Apple : Pokémon Go updates: all the news and rumors for what's coming next |
- Pokémon Go updates: all the news and rumors for what's coming next
- 6 great features of Wi-Fi 6 enabled by Intel Ice Lake
- The best iPhone 7 cases
- The Fast and Furious 9 trailer is here, featuring John Cena as Dominic Toretto's brother
- Apex Legends Season 4: latest update news, tips, patch notes and more
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- The best VR headset 2020: which headset offers the best virtual reality experience?
- The best Super Bowl TV sales 2020: last-minute deals from Best Buy, Walmart, and more
- The Mandalorian season 2: release date, Baby Yoda's homeworld and what we know
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- The best cheap Chromebook prices and deals in February 2020
- The cheapest Xbox One controller deals and prices in February 2020
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- Buy Windows 10: the cheapest prices in February 2020
- The cheapest Nintendo Wii U prices, sales deals in February 2020
| Pokémon Go updates: all the news and rumors for what's coming next Posted: 31 Jan 2020 02:20 PM PST Pokémon Go: the world's first augmented reality app to become a household name. Niantic's mobile AR game is still going strong two years after it first released, with a constant drip of events and updates keeping budding trainers glued to their phones and pounding the streets. And while it hasn't managed to top the peak of its popularity in 2016, it's still going strong and finding plenty of new ways to improve its player experience. So what's the latest news for Pokémon Go? As you'd expect, brand new features are being added all the time and community events are still going strong. Plus we have some more themed events and brand new Gen 5 Pokémon to catch! But without further ado, here's our guide to all the latest Pokémon Go news and updates.
Pokémon Go news and Pokémon Go updates
Pokémon Go Battle League Niantic has started rolling out the long-awaited Pokémon Go Battle League to trainers. At the moment, the League is in Preseason, the time before competitive play really begins. Niantic is using this as a kind of testing period in which they can "optimize and balance" the new feature as well as decide on things like season lengths and ranks. Trainer Battles within the GO Battle League will rotate between three leagues and players will be able to rank against fellow Trainers, earning rewards for ranking. For preseason, the GO Battle League is beginning with the Great League, which will be followed by the Ultra League then the Master League. Even though preseason isn't competitive, players can still rank but it will be partially reset when Season 1 properly starts. Rewards for battling and winning can also be earned during preseason. Entering the Battle League isn't possible until a player has walked 5km (although in preseason this requirement is waived). They'll then unlock five online matches up to three times a day by doing this. Players can earn Stardust depending on rank and number of battles won as well as items like Rare Candies and TMS as well as the chance to get exclusive Pokémon encounters. Other rewards will include Pikachu Libre and exclusive avatar items inspired by it. Niantic has also announced that it's turning Premium Raid Passes into Premium Battle Passes. The pass will have a double function, allowing players to enter Raid Battles or the premium track in the Go Battle League. Winning using the Premium Battle Pass could yield better rewards and will lower the number of wins needed to earn a Pokémon encounter. The Great League is currently underway and will rotate to the Ultra League on Monday, February 10 before going into the Master League on Monday 24 February. Things will go back around to the Great League on March 9. Niantic has promised more details on when Season 1 of the Go Battle League will officially begin soon. Woobat debut Woobat is making its debut in Pokémon Go through the February Research Breakthrough. From February 1 until March 1 the psychic-flying type from Unova will be available as an encounter in Research Breakthroughs with bonus Candies. What's the next Pokémon Go Event?Celebrating the Sinnoh Region There will be a Sinnoh Celebration event from February 7 until February 10 during which Pokémon originally discovered in the Sinnoh region will appear more often in the wild and in Raids. 7km eggs will also exclusively hatch some Pokémon from the region such as Budew, Combee and Bronzor. There'll also be a chance to encounter Shiny Riolu or Shiny Hippopotas. The Lunar New Year Pokémon Go is celebrating the Lunar New Year with a special event which will run from January 24 until February 3. The event will put the spotlight on red Pokémon, so players will see Charmeleon, Vulpix, Parasect, Voltorb, Jynx, Magmar, Magikarp, Flareon, Slugma, Wurmple, Corphish, Kricketot, and Foongus appearing more in the wild. Some like Foongus and Shuckle will hatch from 7km eggs instead and the Zen Charm Pokémon, Darumaka, will make its debut in the game in 7km eggs. Gyarados will also appear in the wild and exceptionally lucky players might encounter and have the chance to catch the rare Shiny red Gyarados. Bonuses for the event will include the chance of finding Rare Candies in gifts from friends and an increased chance that when you trade a Pokémon it will become a Lucky Pokémon. As it's the Year of the Rat, there's also going to be a special research event starring Minccino, the chinchilla Pokémon on February 2 between 2pm and 5pm. Limited Research Tasks will give players the chance to encounter Minccino and it'll be hatching more often from 5km eggs. There's even the chance of encountering a Shiny Minccino. As part of this Rat celebration, Rattata, Raticate, Pikachu, Sandshrew, Nidoran♀, Nidoran♂, Sentret, Marill, Zigzagoon, Plusle, Minun, Bidoof, and Patrat will all also appear in the wild more often. Live Events Niantic has announced that Pokémon Go Live Events will be coming to Taiwan, the US and the UK this year. The event in Taiwan will celebrate the Lantern Festival and will be free-to-enter while the others will be ticketed at a cost of $12/£12 for General Admission and $18/£18 for Early Admission.
When's the next Pokémon Go Community Day?
Niantic has announced that it will be allowing players to have a say in the starring Pokémon of its February Community Day with a special election. The candidates are Vulpix, Machop, Dratini and Rhyhorn and players will have the chance to select the Pokémon they'd like on February 1, with the winner to be announced on February 3. In order to cast a vote, players will have to complete the Field Research Task of catching 20 Pokémon and collecting 200 Stardust on voting day. There will be a Field Research Task for each candidate and one research task completed will equate to one vote for the Pokémon listed on the completed task. Then, the Community Day will take place on February 22, running from 11am to 2pm on the Northern Hemisphere and 3pm to 6pm on the Southern Hemisphere. Pokémon Go update: what's next?GO Battle League Niantic has announced that a new feature called GO Battle League will be coming to the game in early 2020. It will build on the current trainer battles system and will encourage players to get out and explore. According to Niantic, players will walk to earn entry into the Battle League. Once they're in they'll be able to battle players from around the world through an online matching system. Win and lose, they'll rise and fall in the ranks of the worldwide league. We'll keep updating with more information on Battle League as it's announced.
Pokémon Go Plus dealsWant to buy yourself a Pokémon Go Plus wearable? Check some of today's best deals down below. (Image credits: Niantic/Pokémon Company) This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| 6 great features of Wi-Fi 6 enabled by Intel Ice Lake Posted: 31 Jan 2020 02:00 PM PST Intel’s 10th Gen Ice Lake CPUs (which you’ll find in 2-in-1 devices like the HP Spectre X360 and clamshell laptops such as the HP Envy) offer a ton of benefits, with arguably one of the best ones being that the chip is compatible with Wi-Fi 6. Wi-Fi 6 is the latest Wi-Fi standard out there, and with each passing day more and more locations are upgrading their routers to support Wi-Fi 6 devices. But just what does Wi-Fi 6 bring to the table, anyway? Here are six great ways that Wi-Fi 6 can and will improve your experience with web browsing and beyond. Better raw speedsRight out of the gate, the most noticeable benefit that Wi-Fi 6 will provide to users is a sizable increase in throughput speeds between a device and the network it’s connected to. Specifically, according to Intel, users will potentially see a peak increase of 40 percent with Wi-Fi 6 compared to the previous Wi-Fi standard. Users will be able to feel this increase all the time during usage, and people who like to stream video in particular will love the boost to speed, as it will significantly increase stream stability. Increased network stabilityWi-Fi 6 networks are considerably more stable than ones that use the previous standard, which in turn means that you’re a lot less likely to experience any connection issues while using the network. This will be especially noticeable when using a network that has several devices connected to it at once, as the better stability will help networks balance the increased stress that comes from multiple connections. Increased network capacityWi-Fi 6 networks also have a greater capacity for simultaneous connections than the last Wi-Fi standard. They come with a brand new improved version of the multi-user, multiple-input, multiple-output (MU-MIMO) technology that networks use to stream data to several devices at one time. Previously, networks were limited to only being able to handle four simultaneous connections before resorting to rapid switching between devices. With Wi-Fi 6’s new MU-MIMO advancements, networks can now handle eight connections. This improvement may sound like something that will only matter in congested public areas, but in truth, it will matter a lot in the home, too. After all, the average American household has more than nine Wi-Fi devices on average. Higher speeds in congested areasAs a result of all the stellar network improvements, Wi-Fi 6 boasts the ability to improve your throughput by up to four times while using networks that have a ton of connections at once. As long as the network you’re using is Wi-Fi 6, you’re going to see a dramatic increase in overall speed when in heavily-congested areas compared to the previous Wi-Fi standard. Whether you’re in crowded households or sports stadiums, you can expect your speeds to quadruple. Better battery lifeOne of the powerful technologies that comes with Wi-Fi 6 is Target Wake Time (TWT), which allows a Wi-Fi 6 access point to minimize the amount of time a device needs to be “awake” in order to send and receive signals to the network while in sleep mode. In simple terms, this means that Wi-Fi 6 devices will use less power to stay connected than other ones do, thus resulting in a considerably better device battery life. More effective securityEvery Wi-Fi 6 network is protected by the latest Wi-Fi security protocol, WPA3. WPA3 is significantly more efficient and effective than the previous protocol, WPA2, because it has more safety measures in place to protect against password-cracking hacks. In the very, very unlikely event that one of those hacks ends up succeeding, WPA3 also comes with secondary safeguards that will shield your past network activity from intruders. The future looks brighter with Wi-Fi 6Wi-Fi 6 networks and devices are chock-full of exciting, beneficial features that will benefit users now, and for many years to come as well. Whether you’re looking for big increases in your browsing speed, a more stable network experience, or the latest in Wi-Fi security, a Wi-Fi 6 router and a device like the HP Pavilion X360 fitted with one of Intel’s Wi-Fi 6-enabling 10th Gen Ice Lake CPUs are your tickets to a convenient, efficient, and problem-free future with your tech. Browse all HP laptops currently powered by Intel 10th Gen Processors here This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Posted: 31 Jan 2020 01:49 PM PST It has been a long time since the release of the iPhone 7 in 2016, and a lot has changed in smartphone design since that point. But at a new low price, the handset remains a great value option for anyone who wants iOS functionality at a discount. Being an older handset gives it another benefit: an enormous variety of cases have come on the market since its release, helped by the fact that iPhone 8 cases will fit the device too for the most part given that they share so much design-wise. Whether you're hunting around for something to improve your phone's style, customize it just a bit, or to encase it in solid protective layers, there are lots of options at every price point. Read on for our pick of the best iPhone 7 cases currently on the market. These are products