Friday, January 10, 2020

Apple : CES 2020: Kaspersky’s Brian Anderson Talks About Technology’s Impact On Our Brains

Apple : CES 2020: Kaspersky’s Brian Anderson Talks About Technology’s Impact On Our Brains

CES 2020: Kaspersky’s Brian Anderson Talks About Technology’s Impact On Our Brains

Posted: 10 Jan 2020 01:31 PM PST

We live in an era of unprecedented technological advancement. From smartphones to the Internet of Things, our lives have never been more connected, our world has never been more convenient. Yet this convenience and connectivity come at a cost, says Brian Anderson, Head of Digital Sales NA at cybersecurity agency Kaspersky.

“The Internet has become almost like an extension of our brains, but what we’re learning is that this is resulting in a couple of different problems,” Anderson told Future US Inc. in an interview at this year’s Consumer Electronic’s Show. “One is digital amnesia - the idea that we rely so heavily on our phones we can no longer remember basic information. The other is cyber-stress, which is how we refer to the anxiety that many people feel about cybersecurity and the fear that they might be victimized.”

There’s certainly a precedent for both. 

At our fingertips is access to an unprecedented volume of information. And everywhere we look, be it online or off, we’re bombarded with marketing from countless businesses and brands. One can hardly blame a person for starting to tune out.

Meanwhile, it’s become increasingly impossible to even read the news without worrying about cybersecurity. It seems as though every day, there’s a new crisis come to light, some new data breach, cyber incident, or digital threat.  As a result, we operate under the perpetual anxiety that comes with never knowing if our data is secure.

For the past several years, Kaspersky has been researching both issues with the hope that through better understanding, we can move towards a future where digital technology is no longer a double-edged sword. 

“Our goal is to work to bring on a future where people feel safer, and where technology is a source of opportunity, rather than fear and stress,” says Anderson. “We want to help people learn about cyber-issues so they can have a healthy level of stress about it. Psychologists tell us that there is such a thing as “good stress,” which can help motivate, build resilience, and encourage growth.”

Anderson concluded by advising that people manage their cyber-stress by channeling it into good security practices, such as:

You can watch the full interview below. 

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Walmart are smashing Xbox One deals this weekend

Posted: 10 Jan 2020 01:30 PM PST

Feel like you missed out not cracking open a new console last month? These cheap Xbox One S bundles are offering to take all that pain away with a price tag as low as $149 at Walmart this weekend. That's a return to the best price we've seen for the All-Digital Edition console and a fantastic $100 saving on the cheapest model going at the moment. Plus, you can also save on the fully-fledged console with Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order included, sitting at just $212.99 at Walmart. 

The Xbox One S All Digital Edition is perfect for gaining access to the celebrated Xbox Game Pass library or picking up some console-exclusives for a fantastic price tag. That low price is courtesy of the fact that this console does not have a disc drive. If you're looking to save on pre-owned physical games or to build up a case collection you'll want to check out the full Xbox One S console for $63.99 more. 

What the All Digital Edition does offer, however, is the best Xbox One deal if you're just looking to save money with Xbox Game Pass. The virtual library is comprised of over 100 of the best Xbox games, all ready for downloading direct to your Xbox One console. 

These Xbox One deals have been sorely missed over the last few weeks as prices have been rising back to their usual retail positions for the New Year. It's never too late to save on a brand new console, however, so these sales could have come at just the right time for a January mood booster. 

Today's best Xbox One S deals

If these cheap Xbox One sales aren't taking your fancy, why not check out our full collection of Xbox One bundles. Or, while you're stocking up on Microsoft goodies, you'll want to take a look at these Xbox controller deals and Game Pass prices. 

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Password sharing, not VPN, costing streaming services "billions" every year

Posted: 10 Jan 2020 12:42 PM PST

Last year alone streaming companies lost around $9.1bn to password piracy and sharing but new research from Parks Associates predicts that this number will rise to $12.5bn in 2024.

Now though, many streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, Disney+ and Amazon Prime are willing to let password sharing slide even while they work to crack down on the proliferation of sites that sell passwords illegally.

Another study, conducted by the video delivery and security firm Synamedia, found that two anonymous video providers are losing over $70m each year from password sharing.

A generational gap also exists when it comes to password sharing according to a study from Hub Entertainment Research which found that 31 percent of all consumers have shared their streaming service passwords with someone who doesn't live with them. However, the study also found that 64 percent of people 13-24 years old had given out a password which is much higher than the 16 percent of users over 35 who had shared their streaming passwords with others.

Password sharing

Principal at Hub Entertainment Research, Jon Giegengack explained that the password sharing problem is likely to continue to grow due to a cultural shift among younger generations, saying:

“There is a cultural shift particularly among young people, where sharing things with people you know, or them sharing with you, is an accepted way of doing business, and it is an attitude that is going to impact how they consume lots of things, not just TV and movies.”

One way that streaming services can combat password sharing is to charge more for subscriptions that have multiple streams playing at once. However, another option involves new software showcased at CES 2020 which can help identify users who are sharing passwords or pirating content.

VPN services have come under pressure lately for allowing users to watch content not available in their region but the effect they have on streaming services' revenue pales in comparison to password sharing.

  • Also check out our complete list of the best VPN services

Via Hollywood Reporter

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What is Dolby Vision? Netflix's chosen HDR format for TV and films explained

Posted: 10 Jan 2020 12:24 PM PST

Dolby Vision is everywhere these days. On games consoles like the Xbox One S and Xbox One X, 4K Blu-ray players, smartphones the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max, and (of course) across huge swathes of premium televisions from the likes of Panasonic, LG, Sony, and more.

But what exactly is Dolby Vision HDR, what content is usually found in the format, and what difference does it make to your viewing experience? The world of HDR can be confusing, which is why we've put together this in-depth guide to Dolby Vision's roots, availability, and advantages over competing formats.

Dolby Vision is the game-changing advancement to TVs that we've needed for the past decade. Yes, 4K has given us additional pixels, but it's HDR that has made those pixels really shine in a way they never have before.

Not all HDR TVs come with this dynamic HDR format – the minimum required is the more basic HDR10 – but those that do offer a rocket-boosted viewing experience above and beyond usual SDR images, that is, if the screen you're watching on is able to do it justice.

Dolby Vision is the format that more studios are turning to and harnessing its potential to deliver colorful, dynamic and calculated images on a scene-by-scene basis. All of which will show up on your TV at home.

With the latest Dolby Vision IQ technology enhancing the way that Dolby Vision is shown onscreen, too – by using brightness sensors in high-end televisions to auto-calibrate picture settings depending on the level of light in the room – it's a format that continues to give more the longer its on the market.

Dolby Vision is still a relatively new format, but from what we've experienced, it's exactly what home cinema needs to match the silver screen. Best of all? It's available for you to bring home right now.

What is Dolby Vision?

Dolby Vision is a type of HDR – probably the second most popular after the ubiquitous HDR10 standard that's included on all HDR TVs and players.

And while it bases a lot of its technology on the basic HDR standard (Dolby played a key role in the development on it after all), it's a better solution. 

The main improvement from an end-user’s perspective is that it places an additional layer of information on top of a core HDR10 video signal which contains scene-by-scene information which Dolby Vision-capable TVs can use to improve the way they present their pictures. This means better brights and darker blacks, and this enables TVs to display the full range of colors in the Rec. 2020 standard.

If HDR blows you away now, wait until you see Dolby Vision.

We’ve seen Dolby Vision already in the UK on a handful of Netflix and Amazon video streams, and it’s also available via VUDU and iTunes in the US. 

The ‘big one’ for many AV fans, though, has been Ultra HD Blu-ray. Dolby Vision is included as an option on the UHD BD specification sheet, and AV fans have been desperate to see how much of a difference Dolby’s system might make to the picture quality of the AV world’s best-quality source. 

The latest crop of Dolby Vision Blu-rays, which include the Despicable Me films, West World from HBO and Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi, look nothing short of amazing – provided you’ve got the hardware to watch them.

What is Dolby Vision IQ?

Dolby Vision is going to get even better this year, thanks to a new feature in some high-end TVs – Dolby Vision IQ – that will make shows and movies look great in any room at any time of the day.

The new feature was announced at CES 2020 alongside the new Panasonic HZ2000 OLED and LG Gallery Series OLED, two of the first TVs to use the new technology.

The way Dolby Vision IQ works is by using the dynamic metadata encoded in Dolby Vision content in conjunction with an embedded light sensor in the TV, using the information to change the picture settings and display a more accurate picture.

Basically, Dolby Vision IQ can tell that you’re watching TV in a brightly lit room, where lots of dark details are getting lost. The TV will therefore be able to boost the brightness automatically without you having to go into the picture settings and do it yourself. Dolby Vision IQ also helps to change picture settings to suit the kind of content being watched (movies, sports, etc).

What you'll need to watch in Dolby Vision

For the avoidance of doubt, Dolby Vision is a licensed video platform that requires all the links in the video chain to support it. So buying the Despicable Me 4K Blu-ray discs won’t be enough in itself – you’ll also need a TV capable of receiving Dolby Vision, and a 4K Blu-ray player capable of playing Dolby Vision. 

All LG’s OLED TVs are DV-capable, as are its high-end Super UHD LCD TVs. Sony TVs with X1 Extreme chips (the ZD9, A1 OLED, XE93 and XE94, plus the 2018 X900F) handle DV too after a firmware update, as can some VIZIO and TCL TVs in the US. Much of Panasonic's 2019 TV range (GX800, GX920, GZ1000, GZ1500 and GZ2000) also packs in Dolby Vision support.

Panasonic TH-65GZ2000

Panasonic's OLED TV models all support Dolby Vision, as do several of its mid-range LED sets.

The newest additions to the Dolby Vision family are consoles – including the Xbox One S and Xbox One X – and mobile phones, albeit on the premium end. The format can be displayed on the all-new iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max, iPhone X and LG G6 handsets, bringing truly vivid visuals and color to the screens you're likely to use the most.

Of course, if you want Dolby Vision from a physical disc, there are only a few 4K Blu-ray players currently supporting Dolby Vision like the now-discontinued Oppo UDP-203 and Oppo 205, but more models from LG and Sony should help fill the void. 

If you’re lucky enough to already own a suitable combination of kit, though, trust us: you’ll want to buy as many Dolby Vision Blu-rays as you can. The impact of Dolby Vision on the visuals of both movies has to be seen to be believed.

Dolby Vision: a new world of color

Take color, for instance. With our Oppo 203 and LG OLED55C7 combination, the Dolby Vision Despicable Me movies display an unprecedented array of tones and tonal subtleties. Everything from the animated skin tones to background walls and locations contains subtle variations and accuracies of color you just don’t get in HDR10 – a comparison verified by playing the discs’ HDR10 ‘core’ video through the Panasonic UB900 Ultra HD Blu-ray player onto the OLED55C7.

This helps pictures instantly look more detailed and refined, despite the fact that Dolby Vision isn’t capable of actually adding more pixels to the 4K source pictures.

The Dolby Vision transfer doesn’t just portray more subtle colors than the HDR10 transfer either. Some colors also look slightly different in hue and tone; and invariably our impression was that the DV versions were the definitive, accurate ones.

Panasonic's latest 4K Blu Ray players have thrown in their support for Dolby Vision.

Startling in its brilliance, too, is Dolby Vision’s mastery of light. Somehow the technology seems to deliver purer, brighter highlights than we've ever seen from the LG OLED before, while simultaneously delivering dark scenes with more richness and subtle light detailing. 

