Sunday, December 15, 2019

Apple : What is SaaS? Everything you need to know

Apple : What is SaaS? Everything you need to know

What is SaaS? Everything you need to know

Posted: 15 Dec 2019 12:45 PM PST

Software as a Service, also know as SaaS, is a cloud-based service where instead of downloading software your desktop PC or business network to run and update, you instead access an application via an internet browser. The software application could be anything from office software to unified communications among a wide range of other business apps that are available. 

This offers a variety of advantages and disadvantages. Key advantages of SaaS includes accessibility, compatibility, and operational management. Additionally, SaaS models offer lower upfront costs than traditional software download and installation, making them more available to a wider range of businesses, making it easier for smaller companies to disrupt existing markets while empowering suppliers.

The major disadvantage of SaaS applications is that they ordinarily require an internet connection to function. However, the increasing wide availability of broadband deals and high-speed phone networks such as 5G makes this less of an issue. Additionally, some SaaS applications have an offline mode that allows basic functionality.

Here we'll look more closely at some of the key advantages and disadvantages of SaaS applications, and in other features help explain the related Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), and Platform as a Service (PaaS). 

Advantages of SaaS

Accessibility: One strong advantage of any SaaS application is the ability to run through an internet browser, so it doesn't matter which Operating System is used to access it. So regardless as to whether the user is trying to run the application on Windows, Mac, or Linux machines (or even smartphones running Android or iOS), the application still remains accessible. This makes SaaS applications incredible versatile in a couple of different ways.

For one, it means you don't need to worry if your operating system or other software will be compatible with SaaS applications. Perhaps more importantly, not only can they be used in the office on desktop computers, they can also be used on mobile devices such as tablets. SaaS applications are overwhelmingly designed to be mobile-friendly so that they can be used in a whole range of situations and circumstances, not least on the go.

Updates and patches: Another key advantage of SaaS applications is that because they run in the cloud, the vendor can update their software centrally without adversely affecting business operations for users. This is in stark contrast to on-premise software that will often require a degree of compatibility and endpoint security testing before even routine updates and patches can be applied.

The SaaS model therefore avoid the pitfalls of testing that slows down the development cycle and access to new features for users, while ensuring that security updates are applied as soon as possible in contrast to on-premises software that may remain vulnerable to attack until the IT service management staff have finished their testing.

Hardware: This leads into one of the other biggest selling points about SaaS, and that's the lack of initial investment required to use it. For on-premises software, sometimes it's not simply that business PCs or other desktops have compatible software and hardware configurations, but also that additional servers and network switches that could be required as part of a general investment in IT infrastructure services necessary to support the software across the business. 

SaaS sweeps that need away, meaning that even the smallest business can now have access to software tools through SaaS-based cloud applications that originally only enterprises could afford to build for.

Additionally, SaaS is scaleable in that if you need to add more users to your service, or conversely reduce them, you simply adjust your billing plan accordingly - as opposed to having to buy in more hardware when expanding, or else having to shelve expensive electronics when reduced need makes it redundant.

Market reach: For vendors this means being able to supply a software service to the majority of the market, instead of just a limited and targeted market segment. This means that pricing can be cheaper and more accessible to businesses of every size. For users this means being able to access services not normally available, thus both expanding and improving business services, productivity and general opportunities.

Saving and storage: On premise storage of data means the need to invest in reliable backups such as through online cloud storage or other disaster recovery plan to mitigate any serious hardware crash that might otherwise cause the significant loss of data. However, with SaaS, data is routinely saved in the cloud anyway. What makes this double advantageous is not just the redundancy aspect, but also that employees can switch between devices without losing work or data, simply by the fact of logging into the single account, regardless of which device is being used.

Data and analytics: Because everything is run through a centralized platform this means its easy to capture data and provide it for analytics use. Businesses using SaaS software usually have access to reporting and intelligence tools and visualizations that can provide valuable insights into business operations, allowing for workflows to be streamlined and efficiency savings to be actioned. For the vendor, because access depends on a paid subscription there's no need to be concerned about piracy which might otherwise cost the supplier and damage both access and pricing models.

Overall SaaS

Overall, SaaS offers a lot of benefits all round that should work in the interests of both suppliers and users. While some enterprises might prefer to set up their own cloud management services and use orchestration between devices and sites to control their own data, for the majority of small businesses at least SaaS offers unrivaled opportunities that can help them develop, expand, and provide more value to both staff and customers.

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Rams vs Cowboys live stream: how to watch today's NFL football 2019 from anywhere

Posted: 15 Dec 2019 11:25 AM PST

The race to the playoffs is on and this weekend you’ll get to see the Los Angeles Rams go up against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium as Super Bowl 2020 looms. This is a game you won’t want to miss as the Cowboys will surely be looking for revenge against Los Angeles after they lost to the Rams during the divisional round of last season’s playoffs. We’re here to make sure you catch every minute of today’s game - see how to get a Rams vs Cowboys live stream regardless of where in the world you are.

The Rams are going into today’s game 8-5 after experiencing a series of losses during weeks 4-6 when the team was defeated by the Buccaneers, the Seahawks and the 49ers. However, Los Angeles has won its last two games against the Cardinals and the Seahawks. The Rams are currently at third place in the NFC West and a win today could go a long way to earning them a place in the playoffs and maybe even another shot at the Super Bowl if they play their cards right in the postseason.

