sans subwoofer. However, if you really need that deep bass for extra rumble, that’s hardly a deal breaker: mostly because there is an RCA output, so it’s simple to connect an external woofer, which Audioengine also sells separately. Logitech Z623's subwoofer produces a powerful, deep sound. They may be more expensive than you’d expect to pay for Logitech’s best computer speakers, but the Logitech Z623 speakers are still pretty reasonable, considering that they’re an audio beast. The Z623 may look like a typical set of speakers, but the subwoofer produces a powerful, deep sound that can easily be adjusted up or down based on your preference. As a bonus, these speakers have an impressive soundstage – with great highs and mids – making for an extremely immersive gaming and movie audio experience. The Logitech G560 speakers are one of the best computer speakers for gaming. When it comes to computer accessories, Logitech is a household name. However, the G560 takes the company’s speaker prowess up a level. These are the first Logitech computer speakers created specifically for gaming, and the manufacturer’s hard work has more than paid off. The Logitech G560 speakers are, without a doubt, one of the best computer speakers for gaming. Not only do they have RGB lighting – a must for gaming peripherals in 2019 – but through Logitech’s software, the multi-colored illumination can adjust to any kind of content you consume for a more brilliant, not to mention mesmerizing, experience. The Razer Nommo Pro has a lot to offer and is definitely a sound investment. The Razer Nommo Pro may have an amusing name and a uniquely funky look, but make no mistake, these are a quality set of speakers that must be taken very seriously, and not only because of its hefty price. Try to combat the urge to run in the opposite direction of that $500 price tag, the Razer Nommo Pro has a lot to offer and is definitely a sound investment. There’s the thundering down-firing subwoofer that’ll blow you away, and then there’s the Razer Chroma feature, making these speakers look just as great as they sound. There are definitely more reasonably priced computer speakers out there, but with this level of quality, the Razer Nommo Pro is worth the cost of entry.
The Harman Kardon Soundsticks III speaker and sub combo features booming bass. Sure, the Harmon Kardon Soundsticks III may look like a bloom of jellyfish. These translucent computer speakers look more like a modern art installation protesting rising ocean temperatures, but you’ll appreciate them once you hit that power button. These are certainly an excellent speaker system that belong on our best computer speakers list. This speaker and sub combo features booming bass, thanks to its woofer, as well as detailed highs. Finally, you get that amazing sound at a good price, making it ideal for music fans with a mid-range budget.
Edifier E25 Luna Eclipse offers a powerful but well-controlled bass, as well as great balanced sound. The Edifier E25 Luna Eclipse is a staggering speaker setup that not only has an enticing design, but also sounds terrific. It’s meant for folks who like a lot of rumbling and booming bass. The Luna, which comes in red, white and black colors, offers a powerful but well-controlled bass, as well as great balance with sharp mids and good stereo separation. It even includes a nifty little remote control so you don’t have to get up if you’re feeling lazy. The Luna Eclipse are some of the best computer speakers out there, especially if you like to pump up the volume with little to no distortion. AudioEngine HD3 Wireless Speakers have USB Audio and Dual Analog Audio Inputs. Wireless speakers might not make the cut for gaming, where every millisecond counts, but that’s why you should opt for the AudioEngine HD 3. The beauty of these speakers is that it offers the best of both worlds. They’ve only got about 30ms of latency when using the wireless connection, so latency is practically negligible as far as listening to audio, watching videos and doing casual gaming. For competitive gamers, these also have USB Audio and Dual Analog Audio Inputs, not to mention subwoofer output for that extra rumble. And, since it is made by AudioEngine, you know the sound quality is top-notch. The THX-certified Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 THX boasts a wide frequency range of 31Hz to 20kHz and detailed audio quality. The Klipsch ProMedia 2.1 speaker system offers fantastic, versatile sound. This means regardless of whether you’re listening to music, watching movies or gaming, you’re getting the best computer speaker experience. These THX-certified speakers boast a lot of power, a wide frequency range of 31Hz to 20kHz, and detailed audio quality with strong bass, maximum clarity and great balance. When we say it’s powerful enough to replicate that home theater quality in your living room, we’re not exaggerating. The best part is that the price is very reasonable.
Dell Wireless 360 Speaker System AE715 produces a reasonable 360-degree sound. Dell’s AE715 may not be the most powerful on this list of the best computer speakers, but it does produce a reasonable 360-degree sound that – while fairly common in portable audio – is unusual when it comes to computer speakers. The downside is that the bass is a bit lacking, and there’s some delay because of the wireless connection. The upside is that the audio quality is definitely good enough if your listening standards aren’t quite as demanding. You’re also getting its wireless functionality, the USB charging port so you can charge the device and a built-in mic for conference calls. Without a doubt, it’s a great portable and wireless solution that’s affordable to boot.
The Mackie CR4BT promises professional-grade performance. The Mackie CR4BT promises professional-grade performance. True, it has its share of drawbacks – including a weaker mid-range and bass that cut off at 70 Hz, meaning while there’s good bass presence, you might be missing that extra low stuff. However, they do sound great for a premium pair of speakers, and the pros include the acoustic foam pads to isolate the speakers from the surface below it, as well as the front auxiliary input. These aren’t your run-of-the-mill peripherals; they are the best computer speakers if you do a lot of multimedia creation and production-related work.
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| Motorola Razr 2019 launch live blog Posted: 13 Nov 2019 01:45 PM PST Motorola is hosting an event later today where it's expected to reveal the device you can see above. No, that's not the Motorola Razr V3 from 2004 - it's the Motorola Razr V4, that is heavily rumored to be the company's first folding phone. It's thought that Motorola is reworking its classic flip-phone design and branding into a foldable device. This has been a handset we've been anticipating for a long time, ever since TechRadar broke the first word of a reboot of the Razr brand when speaking to Lenovo's CEO Yang Yuanqing back in 2018. We've been eagerly anticipating this device from the company for some time throughout the launch of the Huawei Mate X and Samsung Galaxy Fold folding phones. We're live at the launch in Los Angeles, California and below we'll be talking you through the event as it happens. Sadly, Motorola won't be livestreaming the launch so you'll instead want to tune in here to get our first thoughts on the device. Motorola Razr 2019 launch live blogAll times in Pacific Standard Time (PST) 01:00pm - It's the afternoon here is Los Angeles and we're getting ourselves prepped for the big launch taking place later tonight. This is an exciting one considering the history behind the Motorola Razr series and, perhaps more importantly, the hype behind foldable phones. We've already seen the phone leak yet again this morning through photos on the FCC and you can read all about that here. Plus, Motorola has also posted another teaser image of the phone that you can see below: It doesn't show much about the phone that we didn't already know, but it's enough to keep us interested for the next few hours until the launch begins. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Best HP laptops 2019: the top HP laptops we’ve seen and tested Posted: 13 Nov 2019 01:38 PM PST Have you been considering upgrading to one of the best HP laptops on the market? Congratulations! You’ll definitely be making a wise investment, as HP has been rolling out some of the best HP laptops we’ve ever seen to date. Hard at work in competing with Dell’s affordability and Apple’s svelte design, HP has been gaining traction in the high-end laptops game. In fact, many of the best HP laptops right now have risen to the rank of the best laptops 2019 has on offer. That’s because HP’s road to rebranding has resulted in some of the most stunning – not to mention, truly powerful – laptops we’ve ever seen. Take the HP Spectre x360 2019 – it’s gold trimming and gorgeous high-resolution display hide a computing powerful targeted towards creatives who would like the Windows 10 alternative to MacBook Pros. And, that’s without mentioning fantastic new features like the popular ‘privacy filter’ christened Sure View. And, HP isn’t slowing down anytime soon, with cool new products like the HP Envy Wood are slated to hit the streets later in the year. If you’re ready to get on the HP bandwagon, investing in one of the best HP laptops is the way to go. We put together a list of them so you can choose the best one for you. Keep an eye out for deals, as well, since some of these HP laptops will certainly see price-cuts on Black Friday. The best HP laptops at a glance
The HP Spectre x360's gorgeous gem-cut 13-inch will draw admiring looks. (Image Credit: HP) The HP Spectre x360’s 2019 refresh has only hurtled it to the top of our list of the best HP laptops to buy right now, touting a smart redesign that takes its look and performance to a new level. This gorgeous gem-cut 13-inch will draw admiring looks at whatever coffee shop you work in, while the powerful hardware will handle anything you throw at it, including strategy games. It even has the 4K display option, if you’re willing to splurge. Read the full review: HP Spectre x360 2019 HP Spectre x360 15T (2019) is undeniably one of the best HP laptops on the market. (Image credit: TechRadar) There’s no denying that the HP Spectre x360 15-inch is dressed for success, from elegant gold trimming on a matte black finish to powerful innards that include an 8th-generation Intel chip, Nvidia GTX graphics and more than enough storage space most typical users will need. It’s undeniably one of the best HP laptops on the market, and you will be impressed by it the moment you behold that stunning 4K screen. If you’re looking to move to the Windows 10 environment, this is a fantastic alternative to MacBook Pros, but with a better gaming experience. Read the full review: HP Spectre x360 15T (2019) HP Spectre Folio is intended for the luxury buyers. (Image Credit: HP) While it doesn’t exactly redefine the PC, the HP Spectre Folio does enough right things to merit a place among the best HP laptops you can buy in 2019. Clad front to back in leather, this 2-in-1 laptop is intended for the luxury buyers, as evidenced by its lofty price tag. Unfortunately, it’s not the fastest laptop out there. However, the fanless chip on board has enough juice to get you through your day-to-day workload, as long as you’re not expecting to get any serious video editing done. This is more for the professional taking a device between meetings. Read the full review: HP Spectre Folio HP Chromebook 14 has a few aces up its sleeves. (Image credit: TechRadar) The HP Chromebook 14 may not be as powerful as other Chromebooks, but this tiny laptop has a few aces up its sleeves, helping it secure a well-deserved spot among the best HP laptops. Those aces include striking a good balance between ample screen space and portability, as well as a surprisingly excellent keyboard and a decent trackpad. That’s without mentioning how vivid the display and how low its price tag is. Read the full review: HP Chromebook 14 EliteBook x360 1040 G5 is the "apex predator of the business world." (Image credit: TechRadar) We dubbed the EliteBook x360 1040 G5 as the “apex predator of the business world” in our review because, well, it is. It boasts many excellent features in its handsome-looking chassis, as well as plenty of ports to go around, including a port that works wonders and impressively audio. Simply, this HP laptop is an ideal match for the professional who demands seamlessness and power at work. It’s not the perfect machine, but it’s got plenty of features that make up for its flaws, making it among the best HP laptops on the market. Read the full review: HP EliteBook x360 1040 The HP Omen 17 is one incredible gaming machine packed with excellent features. Don’t judge this budget gaming laptop by its cover. It’s modest design and poor quality chassis aside, the HP Omen 17 is one incredible gaming machine packed with excellent features. With its G-Sync display, solid speakers, and 4K gaming (if you’re ok with lower frame rates), this is one of the best HP laptops for gaming. Best of all, it offers great value at an affordable price. So if you don’t have the funds to splurge on a premium gaming laptop, you know you’ve got an option in this one. Read the full review: HP Omen 17 If you are interested in the latest AMD innards, HP Envy x360 13 (2019) is a great choice. Thanks to its sleek, 13-inch design, this 2-in-1 is thinner that you would have expected, which works in your favor when using it in tablet mode. There are other compelling reasons why the HP Envy x360 (2019) is worth considering when you’re in the market for one of the best HP laptops. If you are interested in the latest AMD innards, this is a great choice. This HP beauty also offers a premium build, boasts 9 hours of video playback and delivers a performance that will get you through most of your schoolwork and project, at a very affordable price. Read the full review: HP Envy x360 (2019) HP Omen X stays at the top of the stack longer than competitors. (Image Credit: HP) If you’ve been watching the laptop market as long as we have, you’ll have noticed that the best gaming laptops kind of get a bad rap because of their lack of mobility. However, HP has addressed this issue by packing plenty of new features that gaming laptops tend to lack. First, you can overclock the Omen X, which just means free performance – which will keep it at the top of the stack longer than competitors. For gamers, the HP Omen X is a no-brainer. HP Envy 13t boasts elegant beauty combines a premium design and premium internal components. (Image Credit: HP) For a second-tier laptop, you might be surprised to find so very few faults in the new HP Envy 13t 2019. This elegant beauty combines a premium design and premium internal components without costing you an arm and a leg, which makes it a terrific alternative for MacBook lovers looking to save money for their next computing investment. There are other things to love as well – the ultra-thin chassis, the tactile keyboard, and a battery that will outlast yours. Read the full review: HP Envy 13t 2019 HP Spectre 13 packs some serious horsepower. (Image Credit: HP) The HP Spectre 13 is arguably one of the most stunning laptops we’ve ever seen or used. The ceramic white finish is beautifully complemented by a two-prong hinge design that’s extremely appealing as well as utilitarian. The Spectre 13 goes even further by packing some serious horsepower. It leverages the power of 8th-generation Intel Kaby Lake Refresh processors to outmatch the competition. It’s been discontinued on the HP site, but the HP Spectre 13 is still one of the best HP laptops this year. Search for it, as third-party retailers still sell it. Read the full review: HP Spectre 13
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| Posted: 13 Nov 2019 01:09 PM PST ZoneAlarm, the consumer brand of the security firm Check Point, has fallen victim to a data breach in which hackers were able to gain unauthorized access to one of it web forums. Once inside the web forum, the hackers were able to obtain the names, email addresses, hashed passwords and dates of birth of almost 4,500 of the company's customers. Although neither ZoneAlarm nor Checkpoint publicly announced the breach, ZoneAlarm did sent out emails to subscribers who had been affected and urged them to change their forum account passwords immediately, which read: "The website became inactive in order to fix the problem and will resume as soon as it is fixed. You will be requested to reset your password once joining the forum. ZoneAlarm is conducting a thorough investigation into the whereabouts of this incident and views this as a serious matter.”