Actually there seems to be more definition between subtle light differences in every part of the Dolby Vision image, giving it a more stable, rich, deep, solid appearance that looks almost three-dimensional versus the flatter, less precise HDR10 picture.

As if this wasn’t all stunning enough, the settings Dolby has designed for the OLED55C7 seem to handle motion more cleanly and effectively than LG’s own processing with HDR10 does.

Add all the Dolby Vision/Despicable Me benefits together and you’ve got an image the likes of which we haven’t seen before on a domestic television, despite the fact that we’re only talking about a pair of ageing animated titles. Having seen the cinematic version of Dolby Vision at work on Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2 recently, we can only imagine how spectacular Dolby Vision at home could look with more visually sophisticated titles than Despicable Me and Despicable Me 2.

Guardian of the Galaxy 2's Baby Groot deserves to be enjoyed in full Dolby Vision.

Rival technologies to Dolby Vision

It’s worth remembering at this point that AV brands not signed up with Dolby for Dolby Vision – notably Samsung – tend to suggest they can deliver equivalent results to DV by just applying their own processing power to HDR10.

Having played the Despicable Me discs in HDR10 into a reference Samsung UE65KS9500, though, while that set delivered brighter light peaks than the Dolby Vision picture on the LG OLED, it couldn’t match Dolby Vision for light and color subtleties.

Samsung announced back in 2017 it was partnering with Amazon Prime Video to develop a new HDR format called 'HDR10+', which also applies a layer of so-called ‘dynamic metadata’ (scene-by-scene instructions) to an HDR10 stream. It's essentially a royalty-free alternative to Dolby Vision, which is built into Samsung's line of high-end QLED televisions. 

Both Panasonic and 21st Century Fox had thrown their weight behind HDR10+, selling it as a more democratic, open-source HDR format. Panasonic recently changed its tune on this, however, and you can now get Dolby Vision on a host of Panasonic 4K Blu Ray players and Panasonic TVs.

All recent LG OLED TVs, including the LG E8 OLED, are DV-capable.

We're not necessarily saying here that your next TV and 4K Blu-ray player absolutely definitely must have Dolby Vision support. The format still, after all, has to work within the brightness and color limitations of any TV it’s applied to.

There are non-Dolby Vision TVs out there which are either (in Samsung’s case in particular) capable of delivering color and brightness levels beyond those possible from any current Dolby Vision TV. But there still aren't many Dolby Vision Ultra HD Blu-rays available, despite the format’s ‘official’ launch. 

What certainly does no longer seem in doubt from having seen Dolby Vision in action from a 4K Blu-ray, though, is that it does an incredible job of getting the absolute best out of any screen it comes into contact with. And with a technology as confusing and frankly error-strewn as HDR is right now, that’s a pretty big deal.

Original contributions were made to this article by John Archer.

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The best Mother's Day flower delivery services available now

Posted: 10 Jan 2020 12:17 PM PST

Wouldn't it be nice to have your Mother's Day flowers sorted well ahead of time? That dream can be a reality, thanks to the wide variety of Mother's Day flower delivery services available in the UK. You have plenty of time to organise your flower delivery, so why not shop around for the best prices and services on offer from the nation's favourite florists. We've gathered them all here today for your perusal to ensure you're getting the best possible Mother's Day flowers in good time. 

Many of the florists below are already taking orders for Mother's Day flower delivery, meaning you can sort everything well ahead of time without that shock on the 22nd of March (that's the 22nd of March, mark it on the calendar now). Plus, getting in early often means you can save on delivery charges - trust us, things can get costly if you're after last-minute flower delivery. You'll still pay a little extra to have the flowers arrive on the day itself at most of these, but we'll let you know if we spot any free ones. 

You can order Mother's Day flowers to be delivered to your mum's home or workplace and if you're not sure if they'll be home to receive the delivery, be sure to check out the letterbox-friendly options we've mentioned. That's where the flowers can be delivered boxed in the regular post before they open up and bloom.

There's a fantastic and broad range of beautiful bouquets and gifts available from our selection of florists below. And online Mother's Day flower delivery from a specialist company means you don't have to worry about the usual hassle of buying from a regular florist and getting them home safely through the commuter crowd. So yes, shop smarter this year for Mother's Day flowers and leave it to the professionals in our list below.

If you're thinking of something else that could be a great gift for Mother's Day, how about creating a unique gift via our roundup of the best photo books for a more personalised gift? If you have siblings and you want to win Mother's Day, doubling down with some memories is the way to go.

Order Mother's Day flowers for delivery 

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VIZIO 2020 lineup is a march of constant improvement

Posted: 10 Jan 2020 12:06 PM PST

Everyone is thirsty in the desert. From phones with cameras that disappear to robots that bring you spare rolls of toilet paper to concept cars that breathe, there absolutely is no shortage of products at CES 2020 fighting for even just a brief glimpse of attention.

Walk into VIZIO showroom in the Vdara Hotel and Spa in Las Vegas' ARIA Campus, however, and you get the sense that — well, everything seems the same on the surface. That's not to say that VIZIO newest televisions aren't worth a look. They most certainly are. And that's not to say that there's nothing noteworthy about its 2020 lineup. There most certainly is.

But you also get the sense that it's very much business as usual for VIZIO. That in this futuristic world of 8K televisions and modular displays, VIZIO is content to just do its thing. To make great televisions for normals folks at price points normal folks can afford.

Probably. We don't yet have pricing information on this year's V-, M- and P-Series sets. We don't yet have any sort of pricing on the gorgeous new OLED television VIZIO has rolled out. We don't have any idea how much its new selection of soundbars will run us.

But spend even just a few minutes with any of VIZIO new kit and you'll come away thinking "I want this." So with the caveat of not knowing just how expensive the top end of things will run, here's a breakdown of where things stand going into 2020 — and what a steady march of improvement can do in a world in which everyone else is trying to make a bigger splash.

The 2020 line of VIZIO televisions

VIZIO's first OLED television is gorgeous. 

Let's start at the low end. The V-Series TV has been (and remains) the least expensive 4K UHD series. It lacks the advanced picture quality features of the higher tiers. The series doesn’t have local dimming—a contrast-enhancing feature-- but still utilizes a full array backlight, for a smooth, consistent image.  The V-series enjoys plenty of other bells and whistles, like Chromecast, AirPlay 2, Siri, Google Assistant, and Alexa. It’s also packing a new IQ -Active processor and V-Gaming engine.

Considering that the 2019 V-Series tops out at about $850 for a 75-incher (and bottoms out at 40 inches for about $240), expect that trend to continue this year.

The M-Series is where I'd start looking, though. Televisions are long-term purchases. They're big and kind of a pain to swap out. So I'd spend a little extra and get a little more for my money.

First is that the industrial design of the M-Series Quantum TVs is better. You've got a couple of flavors of the new M-Series from which to choose, with the M8 offering 90 local dimming zones. (More dimming zones means parts of the screen can be darker while other parts are lighter. Having more dimming zones is better.) The M8 also has a high peak brightness, hitting 800 nits.

And don't expect the price to break the bank here, either.

If you're really looking to step things up, though, the P-Series is still where it's at. And there's a sizable shift in the P-Series itself. The P9 is still a hell of a TV. It's available in 65 inches or 75 inches, with up to 240 local dimming zones (depending on whether you get the larger of the two models) and peak brightness of up to 1200 nits. The P-Series also ups the processor to the new IQ Ultra scheme.

And VIZIO is going one further. The P-Series Quantum X is available in 65-, 75- and 85-inch models. It has 792 local dimming zones on the large end and take the peak brightness up to 3,000 nits. It's nuts. It's gorgeous. It also removes the bezels and does away with the "VIZIO" badge and opts, instead, for just the logo on the bottom right. This is, in all likelihood (again, we don't have pricing) the upgrade TV to have if you want the upgraded option from VIZIO.

VIZIO first OLED

VIZIO new OLED TV provides true blacks. And the stand can be used to mount the new Elevate sound bar.

But it's still not OLED. And that's the biggest splash VIZIO has up its sleeves this CES — its first Organic Light Emitting Diode display.

Remember all those local dimming zones we were talking about before? OLED turns off the individual pixels. Black spaces are truly black. That sort of contrast makes the colors pop that much more.

If you can afford an OLED TV, you want an OLED TV. And VIZIO's will come in either 55 or 65 inches. It really is beautiful.

The inside baseball is that this OLED TV — it doesn't have a snazzy series name or anything — lets VIZIO more directly compete with the manufacturers that already have been on the OLED train for some time, and it gives it a slight leg up on the less-expensive MicroLED panels you'll find elsewhere. It fills a hole atop the VIZIO lineup and should give it a pretty consistent contender in all the best-of lists this year.

But the question remains: How much is it going to cost?

Fun, but not actual products yet

An outdoor TV isn't yet in VIZIO's product pipeline, but it's at least something the company has thought about.

VIZIO had a couple other sets on display that were a sign of what it's at least playing with, if not actually something it plans to bring to market in the future.

First is an 8K-resolution panel. Companies are always working on everything, and there's no way VIZIO hasn't been working on 8K. But there's also absolutely no reason for a normal consumer to purchase an 8K television, so it's a nice change of pace to see someone say "Yeah, it's a thing. But it's also not a thing, ya know?"

Another thing VIZIO is toying with is a television that's meant for outdoor spaces. Again, to reiterate, it's nowhere near a finished product. It has nothing to announce. But what at least sparked a brief moment of excitement was the possibility of a television meant for the outdoors that doesn't look like was built 15 years ago — bulky and unsightly and something that makes you want to buy a $250 TV and sacrifice it to the Weather Gods every couple of years instead. Which, for what it's worth, is exactly what I do on my covered porch. So the prospect of something bright enough for outdoors and hardened for the outdoors without possibly — again, that "not-a-thing-yet" caveat — looking like a piece of 1990s military surplus would be a very good thing.

VIZIO's new voice remote

VIZIO has finally redesigned its aging remote control, and it's added voice commands.

Nothing ruins a good television experience like a bad remote control. And it's not that VIZIO's remotes have been bad — they've just looked the same for quite some time and also have looked like the've been trying too hard.

That's changing in 2020 with the new VIZIO voice remote. As the name implies, it's also adding voice control via the remote, which is something that's been missing. (Support for Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant enabled devices is still there, too.) VIZIO is using SoundHound to crunch all that data in the cloud, and it worked well enough in our demo. And it was nice to see it employ the sort of contextual computation you'd expect to see in 2020, so that you don't have to explicitly state a question or command one at a time. So you can say "Show me James Bond movies" and it'll show you James Bond movies. And then you can say "Just the ones with Sean Connery" and it'll show you the ones with just Sean Connery." That's the way things should work.

The remote itself has been greatly simplified, too. No more number buttons, which makes sense for the streaming era. There are a half-dozen branded shortcuts up top, and VIZIO's own "WatchFree" channel gets prime placement. And after that everything's where it should be.

SmartCast 4.0

Televisions from as far back as 2016 will be updated to VIZIO's SmartCast 4.0 operating system, and benefit from its speed improvements.

Along with the new hardware for 2020, the other biggest announcement was the next generation of VIZIO's SmartCast operating system. It's long been a pain point for VIZIO's TVs.

Previous iterations of SmartCast have just been too slow.