that we haven't had in our test labs, but based on our experts' opinion and knowledge of the most reputable brands around, we think these are worth looking at. Our selections, ranked with newer additions at the top, take into account online reviews, brand reputation, product capability, or unique features, to help you pick through the maze of choices available to you. Image credit: Apple Above many things, the iPhone 7 is a slim beast – that’s part of its appeal. It is a small handset, and therefore a blessing for those with smaller hands. Bulky cases can detract from this, but the official Apple Silicone Case is pleasingly slim. Boasting a grippy material which also improves resistance to scratches, shocks and falls, and available in a variety of color choices, this is an attractive no-fuss option for those looking for simple protection and decent looks. It’s available directly from Apple. Image credit: Syncwire Taking the idea of no-fuss to its logical conclusion, we enter the large and sometimes dangerous land of the ultra-budget phone case. Mostly these are chunky plastic affairs that hold onto the various oils of the human hand with gusto, but there are nonetheless some worth considering if price is your main concern. The Syncwire UltraRock is solid, dependable and will offer reasonable protection from scuffs, scrapes and drops - but don’t expect more than that. It’s available from Amazon. Image credit: OtterBox Sometimes simple cuts it - when nothing more is needed than protection, there are many phone cases which fit the bill. But sometimes a little more is needed, sometimes you might want something that’s a little left-field, and the Universe by OtterBox is just that. Offering protection and decent looks, it also features a mad, swappable module system. A battery, a card reader, camera parts and more can be added to augment the iPhone experience. This is one for those looking for something different in their life. You can buy it direct from OtterBox. Image credit: Jimmycase Options for those who like to bundle their cards and cash with their smartphone in a case tend to be mostly of one persuasion - the foldable wallet case. While these are practical, they have trade-offs in terms of the relatively cumbersome rear, however there are certain options which keep a slim profile as well as providing practical storage. The endlessly customizable Jimmycase wallet case is one such example. With space for cash and cards on the rear, it also provides protection from drops, shocks and falls and looks good doing so. It’s available directly from Jimmycase. Image credit: Wrappers Wrappers, a small company based in the UK, has been making bespoke fabric pouches and cases for Apple devices for over a decade. This option from the firm is an Alcantara pouch in a fetching shade of lilac, which will offer nice protection from scratches and scrapes. We particularly like the choice of fabric, recently evoked by Microsoft with its Surface line, which is soft, and which offers a nice premium feel. It’s available from Wrappers UK. Image credit: Kilponen It is well known that, of the many qualities of the iPhone 7, its battery life is not one. While most will be able to stretch the device to last through a day of usage, there are many who will not. The battery case is a life-saver in such situations, and this option from Kilponen is a good choice for many. Though bulky, it makes up for this with a battery capacity roughly three times that of the iPhone, in theory tripling battery life, and all for a very small outlay. This is available from Amazon. Image credit: Lastu There is something about wood, good honest grain - the smell and the feel are difficult to match. Only a few phone case makers have chosen to use this material in their designs, and few have managed to use it as well as Lastu. This Finnish manufacturer offers custom designs, your choice of finish (we particularly like the unique Kelo) and good thick rubber absorbers for proper protection. This is available directly from Lastu. Image credit: Vesel For some, the need for wood goes beyond a look on the back of a case, it must instead be the prime material of the case. Vesel, with its wood series, crafts a unique frame for iPhones which provides protection without adding significant bulk. Boasting a precision finish, a strong 7000 series metal skeleton, and rugged good looks, this is a great choice for those after something unique and for whom money is not an issue. It’s available directly from Vesel. Image credit: Torras Torras has put out a phone case that's just slightly bigger than the iPhone 7 itself, which is perfect for the person who wants a simple, no-nonsense look for their phone. There's even a little 1mm raised lip around the camera lens to protect it from errant drops. It's obvious that this won't protect your phone as well as, say, an Otterbox, but for those who want to wrap their device in simple elegance, the Torras Slim Fit case will do the trick. Pick one up on Amazon here. Image credit: Spigen Spigen's Tough Armor series aims to provide solid protection at a low price. Its flexible TPU body envelops the phone, while a polycarbonate plate layers protection on the back. The latter even has a built-in kickstand if you like watching media on your phone. The Spigen Tough Armor [2nd Generation] iPhone 7/8 case is available on Amazon here. Image credit: Baisrke For all you marble lovers, here's the phone case for you. Baisrke has an inexpensive case that comes in several colors and hues accentuating white, black and pearlescent marble. The case itself is made of a soft rubber silicone, so don't expect much protection from serious drops. But if you can't live without this look, you can grab the Baisrke marble case on Amazon here. Image credit: Caseology The Caseology iPhone 7 Parallax case has a neat design and attractive burgundy-on-gold look for those who want to dress up their phone a little differently than their peers. It's got multiple layers to help protect your phone from drops from plenty of angles. It's decent protection and good looks at an affordable price – perfect for your less-expensive iPhone 7. Pick up the Caseology Parallax case on Amazon here. Image credit: Dockem Most people would probably rather keep their phone unadorned by a case, particularly when their phone is as stylish as the iPhone 7. That’s why a sleeve can be a good option, as it keeps your iPhone protected while it’s in your bag or pocket, but shows it off in full when you’re using your phone. This Dockem sleeve also stands out thanks to its attractive faux-leather design and its low price tag, though of course, like any other sleeve it won’t protect your phone while you’re using it, so this isn’t one for the clumsy. Image credit: Ranvoo Your iPhone 7 might be metal, but most cases aren’t, which means you’re inevitably left covering it in cheaper plastic, or pricey but still different leather. There are some exceptions though, such as this Ranvoo bumper, which although plastic on the inside has a layer of aluminum on the outside, and it comes in all the same colors as the iPhone 7 itself. As it’s just a bumper rather than a full case the back of your phone is left uncovered and the bumper itself is almost invisible – unless you choose a color that contrasts your phone, rather than matches it. The skeletal nature of the bumper means it’s not the most protective thing around, but the edges are raised, so even if your phone hits the ground on the front or back it should remain safe as long as the surface it collides with is flat. Image credit: Uprosa The construction of Uprosa's cases is entirely pedestrian, as they're simply made of flexible plastic. However, their designs are something else. Uprosa's case graphics come from images submitted by researchers and science students, whose job it is to look at stuff under microscopes, so the images you see on these cases are shots taken using microscope photography. Here's the description of the 'flamingo' design seen in the image: "The same chemical (citric acid) that makes a lemon tart forms colliding pink oceanic waves through the lens of a microscope." Brian Cox would approve. Image credit: Griffin A case is always a balancing act between making your phone look as it should and keeping it protected. The Griffin Survivor Clear has a shot at gaming the system, with clear walls and built-up bumpers designed to take the force of any impacts while keeping the look intact. Sure, you can tell there's a case on your iPhone, no denying it, but at least you can see the color of aluminum you chose underneath. Griffin says the shell has 6H hardness, which is as hard as some tempered glass, and provides great scratch resistance. The case can also take drops of 1.2m, and as it doesn't cost a bomb you shouldn't feel too bad about replacing the Survivor should an unfortunate incident occur. Better than a bashed-up iPhone, right? Image credit: Belkin Here's an iPhone 7 case for a particular niche: the runner. It's a neoprene armband case that lets you take your phone out for a jog without a) holding the thing or b) having it move around in your pocket. Unless you go on fairly long runs where taking a phone is a good idea anyway, the best reason to get a Sport-Fit is to use your phone as a GPS tracking tool, using an app like RunKeeper. The combination effectively turns your phone into the equivalent of a fully featured GPS sport watch. The case can also hold a debit/credit card, meaning you only need to find somewhere to stash your keys. And earrings, perhaps? Image credit: MNML If you're looking for a case, but don't want to add any heft or thickness to the iPhone 7, this is the one you're after. MNML makes, you guessed it, cases with minimal aesthetic. They are cheap and come in a variety of colors. Better yet, they'll work on an iPhone 8 as well, should you have one laying around or plan to buy one. Image credit: UAG Let's stop messing around, it's time for a case that looks tough as nails. The UAG Trooper is a light-but-hardy case that also doubles as a wallet, as its back flips open to reveal a compartment in which you can store four cards. It has rubbery sides and uses hard polycarbonate for that lid on the back. The Trooper adds a fair bit of bulk to the iPhone 7, but not a great deal of weight. For a higher-end feel, the Monarch-series UAG cases use bonus metal and leather, although there's no card slot. Image credit: OtterBox We've been using OtterBox Defender cases on and off for years now: they're veterans of the scene. While they add bulk to your phone, their aim is to offer complete protection that'll leave your handset looking fresh 12 months down the line, and for a reasonable price too. They use a rubber inner cover, a hard plastic outer and an inbuilt screen protector, only leaving the Apple logo and camera on the back somewhat exposed to the elements. While the iPhone 7 is already waterproof, there are port protectors too. These will stop any muck clogging up your ports, perfect if you really do treat your phone a bit rough. Image credit: Tech21 Back in the old days, Tech21 cases used to have orange blobs peppered throughout, as a way to show off the fancy shock-absorbing material the company uses. The Tech21 Evo Elite, though, is a case that color-matches the classic iPhone shades on its sides, with a transparent back to retain as much of that iPhone flavor as possible. Inside there's still some of Tech21's magic FlexShock material, which is what absorbs the force of impact to stop your phone from getting damaged. Image credit: Spigen Spigen's Slim Armor CS case for the iPhone 7 is a popular one, and the numerous color options for the hard shell can help it match the color of your iPhone. It features a soft and hard shell for extra protection for your phone. And, a hidden credit card case will let you carry up to two cards in case you don't like dragging your wallet or purse everywhere. See the Spigen Slim Armor CS case for iPhone 7 at Amazon here. Image credit: OtterBox If you want a case that doesn't sacrifice the premium look of your iPhone 7, then the Otterbox Strada case is a good pick. It combines Otterbox's multi-later protection into a folio-style case with a leather exterior. The case can hold a credit card, and thanks to the folio design, the screen of your iPhone 7 will get extra protection from falls. See the Otterbox Stada for iPhone 7 at Amazon here. Image credit: Apple One of just a couple of problems with the iPhone 7 is that its battery life isn't great. If you don't fancy carrying around an external battery pack 24/7, this case can help. It's an official Apple accessory that shoehorns a 2,365mAh battery into a smooth silicone case, roughly doubling the iPhone 7's stamina in real terms. The downside is that it gives your iPhone a humpback, the battery unit sticking out from the casing. There's also a 'lip' at the bottom that further spoils the phone's lines. Battery cases aren't for everyone, but this one is smarter than most, with clever management of when the phone is powered by its own battery and that of the case.