Dallas may have started the season strong with three wins but unfortunately the team dropped the ball during weeks 4-6 and they still haven’t quite recovered. The Cowboys are going into today’s game 6-7 after losing their last three games. The team’s head coach Jason Garrett may want revenge against the Rams for last season’s defeat but he’s on thin ice already after the way this season has played out for the Cowboys.

Whether you’re a Rams fan in Los Angeles, a Cowboys fan in Dallas or just want to tune into to see the rematch of last year’s divisional playoff game - we’ll show you how to get a Rams vs Cowboys live stream regardless of where in the world you are so you don’t miss a single play.

Watch the Rams vs Cowboys game online from outside your country (or in a blackout)

Watching this game from the US, UK, Canada or Australia? We'll tell you how to catch the NFL game further down in the article.

But if you're somewhere else in the world - or if a coverage blackout is stopping you from watching in the US - then there's still a way you can live stream the Rams vs Cowboys  online (and you don't even have to slum it with a grainy, illegal feed you've found on Reddit). Instead you could use a VPN - or Virtual Private Network - to change the IP address to one in a different state or country which does have a stream. And it's not even hard to do.

How to watch the Rams vs Cowboys in the US

Can I watch with the NFL Game Pass?

Well it's a no and a yes. The NFL Game Pass in the US will only let you watch a replay of the game, but not the live action.

Interestingly, it's a different story with an International NFL Game Pass where all 256 regular season games are being shown absolutely live...shame you can't officially get access to that if you and your laptop's IP address is in the US.

Other ways cord cutters can stream NFL live online

Sling TV $40 per month - Sling TV splits its live NFL options across its $25 a month Blue plan and $25 a month Orange plan. By combining the two, you get a $10 dollar discount and access to Fox, NBC, ESPN and the NFL Network.  

Hulu with Live TV $40 per month - Hulu with Live TV includes CBS, Fox, NBC and ESPN but does not come with NFL Network.

FuboTV $35 for the first month - FuboTV gives you the first month at a discounted rate but after that the price increases to $45 a month. The service includes CBS, Fox, NBC and the NFL Network but does not come with ESPN.

DirecTV Now $50 per month - DirecTV Now includes CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN and for $5 extra you can add the NFL Network. However, with this service you can only watch football on local TV stations live.

YouTubeTV $40 per month - YouTubeTV gives you access to CBS, Fox, NBC and ESPN but just like with Hulu with Live TV, there is no NFL Network.

How to watch stream Cowboys vs Rams live in the UK

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Get a NFL live stream in Canada for Free

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Live stream Rams vs Cowboys in Australia

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Falcons vs 49ers live stream: how to watch today's NFL football 2019 from anywhere

Posted: 15 Dec 2019 10:42 AM PST

The NFL playoffs are just around the corner (and with them, of course, Super Bowl 2020) with only three weeks left in the regular season and today you’ll get to see the Atlanta Falcons go up against the San Francisco 49ers. This is a game you won’t want to miss as there will likely be plenty of touchdowns since the 49ers currently hold the top spot in the NFC West while the Falcons are in last place in the NFC South. We’re here to make sure you catch every minute of today’s game - see how to get a Falcons vs 49ers live stream regardless of where in the world you are.

Atlanta had hoped to turn things around after last year’s disappointing season but unfortunately the team is going into today’s game 4-9 after suffering a series of losses during weeks 3-9. The Falcons did manage to win their game against the Panthers last weekend with the final score being 20-40 thanks in part from four field goals from placekicker Younghoe Koo. Will the Falcons be able to use their underdog position to their advantage to defeat the 49ers?

San Francisco, on the other hand, is in the middle of a redemption season and the team is going into today’s game 11-2 after an eight game winning streak which began in week 1. Last Sunday the 49ers played a close game against the Saints which they won with during the last minute of the fourth quarter thanks to a field goal from placekicker Robbie Gould. A loss against the Falcons today could jeopardize San Francisco’s top spot in the NFC West, so expect the 49ers to pull out all the stops.

Whether you’re a Falcons fan in Atlanta, a 49ers fan in San Francisco or just want to tune in to see all the action at today’s game - we’ll show you how to get a Falcons vs 49ers live stream regardless of where in the world you are so you don’t miss a single touchdown.

Watch the Falcons vs 49ers game online from outside your country (or in a blackout)

Watching this game from the US, UK, Canada or Australia? We'll tell you how to catch the NFL game further down in the article.

But if you're somewhere else in the world - or if a coverage blackout is stopping you from watching in the US - then there's still a way you can live stream the Falcons vs 49ers  online (and you don't even have to slum it with a grainy, illegal feed you've found on Reddit). Instead you could use a VPN - or Virtual Private Network - to change the IP address to one in a different state or country which does have a stream. And it's not even hard to do.

How to watch the Falcons vs 49ers in the US

Can I watch with the NFL Game Pass?

Well it's a no and a yes. The NFL Game Pass in the US will only let you watch a replay of the game, but not the live action.

Interestingly, it's a different story with an International NFL Game Pass where all 256 regular season games are being shown absolutely live...shame you can't officially get access to that if you and your laptop's IP address is in the US.

Other ways cord cutters can stream NFL live online

Sling TV $40 per month - Sling TV splits its live NFL options across its $25 a month Blue plan and $25 a month Orange plan. By combining the two, you get a $10 dollar discount and access to Fox, NBC, ESPN and the NFL Network.  

Hulu with Live TV $40 per month - Hulu with Live TV includes CBS, Fox, NBC and ESPN but does not come with NFL Network.

