Apple : Today you can get the best mid-range 65-inch 4K TV of 2019 for $600 |
- Today you can get the best mid-range 65-inch 4K TV of 2019 for $600
- The best Super Bowl TV deals in 2020: sales from Walmart, Amazon, and Best Buy
- Visa snaps up payment giant Plaid for $5.3bn
- Get unlimited social media and a data boost with this ace Voxi SIM only deal sale
- PC sales grow for the first time in seven years
- Doom Eternal release date, trailers, modes, and gameplay
- Xbox Series X release date, specs, design and launch titles for the next Xbox
- Microsoft CEO believes backdoors aren't the answer
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| Today you can get the best mid-range 65-inch 4K TV of 2019 for $600 Posted: 14 Jan 2020 02:15 PM PST While Black Friday and Super Bowl Sunday are known as some of the best days to buy discounted TVs, you can always catch a day or two in between that have just as good (if not better) deals than the “biggest” sales days of the year. Such is the case today at Best Buy where you can pick up a 65-inch TCL 6-Series QLED – one of the best TVs of last year – for just $594.99. When it launched in the middle of last year the 6-Series QLED would have cost you $899 and now, thanks to this deal, it’s $300 off when you use the code TCLDOLBY15 at checkout. What makes the 6-Series so special? It’s one of the few TVs in its price range that uses full-array lighting with a huge number of contrast control zones (TL;DR it has outstanding contrast). On top of that, it’s the first TV in the 6-Series lineup to use Quantum Dots for better color saturation and the new AIPQ processor for upscaling – both of which work great. Last but not least, the TV uses Roku TV, which we love. Although Roku’s interface is a bit basic, it supports nearly every major streaming service and doesn’t push one service / type of content over another, giving you truly universal search results. It now has an advertisement on the homescreen that we don’t love, but otherwise is pretty much ad-free. All said, if you want a great 65-inch 4K TV in the $600 range, this is the one to go for.
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| The best Super Bowl TV deals in 2020: sales from Walmart, Amazon, and Best Buy Posted: 14 Jan 2020 01:09 PM PST The 2020 Super Bowl is just weeks away, and that means you can find incredible TV deals from retailers like Walmart, Amazon, Best Buy, and more. You can score record-low prices on a variety of best-selling TVs from brands such as Vizio, LG, and Samsung. Our top Super Bowl TV deals include everything from a mid-size 50-inch TV to a massive 75-inch set, with features such as HDR and voice control, and at a range of prices – so whatever your football viewing needs you’ll find your perfect TV here. 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 make sure to check back, as we'll be updating this article with more deals as we get closer to watching the Super Bowl 2020 live stream.
Shop more of our top picks for the best budget TV deals. Super Bowl 2020 live stream: find out how to watch the game online for free and without commercials. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Visa snaps up payment giant Plaid for $5.3bn Posted: 14 Jan 2020 01:07 PM PST Visa is interested in moving further into the fintech space with its announcement that it plans to acquire the financial technology company Plaid for $5.3bn. Plaid's platform allows users to connect their bank accounts to finance apps such as Venmo and Betterment to help facilitate online payments and investments. If the deal goes through, it will mean Visa now owns a key technology layer in the growing fintech space. Last year alone, an estimated 75 percent of internet-connected consumers around the world used a fintech app to move money.
Plaid acquisitionWhile Plaid may not be as well known as some of its clients, roughly one in four people with a US bank account have used the company's platform to share data with and connect to a finance app according to Visa. Venmo is a great example of this because when a user sets up an account with the service, Plaid's technology is what allows them to link their bank account. In a press release announcing its plans to acquire Plaid, VISA CEO and chairman AL Kelly explained how the deal will allow the company to deliver even more value to its customers and financial institutions, saying: “We are extremely excited about our acquisition of Plaid and how it enhances the growth trajectory of our business. Plaid is a leader in the fast growing fintech world with best-in-class capabilities and talent. The acquisition, combined with our many fintech efforts already underway, will position Visa to deliver even more value for developers, financial institutions and consumers.” According to Visa, Plaid's core focus on fintech will also open new market opportunities both within the US and internationally. Once the deal closes, Plaid will continue to operate as an independent company.
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| Get unlimited social media and a data boost with this ace Voxi SIM only deal sale Posted: 14 Jan 2020 12:54 PM PST Familiar with Voxi? Whether you know it for its endless social media philosophy, its flexibility or its constant thumb-heavy adverts during the Love Island drama, Voxi has quickly become a household name in the world of SIM only deals. And for anyone interested in scooping up a Voxi SIM, now seems like the perfect time. All the way up until February 19, Voxi is boosting data on its two cheapest plans, getting you that extra bit of bang for your buck. Go for the cheaper £10 a month option and Voxi will up your data from 6GB to 8GB. Splash out a little bit more on the £15 a month option and you'll see a jump from 15GB to 20GB. And as we mentioned above, Voxi really likes social media, allowing you to use Facebook, Whataspp, Snapchat, Instagram, Twitter or Facebook Messenger without using up data. While these contracts will be ideal for big social media fans, both the companies Smarty and Three are giving Voxi a serious challenge when it comes to SIMO value. You can find information about these Voxi deals and Smarty and Three's offers below.
Voxi's impressive SIM only deals:What other SIM only deals are available?While these offers are very attractive, there are a load of other SIM only deals you can go for. Three has been ruling the SIMO world for a while now with some excellent value offers. For the cheaper option, Three has a 8GB of data SIM for just £8 a month. Or go with its unlimited data offer costing just £18 a month. And it's worth taking a look at its closest competition - Smarty. You pay £15 a month for 50GB of data and get the benefits of a 1-month rolling contract. And, you can tether your devices so you can use your big data plan on your phone, tablet and computer.
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| PC sales grow for the first time in seven years Posted: 14 Jan 2020 11:56 AM PST Following a seven year slump, PC sales grew in 2019 compared to the previous year according to new reports from both IDC and Gartner. However, this increase in sales was largely driven by demand for Windows 10 upgrades as Windows 7's end of life date has now arrived. During the fourth quarter of 2019, global PC shipments totaled 70.6m units according to Gartner and this figure represents a 2.3 percent increase from the same period last year. For the full year though, 261.2m units were shipped and this shows a growth rate of 0.6 percent from 2018.
IDC reported that fourth quarter PC shipments came in at 71.8m units which represents 4.8 percent growth. Over the course of 2019, shipments came to 266.69m units, showing a 2.7 percent increase over 2018. The reason that Gartner and IDC's PC sales numbers don't line up is because both firms define the PC market slightly differently. Gartner includes desk-based PCs, notebook PC and ultramobile premiums such as the Microsoft Surface in its PC sales numbers but not Chromebooks or iPads. IDC on the other hand, counts desktops, notebooks, workstations and Chromebooks but not tablets or x86 servers in its figures. PC market growthWhile Windows 10 was first released back in 2015, many consumers and even some businesses have been reluctant to make the switch to Microsoft's latest operating system. However, as Windows 7 will no longer receive security updates, many users have finally made the decision to invest in new PC hardware as these devices ship with Windows 10. These upgrades will help the PC market grow in the short term but according to both IDC and Gartner, innovation is required to help PC sales continue to grow in the long term. Both firms also noted in their reports that Intel's CPU shortage has continued to impact the market in Q4 2019. IDC made the point though that adoption of AMD CPUs did provide some relief to this problem. Lenovo, HP and Dell held onto their spots as the top three vendors according to both firms' reports and these three companies accounted for close to 65 percent of the market last year. Senior principal analyst at Gartner, Mikako Kitagawa provided further insight on the firm's latest report in a statement, saying: "The PC market experienced growth for the first time since 2011, driven by vibrant business demand for Windows 10 upgrades, particularly in the U.S., EMEA and Japan. We expect this growth to continue through this year even after Windows 7 support comes to an end this month, as many businesses in emerging regions such as China, Eurasia and the emerging Asia/Pacific have not yet upgraded."
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| Doom Eternal release date, trailers, modes, and gameplay Posted: 14 Jan 2020 10:58 AM PST Ready to raze some hell? Well, Doom Eternal is just months from release and we can't wait to properly get our hands on the sequel to the much-loved 2016 reboot. The new game looks even faster, more frenetic, and more gore-filled than its predecessor – and was meant to be hitting our screens in November. However, we now know that the Doom Eternal's release date has been pushed back to March 20 2020, delaying the instant gratification only tearing through hordes of the undead with our bare hands can provide us. But from what we've seen and played of Doom Eternal, we think it will still be worth the wait. It's worth mentioning that March 20 release date only applies to the PS4 and Xbox One versions too – while a Nintendo Switch release is confirmed, it will be arriving some time after the other consoles. Doom Eternal comes four years after the 2016 Doom reboot, and will feature the same unnamed marine (AKA the Doom Slayer) taking on the forces of hell – this time bringing the action to our own humble planet, and possibly even to heaven. With a larger backdrop to the blood-fuelled action, and new online multiplayer modes confirmed for the game, there's still plenty to be excited about, even if we have to wait a little longer to get our hands on it. Here's everything we now about Doom Eternal.