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| The Fast and Furious 9 trailer is here, featuring John Cena as Dominic Toretto's brother Posted: 31 Jan 2020 01:49 PM PST Update: The full trailer for Fast and Furious 9, officially called F9, is here, and it features a car swinging over a chasm, a car strapped to some rockets and lots of talk of "family", among a myriad of returning series characters. Check it out below. You can go see Fast 9 on May 22, 2020. Original story: The full trailer for Fast 9 will be released this Friday, but in the meantime, a one-minute teaser is doing the rounds, featuring Vin Diesel and Michelle Rodriguez. Now parents to a son named Brian (of course), Dominic Toretto and Letty Ortiz appear to be in semi-retirement. A larger threat is teased for this movie, which is apparently the penultimate mainline entry in the Fast and Furious series (which sounds incredibly unlikely in this age of the undying movie franchise). Check out the Fast 9 teaser trailer below:
This is the first installment directed by Fast Five's Justin Lin since Fast and Furious 6. The full trailer is being revealed at a Miami concert event on Friday ahead of the Super Bowl, and all plot details have been kept under wraps in the meantime. Still, you can probably expect the other two hours or so of the movie to contain more car chases than you see in the footage above. It's all a bit retired-Tony-Stark-in-Avengers: Endgame, isn't it? Hopefully a quaint family life will end better for Dom than it did for Tony. 2020's biggest movie?This is a slightly quieter year for big blockbusters, with no Star Wars movie or Marvel movie on the scale of Avengers: Endgame, so you can probably expect Fast 9 to be the biggest of the year at the box office. 2017's Fast and Furious 7 grossed over $1.2 billion. If you can't wait for the ninth movie and need more Fast and Furious in your life, Netflix released the animated kids' TV series Fast and Furious: Spy Racers back in December. Along with last year's Hobbs and Shaw, the Fast and Furious extended universe somehow seems like it's becoming a thing. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Apex Legends Season 4: latest update news, tips, patch notes and more Posted: 31 Jan 2020 01:42 PM PST EA surprised many with the sudden announcement of Apex Legends back in February 2019, a free-to-play battle royale shooter that sees the publisher going toe-to-toe with genre mammoths PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds and Fortnite Battle Royale. Developed by Respawn Entertainment and set in the Titanfall universe, Apex Legends is a squad-based battle royale shooter where teams of three go up against 57 other players to try to gather loot and be the last person (or squad) standing. However, unlike Fortnite and PUBG, Apex Legends sees players take on one of eight classes, each represented by a unique character (imagine Fortnite mixed with Overwatch and you’ll be on the right track.) Apex Legends is getting ready to wrap up its third season, Meltdown, and players are now looking ahead to the launch of Season 4, Assimilation, on February 4 2020. If you're new to Apex Legends and looking to see what you're missing or you've dropped off the map for a while and you'd like to catch up on the latest, we're here to keep you up to date on what's fresh in Apex Legends.
As we said in our full Apex Legends review: "Truth be told, the Battle Royale movement has never quite grabbed me. I dabbled in PUBG and spent a dozen hours or so with Fortnite, yet nothing ever quite stuck the landing. Apex though, has got me hook, line and sinker. Featuring intuitive controls, an outstanding comms system and remarkable rogue’s gallery, Respawn has created what feels like the AAA outing for the genre." Apex Legends update news
Grand Soirée Event Apex Legends' third Season is almost at an end and to celebrate this it's throwing a Grand Soirée. The event will run from January 14 until January 28 and will feature seven limited time modes as well as some new skins. The seven limited time modes (some new and some old favorites will feature) are the real focus of this event and a new one will begin every two days with the schedule being as follows:
As well as the modes, there's a new prize track. Each mode will have three challenges worth 1000 points and players will be able to unlock new weapons and skins as they collect points. Taking part in every mode won't be necessary to get all the points but those who do will also get a special badge. Those who are short of points can take part in a special bonus scoring weekend from January 17 to 20. To really get into the spirit of the party, players will be able to visit the Direct Purchase shop where they can pick up special Art Deco accessories and some special legendary skins which will rotate through the event. Apex Legends AssimilationSeason 3 of Apex Legends will soon be wrapping up and on February 4 2020 Season 4: Assimilation will begin. So what can we expect? Well, in a recent Dev Stream Respawn gave us some insights into the new Legend, weapons and Ranked Series that are on their way. And outside of the game, Respawn has been establishing a story for the next season around Hammond Robotics and the new legend, Revenant. New Legend As with previous seasons, Apex Legends Season 4 will introduce a brand new Legend. This time, things went a little differently. Originally, Forge, a robotically enhanced fighter was introduced as the legend for Season 4. However, he then appeared to be murdered and replaced by Revenant (the character fans long-suspected to be the Season 4 legend anyway). Revenant's abilities are yet to be officially announced but he's described by Respawn as “the greatest hitman the Mercenary Syndicate ever had." Seemingly once human, "when his programming eventually failed, he saw what Hammond Robotics had turned him into: a walking nightmare of steel and vestigial flesh.” Now, Revenant is out to get revenge on Hammond Robotics and everyone involved with it. Those familiar with the Titanfall universe will know Hammond Robotics as the creators of the Titans and it seems that they're going to be playing a bigger role in Apex Legends this season. New Weapon The Sentinel has been confirmed as the new weapon coming to Season 4 of Apex Legends. It's described as a powerful bolt-action sniper rifle which stands apart from other weapons of its ilk as it comes with a charge mechanic. In the dev stream, it was hinted that this mechanic will give players a little more decision making to do when making a shot and could provide some interesting gameplay. Map Changes In the Dev Stream above, it was confirmed that Season 4 will bring some map change to World's Edge but no specifics were revealed. It was teased that Hammond Robotics "might have something to do with" the alterations but nothing more was said. Players have already started to notice (via GameSpot) that areas in the game are being marked out for future construction by Hammond Robotics, including an area between the Fuel Depot and Thermal Station. Anniversary Event As Season 4 is launching on the one year anniversary of Apex Legends, there's going to be a special event. According to Respawn, those who log into the game in the first week of Season 4 (that's February 4 to February 11) will receive an Anniversary Gift. this includes a Year 1 Origami Flyer charm, a Year 1 loyalty badge and 10k XP for your first match of the day for every day the event is running. Battle Pass It wouldn't be a new season of Apex Legends without a brand new Battle Pass. Like the others, this Battle Pass will be brand new for the Season and will bring with it 110 levels to climb by completing daily and weekly challenges, with more than 100 exclusive items including Legendary Skins, Apex Packs, Loading Screens and Music Packs to earn. Ranked League Series 3Alongside Season 4, Ranked League Series 3 is also going to launch. Ranked League Series 3 is expected to bring a few changes including Splits and a new tier: Master Tier. As Respawn is seeing more players move into the upper echelons of the rankings to become Apex Predators, it's finding that it's getting harder to "showcase the skill between any two Apex Predators this season." As a result, a new tier, Master Tier, is being added between Diamond and Apex Predator. Players will need to reach 10,000 RP to make it to Master Tier as was the case with Apex Predator. The Apex Predator Tier will now be exclusive to the top 500 players per platform, so players who reach Apex Predator Tier could find that they drop down to Master Tier if other players earn more RP than them. Respawn has said "We feel this should give more prestige to making and keeping your Apex Predator rank, while still keeping the tiers above Diamond very exclusive." As far as Splits are concerned, after looking at the lengths of previous Ranked Series, Respawn has decided that Series 3 will be three months long, like Series 1, but that it will be divided into two Splits. This means that Ranked Series 3 will essentially come with two parts, with Split 1 taking place on World’s Edge, while Split 2 will freshen things up by taking place back at King’s Canyon. Split 1 is to take place between February 3 and March 23, and Split 2 will follow on from March 24 to May 5. Soft resets will take place between each Split and Respawn has confirmed that "ranked rewards will be granted for the highest tier achieved in either split of the series, but exclusive animated badges will be granted if you can make it to the same tier both splits." There will also be some new party restrictions as the game moves into the new Ranked Series. Players will find that once they get to Platinum Tier or higher, they'll only be able to party with players who have 1 Tier of difference from them. It's hoped this will keep matches more tight when it comes to higher skill levels. As far as what's staying the same, players will still see soft resets take place going into the new series. So, "at the start of Series 3 everyone will be soft reset on their ranked position by 1.5 Tiers down. That means if you ended Season 3 in Gold II, you’ll be reset to Silver IV. Players in Platinum IV will be reset to Silver II, and Apex Predators will be reset to Platinum II." As previously said, the soft reset will also now take place at the beginning of each Split. Entry RP cost to Ranked Series will also stay the same and there won't be any further changes to the scoring system. Apex Legends tips and tricksApex Legends can be difficult to get to grips with. There are a lot of different characters each with their own abilities and skills, plus this battle royale arguably leans more heavily on strategy and teamwork than some of its competitors. Get ahead of the pack with our selection of Apex Legends guides, designed to help you become a champion.