I can't quite tell yet if the new SmartCast 4.0 has done enough to change my mind on that. Our demo was decidedly pre-production, and there were occasional hiccups. But the improvements also were pretty obvious, and VIZIO needs kudos for speeding up its top-level home screen experience. Questions remain, though. How will the third-party apps behave? And will SmartCast have all of the services you want to watch? It's getting close to having all of the majors, and so maybe 2020 will be the year in which we see VIZIO start to take on Roku in the arena of all-in-one TVs. We'll just have to see.

But it's also very much worth noting that VIZIO says to expect the SmartCast update on TVs dating all the way back to 2016. Obviously newer hardware should speed things up that much more, but it's tough to find any company outside of Apple that keeps its software up to date that long.

VIZIO's soundbars in 2020


I've long been a fan of VIZIO's soundbars, too. You can greatly improve the quality (and experience) of your TV viewing with just a few hundred dollars of kit — and having rear speakers and a subwoofer connect wirelessly to a soundbar means your living room doesn't need to be rewired.

The biggest change for 2020 is a continued improvement in the industrial design. There's less cloth and more plastic. And everything just looks more sophisticated. The soundbars also have gained better branding, joining the M-Series and V-Series schemes, making it easier to have a general idea of what tier audio equipment you're looking at. (And it makes keeping track of this sort of thing so much easier.)

And then there's the new high-end VIZIO Elevate Sound Bar. It's got Dolby Atmos and DTS:X. And it has speakers that rotate depending on the sound profile. It's a really cool thing to hear, and sort of space-age to see in practice. And the sound? Spectacular.

Expect VIZIO to also heavily push the Elevate in conjunction with its new OLED TV. So much so, in fact, that should you mount the OLED TV on a wall, the attached stand becomes a mounting point for the Elevate Sound Bar.

VIZIO also has redesigned its audio remote controls, too — casting off another legacy pain point.

We don't have any pricing here, either, but figure it to be in the affordable-to-wow range again.

The bottom line

There is a fair amount of commonality here that I've left out. All of the new displays come with 4K resolution and Dolby Vision and HDR10+ and HLG. All of them feature HDMI 2.1 ports, so latency should be lower and the overall experience should be better. Apple's AirPlay and Homekit are now standard. Same for Alexa enabled devices, Google Assistant integration and Chromecast.

And the M-Series TVs on up feature a ProGraming Engine that allow for a pretty killer experience with an Xbox One X or PlayStation 4. (Or, eventually, the PlayStation 5, we'd gather.) Combine that with VIZIO's soundbars and you get its take on surround sound that really does take you into the game.

That's all standard now. It's table stakes for the VIZIO experience.

And between the new televisions in 2020, and the new soundbars, and the new software, and the new remote controls, this much is clear:

VIZIO's fine being VIZIO. It's going to continue to make televisions that are great, and affordable across all kinds of price points.

And they're going to continue to keep getting better.

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Sony TV 2020: every Sony Bravia and Master Series announced at CES 2020

Posted: 10 Jan 2020 12:03 PM PST

2020 has arrived, and with it a slew of new TV announcements from the biggest and best TV brand out there – meaning we’ve had a good look at the next round of Sony TVs scheduled for release this year.

That means more 8K sets, more OLED panels, and more sound vibrating out of panels. Only so much of the 2020 Sony TV lineup has been announced, but we know enough to get a general picture of what’s going to be on offer.

Sony’s presence at the CES 2020 expo was certainly interesting, if just for its conservatism. Only two new television models were on display – the 8K LCD Z8H and 4K OLED A8H Master Series models – without many new features or eye-grabbing overhauls to speak of.

Not that Sony needed to do anything drastically different; its TV lineup usually goes down well with us, so a continuation of previous visual quality in its televisions should still be enough to get us excited for the year ahead. (We felt a bit differently about the audio offering in its televisions, though.)

So what exactly has been announced, and what are we in the dark about? Here’s everything you need to know about the Sony TV 2020 lineup.

The Sony Z8H was on full show at CES, but not much was with it.

Sony 2020 TV technology 

What’s new for 2020? Internally, not that much. Sony’s flagship televisions this year use the same X1 Ultimate processor as 2019, meaning that, while there may be some improvements in how Sony deploys and makes use of that processing power, these 2020 TVs don’t actually have any more computing power at their disposal.

One new feature is Ambient Optimization, which Sony describes as “a new technology that optimises picture and sound quality in any customer environment.” It will enable select Sony TVs to adjust the picture brightness automatically depending on the level of light in your living room (or bedroom, cabin, wherever), ensuring you don’t suffer from too much glare or struggle with dim images – say, as some may find with the low brightness of OLED models, of which Sony has several.

It’s quite similar to the new Dolby Vision IQ technology we’re seeing deployed by Panasonic in its new HZ2000 OLED TV, though it won’t be exclusive to only one HDR format, and will also be able to detect the layout of the room (furniture, curtains, etc) and fine-tune the acoustics of the sound being played by its speakers.

Several sets will continue Sony’s Acoustic Surface Audio+ technology, which uses motor-driven ‘actuators’ placed around the set’s casing to vibrate sound across the whole panel. It’s a neat concept in theory, though it can serve to muddy the audio somewhat as it spreads it around. The Z8H will use what Sony calls a ‘frame tweeter’ to enhance this, though it seems to be the same underlying concept as in previous years.

Acoustic Surface Audio+ vibrates the panel itself to emit sound from across the screen.

Sony TVs are well-known for their TV stand designs – which might be a weird reputation to embrace, especially as the tilted screens of previous years weren’t always received warmly. But the premium models this year will actually have adjustable feet below the television, allowing an element of customization that means you don’t need a counter / table as wide as the panel to prop it up.

We also can’t talk about Sony in 2020 without mentioning the next-gen PS5 console – and Sony has made sure at least some of its new sets will support the console’s advanced capabilities. The Z8H’s panel can display 8K gaming, for starters, while both it and the X900H 4K LED will support 4K play at 120Hz frame rate. (The X900H will need to wait for a software update sometime after launch, though.)

As ever, the new Sony TV range will make use of the Android TV smart TV platform, now in its Android 9.0 (Pie) iteration, with 4K HDR models coming with built-in Google Assistant, Alexa compatability, and Apple AirPlay 2 for casting from iOS devices. Sony also supports Dolby Vision rather than the competing HDR10+ format.

New Sony TVs for 2020

Sony Z8H 8K LCD (available in 75, 85 inches): Sony's flagship 8K display was one of two new sets shown off at CES this year, with an X1 Ultimate processor, 4K video at 120Hz, Dolby Vision / Atmos, Netflix Calibrated Mode, and even moveable feet for easy placement in your home. Its new 'frame tweeters' should enhance Sony's Acoustic Surface Audio+ tech, too.

There's no official pricing, but last year's Z Series cost £13,999 (around $17,675) for the 85-inch model, and as the flagship, it certainly won't be cheap!

US models: XBR-75Z8H, XBR-85Z8H

UK models: KD-75ZH8, KD-85ZH8

Sony A8H 4K OLED (available in 55, 65 inches): This 4K/HDR display may have lower specs than the Z8H flagship, but it's still a heavyweight in Sony's 2020 TV lineup. Its OLED panel will ensure deep blacks and incredible brightness control, with the X1 Ultimate processor, Dolby Vision / Atmos support, and Netflix Calibrated Mode to make it shine. This year's OLED also gets Sony's X-Motion Clarity technology for the first time, which should help smooth out fast-moving scenes.

US models: XBR-55A8H, XBR-65A8H

UK models: KD-55AH8, KD-65AH8

Sony A9G 4K OLED (new 48-inch size): Hold on, isn't this a 2019 model? Correct! But Sony is using the stellar A9G to introduce its first 48-inch OLED display. Other manufacturers such as LG will be doing the same in their TV ranges, but Sony will still be one of the first few doing so.

US models: XBR-48A9G

UK models: KD-48AG9

X950H 4K LCD (available in 49, 55, 65, 75, 85 inches): Another LCD set with the X1 Ultimate processor, Dolby Vision / Atmos, and the Sound-from-Picture Reality tech for pinning audio to its source onscreen. The 55-inch, 65-inch, and 75-inch models have a flush design with minimal bezel, too.

US models: XBR-49X950H, XBR-55X950H, XBR-65X950H, XBR-75X950H, XBR-85X950H

UK models: KD-49XH9505, KD-55XH9505, KD-65XH9505, KD-75XH9505, KD-85XH9505

X900H 4K LCD (available in 55, 65, 75, 85 inches): A 4K/HDR set that uses the less advanced X1 processor. You won't get as advanced picture processing, but you still get the same format support and full-array local dimming for detailed brightness control.

US models: XBR-55X900H, XBR-65X900H, XBR-75X900H, XBR-85X900H

UK models: KD-55XH9005, KD-65XH9005, KD-75XH9005, KD-85XH9005

X800H 4K LCD (available in 43, 49, 55, 65, 75, 85 inches): Same X1 processor as above, but without the full array local dimming – meaning brightness won't be as consistent. UK shoppers will be able to choose between the XH80, XH81 and XH85, with each varying slightly in the design, feet, and sizing.

US models: XBR-43X800H, XBR-43X800H, XBR-43X800H, XBR-43X800H, XBR-43X800H

UK models: KD-43XH8505, KD-49XH8505, KD-43XH8196, KD-49XH8196, KD-55XH8196, KD-65XH8196, KD-43XH8096, KD-49XH8096, KD-55XH8096, KD-65XH8096, KD-75XH8096, KD-85XH8096

X70 4K LCD (available in 49, 55, 65 inches): Likely the cheapest 4K/HDR set in the Sony 2020 TV lineup, this UK-only set ditches the Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision support for simpler television offering. Expect lower-spec processing too.

UK models: KD-49X7052, KD-55X7052, KD-65X7052

Sony Master Series 2019 Models 

Sony Master Series Z9G 8K (2019)


Sony Z9G 8K (available in 85, 98 inches): An 8K wonder powered by Sony's X1 Ultimate processor, with a resurrected Backlight Master Drive from Sony's 2016 Z Series TVs delivers enhanced contrast and precision controlled brightness – as well as a dedicated viewing mode for watching Netflix. Intrigued? 

The 85-inch model retails at £13,999 (around $17,675), while a monstrously large 98-inch model will jump you up to £84,999 (around $107,330). If the price tag doesn't puts you off – or even if it does – read more in our five-star Sony Bravia Master Series Z9G 8K HDR TV review.

US models: XBR-85Z9G, XBR-98Z9G 

UK models: KD-85ZG9, KD-98ZG9 

Sony Master Series A9G OLED (2019)


Sony A9G 4K (available in 55, 65, 77 inches): This second-tier Master Series set uses the X1 Ultimate processor to power some serious 4K visuals – as well as the same Netflix Calibrated Mode as the Z9G. 

With an OLED panel, you'll also be getting some vivid color contrast and deep blacks, even if high-end LED tech is starting to give it a run for its money. Speaking of money, the 55-inch model will start at $2,799 / £2,999 (around AU$3,970). Check out our Sony A9G OLED review for why we gave it a full five stars.

US models: XBR-55A9G, XBR-65A9G, XBR-77A9G 

UK models: KD-55AG9, KD-65AG9, KD-77AG9

Sony Bravia 2019 Models

Sony Bravia A8G OLED (2019)

Sony A8G OLED (available in 55, 65 inches): Featuring the same X1 Extreme processor and Acoustic Surface Audio as last year's A1 OLED, the A8G / AG8 sticks to 55 and 65-inch models, leaving the 77-inch size to its Master Series OLED counterpart. In a snazzy design choice, you can also adjust the height of the TV stand to make room for a soundbar. Starting at $2,500 / £2,299 (around AU$3,570) for the 55-inch model, and $3,500 / £3,199 (around AU$4,999) for the 65-inch.