Cut to the chase
Doom Eternal release dateDoom Eternal will release on March 20, 2020 for PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Google Stadia and PC. The game was initially due for release on November 22, 2019 but, back in October, it was announced that the release date had been pushed back. A press release from id Software stressed that this was "to make sure we’re delivering the best experience – for DOOM Eternal to live up to our standards of speed and polish." Doom Eternal trailersIf the most recent Doom Eternal trailer doesn't sell you on the game then nothing will. It's got a bit of everything that you would expect from the series: demons, guns blazing, a hint of narrative and a lot of gore. Check it out below: Bethesda released a longer trailer showcasing Doom Eternal's new multiplayer Battle Mode. Check it out below: Bethesda's E3 2019 keynote included a big, bad trailer with even more incredible action, giving us a little more info on the story to come in Doom: Eternal. Y'know, so it's not just guns and gore. Bethesda also revealed Battle Mode, a 2-demons-vs-1-Doomguy versus mode for 3 players. Even if they don't introduce a multiplayer mode, this is a neat little addition to shake up the carnage. The Doom Eternal worldwide premiere gameplay reveal of Doom Eternal took place during the QuakeCon 2018 keynote, and was our first chance to see the sequel in action. You can check out the gameplay trailer below: Doom Eternal's E3 2018 trailer had everything we love about the series, dialled up to 11. Get a glimpse of its apocalyptic vision of Earth, with a suitably thumping soundtrack and some jacked-up demons staring down the barrel of a shotgun. Doom Eternal news and rumorsMore hands on Centred Weapons Campaign playtime Quakecon 2019 and Battle Mode The premise of battle mode is 2v1, with one player taking on the role of the Demonslayer and the other two taking on the role of demons. Doom Eternal's battle mode will have six unique maps at launch, each designed to allow the Doomslayer and demons to partake in a hellish game of cat and mouse. These arenas include portals, monkey bars and jump pads to make play as dynamic as possible - and fun obviously. But what demons are available for you to play as? At launch, there will be five playable demons: the Revenant, Pain Elemental, Mancubus, Marauder and Arch-vile. Each demon has its own particular abilities, strengths and weaknesses to harness against the Doom Slayer. While some are more hard-hitting, others focus on stealth. id Software emphasises that it's important for the playable demons to work together to best the Doom Slayer, as a demon alone is an easy target for the BFG. When it comes to the Doom Slayer themselves, you'll be fully-loaded with all mods available. Like in the single-player campaign, you will need to manage spawning demons as well as resources - not to mention your player foes. As the demons it is your job to kill the Doom Slayer to win, while the Doom Slayer has a harder task at hand. The Doom Slayer must kill both playable demons, but this is where it gets tricky: When you kill one demon, they have the chance to respawn after a certain amount of time if you don't kill the other within that time limit. If a demon does respawn, it will do so with half health. Between rounds, players will be able to upgrade their demons and Doom Slayer to make things a bit more difficult - like it wasn't already, From what we've seen, battle mode certainly looks like it will be a blast and we can't wait to get our hands on it. Stadia launch title Slayer 2.0 A host of new demons (and returning favorites) Invasion Hands on Or will we see a VR version? Coming to Switch Keep checking back here for all the latest Doom Eternal news This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Xbox Series X release date, specs, design and launch titles for the next Xbox Posted: 14 Jan 2020 10:23 AM PST Xbox Series X is the next-generation Xbox, releasing in late 2020. Previously known by its codename 'Xbox Project Scarlett', the Xbox Series X was officially revealed at The Game Awards 2019 with a trailer that showed off the next Xbox in all its glory. We now know when the next Xbox will release, its official name, a few of the specs on offer, and what it's going to look like. Xbox Series X will be a bit of a departure both design-wise and name-wise from its predecessors, sporting a blockier style that's similar to that of a small gaming PC - with an upright tower design. And, more importantly, the specs Microsoft has revealed so far suggest its going to be an absolute powerhouse. But Xbox Series X will not be the only next-generation hardware on offer from Microsoft. The company has confirmed that the family of consoles will be called 'Xbox' and that 'Series X' is just one of the consoles within that family. Sony's PS5 may be launching in the same late 2020 window as the Series X, but Microsoft looks like it's going to put up one heck of a fight in the next-generation console wars with the Series X boasting twice the power of the Xbox One X. Plus, Series X can take center stage at E3 2020 now that Sony has confirmed it won't be attending. So what exactly has Microsoft got to offer? Let's break down everything we know about the Xbox Series X.
Expect to see the Xbox Series X console launch in the 'holiday' window of 2020. That's between October and December of this year, and just in time for Christmas. We're thinking a November release is most likely, as that's when Microsoft has previously launched its consoles. It's exactly the same sort of launch period we're expecting Sony to have for its PS5, too. Santa's going to be a busy guy this year. Keep in mind that rumors pointed to there being two new Xbox consoles on the way, codenamed Anaconda and Lockhart, the former being high end and the latter being a cheaper, streaming-focused solution. While the former, Anaconda, appears to be the Xbox Series X, Microsoft hasn't spilled anything about the latter, Lockhart, console. Whether Lockhart will also launch within this window is still to be confirmed - as is the console itself (read on below for further details). Microsoft won't be pinned down on a price point quite yet – unsurprisingly, given what a sore spot the price of the Xbox One was for fans. At launch, the original Xbox One cost a whopping $499 / £429 / AU$599, which was quickly reduced when Microsoft realized people weren't forking out. Microsoft has at the very least promised that it's learned from this pricing mistake, with Phil Spencer stating that this time "we will not be out of position on power or price.” That doesn't mean that the console will be cheap, mind you, it just means the price point will be better aligned with the console's power and the price points of the competition. After all, Jason Ronald, director of the Xbox platform, gave only a vague reassurance when speaking to Windows Central, saying that Microsoft knew "what reasonable price points are for a console and kind of what customers expect about that". Price will at least in part be determined by the cost of the components going into the console: Xbox Scarlett is going to be a lot more powerful than either the Xbox One S or Xbox One X, and that will likely mean we're looking at an even higher price tag.
Xbox Project Scarlett components. (Image credit: Microsoft) We now know what Xbox Series X looks like and what it's packing under the hood, and it's shaping up to be an absolute beast of a console. The next Xbox's gaming PC design is pretty apt, considering the next-gen console's internal hardware is comparable to one. "I think the area that we really want to focus on next generation is frame rate and playability of the games," Spencer explained in an interview with Gamespot. "Ensuring that the games load incredibly fast, ensuring that the game is running at the highest frame rate possible." Microsoft is aiming to get Xbox Series X games to run at 60 FPS in 4K, calling the challenge a "design goal". "This generation, we've really focused on 4K visuals and how we bring both movies through 4K Blu-ray and video streaming," Spencer explained. "And with Xbox One X allowing games to run at 4K visuals, we will make really strong visual enhancements next generation." Despite 4K being the aim, Microsoft has said the Xbox Series X has 8K capability. Head of Xbox Phil Spencer even changed his Twitter profile photo to what appears to be a picture of the next-gen Xbox Series X's processor. It says 'Project Scarlett' on there, and it's marked with '8K' (pictured below) suggesting Microsoft plans on doing more than simply talking the talk when it comes to 8K. An SSD will come as standard in Series X, as with the PS5, which will give it the option of using its storage system as virtual RAM, as well as lifting load time performance by a factor of 40x. That'll let developers stream in far more detailed worlds around a player. In terms of 'standard' RAM, the console will use GDDR6. While GDDR6 is usually used as memory for graphics cards, the Series X could use it as super-fast system RAM instead. In addition, benchmark results have appeared online for an AMD ‘Flute’ system-on-a-chip (SoC), leading some to speculate that this could be the hardware that will power Xbox Series X. The benchmark results were spotted by a Twitter user, and while we’re not sure what the purpose of the chip is, we know that Microsoft is working with AMD to produce a custom SoC that combines a processor and graphics card for the next Xbox – in the same way that Sony is working with AMD on its custom Gonzalo SoC for the PlayStation 5. If these benchmark results are real, and the AMD Flute SoC is indeed going to power the Xbox Series X console, then it gives us an idea of the console's specifications and potential power level – something Microsoft has been rather cagey about so far. According to the benchmark results, the AMD Flute SoC will come with eight Zen 2 cores, 16 threads and SMT capability. Interestingly, the base clock speed of the Flute SoC is just 1.6GHz, which is pretty low these days, with a maximum boost of 3.2GHz. This suggests that the Flute SoC will be a low-power part for use in compact systems – such as a games console, and is similar to AMD’s Jaguar SoC which powered the Xbox One. While on paper the Flute SoC’s processor doesn’t sound too impressive – especially when compared to modern desktop PCs’ CPUs – it looks like the Flute CPU will be at least two times faster than previous-generation Jaguar SoCs, and will be a big upgrade over the dated 28nm Jaguar SoCs found in the original Xbox One and PS4. The Flute SoC is also expected to be 7nm, which will also bring power benefits. As a system-on-a-chip, the AMD Flute looks like it comes with a graphics processing unit (GPU) as well, though clues about the graphics capabilities are harder to find. Apparently, it will be based on ‘NAVI 10LITE’ – which has been mentioned before when unreleased AMD Navi GPUs showed up in a Linux driver. It’s possible that this is a ‘Lite’ version of the Navi 10 GPU, which will have reduced or limited specs compared to the full version, including lower CU (compute unit) counts. Having a lower CU count means the GPU will be less power-hungry, again suggesting that the AMD Flute SoC, if it does exist, is designed for a device where power efficiency is important – such as a games console. Finally, the benchmark results also suggest the engineering sample uses 16GB of memory – though the type of memory is not mentioned. It could mean that the Flute SoC shares 16GB of GDDR6 memory between the CPU and GPU, in a similar way to how the Xbox One X shares GDDR5 memory. So, does this mean we have a better idea of what the Xbox Series X's specs will be? Well, there’s some compelling evidence, but remember that this is from a leaked benchmark, and we’re not sure if the AMD Flute SoC is going to be used in Series X – if the SoC even exits. It’s also worth noting that this AMD Flute is apparently an engineering sample, which means this may not be its final specifications – and that could change if (and it’s a very big if) it ends up in the next Xbox when the console launches late 2020. If you're less bothered about the specs and more concerned about whether you can still play physical games on the next Xbox, then you'll be pleased to know that Xbox Series X has a physical disc drive. Microsoft has also confirmed that all your current Xbox One accessories will work with Xbox Series X, including existing controllers and headsets. But we'd doubt that also includes the ill-fated Kinect motion tracker. That means that the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2 that launched in November 2019 will be forward compatible with Series X, but Microsoft is also launching a next-generation wireless controller to accompany the new console.