How to download Apex LegendsApex Legends can be downloaded for free from the PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, Origin Store or Apex Legends website. Simply search for the title, download the game and enjoy! But do keep in mind that a good internet connect and subscription to either PS Plus, Xbox Live or Origin Access is required to play. The good news is that Apex Legends is also coming to mobile in the future, following in the footsteps of Fortnite and PUBG. Apex Legends roadmap - what's next?Respawn Entertainment has shared the season roadmap for Apex Legends. Apex Legends Battle Pass seasons run for approximately three months. Currently four seasons have officially been announced:
Now that Season 4's launch date has been confirmed for February 2020, we're reaching the end of the known world for Apex Legends. No doubt, in the coming months, Respawn will establish and reveal its new goals for the game's second year. Is Apex Legends coming to mobile?Yes. In EA’s quarterly earnings report, the publisher announced that it’s looking at bringing the Respawn Entertainment-developed game to mobile platforms and to both South Korea and China. “We’re in advanced negotiations to China and mobile”, EA’s CFO Blake Jorgenson stated, before later mentioning South Korea as another expansion point. We shouldn't expect to see Apex Legends on mobile for at least a year, though. According to EA Chief Executive, Andrew Wilson, the game won't launch until the fiscal year 2021.
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| An iPhone with USB-C might finally happen, thanks to the EU Posted: 31 Jan 2020 01:34 PM PST In the next few years, you may find your future iPhone uses the same charging cable as most Android phones after a ruling today from the European Parliament. The European Parliament has passed a resolution calling for, in its own words, 'the mandatory introduction of common chargers for all mobile devices'. This means the body wants all smartphones in the future to use the same type of connectivity tech. Instead of iPhones using Lightning, and new budget phones sticking with the older micro-USB, all devices may be forced to switch to the industry standard USB-C. Lightning is Apple's proprietary tech, so it wouldn't be possible for all Android phones to start using that instead of USB-C.
The EP (European Parliament) has called on the European Commission to increase the rules and legislation compelling companies to follow this future one-charger rule. This follows similar rulings in 2009 when the European Parliament requested Apple to use the then-standard micro-USB. Apple found a loophole around that ruling by providing micro-USB to Lightning converters with its phones instead. Apple, and a variety of budget phone manufacturers who also don't use USB-C, have until July 2020 to comply, before the European Parliament will look to pass legislation obliging them to. The point of this ruling is to reduce electronic waste, a cause of which can be people needing to buy different chargers for different devices. As well as passing the common chargers rule, the Parliament has called for improved cable recycling facilities and improved compatibility with wireless chargers. What comes next for Apple?This ruling is unlikely to impact near future Apple phones like the iPhone SE 2 or iPhone 12. There probably isn't enough time for the European Parliament or Commission to pass the legislation and enforce it before those new phones come out in 2020. In the future, though, it's looking more and more likely future iPhones will use USB-C. Saying that, seeing as how MacBooks and the iPad Pro devices already use this standard, it's possible that Apple was heading in that direction anyway. So what happens for the iPhone 13 and beyond? Well, it's possible Apple could create two different products, one with Lightning Ports for most of the world and another USB-C product just for European markets. That's unlikely to happen considering the company would have to design and manufacture two different types of phones just to be able to keep Lightning connectors in certain markets. The logical choice would be for the future iPhones to have USB-C, and then follow industry trends for whatever follows after that. Another option is if wireless charging becomes popular enough Apple could introduce a device without any ports at all, which relies on wireless transmission of power and data. The tech exists for this already, and we've seen it in an Oppo concept device, but it'll likely be a few years before people are ready to ditch their wires for good. Whatever happens, it's unlikely this ruling is anything more than a minor inconvenience for Apple, and it doesn't mean your current iPhone will become redundant any time soon. TechRadar has asked Apple for comment on today's ruling and will update this article when we hear back. And for everyone else?Another big impact of this ruling is for micro-USB. This used to be the standard charging tech for mobile phones, and while most phone companies have moved away from it by now, there are still certain phones that use it, for a very good reason. These phones are all budget phones, usually with double-figure prices, and they use micro-USB since the tech is cheaper to implement on a phone than USB-C. If cheap phones can no longer use micro-USB, there might be some big implications for the low-end market, and in the short term it's possible there won't be any super-cheap phones that use the tech. In the long run though, it's possible the price of USB-C tech will be driven down, making super-affordable phones feasible again. Via GSMArena This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| The top 5 Super Bowl 2020 commercials we can't wait to see Posted: 31 Jan 2020 01:29 PM PST Ad breaks are seldom included in the fun of television broadcast. In fact, we often mute or ignore them entirely until our show returns. But there's one night in February when the ad break is finally accepted, celebrated even - the Super Bowl. As the Chiefs and 49ers train, the fans sort their snacks and splash out on Super Bowl TV deals, and the halftime show performers rehearse, the world's biggest brands are also preparing to take center stage in the eye-wateringly expensive commercial slots. To make the most of advertising's one night of celebration, we're taking a look at the five upcoming Super Bowl commercials we know are on their way and can't wait to see. We're omitting the Presidential election category here - we all know who's paying for what during the Super Bowl ad breaks, as well as exactly what they're trying to sell, so let's cut straight to the good stuff. If you're taking a hatred of ads all the way to the big game, check out the best ways to live stream Super Bowl 2020 without commercials. 5. Coca-Cola's 2020 Super Bowl commercialCoca-Cola is famous for its Super Bowl commercial prowess (it ranks high in our countdown of best ever Super Bowl commercials), so it's always going to deliver. That said, we don't know what it's offering yet, or even which brands it plans on showing off. What we do know is that Coca-Cola is returning to the traditional ad slot in 2020 after taking a back seat and opting to display a commercial before the National Anthem in 2019. It's bought a single segment this year, running at 60 seconds, so it definitely has something up its sleeve. What, or who, that is remains a mystery - and we all love a mystery. 4. Hard Rock International's 2020 Super Bowl commercialSuper Bowl LIV is being played on home turf for Hard Rock International, with the Hard Rock Stadium playing host to the big game this year. That means it's never been a better time for the resort and casino chain to make its debut appearance in the ad slots. Of course, it had to go and hire Michael Bay to direct the commercial itself - there's nothing like a bit of Armageddon drama to heighten the impact a little. In front of the camera, however, Hard Rock will be showing off its brand new guitar-shaped hotel at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Hollywood, Fl. You'll find the ad, rumored to be packed to the rafters with top celebrities, just before the halftime show. 3. Sabra's 2020 Super Bowl commercialAnother newbie bringing something big to the Super Bowl commercial slot, Sabra is hoping to trigger your craving for hummus(!) with its upcoming ad slot starring a whole smorgasbord of reality TV celebs. Sabra has snagged previous Ru Paul's Drag Race contestants Kim Chi and Miz Cracker as well as T-Pain and Teresa Guidici and Caroline Manzo from The Real Housewives of New Jersey. From what we've heard so far, that's a pretty broad melting pot of reality TV stars, so bringing them all together to celebrate hummus will certainly be a commercial to catch. You'll find 30 seconds of whatever this ends up to be during the second quarter of the big game. 2. Facebook's 2020 Super Bowl commercialWe're not sure what Facebook is trying to convey by sticking Chris Rock and Sylvester Stallone at the bottom of the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Modern Art, but we're here for it. Facebook enters the Super Bowl commercial space with a setup we've known about since Stallone himself leaked behind the scenes footage in December. We know there will be a Rocky callback, some Chris Rock stunts, and some kids making model rockets, all tied back to Facebook's push for Groups. Let's just hope it doesn't run next to the electoral campaigns... 1. Pepsi's 2020 Super Bowl commercialMissy Elliott and H.E.R have already been teasing their upcoming Pepsi Super Bowl commercial, and recorded cover of the song Paint It Black, with a series of videos released earlier this month. What exactly Pepsi will be pulling out the bag for its own Super Bowl commercial is uncertain. We know the giants will be using their hallowed time to rebrand Pepsi Zero Sugar, and with their track record of iconic Super Bowl ads, we're intrigued by the single 30 second slot they've booked out for themselves. Read more:
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| The best VR headset 2020: which headset offers the best virtual reality experience? Posted: 31 Jan 2020 01:13 PM PST Having the best VR experience requires getting the best VR headset for you. That's why we've created this guide to help you find the right headset for your budget, your space and, most importantly, for what you expect when it comes to your dream virtual reality experience. Why should you shell out on a VR headset at all? Well, there's nothing really quite like VR for entertainment. When it comes to immersion, VR can't be beat and when you have the right setup with the best VR headset for you, you can really feel like you're entering another dimension. It's totally up to you how you use your portal into the virtual world; whether you want to watch movies from your own personal digital cinema, explore the edges of the known universe with educational apps and games or hang out with friends in apps like Altspace VR, it's all possible. At the moment, there are four main players when it comes to mainstream VR headsets - Oculus, PlayStation, HTC and Valve, which released its own first-party headset called the Valve Index last year. Not sure which one is right for you? Don't worry. We've tried them all, and can now offer definitive advice on each and every model. So, without further ado, read on for our pick of the best VR headsets for a whole range of setups and budgets. There’s little doubt that the Valve Index is the next-generation VR headset people have been clamoring for: it has an ultra-crisp display that runs fairly well even with older GPUs, a wider field of view, a higher refresh rate and Valve’s 'knuckle' controllers, which can track the movement of every finger. Around the house, there’s no doubt the Valve Index will be our default VR headset going forward. It’s a significant upgrade to the HTC Vive, and runs much smoother than the Vive Pro, a powerful VR headset that really struggled to deliver on the promise of high-end, room-scale VR. And yet, while the Valve Index is the best VR headsets yet released, it’s brought some of VR’s most annoying aspects along for the ride; setting it up can be painful, updates can cause connection issues, and you may find a new error the next time you go to use it. But, if you can look past those issues, this is a really good VR headset. Its higher-resolution screen and better refresh rate allowed us to use it for longer periods of time without discomfort, and the Index Controllers are a real step up from the ones that ship with the Vive. It's expensive, yes, but for the gamers who want next-level VR, the Valve Index is the only way to go. Read the full review: Valve Index If you're sitting at home and have the equipment to run it, there's no better option than the Valve Index. But if you're the kind of person who doesn't want to be bound by cables or sunk by the debt of building a gaming PC and a $999 VR headset, the Oculus Quest is a stellar alternative. Simply put, Oculus Quest signals a new age for virtual reality, one that doesn't need a smartphone or PC to run excellent experiences. It has an OLED display panel with 1440 x 1600 per eye resolution, and is powered by a Snapdragon 835 processor. Unlike other headsets that require additional equipment, external sensors or a lengthy set-up process, once