FuboTV $35 for the first month - FuboTV gives you the first month at a discounted rate but after that the price increases to $45 a month. The service includes CBS, Fox, NBC and the NFL Network but does not come with ESPN.

DirecTV Now $50 per month - DirecTV Now includes CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN and for $5 extra you can add the NFL Network. However, with this service you can only watch football on local TV stations live.

YouTubeTV $40 per month - YouTubeTV gives you access to CBS, Fox, NBC and ESPN but just like with Hulu with Live TV, there is no NFL Network.

How to stream 49ers vs Falcons live in the UK

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Get a NFL live stream in Canada for Free

australia flag

Live stream Falcons vs 49ers in Australia

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The SMS upgrade RCS is now available for all Android users in the US

Posted: 15 Dec 2019 06:30 AM PST

You may have already heard of RCS or Rich Communication Services: it's an upgrade to the SMS protocol that Google is trying to get adopted more widely, and it's now live for all Android users in the US, on any carrier.

The news was confirmed by Google Communications Suite Lead Sanaz Ahari on Twitter, though you may need to update both the default Google Messages app for Android and Carrier Services on your phone to get the functionality.

RCS is already live in the UK and France. As for the rest of the world, Ahari told users to "stay tuned" regarding when the technology might roll out even further. In terms of US support, Google is ahead of schedule.

Having originally decided to let the carriers control the roll out of RCS, in the last 12 months Google has changed course and pushed out the messaging upgrade itself – using its own servers and infrastructure to enable the update on RCS-ready phones.

What's RCS anyway?

RCS is developed by mobile hardware companies rather than Google, even though Google is working hard to make it the default on Android phones. It replaces the old SMS standard with something closer to what the messaging apps of today can give you.

That means better support for bigger media files, typing indicators, read receipts and group chats that are easier to manage. SMS has served us well since smartphones arrived, but it's looking very dated now.

RCS can also work over Wi-Fi as well as cellular networks, and uses up your data rather than your text allowance. Unlike rivals such as iMessage and WhatsApp, RCS chats are not end-to-end encrypted, so third parties could potentially snoop on your messages.

As more countries and more Android phones get RCS support, SMS should finally get pushed out – although it'll only work for Android-to-Android communication, unless Apple has a change of heart and decides to support it on the iPhone too.

Via Android Central

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Top Christmas gifts for fitness fans

Posted: 15 Dec 2019 06:00 AM PST

It’s Christmas! Well, nearly. But it’s close enough that you should probably be wrapping up your shopping – and then wrapping up what you’ve bought.

But choosing good gifts isn’t always easy, which is why we’re here to help. If you’re struggling to decide what to buy for the fitness fan in your life then we’ve got you covered.

Below you’ll find five great gift ideas, covering a range of product categories and budgets, from cheap fitness trackers to expensive smartwatches, and even some more left-field selections like a smart water bottle.

So what are you waiting for? There aren't too many shopping days left until the big day itself, so you may want to get a move on.

Fitbit is a name that needs no introduction, as it has been one of the biggest brands in fitness trackers for years now, and the Fitbit Charge 3 is one of its very best.

In fact, at the time of writing it ranks at the very top of our best fitness tracker list. The Fitbit Charge 3 is a great middle ground between more basic trackers like the Fitbit Inspire and full smartwatches like the Fitbit Versa 2.

It has a large screen (at least by fitness tracker standards), a heart rate monitor, a waterproof build, sleep tracking, and support for getting smartphone notifications, as well of course as all the activity and exercise tracking you’d expect from a Fitbit device. And despite the relatively large display it’s still a lot more lightweight than a smartwatch is likely to be.

The only real downside of the Fitbit Charge 3 is that there’s no built-in GPS, so make sure whoever you’re buying for isn’t a runner – or that they’re happy to take their phone out with them too.

Read our full Fitbit Charge 3 review

If you’re looking at smartwatches then you’re probably considering an Apple Watch, a Fitbit Versa or a Fitbit Ionic. They’re all good choices, but they’re obvious enough that we didn’t feel like they need highlighting.

For something slightly different, consider the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2. This still comes from a big brand, but isn’t one of the default fitness-focused smartwatch choices – yet arguably it should be, as there’s a lot to like here.

It can track 39 different exercises, including the likes of running, cycling and swimming. It has a heart rate monitor, GPS, two days of battery life (so it won’t die mid-way through a workout), and there’s even the promise of an ECG feature being added down the line, which would allow it to detect heart conditions like the Apple Watch 5 can.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 review

You might not have come across smart water bottles before, but if you have you’ve probably come across the Hidrate Spark, because it’s one of the best and most famous.

The Hidrate Spark 3 is the latest version at the time of writing, and it will track your hydration using the Hidrate Spark app.

But more than just tracking it will also remind you to drink, with the bottle stylishly glowing when it’s time to take a sip. It also syncs with many third-party fitness apps, so you can easily have your water intake logged alongside your exercise.

If you like the idea of buying a fitness tracker but want to spend a little less than what a Fitbit Charge 3 would cost, then consider the Honor Band 5.

For what little it costs the Honor Band 5 has an almost comical number of features, including a heart rate monitor, a color touchscreen, sleep tracking, 7 days of battery life, a waterproof build, and the ability to track numerous exercises, such as cycling, running, walking, swimming, and cross-training, among others.

As with many affordable fitness trackers there’s no built-in GPS, but the Honor Band 5 ticks most other boxes at an impressively low price.