US models: XBR-55A8G, XBR-65A8G, XBR-77A8G (available May)

UK models: KD-55AG8, KD-65AG8, KD-77AG8 (no release date)

Sony X9500G 4K TV (2019)

Sony X9500G (available in 55, 65, 75, 85 inches): Now onto the 4K LCDs... This model still packs in the Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support of its more expensive siblings, and the more advanced X1 Ultimate processor for enhanced upscaling and image processing. You get the welcome choice of four distinct size options, including a massive 85-inch display. Starting at $1,399 / £1,899 (around AU$1,972) for the 55-inch model – though given our Sony X9500G review, you may want to hold off.

US models: XBR-55X950G, XBR-65X950G, XBR-75X950G, XBR-85X950G (available now)

UK models: KD-55XG9505, KD-65XG9505, KD-75XG9505, KD-85XG9505 (all but 85-inch model available now)

Sony X9000G 4K HDR TV


Sony X9000G 4K HDR TV (available in 49 inches): A mid-priced, X1 Extreme powered version of the above – and coming in at a more size-friendly 49 inches. Currently only announced for UK.

UK models: KD-49XG9005

Sony X8500G 4K HDR TV (available in 55, 65, 75, 85 inches): A step down again, the X8500G / XG85 goes back to a simpler X1 processor (no Extreme or Ultimate upgrade) and more basic backlighting and dimming zones. 

Last year's model came with edge LED lighting, which simply couldn't meet the demands of today's HDR pictures – but we'll reserve our judgement on this one until it's come in to review. Starting at $1,099 / £1,399 (around AU$1,549).

US models: XBR-55X850G, XBR-65X850G, XBR-75X850G, XBR-85X850G (available now)

UK models: KD-55XG8505, KD-65XG8505, KD-75XG8505, KD-85XG8505 (available now)

Sony XG7000 / X70G

Sony X7000G / XG70

Sony XG83 4K HDR TV (available in 43, 49 inches): Like last year’s model, the XG83 only offers the most basic X1 Processor and 4K X-Reality Pro Upscaler. You'll still get 4K HDR pictures. but they probably won't look nearly as good as they will on the X9000F and above. That said, you can display HDR10 and Hybrid Log Gamma - and the XG83 sports a stylish aluminium body. Currently only announced for UK, starting at £999.

UK models: KD-43XG8305, KD-43XG8305 (available now)

Sony XG81 4K HDR TV (available in 43, 49, 55, 65 inches): Down to the X-Reality processor, meaning you won’t get as advanced picture processing as above, but you do get a far wider range of model sizes with the XG81 - with only a ‘brushed aluminium look’ though. Currently only announced for UK.

UK models: KD-43XG8196, KD-49XG8196, KD-55XG8196, KD-65XG8196 (available now)

Sony XG80 4K HDR TV (available in 43, 49, 55, 65, 75 inches): Comparable to the XG81, but more basic dimming zones, and a 75-inch model to make up for it. Announced for UK / US.

US models: XBR-43X800G, XBR-49X800G, XBR-55X800G, XBR-65X800G, XBR-75X800G (available now)

UK models: KD-43XG8096, KD-49XG8096, KD-55XG8096, KD-65XG8096, KD-75XG8096 (no release date)

Sony XG70 4K HDR TV (available in 43, 49, 55, 65 inches): This UK-exclusive set is the runt of the HDR litter: a 4K-resolution display with HDR10 and not much else. You’ll get sharper images than the Full HD sets below, though. Available in silver or black. Currently only announced for UK.

UK models: KD-43XG7002, KD-49XG7003, KD-55XG7073, KD-65XG7093, KD-43XG7002, KD-49XG7003, KD-55XG7073, KD-65XG7093, KD-43XG7002, KD-49XG7003, KD-55XG7073, KD-65XG7093, KD-43XG7002, KD-49XG7003, KD-55XG7073, KD-465 (no release date)

Sony Full HD 2019 Models

Sony W66G

Sony W66G (2019)

Sony WG6/W66G (available in 43- and 50-inch sizes): If you've got a hankering for an HDR-capable TV but aren't too keen on 4K, Sony's entry-level W66G (WG6 in the UK) is exactly what you've been looking for. 

Perfect for Full HD HDR gaming, or just squeezing some extra-rich colors and depth out of 1080p resolution TV, this 2019 model is a smart compromise between cost and performance.

UK models: KDL-43WG663, KDL-43WG663 (no release date)

  • Check out all of TechRadar's CES 2020 coverage. We're live in Las Vegas to bring you all the breaking tech news and launches, plus hands-on reviews of everything from 8K TVs and foldable displays to new phones, laptops and smart home gadgets.

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How to watch Winter Love Island online: free stream from UK or abroad

Posted: 10 Jan 2020 11:57 AM PST

We'd much sooner swap hot chocolates for cocktails, jumpers for swimwear and working for lying on the beach - and the producers of Love Island seem to agree, because they have launched the first ever Winter Love Island!

Can't wait for shocking re-couplings and villa drama? Keep reading to find out how you can watch Winter Love Island online from anywhere. 

We're absolutely loving our Christmas present from ITV this year - another season of Love Island! The other treat is that the islanders have been announced, so if you want go all factor 50 on them keep scrolling - we've got the full list for you.

Given the time of year, Spain unfortunately was not an option - but the bright and sunny South Africa was available instead, and from the sneak peaks we've seen the new villa is worth 5.3 million - it's twice the size of the villa in Mallorca!

And there is one other change in this show apart from the location, Caroline Flack has had to step down (for reasons that have been well reported!). Don't worry, you won't be left host-less, as Laura Whitmore will be stepping in as her replacement.

So if you're ready to put your eggs all in one basket, we can guarantee this show is 100% your type on paper. If you're ready to see this year's singles find love make sure you keep scrolling! We'll tell you how to watch Winter Love Island online whether you're in the UK or mismatched a holiday.

How to watch Winter Love Island online for free in the UK: 

If you're going to be in the UK the whole time the show is on then watching it couldn't be easier. Simple gather your friends and families around the TV on Sunday, January 12 when it premiers, and get ready to see some grafting.

But if you would rather watch Love Island online you can easily catch it via the ITV website or watch it on your mobile devices via the ITV Hub app which you can download here for Android and here for your iPhone or iPad.

The other way to watch ITV online is to go via TVPlayer.com - we actually prefer this option as the stream tends to be better quality and more robust. It's also a faster site, more responsive and quicker to get up and running with. It's still free and legal, too.

How to watch Winter Love Island online from outside the country:

If you’re from the UK and have planned a holiday while the show is on we won't be jealous that you're in the sun whilst we face rain - we'll just tell you how you can still get your fix and avoid any annoying geo-blocking. By using a VPN, you can change your IP address to one in the UK which will allow you to stream the event using your ITV account. Keep reading and we’ll show you how.

Who are the islanders?

  • Leanne Amaning, 22 from London
  • Siannise Fudge, 25 from Bristol
  • Eve Gale, 20 from London
  • Jess Gale, 20 from London
  • Shaugnha Phillips, 25 from London
  • Sophie Piper, 21 from Essex
  • Paige Turley, 22 from Scotland
  • Mike Boateng, 24 from Manchester
  • Connor Durman, 25 from Brighton
  • Callum Jones, 23 from Manchester
  • Nas Majeed, 23 from London
  • Ollie Williams, 23 from Cornwall

Who will be hosting Winter Love Island?

Even though Caroline Flack has been the familiar face for the past five years for this popular show, she has stepped down this year as she was charged for assaulting her boyfriend Lewis Burton. 

And it has finally been announced that Laura Whitmore will be replacing Caroline as the host of this hit TV series. For those of you who haven't heard of her before, Whitmore is an Irish broadcaster and actress. 

Fans can rest assured that this will be the only big change occurring, you can still expect to see comedian Iain Stirling  cracking jokes and voicing over the series.

Who were the winners of Love Island 2019?

Amber Gill and Greg O'Shea, and although they have now parted ways - it's safe to say they were everyone's favourite couple for a while. Amber entered the villa on day one and although she had a bit of a tough time, she definitely rose above as she was crowned the winner - and Greg entered the villa on day 43.

What do the winners of Winter Love Island UK get?

Apart from finding their soul mates of course, they also get a whopping £50,000 which they can choose to split with their partner or keep to themselves. And of course, they get to be crowned as that year's winners inevitably going down into the Love Island hall of fame.

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Panasonic TV 2020: all the OLED and LCD televisions on their way this year

Posted: 10 Jan 2020 11:32 AM PST

The Panasonic TV lineup for 2020 may be slim on announcements so far, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t reason to be excited about what's to come from the Japanese tech company this year. 

We've just finished our CES 2020 coverage, and as ever with the big annual tech expo, all of the best TV brands from around the world used it to launch their new television lineups for the year ahead, including Panasonic.

We may have only had a glimpse of Panasonic’s flagship TV set, the Panasonic HZ2000 OLED, so far. But we expect more models, tech and announcements over the next twelve months.

When it comes to televisions, Panasonic has been going from strength to strength, with brilliantly broad HDR support, a host of top-notch OLED panels, and sets like the GX800 that nail that mid-range price point.

But enough about the past. Which Panasonic TVs are on the way in 2020? Let's take a look at what we know is coming soon, with a nod to our early reviews of the latest TV models from Panasonic.

We’ll continue to update this post as new models are announced and new TV tech is revealed, so be sure to keep checking back.

New Panasonic TVs for 2020

The Panasonic HZ2000 OLED is the TV maker’s flagship device for 2020.

This model was announced at CES 2020 and is available in 55-inch and 65-inch sizes. It's the successor to last year’s GZ2000, a TV that we gave a full five stars in our review. 

The newest model features a custom-made OLED panel and broad HDR support, with a few enhancements that could again make this one of the best TVs of the year.

The HZ2000 will make use of the same HCX Pro Intelligent processor as Panasonic’s 2019 OLED lineup, though with a few tweaks to HDR functionality – including Filmmaker Mode.

We first heard news of Filmmaker Mode in late 2019. It promises to display movies ‘as intended’ by their directors and creators. This sounds good, but often these attempts at color control make for flat viewing experiences, because they don’t allow home televisions to necessarily play to their strengths. We'll have to wait and see if Filmmaker Mode is any different in this regard.

Panasonic HZ2000

Our first hands-on look at the Panasonic HZ2000 OLED TV.

The HZ2000 will be one of the world’s first TV to feature Dolby Vision IQ. This tech uses 'external sensors' to calibrate pictures on the screen so they look their best regardless of the lighting in your room. This means that details are visible even in dark conditions. 

This is exciting because OLED TVs have a reputation for dim outputs, so an additional brightness control could be what the HZ2000 needs to win the naysayers over. 

This was certainly our experience when we had some time with the TV at CES 2020. Check out our hands on Panasonic HZ2000 OLED review to find out what we thought of the new Pansonic TV from the show floor. Spoiler alert: we loved it.

Expect a more in-depth review of the Pansonic HZ2000 OLED TV later this year when we’ve had chance to put it through its paces.