Xbox Series X has a completely different design to its predecessors. For a start, the next-gen console has an upright tower design - similar to that of a gaming PC. However, Microsoft has confirmed Series X can sit horizontally or vertically. From what we seen in the Series X reveal trailer, the console is black with slightly indented cooling vent on the top (with what seems to be a green light inside). The Xbox logo sits small on the top left hand corner of the console and there's still a disc drive - which is placed vertically on the left hand side also. Windows Central estimates the console is 31cm x 16cm x 16cm, making it a tall cuboid. The Xbox One measurs 30cm x 24cm x 6cm, making the Series X considerably larger (volume wise) than its predecessor. Unfortunately we haven't seen the back of the console yet so really we're taking the Series X on 'face value'. We did think we got a sneak peek of the back of the Series X at AMD's CES 2020 showcase. During the showcase, the company offered what appeared to be our first legitimate look at the upcoming Xbox Series X's rear-mounted ports, showing off dual USB Type-C and HDMI ports (indicating either HDMI passthrough or a dedicated HDMI port for audio out), along with USB 3.0, Ethernet and SPDIF digital audio ports. However, all of this tantalizing Xbox Series X connectivity information has now been officially retracted, with an AMD representative confirming to Stevivor that the "imagery used during the AMD CES press conference was not sourced from Microsoft and does not accurately reflect the design or features of the upcoming console.” Oh well. Guess we'll have to wait a bit longer. Xbox Series X Microsoft is releasing a next generation controller to accompany its next generation console. The new Xbox Wireless Controller will apparently be more accessible to everyone, as Microsoft has made an effort to refine the size and shape. This shouldn't be too surprising to anyone that's been following the tech giant, as it's been making waves for accessibility in gaming for a while now with products like the Xbox Adaptive Controller. Along with enhanced accessibility, we'll also be getting a dedicated share button (finally) that will let you share screenshots and videos with your friends. However, apart from these details, we don't know exactly what other new features the new Xbox Wireless Controller will boast quite yet. During the Xbox Series X's official reveal, Phil Spencer said Series X games will be "more lifelike, immersive and surprising" and that the Xbox Series X will "lead us into the future of gaming". He also stated that 15 Xbox Game Studios are building a huge next-generation library that includes Hellblade II: Senua's Saga. Halo Infinite has been confirmed to be an Xbox Series X launch title, bringing back the Master Chief for the franchises' first outing since 2015. It will have been five years at that point since a new mainline Halo game, so fans will be chomping at the bit for fresh Halo action. The Halo franchise is widely regarded as the original Xbox’s first must-play games, so the move to launch a next-gen with a Halo game is both symbolic and quite business-savvy on Microsoft’s part. Not a Halo fan? Don't worry, Xbox Series X will be capable of three generations of backwards compatibility. Microsoft has stated that Xbox Series X will support backwards compatibility from launch, with the company stating it wants the"thousands of games that run on Xbox One" to eventually become playable on Xbox Series X. In addition, Microsoft will avoid siloing by taking a cross-generation approach to its first-party games. Talking to Stevivor, Phil Spencer said Microsoft wants to create a console that utilizes Xbox Play Anywhere so you can move seamlessly between devices: "Our goal for our first-party games is that your entitlements will be cross-generation and your Achievements will move effectively with your save game because that’s where they stand.” Speaking of first-party games, Microsoft has been promising that it's investing in first-party studios in order to make a more competitive offering. As far as third-parties are concerned, we already have confirmation from Ubisoft that its upcoming titles Watch Dogs: Legion, Gods and Monsters and Rainbow Six Quarantine will be coming to Microsoft's console after delays were announced during a financial call, while EA has said that Battlefield 6 will be coming to Xbox Series X. It's likely that Bethesda will be coming to Xbox Series X with its next Elder Scrolls game too. There's plenty to look forward to and now that next generation announcements are coming in, we'll be holding our breath waiting for updates from other publishers. Also, by the time Series X launches, Microsoft's game-streaming service Project xCloud may be out of public testing and we should hopefully be able to enjoy Series X games on-the-go. For those who aren't quite sold on upgrading to Series X quite yet, but still want to check out the best upcoming games, Microsoft has stated that there won't be Xbox Series X exclusive games for at least a year and, for the foreseeable future, new games are planned to work across the Xbox family of devices. That means you'll still be able to play them on Xbox One. In an interview with MCV, head of Xbox Game Studios, Matt Booty, has said that as “content comes out over the next year, two years, all of our games, sort of like PC, will play up and down that family of devices.” The plan is that “if someone invests in Xbox between now and [Series X] that they feel that they made a good investment and that we’re committed to them with content.” It makes sense considering Microsoft's aim to slowly transition players to the next-generation.
In an interview with TechRadar, Xbox Game Studios head Matt Booty said that the launch of Xbox Series X certainly won't mean the end of the rest of the Xbox family and that they'll be able to live alongside one another, maybe even in the same house: "Perhaps we feel confident about our content pipeline so that we feel like we don't have to save everything up for [Series X]. But then I will also say that, really for any device these days, when you launch a new device you are not eliminating all of the devices in that family. "When [Series X] launches there will still be the Xbox One S out there, there will still be Xbox One X, and we really need to approach that family of devices, the same way we approach PC - content scales to meet the device. I think that's going to be the case for anybody. We will absolutely lean in on the power of [Series X], we think is going to be the best way to play and it will be the best thing you can put in your living room, but we also want to understand that there will be a family of Xbox devices out there." The Xbox Series X will not be the only console in Microsoft's next generation lineup. While we were all pretty excited when Microsoft unveiled the next Xbox (formerly known as Xbox Project Scarlett) at the Game Awards 2019, it appears that the upcoming console's name isn't quite what we thought - and it will belong to a family. While we assumed that the next generation console is called 'Xbox Series X', Microsoft has clarified that, in fact, the family of consoles will be called 'Xbox' and that 'Series X' is just one of the consoles within the family. We know, it's a bit confusing. Speaking to Business Insider after the reveal, a Microsoft representative tried to clear up any potential confusion. "The name we're carrying forward to the next generation is simply Xbox," the representative told Business Insider. "And at The Game Awards you saw that name come to life through the Xbox Series X." "Similar to what fans have seen with previous generations, the name 'Xbox Series X' allows room for additional consoles in the future," the representative continued. This clarification from Microsoft serves to further fuel rumors that another next generation Xbox console is on the way. Rumors have circulated for some time about a lower-cost next-gen Xbox console that would sit just below the high-end Xbox Series X. The most solid information on this (so far) had come from a report by Kotaku’s Jason Schreier, who claims there is indeed a lower-specced console in the works from Microsoft that will still play all the next-gen games. Project Lockhart will be disc-less console - a trait that it will carry forward from the Xbox One S All-Digital Edition - but Kotaku's sources believe it will be substantially more powerful than Microsoft’s current disc-less box, and will come with both a solid-state hard drive and a faster CPU than any current game console. The report goes on to say that Microsoft told developers to shoot for a 1440p resolution and 60 frames-per-second frame rate with Project Lockhart and 4K/60 with Project Scarlett, and those same developers have likened the performance of the lower-end console to the PS4 Pro. It seems Project Lockhart will primarily see use as a digital gateway for both Microsoft’s game-streaming service, Project xCloud, and its Xbox Game Pass service. From what we know, it will sit below Series X and be a less powerful - but more affordable - option.
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| Microsoft CEO believes backdoors aren't the answer Posted: 14 Jan 2020 10:01 AM PST As Apple is once again in the midst of another fight over encryption following a recent shooting at Pensacola naval base, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella weighed in with his thoughts on the encryption question. During a recent meeting with reporters, Nadella reiterated Microsoft's opposition to encryption backdoors while also expressing support for future legal and technical solutions, saying: “I do think backdoors are a terrible idea, that is not the way to go about this. We’ve always said we care about these two things: privacy and public safety. We need some legal and technical solution in our democracy to have both of those be priorities.”