the Quest is charged up you can be up-and-running within a few minutes thanks to an easy set-up within the Oculus mobile app. Even better, if you have Oculus games in your library already, some can even be played on the Oculus Quest - though, that's not always the case. Oculus Quest isn't perfect, however – in addition to some minor light leakage through the bottom (right where your nose is), Oculus says you can expect the Quest to last 2 to 3 hours after a full charge, depending on whether you're watching media or playing games. That means you'll probably have to charge the Quest in between sessions - which can be a hassle if you forget. That said, for those looking for a standalone, it's the best option on our list. Read the full review: Oculus Quest There's no getting around the fact that in order to run either the HTC Vive, HTC Vive Pro or the Oculus Rift you need a pretty high-end gaming PC, which is not an insignificant investment for most people. That's not the case with Sony's PlayStation VR, which requires little more than a PS4 console to run. Considering the sizeable difference in power between the PS4 and PC, the PlayStation VR is a surprisingly competent VR headset. Its refresh rate is responsive, and we've had no issues with the reliability of its head-tracking. Thanks to Sony's backing, the collection of PlayStation VR games is also impressive. There were dozens available at launch, and many more have followed over its first year on sale. Sony has addressed one of our biggest objections with the PlayStation VR – that its accessories are sold separately – by offering a variety of packs and bundles with devices like the PlayStation Camera included. However, PlayStation Move controllers, while included in some bundles, aren't in every one. While you have to be aware of the additional cost involved, depending on what bundle you opt for, recent price cuts have made the PlayStation VR even more affordable. It may not be the best VR headset, but the PSVR is certainly making a strong case to users and some will find it's the best for them at this moment in time. And if you're thinking about going PlayStation in the next generation, the PS5 is going to support PSVR too. Read the full review: PlayStation VR Virtual reality has come on leaps and bounds since Oculus founder (and controversial VR poster boy) Palmer Luckey first introduced the world to the Oculus Rift back in 2012. Now owned by Facebook, the Oculus Rift S should represent the next leap forward for the company’s high-end, PC-based virtual reality experiences - but, unfortunately, it's more of a baby-step. Like the Oculus Rift, the Rift S works in tandem with a PC to deliver virtual reality experiences. It connects to your PC over a USB 3.0 port and a DisplayPort connection, and is tethered to the machine by a lengthy cable that’s more than enough to accommodate the ‘room-scale’ experiences that Rift S is capable of delivering. It’s more limiting in terms of free movement than the superb wireless Oculus Quest, but the trade off here is that, by being powered by your PC, it’s capable of powering more detailed and dynamic experiences. The good news for early adopters is that, to reduce frustration, Oculus is making the Rift S completely backwards compatible with the original Rift titles, and making the Rift forward compatible with the vast majority of games released for the Rift S and Oculus Quest with some minor exceptions. In many key respects, it betters the original Oculus Rift. It’s easier to set up, potentially more comfortable to wear, has a much more robust games library than it did at launch, and an improved resolution. But, unfortunately, Oculus has had to sacrifice greater audio and refresh rate to do that. Read the full review: Oculus Rift S Samsung Gear VR has always been a respectable smartphone-powered VR headset, but now that it has a motion controller, it might be the best VR headset option for mobile users. In addition to the new controller, the updated Gear VR is lighter and more streamlined than before, and features a USB-C connector that connects directly to a Samsung Galaxy phone. Compatible phones, as expected, include the Galaxy S8 and Galaxy S8 Plus, as well as the Galaxy S9 and Galaxy S9 Plus (if you have the latest Gear VR headset). The included motion controller has hints of the HTC Vive controller design, with a touchpad and trigger button, which aren't bad things. It's with the controller that the Gear VR really comes into its own, allowing you to interact with the VR worlds in front of you in a way previously impossible without it. Of course, being powered by a smartphone, the headset's performance is entirely tied to the phone you've slotted in, though in our experience this isn't a problem considering the power within Samsung's higher-end handsets. However, if you're using an older Galaxy phone, your experience could be noticeably affected. Since Oculus launched the Oculus Go standalone headset, the question of where smartphone-powered devices like Gear VR fit in only becomes more relevant. But since the Oculus Go and Samsung Gear VR share an app and game library, you can expect support for the Gear VR to continue for quite some time. Read the full review: Samsung Gear VR Which VR headset should you buy?Honestly price and platform will make most of the decision for you - there aren't any headsets for console gamers besides PlayStation VR and, if you need a standalone headset, you're basically stuck with the Oculus Quest. At the moment, the four best on the market – the Valve Index, HTC Vive, Oculus Quest and PlayStation VR – are unsurprisingly the most expensive of all the mainstream VR headset offerings, but there are some less expensive options if you'd rather dip your toes into VR before spending your entire pay check. Each headset has its own unique strengths and weaknesses, and if you're not aware of these before you buy, it could be a very costly mistake to make. But that's exactly why we put this guide together. The problem with VR at this stage of the game isn't that there's too few VR headsets on the market or that there's not enough content, but that there are way too many to pick from, especially now that there are more and more headsets hitting the streets like the Oculus Quest, Valve Index and HTC's Vive Cosmos. With many offering different experiences, different hardware, different requirements and a lot of fantastic deals, it confuses matters even more. The good news for those serious about getting the best VR headset experience is that the industry has made real strides in terms of making standalone headsets almost as powerful as their premium PC counterparts and, thanks to increased competition between the three big headset makers, have made most of their headsets much more affordable than they were three years ago. Translation? Choosing the best VR headset that’s right for you is now easier than ever.
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| The best Super Bowl TV sales 2020: last-minute deals from Best Buy, Walmart, and more Posted: 31 Jan 2020 01:09 PM PST It's officially the Super Bowl 2020 weekend, and that means you have two days left to find incredible savings on a range of 4K TVs. To help you sort through all the offers, we've rounded up the best Super Bowl TV deals and sales from retailers like Best Buy, Walmart, and Amazon and included top brands such as Samsung, LG, Sony, and more. To make things easier for you, we've split our selection of TVs into three categories: the outright best TVs for watching the Super Bowl, the best mid-range TVs, and the best budget TVs. We've included a range of different sizes in each category, and we’ve also picked a standout model for our Super Bowl TV deal of the week. Shop our best Super Bowl 2020 TV deals below, and keep in mind, these incredible offers are ending soon, so you'll need to take advantage now before it's too late. Once you've picked up a new TV, you can also want to check out how to live stream Super Bowl 2020. The best Super Bowl TV deals 2020:
Shop more of our top picks for the best budget TV deals. Find out everything you need to know about Super Bowl 2020: when is it, where is it, who's playing, channel, kickoff start time and more. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| The Mandalorian season 2: release date, Baby Yoda's homeworld and what we know Posted: 31 Jan 2020 12:53 PM PST Star Wars fans might still be divided over The Rise of Skywalker, but no one can deny The Mandalorian's success on Disney Plus. Even without Baby Yoda, the first live-action Star Wars TV show would still be the best slice of Star Wars in years. We're excited about returning to the lawless, Palpatine-free worlds of this excellent show, and The Mandalorian season 2 is probably going to feature a story focused on Baby Yoda's origins. This was hinted at heavily by the show's finale. These are the lingering questions that The Mandalorian season 2 needs to answer: how will the eponymous protagonist, Din Djaren, find Baby Yoda's home planet and species? What is the significance of the 'Darksaber' wielded by Moff Gideon in the show's finale? And with Skywalker Saga characters rumored to appear in season 2, which familiar faces will The Mandalorian encounter? Here's everything we know about The Mandalorian season 2's release date, story, Baby Yoda's homeworld and more. Before we get to all that, though, take a look at this excellent season 2 set photo of George Lucas meeting Baby Yoda: The Mandalorian season 2 release date: coming fall 2020The Mandalorian season 2 was confirmed during the same week that the show first released on Disney Plus. The second season was already in the works, with showrunner Jon Favreau announcing that production had begun when just 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. Season 1 debuted on November 12, 2019, so don’t be surprised if there’s a similar release date for The Mandalorian season 2.
The Mandalorian season 2: the search for Baby Yoda's homeworld and speciesGeorge Lucas had a big rule when he was in charge of Star Wars: the identity of Jedi master Yoda's species and planet of origin were not to be revealed. Now that Disney is in charge of Lucasfilm and Star Wars, though, it's possible that this has changed, 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 mystery surrounding Baby Yoda's name deepened, when it was revealed that Chapter 8 director and IG-11 voice Taika Waititi also knows the creature's proper title. Waititi elaborated on Twitter in typically amusing fashion, 'revealing' Baby Yoda's real name: "I think it's Nigel." And Baby Yoda fever has not and will not subside. In January, this $350 life-sized toy proved so popular it crashed the maker's website. Hey, if you've got the money... The Mandalorian season 2: the Darksaber explainedAbove: 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: Jon Favreau will direct an episodeDespite being the creator and main writer of The Mandalorian season one, Iron Man director Jon Favreau didn't direct a single episode – it didn't hurt the show at all, but season 2 will benefit from his input. "I didn’t get a chance the last time around because I was doing Lion King," Favreau mentioned to EW. "So I'll step in for one of them." The Mandalorian season 2: Original Trilogy characters rumored to appearAccording 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. It's set five years after the destruction of the second Death Star in Return of the Jedi, after all. 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 yearsWe can't wait for a second season of The Mandalorian. A couple of less thrilling episodes in 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. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| The Beats Studio 3 headphones get a massive $170 price cut at Best Buy Posted: 31 Jan 2020 12:43 PM PST If you're looking for a sweet deal on a pair of quality headphones, then you're in luck. Right now, Best Buy has the top-rated Beats Studio 3 headphones on sale for $179.99. That's a whopping $170 discount and the lowest price we've found for the wireless headphones. The Beats Studio 3 headphones deliver a premium sound experience by providing pure adaptive noise cancelation that actively blocks external noise. The wireless headphones feature Apple's W1 chip, which results in improved connectivity and longer battery life. The convenient on-ear controls allow you to take calls, skip songs, and activate Siri without touching your phone. The cushioned headphones are available in two different color choices and provide up to 40 hours of battery life. See more headphone deals with the best cheap wireless headphone deals and sales that are currently available. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Google is open-sourcing its security keys Posted: 31 Jan 2020 12:39 PM PST Security keys provide consumers and businesses alike with a more secure and easier way to log in to online sites and services without using passwords. However, not everyone has access to this technology which is why Google has launched a new open source project called OpenSK to enable hobbyists and hardware vendors to build their own security keys. The company's new OpenSK initiative utilizes Rust-based firmware to turn chip dongles from Nordic Semiconductor into security keys that support both the FIDO U2F and FIDO2 standards.