Read our early hands on review here: Panasonic HZ2000 OLED review

Panasonic TV technology 2020

As well as the new TV models launching in 2020, we expect there will be a number of TV tech announcements and added features from Panasonic that are either coming soon or set to be added to multiple devices in the new line-up. 

The first Dolby Vision IQ, which we already know is inside Panasonic's flagship 2020 TV: the Panasonic HZ2000 OLED TV. 

Designed to make shows and movies look great in any room at any time of the day, the new feature was announced at CES 2020 alongside the new Panasonic HZ2000 OLED and LG Gallery Series OLED, two of the first TVs to use the new technology.

It works by using the dynamic metadata encoded in Dolby Vision content along with an embedded light sensor in the TV. This information is then used to change the picture settings and display a more accurate picture.

What that means is that Dolby Vision IQ can tell that you’re watching TV in a brightly lit room where lots of dark details are getting lost. To compensate, the TV will be able to boost the brightness automatically without you having to go into the picture settings and do it yourself.

Panasonic HZ2000 OLED TV

The next new technology worth mentioning is Filmmaker Mode, which we first heard about in late 2019. 

This promises to display movies as those who created them want you to see it. The thinking is that recreating works of cinema accurately can be difficult, even for high-end smart TVs. 

This is because there's a lot of the variance in panel technologies, processing techniques, and lighting arrays. No two TV models can really show exactly the same image, and the default settings on many 4K TVs will often change or distort the picture that a film's director or colorist will have seen in the production studio.

That's where Filmmaker Mode comes in. It will attempt to correct some of the more drastic picture setting alterations, preventing excessively high contrast settings, and removing motion smoothing – which is a processing technology designed to 'smooth out' fast-moving scenes, like action sequences or car chases.

There's a similar Netflix Calibrated Mode, which has already been rolled out to some Sony Bravia models and some of Panasonic's 2019 line-up as standard. 

You'd already expect to be getting a good picture on a brand new OLED TV, but the mode offers another way to play around with your settings to get an image you're happy with. It's also likely to please those who want the most faithful recreation of their favorite Netflix shows and Netflix movies.

Panasonic TV 2019 range: what came out last year?

Let's take a look at which Panasonic TV models the Japanese brand brought out last year, from its high-end OLEDs and a 75-inch 4K HDR LED to some more affordable offerings.

Panasonic TH-65GZ2000

Panasonic OLED TVs 2019:

GZ2000 OLED (available in 55, 65 inches): The first TV announcement of 2019, the GZ2000 is Panasonic's top-range 4K OLED, building on tech from last year's FZ800/FZ950 sets and new HCX Pro chip. It features color tuning from a leading Hollywood colorist for "unparalleled color accuracy", along with a whole load of video and audio formats supported – and upward-firing speakers tuned by Technics. Scheduled for release in July.

GZ1500 OLED (available in 55, 65 inches): Second in line for the OLED throne. Unlike the GZ2000’s custom panel, this set gets a standard-issue OLED display also found in the GZ1000 and GZ950, and front-firing Dolby Atmos speakers for some high-quality audio.

GZ1000 / GZ950 OLED (available in 55, 65 inches): Same panel as above, with 50W speakers built into the rear instead of facing the viewer - and likely to be cheaper because of it. The GZ950 and GZ1000 models differ only in the stands, with the former featuring a cylindrical pole and the latter using an L-shaped support.


Panasonic 4K HDR TVs 2019:

GX920 / GX940 4K HDR LED (available in 75 inches): The only LED set packing in the new HCX Pro processor, and available only in 75 inches for those after a truly big picture. The single size might seem limiting, but Panasonic is expecting most people after a premium TV to make the move to OLED. GX920 in the UK, GX940 in the EU and Canada.

GX800 LED (available in 40, 50, 59, 65 inches): The next set down sticks with the HCX chip used in last year’s OLED range, and offers a wide range of sizes. Comes with all the same Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, HLG and HDR support as higher models, even at its smallest 40-inch size.

GX700 LED (available in 40, 50, 58, 65 inches): A 4K HDR television without the bells and whistles – meaning you won’t get support for Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, the likes of Alexa and Google Assistant, or the more advanced Home Screen 4.0 smart interface. Expect a sharp price drop from the GX800.

GX560 LED (available in 65 inches): One of the more basic smart TVs on the lineup, though you still get access to Freeview Play and other streaming catchup services.

GX550 LED (available in 43, 49, 55 inches): Same kind of 4K entry point as above.

Panasonic Full HD TVs 2019:

GS352 LED (available in 32, 43 inches): Don’t need or want 4K Ultra HD resolution? Panasonic is also releasing a couple of 1080p Smart TVs at more compact, practical sizes. Expect support for HDR10, HLG, and not much else.

G302 LED (available in 24, 32, 43 inches): The only ‘dumb’ TV on the list, the G302 is an HD set without internet connectivity, and therefore comes with Freeview HD for TV viewing rather than the online catch-up service Freeview Play.

Everything you need to know about the best TVs of 2020:

Best TV 2020: the 8 best flatscreen televisions from the past year

Best Smart TV 2020: every smart TV platform and which set does it best

Best 65-inch 4K TVs 2020: the best big screen TVs for any budget

TV stands: finding the best TV stand to suit your living room cinema needs

LG unveils fleet of 8K televisions in bold lineup for 2020

  • Check out all of TechRadar's CES 2020 coverage. We'll be live in Las Vegas to bring you all the breaking tech news and launches, plus hands-on reviews of everything from 8K TVs and foldable displays to new phones, laptops and smart home gadgets. 

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Microsoft Walkie Talkie means you'll never miss a message again

Posted: 10 Jan 2020 10:37 AM PST

Microsoft has announced that it is adding a new walkie-talkie feature to Microsoft Teams to help secure the communications of firstline workers.

The new feature will be available in preview in the coming months and it will turn smartphones or tablets into a walkie-talkie that can work over either a cellular or wireless connection.

Walkie talkie functionality appears to be quite a sought after feature which is why Microsoft has decided to embed it at the center of the navigation bar inside Teams.

Firstline workers

Microsoft Teams' new walkie-talkie feature was designed with firstline workers, who face customers and run businesses' day-to-day operations, in mind.

In a blog post, corporate vice president of modern workplace verticals at Microsoft, Emma Williams explained how Microsoft Teams' latest feature is more secure than traditional walkie-talkies, saying:

“This functionality, built natively into Teams, reduces the number of devices employees must carry, and lowers costs for IT. Unlike analog devices with unsecure networks, customers no longer have to worry about crosstalk or eavesdropping from outsiders. And since Walkie Talkie functions over Wi-Fi or cellular data, this capability can be used across geographic locations.”

Microsoft will use push-to-talk for Teams' walkie-talkie feature and the software giant promises that it will deliver clear and instant communication over the cloud.

Via The Verge

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The Mandalorian season 2: release date, Baby Yoda's homeworld and what we know

Posted: 10 Jan 2020 09:47 AM PST

Even though Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker has generated as much heated discussion as The Last Jedi did, Star Wars fans have certainly united in appreciating the Disney Plus TV show The Mandalorian – and it's not all because of the adorable Force child Baby Yoda.

The Mandalorian season 2 is eagerly anticipated, and set to return to the lawless Western-themed worlds of the show's brilliant first year, but with extra intrigue. 

These are the big questions that need to be answered in season 2. How will the eponymous bounty hunter, Din Djaren, carry out his mission to locate Baby Yoda's home and people? What is the mysterious “Darksaber“ brandished by Imperial officer Moff Gideon in the season 1 finale? And what Skywalker Saga characters might The Mandalorian be running into?

Ahead of its return in fall 2020, we ask all the important questions about The Mandalorian season 2 release date, story, Baby Yoda's potential homeworld and more...

The Mandalorian season 2 release date: coming fall 2020

The Mandalorian season 2 was always inevitable – indeed, showrunner Jon Favreau announced that production had begun when when a single season 1 episode had aired.



Favreau revealed a little more on Friday December 27, via a tweet confirming that the new season is coming in Fall 2020. The Mandalorian season 1 debuted on November 12, 2019, so don’t be surprised if there’s a similar date for season 2.

The Mandalorian season 2 will be about the search for Baby Yoda's home (and we might found out his name)

One of George Lucas’s big rules in Star Wars storytelling was that the identity of veteran Jedi master Yoda’s species and planet were to be kept under wraps. It looks like that particular prime directive may have been discarded by Disney now it owns the Lucasfilm empire, however, as all the signs suggest The Mandalorian season 2 will focus on the search for “the Child” – aka Baby Yoda’s – home. 

During the season 1 finale, the Mandalorian Armorer on Nevarro tells the Mandalorian (real name Din Djaren) that because Baby Yoda is a foundling (and therefore probably not, as previously speculated, a clone), “By creed it it is in your care.” She then adds that, “You have no choice, you must reunite it with its own kind.”

Unfortunately for Mando, however, the Armorer didn’t have any information on where he might find them: “This you must determine,” she teases.

But as ever in Star Wars, there’s a degree of ambiguity here – and the identity of who the Mandalorian is actually looking for may come down to your own point of view.

Perhaps Mando is, as it seems at first glance, looking for the homeworld of Yoda’s species. Or maybe he’s simply looking for Jedi who survived the Emperor’s Order 66 purge in Revenge of the Sith, some three decades earlier. 

Why the confusion? In the Outer Rim worlds that provide the setting for The Mandalorian, the Force exploits of the Jedi are just myth – indeed, the Mandalorian simply says of Baby Yoda’s Force abilities that “it can move objects with its mind”. 

“I know of such things,” the Armorer reveals. “The songs of aeons past tell of battles between Mandalore the Great and an order of sorcerers called Jedi that fought with such powers.” Crucially, when Mando asks if Baby Yoda is an enemy, the Armorer states: “Its kind were enemies but this individual is not.”

So seeing as Mandalore’s battles were with the Jedi, rather than specifically with Yoda’s species, this implies that Mando’s new bounty may actually be the Jedi...

Or maybe the Mandalorian will settle for simply finding out Baby Yoda's name. Apparently he has one, and Disney CEO Bob Iger told The Star Wars Show that he knows what it is – not that he's giving anything away. 

The Baby Yoda name mystery deepened, when it was revealed that Chapter 8 director and IG-11 voice Taika Waititi also knows the creature's real name. Waititi elaborated on Twitter in typically amusing fashion:

The Mandalorian season 2: the Darksaber explained

Above: clips from The Clone Wars featuring the Darksaber.

When Moff Gideon (Giancarlo Esposito) cuts himself out of his stricken TIE Fighter at the end of The Mandalorian season 1 finale, he uses a blade that sounds much like a lightsaber, but looks rather different to the weapons we’re used to seeing in the hands of Jedi and Sith. More sword-like in shape, with a black blade surrounded by a bright glow, it should, however, be familiar to viewers of Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels. Because unless we’re very much mistaken, this looks like the legendary Darksaber.

This unique weapon is a key part of Star Wars – and particularly Mandalorian – lore. Originally created by Tarre Vizsla, the first Mandalorian warrior to join the Jedi order, it became a symbol of power on the planet of Mandalore. At the conclusion of Star Wars Rebels (set two years before the events of Star Wars: A New Hope) it ended up in the hands of Bo-Katan Kryze, who was deemed the rightful heir to the Mandalorian leadership.