However, Microsoft's CEO also expressed support for key escrow systems which researchers have previously proposed versions of. Encryption debateThe encryption systems Apple uses on its iPhones first became a point of controversy following the 2016 San Bernardino shooting. At that time, the company was urged by law enforcement agencies to help them unlock the shooter's iPhone as it may have contained valuable information. While Apple ultimately ended up not unlocking the iPhone involved in the 2016 attack, a recent shooting at a naval base in Pensacola has reopened the encryption debate. A Saudi national undergoing flight training with the US Navy killed three people and injured eight in the attack. However, two iPhones linked to the attacker are still protected via Apple's device encryption and remain inaccessible to investigators. Nadella may be against backdoors but Microsoft's CEO did not say that companies should never provide data under such circumstances. He did make the case for possible legislative solutions when it comes to encryption though, saying: “We can’t take hard positions on all sides... [but if they’re] asking me for a backdoor, I’ll say no. My hope is that in our democracy these are the things that arrive at legislative solutions.”
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| Hisense TV 2020: all the laser TVs, ULED and LCD sets on their way this year Posted: 14 Jan 2020 10:00 AM PST Hisense always puts on a good display at tech conferences – and it didn't disappoint at the biggest tech expo of the year so far, CES 2020. The Chinese TV manufacturer unveiled a host of new television sets that are launching in 2020. The line-up includes more premium ULED TVs, a refresh of its projector/television hybrid laser TV, and a push of advanced quantum technology into more of the brand's mid-range sets. Although we haven't had a chance to test any of these new TV sets, it’s clear this is an electronics company not afraid to shout about its vision for the future of the home quite loudly. And it's worth mentioning that Hisense has every reason to share its bold ambitions: the company now ranks fifth in the US for overall TV sales, and is the fastest-growing TV brand.
However, the question of its laser TVs has given us reason to pause. Sure this TV tech brings lots of benefits, like the vivid colors of a high-end projector, built-in speakers, a TV tuner, and a capable smart TV platform. But given the cheapest model, the Hisense L5 Laser TV, starts at $5,999 (around £4,600 / AU$8,650), will anyone be able to afford it? We take a look at all the TVs Hisense plans to bring to market in 2020, including its laser TV sets and more to find out whether this is a brand worth investing in over the next twelve months. New Hisense TVs for 2020There are sure to be more Hisense TVs launched in 2020, but these are some of the new sets announced at CES 2020 that we're most excited about. L5 Series (available in 100 inches): First up, there's the L5 Laser TV. This is the follow-up to 2018’s L10E, retaining the same innovative form factor that teams a display screen with an ultra-short throw projector for precise image control. Coming to stores in April, the L5 is slightly dimmer than the previous model, at 2,600 lumens rather than the L10E’s 3,000 lumens, and uses a simpler Android TV smart platform rather than Hisense’s Vidaa U interface, as well as a smaller color gamut, but the reduced cost should compensate for the slight drop in performance. XD9G Series (available in 65 inches): We’ll also see another ULED set, the XD9G ULED, making use of Hisense’s Dual Cell panel, which fuses a 2K and 4K panel together for enhanced contrast, and boasts ‘rival contrast’ to OLED at a lower price. We’ll have to see if the XD9G ULED (the ‘XD’ stands for ‘extreme detail’) can meet those standards when it releases in late 2020. H9G Quantum Series (available in 55, 65 inches): Hisense’s H Series of ULEDs will get some new models, with a H9G Quantum follow-up to the H9F. Due out April. H8G Quantum Series (available in 50, 55, 65, 75 inches): There's also an H8G successor to the H8F, with similar ‘quantum’ contrast tech; this is due out in March. H65G Series (available in 43, 50, 55, 65, 75, 85 inches): Later in the year we'll see the H65G: a less advanced 4K models with the Android smart platform and without ULED enhancements. The ‘65’ confusingly don’t refer to screens sizes, though. H55G Series (available in 32, 43 inches): A downgrade to the above, with a 2K screen and more compact sizing options, for those with smaller needs. Hisense H4, R6, and R8: There are more Roku sets to come too, with three more models set for release in late 2020.
Hisense TV technology for 2020So what technology is Hisense actually working with, and what makes it stand out from the competition? For one, Hisense is obsessed with lasers. The brand's official line is that laser TVs are the future of home entertainment, calling it a “more natural way for human eyes” to watch TV, with reduced amounts of red light to contend with, alongside greater energy efficiency – with reportedly 40% less energy consumption than LCD sets of the same size. In 2019, sales of laser TVs grew 107% in China, making it the fastest-growing TV category in the country. However, it’s always easier to increase a small number of sales than a large one, and there just isn't the sample size or mass market penetration to confidently say where laser TVs are going. Although lots of the Hisense TV tech seems flashy, and erm, laser-y, there are some more mundane developments regarding smart platforms that may hold the most promise for the TV maker – with more sets using the brilliant Roku OS, also found on streaming devices like the Roku Express and Roku Premiere. So far, we’ve seen the first Hisense ULED Roku TV, the R8F. The manufacturer continues to have a huge presence at Walmart in the US with its first line of Hisense Roku TVs. The UK got its first Hisense Roku sets in time for Black Friday last year, too, and it seems like an increasingly fruitful collaboration. Hisense tends to use Android TV for the interface on its more budget TVs, and its own propriety Vidaa U platform for fancier sets that carry more of the weight of the Hisense brand – the latter is pretty zippy, even if there are a few odd blind spots around picture settings and screensavers. You'll find both Dolby Vision and HDR10+ HDR formats on these TVs, too, and Hisense tends to pack them into more mid-priced sets than some of the competition. Hisense TV 2019 range: what came out last year?Hisense Sonic One (2019): Sometimes less is more. Hisense's Sonic One television is only 1.1 inches wide at its thickest point, without having to outsource its processing or speakers to an external system. That's thanks to a Piezoelectric speaker design that 'pumps sound from the panel' itself instead of through a traditional cone driver. No sizing or pricing yet announced, but expect it to cost a pretty penny. Hisense TriChroma Laser TV (2019): Is it a TV, a projector, or a hybrid of the two? Hisense’s TriChroma TV essentially projects with three colored lasers onto a blank TV screen, and covers the entire DCI-P3 color gamut. Expect some dazzling 4K HDR, though not either of the dynamic HDR10+ or Dolby Vision HDR formats, even for the very high price. We're still waiting for this model to land, though previous laser TV models have gone for up to $9,995 (yup) like this one on Amazon, with a built-in Harman Kardon audio system (there's a 120-inch model too) – or an equivalent £10,999 at Richer Sounds in the UK, with JBL supplying the audio components instead. Hisense OLED TV: Can Hisense compete with the big-name OLED sellers, like LG, Sony, or Panasonic? We'll find out soon, as Hisense's first OLED TV has now made its way to UK and Europe. Previously retailing as the Series X in Australia, the H55O8BBUK should have the deep blacks and rich color gamut we've come to expect from OLED TVs, with Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision to boot. Retailing at £1,599 (around $2,000 / AU$2,900), it's around the cost of last year's LG B8 OLED, and will be one of the cheapest ways to get an OLED panel in your home. See what we thought in our Hisense OB8 OLED TV review. Hisense U9F Quantum Dot (75-inch only): The Hisense 75U9F is a 75-inch Quantum Dot screen with Android TV, and over a thousand local dimming zones for keeping its 2,200 nits peak brightness in check. Specs-wise, that puts the U9F on par with Samsung's Q9FN QLED, which debuted in 2018 and became one of the best TVs of last year. The U9F launched in June, at a steep $3,499 (around £2,740, AU$4,999). Comes with Dolby Vision and built-in Google Assistant. Hisense H9F (available in 55 and 65-inch models): A more reasonably-priced version of the above, though only with 150 dimming zones and 1,000 nits peak brightness. The H9F is a 4K UHD set costing $699 (around £525 / AU$979) and $749 (around £656 / AU$1,049) respectively for the 55 and 65-inch models. Comes with Dolby Vision, too – but keep an eye out for our incoming review. Hisense R8F Roku TV (available in 55- and 65-inch models): Hisense's ULED range finally gets the Roku TV partnership we've been waiting for. Cue 4K resolution, full array backlighting, and wide viewing angles making for a truly premium set (not to mention the swish Roku OS). Despite coming with Dolby Atmos audio, the sound is somewhat lacking – though you can read all our thoughts in this hands on Hisense R8F Roku TV review. Releasing in mid-December (2019), the Hisense R8F will retail for $500 and $700 for its 55-inch and 65-inch models respectively (US only) Hisense H8F (available in 50, 65-inch models): Same panel technology as above, but with a more standard Android TV platform instead. You do however get Alexa compatibility and Google Assistant integration from the off. Now available in 50 inches for $400 (around £350 / AU$560), and 65 inches for $750 (around £656 / AU$1,049). Hisense Roku TV (available in 43-, 50-, 55- and 65-inch models): The Hisense Roku TV has finally made its way to the UK, with a range of model sizes and brilliantly low price point, starting at just £329 (around $430 / AU$625) for the 43-inch size. You'll get a brilliant Roku smart platform, 4K resolution, and Freeview Play catch-up services too. Hisense H65 UHD TV (available in 50, 75 inches): A step down from ULED, without the quantum dot panel, wide color gamut, or local dimming. You do, however, get basic HDR support (HDR10), and a 50-inch 4K UHD display for only $349 (around £307 / AU$490), or a 75-inch display for $1,199 (around £1,053 / AU$1,683). Launching in late 2019. Hisense H5 HD TV (available in 32, 40 inches): For those wanting something on the small side, the ultra-cheap H5 launches this coming May in 32 or 40-inch models, at $169 (around £148 / AU$237) and $249 (around £219 / AU$349) respectively. You're only getting 1080p Full HD, but you won't be spending much on it either. Everything you need to know about the best TVs of 2020: Best TV 2020: the 8 best flatscreen televisions from the past year Best Smart TV 2020: every smart TV platform and which set does it best Panasonic TV 2020: all the OLED and LCD televisions on their way this year Sony TV 2020: more Master Series and Bravia TVs on the way Samsung TV 2020: every new Samsung TV coming in 2020 Best 65-inch 4K TVs 2020: the best big screen TVs for any budget This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Best WordPress themes for blogs in 2020 Posted: 14 Jan 2020 10:00 AM PST If you have a passion for travel, food, gadgets, or simply enjoy ranting, you may already have discovered the benefits of blogging. Recording your forays into food or experimentation with radical communists allows you to share your news and views with the internet community. WordPress has thousands of templates to help you get started. In this guide, you’ll explore five of the very best themes specifically for hobbyists and bloggers. Some of these such as ‘Writing’ also incorporate SEO features meaning people searching online will be more likely to stumble across your blog. If you’re starting on a shoe-string budget, consider using one of the free themes we’ve listed here, such as Morning Time Lite.