Read our full Honor Band 5 review

Christmas presents don’t have to be physical things, and actually some of the best tools for getting or staying fit involve software rather than hardware.

An example of that is Nike Training Club Premium. This is a $14.99/£13.49 (roughly AU$22) monthly or $119.99/£109.99 (around AU$175) yearly subscription to the Nike Training Club app (available on both Android and iOS).

While the core app is free and includes numerous workouts for different fitness levels, the premium subscription adds 4-6 week programs (rather than just one-off workouts) led by trainers, along with on-demand classes, and expert nutrition and wellness guidance.

So it’s a bit like having a personal trainer on your phone, one that you can access whenever and wherever. If the person you’re buying for already has all the hardware they need then this is a great way to help them get the most out of it.

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Best Oppo phones: pick up the best Oppo handset for you

Posted: 15 Dec 2019 05:00 AM PST

You wouldn't have considered looking for the best Oppo phones a few years ago; it's only in the last few years that the Chinese company has made a real push out from its native country, and 2019 was a renaissance year for the brand, with a huge collection of phones released in most countries.

Oppo phones are almost always 'different' and interesting, from the Oppo Reno devices with their 'shark-fin' pop-up segments to the Oppo Find X with a moving rear panel, and the company is always showing off new tech like its under-screen camera, which will keep its phones unique for years to come.

With its wide slate of devices for you to choose from, it can be quite hard working out which Oppo phone is best for you. After all, the naming system is a little confusing – newer editions of Oppo Reno devices don't always replace each other, but complement the wider range, for example. 

That's why we've made this list of all the best Oppo phones you should consider if you're looking to pick up a new device from the Chinese company. The Oppo Reno series dominates this list, being the company's primary (and newest) range of budget and mid-range devices, but there are some outliers and older devices here too.

Bear in mind, not all these phones are available in all regions, but if you've got your eye on an Oppo device there will almost certainly be a great alternative on this list for you.

Best Oppo phones 2019 at a glance

  1. Oppo Reno 10x Zoom
  2. Oppo Reno 2
  3. Oppo Reno 2Z
  4. Oppo Reno Z
  5. Oppo Reno
  6. Oppo A9 2020
  7. Oppo RX17 Pro
  8. Oppo Find X
  9. Oppo RX17 Neo

Best Oppo phones 2019

The Oppo Reno 10x Zoom, named after its 10x hybrid zoom, is one of the best smartphones you can buy right now. It has got a sleek design, with rear cameras that are flush with the back of the phone, and a distinct 'shark-fin' pop-up camera section that houses the selfie camera, as well as the rear flash.

The Reno 10x Zoom also has a fantastic camera array, including its 48MP main snapper and the 13MP telephoto lens, which is responsible for the 10x zoom (although there's only actually 5x optical zoom, so the name is a touch misleading).

Sure, the device is a little bulky, and not exactly great for one-handed use – but that tends to be the case with tanks of phones like this, and there are alternative devices if it's too much.

Read our in-depth Oppo Reno 10x Zoom review

The Oppo Reno 2 is an improved version of the Oppo Reno, with better camera capabilities and a bigger battery, among other changes. It also came out for exactly the same price tag, making its predecessor rather redundant, at least unless you see it in a sale.

Sure, the Reno 2 doesn't top the 10x Zoom, which Oppo left alone as the top-end Reno device, but if you don't want to splash out for that decidedly mid-range phone, this is a great alternative. You get the stylish design and access to Oppo's ColorOS branch of Android, just like the other Oppo phones.

Read our in-depth Oppo Reno 2 review

Oppo Reno 2Z

The Oppo Reno 2Z is a very similar device to the Reno 2, so much so that we actually reviewed them together. The main differences here are a weaker chipset, and slightly lower camera specs.

For the most part your experience with the Reno 2Z will be the same as with the Reno 2, but if you're a huge photographer or gamer, you may want to stay away from the Z. Its price is a little lower though, making it a tempting alternative.

We've tested the Oppo Reno 2Z for our Oppo Reno 2 review

The Oppo Reno Z is the most affordable device in the first wave of Reno phones (which include the base model and the 10x Zoom), and it drops the 'shark-fin' of the other devices, but keeps much of the rest.

The phone has the premium rear design of the Oppo Reno and its rear cameras too, so there are only really a few ways it betrays its budget roots. One of those is front design, as it looks quite a bit like your standard Android phone front-on.

If you want to get in on the Oppo Reno trend but don't want to pay much, or don't want mechanically moving parts, this is the phone to go for.

Read our in-depth Oppo Reno Z review

The Oppo Reno could be considered the 'original' Reno device (although it did launch alongside the 10x Zoom), as it's the 'standard' device of the first wave of the phones. 

On the inside it's not the most groundbreaking device, but the Oppo Reno is good-looking, with the 'shark-fin' pop-up and flush rear design. It's also a little smaller than most recent Oppo devices, so if you want the pop-up without straining your fingers all the time, it's the phone to go for.

It's a little hard to get hold of the Oppo Reno in most places since it's been replaced by the Reno 2, but you can still find it from third-party and second-hand retailers.

Read our in-depth Oppo Reno review

If you're on a budget, the Oppo A9 2020 could be the best phone for you. It's Oppo's most recent device on this list, landing at the end of 2019, and it's quite the antithesis to the rest of Oppo's 2019 phone selection, which is mostly the (comparatively) high-end Reno handsets.