But how did such an important weapon end up in Moff Gideon’s hands? We do know that at some point between the end of Rebels and Return of the Jedi, the Empire carried out the so-called “Great Purge”, all but wiping out the Mandalorians. We also know that Gideon was an officer in the Imperial Security Bureau (ISB) during the Purge, so could have obtained the Darksaber from Bo-Katan at that time. (If that does turn out to be the case, it’ll be intriguing to find out if Bo-Katan survived – she was played by Battlestar Galactica’s Katee Sackhoff in both The Clone Wars and Rebels, so this could be a chance to get a fan-favorite actor into the show.)

Alternatively, the Darksaber could have been in the possession of the Mandalorian “Tribe” living underground on Nevarro throughout The Mandalorian season 1 –Gideon may simply have obtained it when his Imperial remnant wiped out most of the Mandalorians in hiding. This seems less likely, however – surely the surviving Armorer would have protected such an important weapon with her life.

The Mandalorian season 2: Original Trilogy characters rumored

According to Deadline, “Insiders have hinted that several established characters from the Skywalker saga’s feature films mythology will make appearances during the show’s sophomore season.” Jon Favreau’s release date tweet above showed a picture of a Gamorrean, one of the so-called Pig Guards from Jabba’s Palace in Return of the Jedi, but we suspect that – if this insider's rumors are accurate – they’re referring to someone who’s a significantly bigger deal in the saga than that.

While Jabba the Hutt, Darth Vader and the Emperor are dead (or so the galaxy believes…) and Luke Skywalker is unlikely to crop up away from the saga that bears his name, there are plenty of big names in the Star Wars universe who’ll be operating around the time of The Mandalorian, set five years after the destruction of the second Death Star in Return of the Jedi. Original trilogy survivors Han Solo, Princess Leia, Chewbacca, Lando Calrissian, C-3PO, R2-D2, and even Rebel legends Wedge Antilles, Admiral Ackbar and Nien Nunb could all cross paths with the Mandalorian and Baby Yoda. 

But we’d be much more interested to see General Hux’s dad, Brendol – a former Imperial officer who was instrumental in the formation of the First Order – or even (SPOILER ALERT) Rey’s parents. Now that we know they lived in hiding – pretending to be “nobody” before giving Rey away – any new glimpses at their backstory could enhance what we learned in The Rise of Skywalker.

Perhaps most likely, however, is the reappearance of various bounty hunters hired by Darth Vader to capture the Millennium Falcon in The Empire Strikes Back. IG-88, Zuckuss, Dengar, Bossk and 4-LOM are still theoretically looking for work in the time of The Mandalorian season 2, and definitely operate in the same hives of scum and villainy as our friendly neighborhood Mando. 

Maybe we’ll even see a return for the legendary Boba Fett… Yes, he was last seen being swallowed by the Sarlacc in Return of the Jedi, but the bounty hunter did manage to escape 1000 years of digestion in the old Expanded Universe “Legends” stories, a plot that could be ported over into official canon. And there’s also been plenty of speculation online that the mysterious figure on Tatooine who finds the body of the deceased Fennec Shand in Chapter 5, “The Gunslinger”, may be Fett himself – the jangling spurs might just be a clue...

And even if the owner of the spurs isn't Fett, one particularly interesting theory suggested on Inverse suggests it could be a member of the family – Ailyn Vel, his daughter in the Legends stories. Could this be the identity of this mysterious Funko Pop! Vinyl figure? 

The Mandalorian is some of the best Star Wars in years

We can't wait for a second season of The Mandalorian. A couple of less thrilling episodes towards the middle of season one aside, the simple storytelling and stylish imagery of this show made it a satisfying glimpse at a different side of the Star Wars universe. Creator Jon Favreau has plenty on the table to pay off in season 2. 

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The best Xbox One, PS4 and PC games of 2019 are even cheaper thanks to these fantastic game deals

Posted: 10 Jan 2020 09:42 AM PST

Not only are we looking for the best PS4, Xbox One and PC games of 2019, but we're also hunting down the best prices on each so you can bag some cheap games deals on last year's best sellers. If you've recently picked up a cheap console, or you're simply feeling the holiday spend a little this month, you'll want to find some cheap games to tide you over until 2020's major releases begin. Lucky for you, we've been searching high and low for the best game sales around, bringing you discounts on all your favourite PS4 and Xbox One releases plus cheap PC games to boot. 

With the console generation coming to an end, the savings are already pouring in to satsify those late adopters with a flurry of amazing titles sitting at great prices this week. Cheap Xbox One games and often cheaper PS4 games are hitting storefronts across the US and UK, where you can find excellent deals on some of 2019's best titles. We've found cheap game deals on Sekiro Shadows Die Twice, Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order and The Outer Worlds among others. 

Whatever flavor you're after, we've found PC, PS4 and Xbox One games deals on some of the best games of 2019 so you can rest assured you're picking up quality at a great price this week. 

A note about CDKeys

A few of the cheap games deals below feature excellent price from CDKeys, a retailer specialising in digital game codes. If you're unsure about using CDKeys, rest assured that the process is simple and the retailer holds a four and a half star Trust Pilot rating. Simply purchase the game of your choice through PayPal and you'll receive an email with a code to redeem on your PC and console, after which your game will begin to download. 

If you're yet to pick up the console of your choice, you might want to check out our best Xbox One deals or our top PS4 bundles roundups for the lowest prices around. Or, if you're after something a bit more portable, why not check out the best Nintendo Switch deals we've found this week. 

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Phones from US government came packed with Chinese malware

Posted: 10 Jan 2020 09:31 AM PST

Smartphones provided to low-income families through a US government scheme come preloaded with Chinese malware according to new research from Malwarebytes.

The security firm received several complaints from users that the pre-installed apps on their phones were malicious, so Malwarebytes purchased the Android-based phone in question, the UMX U686CL, and was able to verify these claims. The smartphone is sold by Assurance Wireless which is owned by Virgin Mobile USA.

Upon further investigation, Malwarebytes found that one of the pre-installed apps, which appears and operates as a wireless update program, has the ability to automatically install more apps without user content.

The app appears to be a variant of a malware previously traced to China called Adups which sends text, call-location and app data back to a Chinese server every 72 hours. Back in 2016, Kryptowire discovered that over 700m Android smartphones had Adups installed and a report by the company's Ryan Johnson ended up leading to investigations from both Google and the Department of Homeland Security.

Pre-installed malicious apps

In addition to a variant of Adups, Malwarebytes also found a second malicious app on the UMX U686CL that contained code written in Chinese characters. 

Unfortunately for users that acquired one of these smartphones through the Lifeline Assistance program which has offered phones to low-income Americans since 1985, neither of the malicious apps can be removed from the device.

In a blog post, senior intelligence analyst at Malwarebytes, Nathan Collier explained that other budget Android phones could also be at risk from pre-installed malware, saying:

“It’s important to realize that UMX isn’t alone. There are many reports of budget manufactures coming pre-installed with malware, and these reports are increasing in number. Although I don’t have the answer to this widespread issue, I can say that US citizens using the Lifeline Assistance Program and many others on a tight budget deserve more.”

Via The BBC

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Beats headphone sale: the Powerbeats 3 hit lowest price ever at Amazon

Posted: 10 Jan 2020 09:28 AM PST

If you're looking to snag a deal on a pair of high-quality headphones, then you're in luck. Amazon is discounting some of Beat's most popular headphones, which include the PowerBeats 3 that are down to a record low price of $79.99. Amazon also has the Powerbeats Pro on sale for $199.95 and the Beats Solo 3 on sale for $199.99.

The Powerbeats 3 deliver a powerful sound with deep bass and clear, dynamic sound. Built for athletes, the wireless earbuds are sweat and water-resistant and feature multiple ear tips for a personalized and comfortable fit. The earbuds provide an impressive 12 hours of battery life and feature an inline remote, which allows you to adjust the volume, skip tracks, and take calls without reaching for your phone.

Shop more of Amazon's best Beats headphone deals below, which include the PowerBeats Pro and the Beats Solo 3 headphones. We don't know how long Amazon will have the headphones on sale, so you should take advantage now before it's too late.

Beats headphone deals:

See more headphone deals with the best cheap wireless headphone deals and sales that are currently available.

You can also shop more Beats deals with the cheapest Beats headphone prices, sales, and deals.

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Carphone Warehouse is giving away £50 gift cards with Google Pixel 4 and 4 XL deals now

Posted: 10 Jan 2020 09:13 AM PST

It's one of the best camera phones to date, Google's top handset and a serious contender for your next mobile phone deal. Need any more reason to buy this phone? How about a £50 gift card?

Right now, when you buy any Google Pixel 4 deals or (or bigger brother Pixel 4 XL) from Carphone Warehouse, the retailer will go ahead and throw in a £50 gift card to your choice of Tesco, Ticketmaster, or Currys.

Considering Carphone Warehouse already has some pretty attractive pricing on the Google Pixel 4, this is just the cherry on top, kicking it up to be one of the best promotions on Google's latest.

However, if you're not all that fussed about the reward card and just want the lowest price around for the Pixel 4, Mobiles.co.uk currently has that title. Offering the phone on EE for just £23 a month and £65 upfront (with our code 10OFF).

Ready to see Carphone's best Google Pixel 4 deals and secure your gift card? Scroll down to find out more about claiming it. You need to head to this link and pop in your email before you buy the phone so make sure you do that before looking at tariffs. 

The Google Pixel 4 offers a number of innovative features and major upgrades. It's the first phone to fully implement motion sense features, allowing you to use the phone with gestures.

The processor has gotten a major upgrade, finally bringing the Pixel range up to competitive standards of RAM, and the OLED screen has seen major improvements, now capable of 90HZ refresh rates and offering ambient EQ technology that lets you adjust the screen to your environment.

Read our full Google Pixel 4 review and Pixel 4 XL review

Read more:

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How to get a NFL live stream: watch every 2020 Playoffs game online from anywhere

Posted: 10 Jan 2020 08:55 AM PST

The 100th season of the NFL has had a suitably memorable start to the 2020 post season. And, to make sure that you don't miss any more of the playoffs action, we're here to tell you how you can get an NFL live stream of the remaining matches leading up to the Super Bowl.

Four teams were eliminated in the WIld Card match-ups, with the Ravens and 49ers taking in the best records to the divisional round of the playoffs from the AFC and NFC respectively.

What we already know is that this year's NFL season marks the first time in four years where the New England Patriots will not be in the final championship. Next on the NFL schedule is the NFL divisional round that kicks off on Saturday, January 11 with a mouth-watering 49ers vs Vikings showdown. The Tennessee Titans - the Patriots' vanquishers - travel to the Baltimore Ravens and there's the Texans vs the Chiefs. The weekend ends with a tantalising Seahawks vs Packers tie.

Ready for what could just be an epic divisional round?  Keep reading to find out the best ways to stream NFL live on all your devices with information on the NFL Game Pass, International Game Pass (well worth finding out about) and network television included.

How to get a Playoffs NFL live stream online with Game Pass

Watching NFL online has never been easier thanks to the wide variety of streaming services now available. However, the league also has its own streaming service called the NFL Game Pass which allows die-hard football fans to watch every game. Just like other modern streaming services, there are also Game Pass apps for Android and iOS mobile devices as well as on the likes of Chromecast, Apple TV, Roku, and PS4.

The $39.99 service allows you to watch replays of games that have already aired on television as well as the live games. It's a very comprehensive plan which includes the 2020 NFL Draft live and 40 mins of game highlights.