TheBlogger TheBlogger is a WordPress theme suitable for storytelling and writing. It comes with a responsive design and multiple gallery features. TheBlogger also comes with a live customizer which helps you to tweak every part of your theme. It is Retina-ready and can be optimized for tablets and smartphones. Users can try the theme before buying. They can test drive the customizer to see if it meets their needs. There are a wide variety of widgets and sliders available to showcase your posts in image or video format. TheBlogger comes with helpful documentation that is straightforward and easy to follow. MailChimp for WordPress is also included. This allows you to send out newletters to blog subscribers. The theme integrates with Ninja Forms. Users can easily create and add forms with the drag and drop feature. A regular license costs $59 (£44.58) which includes future updates and 6-months support. Users can upgrade to 12-months support for a further $17.63 (£13.6). Foodie Pro Foodie Pro helps users to create a beautiful blog based around all sorts of culinary delights. It is created by the Genesis Framework. This means your website will have a solid combination of this Framework along with WordPress. The theme comes with a huge amount of typography and color options. Users can build their site using up to 3 homepage and 5 site wide widget areas. These can be customized to fit around your brand. The theme allows users to upload their own logo with one click. There is also full support for text-based logos. Foodie Pro’s ‘Theme Customizer’ allows users to customize the theme’s settings, colours and backgrounds images. The ‘Foodie Pro Theme’ can be purchased for $129.95 (£98.23) for one year. This includes the Genesis Framework, Foodie Pro Theme, instant access, unlimited updates, supports, sites and access to detailed tutorials. If this is not enough, users can avail of the ‘Pro Plus Membership’ for $499.95 (£377.81). This includes all the ‘Foodie Pro Theme’ has to offer plus access to every theme the company makes including future themes. Soledad Soledad was created as a website builder for all skill types. It is geared towards users who want to run blogs or create magazines. The theme is highly customizable with multiple homepage layout models available. Users can also change the appearance of the ‘Category’, ‘Tag’, ‘Search’ and ‘Archive Layout’. Soledad is an SEO responsive WordPress multipurpose blog and magazine theme. It’s compatible with BBPress and BuddyPress. The theme is fully responsive and displays well on all screens. Soledad has over 4000 real homepage demos which can be installed with just one click. There are also a number of single post templates for different stories. The theme can be purchased for $59 (£44.58) which includes future updates and 6 months support which can be upgraded to 12-months for an extra $17.63 (£13.32). Some online commentators have lamented the lack of a search feature when it comes to support documentation. Morning Time Morning Time is a highly functional WordPress theme suitable for journalists, family blogs or personal blogs. Users can purchase the theme directly or they can test the demo the site offers. The theme is highly responsive so adapts well to tablets and smartphones. Morning Time is fully compatible with Gutenberg. Users can create blocks to insert, rearrange and style multimedia content without needing to have a lot of technical knowledge. Users can create and customize different aspects of their site including portfolio and Google maps amongst others. Morning Time is compatible with WooCommerce allowing you to turn your blog into an online store if needed. Users can make their older posts available with the ‘Blog Archive Feature’. Older posts will not disappear as you create new blogs. Users can also download ‘Morning Time Lite’ for free or subscribe to their premium tiers. Morning Time has three paid packages available. Users can avail of the ‘Yearly Access’ package for $97 (£74) per year. This includes access to all themes, child themes, PSD, HTML files, Support, updates, theme documentation and multiple site usage. Alternatively, users can purchase the ‘Lifetime’ package for $247 (£200) which includes all the ‘Yearly Access’ has to offer but with a one-off payment. Writing Writing is the perfect theme for those trying to create a minimalist effect. The theme uses 24 Social Share Icons along with Facebook Open Graph Tags and multiple Social Icon Widgets. It is WPML compatible. Writing can be translated into any language. RTL support is also available for Hebrew, Arabic and Japanese. Writing is retina ready and is fully responsive making it adaptable to screens of all size and resolution. Also, images are neatly optimized with features like lazy load. The whole setup is easy and geared towards users of any skill level. The theme is built according to the most recent rules of Search Engines. This means using this theme will help boost your SEO results maximizing traffic to your blog. Users can purchase Writing for $39 (£29.47) which includes future updates and 6-months support. 12-months support can be bought for a further $10.13 (£7.65).
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| New games 2020: the biggest games coming to console and PC Posted: 14 Jan 2020 09:56 AM PST It's a brand new year which means we have a heap of new games to look forward to. But it's not just any new year, 2020 is a biggie and will see us making the transition to next-generation consoles and new streaming services. That means that most games that are due to release this year are fair game to be cross-generation titles - even if we don't know it yet. Xbox Series X and the PS5 may not be releasing until the end of 2020, but there are plenty of fantastic games releasing in the run-up. It can be hard to keep track of which games are releasing when, and for what platform, so we've put together this handy guide to all the games releasing in 2020 - and when we can expect them. January
February
March
April
May
June
September
TBC new games 2020
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| Marvel’s Avengers game release date, news, trailers and first impressions Posted: 14 Jan 2020 09:38 AM PST Still reeling from the end of The Avengers? Well, the Marvel's Avengers game could potentially fill the avoid. Developed by Crystal Dynamics, Marvel's Avengers is an action-adventure that will see you playing as your favorite Avengers in an all-new story set in the Marvel universe. The game kicks off with the Avengers coming to terms with a momentous event that ultimately tears the team apart and sees them losing one of their own. But, years later, Earth's Mightiest Heroes are forced reassemble in order to take on a greater evil. But there's no 'I' in team right? We also know that the game will have a multiplayer component alongside its single-player campaign that will see you assemble into teams of four online, customize your characters and fight online together through new scenarios. Crystal Dynamics says this content will be free and will come at a constant clip. While we don't know too much more about the multiplayer aspect, we did get hands on time with the game's campaign at Gamescom 2019, and with Kamala Khan's character (AKA Ms Marvel) at EGX 2019. So, with 'an all-star cast' that includes Laura Bailey, Nolan North and Troy Baker, some of the most preeminent voice actors in the videogame industry, could Marvel's Avengers be the superhero game we've been waiting for? Here's everything we know about Marvel's Avengers so far.
Cut to the chase
Marvel's Avengers release dateImage credit: Crystal Dynamics Marvel's Avengers will release for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Google Stadia and PC on September 4, 2020. There's no word yet about whether it will release for PS5 and Xbox Series X. The game was initially due to release on May 15, 2020 but Crystal Dynamics has delayed the release date to "deliver the ultimate Avengers gaming experience". Marvel's Avengers gameplay impressionsWe got some hands on time with Marvel's Avengers at Gamescom 2019. Check out our hands on: Marvel's Avengers review for our impressions. Marvel’s Avengers trailersAn October 2019 trailer for Marvel's Avengers gave us a better overview of the game and what we can expect from it in terms of story and key mechanics. Watch it below to find out more about the game's mission types (single-player and multiplayer), its character customizations, skills and gear. The game’s first teaser trailer came out in 2018. Check it out below: The big unveiling for the game came at E3 2019, when Square Enix and Crystal Dynamics really let loose a lot of details and clips. We've embedded the Avengers E3 2019 trailer below: Marvel’s Avengers news and featuresDelayed release date In a statement, studio co-heads Scot Amos and Ron Rosenberg explained the studio needs extra time to "deliver the ultimate Avengers gaming experience". "As fans ourselves, it's an honor and a privilege to work with these legendary characters and we know what these Super Heroes mean to us and True Believers around the world. When we set out to bring you our vision for Marvel's Avengers, we committed to delivering an original story-driven campaign, engaging co-op, and compelling content for years to come. To that end, we will spend this additional development time focusing on fine tuning and polishing the game to the high standards our fans expect and deserve." Ms. Marvel We got hands on with Kamala at EGX 2019 and found her great fun to play. Ms. Marvel's stretchy limbs and ability to grow in size means you can easily smack around bad guys with ease. PS4 beta Maybe cross generation? Stadia Skill trees Earn and upgrade gear War table Who is the bad guy? Cosmetic microtransactions San Diego Comic-Con Offline and solo gameplay No paywalls or Loot Boxes "The idea, from the beginning, is that we want you to be able to customize your hero; how they look, how they play, the gear they have and how they use it," Amos said. "Your Black Widow could be different to my Black Widow – just a little, maybe a lot – depending on what you favor and how you unlock things." Of course, players will also be able to earn customization items as they play as well. Official reveal A "tribute to Stan" Image credit: Crystal Dynamics Focus on story Thankfully, it looks like they're doing just that with Avengers. From what we've seen of Marvel's Avengers so far, the game's 'main' heroes are Thor, Hulk, Black Widow, Iron Man and Captain America (but Kamala Khan seems to be the protagonist). Marvel's Avengers kicks off on A-Day, a day which sees the Avengers get honored for their service to the community. However, this day of jubilation is quickly ruined when Taskmaster and his cronies attack San Francisco (where the celebration is taking place), resulting in Captain American being killed and the team dissembling. But, years later, the Avengers are forced to reassemble for the greater good - that's where the real story begins. Continuous content? It's Crystal Dynamics' biggest game ever "We've had to change how we work, how we are organised as a team, the number of people we need to do this, the number of external partners... We've had to go hire experts like Shaun Escayg, who is our creative director. He told stories for Uncharted and The Last of Us [at Naughty Dog], we needed him to help tell this story. Dave Fifield was a game director who worked on Halo and Call of Duty, we needed him to help us with multiplayer," Amos said. The five studios working on the title are Crystal Dynamics at Redwood Shores, a new studio in Bellevue called Crystal North West, Crystal Dynamics' partners in the Netherlands, Nixxes, Eidos Montreal and even Square Enix Japan. Five teams to bring the five Avengers to life? Sounds about right.