The Oppo A9 2020 has a plastic back, 720p screen and standard notch, so it's not exactly the most premium device, but that's to be expected at this price. But with four rear cameras, a huge battery and a decent processor, there's a lot to like here too.

Read our in-depth Oppo A9 2020 review

The Oppo R17 Pro, or RX17 Pro depending on your region, is one of Oppo's 2018 phones, back when the Reno devices were just a twinkle in the company's eye.

It's the best of the 2018 Oppo line-up, with a high-quality screen, decent processing power (especially in the 8GB of RAM model) and a decent camera array for the time. It was a little on the pricey side at the time, but that cost has dropped quite a bit now.

Read our in-depth Oppo R17 Pro review

The Oppo Find X was a curious concept: it had no visible rear or front cameras, as they were hidden in a pop-up segment that rose when you wanted to take a picture. This allowed for a super sleek design, with a screen uninterrupted by any notch, and a really smooth rear.

There are some other reasons to like this device, like its fast charging tech, and the chipset that was top-end in 2018. However it's missing some important features like NFC, a headphone jack, and a fingerprint sensor.

Read our in-depth Oppo Find X review

The Oppo RX17 Neo is essentially a budget version of the RX17 Pro, and it has also got a little in common with the A9 2020 from earlier in this list. That means it's definitely an affordable phone, with a plastic body and only two rear cameras.

The screen is pretty great for a phone of this price, as is the battery life, although there are some of the trappings of a budget phone too like in the design and interface.

It's not the best Oppo phone available, hence its low place in this list, but if you want an older budget device that may have gone down in price, this is one to consider.

Read our in-depth Oppo RX17 Neo review

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Windows 10 now lets you make phone calls direct from your PC

Posted: 15 Dec 2019 04:07 AM PST

Windows 10 users with Android smartphones will doubtless be pleased to learn that the feature which lets you make (and receive) phone calls direct from your PC via the Your Phone app is now being rolled out to everyone.

The Calls feature was introduced in testing back in October, and comes with a number of neat tricks, including the ability to seamlessly transfer calls between your PC and phone as you wish.

And now the functionality is rolling out to all Android smartphones – although not iOS models – running version 7.0 or better (whereas previously it was only available to Samsung Galaxy models in the main).

Available – but rolling out…

ZDNet spotted Microsoft’s revelation in a tweet, although in subsequent replies, the company clarified that while this is an announcement of general availability, the feature is still being deployed via a ‘gradual rollout’.

In other words, some users will have it now, others may have to wait a little while (or possibly even a longer while). Note that you also need to be running Windows 10 May 2019 Update or better to get the feature, and of course the latest version of the Your Phone app (and, as mentioned, Android 7.0+ on your phone).

Microsoft has certainly been doing plenty work on Your Phone throughout the course of this year, including the ability to send and receive text messages, various accessibility improvements, and that ‘phone screen’ (mirroring) feature you’ve probably heard talked about.

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What is Baby Yoda?

Posted: 15 Dec 2019 03:27 AM PST

The Star Wars faithful were getting excited about The Mandalorian as soon as it was announced. Not only is it the first live-action TV series ever to come out of a galaxy far, far away, and the flagship show for the newly launched Disney Plus. It also features a lead character who dresses a lot like legendary bounty hunter Boba Fett, and is set in the sort of wretched hives of scum and villainy that fans fell in love with when they saw the original movie back in 1977. But as it turns out, there’s something else about the show that’s got the whole world talking, and it’s known as Baby Yoda.

Since making his debut in The Mandalorian in November, Baby Yoda has been a sensation. A cuter, younger version of the ancient Jedi master, he’s one of the most endearing creatures ever seen on screen, and has since become the talk of the internet – a walking merchandising opportunity, and the source of wholesome memes.

But what is Baby Yoda? How does he fit into the Star Wars universe? And why is he such a big deal? We unleash the Bothan spies to find out.

What do we know about Baby Yoda?

The creature who’s become known as Baby Yoda is the surprise break-out star of The Mandalorian. Wisely kept hidden from all the pre-release marketing for the most anticipated show on the newly launched Disney Plus, he made his debut at the end of the show’s first episode. This was where we discovered that the lucrative target the eponymous Mandalorian bounty hunter was pursuing was actually a green alien infant with large ears – who looked a lot like a certain diminutive Jedi Master… 

He’s clearly of massive importance to the mythology of The Mandalorian – and Star Wars as a whole. The mysterious Client (played by legendary movie director/actor Werner Herzog) hired numerous bounty hunters (including assassin droid IG-11) to bring back “The Child” – as he’s officially known in the show – with the successful hunter being handsomely rewarded. 

The Client – who, going on his choice of Stormtrooper bodyguards and Imperial insignia around his neck – is probably connected to the now-defunct Empire, apparently wants something from the child. “I order you to extract the necessary material and be done with it,” he tells underling scientist Dr Pershing, but we have no idea what that material might be. 

We’d be very surprised, however, if it didn’t have something to do with the Force – and rebuilding the Empire into what will become the First Order in Episodes 7, 8 and 9. Maybe they’re planning on removing the Midi-chlorians (Force-carrying particles) from his blood – that would explain why they were so keen on capturing Baby Yoda alive. 

 Is Baby Yoda a clone? 

The Baby Yoda clone theory suggests that Dr Pershing is actually a cloning scientist, based on the symbols on his uniform. That hints that the little alien was created on Kamino at the same facility where the Clone troopers were made, and that there's a strong connection between Baby Yoda's origins and that part of the Star Wars universe. 