If you don't need replays or 40 mins worth of highlights, you could always get the NFL Games Playoffs Pass which allows you to stream all Playoff games live. However this only gives you 50 days access and comes at a cost of $38.99, so we'd recommend spending the extra $1 and purchasing the annual pass instead. 

Live stream NFL Playoffs outside the country

If you've mismatched a holiday or you're away on business and you want to watch your country's coverage from outside your country, then you'll need to use a VPN. This will help you dial in to a location back in your home country to avoid geo-blocks.

A VPN is perfect for this as it allows you to change your IP address so you appear to be in a completely different location. We’ve tested hundreds of VPNs and can recommend ExpresVPN the very best VPN currently available.

NFL Schedule - remaining 2020 fixtures 

Saturday, January 11 – Divisional Round

Vikings vs 49ers (4.35pm ET) NBC

Titans vs Ravens (8:15pm ET) CBS

Sunday, January 12 – Divisional Round

Texans vs Chiefs (3.05pm ET) CBS 

Seahawks vs Packers (6.40pm ET) FOX

Sunday, January 19 - Conference Championships

TBD vs TBD (3.05pm ET) CBS

TBD vs TBD (6.40pm ET) FOX 

Sunday, February 2 - Super Bowl

TBD vs TBD (6.30pm ET) FOX

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How to watch the NFL Playoffs on TV in the US

Even without an expensive cable TV subscription, you’ll still be able to catch the Playoff action live in the US. With an indoor TV antenna you’ll be able to watch all Playoff games on NBC, CBS and FOX (check out the schedule above to find out which cable channel you can watch each game).

Now if you're looking for the cheapest way to watch these nail-biting Playoff games, you could alternatively subscribe to Yahoo as it's FREE. If you don't mind watching it on your tablet or phone - simply download the app and live stream NFL for free!

We have also compiled for you below a full list of other TV streaming service options where you can live stream the NFL Playoff:

  • Sling TV $30 per month - Sling TV lets you choose from either its Sling Orange or Sling Blue packages at $30 per month but you can also combine them both for $45 per month which is what we recommend doing if you want to watch most of the Playoffs. For that price you’ll get access to ESPN, Fox, Fox Sports, NBC and the NFL Network. However, Sling TV does not offer CBS which will mean you won't be able to watch the AFC alongside two Playoff games (Texans vs Chiefs and Titans vs Ravens).
  • Fubo TV $54.99 per month - Fubo TV is a popular sports streaming service that also gives you access to live TV channels. The service includes access to CBS, Fox, NBC and the NFL Network which means you can catch all of the Playoff games.
  • Hulu with Live TV $54.99 per month - Hulu with Live TV gives you access to CBS, Fox, NBC and ESPN but unfortunately the service does not include the NFL Network. However, for $45 per month you can also record live TV with 50 hours of Cloud DVR storage included which could be useful for recording games you don’t have the time to watch live - meaning you never have to miss out on a Playoff game.
  • YouTube TV $50 per month - YouTube TV is only available in select cities but for $50 per month, the service gives you access to CBS, NBC, Fox and ESPN. However, you won’t get access to the NFL Network or Redzone.
  • AT&T TV Now starting at $65 per month - AT&T TV NOW (formerly DirecTV Now) starts at $65 per month for its entry-level package which will give you access to over 45 channels. You may also get access to CBS, Fox and NBC depending on where you live but AT&T does provide a handy tool to see which local channels and regional sports networks are available in your area. And depending on your location you should be able to catch all of the Playoff action! 

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How to get a Playoffs NFL live stream in the UK

American football fans in the UK will be able to watch the NFL Playoff games on Sky Sports with the network showing all of the Playoffs games on three channels including Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Action and Sky Sports Mix and online/on mobile via the Sky Go app.

If you’re already a Sky customer, you can add the complete sports package to your plan for £23 per month or pick specific channels for £18 per month. 

Another option is if you'd prefer to sign up to (or already are) Now TV as it offers daily, weekly and monthly passes that have all 11 Sky Sports channels - meaning you'll be able to live stream the NFL Playoffs. 

Want more options, such as game replays and highlights? Than the Annual Pro NFL Game Pass is your best bet. For £30.99 you can watch all of the Playoff games, the Super Bowl, regular season game highlights, coaches film and much more. 

Not in the UK but still want to catch the action on your Sky Go app or on Game Pass? Then grabbing a VPN will let you log into a UK IP address so you can live stream NFL as if you were at home.

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Watch and live stream the NFL Playoffs in Canada

Canadian NFL fans looking to catch the Playoffs on television can do so by tuning into TSN, CTV and CTV2 as they are the league’s exclusive broadcast partner in Canada.

However, if you’d rather stream NFL games online, then DAZN has you covered. The streaming service will give you access to NFL Game Pass, RedZone, NFL Network and more for $20 a month or $150 per year with support for Apple TV, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Roku, Xbox One and PS4. And if you've never used it before, you can take advantage of its FREE TRIAL, too.

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How to watch the NFL Playoffs in Australia

If you live in Australia and want to watch the NFL Playoffs this season, you have several options to do so. Foxtel will be broadcasting all of the Playoff games, and you can also stream games to your laptop or mobile devices using the Foxtel Go app but you’ll need your Foxtel ID to access the app. 

Just as Foxtel does, Kayo Sports will also show all of the Playoff games and the Super Bowl. The streaming service has a Basic and a Premium plan with the difference being you can watch on two devices with the Basic plan for $25 per month and on three devices with the Premium plan for $35 per month. The best news? Both plans come with a 14-day trial so if you're looking just to watch a specific Playoff game or two (or maybe just the Super Bowl) you can cancel after the 14 days. 

However, for the proper, live-for-it NFL fans, we highly recommend you sign up for an NFL Game Pass as it is also available in Australia, and even though it is marginally more expensive you have a much wider range of features.

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The best VPN for China 2020

Posted: 10 Jan 2020 07:43 AM PST

It's no wonder that VPNs are so popular in China - it doesn't look like 'Great Firewall of China' is getting knocked over any time soon. That's what the aggressive state blocking of certain websites by the China government has become known as. And if you've had to travel to the country in the last few years - either for work or leisure - you'll be well aware of how tight the state keeps its internet.

In fact, online scrutiny seems to be getting tighter and tighter every week. That's why getting the best VPN has become invaluable for residents and visitors to obtain access to restricted online content.

The use of a Virtual Private Network has become a more and more commonly used method for expats and those in academic circles in China to get around the state's very strict policies regarding online content. So if you're looking to access a restricted website then downloading a VPN in China is a solid solution.

Of course the country isn't happy about the use of VPN software, enacting a ban last year - although it remains unclear how (or indeed, whether) users will be punished for using an ‘unauthorized’ software. But many VPN providers are continuing to sell to people within China and we’ve picked out five top-notch efforts for your use.

Best China VPN 2020 - Get 3 months free with an annual plan

ExpressVPN is one of the most popular VPNs in China, and it’s a go-to provider for many because it deftly navigates around the Great Firewall. Express' wide array of server locations is a big plus, with Hong Kong, Taiwan and Japan-based servers being especially relevant in this case.

ExpressVPN offers consistent and reliable performance, with smart dedicated apps for most devices including routers. For any trouble that might occur, there’s round-the-clock live chat and email support available from China (the website is not blocked).

This provider actively monitors its network for China accessibility and ensures that its software stays ahead of the censors’ efforts to block connections. Under the hood, ExpressVPN uses obfuscation protocols and advanced technology to provide the best possible experience for users in China.

There’s no free trial and the pricing isn’t cheap. Still, the 30-day money-back guarantee at least gives you some fall-back, and the year-long plan provides the best value for money. The packages available are:

NordVPN has dedicated an entire team to the pursuit of getting around website blocking in countries like Saudi Arabia, Iran and, yes, China. It actively monitors connectivity and then works to carry out any necessary actions to bypass any new blocks.

It's that kind of commitment to bypassing the Great Firewall that makes Nord such an attractive option. It has obfuscated servers in nearby territories such as Japan and Hong Kong, with its Double VPN feature for further anonymity still available in Taiwan. Those local servers should mean more stability and speed when you're logging in from China.

Live chat support isn't as available as with some other VPNs, but query submissions online are answered pretty quickly. Handy if you run in to any problems. And if you're still a bit unsure about whether NordVPN is right for you, there's a 30-day money-back guarantee.

It's worth noting that NordVPN admitted to a data breach of one of its servers in October 2019. Nothing too major as it turns out, but slightly worrying and we'll be keeping an eye on Nord to see how it does in due course.

The packages available are:

One of the main advantages of VyprVPN is its proprietary Chameleon security protocol which can help bypass VPN blocking, scrambling OpenVPN packet metadata to ensure it’s safe from the tendrils of deep packet inspection. 

VyprVPN is a tier-1 VPN network, which means the outfit owns all of its servers. There are enough of them to ensure good performance (14 are located in Asia), along with solid support for mobile operating systems, and 24/7 live chat for troubleshooting.

The much-praised Chameleon protocol is excluded from the basic plan, which offers three simultaneous connections. On top of that, it is expensive, and there is no refund, but you do have a 30-day money back guarantee. Despite the cost, what’s on offer here could well be worth paying for – your best bet is the annual Premium plan to make sure you get the benefit from Chameleon, and save the most money. The packages available are:

PureVPN - China VPN

PureVPN is a relatively old head in the VPN game, and so it's no surprise to see that it's ahead of the game when it comes to China. It's built up an alarming number of servers over the years (there are 120 servers in Asia, four of them in China), that you can use across five of your or your family's chosen devices.

PureVPN takes the 'VPN for dummies' approach to its user interface, and we're not complaining. Choosing a Purpose option displays a list of tasks you might want to carry out – among them being optimized for China. It takes the pain out of trying to work out how to get connected. It's well worth experimenting with before you set off on your Asian excursion.

And the support options are similarly focused. Pure has a dedicated 'For Users in China' section on its support pages, with reams of tricks, tips and information for getting the best of the VPN while you're there. That said, good supported is essential with Pure - one of its only downsides is the number of user issues we see reported across the web. At the moment, there is a limited 5-year plan which gives you the absolute best savings. The packages available are:

The Hungarian VPN Buffered offers a rather enjoyable experience that’s easy to set up. The provider has a special version of the application that allows the use in China, but it's only available on desktop clients. While there are dedicated clients for mobile devices, they are missing the above mentioned feature, so there might be issues when trying to use the service in China.

There are several servers in Asia which make for reliable and speedy performance, and you get round-the-clock technical support. 

Also handy is the Test Firewall element found in the Windows client. This function allows running a port discovery, which will show all of the available ports on the network a user is connecting through. That certainly helps with getting past the pesky Great Firewall.

Buffered VPN is somewhat expensive, but you do get the 30-day money back guarantee, and the 2-year plan provides the best value. The packages available are:

How to choose the best VPN for China

Dealing with this level of censorship of the net is far from easy, but some VPNs are willing to tackle the problem, having proven methods of maintaining uptime in a difficult online climate. Obviously you need to look for a capable provider in this respect, and pick out a reliable VPN, too.

Choosing one with high quality customer support is also important, for when downtime does rear its ugly head. And obviously the number and range of available servers (particularly those in Asia) will help you obtain a better, faster connection. Tight security and privacy is, as ever, a primary consideration as well.

Note: China’s official ban on VPNs came into effect on March 31 2018, but at the time of writing, we haven’t received notice from any VPN providers acknowledging that their offerings will be affected.