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| Best full-frame mirrorless camera 2020: the top choices for advanced photographers Posted: 14 Jan 2020 09:35 AM PST Choosing the best full-frame mirrorless camera used to be pretty straightforward, simply because there weren't very many available. For years, only Sony made mainstream full-frame mirrorless cameras. The Alpha A7 was the first, released in 2013. It took half a decade for the competition to begin to catch up, if we discount the various Leica models, which are too pricey for most of us. But then in 2018, Nikon, Panasonic and Canon all announced their first mirrorless full-frame cameras, and in 2019 these were expanded with new bodies and lenses. Right now, we think the Nikon Z6 is the best full-frame mirrorless camera you can buy. It's small, light and relatively affordable, while offering excellent performance and handling. But it's a close call between that camera and the Sony A7 III, which is a great all-rounder at a sensible price. But there are several other options that might be a better match for your specific needs – here are the best full-frame mirrorless cameras you can buy right now. Best full-frame mirrorless cameras 2020 at a glance:
Best full-frame mirrorless cameras in 2020:The more junior option to the higher resolution Z7, Nikon's duo of full-frame mirrorless cameras made their debut in summer 2018. It gets our vote because it does pretty much anything the Z7 can do, but for less money. In some ways, it's actually better than the Z7 too - it has a faster burst shooting rate, along with a better setup for video recording, too. Handling is identical since both the bodies use the same construction, so you also get the same excellent viewfinder and useful tilting screen. Another plus point is built-in five-stop image stabilization, which is a huge benefit over Nikon's DSLRs. In fact, just about the only major gripe we have here is the single card slot, which also happens to be XQD in format – but it does mean that the camera will take advantage of the CFexpress format that's likely to go mainstream fairly soon.
Although it may not be the newest camera on this list – far from it – the Sony A7 III remains very much the "Goldilocks" option right now. It offers just the right balance of features and performance at a good value price point. You can expect masses of detail from the 24MP sensor, while low-light performance is also great. The more modest resolution also pays dividends in producing smaller, less data-hungry files, too. Other specifications worth your attention are five-axis image stabilization, and high-quality video recording. You can pick up the Sony A7 III at a fantastic price - it's dropped significantly since its launch, especially with more competition now in the marketplace. Finally, the exhaustive array of Sony lenses available for the E mount should mean that you never struggle to find the right glass for your favorite subjects. We love it.
The newest of Sony's A7 models, the R in this line stands for "resolution", and you won't find anything higher than this. Indeed, at 61 megapixels, it's pretty much medium format territory. All those juicy pixels give you chance to realize the full optical excellence of Sony's premium G master lenses. This is the fourth iteration of the A7R, and the A7R IV builds on the foundations set out by the very popular A7R, A7R II and A7R III. There's crisp and impressive 4K video, effective five-axis image stabilization and a beautiful 5.76 million-dot viewfinder (the best on the market). Couple all of that with 10fps burst shooting, a hybrid AF system boasting a blistering 567-points, dual card slots, Eye AF and masses more and there's not much to dislike about this model. Battery life has even been improved when compared with the previous model, now offering 530 shots per charge (that's the CIPA rating, so no doubt you'll get even more from it). While we can't help but fall in love with the 61 megapixel files, you're definitely going to need some hefty storage options if you invest in this camera - while if you're computer is on the slow or old side, it may struggle to cope with processing the files. If you're keen to get the detail, but don't have the capacity, budget or supporting tech, it's worth checking out A7R IV's predecessor, which is still on sale.
The Z7 is currently the flagship option in Nikon's Z system, with its main draw being a 45.7MP sensor. That's the same as the established and highly respected D850 DSLR, so what exactly does anyone switching from that camera to this one gain? Lots, as it happens: a big, bright and detailed electronic viewfinder; a 2.1 million-dot tilting touchscreen; sensor-based image stabilization, and 4K video recording, all inside a much smaller and lighter body. On top of this you get a 493-point AF system that covers a much larger area of the frame than the D850's, and a very respectable 9fps burst shooting option. We found lots to love when we came to review this camera, and we still rate it just as highly.
An alternative to the flagship EOS R (featured later in this list) that arrived right at the start of Canon's latest mirrorless line, the EOS RP is simply a much better option for many more people right now. While not quite as powerful in some areas, it's smaller, lighter and a heck of a lot cheaper, and it's blessed with very good autofocus, a generous buffer and a great touchscreen that flips out all the way to face the front. It wouldn't be our first choice for video, and the current native lens selection is still somewhat limited, not to mention somewhat incongruous with such a petite body – but you can use masses of EF lenses through an adapter, so it's a no-brainer for existing Canon users looking to make the switch to mirrorless without dropping a fortune in order to do so.
The Panasonic S1R has some incredible features. Its High Resolution mode captures images at up to 187MP, the in-body stabilization is extremely effective, and it can capture video at not just 4K, but 4K/60p. The Sony A7R IV has nudged ahead in pure resolution terms, but detail capture is excellent whether you use standard shooting or the multi-exposure High Resolution mode. Size is one obvious hurdle. The Panasonic S1R feels similar in size to a traditional DSLR, therefore losing some of the appeal of mirrorless. Button placement could be a little better too, and low light focusing isn’t as quick or reliable as some rivals. It goes to show how hard the competition is in the full-frame mirrorless sector, but the S1R remains a very impressive camera.
It's an Olympics year, which means we're going to get treated to a new wave of professional sports cameras – and this is Sony's entry into the competitive field. An update on the original Sony A9, it builds on that model's incredible speed and power in a measured rather than mind-blowing way. That said, its dozens of little improvements make it a serious rival to the incoming giants of the sporting sidelines, the Canon 1DX Mark III and Nikon D6. The biggest improvements are the larger, deeper grip – which makes the Sony A9 II much more comfortable to hold for long periods – and the ability to shoot twice as fast as its predecessor. Using the mechanical shutter, the Mark II can rattle off 10 frames per second – not quite as quick as the Canon 1DX Mark III's 20fps, but fast enough for most. The only downers are the limited touchscreen functionality, which remains a curious achilles heel for Sony, and the absence of XQD or CFExpress card slots to help support that speedy burst shooting. But otherwise the Sony A9 II is the most powerful mirrorless camera you can buy and a fine choice for sports and wildlife.
Canon's EOS RP, featured earlier in this list, might be the better option for budget-conscious users and those not needing flagship performance, but the EOS R is Canon's most advanced mirrorless camera to date. On top of what the EOS RP offers, it boasts a larger and more detailed electronic viewfinder together with a better LCD screen, a higher-resolution sensor and faster burst shooting. The larger body also better supports the fairly hefty lenses released in the accompanying RF line so far, while the various adapters released by Canon ensure that you can continue using your EF lenses without any issues, with autofocus and auto-exposure working as you'd expect. Until the much-rumored advanced Canon EOS R comes out, this is the best possible option for Canon users who are keen to ditch the DSLR.
Although many feel that the Sony A7S II is overdue an update – it's been on the market for over four years – if outright resolution isn't a concern but low-light shooting or video is your thing, this is still a camera to pop on your shortlist. At its heart is a 12.2MP sensor that can be ramped up to ISO102,400 natively and ISO409,600 on its expanded setting, while 4K video captured with full pixel readout and five-axis image stabilization sit alongside. On the downside, its contrast-detect-only AF system and lack of a touchscreen show the camera's age somewhat, although these shortcomings haven't prevented it from remaining a favorite among pro photographers who need that huge dynamic range and superlative low-light performance. If you're keen to wait until the next one is announced, here's everything we know about the Sony A7S III so far.