Cloning is a big part of the Star Wars universe – indeed, clones fought an entire war – so Baby Yoda could be a young copy of the original model. This is the best explanation yet of what Baby Yoda is, though it doesn't necessarily mean the child is a clone of Yoda himself. Although if Baby Yoda is 50, as the show informs us, he predates the events of Attack of the Clones by two decades. So there are still a lot of unanswered questions around that theory. Is he a hangover from the early days of clone experiments that led to the Clone Wars?

This being Star Wars, however, there are plenty of other theories flying around the internet. One suggests he’s the child of Yoda and Yaddle, and in terms of timelines, that’s not preposterous. If Baby Yoda is 50 years old, he’d have been born about 10 years before the events of The Phantom Menace, and presumably both Yoda and Yaddle would have been on the Jedi Council at that point. It’s also unlikely, however, because Jedi have strict rules preventing romantic relationships – and Yoda’s never given us any indication he’d be the kind of guy to break them. 

Some say he could be a reincarnation of the Jedi master. That would be new territory for Star Wars, but the post-Disney buyout Star Wars universe has frequently played around with the rules of the Force, so it’s not impossible. That said, the fact that Yoda died only five years earlier makes it too late for him to have been reborn as a kid who’s now 50, so this is probably one to file in the “pinch of salt” column.

Intriguingly, the date of Baby Yoda’s birth is very close to Anakin Skywalker’s – within a year, in fact. The Phantom Menace hints very strongly that the future Darth Vader had no father and was conceived by the Midi-chlorians. Perhaps the similarly Force-sensitive Baby Yoda came into existence at the same time in the same way, as part of the Midi-chlorians’ efforts to bring balance to the force.

Finally comes the option that he’s simply some random member of Yoda’s species, with no connection to him beyond that. But hey, this is Star Wars where everyone’s destiny is interlinked, so does anyone really believe that?

What is the name of Yoda's species?

Nobody knows – which is odd in itself. 

The Star Wars franchise has a long history of creating names for almost every character, species or planet that’s ever appeared in a movie, TV show or book – even if they’ve had mere seconds of screentime. For example, the Death Star trash compactor monster in Star Wars: A New Hope was subsequently designated a dianoga, while the space slug that tries to eat the Millennium Falcon in The Empire Strikes Back is an exogorth. 

Yoda is a special case, however. Before George Lucas sold Lucasfilm to Disney, the Star Wars creator had a strict rule that specific information about Yoda and his past was out of bounds for writers. That means we have no idea where he originated or what species he belongs to. The closest Lucas came to giving anything away was describing Yoda as “the illegitimate child of Kermit the Frog and Miss Piggy”, though we suspect that’s not official Star Wars canon… 

It’ll be interesting to see if, now Disney is in charge, they continue to follow Lucas’s directive to keep all things Yoda classified, or use Baby Yoda as an excuse tell us more about Yoda Sr’s mysterious past.

We do know, however, that Yoda’s species is naturally strong with the Force – and not just because Yoda himself had an incredibly successful career as a Jedi master. Even as an infant, Baby Yoda has the power to levitate a giant (and angry) Mudhorn, while the only other member of the species to feature on screen, as mentioned earlier, was Yaddle, a female member of the Jedi Council. She briefly appears in The Phantom Menace. 

Why is Baby Yoda such a big deal? 

Begun, the merchandising has. 

Basically, the internet loves him – forget Porgs, this kid is arguably the cutest thing ever to come out of that galaxy far, far away. As soon as he made his debut in The Mandalorian’s first chapter, Baby Yoda became a meme generator of awe-inspiring power, and the most talked about thing in the show. Everything he does is guaranteed to make you go “Aww”, whether he’s sleeping, drinking soup, or even eating a frog creature alive – Baby Yoda can get away with pretty much anything.

Is Baby Yoda just a cynical cash-in? 

It’s unlikely the merchandising bosses at Disney were complaining when the production team introduced Baby Yoda to the The Mandalorian’s story. Indeed, characters as cute as him are a dream come true for anyone who wants to sell lots of toys and clothing – unsurprisingly, there’s already some merch available (including the inevitable Funko Pop! Vinyl figure), with more to follow in 2020. 

But, the fact that showrunner Jon Favreau and Chapter One director Dave Filoni were able to hold the character reveal until the show aired – keeping Baby Yoda’s existence a secret until The Mandalorian made its debut – suggests that in this case, keeping the storytelling sacred was the priority. After all, keeping Baby Yoda a secret arguably denied The Mandalorian and Disney Plus the biggest pre-launch marketing opportunity their hot new show was ever going to get.

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Niantic is trying to improve Pokémon Go for players outside of busy cities

Posted: 15 Dec 2019 02:42 AM PST

Since its launch in 2016, Pokémon Go has had many updates which have improved and deepened the gameplay experience, keeping players returning past that initial summer heyday. But one area where the game has always lacked is in its sparse distribution of Pokémon and Pokéstops outside of busy cities and towns. 

It’s a problem that has caused swathes of fans to turn away, because there’s no chance of catching ‘em all if there’s nothing to catch. But it seems that Niantic may be taking steps to address the issue. 

In a recent blog post, the Pokémon Go developer has stated that recently, it’s been “dedicated to improving the experience of Trainers who live and play in areas of the world that may not have as many PokéStops or Pokémon to encounter as others.” 