vBulletin vulnerabilityAccording to The Hacker News, which first revealed that ZoneAlarm's web forum had been breached, the attackers exploited a known critical RCE vulnerability in vBulletin's forum software to gain unauthorized access to the security firm's website. ZoneAlarm had not updated its vBulletin software and its forum was still running version 5.4.4 at the time of the breach. Unfortunately, this version contains a zero-day vulnerability which hackers recently exploited to hack into Comodo's forum where they were able to access the login information of 245,000 of its users. Security vulnerabilities in vBulletin's forum software were also exploited earlier this year when the retro gaming website Emuparadise was breached by hackers who compromised the email addresses, usernames, passwords and IP addresses of 1.2m user accounts. ZoneAlarm's breach is yet another reminder to companies that patching their software should be a top priority unless they want to fall victim to a similar data breach.
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| Posted: 13 Nov 2019 12:21 PM PST It’s in your best interest to invest in one of the best gaming keyboards, especially if you're serious about gaming and especially when you've just dropped a bunch of cash on a new gaming PC. Trust us; you’ll need the best gaming peripherals to back you up. If you don’t, you’ll only be doing yourself – not to mention, all your new PC games – a disservice by not picking up one of the best gaming keyboards. Much like with the best gaming mice, a gaming keyboard can help considerably with giving you the best and most immersive gaming experience. The best gaming keyboards, unlike many other PC components and peripherals, can actually make you better at the PC games you play, especially if you've invested in a mechanical keyboard. What exactly makes the best gaming keyboard? Before you to pick up the best gaming keyboard for your needs, make sure to consider the kind of switches you want. Membrane switches might be the worst for gaming, so finding a mechanical keyboard is the most ideal. Plus, you'll be happy to know that if you don’t have a large budget, there’s an excellent gaming keyboard for you on this list. If money isn’t an issue, there are also a ton of feature-rich keyboards on it that boasts all the bells and whistles. The SteelSeries Apex Pro’s svelte aesthetic and clever OLED display are just the appetizers. The SteelSeries Apex Pro gets our coveted 5-star rating for many reasons, the biggest of which are its stunning and solid build, custom actuation and comfortable – not to mention, quiet – magnetic switches. Performance-wise, it’s among the best gaming keyboards we’ve tested yet, which makes its $high price tag worth the splurge. Razer Huntsman Elite If you have the need for speed, then the Huntsman Elite is your best bet, thanks to its new optomechanical switches. That sounds like a mouthful, but essentially, it means that Razer has managed to combine mechanical switches with optical sensors. This unthinkable allows the Huntsman Elite to take its actuation to the next level, and you would be hard-pressed to find a faster keyboard on the market. Switches aside, it’s also remarkably comfortable to type on. Plus, it’s covered with more RGB lighting than you can shake a stick at. Sure, it needs two USB cables for power and costs a small fortune, but with tech like this, it’s absolutely worth it. Roccat Vulcan 120 Aimo The Roccat Vulcan 120 should be at the top of your gaming keyboard wish list, if you want one that looks and feels good. This svelte keyboard uses Roccat’s own Titan switches, rather than the Cherry MX switches found on most other keyboards on this list, and we can vouch for how superb they are. This gaming keyboard combines amazing tactile feedback with quiet and comfort. It really isn’t hard to see why this is one of the best gaming keyboards on the market today. Logitech G513 One of the biggest issues with Cherry MX Red keys is that even though they’re good for gaming, they’re not really ideal for typing anything other than your Steam credentials. That’s exactly why the Logitech G513 and its Romer-G Linear switches steal the show. With its brushed metal finish that is, miraculously, practically immune to fingerprints, it all adds up to one of the best gaming keyboards to date. Alienware Pro Gaming Keyboard AW768 When you think Alienware, “value” isn’t the word that comes to mind. But, this time around, the Alienware Pro Gaming Keyboard AW768 is a genuinely great deal. At under 100 bucks or quid, you’re getting the toughest gaming keyboard fitted with mechanical keys, dedicated macro keys and slick aesthetics. It’s not the most feature rich keyboard in the game, but at this price, it really doesn’t need to be. One of the best gaming keyboards on the market right now, the Alienware Pro Gaming Keyboard AW768 gets the job done, and looks good while doing it. Cooler Master MasterSet MS120 Not everything has to be super high-end to be good, and the Cooler Master MasterSet MS120 is the perfect example. Though this one’s a keyboard and mouse set, the keyboard is the star of the show. Sitting at just under a hundred bucks, the MasterSet’s keyboard is affordable while being up there with its more premium ‘mem-chanical’ competitors in terms of quality. The switches on offer bring a ton of tactile feedback and deep travel. It’s quiet as well, so you can furiously pounding away during an intense late-night Overwatch match without worry. The Cooler Master MasterSet MS120 is, without a doubt, one of the best gaming keyboards. Corsair K63 Wireless We have tested many wired gaming mice over the last few years, but we haven’t seen that many wireless gaming keyboards and even less that we actually liked. That is, until the Corsair K63 Wireless keyboard entered the scene. The computer peripherals company took what made the wired version of the K63 so great, and put it into a wireless version – without compromising on much at all. Packing tight Cherry MX Red switches, full RGB lighting and convenient media controls, the K63 wireless is proof that wireless keyboards can be very capable, even for gaming. Corsair K95 RGB Platinum Sure, it comes with a high price tag, but the Corsair K95 RGB Platinum, one of the best gaming keyboards we’ve tested in the last year, really does give you a lot of ounce for your bounce. We’re not talking the more trivial bells and whistles like fancy RGB lighting either – although since we are on the subject, this one’s got a whole lot of them, not to mention its integrated 19-zone light bar and the 16.8 million color options, to boot. By bang, we actually mean its 6 dedicated macro keys, 8MB on-board storage and aircraft-grade anodized brushed aluminum frame. Havit Low Profile Mechanical Keyboard You might be thinking that if you’ve seen one of the best gaming keyboards, you’ve seen them all: big, garish hunks of metal with bright RGB lighting. Well, the Havit Low Profile Mechanical Keyboard will surprise you. While it definitely has the RGB lighting (honestly, how could it not?), it leaves the rest of the cliches in the past where they belong. Appealing and responsive, this keyboard is only as big as it needs to be, and is thus extremely comfortable to type as well as game on. There are no multimedia buttons, but we’d happily make that trade any day for a keyboard this good at such a low price. Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition The beauty of Razer Huntsman Tournament Edition is that it manages to deliver fast performance without being the most expensive keyboard in town. True, there aren’t a lot of features here, which puts it behind many of its feature-rich rivals, but it makes up for that by being small and boasting a removable to make it perfectly portable for on-the-go gaming. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Mozilla leads partnership to take WebAssembly beyond the browser Posted: 13 Nov 2019 12:16 PM PST Mozilla along with its partners Intel, Red Hat and Fastly have announced the launch of a new open-source group called the Bytecode Alliance which will focus on creating secure new software foundations while building on standards such as WebAssembly and WebAssembly System Interface (WASI). WebAssembly is an open standard that allows browsers to execute compiled programs directly. This means that developers can write an application in C, C++ and Rust and have it run at native speed within a browser as opposed to using JavaScript, which typically takes longer to execute. All major browser engines currently support WebAssembly and some companies have even begun to use it in production. However, the barrier to entry still remains high for most developers.
Bytecode AllianceAccording to its new website, the mission of the Bytecode Alliance is to establish “a capable, secure platform that allows application developers and service providers to confidently run untrusted code, on any infrastructure, for any operating system or device, leveraging decades of experience doing so inside web browsers”. As WebAssembly allows untrusted code components to interact with trusted code inside of a sandboxed environment, the open standard has a wide variety of potential use cases outside of the browser and this is why Mozilla and its partners formed the ByteCode Alliance. The founding members are also contributing code to the new alliance including the Wasmtime, Lucet and WebAssembly Micro Runtime (WAMR) as well as the runtime components Cranelift and Wasi common. Distinguished engineer at Mozilla and co-creator of WebAssembly, Luke Wagner explained the decision to expand WebAssembly beyond browsers in a blog post, saying: “WebAssembly is changing the web, but we believe WebAssembly can play an even bigger role in the software ecosystem as it continues to expand beyond browsers. This is a unique moment in time at the dawn of a new technology, where we have the opportunity to fix what’s broken and build new, secure-by-default foundations for native development that are portable and scalable. But we need to take deliberate, cross-industry action to ensure this happens in the right way. Together with our partners in the Bytecode Alliance, Mozilla is building these new secure foundations—for everything from small, embedded devices to large, computing clouds.”