Kicking things off for Panasonic's S series, along with the S1R, the S1 is the more affordable option, but still packs some seriously impressive tech. There's the 24MP full-frame sensor that performs brilliantly when shooting stills and 4K video, together with a sensor-based image stabilization system that does exactly what it should, and does it well. Operation is swift, build quality is excellent, and it's no exaggeration to say that the viewfinder is stunning – it's definitely the best right now (the same unit is inside the S1R). It's just a little too big and heavy, and somewhat awkward to operate at times, while the autofocusing system is a touch behind the competition. But this is still a model that delivers far more to get excited about than many others manage to.
Also consider...It's neither a DSLR nor a traditional mirrorless option like those listed above, but the M10 is something else to consider if you have a bit of money to spend and you prefer to go about your picture-taking the old-fashioned way. It continues the classic M-series style, rangefinder system of focusing and compatibility with very high-quality M-series lenses enjoyed by many iconic photographers over the years. Sure, you miss out on video recording and a tilting touchscreen – and indeed, autofocus – but then if you need such features, there are many other places to turn. What to look for in a full-frame mirrorless camera:Many of these systems are still getting established, so what should you look for? There's obviously the sensor at the heart of the camera, but it's also worth looking at the current lens options available, and what lenses manufacturers have said are in development. While Sony has been producing full-frame mirrorless options for quite a while now, others in this list are a lot newer to the game. That means that the lens and accessory line-up can be a little more limited - it's worth looking at what's currently available, at well as what is promised for the future. There's not a lot of point in buying a great camera if the lenses you'd like to use don't exist or are out of your price range. You might also be able to use existing lenses from anything you're currently using, via an adapter, so it's always worth checking out the adapter situation too. If you capture bursts of images frequently, make sure to check not only the burst rate but also the burst depth – the first spec tells you how many images you can shoot per second, while the second tells you how long you can keep shooting for in terms of the number of frames. Continuous focus may decrease these figures, so look out for that in the spec sheet too. If you're somebody who shoots burst of images frequently - for example sports and action photographers - make sure you not only check the burst rate, but also the burst depth. The latter specification will indicate how long can you keep shooting for, and is also very important to consider. Continuous focus may decreases these figures, so keep an eye on that in the spec shoot, too. For video-lovers, you may find that you'll be better served by a camera with a lower-resolution sensor rather than a very high pixel count one. Make sure to also check the shooting options you have in terms of video frame rates, as well as ports for microphones and headphones. If you do a lot of video shooting, you might want to check out our best 4K camera guide for more video-focused suggestions. The design and resolution of electronic viewfinders (EVFs) and LCD screens vary considerably across these models. Some EVFs are large and detailed, others less so. The LCD screens also sometimes tilt, sometimes swivel and occasionally do neither, although almost all now are touch-sensitive – great for things like setting the focusing point.
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| Best WordPress themes (paid and free) of 2020 Posted: 14 Jan 2020 09:14 AM PST The WordPress platform is one of the simplest ways to create colorful and well laid out webpages. Setup is usually performed with a few mouse clicks, so no coding knowledge is required. The platform supports thousands of various themes, some of which are suited to specific users such as small businesses, whilst others have a more general appeal. When starting out you may feel overwhelmed by the choices available, especially if you’re not sure if a premium theme is worth buying. In this guide, you’ll discover five of our very favorite free and paid WordPress themes. Whether you’re a freelancer on a tight budget or an established business, rest assured there’s a theme for you.
Hestia Hestia is the perfect theme for those with small businesses, startups, online agencies and firms due to its multi-purpose functionality. Users do not have to pay to download this theme. Installation and setup is designed to be user friendly. This theme is best suited to users who want to setup an ecommerce platform. Hestia integrates with WooCommerce, allowing users access to beautifully designed product listings. There is an easy to use drag and drop feature suitable. This theme comes with custom background settings which aid in adding photos to your site and making it your own. It has a multi-purpose one page design, a widget designed footer and a blog or news section. It integrates with Travel Map, Photo Gallery, Flat Parallax Slider and Elementor Page Builder. Hestia is responsive and uses Material Kit for design. As with most WordPress themes, there is a demo for users to sample before downloading. Some users have noted that the free version is buggy and convoluted to use. X X is a paid WordPress theme suitable for all types of websites. The theme comes with four categories of built-in demos. Each of these themes cover a wide variety of potential projects. This means that no matter what you have in mind, X more than likely has a design suited to your needs. Cornerstone is included with X. This is one of the most popular WordPress web page builders. The drag and drop feature is easy to use. Users are able to see exactly what their page will look like live as they are building. This enables users to change and edit while building their site. There are a huge number of customization options, with which users can build a unique webpage. It's also constantly updated and you get features like the custom font or inline editing. In the early 2019, X introduced Dynamic Content which helps a lot when building out content throughout your site. X comes with a feature called ‘the customizer’. This is a handy tool as many premium themes come with their own theme options page that is not entirely compatible with WordPress. ‘The Customizer’ is highly intuitive. It integrates seamlessly with WordPress. It will help you to customize the look and feel of your website. The regular license for X is $59 (£46) which includes future updates and 6 months customer support. Users can opt to extend support to 12-months for an additional $17.63 (£13.7). Allegiant Allegiant is a highly customizable WordPress theme that is most suited for small businesses that are just starting out. The theme itself is simple and well laid out. Across the top there is a large header to highlight your most popular services or products. The slides on the homepage can be displayed in any order. The theme offers several feature blocks which can be easily inserted onto your page with details about your business team or your past endeavours amongst others. These blocks come with the theme’s plugin ‘CPO Content Types’. The plugin is free and installs very quickly. These pre-built blocks also come with testimonial section. It is very easy to copy and paste information into the blocks. Allegiant integrates with other free popular WordPress themes such as WooCommerce, Yoast SEO, WPML and Contact Form 7. It’s also free to download from the WordPress website. Some online commentators mention that while the theme is customizable it is not easy to figure out how to do so. They don’t recommend Allegiant for newer users. Astrid Astrid is the perfect choice theme for most businesses. The theme has an impressive array of built-in widgets that users can take advantage of. Widgets and page templates are available for services and employees amongst others. Astrid comes with a huge variety of fonts and color options. Users can easily edit the full width header to whatever they see fit. Users can also use a ‘call to action’ button with a message over it. The theme is translation ready meaning that it can still be accessed by those users who do not speak the same language as your business. Users can use visual graphs and displays to show their past work and experience. WooCommerce support is provided for selling products on your website. Astrid helps to make your site look well on tablets and smartphones. Astrid is free to download but those users who want more out of their theme can ‘Go Pro’. The ‘Pro’ option starts at $59 (£44.60) per year for a single plugin which includes one year of updates, one year of support and unlimited domain usage. All packages offer a 30-day money back guarantee. Some online commentators have mentioned that the site can be hard to navigate making it difficult to get started. Sydney Sydney works well for freelancers and companies who want to create a strong online presence. It is highly customizable with many options to choose from such as Google Fonts and logo uploads. The theme has more than 600 Google fonts to choose from. For users who want to show off, there is a full screen promotional banner that can be edited to suit your needs. The custom elementor blocks can be designed as you see fit and to suit your promotional needs. Sydney can also display social media icons at the bottom of your page. The theme is translation ready and provides the necessary tools for a smooth translation process. Users have access to full color control, sticky navigation, header image and a full screen slider. Sydney also offers Parallax background affects. Users can add this to any row in the theme layout. Top Image Credit: Astrid / WordPress This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| The cheapest Xbox One bundle deals and sale prices in January 2020 Posted: 14 Jan 2020 09:11 AM PST We're seeing a wealth of Xbox One bundles on offer this week, with deals spanning the console's range of games and accessories with some fantastic price tags. It's surprising really, with the January sales being all but over and holiday pricing returning to normal, we've been getting used to a steady increase in the cost of Xbox One bundles. That's not the case this week, though, and we've found Xbox One deals with prices as low as £175 and some awesome goodies thrown in. That cheap Xbox One isn't out of reach yet, therefore, and we're still enjoying a range of well-priced bundles and deals across the range. The cheapest console you can pick up today is the Xbox One S All Digital edition. The disc-less console has proven popular over the seasonal sales period - offering an incredibly cheap way of getting yourself into the Microsoft ecosystem. So if you've decided it's finally time to shop for some sweet Xbox One deals, you're in luck. Most of these Xbox One bundles include the 1TB consoles now, which are much more accommodating for your library of games and their large install sizes than the 500GB models, which seem to have been discontinued. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, Gears 5, FIFA 20 and more are all aboard the Xbox One deals train today. Finding the best Xbox One bundles and dealsRetailers are stocking some cheap Xbox One deals as standalone purchases, but the best value is to be found with bundles offering extra games. Xbox One bundles often cost less than the prices of the standalone consoles too nowadays, so be sure to check out our hand-picked list of the best Xbox One deals below. Or maybe you're looking for a 4K upgrade? Then you'll want to take a look at the latest Xbox One X bundles. Looking to buy in the US or Australia? You'll want to head on over to our US page or AU page. As the name suggests, this version of the Xbox One does not come with a disc drive. So you will not be able to play physical games or blu-rays on this version. The Xbox One S All-Digital Edition costs £199 in the UK and comes with codes for Forza Horizon 3, Minecraft and Sea of Thieves, or Minecraft, Sea of Thieves and Fortnite DLC depending on which version you pick up. To be honest, we're not entirely convinced at that price point as you can get the regular version for a similar price and with newer games. Actually, we regularly see standard Xbox One S bundles on this page go for even less, so be sure to check out the offers further down the page before jumping on this. That said, we're seeing prices closer to £159 for this Xbox bundle now, so it does represent a cheap way to get into the Microsoft ecosystem and start reaping the rewards of Game Pass for less. The slimmed-down design of the Xbox One S looks much better than the original chunky box and the power brick is now a thing of the past. The main draw though is 4K visual support meaning you'll be able to watch specialised Blu-Ray and Netflix content in 4K on your new 4K TV. As we turn the corner towards Series X, we'll be seeing better and better Xbox One bundles as retailers start to shift their stock ahead of the new console. That, and the fact that games are about to get real cheap for this system, means it's not too late to bag yourself a brand new Xbox One S deal in 2020. More Xbox One dealsStill not found your ideal Xbox One deal in our highlights of the best offers out there? Why not check out more Xbox One bundles directly from the retailers from our list below? The Xbox One X is capable of displaying games in glorious HDR 4K and is the most powerful console ever made. Sadly, it has the price-tag to match too as it's way more expensive than the Xbox One S. The comparison chart below is mainly full of prices for the new console on its own. However, we're starting to see better offers appear online where you can get discounted and free games included too. For more details, head on over to our extensive Xbox One X bundles page for the best value deals. If you're looking to play your Xbox games online or take advantage of the free Games with Gold initiative, you'll want to check out our cheap Xbox Live Gold deals page where we've found prices considerably cheaper than the default price. If you're looking to play more games on your Xbox One S but don't want to splash on full purchases, you should also check out our best Xbox Game Pass deals. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Best free website builder 2020 Posted: 14 Jan 2020 09:00 AM PST Creating a website used to be the domain (geddit?) of professional designers and coders, but thanks to free website builder applications, these days it's something anyone can tackle. The problem is that there are so many website creation applications and services vying for attention that it can be difficult to know which one to opt for – this is where we can help. We've collated the very best free website builders available, including a mixture of offline software and online tools. It's usually quicker, easier and more efficient to create and edit a site entirely online with a WYSIWYG editor, but if you want complete control over every aspect of your site's design and web hosting, you'll need a desktop-based free website builder. So whether you're looking to create a site for your business, a new blog, or you just fancy creating an online presence for yourself, here are the best free website builder services to help you out.