Google has also publicly released the necessary templates for users to 3D print their own OpenSK Key Enclosure to protect their security keys. DIY security keysIn a blog post announcing the new initiative, Google's security and anti-abuse research lead Elie Bursztein and software engineer Jean-Michel Picod explained why the company chose Nordic's chips for its open source security keys, saying: “In addition to being affordable, we chose Nordic as initial reference hardware because it supports all major transport protocols mentioned by FIDO2: NFC, Bluetooth Low Energy, USB, and a dedicated hardware crypto core.” Director of product management at Nordic Semiconductor, Kjetil Holstad hopes that OpenSK will lead to mainstream adoption of security keys, saying: “We’re excited to collaborate with Google and the open source community on the new OpenSK research platform. We hope that our industry leading nRF52840’s native support for secure cryptographic acceleration combined with new features and testing in OpenSK will help the industry gain mainstream adoption of security keys.” Google also hopes to expand OpenSK to support other chips in the future though the project is currently in the experimental research phase.
Via Engadget This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Microsoft to pay cash bounties on Xbox bugs Posted: 31 Jan 2020 10:57 AM PST Microsoft has announced the launch of an official bug bounty program for Xbox in an effort to improve the gaming platform's network and services. The software giant has said that it will pay anywhere from $500 to $20,000 for vulnerabilities discovered in the platform's online service Xbox Live. While security researchers typically have the most to gain from bug bounty programs, Microsoft has said that anyone, regardless of their position, can submit vulnerabilities to its new program.
In a blog post announcing the Xbox Bounty program, program manager at the Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC), Chloé Brown explained that to be eligible, submissions will require a proof of concept (POC) that is easily understandable, saying: “The Xbox bounty program invites gamers, security researchers, and technologists around the world to help identify security vulnerabilities in the Xbox network and services, and share them with the Microsoft Xbox team through Coordinated Vulnerability Disclosure (CVD). Eligible submissions with a clear and concise proof of concept (POC) are eligible for awards up to US$20,000.” Xbox Bounty programMicrosoft's latest bug bounty program will cover the Xbox Live cloud backend infrastructure and vulnerabilities that allow for remote code execution will have the highest payouts at up to $20,000. Escalation of privilege flaws can earn security researchers up to $8,000 and flaws that allow a user to bypass security features are worth $5,000. The new Xbox Bounty program also comes with some restrictions. For instance, Microsoft will prohibit and automatically disqualify anyone who attempts to phish or social engineer Xbox users and engineers while searching for bugs as well as anyone who moves laterally inside the Xbox network beyond what is needed to prove a vulnerability's impact. Downloading or accessing sensitive Xbox user data is also prohibited under the program's rules. The Xbox platform was first announced at E3 before it was released in October of 2012. A year later, Microsoft created its first bug bounty program but it only applied to Windows and the company's other software. The Xbox Bounty program is a win for Microsoft as well as for consumers who will benefit from a smoother and more secure online experience while playing games on the company's consoles.
Via ZDNet This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| The best cheap gaming mouse deals in February 2020 Posted: 31 Jan 2020 10:24 AM PST This is a great time to be shopping for a cheap gaming mouse deal - with 2020 kicking off some excellent sales, retailers are keen to discount gaming peripherals to net buyers at every price level. That's why you'll regularly find top brands like Logitech, SteelSeries, and Corsair for far less in these months than you would any other time of year. Beyond the price tag, there are plenty of other features and factors to take into consideration when shopping for a cheap gaming mouse deal. We've made everything easier for you by listing the cheapest gaming mouse deals we've come across alongside their specs and defining features. When you buy the best gaming mouse, it’s crucial to be conscious of the price you’re paying relative to the specs and comfort that you’ll be getting from it. You don’t need to know what ‘DPI’ or ‘CPI’ means (it’s dots per inch, by the way), but it does come in handy to know the value of 4,000 vs 16,000 of them. It also doesn’t hurt to know that a higher polling rate gives you better response times and lower latency. Matching all of these specs with the click feel and customization options that are right for you, as well as balancing a price tag alongside all these decisions can be tough. So we've gathered the best cheap gaming mouse deals from around the internet to bring you high-quality pointers for the best price. Whether you’re looking for a gaming mouse that’s wireless or wired, RGB or subtle, you can count on our recommendations to get you where you’re going, no matter what kinds of games you play. Cheap gaming mouse dealsThe G203 is part of Logitech's budget range designed to provide everyone with high-quality PC gaming gear, and this cheap gaming mouse does just that. With up to 8,000 DPI offering a fair experience in 2020, and six programmable buttons for a decent amount of custom inputs this is a mid-range mouse for an excellent price. While the sensor isn't the fastest of Logitech's range, you wouldn't have guessed it as the G203's performance is as snappy and responsive as many other higher priced mice. This beast of a gaming mouse has seen favour from fans since its release. The Logitech G502 Lightspeed mouse is one of the best in the market right now, and if you're looking to spend a little more you can be safe in the knowledge that an upgrade won't be necessary in the near future. Aside from looking and feeling great, the wireless powerhouse brings sensors and tracking to the top of their game inside a heavily customizable shell. This is a stellar cheap gaming mouse, and one to keep an eye on for great deals. The Logitech G402 Hyperion Fury was the Rolls Royce of gaming mouse deals when it first landed, and now it can be had at an awesome discount. If you want the substantial feel of one of Logitech's more high-end mice but with the price tag of their budget range, this is the deal for you. The G402 is only capable of up to 4,000DPI, which puts it behind a fair few items on this list, but the eight programmable buttons mark a boost up from others at this price. It's a classic gaming mouse that has done the rounds since its release in 2014 but it still holds up today at some excellent price tags. The Steelseries Sensei 310 is a sublime ambidextrous mouse with excellent tracking and design considerations that go beyond left / right handed players to create a smooth mechanical experience. Larger handed players may struggle with the tiny stature of this claw / tip grip wired mouse, but if you're looking for something flexible and cheap while offering a great response and tracking experience this is a great gaming mouse deal. Corsair is a trusted brand for a reason - they develop high quality gaming products at a fair price tag. While the Ironclaw may be a little heavy for some, it's a fantastically tactile gaming mouse with up to 18,000 DPI and an optical sensor. Tracking and response are sublime, and the range and placement of the customizable buttons will serve any genre well. This is one of the cheaper performance gaming mice on this list, so well worth a look if you're looking to save cash. You need speed for a mouse designed for shooting and the Razer DeathAdder Elite has that in bags. The custom 5G sensor from Razer and Pixart will keep your movements fresh and lightning-fast, tracking across 450 inches per second. Plus, the DeathAdder design will sit beautifully on any desk. You are limited in your button configurations, but if you're after performance on a cheap gaming mouse deal, you won't find much better than this. Having all your powers at your fingertips can make all the difference in MMO and MOBA games, and the Corsair Scimitar RGB is among the finest multi-button gaming mice. Not only do you have 12 fully customizable macro buttons, they all also integrate mechanical key switches that ride along an adjustable rail. The Scimitar tops everything off with a 12,000 DPI sensor and four-zone RGB lighting setup. Extended gaming sessions can really do a number on your wrist, which is why many are turning to more ergonomically designed gaming mouse deals as opposed to the flashier RGB options. The Logitech MX Vertical may take some getting used to but it will make a hell of a difference once you do. Let's get it out the way, this is an optical mouse with a top DPI of 4,000 but that sensor is incredibly precise. If you're not looking to use your new cheap gaming mouse with a high octane gaming experience and want the most comfortable option on the market, look no further. Wireless technology often comes at a premium, but you can still find some real steals. Take for instance the Logitech G Pro, a strong combination of wireless power and affordability. You don't need to compromise on your tracking speed and response rate if you go wireless, the Logitech G Pro is capable of up to 16,000 DPI all the more improved by their HERO sensor. With a killer battery life and optional extra buttons to add to your gaming mouse, this is a great flexible wireless mouse to start off with. Plus, its unassuming form factor will fit in with everything else you use your computer for. What should I look for in a cheap gaming mouse?If you've found a cheap gaming mouse deal you like the look of, you might be wondering how to tell if it's worth the cash. There are a few things you need to consider here, as the best gaming mouse for one person may be frustrating and cumbersome for another. Plus, you'll want to make sure you're getting the specifications you need for your cash. You