Via TechCrunch This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| The best Black Friday TV deals at Walmart: early savings from Samsung, LG, & more Posted: 13 Nov 2019 12:16 PM PST Walmart's Black Friday sale is just around the corner, and the retail giant is getting an early start with massive savings on 4K TVs you can shop right now. Walmart's pre-Black Friday TV sale includes record-low prices on top brand TVs like Samsung, LG, Vizio, and more. Our top Walmart TV deal is the Vizio 50-inch 4K smart TV that's on sale for just $248. That's a $180 discount and the lowest price we've found ultra HD TV. Shop more of Walmart's best pre-Black Friday TV deals below that include a range of different sizes and features. We don't know how long Walmart will have the TVs on sale, so you should take advantage now before it's too late. Walmart pre-Black Friday TV deals:TechRadar is scouring every retailer and rounding up all the top deals over the Black Friday period, and we’ve put all the best Black Friday deals and Cyber Monday deals in easy-to-navigate articles to help you find the bargains you’re looking for. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Posted: 13 Nov 2019 12:08 PM PST It’s essential to get the best gaming PC you can afford. And unless Candy Crush tops your gaming wishlist, you’ll probably need some firepower to tackle the newest games you’re interested in. Not only can the best gaming PCs get you there but they should also give you years of viable gaming power. And if you’re planning on playing the latest games, you must get one of the best gaming PCs packed with the most cutting edge internals possible. To cut through the overwhelming options out there, we’ve assembled a list of the best gaming PCs you can get right now, all of which we’ve personally reviewed. And there’s a variety of options to check out, whether it’s from stalwarts like Alienware or newer firms like Corsair. So read on to find out more about the best gaming PCs out there at the moment. Whether you’re gaming on a budget or want a kitted-out rig, there’s something for you here. The Corsair One has been among the best gaming PCs ever since it came on the scene a few years ago, and the Corsair One i160 only takes things to the next level with Nvidia Turing graphics and Intel Coffee Lake Refresh processors. This gaming PC can handle 4K gaming in a chassis that’s not much bigger than your average gaming console. It’s pricey – that much power kind of has to be – yet it’s certainly worth it if you’re looking for a small form factor machine without compromises. While the Decepticon look this gaming PC sports might only be for some, there’s definitely something for everybody as far as configurations go – whether you’re a casual gamer on a budget or a hardcore one willing to drop a lot of dough for a souped up rig. Plus, HP Omen Desktop PC comes in a tool-less design, making it upgradeable. There isn’t any doubt that this one belongs on our best gaming PCs list. The Alienware Aurora R8 can cost a pretty penny, especially if you’re getting one of the souped up configurations. But this stunner of a gaming machine gives you the latest and greatest inside, delivering an excellent and immersive gaming experience in a cool-looking chassis with appealing RGB lighting. If you’re more than a casual gamer who needs a setup that can tackle 1440p and even a bit of 4K gaming, this is one of the best gaming PCs on the market today. If you’re looking for the best gaming PC that doesn't cost a fortune, the Intel Hades Canyon NUC may just be your dream machine. This teeny gaming PC isn’t just cost-effective, but space-saving as well. In fact, it resembles a set-top box more than a gaming PC. Don’t let its size fool you, however – it houses all the power that the best gaming laptops should to handle the best laptop games, with an 8th-generation Intel Core i7 processor and discrete AMD Radeon graphics. You’ll have to provide your own RAM, storage and your own OS, but if you have extra PC hardware lying around, there are still plenty of savings to be had. This rectangular monster is definitely worthy of its moniker as it boasts lots of power… more than enough, in fact, for most gamers’ needs. When you’ve the funds for an upper-tier configuration, you’ll get a behemoth. Unfortunately, budget minded buyers will have to be satisfied with gameplay at medium settings, since the lower end models don’t pack the same firepower. Still, because of its high upgradability and tool-less design, such buyers are only an upgrade or two from the best gaming experience on Ultra or Max settings either. Plus, we’ve honestly seen more expensive machines for those specs. When you grab a new machine from Origin, it’s almost like you’ve built it yourself. But, you do have to be acquainted with PC components to decide for yourself what goes into the rig and how much money you’re willing to spend. So, our only real criticism of the Origin Millennium is that you can put together a similar gaming PC yourself and save hundreds of dollars. On the other hand, because of its svelte design and flexible specs – not to mention, the convenience, we bet you won’t even want to. In true Alienware fashion, the Area 51 Threadripper Edition pushes the boundaries of both technology and your bank account. It’s extremely powerful, distinctly boasting the latest AMD Ryzen Threadripper 1950X across all of its configurations. The Area 51’s triad-design hasn’t altered much since its release back in 2014, but the inside of this desktop is basically tool-less to upgrade, not that you would even need to consider it’s already one of the best gaming PCs. It was only a matter of time before the best gaming PCs started rolling out with the newest Coffee Lake Refresh and Nvidia Turing parts, and the MSI Trident X was the one to lead the charge. This small chassis PC doesn’t pull any punches, and will absolutely demolish any game you throw at it, at any resolution. Just remember that the thin metal build is a little flimsy for travel, and its price tag is a bit hefty. However, if you’re seeking no-holds-barred power that will fit right in your living room, you can’t do much better than this. True to its name, the Corsair Vengeance 5185 will, without a doubt, get you back in the game, if your existing PC has been holding you back. This highly-customizable gaming PC is among the best gaming PCs out there with its powerful components, massive storage space and an effective cooling system that keeps that heat down. A fan of RGB lighting? This has no shortage of that, all wrapped in a tempered glass chassis that’s just the ticket for showing those innards off. A unique chassis coupled with a price to beat, Dell’s latest in its G series gaming PCs is a solid contender in budget gaming. The Dell G5 boasts 9th-generation Intel chips as well as Nvidia’s most powerful gaming GTX and RTX graphics cards, starting with an i3 processor and the GTX 1650 to handle many powerful games without burning a whole in your pocket. Of course, if you’ve got more case to spare, it’s VR ready configurations are also on hand, though even those are absolutely affordable. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Posted: 13 Nov 2019 11:57 AM PST Welcome to our guide on the best home printers. If you're looking for the best printer for your household – something that can handle documents, homework and photos – then you've come to the right place. The best home printers need to be more versatile than regular printers. The modern household needs to print out a wide range of documents. There's the kids homework, of course, but you'll often find you need to print out forms and documents in your day to day life. Plus, if you take lots of holiday snaps, then a home printer that can do an excellent job printing them out will save you having to leave the house – as you'll be able to print them out right then and there! The best home printers can rival the print quality, speed and features of almost any printer you'd find in an office or classroom, and getting the best one for your needs can prove to be an excellent investment. When you're looking for the best home printer for your needs there are a number of things you need to take into account. First of all, there's size. Unlike business printers, you don't want a big, bulky, printer taking up huge amounts of room. For example, there are all-in-one printers that are geared towards the home, and they are a good choice if you need a photo copier and a scanner as well as a printer in your house, without taking up loads of space. Here you'll find the very best home printers, no matter what size of household and family demands you have. In this guide you'll find one that's perfect for you, and our price comparison tool makes sure you get the best deals on the printer of your choice as well. It’s rather large, but if you can fit this multifunction device in your home office, your printing, scanning and faxing needs will be well taken care of. Between its two paper trays, the MB2750 can accommodate a whole 500-sheet ream of A4 paper and churn out duplex pages at a remarkable rate, for an inkjet. Mono and colour documents look consistently clean and crisp. The 50-sheet automatic document feed is great for large photocopying jobs and we found it fairly easy to access the many features via the logical touchscreen interface. Assuming you don’t need a fax facility, this compact 3-in-1 strikes the perfect balance between performance and functionality on a budget. It feels well made and though it prints quite slowly, our sample turned out crisp mono pages and vivid colour documents with reassuring consistency. The interface is intuitive and for mobile printing the Brother iOS/Android app is particularly helpful. This stout laser printer takes up relatively little space, given its high capacity for paper and toner. It means you can keep printing quickly and efficiently and with lower running costs than an equivalent inkjet. The display is rather fiddly, but in all other respects, this colour printer is easy to use and can be relied upon for immaculate mono and colour documents time after time. Canon’s compact 4-in-one looks good enough to sit astride your desk at home, while offering all of the features that a small business might need. In addition, the five-ink system gives great photo quality prints and the large touchscreen makes it especially easy to use. The print speed is perhaps a little slow, even for an inkjet, but it is well featured with both Bluetooth and Wi-fi connectivity and there’s a handy SD-Card slot at the front. If you need to churn out pages of text from your home office, then a mono laser printer is the practical and economic answer. This relatively small and affordable model from Ricoh requires little room and it can be relied on to deliver consistently polished monochrome pages while going easy on the consumables. It’s a solid low-profile machine with simple top-mounted controls for easy operation. Image Credit: Samsung Samsung’s smart-looking laser printer is equipped with both Wi-Fi and NFC for easy mobile printing and is supported by a sophisticated mobile app. It’s an easy size to accommodate at home, but you can fit a useful amount of paper and toner inside, making it good for a monthly cycle of 40,000 pages. It won’t automatically print both sides of the page, but it does have a manual duplex mode. Being as small and inexpensive as an inkjet, yet with all the speed, economy and consistency of a laser, the LaserJet Pro M15w is in many ways the ideal home printer. It manages to hold one hundred sheets of paper and print on them at the respectable rate of 19ppm. There’s no duplex mode, sadly, and no display, but at this price it’s hard to argue. This big Brother blurs the line between home and office printer by combining the fast print speed and high capacity of a laser machine with the superior photo finish of an inkjet. We would recommend it for both applications because although it is smaller than the laser equivalent MFC-L8690CDW, the inkjet MFC-J5945DW can handle A3 paper. There’s really nothing that this fully featured 4-in-1 can’t do and it carries out all tasks satisfactorily. This humble all-in-one can scan and copy, but its real strength is in printing photos. Frustratingly, there’s no Ethernet port, nor a USB port for printing from a flash drive and it churns very slowly, but the results are surprisingly good for such an affordable inkjet. The supplied starter cartridges are rather light on ink, but if you replace them with high-capacity carts, then the running cost is competitive too. Printers aimed at the home office that can handle A3 paper are not common, but ones that can automatically print on both sides of an A3 page are downright rare. The WorkForce WF-7210DTW is one such beast and it does so quite successfully. Print quality is impressive, be that monochrome text, or a glossy photo. The long list of features includes both Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity and the two paper trays can hold 500 sheets combined. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Pokémon Go updates: all the news and rumors for what's coming next Posted: 13 Nov 2019 11:56 AM PST Pokémon Go: the world's first augmented reality app to become a household name. Niantic's mobile AR game is still going strong two years after it first released, with a constant drip of events and updates keeping budding trainers glued to their phones and pounding the streets. And while it hasn't managed to top the peak of its popularity in 2016, it's still going strong and finding plenty of new ways to improve its player experience. So what's the latest news for Pokémon Go? As you'd expect, brand new features are being added all the time and community events are still going strong. Plus we have some more themed events and brand new Gen 5 Pokémon to catch! But without further ado, here's our guide to all the latest Pokémon Go news and updates.
Pokémon Go news and Pokémon Go updates
Team Go Rocket A new quest and gameplay element has been introduced to Pokémon Go and it revolves around Team Rocket and its leader Giovanni. The quest, called Looming in the Shadows, has seen players over the world battle Team Rocket grunts and their shadow Pokémon in order to collect items on defeating them. These items can be combined to form a Rocket Radar which allows players to track down a trio of Team Rocket middle managers—Cliff, Sierra and Arlo who are essentially the anti-Team Leaders—and battle them. Now, another stage in the quest has unlocked which invites players to complete tasks and construct a Super Rocket Radar in order to track down and battle the Team Rocket leader Giovanni. The reward for defeating Giovanni is a very enticing Legendary Shadow Pokémon. Niantic has posted a comprehensive Q&A which details the various hoops that need to be jumped through in order to reach Giovanni. It confirms a new Giovanni research quest will be issued each month so you'll be hunting him down repeatedly, no doubt in search of new Legendary Shadow Pokémon. When's the next Pokémon Go Community Day?