More locations worldwide

The result, according to Niantic, is that Pokémon are now appearing in more places than before and players who previously encountered little to no Pokémon in their area are more likely to see an improvement. In fact, according to Niantic, the number of locations where wild Pokémon can be found and caught in the game has “nearly doubled”. 

Balancing this out, areas of the world which were disproportionately densely populated with Pokémon will now find they’re more evenly spread out. 

In a similar vein, Niantic is introducing its Wayfarer tool. Still in its early stages, this tool will make it easier to bring new PokéStops and Gyms into the more quiet parts of the world, hopefully improving accessibility. At the moment, select players in the game are able to review and vote on new location nominations, with winning nominations being added to the game. 

Niantic hopes that these improvements will “encourage Trainers to get out there and explore, as exploration is one of the core principles that drives everything we do at Niantic.”

At the moment, the game is preparing to celebrate the festive season with its Holiday 2019 event which kicks off on December 24. 

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Google says its Street View imagery now covers 10 million miles

Posted: 15 Dec 2019 02:30 AM PST

Launched in the US in 2007, Google's Street View project has been mapping out everything from roads to ski slopes in the years since, and just reached a major milestone – 10 million miles of captured footage.

That's enough to stretch around the Earth more than 400 times in a distinctive Street View car, Google told CNET. It's the first time the tech giant has released any hard data on the scale of Street View.

Besides photographing roads, Street View has expanded down footpaths, inside buildings, up mountains, and even to the International Space Station. All this imagery gets refreshed every few years too.

"Imagery is at the core of everything we do," Ethan Russell, a director of product at Google Maps, told CNET. "We think of it as the foundation of the entire map-making process."

Take a look around

The landmark of 10 million Street View miles is perhaps less impressive for those who think Google already has too much data and information on us on file – though it does undoubtedly make getting around easier.

One of the ways Google now uses Street View is to power augmented reality walking directions: if GPS is proving too unreliable, Google Maps can work out where you are by cross-referencing Street View pictures.

Apple now has its own Street View feature, called Look Around, which made its debut in iOS 13 this year. However, it's still limited to select parts of the United States.

Google also told CNET that its Google Earth satellite imagery covers 98 percent of the inhabited world – that's about 36 million square miles, if you're keeping count.

Via Gizmodo

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This 9TB tape shows why magnetic can still be better than SSD or hard drives

Posted: 14 Dec 2019 10:00 PM PST

Music tapes will bring back warm, fuzzy memories to those born in the early 1980s, but magnetic ribbons have long been replaced by shiny coasters, silicon chips and cloud storage for anyone wanting to store data.

But thetechnology is not dead yet - you can buy cheap LTO-7 tapes and get 9TB of native storage (22.5TB compressed) once they are reformatted to M8, such as the Quantum LTO-7 tape for as little as $57.77.

With an uncompressed capacity of 9TB, this translates into a per TB cost of $6.42, about 12x less than the cheapest SSD on the market and 1/4 the price of the 12TB Seagate Exos X14, currently the most affordable hard disk drive on the market on a per TB basis.

Capacity

In other words, if you want a LOT of capacity, nothing beats the good old magnetic tape - although you will need to factor in the cost of the drive.

There's something else that tape provides that no other storage medium currently offers by default; on-the-fly, transparent compression which can go up to 2.5:1; although this works best on text files rather than on multimedia ones, as they are already heavily compressed.

As for transfer speeds, they can reach 300MBps (that's a staggering 1.08TB per hour) which is plenty fast, slower than the PNY Pro Elite which tops 375MBps.

Even though tape has a retro feeling to it, it is still the preferred, most widely used archiving medium thanks partly to a 30-year archival life and lifetime warranty on almost all tapes on sale.

Just bear in mind that the price above doesn't take into consideration the price of an LTO drive, which can cost around $2,600 (e.g. this Quantum LTO-7 drive) for a bare internal drive so that it only makes sense to get this if you plan any capacity above 100TB. 

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India vs West Indies live stream: how to watch 2019 ODI series cricket from anywhere

Posted: 14 Dec 2019 09:53 PM PST

India have been in excellent form across all formats of cricket this year, but the West Indies pushed them all the way during the T20 matches of their tour earlier this month. Can the visitors pull off a shock win? You can see all the action, no matter where you are in the world, by following our India vs West Indies live stream guide.

The attention now turns to a three match ODI series between the two teams, with the slightly longer version of the game likely to suit hosts who are ranked second in ODI rankings behind world champions England, with the Windies pinned back in 7th in the charts.

It's a mere three months since the last showdown in the ODI format between the two sides - a three match series which saw Virat Kohli and co thrash the Windies in their own home by claiming a 2-0 win after the first match had been washed out.

The Windies will nevertheless draw encouragement from their assured 3-0 triumph in the 50-over format over Afghanistan last month. While skipper Kieron Pollard looks set to lead an unchanged side from the T20 series into the opening match, India have drafted in Mayank Agarwal who replaces Shikhar Dhawan after the southpaw batsman failed to recover from a knee injury.

You can watch all the action from the ODI series by following the instructions below on how to grab an India vs West Indies live stream from pretty much anywhere on Earth.

Live stream India vs West Indies from outside your country

In India, the UK, Australia or New Zealand and looking to find out how to watch the ODI matches between India vs West Indies? We've got all the details about the broadcaster with the rights to show the series in your region below. 

But if you're away from home country - maybe abroad on business or on holiday - but still want to tune in to your domestic coverage of the match then you'll run in to issues. Because of broadcaster geo-blocking, you won't be able to watch online from overseas. By using a VPN however, you'll be able to watch the game without having to resort to watching a potentially illegal feed from a dodgy Reddit link.