can find cheap gaming mouse deals in a range of sizes and shapes these days, meaning the options for different grips are larger than ever. You'll find palm, claw and fingertip grips out there all designed for different hand sizes, and styles of holding the pointer. Once you've found the grip for you, you'll want to make sure your cheap gaming mouse is made with the right materials. Steer clear of slippery plastics and flimsy panels and you'll be good to go. Now let's talk specs. While it might not be critical to your game plan, picking up a cheap gaming mouse deal with the DPI of a higher price tag always feels good. The higher the DPI count on your gaming mouse, the more responsive the device will be to movement, allowing you to snap into action with twitch reflexes. Don't be fooled by an overly high DPI, however. Often extreme levels can become a hindrance to your game, causing more inaccuracies through over-movement than benefits of speedy reactions. Beyond this, finding a cheap gaming mouse deal that fits with your setup will make all the difference. The good news is plenty of the gaming mice on this page offer wireless, RGB and weight customisation options for you to explore. How to find cheap gaming mouse dealsCheap gaming mouse deals are all around if you know where to look. Typically, you'll find gaming mouse sales around key shopping events throughout the year, but the beginning of the year also offers an excellent opportunity to pick up a bargain on the previous 12 months' winners. If nothing takes your fancy today, keep this page bookmarked as we're always bringing cheap gaming mouse deals your way and check back after new range instalments or competitor price cuts. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| AMD Ryzen 4000 release date, laptops and specs: everything we know about AMD's next CPUs Posted: 31 Jan 2020 10:21 AM PST AMD Ryzen 4000 is coming at a time when Team Red is sitting on top of the world. According to several analysts, it's selling 40% more processors than its rivals over at Intel and its processors are more popular than ever before. But it doesn't look like AMD plans to slow down any time soon. We've already got a sneak peek at AMD Ryzen 4000 processors for laptops at CES 2020, with AMD promising hugely improved performance across the board - and we might finally see AMD processors in big flagships for the first time in years. Laptops aren't the entire scene, however, and we've heard plenty of whispers about the AMD Zen 3-equipped Ryzen 4000 processors for desktop. These will be based on a 7nm+ manufacturing process and could potentially push clock speeds high enough to really make Intel hurt, especially if Team Blue stays stuck at 14nm on desktop. It is definitely an exciting time for AMD, and there's already so much information and gossip out there about the next generation of Ryzen. We gathered all the most important bits right here in this article so you can stay ahead of the Ryzen 4000 curve. And don't worry, we'll keep this article updated with all the latest news and information, so be sure to bookmark us so you can stay on top of it. Cut to the chase
AMD Ryzen 4000 release dateRight out of the gate, we don't know when AMD will be launching its next-generation of Ryzen processors for desktop. Right now, our money is on the Zen 3-backed processors making an appearance at Computex 2020, with a more details announced at E3 2020. This is exactly the approach AMD took with its Ryzen 3rd Generation processors in 2019, but there's one crucial difference. Back at CES 2019, AMD announced Zen 2, the microarchitecture that would later be behind Ryzen 3rd Generation, Threadripper 3rd Generation and Epyc 2nd generation. We expected Team Red to follow suit by announcing Zen 3 with some vague details at CES 2020, but that didn't happen. While we might still see AMD Ryzen 4000 desktop processors make an appearance at Computex 2020 and E3, there's a firm possibility that they'll come at a later date. All we know is that Lisa Su said AMD Ryzen 4000 for desktop will be coming in 2020. We just don't know when in 2020. We did get something at CES 2020, at least, when AMD CEO Lisa Su unveiled the AMD Ryzen 4000 processors for laptops. We do know that AMD Ryzen 4000 processors for laptops will be out in the very near future, and they're potentially much more interesting. There's no specific release date, which is typical for mobile processor lineups. We should start seeing laptops rocking AMD Ryzen 4000 processors by the end of Q1 2020 across both ultraportables and gaming laptops. AMD Ryzen 4000 PriceAs far as the laptop chips, the prices of the processors themselves are not relevant to most people, as laptop manufacturers will absorb the price and repackage them. Still, we will probably see prices increase over last-generation AMD laptops, due to the fact that AMD's processors will be behind flagship-class laptops like the upcoming Lenovo Yoga Slim 7. We'll probably see Ryzen 3 laptops starting around the $600 mark, with laptops rocking the Ryzen 7 4800H or 4800U hitting the premium market above $1,000. However, we can be a bit more specific with our speculation on the desktop lineup. AMD Ryzen 3rd Generation saw higher prices than Ryzen 2000, largely due to the introduction of Ryzen 9 processors with up to 16 cores. However, the Ryzen 7 3700X did launch at the same $329 (£319, AU$519) price point as the Ryzen 7 2700X that came before it. Due to the success of chips like the Ryzen 9 3900X and 3950X, however, we fully expect AMD to follow suit with the Ryzen 4000 lineup. For reference, we included the pricing of AMD Ryzen 3000 processors below. We expect the pricing to stay roughly the same for the next generation.
AMD Ryzen 4000 SpecsRight now we know the most about the AMD Ryzen 4000 mobile lineup, so that's where we're going to start. These will be the first 7nm processors to make their way to laptops, and with that they bring some huge benefits. The biggest of these is, just like Ryzen 3000 desktop before it, core counts. Even with ultraportable laptops, which have previously been limited to 4 core/8 thread configurations, you're getting 8 cores and 16 threads. This is a huge improvement, and even though clock speeds are limited to 4.2GHz - or a bit higher with 25W configurations - users should see massive gains in productivity workloads. However, what's odd is that only every other SKU has hyperthreading. For example, the AMD Ryzen 7 4700U has 8 cores and 8 threads, whereas the 4800U has 8 cores and 16 threads. Both of the announced H-Series chips for mobile have hyper-threading however, along with higher base clock speeds. One of the key features of this AMD Ryzen 4000 series for laptops is going to be the integrated graphics performance. Now, we haven't had a chance to test this yet, of course, but AMD is promising a boost of up to 28% over Intel's Ice Lake when it comes to graphics performance. These chips will not be in gaming laptops, however, but when you just want to get in a quick Overwatch match on your lunch break, it will make a major difference. We went ahead and listed the core specs of each of the laptop processors.
We know far less about desktop, however. Beyond the fact we know it'll be revealed in 2020, Zen 3 is largely an enigma wrapped in mystery. It will be based on a refinement of the 7nm process found in Zen 2, but any more specific information is purely in the realm of rumor. There are rumors that it will be based on TSMC's new 7nm EUV (extreme ultraviolet) process, similar to what's rumored to be seen in Nvidia Ampere. If this is true, the processors could be much more power efficient, which could see clock speeds see a sizable bump - which could seriously threaten Intel's chips in the gaming scene. Another thing that could make Intel start sweating is the rumor that with Ryzen 4000, AMD may introduce more powerful hyperthreading, with each physical core having four simultaneous processing threads, as opposed to the two found on today's silicon. This is a rumor we'd definitely take with a grain of salt, but if it's true it could even further widen the gap between AMD and Intel when it comes to multi-threaded workloads. It's unlikely that we'll see huge core count bumps with this generation, like we did last year. Instead, AMD will probably use the EUV process to boost performance while cutting power consumption. This does mean that there likely won't be much of a reason to upgrade if you already have a Ryzen 3000 chip. Still, we won't know what AMD Ryzen 4th Generation processors will look like until we see them announced by Team Red. We'll be sure to update this article as soon as we hear more about AMD's next desktop chips and once we've been able to actually test the laptop models.
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| The best cheap Chromebook prices and deals in February 2020 Posted: 31 Jan 2020 10:19 AM PST After the best Chromebook deals around? We've got top prices from retailers across the world wide web selling the best Chromebooks out there. If you don't know where to start: don't worry. We've scoured the major online retailers for the biggest Chromebook price drops to save you the trouble – and are keeping this page updated throughout the year for whenever you happen to be on the hunt for a new Chromebook computer. Certainly, the cheapest Chromebooks are already pretty good for the price, and tend to be aimed at those who don't want to blow all their cash on a single gadget purchase. That said, you don’t need to worry about us prioritizing affordability over quality either. The best Chromebook price is often one that incorporates decent specs at a low cost, and we've found a range of models perfect for a variety of different needs. Without further delay, let’s dive in. What makes a good Chromebook price?The cheapest Chromebooks can sometimes be guilty of skimping on their specs. To find the best Chromebook price, therefore, it's important to keep your needs in mind when it comes to processor quality and storage solutions. There are definitely deals that take both power and cost efficiency into account, so it's important to keep an eye out for anything with an SSD capable of storing and managing updates (if you're not running ChromeOS) and RAM above the 2GB baseline that often appears in searches.