Now that Trapinch has had its day, the next Pokémon Go Community Day has been confirmed to be taking place on November 16, between 11am and 2pm local time. The featured Pokémon for the event will be the fire-type Pokémon Chimchar. Across the day Chimchar will spawn more often and there will be a possibility you could encounter it in its shiny form. The event-specific move for Chimchar hasn't been confirmed yet but this will be revealed closer to the time. During the event, eggs will only require one quarter of their usual distance to hatch and any Lure Modules will last for three hours rather than thirty minutes. Pokémon Go update: what's next?Pokémon Go Buddy Adventure In a recent blog post, Niantic has discussed some of the recent improvements it's made to its AR technology—improvements which could see you interact with your favorite Pokémon using the AR camera. Provisionally titled Pokémon Go Buddy Adventure, this new mode would make it possible for players to see and interact with their Buddy Pokémon via the game's AR camera. Even more impressive, players would also be able to see their friends doing the same thing, making it a multiplayer experience. The mode would be cross-platform, meaning it doesn't matter whether or not you're an Android or iOS user, and though there's no release date just yet, Niantic has said that it's coming "in the months ahead". GO Battle League Niantic has announced that a new feature called GO Battle League will be coming to the game in early 2020. It will build on the current trainer battles system and will encourage players to get out and explore. According to Niantic, players will walk to earn entry into the Battle League. Once they're in they'll be able to battle players from around the world through an online matching system. Win and lose, they'll rise and fall in the ranks of the worldwide league. We'll keep updating with more information on Battle League as it's announced. Niantic Wayfarer beta Niantic will soon launch a beta of its Wayfarer tool which will allow players to review nominations for Gyms and Pokéstops, giving them a say in new places to play. Over the next few weeks the beta will roll out to a select playerbase with larger rollouts to come at a later time.
Pokémon Go Plus dealsWant to buy yourself a Pokémon Go Plus wearable? Check some of today's best deals down below. (Image credits: Niantic/Pokémon Company) This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Posted: 13 Nov 2019 11:48 AM PST You shouldn’t game without the best gaming mouse on the market. In fact, to squeeze the optimal performance from the best gaming PCs, you’ll want to pay close attention to all the gaming mice available so that you can reach your full gaming potential, whether it’s competing in e-sports or digging into the newest first person shooter. Look at more than just the price tag though, as it’s not always the best indicator of a quality peripheral. The SteelSeries Sensei 310, for instance, is an excellent mouse that looks good and has solid performance at a very reasonable price, making getting the best gaming mouse for you one of the easiest ways to max out your rig. Yes, there’s a whole horde of gaming mice to choose from more companies than ever before. It can be overwhelming deciding what the best gaming mouse for you is but that’s why we’ve put this list together, so read on to find out what our picks are for the best gaming mice. When it comes to the best gaming mouse, features, balance and performance are all present in equal measure in the SteelSeries Rival 710, securing it a top spot on our list. This behemoth of a gaming mouse – at least, in terms of power – is a bit expensive, but when you weigh that price against the customizable OLED display, haptic feedback (great for you MOBA players) and excellent build quality, the SteelSeries Rival 710 is still a very solid purchase. The kicker? Everything is modular, even down to the sensor, so you never have to feel like you’re missing out on the latest tech. There are a couple reasons why Razer Viper is our new favorite esports gaming mouse. Along with its lightweight ambidextrous design, true 16,000 DPI and Razer Chroma lighting, this powerful little mouse also features 1000 Hz Ultrapolling, Optical Mouse Switches rated for 70 million clicks and 8 independently programmable Hyperesponse buttons. If you want a gaming mouse to give you that extra competitive edge, you’ve found it here. The best gaming mouse is always going to be the one that brings excellent performance at a reasonable price. And, the Corsair Harpoon RGB Wireless is the poster child for this ideal price-and-performance match. You’ll have a wireless mouse that has RGB lighting, touts a long battery life and doesn’t at all suck, for a very reasonable price. The ergonomics unfortunately favor right-handed users, but at this price and with this impressive performance, there’s not much else to complain about. Aesthetically, you generally have two main choices when you’re in the market for the best gaming mouse: a high-performing mouse that looks like it would fit in the office, or a mouse that lives and breathes that “gaming life.” The Logitech G502 fits squarely in the latter category, with its robotic design. But, if that doesn’t intimidate you, then you get adjustable weights, a jaw-dropping 16,000 DPI sensor and superb performance as well. It’s not ideal for users with bigger hands, but other than that, this one has definitely earned its spot in the best gaming mouse list. If you’re in the market for an affordable mid-range gaming mouse, then the Roccat Kain 120 AIMO may just be the best gaming mouse for you. To start, it’s got a great design and solid build, as well as a decent number of customization options that let you personalize it according to your gaming style and needs. Of course, it’s exceptional to use as well, satisfying, responsive, and very reliable. This new offering from Roccat will without a doubt give you that gaming edge. If you’re searching for the best gaming mouse that’s both economical and functional, then the Cooler Master MasterMouse MM520 is an ideal addition to your gaming rig. It won’t win any beauty contests, but packing quality Omron switches and a relatively sensitive sensor capable of up to 12,000 DPI makes it a good purchase. Those make it easy to ignore the unappealing design – particularly if you use a claw grip. Have you been getting into the World of Warcraft: Classic lately? Then you’ll want to look into the Razer Naga Trinity. Razer’s Naga mice have always been fan favorites in the MMO community, and the manufacturer has taken things to the next level with Naga Trinity. With it, you’re getting three easily swappable side plates, allowing you to configure your mouse however you see fit. Add the insane 16,000 DPI sensor and Razer Chroma RGB lighting to the mix, and you’ll be topping the DPS meters in no time. Is there any doubt that the Razer Naga Trinity belongs on the list of the best gaming mouse? If you catch yourself rolling your eyes at some of the gaming mice that sport ridiculous, over-the-top designs, then you should take a look at the HyperX Pulsefire Surge RGB. Boasting extremely reliable Omron switches and entrancing RGB lighting – not to mention, an impressive 16,000 DPI sensor – you’re scoring the best gaming mouse for an outstanding price. Plus, it’ll fit right into any office, at least once you turn down the lighting effects to show off its more accessible design. Most of the best gaming mice on the market are either too small or too light, or even a bit of both, leaving gamers with big hands with few options. To make matters worse, some of the big mice out there come loaded with gratuitous buttons and weird shapes. The Corsair Ironclaw is just the opposite. It’s an eye-catching mouse for big-hand users, with a design that won’t make you want to squirrel it away in your desk drawer every time company comes around. It’s quite tough as well, so it can handle quite a bit of heavy use, making it the best gaming mouse for you. When you take stock of all its amazing features, it might shock you to learn that the Gigabyte Aorus M5 is so cheap. This stunner is among the best gaming mouse of great value that we’ve tested this year. It’s also very customizable, not to mention boasts great ergonomics and fun RGB lighting. As far as features that will give you the gaming advantage, it boasts an adjustable weight distribution system, on-the-fly DPI adjustments and Omron switches tested for 50 million clicks, to start. If you’re looking for a mouse that gives you more bang for your buck, this is it. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Marvel’s Avengers game release date, news, trailers and first impressions Posted: 13 Nov 2019 11:40 AM PST After two years of secrecy, Square Enix and Crystal Dynamics are starting to talk about their first Avengers game – or, as we know it, Marvel’s Avengers. At Square Enix's E3 2019 press event, we finally got our first look at the game in a story trailer that seems to riff on some of the biggest moments from the Avengers comics. You'll play as your favorite Avengers in an all-new story set in the Marvel universe featuring many Avengers throughout the game (with the exception of Hawkeye) as you save the day from an evil force. According to Crystal Dynamics, the game has 'an all-star cast' that includes Laura Bailey, Nolan North and Troy Baker, some of the most preeminent voice actors in the videogame industry. It was at this year's E3 that we also learned that the game will have a multiplayer component alongside a single-player campaign, though it wasn't shown off during the event - but we did get hands on time with the game at Gamescom 2019.
While we only got hands on time with Avenger's campaign mode, what we've heard from Crystal Dynamics in a closed-door briefing is that you'll assemble into teams of four online, customize your characters and fight online together through new scenarios. Crystal Dynamics says this content will be free and will come at a constant clip. Last, but not least, we got a confirmed release date: May 15, 2020. Here's everything we know about Square Enix’s big foray into the Marvel universe. UPDATE: A brand new trailer from the game offers an overview of what to expect from Marvel's Avengers. Watch it for yourself below. Cut to the chase
Image credit: Crystal Dynamics Gameplay impressionsWe got some hands on time with Marvel's Avengers at Gamescom 2019. Check out our hands on: Marvel's Avengers review for our impressions. Marvel’s Avengers trailersAn October 2019 trailer for Marvel's Avengers gave us a better overview of the game and what we can expect from it in terms of story and key mechanics. Watch it below to find out more about the game's mission types (single-player and multiplayer), its character customisations, skills and gear. The game’s first teaser trailer came out last year. Check it out below: The big unveiling for the game came at E3 2019, when Square Enix and Crystal Dynamics really let loose a lot of details and clips. We've embedded the Avengers E3 2019 trailer below: A recent from Square Enix and Crystal Dynamics revolves around Ms. Marvel (Kamala Khan) who plays a crucial role in the events of A-Day and sub-sequent re-union of the Avengers. Check out her trailer down below. Marvel’s Avengers news and featuresMs. Marvel Kamala Khan a.k.a. Ms. Marvel is joining Marvel's Avengers, Square Enix and Crystal Dynamics unveiled at New York this week. At the event, the developer teased a slightly tweaked origin story for the character who, according to Crystal Dynamics, will be exposed to the mysterious Terrigen Mist during A-Day (the game's opening event) and "finds herself developing extraordinary polymorphic powers, which she subsequently hides for years... As the story expands, Kamala plays an essential role in bringing the disbanded Avengers back together". We got hands on with Kamala at EGX 2019 and found her great fun to play. Ms. Marvel's stretchy limbs and ability to grow in size means you can easily smack around bad guys with ease. PS4 beta According to the game's official twitter page, Marvel's Avengers will have a beta on PS4 before release. However, Crystal Dynamics hasn't revealed when or how we can access the beta. Check out the tweet below: Maybe cross generation? During a Q&A session at Gamescom 2019 we asked Crystal Dynamics about whether Marvel's Avengers will be a cross generation title, considering it's releasing next year and the team plans on supporting it for the long haul. While the devs didn't outright confirm or deny, the smirk and laugh we got suggested this is the case. Stadia Crystal Dynamics has confirmed Avengers is coming to Google Stadia. Skill trees As you progress you will unlock skill points and trees which allow you to specify your playstyle. Skills include both classics and new moves, and are categorized under the following: primary, speciality, capability and utility. Earn and upgrade gear You can customize your gear to suit your playstyle. Gear has varying rarity and, as you progress, you can unlock perks for pieces of gear. War table Players choose either hero missions (single player campaign focusing on one hero) or war zone missions (can be played with any hero in a team of up to four people) from the war table. Hero missions will flesh out the story and allow you to unlock new heroes, while war zone missions expand the narrative. Who is the bad guy? Crystal Dynamics has now shared that the Avengers will mainly be battling against a corporation called 'Advanced Idea Mechanics' (aka AIM), who believe science will save the world. With superheroes outlawed following the A-Day incident, AIM has replaced them with AI - who also keep the supers in check. Cosmetic microtransactions Avengers will have a marketplace where players can buy cosmetic outfits for their heroes. While some outfits can be unlocked, other must be bought with real-life money. According to Crystal Dynamics, there are outfits spanning the history of Marvel's comics, TV shows, films and more. San Diego Comic-Con San Diego Comic-Con has been and gone but not without important happenings for Marvel's Avengers fans. In a panel for the game, hosted by creative director Shaun Escayg explained to attendees that the game would allow players to play