How to watch the ODI series in India

How stream India vs West Indies live in the UK

Live stream India vs West Indies ODI series in Australia 

How to get an India vs West Indies live stream in New Zealand

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UFC 245 live stream: how to watch Usman vs Covington (and the rest) from anywhere tonight

Posted: 14 Dec 2019 06:30 PM PST

Cards don't come much better than today's UFC 245 line-up. As a pre-holidays treat, Dana is gifting you to three title fights in one jam-packed night - UFC 245 is basically unmissable if you're a MMA fan! Of course there's the much-anticipated Kamaru Usman vs Colby Covington bout as the headline fight, but with Max Holloway and Amanda Nunes both in action, too, you won't want to miss a minute. We're here to help you discover the best ways to get a UFC 245 live stream - no matter where you are in the world.

With regards to Usman vs Covington we get to see the fight that was supposed to happen at UFC 244, before negotiations between the two broke down. 

The welterweight fight could see the 170lb former interim title holder Colby Covington take the belt from champion Kamaru Usman. Usman enters tonight's fight with a 10-0 record and 14 consecutive victories overall. Covington has seven consecutive wins with names like Rafael Dos Anjos and Robbie Lawler bested.

The last time three title fights happened on one card was back in 2017 when all three belts were exchanged during the night's fights. So there's huge potential for sweeping changes tonight, too.

Also defending his title on the card, after a five year run of success, is featherweight Max Holloway who is set for a challenge from in-form Alexander Volkanovski. If former rugby player Volkanovski wins - having already won 17 fights in a row - it will make him the second Australian to win a UFC world title. 

Women's brilliant bantamweight and featherweight champ Amanda Nunes will defend her title against the former 145lb champion Germaine de Randamie. Another former champion, this time a featherweight, is Jose Aldo who is taking on fellow Brazilian Marlon Moraes in his 135lb debut.

Whoever you want to win during today's MMA action, we’ll show you how to live stream UFC 245’s card from anywhere in the world - for US viewers, you should just head straight to ESPN+. 

Live stream UFC 245 from outside your country

Worry not if you're a huge UFC fan but aren't in the US to watch that ESPN+ coverage this weekend. If you find the coverage is geo-blocked, you can try using a VPN to change your IP address to a US server and watch this week's main card just as if you were back at home - the same goes wherever you're from and wanting to still see your domestic coverage from abroad.

How to watch UFC online in the US exclusively on ESPN+

Live stream UFC 245 in the UK

Live stream UFC 245 on PPV in Australia

The UFC 245 card in full

Main Card

Kamaru Usman (c) vs Colby Covington - Welterweight title fight

Max Holloway (c) vs Alex Volkanovski - Featherweight title fight

Amanda Nunes (c) vs Germaine de Randamie - Women's bantamweight title fight

Marlon Moraes vs Jose Aldo - Bantamweight

Petr Yan vs Urijah Faber - Bantamweight

Prelims

Geoff Neal vs Mike Perry - Welterweight

Ketlen Vieira vs Irene Aldana - Women's bantamweight

Matt Brown vs Ben Saunders - Welterweight

Fight Pass Prelims

Chase Hooper vs Daniel Teymur - Featherweight

Brandon Moreno vs Kai Kara-France - Flyweight

Jessica Eye vs Viviane Araujo - Women's flyweight

Punahele Soriano vs Oskar Piechota - Middleweight

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Crawford vs Kavaliauskas live stream: how to watch the fight online from anywhere

Posted: 14 Dec 2019 03:46 PM PST

Terence Crawford will be looking to defend his WBO welterweight for the third time on Saturday night in New York and maintain one of the best current records in boxing. Can he maintain that run? You watch all the action as it happens by reading our Terence Crawford vs Egidijus Kavaliauskas live stream guide below.

Having seen off Jose Benavidez Jr last year and then Britain's Amir Khan in a dominant display back in April, the American now boasts an unblemished 35-0-0, having finished nine out of his last ten opponents by knockout.

Crawford's next challenger comes in the form of rugged Lithuanian bruiser Egidijus Kavaliauskas who is also undefeated after 22 fights, with 17 knock-outs, meaning someone's impeccable record will have to go.

The 31-year-old challenger has also faced some demanding fights on his way to this clash, having seen off  David Avanesyan, Juan Carlos Abreu, and most recently Ray Robinson back in March.

It's all set up to be a fascinating battle and the good news is that it's being broadcast live around the world. Read on to discover how you can watch a Crawford vs Kavaliauskas live stream.

Live stream Crawford vs Kavaliauskas from outside your country

If you've been looking forward to this fight and already know where to watch, your plans may be scuppered if you're out of the country when it's on. That's because broadcasters geo-block their coverage if you try to watch from abroad.

But there's a clever workaround for this, which is perfectly legal (assuming the broadcaster's Ts&Cs allow it) and it involves using a piece of software called a VPN - better that than trying to get some dodgy stream from Reddit.

Live stream Crawford vs Kavaliauskas in the US for FREE!

How watch the Crawford vs Kavaliauskas fight in the UK

How to watch Crawford vs Kavaliauskas in Australia

As with the UK, there's no confirmed broadcaster of the main event, nor its undercard in Australia. Should the situation change, we'll be sure to update this page.

If you're Down Under and still fancy watching the fight, you do still have the option of using one of our best VPNs as described above a go.

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