Our favorite Chromebooks on saleThis is where you should begin your search for a Chromebook. At 14 inches in screen size and inside an adorable frame, the HP Chromebook 14 offers a fine middle ground for the indecisive shopper. With standardized parts inside, this Chromebook can do essentially all its closest rivals can and then some, with its microSD card reader and slew of ports – unlike similarly-priced, tinier Chromebooks. Read our full review: HP Chromebook 14 It’s almost as if Dell hand-crafted this Chromebook to get work done in the classroom. It’s got an indicator light on the lid that teachers can use as if the student raised his or her hand to answer (or ask) a question. And, it’s rubberized in many places to better survive drops and dents. It’s an awfully mobile laptop, too, making it sensible for work at almost any class level, or if you just want a lightweight web browser and email machine. In the education sector, a Chromebook price can be one of the most important factors so you'll be safe in the knowledge that this Dell 11 is efficient as well. Read our full review: Dell Chromebook 11 If you’re looking for a large laptop but don’t want to spend too much, a Chromebook price offers the perfect deal for you. Acer’s crafted a strong, 15.6-inch Chrome machine that can house plenty of beefier components than most other laptops at its price range. It doesn’t do much that’s exclusive to its larger size so much that it simply does those things more. For many, that’s a selling point worth trying to find the best deal over, and this just so happens to be the best one. Read our full review: Acer Chromebook 15 The Google Pixelbook Go has only just left its box, but it's already one of the most powerful Chromebooks out there. It does have the price tag to match, but it's nowhere near the $1,000/£1,000 tag on its predecessor. The 8th generation of processors to choose from and the substantial SSD sizes on offer mean you'll be zipping through tasks on an ultra portable laptop with a great full HD screen. Plus, the Go can manage all that and still stay alive for 12 hours at a time, which is pretty good going when you consider the power stored inside this sleek shell. It might not be the cheap and cheerful machine you were expecting to pick up, but it's certainly worth a look if you're going to be using your Chromebook for anything strenuous. The R11's subdued design may not win any awards, but inside that white shell is a surprisingly slim laptop destined to last an entire day's work. It’s even among the first Chromebooks to support Android apps by way of the Google Play Store. So, if you’ve ever wanted to use Firefox on a Chromebook, now you can. The R11 packs day-long battery life, sharp performance and a 360-degree hinge for the touchscreen. It won't burn your wallet, thereby making cons, like an iffy trackpad and barely-HD screen, a little easier to take. Read the full review: Acer Chromebook R11 Acer tends to run the show in our Chromebook roundups, and for good reason: it makes great Chromebooks. If you want the look and near-feel of a MacBook Air, but with the Chromebook price tag this is the model for you. The 14 looks and feels like Apple’s famous notebook on the outside, but of course can’t truly feel like using one with how little it costs. Read our full review: Acer Chromebook 14 Not long after killing off the Chromebook Pixel, Google has revived it in a way that no one was expecting leading into its reveal. Now, it’s called the Google Pixelbook, and it takes a sharp turn away from its predecessor. That’s mainly because we’re looking at a machine that can run Android apps natively in addition to bolstering Chrome OS. With ample storage space, nigh-perfect stylus integration and Google Assistant, the Pixelbook is the best Chromebook you can buy. That said, while Google Pixelbook deals will be hard to come by, it's one of the most-searched laptops right now, so it's worth calling out – not to mention being on the lookout for hot deals. In all honesty, you can afford to save your cash for an all-in laptop with more features - this isn't exactly the price tag for a quick Chromebook purchase after all. Read the full review: Google Pixelbook
TechRadar is scouring every retailer and rounding up all the top deals over the Black Friday period, and we’ve put all the best Black Friday deals and Cyber Monday deals in easy-to-navigate articles to help you find the bargains you’re looking for. If you're looking for a more substantial machine for speedy multitasking or high performance software, why not check out our best cheap laptop deals of the week. There's also some excellent gaming laptop deals to be had as well! This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| The cheapest Xbox One controller deals and prices in February 2020 Posted: 31 Jan 2020 10:19 AM PST Cheap Xbox One controller prices aren't too easy to find. That's because retailers rarely lower the price of Xbox controller deals, leaving shoppers to pay full price most of the time. You can, however, find competitive prices online, and that's where we come in. We're here to help you find the best prices on Xbox One controllers. Here’s the thing: console deals are awesome, and often come loaded with huge savings, but unless you buy a bundle that specifically packs in a second controller, your Xbox One will only arrive alongside one. Why is that the case? The main reason is that it’s cheaper that way, yet it still makes it seem like the manufacturer is cutting you some kind of deal. But just because you’re getting shorted a controller doesn’t mean you should go without a second one - how else would you ever play a local multiplayer game without one? For that reason a second controller is a crucial pick-up. So let's see what Xbox One deals are out there. The cheapest Xbox One controller pricesXbox One controllers in all colors of the rainbow!While black and white are the most popular choices for extra gamepads, they're not the only options. In fact, if you really want to add a splash of color to your console, there are plenty of neat controller color schemes to do just that. We've listed them below for your perusing convenience. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| The cheapest Xbox Live Gold deals and 12 month membership prices for February 2020 Posted: 31 Jan 2020 10:18 AM PST Let us find you the cheapest Xbox Live Gold deals for 12-month memberships right here with our price comparison technology that searches through loads of retailers to bring you the best price whatever region you're in. After all we're confident we can beat those auto-renew Xbox Live Gold prices of $60 in the US, £50 in UK or $80 in Australia. We see prices cheaper than this throughout the year and we're in the best place to spot any discounts. The UK sub was priced at £40 for many years, but went up £10 in May 2019. So as you're probably all too aware, as with past consoles in the Xbox lineup, the Xbox One also requires an Xbox Live Gold subscription in order to play games online. It's not all bad though, as Microsoft took a note from Sony's similar PlayStation Plus offering and now gives out free games each month to members. You currently get two for the Xbox One and two Xbox 360 games to play on the old console or your Xbox One via its backwards-compatible feature. And seeing as Sony's service now only gives you two games a month, Microsoft's service is certainly looking like the better deal. If you're also tempted by the Xbox Game Pass library, you might want to check out the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate membership. The subscription combines access to the entire Game Pass library with Xbox Live Gold, offering both services for one simple price. You can save big on both services using the deals we've found below! Microsoft's Xbox Live service is generally seen as the more stable and reliable network of the two - although Sony's PSN has been fine of late. You'll also get Xbox One Gold member-exclusive discounts in the many sales on the Xbox Live store. Use Xbox Live Gold to get the best Game Pass Ultimate dealAs of June 2019, there's an even better way to use your Xbox Live Gold membership - turning it into a Game Pass Ultimate subscription. Game Pass Ultimate combines the online play of Live Gold and the game streaming library of Game Pass to bring you the ultimate Xbox experience. Plus, Microsoft are offering an introductory $1/£1 price tag on players' first month with the subscription. This is where it gets interesting, though. Microsoft is also offering to convert any remaining Xbox Live Gold months you have left when you sign up into Game Pass Ultimate months. As long as you add the Live Gold months to your account before you sign up for Ultimate, you can stack gift card codes to save an amazing amount of cash on 30 months of game streaming - taking you up to the June 2022 limit. You're still spending money on the Live Gold subscription, but it's far cheaper Xbox's most expensive membership. You could spend the next three years playing every major game as soon as it's released to Xbox and saving money while you do it! Plus, Microsoft is fully supportive of the lifehack, so there's no need to worry about being told off! We generally find that CDKeys is one of the cheapest prices to buy a 12-month Xbox Live Gold deal, but technical gremlins sometimes mean the prices don't show up in our comparison chart below. Feel free to check the following CDKeys links though, just to make sure you're getting the best Xbox Live Gold deal. Prices are usually hovering around £34-£38 in the UK and $46-$50 in the USand $60-$65 in Australia. If you'd prefer to go down the official route, you can buy directly from Microsoft's website. There are discounts sometimes, but we generally find prices stick to the full RRP. If you'd like to take a look, that'd be $59.99 in the US or £39.99 in the UK or $79.95 in Australia. If you want to combine your Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass subscriptions, you can save with the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate. On top of your free monthly games courtesy of Live Gold, you'll also get access to the entire Xbox Game Pass library for one price. While you can only grab three month memberships at the moment, buying both Xbox Live Gold and Xbox Game Pass separately through a rolling subscription with Microsoft will set you back $59.94/£44.94 for those three months. The Xbox Game Pass Ultimate will save you at least $15/£12, and that's before you've even taken a look at the great deals below. We'd recommend starting off with the $1/£1 introductory month available through your Xbox console, before cancelling your auto-renew and grabbing one of these amazing discounts. You can also get a shorter three-month Xbox Live Gold subscription. However, we don't think this represents as good value as the cost per month works out much higher. If you want to dip your toe into the world of online gaming though, this is a good place to start, and doesn't commit you to a full year. It's worth checking if you could get a free month-long trial directly from your Xbox menu first though. What are the free Xbox Games with Gold this month?We've got you covered. Each month we update the list of extensive freebies for the Xbox Live Games with Gold promotion. Why not bookmark the page below to make sure you never miss out? This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Buy Windows 10: the cheapest prices in February 2020 Posted: 31 Jan 2020 10:17 AM PST The deadline to get a free upgrade to Windows 10 has sadly now passed. Not to worry though as you can rely on TechRadar to help you buy Windows 10 for the best price. Windows 10 brings back the beloved Start button as well as all the features and integrations you've come to expect from your PC. So, if you're building a brand new system or want to upgrade to Windows 10 on an older device, you're going to need to buy Windows again. Don't worry though, because we check the prices of Windows 10 every day to make sure you get the best deals. Why buy Windows 10?You may still be running your computer on Windows 7 or 8, and if so it might be time to buy Windows 10. This isn't just a performance update, Windows 10 brings new features and security settings to your machine that are crucial to getting your work done in today's operating systems. From the ease of the Cortana assistant to the speed boost you'll notice instantly, upgrading your older system to Windows 10 will be well worth your while. Buy Windows 10 Home for the best priceThe perfect version of Windows for home users Windows 10 Home is the version that most people will need. It's for home use and includes game streaming from Xbox One and other consumer features like Cortana, as well as Windows Hello for logging into your PC via a fingerprint scanner or your face. If Windows 8 was the steepest learning curve imaginable, Windows 10 is like meeting a great friend you once knew again - it's just that they've bought some new clothes of which you really do approve. If you're looking to buy Windows 10 Home today, you'll find some excellent offers to save you some cash below. Buy Windows 10 Pro for the cheapest priceGo Pro if you think it's worth paying more for the Pro features Buy Windows 10 Pro if you need the extra security and management improvements over the Home version above. It includes Hyper-V for virtualization, BitLocker whole disk encryption, enterprise mode IE, Remote Desktop, a version of the Windows Store for your own business and assigned access (which locks a PC to running only one modern application, to use like a kiosk). Network admins can also schedule updates so they don't happen at important times. Buy Windows 7 dealsWindows 7 - because we fear change What's this? Windows 7 deals on a page that advertises Windows 10? We understand some of you really want to stick with Windows 7, maybe even on a new machine. Don't worry, we totally get it. Maybe it's because you have some hardware/software that works better on the old OS or it just feels better. Or maybe it's because you've no time for the ridiculousness of the tiles format. If any of the above sound like you, buy Windows 7, a PC traditionalist's choice.
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| The cheapest Nintendo Wii U prices, sales deals in February 2020 Posted: 31 Jan 2020 10:17 AM PST This had to happen eventually, cheap Wii U prices are seemingly a thing of the past in all honesty, well if you want a new unit at least. Nintendo no longer produces the Wii U, making unopened boxes shoot up in price. So the latest Nintendo Wii U sale prices might be a little hard to look at in our price comparison charts below. However, it is worth keeping an eye out for any pre-owned or refurbished models as we're seeing them go for hundreds less than new models. Yes hundreds. On this page you will find all of the best remaining Wii U deals on standalone consoles and bundles, actually most of the items in the comparison chart below come bundled with a game once you click through. The Wii U might be unable to compete with the Xbox One and PS4 in raw power, but it's a console packed with some unique features and good ideas. So if you don't fancy the hardcore gaming experiences of those other two consoles, the fun and light-hearted orientation of the Wii U experience could be for you. There are some strong games in its lineup, but considering the still-high costs, you may want to consider a Nintendo Switch bundle instead. Keep clicking the 'Show more deals' button on our comparison chart to see more options as the new units generally sit at the top, but there are cheaper refurbished options available too. Wii U game dealsThe Wii U hasn't enjoyed the same success as the original Wii console, but that doesn't mean there aren't a lot of incredible exclusives to enjoy. We've rounded up some of the best ones in a comparison chart below. So if you decide to add a Wii U to your console collection, be sure to take a look at these games while you can. It's looking like the new Nintendo Switch won't have a disc drive, so don't expect it to be backwards compatible. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
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