through an original Avengers story, with customisable heroes and online multiplayer. There will be the main story campaign where you'll play as the various Avengers, and then the online co-op which is where you'll do your character customisation. This customisation will include skill trees as well as appearance changes. There was also footage of the game shown. While this footage was supposed to be for attendees only and released around Gamescom to the public, it was leaked and you can see the leaked footage for yourself in our trailer section above. The footage showed the prologue of the game's main story campaign which sees an A-day event in San Francisco gone wrong following an explosion. Footage of Thor, Iron Man and Hulk in action against the minions of Taskmaster. It shows the different kind of moves and skills each hero brings to the table but also reveals that more than the core group will appear in the game. Ms Marvel makes an appearance in the footage but whether or not she'll be playable is unknown. Offline and solo gameplay It's been confirmed that Marvel's Avengers will offer players the chance to play offline and alone, despite its focus on the online multiplayer experience. In an interview with GamesIndustryBiz, Crystal Dynamics boss, Scott Amos, said that players "can have a complete experience and have fun" even if they never go online. No paywalls or Loot Boxes It's also been confirmed by Scott Amos that paywalls and Loot Boxes will not be a feature of the game. It seems that monetization will come from entirely optional cosmetic purchases. These will allow players to invest in their favorite heroes and make them look exactly as they want them to. "The idea, from the beginning, is that we want you to be able to customize your hero; how they look, how they play, the gear they have and how they use it," Amos said. "Your Black Widow could be different to my Black Widow – just a little, maybe a lot – depending on what you favor and how you unlock things." Of course, players will also be able to earn customization items as they play as well. Official reveal Marvel’s Avengers was finally revealed at the Square Enix E3 2019 press conference on Monday evening, giving us our first real look at the game since it was announced back in January 2017. A "tribute to Stan" Crystal Dynamics has revealed that the Marvel's Avengers game is a tribute to Stan Lee, who passed away in 2018. When we asked if Stan would be making in appearance in the game, the developer seemed coy but hinted we will be seeing the legend make a appearance. Image credit: Crystal Dynamics Gameplay The most important thing we saw was the gameplay, which looked to be a third-person adventure in the same vein as Marvel's Spider-Man. We know we'll get the chance to play as almost all of the most famous Avengers at some point, with the exception of Hawkeye who sadly wasn't part of the unveiling. Marvel’s Avengers will feature “continuous single-player and co-operative gameplay”, and that players can “assemble in teams up to four players, master extraordinary abilities…and combine powers” – i.e. an online multiplayer component that Crystal Dynamics has yet to reveal, but we're hoping we'll hear more about that later. Focus on story Marvel’s Spider-Man blew us away last year with a story full of heart, characters we cared about, and some sensational performances to boot. Square Enix and developer Crystal Dynamics have a wonderful opportunity to deliver a narrative befitting the unbelievable roster of Marvel characters they have inherited. Thankfully, it looks like they're doing just that with Avengers. We know the game takes place after A-Day, the day the Avengers get honored for their service to the community. This day of jubilation is quickly ruined, however, and our heroes our ripped apart – which gives us real Disassembled vibes. Apparently the heroes come back together and will have to face a new threat that wasn't revealed in the trailer. Continuous content? Crystal Dynamics emphasized the idea of a “continuous” game in an “ever-expanding world”. All this content may come first to PS4 thanks to a deal between Square Enix and Sony, but all of it will be free on every platform. Recent games-as-a-service titles such as Destiny, Anthem, and The Division 2 aren’t exactly lauded for their top-tier narratives, so we’re hoping the reveal will confirm the experience won’t be diluted in favour of ever-lasting revenue. Screenshot taken from the E3 Colosseum website. Fresh, diverse range of playable heroes Decades of comics, and 22 movies over 11 years of the Marvel Cinematic Universe ensure fans are well versed on many classic Marvel heroes. While we love Iron Man, Captain America, Hulk, and Thor, we think it’s time to introduce some fresh, lesser-known faces in Marvel’s Avengers. Unforunately, for whatever reason, Hawkeye wasn't part of the presentation and Hank Pym – a.k.a Ant Man – only got a supporting role. We’d love to see Khan take centre stage, perhaps even alongside other more recent Avengers, such as Iron Heart, Miles Morales, and Squirrel Girl. Why not? It's Crystal Dynamics' biggest game ever In a recent interview, Crystal Dynamics studio head Scott Amos told GamesIndustry.biz that this is the developer's biggest game to date, requiring five studios from around the globe to make: "We've had to change how we work, how we are organised as a team, the number of people we need to do this, the number of external partners... We've had to go hire experts like Shaun Escayg, who is our creative director. He told stories for Uncharted and The Last of Us [at Naughty Dog], we needed him to help tell this story. Dave Fifield was a game director who worked on Halo and Call of Duty, we needed him to help us with multiplayer," Amos said. The five studios working on the title are Crystal Dynamics at Redwood Shores, a new studio in Bellevue called Crystal North West, Crystal Dynamics' partners in the Netherlands, Nixxes, Eidos Montreal and even Square Enix Japan. Five teams to bring the five Avengers to life? Sounds about right.
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| Diablo 4 is official - everything you need to know Posted: 13 Nov 2019 11:29 AM PST It’s been over seven years since the initial release of Diablo 3, so obviously we're champing at the bit to start another monstrous loot hunt in Diablo 4. After months of rumors, the title has been officially confirmed by Blizzard at Blizzcon 2019 - and we now know that Diablo 4 is an isometric action RPG which sees the return of Lilith, the daughter of Mephisto. It will feature an open world map with five regions, day/night cycles and a non-linear campaign. You'll smash and loot your way through this world with one of five customizable classes, three of which are already announced. Finally, it's being designed in a brand-new engine for PS4, Xbox One and PC, with plans to simultaneously release it on all platforms. Want to know more? Here’s everything to know so far about the long-awaited Diablo 4. [UPDATE: More details on Diablo 4's monetization methods have been discussed. Read on to find out more.] Cut to the chase
Diablo 4 trailersPost BlizzCon 2019, GameInformer brought us plenty of gameplay from Diablo 4 to pore over. Familiar in the best possible way, this footage showcases Diablo 4's return to an intensely Gothic game world and that addictive gameplay loop that's made it so famous. Given the game's release is some time away (years, in fact) it's possible that everything in this footage could change. But it's exciting to get a glimpse of the direction in which the game's development is going. Below you can watch videos of the the game's three classes in action: Barbarian, Sorceress and then Druid. All in all it's about an hour of gameplay which is quite something. Given the game is still a while off yet, maybe ration it. Diablo 4 was officially announced at Blizzcon 2019 where we got the chance to see both the announcement story cinematic, and the first gameplay trailer. Check both trailers out below: Diablo 4 release dateBad news here: Diablo 4 probably won't be released anytime soon. At a Blizzcon deep dive on the game, the game's director said that he doesn't expect the game to be finished anytime soon, "even by Blizzard's standards of soon." That said, the fact that the team is developing the game for PS4 and Xbox One heavily implies that the game will be released within the next two to three years - as the lifespan of those consoles will be coming to an abrupt end after the launch of new consoles in late 2020. Diablo 4 news, previous leaks and featuresMontetization During a conversation at BlizzCon 2019, Twitch streamer Quin69 (via PCGamesN) had a conversation with Diablo 4's lead designer Joe Shely during which it was said that the game will likely have microtransactions but that they'll be cosmetic in nature (so no selling Power) and that there'll also be expansions on top of the base game: “Diablo IV will be available as a base game, and […] we’re going to have expansions. You also will be able to acquire cosmetics in the game.” Shely added that it's still early days for the game so naturally things could change as development progresses. Blizzcon 2019 unveiling Like its predecessors, the game is an isometric, action RPG and will have PVP zones in the overworld - with the first three classes being barbarian, sorceress and druid. It's also being developed for PC, PS4 and Xbox One. Story and setting It's through Heaven's ignorance of the events transpiring in Sanctuary that Lilith, the daughter of Mephisto and canonical mother of humanity, is set lose from her prison. What we know about the overworld right now is that it's all open, with five unique regions and both a day/night cycle and ever-changing weather. Missions are non-linear and according to the game's director, you're free to take them on however you'd like. Always online Skill changes and talent trees In addition, each class has a talent tree that allows players to customize their build. You can also enhance equipment and weapons through a new Rune Word socketing system. Dungeons and loot Abilities Which classes are available? The Sorceress, another returning favorite, will have AOE attacks that control the battlefield and will be able to turn into a ball of energy to incinerate enemies, while the Druid has both animal companion NPCs and the ability to shapeshift. The Art of Diablo may have revealed Diablo 4 - confirmed New hires - confirmed While it's not certain that the listings were for Diablo 4, the game has since been announced. More development focus Blizzard wasn't at Gamescom 2019 "As part of a renewed effort this year to maintain our focus on development, for our current games and our future projects, we won’t have a booth at Gamescom 2019," the post reads. "The show is an important one for the European and global gaming community, and we’re going to miss meeting players in Cologne this year. "We’re also looking forward to sharing more details about the projects we’re currently working on when the time is right." Diablo Hades and / or Diablo FenrisGame development is often iterative. Diablo 3 was in the works for many years and prototyped in many different ways before becoming the game we know today – and even then, it’s changed dramatically since its (somewhat shaky) initial launch. Diablo 4 will likely be no different, and an incredibly interesting report from Kotaku back in 2018 pointed to multiple iterations of Diablo being in the works at Blizzard – one that has now ceased experimentation and has been shelved, the other what is reportedly now the foundation of Diablo 4. Note that these rumors come from sources we’ve not been able to independently verify, but, working alongside the Kotaku UK team and being able to vouch for their integrity, we’d say there’s legitimate information here that could point to the direction that Diablo 4 is headed towards. Diablo 3, modified to play from an 'over-the-shoulder' perspective. (Image Credit: Mr Monstrosity / Diablo Fans) – Hades (or ‘Diablo as Dark Souls’ The first of these projects was codenamed ‘Hades’. Sources speaking to Kotaku described a game not dissimilar in approach to Dark Souls – an over the shoulder, hardcore dungeon crawler. Work on Hades spanned 2014-2016 reportedly, and included top Blizzard talent including Diablo 3 director Josh Mosquiera. Given the popularity of Dark Souls, broadly similar RPG mechanics and the shared gothic aesthetic of the two, this would have been an interesting and fresh direction for the series to take. However, sources state that the game just wasn’t gelling, with the team eventually going on to make the excellent Rise of the Necromancer DLC for Diablo 3. – Fenris (a return to Diablo 2’s darkness) The second (and reportedly ongoing) effort to make Diablo 4 was codenamed ‘Fenris’, and was worked on by the same team that canned Hades. It would be a more traditional isometric Diablo title, and would see the caricature, colorful aesthetic of Diablo 3 ditched in favor of a darker, grimier, more horrifying look that bring the creepy dread of the first two Diablo games up to date. "There’s a lot of people who felt like Diablo 3 got away from what made Diablo Diablo in terms of art style and spell effects," one unnamed Blizzard employee told Kotaku. "They want to make [Fenris] gross, make it dark, [get rid of] anything that was considered cartoony in Diablo 3… Make what people were afraid of in Diablo 2, but modern." Fenris is also discussed in highly social terms, taking cues from the likes of World of Warcraft and Destiny. While it wouldn’t be an MMO, it could well be a ‘live game’, with social areas that players can meet in before heading out into instanced dungeon raids. Could it be that the Diablo franchise is about to experience a schism? One that sees the more approachable stylings of the Diablo 3 era be carried as the mobile Diablo Immortal experience, freely monetizable away from the ire of the hardcore Diablo fan, while Diablo 4 goes back to the horror-infused roots of the earlier games in the series, as being worked on with the Fenris project? It’s a reasonable idea. Whatever happens, we’ll have all the most up to date information on Diablo 4 here. So keep checking back as we delve deeper into the growing darkness at the heart of Sanctuary.