  • Want something without paying? These are the best free VPNs (although they may not work in China)

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Windows 10 to get better at coping with disastrous driver compatibility clashes

Posted: 10 Jan 2020 07:40 AM PST

Windows 10 is getting some attention on the update front, with Microsoft implementing measures that will let hardware makers request that OS updates are blocked if serious driver compatibility issues are discovered.

As you might recall, 2019 was a pretty grim year for Windows 10 updates generally speaking, in terms of the minor cumulative updates issued on a monthly basis causing a hell of a lot of trouble, and a number of driver flaws interfering with the installation of major feature updates.

The latter kind of gremlins included a problem with older Intel Rapid Storage Technology drivers, as well as compatibility issues with Realtek and Qualcomm Bluetooth drivers, AMD RAID drivers, and others besides.

ZDNet spotted that Microsoft has plans to tackle these kind of situations whereby a feature update has compatibility clashes with drivers on a PC. Those plans are made clear in an internal document that has now been published online, and involve allowing hardware partners being able to block updates.

Microsoft says: “If there are known issues for feature update and driver compatibility, partners can request feature update offer block mitigation while a compatible driver update is being validated and posted to WU [Windows Update].”

In other words, hardware makers themselves can instigate a request to block a feature update if they know there is a problem with a driver, while that driver is fixed.

That temporary block on the update requested by a hardware partner can run from between 30 to 60 days, and during that period, Windows Update will not offer the update to any PC that has a known incompatibility.

Once the partner has worked on and provided an updated driver, the block can obviously be lifted.

Compatibility calamities

The idea is for hardware partners to request the block when confronted by a serious compatibility issue that could have major consequences, like crashing the PC, or causing data loss; the sort of scenarios that really need to be guarded against.

Other measures are also being brought in to help ensure that Windows 10 and driver updates are delivered with a ‘predictable cadence’, and that deployment of driver releases won’t happen around major public holidays, for example, when Microsoft staff aren’t around to help deal with any issues that might manifest.

All these efforts should add up to make for a less problematic experience when it comes to new drivers for Windows 10, smoothing the deployment of feature updates in general when it comes to potential incompatibility issues.

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The 4x4 dashboard display on the 2020 Nissan Rogue shows how automation works

Posted: 10 Jan 2020 07:33 AM PST

Being able to see what a car is doing in real time is a goldmine in the age of automation. It’s one thing to know there's intelligent behavior and AI helping us drive, but it’s even more valuable to see how the technology is working and what it’s actually doing.

One example of this is the 4x4 display that appears in the 2020 Nissan Rogue (a sporty crossover). It’s not fancy in terms of innovative technology, but it reveals the magic behind the curtain. As you drive, the vehicle monitors each tire in real-time and can apply more power as needed as the vehicle senses any problems, such as careening on a slick road.

The science of slippage

I tested the AWD tech in the Rogue on a snowy day and drove through a few snowbanks to see how the computer-controlled tire slippage monitors actually work. It’s interesting to see what is actually happening in terms of deploying more power to the front and rear tires as you drive. I haven't seen that in other cars.

It turns out most of the power is always in the front, but during those tests, I watched as the Rogue applied more power to the rear and tried to evenly distribute the power when I would get stuck slightly in the snow.

2020 Nissan Rogue

A word to the wise if you ever try this: I wasn’t testing a huge snowbank or deep snow. AWD vehicles are meant to handle the precarious conditions of normal winter driving, but they are not actual 4x4 vehicles that can power through a huge snow pile with ease. I prefer the AWD tech myself – I mainly want to arrive at my destination and not get stuck or slip on the road.

In one case, I noticed the car started to fishtail slightly, and the rear wheels kicked in a bit more than expected. It was cool to watch this all in real-time because I’ve tested many other AWD cars, including those that use computer-controlled slip detection, and felt the effect as I was driving, but I’ve never seen an interface that showed me what was happening.

Spectator sport

This is the future of driving because we all want to know more about what an AI is doing and how an autonomous car is making adjustments.

These days it may seem like magic, but of course, it is really just algorithms and programming code doing the thinking for us. A developer is always behind the logic when it comes to braking or swerving, but when you experience it in the car, it feels like someone has taken over – someone that seems like a robot.

My sense is that drivers will want to know more and see feedback like the 4x4 display in the Rogue because they won’t be driving as much. They will want to see an interface that shows real-time adjustments, suggestions, and maneuvers as they occur.

The 4x4 mode is a step in the right direction – now we just need even more tools that allow us to monitor what the bots and automations in cars are doing.

2020 Nissan Rogue

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.

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Samsung Galaxy Note 10 vs Galaxy Note 10 Lite: premium or affordable stylus phone?

Posted: 10 Jan 2020 07:30 AM PST

At CES 2020 in January, Samsung launched the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Lite, an ‘affordable’ version of the original Galaxy Note 10, almost exactly six months after the first phone.

The new budget Galaxy Note phone is now your most accessible way to get a new smartphone with an S Pen stylus, with a price tag that will likely undercut its higher-end siblings and possibly even older Notes – and there are enough cool features to make it a viable alternative to those too.

So what’s the difference between the original Samsung Galaxy Note 10 and the newer, cheaper Galaxy Note 10 Lite? We’ll run you through the details.

It’s worth pointing out though that the phone isn’t actually out yet at the time of writing, and there are a few things about it we don’t know – but we’ve tested it briefly so have a good idea as to its features and performance.

Samsung Galaxy Note 10 vs Galaxy Note 10 Lite price

Samsung Galaxy Note 10

The pricier of the two phones is the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 (as the names imply), which came out for $949 / £869 / AU$1,499. That will bag you 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage space – unlike many Samsung smartphones there’s only one storage option. 

Due to sales and discounts since the Note 10’s August 2019 release date, its price has dropped a little bit, but not by a huge amount, and it’s still one of the priciest phones available right now.

We don’t actually know the price of the Galaxy Note 10 Lite, but we’re expecting it to be relatively cheap – it could even be half the price of the original Note 10, if one rumor is to be believed, but it will certainly come out at a lower price than the original.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Lite does have less storage space and RAM (depending on region) though, as we'll get in to.

Design and display

It may surprise you to know that the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Lite is actually bigger than the non-Lite version, with dimensions of 163.7 x 76.1 x 8.7mm compared to the 151 x 71.8 x 7.9mm of the Note 10. The newer device weighs 199g, so it's noticeably heavier than the Note 10’s 168g, making the ‘Lite’ name a little ironic.

Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Lite

Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Lite

Neither of the devices has a 3.5mm headphone jack, so if you’ve got wired headphones a Note is not for you, but both have the standard USB-C port. They’ve also both got an S Pen stylus; a guarantee since they're Galaxy Note devices.

One design difference between the two is that while both have the cameras nestled in the top left corner, the Note 10 has them in a vertical row while the Note 10 Lite has them housed in a square camera block. It’s not a huge difference in the grand scheme of things, but it’s an easy way to tell the devices apart.

The other main difference between the two handsets is the screen, as while the budget device has a 6.7-inch Super AMOLED display, the standard Note 10 has a 6.3-inch Dynamic AMOLED screen. The latter device also has a screen that’s rounded at the edges, which is a decidedly premium feature that the Note 10 Lite doesn’t have.

The resolution on the Note 10 Lite is a touch higher than in the Note 10 at 1080 x 2400 compared to the Note 10's 1080 x 2280, but because of its much bigger size, the pixel density is actually higher on the Note 10.

The difference is definitely marginal, though, with the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 coming in at 401 pixels per inch, while the Note 10 Lite has 394.

Samsung Galaxy Note 10

Finally, both devices have a punch-hole cut-out that houses the front-facing camera in the top center of the screen, so that's one thing the handsets have in common.

Camera

In terms of raw specs, the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Lite's camera is a lot like the original Note 10’s: there’s a 12MP main and 12MP telephoto camera on both, joined by an ultra-wide lens with a 12MP sensor on the Note 10 Lite and a 16MP sensor on the base Note 10.

Sure, there are some differences between the sensors, mainly in the aperture (the main camera on the Note 10 has a variable aperture, a feature the Note 10 Lite is missing). But there’s not as big a difference in camera specs as, say, the Galaxy S10 compared to the Galaxy S10 Lite.

Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Lite

Galaxy Note 10 Lite (L) compared to Galaxy S10 5G (R) in terms of selfie cameras.

We haven’t tested the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Lite’s camera in detail, but we’d imagine it takes pictures of almost as high quality as the Note 10. Lots of the burden of capturing a great picture is on software, after all, and both devices have the same Samsung post-processing software.

On the front of the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Lite there's a 32MP camera, which is much more high-res than the 10MP selfie camera on the Galaxy Note 10, but because of differences in the pixel size, we’d actually imagine the Note 10 would take better pictures in low-light settings, as it would pick up more light.

Battery life

The 3,500mAh battery in the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 is fine, but nothing special, and while we found it lasted us for a day of normal use, with heavy use it ran dry before the day was up.

We’d expect the 4,500mAh power pack in the Galaxy Note 10 Lite to last a lot longer, despite the phone’s bigger screen, and so it’s likely if you want to use your phone for a whole day of heavy use, this is probably the device for you.

Samsung Galaxy Note 10

With regards to charging, we don’t actually know the Galaxy Note 10 Lite’s powering speed, but the standard Note 10 has 25W wired charging. We’re expecting the Galaxy S10 Lite to have 15W fast charging, so it’s possible the Note 10 Lite will have the same.

We’re not expecting the Galaxy Note 10 Lite to have wireless charging, but the original device has it at 12W. There’s also Wireless PowerShare available on the Note 10, which turns the device into a 9W wireless charger. This is lacking on the Lite.

So whether you’re a fan of wired or wireless charging, it’s likely the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 is a better device in terms of getting juice into your phone - but you may need to juice it up more often.

Features and specs

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 has either a Snapdragon 855 or Exynos 9825 chipset, depending on region. These are both high-end chipsets from 2018.

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Lite doesn't impress quite so much here though, as it has an Exynos 9810. That's the chipset you'll find in the much older Samsung Galaxy Note 9.

So if you’re looking for top-end processing power, the pricier device is among the best Samsung options (well, until the Samsung Galaxy S11 comes out with its expected Snapdragon 865).

There’s more RAM in the standard Note 10 too, at least in certain regions. That device has 8GB of RAM, but the Note 10 Lite has 6GB or 8GB depending on where you live in the world (although we’re not exactly sure which regions will get which version yet).

There's also more storage in the standard Samsung Galaxy Note 10, as it comes with 256GB, while the Note 10 Lite has 128GB, though the Lite model also has a microSD card slot, which the standard Note 10 doesn't.

Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Lite

Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Lite

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 comes with Android 9, whereas the Lite has the newer Android 10 installed. That’s not a huge difference, as it’s pretty easy to upgrade the old model, but it will take a little time too.

General use will be similar on the devices though thanks to both handsets running Samsung’s One UI overlay over Android, with a pale aesthetic style, and icons with rounded edges. Some people may like this design, while some will prefer UI overlays from other companies.

Takeaway

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 has slightly better cameras, more power, a higher pixel density and a premium-looking curved screen. It’s a slightly higher-end device in general, so if you’ve got a high budget, perhaps it’s the phone for you.

Saying that, the Galaxy Note 10 Lite likely has a much lower price point, and there aren’t many huge differences between the two phones. So if you’re on a budget, or just don’t want to spend all your money on a top-end flagship when you don’t need to, it could be a preferable handset.

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