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| The Last of Us 2 release date, trailers, news and rumors Posted: 13 Nov 2019 11:17 AM PST You read that right: The Last of Us 2 is nearing the end of development and will be in our hands in 2020. As endings go, The Last of Us's was pretty conclusive. But as it turns out, that hasn't stopped The Last of Us developer Naughty Dog from cranking out a sequel in the form of The Last of Us 2 – or, The Last of Us: Part 2 if we're using its proper name. Given the first game was hailed by players and critics alike as a masterpiece with excellent, emotional storytelling and engaging, realistic characters, we have to admit that the decision to release a follow-up isn't particularly shocking. We'd probably have been more surprised if there wasn't one. And yet, when The Last of Us 2 was first announced, we'd be lying if we said our hearts didn't skip a beat. The Last of Us 2 was first announced by Naughty Dog at PlayStation Experience in 2016 alongside a teaser trailer but it wasn't until September 2019 that we were finally told the game's release date during a State of Play livestream. Now we know for sure that we'll be joining Ellie on her next adventure in February 2020. UPDATE: New Naughty Dog job listings have raised hopes for The Last of Us 2's possible online element. Read on to find out more! Cut to the chase
The Last of Us 2 trailersThe most recent trailer for The Last of Us 2 is also its release date announcement trailer. Shown during the September 2019 State of Play stream, it confirms the game will be coming on February 21 2020 and shows Ellie in action as well as a glimpse at Joel. The Last of Us 2 was shown during E3 2018. This trailer finally gives us a look at Ellie in an intimate scene before cutting away to some of the brutal but stealth-based combat we can expect to see in the game when it's launched. The gameplay sequence gives us a look at Ellie fighting for her life in the wild. Success in a fight appears to require the right balance between stealth and all out attack as damage seems to have a more realistic impact. Ellie can move quietly between areas, taking weapons from bodies and crafting, before bursting out and taking down her enemies. It's a different creature in many ways to the original The Last of Us but it looks like something to look forward to, with more advanced enemies to challenge us and more complex gameplay to thrill us. See the gameplay for yourself below. The Last of Us Part 2 had another trailer drop during PSX 2017. During a panel it was confirmed that the game will be set in the city of Seattle and the darker themes we know are coming were touched upon. You can watch the panel for yourself below: Another trailer for the game was shown at Sony's press conference during the 2017 Paris Games Week. This trailer is around 5 minutes long, focusing on conflicts between the human factions in the game. It shows part 2 is going to have a dark story, perhaps even darker than the first, and the trailer is fairly harrowing to watch. Visually impressive though it is, do note that it's gory before you watch it for yourself below. The first look at The Last of Us 2 came with its announcement at PlayStation Experience in 2016. Despite the fact that the game was early in development, the trailer showed a full (non-gameplay) scene that features both Ellie and Joel. You can watch it below: The Last of Us 2 release dateAfter hoping, praying and speculating we finally got confirmation during the September 2019 State of Play that The Last of Us 2 will be released on February 21 2020. However, that changed when game director Neil Druckmann published an open letter to fans about a planned delay, saying the new launch date would be May 29 2020 instead. What we know so farNew job listings Naughty Dog has posted a mysterious job listing recently for an online systems programmer for a new online experience. While the listing doesn't detail which game the person will be working on, there are naturally some rumors milling around that it could be for an online experience related to The Last of Us 2, though there's an argument to be made for another Uncharted instalment. A few months ago, Naughty Dog confirmed that The Last of Us 2 won't launch with an online mode due to a wish to completely focus on the game's substantial single-player story. However, it was added that something would be coming eventually and separately from the main game. We won't know for certain what game this online project is related to but it's exciting to see that something is in the works. Halley Gross Interview Narrative Lead and Co-Writer of The Last of Us 2, Halley Gross, has been talking to Official PlayStation Magazine (via Wccftech) about working at Naughty Dog and writing the character of Ellie. In the interview, Gross praised her colleagues at Naughty Dog as "wizards" and said that they're working together to "make the most complex, nuanced character in a videogame". This character is undoubtedly Ellie who Gross touches on later in the interview. Ellie, Gross explains, is a traumatised character on a "mission for justice" who is, overall, "driven by love" for other characters like Joel and Dina. According to Gross, the narrative is about seeing who Ellie "can become when she grows up in such a hostile environment." This, unfortunately, means putting Ellie in difficult situations which will test her values and her drive: "while we love Ellie, and we’re really excited to see her grow up, we’re certainly not going to coddle her". Neil Druckmann Interview In an interview with the official PlayStation Blog, Neil Druckmann has been casting some light on what we can expect from The Last of Us Part 2 when it’s released in 2020. Rather than throw in new enemies just because they can, Druckmann says that the studio has carefully considered new Infected additions like the Shamblers. These new enemies emit clouds of burning acid and will force players to consider how they approach combat in a different way, especially when they’re appearing alongside the fast Runners and powerful Clickers. Human enemies are also more dynamic. According to Druckmann, every human enemy in the game will have a unique name so that when they die their comrades might scream out their name in grief. Human enemies can become emotional and unpredictable, making combat more dynamic and realistic. Fans of visuals will also be happy to know that The Last of Us 2 will be making the most of the power of the PS4 like The Last of Us did with the PS3 before it. This means, according to Druckmann, that the game is “able to have much wider environments, sequences with a horde of infected, several squads of enemies looking for you in big spaces.” Similarly, this has made it possible to give Ellie and all of the other characters a new animation system called motion mapping making their movements more responsive and more realistic: “The fidelity we can get in the faces and the motion capture — we can better translate what the actors are doing on stage into the game, and get these nuances so we can rely more on the way someone blinks or the way they squint instead of lines of dialogue. It allows the writing to be much more nuanced than it’s been before.” Two Discs The Last of Us 2 is going to be an ambitious game. So ambitious that the adventure will be split across two discs. Following Sony’s State of Play livestream where the game’s release date was confirmed, it was confirmed in retail listings that Ellie’s adventure will be sold in two discs. At the very least you’ll be getting them together and not years apart. Allies There are few things more frustrating than a completely incompetent ally in a combat scenario when you're playing a game and, fortunately, it seems that won't be a concern with The Last of Us 2. In an interview with GameSpot, the game's co-director Anthony Newman said that the team took criticisms with regards to allies in the first game on board and are looking to rectify them in the sequel. “In the past in almost all of our games, the allies have done kind of fake damage, where you see them shoot enemies and it's a little bit theatrical—like their bullets are clearly doing way less damage than yours,” Newman said. For The Last of Us 2, however, ally bullet “do exactly as much damage as yours do" so players can count on the AI to help them. September PlayStation Events and Multiplayer The Last of Us fans finally got confirmation that The Last of Us 2 will launch on February 21 2020 during the September State of Play alongside a brand new trailer that features plenty of action and a look at Ellie and Joel. Over the course of the event, it was also confirmed that The Last of Us 2 will not launch with a multiplayer element. In a tweet, Naughty Dog stated that its main focus for the game's launch is its single player which is "far and away the most ambitious project Naughty Dog has ever undertaken". That doesn't mean, however, there will never be any online element to The Last of Us 2. The tweet goes on to clarify that at some point in the future an online element for the game will be launched when it's ready. Any online element will be worth the wait, however, according to series co-creator Bruce Straley who left the studio in 2018. Taking to Twitter, Straley noted that the online multiplayer is "extremely ambitious" and that any delay is for "good reasons" and that fans are "in good hands". GameStop Conference Some brand new The Last of Us 2 footage was apparently shown behind closed doors during the recent GameStop managers conference in Nashville. The footage, which will be available to the wider world "soon", was short and showcased some of the game's stealth aspects, including how clickers can be used to your advantage. When this "soon" that the footage will be released is isn't yet known but one opportunity for Sony and Naughty Dog to show some new footage would be during Paris Games Week in October if it doesn't drop even sooner. More from Troy Baker The teasing for The Last of Us 2 continues at Manchester Comic-Con. Troy Baker, voice of Joel, has once again been talking about the game and this time he’s said: “There is nothing about this game, nor the reveals, that hasn’t been 100% carefully crafted and methodically curated. All I can tell you is that as much as you’re clamoring for it, you’re not ready.” If that’s true then the careful curation possibly extends to Baker’s excellent hyping here. What that tells us is that we’re not going to hear anything about this game’s release date until Sony and Naughty Dog want us to and it could be a little while longer before we do. Troy Baker shedding some light Things have been a little quiet around The Last of Us Part II lately so Troy Baker, the voice of Joel, has caused some excitement merely by mentioning the game. During Manchester Comic-Con, Baker was asked what can be expected from the sequel and wasn't able to give away much. What he did say, however, was that "it's hands down the most ambitious game that Naughty Dog has ever done for sure. It's far larger than I thought was going to be possible." That's a pretty big statement to make and one guaranteed to leave fans salivating. When it came to the release date, though, Baker wasn't able to make any announcements. Not because he didn't want to (though obviously and understandably he didn't) but because he and his fellow cast members don't know the release date just yet. "Last time we announced, we slipped," he explained, "And they don't want to do that again." (Via PlayStationLifestyle) Rumors of a delay There was much excitement on May 29 as a result of PlayStation exclusive Death Stranding finally getting its release date confirmed as November 8 2019. This has, however, had a ripple effect which is concerning fans of The Last of Us 2. With Death Stranding now slotted in as PlayStation's big exclusive release for the holiday season of 2019, it's been rumored (by Kotaku's Jason Schreier among others) that The Last of Us 2, also originally said to be looking at a late 2019 release, will now be pushed into early 2020. This has not been confirmed by Naughty Dog or PlayStation so it remains nothing more than rumor at the moment. It's also worth pointing out that The Last of Us 2 has never had a set-in-stone release date anyway. However, an early 2020 release date for The Last of Us 2 does not seem impossible at this point as PlayStation having two such huge releases close together at the end of 2019 would be a surprise indeed. A recent interview with Ellie actress, Ashley Johnson, has also added to those early 2020 rumors as, when asked by the interviewer when the game will release, she appears to begin to say February. However, nothing has been confirmed by Naughty Dog just yet so everything stands as rumor only at the the moment. Into the final stages News around The Last of Us 2 has been hotting up recently as the game inches closer towards completion. Naughty Dog has now confirmed that the final scene for the game has been shot and the game’s co-director, Anthony Newman, has tweeted out a recruitment call as the studio begins to “close out” the game’s development. As promising as these announcements are, they don't reveal anything about whether or not we can expect to see The Last of Us 2 this year or next. Regardless, development has reached a critical stage and though Sony won’t be attending E3 2019, that doesn’t mean it can’t make some announcements around the time of the show. In fact, recent rumors have suggested that we will see some kind of news around this time. Hopefully we’ll see a confirmed release date in the coming months. Mocap is underway Things have been quiet on the official news front for The Last of Us 2 but we've been glad to see some studio insiders and actors from the game posting images on social media which show that the game's motion capture is well underway. Actors Ashley Johnson and Shannon Woodward have both posted images of themselves wearing mocap suits. They didn't give much away but the fact that Naughty Dog is this far into the motion capture process suggests we might at least be closer to hearing about a possible release date. Troy Baker is impressed The Last of Us 2 is still in the works, but we now know that one of its lead voice actors, Troy Baker, has had an in-depth look and he thinks the game is 'awesome'. It's not clear whether Baker just saw some gameplay or had the chance to go hands-on himself but according to GameRant he said during MCM Comic Con at Birmingham “It’s a fantastic story. It’s a fantastic game. We just finished a playtest. It’s looking awesome. I can’t for it to be on shelves.” Though we can't be sure where exactly in the development process it is (during PSX, it was said that Naughty Dog had reached around the 50 to 60% mark) this playtest is an encouraging sign. Directors With Neil Druckmann having been promoted to Vice President of Naughty Dog, The Last of Us 2 now has two confirmed directors. Druckmann will, of course, still be heavily involved in the creation of the game but it's now being headed up by Anthony Newman and Kurt Margenau, both of whom were lead designers on Uncharted 4. Story Although it was no slouch in the gameplay department, it was the story told by The Last of Us that stuck with us for months afterwards. Naturally Naughty Dog had to give us some kind of hint about where the sequel would go. At the moment we know The Last of Us 2 will take place in the city of Seattle, five years after the end of the original game, with a 19 year old Ellie taking the starring playable role. Joel will still appear in the game but if the teaser trailer is anything to go by, he could be a much more passive presence. This time around, Ellie is extremely angry about...something. From what we saw from the teaser trailer she wants revenge, which to her appears to be a dish best served deadly. She does, after all, promise to “kill every last one of them.” It’s not clear who “them” is but it could signal that the Fireflies, the first game's well-meaning but morally grey antagonists, will make a return. Anger, hate and revenge are going to be key themes this time around so expect to be in for an emotionally heavy ride. In the trailer for the game shown at Paris Games Week in 2017, we got a look at how dark the game is likely to be. The trailer focuses on the opposing relationships between human characters in the game and features some seriously cringe-inducing violence. It doesn't tell us much about any new characters of how they'll relate to one another but it does confirm that we're going into a dark game world in The Last of Us part 2. In a recent panel at PSX both Druckmann and Gross said that though the game's story will indeed be dark and there'll be a focus on the theme of hate, "there is hope" and there will be "lighthearted moments." We can't pretend we're not relieved to hear this after the game's controversial Paris Games Week trailer which, Druckmann said, was intended to highlight the game's exploration of the pursuit of justice. Ellie is one of the most real and refreshing characters we’ve seen in gaming so it’s exciting that Naughty Dog are going to take her story further and put her in center stage. The creative director of the game, Neil Druckmann has said that the story will be about Ellie and Joel’s relationship and that though the story would be complementary to the story of the first game, it would be much larger. When asked at a PSX panel whether or not Joel or Ellie may die, Druckmann responded that "no one is safe" highlighting that the game's story really could go anywhere. Hopes are particularly high for this larger story as it’s been revealed that one of the writers of Westworld, Halley Gross, will be co-writing the game’s story. Having someone who’s written scripts for such an incredibly popular and successful show should be a boon for the game's story. Gameplay E3 2018 brought us our first proper look at the gameplay in The Last of Us Part 2. Given Ellie is now the leading playable character, it was expected that things would be a little different from the first game and the presentation at the show made this fairly clear. Ellie will have some moves similar to Joel but there are some things she'll be able to do that are completely different. For one thing she can jump - the new jump button should make the world of The Last of Us Part 2 more complex and more enjoyable to traverse. It also has the potential to make combat more interesting. Speaking of combat, Ellie doesn't really throw punches as her first form of attack, she has a stealthy knife. Melee combat generally appears to offer a little more than the original game, with evasions and an environment that can help as well as hinder your fighting. Not only has Ellie matured as a character, the enemies she faces have developed and they're more realistic than ever. The Infected in The Last of Us Part 2 are smarter and more reactive than their predecessors, making them a tougher foe to face. AI has improved, allowing enemies to communicate with one another and to look for Ellie when she's hiding. Expect some tense moments to arise from this.
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| What it’s like to use the massive 11.6in screen on the 2020 Subaru Legacy Outback Posted: 13 Nov 2019 11:00 AM PST I’ve been predicting an increase in screen size (and the number of screens) in cars for years. It matches up with the trend to automate more, provide more information to the driver, and eventually take over the driving entirely (known in the industry as Level Four automation). Not only will we need more information about what is happening in the car, but we will eventually need those extra screens to do work in the car while we drive, watch movies, talk on a Skype call, or find other ways to communicate and entertain ourselves. That’s why I was so impressed with the 11.6-inch screen in the 2020 Subaru Legacy Outback. I tested one recently for a week and kept noticing the expansive screen. It was mostly helpful because once I connected my iPhone 11 Pro and activated Apple CarPlay, there was still room at the top of the screen and below for other features and functions. For example, at the top I was able to swipe through several summary screens, one showing my currently selected audio stream. This is more important than you might think, because I don’t always use my phone for music playback and sometimes listen to the radio. Yet, in most cars, once CarPlay takes up the whole screen, you can’t adjust anything else. Below the main CarPlay screen, there was also room for the climate controls. Again, as these features are now so often available only on the screen (and not a physical button), it makes it easier to enable the seat heater or raise the temperature. (The Legacy does technically have dedicated buttons for the temp but it’s amazing how I tend to ignore those now.) At 11.6 inches, the new screen is roughly the size of the expansive screen on the latest RAM trucks and is inching closer (literally and figuratively) the 17-inch screen on a Tesla Model S. Autonomy and entertainmentSo what comes next? I imagine a day coming soon when there is a second or even a third large tablet-sized screen in cars. For example, it’s just a matter of time before there’s a landscape orientation screen meant for the passenger, who can play a movie or hold a video call while you drive (or even when you hand off control to the car). I’m a little surprised we haven’t seen this already, although I’m sure it's a major cost issue. And, there are issues with distracted driving for now since no car on the road today is fully autonomous in all conditions. However, even then, the Subaru Legacy Touring does have quite a few automated features. I tested the EyeSight Driver Assist features which can automate the steering for you (even if you do need to keep your hands on the wheel). Essentially, the car keeps you centered in the lane even around corners, so it matches up nicely with the big screen that we will rely on more and more. Many of the settings for EyeSight are found in the 11.6-inch screen which makes them easier to find and use, as opposed to the smaller screen above the steering wheel. I could see the screens increasing in size more and more, and cars adding more screens as we become more accustomed to being less actively engaged with driving. On The Road is TechRadar's regular look at the futuristic tech in today's hottest cars. John Brandon, a journalist who's been writing about cars for 12 years, puts a new car and its cutting-edge tech through the paces every week. One goal: To find out which new technologies will lead us to fully self-driving cars. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order gameplay, release date, trailers and news Posted: 13 Nov 2019 10:58 AM PST Hold on to your lightsabers: there's a new Star Wars game on the way, and it's called Jedi: Fallen Order. In development by Respawn Entertainment (the studio behind Apex Legends and Titanfall), Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order was announced during E3 2018 but we didn't get a proper look at the game until early in 2019, during a special panel at the annual Star Wars Celebration in Chicago, before EA lifted the covers completely at E3 2019. While the official reveal only gave us a glimpse at a story trailer, it was more than enough to get us hyped for the upcoming game. E3 2019 gave us a far more meaty look at the game - including some lightsaber-fueled gameplay - before the developer dropped an extended demo at the end of the month. Now we only have to wait mere weeks before getting our hands on the game for ourselves. While fans of the galactic franchise have seen official tie-ins in the form of Star Wars Battlefront I and II, the new entry takes on a different tack, focusing on a single-player experience more in line with 2008's The Force Unleashed – and we have all the concrete news and wild speculation you could want below. [Update: Dataminers have uncovered details around what to expect in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. You can read more about what's been found below although fair warning for spoilers.] Cut to the chase
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order release dateEA has confirmed Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order will release on November 15, 2019, just in time for Christmas and the long-awaited release of Star Wars Episode IX: Rise of Skywalker. If you pre-order the Deluxe Edition ahead of the game's launch, you'll get two exclusive in-game lightsaber colors plus an exclusive hilt, in addition to skins for your droid and star ship. EA and Respawn will also include a digital art book in the Deluxe Edition and a few behind-the-scenes videos. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order trailers and storyYou'll take the role of Cal Kestis, a former Jedi padawan (AKA, a student of the Force). The game is set in the period following Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith – the fateful time when the evil Emperor Palpatine executed Order 66, which saw the Jedi ambushed and killed by their own supporting Clone Trooper soldiers. Few survived and were forced into hiding. And that seems to include Cal! A youngster only partially through his training, Cal has been forced into hiding, working construction sites and trying to keep a low-profile as the Jedi-hunting Imperial Inquisition continues to track down any remaining survivors. The reveal trailer shows Cal having to use his Force powers to defend himself against rogue troopers, and to save a friend from falling from an accident. The trailer suggests the game will have some lavish set-pieces and environments, and hinted at a very-story-driven experience to enjoy. A story trailer released in September gave an even better idea of what to expect from the game's main story, showing that Cal is not only on the run from the Empire, he's actively racing them to get to an item related to the Jedi Order. Check it out both trailers below: You can also watch the EA Play 2019 gameplay reveal for the game below, but note that you're going to have to jump into around the 30 minute mark to skip the build up portion, that's basically just 30 minutes of an EA logo! If you just want to see the game in-action, there's a brand-new official gameplay trailer that should provide everything you need to know about the game - including a few surprises. (Spoiler warning!) This is the same demo that journalists and attendees saw at the EA Play event. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order gameplayEA Play 2019 showed us a 15 minute slice of gameplay from the game, roughly 3 hours into the game. We were shown Chewbacca's homeland Kashyyyk, where Jedi Cal is trying to kickstart the rebirth of the Jedi order. But the poor Wookies are enslaved by the Empire! So Cal has to try to help them out. Walking through a tech-filled jungle corridor, gameplay at first doesn't look unlike Uncharted 4, with a tool that lets you swing from beams, and some wall-running ala Respawn's other game, Titanfall. Cal's pretty nimble, able to clamber up walls and climb as if he was Assassin's Creed's Ezio. He moves weightily. After meeting up with some resistance fighters, he carves his way through a door and comes across a burning refinery, using his lightsaber as a torch in the darkness. A battle ensues below and Cal needs to reach a troop of Stormtroopers , so force-pushes a tree below to make a path to them. Here we see our first glimpse of lightsaber action. Cal can force pull and push troops, as well as throwing his lightsaber at them for a ranged attack. Combat is lock-on focussed, not unlike Dark Souls for one-on-one combat, but seems massively more forgiving. There also seems to be finishing animations that trigger when you've took a baddie to low health. Lightsaber combat, thankfully, looks weighty and measured – this will be a tactical fighting game, rather than a hack and slash, with the classic ability to slash blaster bolts back at an enemy. Cal also seems to have the ability to focus the force and slow time, letting him take on dangerous foes, like flamethrower stormtroopers with a little more ease, as well as avoiding environmental hazards like spinning blades. One cool moment had him slow time, and force pull a stormtrooper towards him in time to use it as a human-shield against the very same blaster bolt it had fired at Cal moments earlier. The same technique can be used to halt a foe momentarily in its tracks – very Kylo Ren. So far, levels, though expansive, seem fairly linear – you're very much set along a path from one action scene to another, although the densely-designed levels prevent it from appearing too much like a series of corridors, back to back. Each scene has lots of AI interactions between NPCs, too – you'll see stormtroopers battling the native, giant-beetle-like creatures of Kashyyyk, and timing your attack against them could help to swing the odds in your favor. Cal acquires upgrade points as he defeats enemies, and also seems to be able to complete side missions if he goes off the beaten path and explores levels in detail. C The timing of the story, set after Revenge of the Sith, also means there was a familiar face or two turning up. Rogue One's Saw Gerrera, aka actor Forest Whitaker, was present, as was a bot that looked like K2SO. You'll have to fight this one, though. Skill points will go into your force abilities, letting you upgrade force pulls and push, double jumps and force slowing tricks. You'll get a droid, too, BD1, to help you on your way, offering the ability to hack terminals, heal your player and manage your hologram map, as well as being your buddy. You won't be able to turn to the Dark Side though – Cal's good to the core. So far then, so good. This is a classic-era Star Wars game, giving you a taste of the most-loved period in Star Wars history. Rather than the original reveal's suggestion that Cal will be a weak newbie Jedi, he's going to be fairly advanced in his training. And, it's all cannon – these characters are going to turn up in the wider Star Wars universe. It looks visually impressive... except for the Wookies. They looked like the plastic figures from the 70s. A bit more free-flowing, walking-carpet Wookie hair please, EA! Minimum and Recommended PC specsThe minimum specs required to play Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order aren't too bad, and most older gaming PCs should be able to scrape by without a problem. Here's what you'll need:
That said, the recommended specs are a bit... loftier. If you want to run the game at the recommended spec, you'll apparently need 16GB of RAM (*originally EA said it would be 32GB before dialing the number back), an AMD Radeon RX Vega 56 or Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070 GPU plus an AMD Ryzen 7 1700 or Intel Core i7-6700K. Here's all the details:
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order news and rumorsDatamining yields spoilers There's no Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order early access to speak of but that hasn't stopped dataminers uncovering plenty of details about the game. Naturally, there's a warning for spoilers here so don't read on or click through if you want to avoid any details before playing for yourself. The findings have been conveniently collated on Reddit but the highlights are the finding of files related to a Darth Vader appearance as well as a double-bladed lightsaber and a bunch of details on Cal's combat moves. There's also a list of planets that Cal will visit over the course of the game and these include larger areas on Zeffo, Bogano, Kashyyyk and Dathomir and more restricted areas on Ilum and Umbara. No Early Access EA has confirmed that Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order will not have any Early Access options, even for subscribers to EA Access Premier who traditionally get access to games 5 days before release. They will still, however, still get the Deluxe version and access to pre-order items. The reason for the early access block is, apparently, that the publisher doesn't wish to risk any story spoilers leaking out before the wider audience gets to play. Releasing on Steam And it's not the only EA title coming to the platform. The publisher has confirmed we will see the likes of Unravel Two, The Sims 4 and "other major titles" appearing on Steam in the next few months, with big-hitters FIFA 20, Apex Legends and Battlefield V all arriving next year. If that's not enough, players on Steam and Origin will be able to play together. PS4 Pro and Xbox One X enhancements Gone Gold New story trailer Those Sekiro Comparisons The team readily admitted to being fans of From Software's games, though given Jedi: Fallen Order was in development before Sekiro's release the similarities can't be much more than coincidence. Game director, Stig Asmussen, said that he and his team had a look at previous Star Wars games to determine what worked in them and how those fun elements could be brought forward. The Jedi Knight games, for example, were singled out as being good examples of lightsaber combat because they "really sold the lethality of the lightsaber" and served as better inspiration than the kind of heavy-handed combat found in Force Unleashed. Protagonist potential While Asmussen admitted that he would be interested in an alien protagonist, he said the team wanted to make sure that “there was a real human connection to the character”. Having an alien protagonist in a Star Wars title certainly has the potential to offer a new and interesting perspective on the universe so it seems a shame that the opportunity was passed by. Fingers crossed it’s something that will be re-explored in the future. That said, Fallen Order has made a good impression thus far and hopes are high ahead of the game’s November launch. EA doesn't plan to release Fallen Order on Switch You can check out Ingram's reply to a fan tweet below: Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order was livestreamed – check it out But luckily for fans that couldn't make the trek to the event, EA livestreamed it. Check out EA's announcement tweet below for a chance to replay it: The galaxy-wide premiere saw the head of Respawn Entertainment, Vince Zampella, and game director, Stig Asmussen (whose previous work includes God of War 3), revealing the much-anticipated details of Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order toys -confirmed A Padawan called Cal? Confirmed It's set after Revenge of the Sith This places it after the Galactic Empire hunted the 10,000-strong Jedi Order practically to extinction, leaving only a small fraction of Jedi alive (aka Order 66). With the promise that the game will be set 'in the dark times', it sounds like our Jedi protagonist may be more the hunted than the hunter. Could famous Jedi appear? The single-player mode comes first – and there will be no microtransactions It looks like a multiplayer component won't be available at all in the game – surprising given EA's focus in recent years on games that extend beyond a single play session. Even more surprising is the fact that there will be no microtransactions at all, ever, in Fallen Jedi. It's great news considering the industry falls over itself to offer chunks of games piecemeal these days – but don't be surprised if that means there will be an aggressive DLC system instead. I find your lack of faith disturbing Jedi: Fallen Order has been handed to a different studio, albeit one that's still a subsidiary of EA. But Respawn has garnered a lot of respect as the studio behind Titanfall and Titanfall 2, two critically acclaimed sci-fi action games that pit players against each other in giant mechanized suits, and which both came with strong single-player and multiplayer offerings. (Image credits: Respawn Entertainment) Keep checking back here for all the latest Jedi: Fallen Order news This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Best laptops for engineering students in 2019 Posted: 13 Nov 2019 10:56 AM PST Not all powerful laptops can be the best laptops for engineering students, because it’s not just power you want. Sure, engineering students absolutely require laptops that are powerful enough to handle all the complex applications and computational tasks, as well as rock the best graphics to tackle all the graphical needs of CAD, simulation and CAM software. However, the best laptops for engineering students must also be affordable. Much like the best student laptops, they must also be affordable. After all, going to college is pricey enough and engineering students do not need another reason to go on a steady diet of instant ramen. Of course, it’s hard to find a budget laptop that’s powerful enough for an engineering student’s need so it’s a matter of finding that perfect balance between price and performance. In addition, these laptops must be versatile enough to offer a bit of movie-watching, Internet surfing and gaming post schoolwork. Lucky for you, we’re about to make your life easier. We put together a list of the best laptops for engineering students. Now, you can spend less time considering all your options, and more time studying. Best laptops for engineering students at a glance:
HP Spectre x360 15T (2019) has the brains and brawn as well. The HP Spectre x360 15-inch’s beauty isn’t only skin deep. HP fitted it with powerful Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050Ti graphics and an equally powerful processor, so that one of HP’s latest and greatest 2-in-1s has the brains and brawn as well. This makes it a capable machine and one of the best laptops for engineering students. It also has a beautiful and responsive 4K touchscreen display, and the optional HP Tilt Pen so you can create those 3D models like a pro. Read the full review: HP Spectre x360 15T (2019) Lenovo's ThinkPad X1 Extreme mobile workstation is the ultimate machine. If you’re looking for a workhorse and you have the funds for it, then Lenovo’s ThinkPad X1 Extreme mobile workstation is the ultimate machine to shell out a lot of cash on. It has several configurations on hand, fitting different needs and budgets. But, at its most basic, it’s already pretty powerful, rocking a solid graphics card in a robust carbon-fiber and aluminum package that will survive any field work. There’s no doubt that this mobile workstation earned its spot in our best laptops for engineering students list. Read the full review: ThinkPad X1 Extreme Mobile Workstation Razer Blade Pro makes for an excellent mobile workstation for engineering. Make no mistake: the Razer Blade Pro is a gaming laptop first and foremost. However, it also makes for an excellent mobile workstation for engineering. Yes, it is a tad expensive for students, but it’s less than an inch thick so you can haul it around campus, and packs a Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 – what’s not to love? That’s not all; the Razer Blade Pro also brings Razer’s Ultra-Low Profile Mechanical switches to a laptop for the first time ever. It kind of resembles an everyday chiclet keyboard, but press down on it, and you’ll fall in love… though you probably shouldn’t be hitting those keys hard when you’re in a classroom. Read the full review: Razer Blade Pro Samsung Notebook 9 Pro has been the epitome of mobile computing since the emergence of 2-in-1 devices. The Samsung Notebook 9 has been the epitome of mobile computing since the emergence of 2-in-1 devices. It enhances the S-Pen, Samsung’s own proprietary stylus with 4,096 levels of pressure sensitivity (the same as Microsoft’s new Surface Pen), a nifty little accessory that doesn’t require charging for convenience. While the touchscreen display is only 1080p, with that 350 to 450 nits of brightness, you won’t be paying any mind to the pixels, or lack thereof. Plus, the long battery life more than makes up for this hybrid’s very few shortcomings. Read the full review: Samsung Notebook 9 Pro
Dell G3 15 is a great combination of affordability and power. The Dell G3 15 might not be a lot of things, but for this price, you can get some pretty powerful components to back you up – whether you’re just gaming or actually completing engineering projects for school. We’re talking 9th-generation Intel chips and GTX graphics. It’s a great combination of affordability and power, and that’s exactly why it’s one of the best laptops for engineering students. As long as you don’t mind lugging a heavier gaming laptop around campus. Read the full review: Dell G3 15 How to choose the best laptop for engineering students?So, what exactly makes for the best laptops for engineering students? Since you're likely to be running complex programs like AutoCAD, you're definitely going to need a laptop with enough power to run them. We recommend a laptop with the latest Intel Core i5 or Core i7 chips, and at the very least, 8GB of RAM – though 16GB is even better. Many of the programs engineering students rely on are also graphically intensive programs – especially CAD, MATLAB and Solid Works, which are used for 3D modelling and video rendering. This means that it's crucial to have a laptop with a dedicated graphics card - rather than an integrated one powered by the processor. This is why the best gaming laptops are also ideal choices for engineering students, since they offer that kind of graphic power, and the fact that they can handle games for unwinding after classes is just the cherry on top. A large screen with a high resolution is also advisable, and if you're going to be working on site a lot, Finally, it would be a fine idea to take a look at some of the rugged or well-built laptops that are built to withstand accidents on work sites.
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| Disney Plus has 10 million subscribers after just 24 hours Posted: 13 Nov 2019 10:55 AM PST After 24 hours, Disney Plus has reached 10 million subscribers, according to The Walt Disney Company. That's a strong start and might explain why there were more than a few reports of Disney Plus outages when the service launched in the US, Canada and the Netherlands on November 12. Audience demand is certainly one of the reasons Disney has earned so many sign-ups so quickly, but there are a couple of other explanations of why that number is so high. For one, there's a 7-day free trial so you don't have to spend $6.99 a month – at least not right away. Alongside that, Verizon customers can get a year of Disney Plus for free under certain 4G, 5G and home internet plans. Still, that's not to say Disney Plus isn't a significant draw by itself. Launching with an immense back catalogue of Disney titles, Pixar films, Star Wars sagas and 16 Marvel movies was always going to be a big deal. Globally, if you want a quick comparison, Netflix had 158 million subscribers, including free trials, as of July 2019, so Disney has some way to go. But it also has the rest of the world to go: the next launch comes in Australia and New Zealand on November 19. Disney says it won't reveal more Disney Plus subscriber numbers outside of its quarterly earning calls, according to The Hollywood Reporter. That means we'll get the next update in February 2020. How does that stack up?Netflix has around 60 million users in the US, and that's a fraction of that big global figure. Hulu, meanwhile, announced in May it had over 28 million subscribers in the US. HBO Max, armed with the rights to Friends and launching next May, hopes to eventually capture 50 million subscribers by 2025. The odd one out is Amazon: it doesn't release official numbers around Prime Video. Disney, for its part, is apparently targeting between 60-90 million users for Disney Plus worldwide after five years.
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