Wix makes it very easy to design a website, while giving experts plenty of power to customize elements if they need it Wix is a big-name website builder which offers a free plan, enabling you to have the run of this service without having to put your hand in your pocket. And you benefit from one of the most impressive website editors in the business. This editor can be run in ADI (Artificial Design Intelligence) mode, which has a very basic interface to keep everything really simple and user-friendly. This is great for beginners, as you can create a basic site without even remotely breaking a sweat (a range of attractive templates are provided, as well). Those who want to get more involved with tweaking the design of their website can step up to the full Wix editor, which boasts powerful functionality, and the ability to really hone your website and get it looking just as you want. Visual previews of page elements make it easy to pick what you need for any particular part of a web page, too. Wix is so polished that putting together your site using the editor feels more like using a native application rather than a website builder, and it also sports excellent support for a diverse range of media, and quality customer support as well, even on the free plan. In addition, Wix Turbo was recently released which improves the performance and speed of all Wix websites. Powerful blogging functionality rounds things off nicely, and you’re getting a truly high quality offering with the free version of this website builder. Constant Contact provides an intelligent website builder and ecommerce store platform, both of which are free to use. Setting up a website is easy using drag-and-drop functionality, allowing you to set up a design simply and easily, and insert the features you need. Settings are automatically optimized for mobile platforms and SEO, and there is a free image library with over 50,000 images included as part of the package. The ecommerce platform allows for online payments through Paypal, Mollie, or Stripe. There are order and inventory features that automatically updates inventory with orders, and sends an email alert when items become out-of-stock. While the basic level website is free, there are paid plans which add more features. Additionally, there is also a paid email marketing option available to allow you to reach new customers. Overall, Constant Contact does a good job of setting up the basics. The free plan is a great way to set up your website, and there is a 60-day free trial if you do upgrade. If you want to create a website as quickly as possible, look no further than Weebly. It's so easy to use, you'll have a great-looking site online in mere minutes Weebly offers you two ways to build your website. Both involve creating it online, and both are as quick and painless as possible. The simplest option is to use the basic editor builder which will guide you through a series of questions before automatically creating a site for you. There is scope for customization, but the focus here is really on fast results for anyone who is terrified of designing websites. A more hands-on approach is available if you decide to use the standard Editor. There are literally hundreds of stylish templates to choose from – and, yes, they are genuinely impressive – which you can tweak and tailor to your needs using a beautiful WYSIWYG editor. Despite being a cloud-based website builder, Weebly gives you a great degree of control over the look of your site and placement of page elements. You can also liven it up using additional features such as a newsletter and live chat. This power and flexibility make Weebly a top-notch website builder. WordPress is the tool of choice for many blog owners. It takes a little getting used to, but once you've mastered it, you'll love its flexibility Causing a slight degree of confusion, there are actually two different versions of WordPress. The more complex variant can be downloaded from wordpress.org, and you will need to upload it to your own web space and install it using the automated online installer. You can then customize the templates and use add-ons to make the site your own. This is the route many bloggers go down, but there is a simpler option for people who don’t want the hassle of fiddling about with scripts and getting dirty with hardcore editing. The hosted version of WordPress lets you create your own site on wordpress.com. You can create everything from a blog or photo site, to a fully fledged online store, and there are a number of templates to choose from. Additionally, Mailchimp users have a benefit of adding a Mailchimp block, which can grow your mailing list among other things. Whether you're creating a static site, or a blog-style site with regularly updated content, the online editor is a joy to use and allows just about anyone to create an impressive, professional-looking site. The only downside is the limited range of plugins and templates compared with the desktop website builder. WebSite X5 makes building a website on your desktop easy, with good-looking templates and an intuitive site builder Incomedia WebSite X5 received an overhaul in April 2019 with new templates, an updated interface, new paid versions and more. The main thing to note is that the service now has a free version for everyone (note that the free version for TechRadar readers is still available to download). There are two paid versions, Evo and Pro, priced at $59.99 and $139 respectively. This is a one time purchase and naturally, both versions come with additional and improved features compared to the free one. There is also a demo version of both paid versions that you can try out. Unlike WordPress and Wix, WebSite X5 is a desktop website builder, which means you can work on your site offline and have more freedom to make your website look exactly the way you want. There's a range of ready-made templates to choose from, or you can create your own design from scratch. Next, build up your site map, showing the hierarchy of your pages and how they connect to one another – a feature you won't find in most web-based site builder apps. Once that's done, you're ready to start building your pages using Website X5's simple drag-and-drop interface, which includes tools for editing both rich text and photos. If you don't want to be tied down to an online site builder, WebSite X5 is the tool for you. CoffeeCup Free HTML Editor isn't a WYSIWYG website builder, but it provides a live preview of your site as you create it CoffeeCup Free HTML Editor is one of a dying breed of web building programs that don't use a CMS (content management system). While not in the same league as the likes of Adobe Dreamweaver, Free HTML Editor packs quite a professional punch. With split screen code/preview views, it's possible to see the effect the changes you make have straight away. To help you get started quickly, there are a number of templates built into the program, and there are some very nice features such as tag and code suggestions as you type. For absolute beginners, the program might seem a little overwhelming to start with, but it's worth sticking with – assuming you have some HTML knowledge. There is one slight issue; a number of features, such as spell-checking and code optimization, are only included in the paid-for version of the program. If you've used WordPress before, you might be interested in the power of Joomla. It's not as easy to use though, so beginners are better off sticking with a simpler option like Wix Joomla is a well-known name in the CMS world. It may not be as popular as WordPress, but it offers the same two options: build a site using the web app at launch.joomla.org and have it hosted on the company's servers, or download the software from joomla.org and host it yourself. If you choose the latter option, you'll notice that the interface is much less approachable than WordPress. It's not completely impenetrable, but there are lots of menus and options to work through and it doesn't feel quite as polished as WordPress. Joomla's online website builder is nearly as complex, but doesn't involve the same setup process, making it a better option for beginners. Its key selling point is a huge collection of themes and extensions, which provide endless ways to customize the way your site looks and works. You might also want to check out our other website hosting buying guides:
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| What will happen when 5G works in trucks like the 2020 Nissan Titan? Posted: 14 Jan 2020 09:00 AM PST The dream of the connected car has been somewhat slow to materialize. The infrastructure around us has not installed sensors and access points fast enough – unless you are lucky enough to live in Las Vegas. Stoplights, stop-signs, road barriers – they are all just as disconnected as they were 30-40 years ago in most areas. In the meantime, cars have become increasingly more connected, just not to each other. Almost every new make and model these days offer some form of connectivity, mostly for entertainment purposes (aka, watching movies on long trips). And speeds have improved with 4G LTE access, sometimes running at 20Mbps in some areas or even faster. A roving, moving hotpot is a smart innovation that could lead us to more connected services. It’s smart enough that I was curious about the current state of this connectivity, how fast it runs, and if it is reliable enough for the coming age of more connectivity (and 5G service). Easy streamingI fired up the hotspot in a 2020 Nissan Titan recently, just to find out. In a remote area, conserving a little usage on my own smartphone and parked at the side of the road, I connected using an Apple iPad and handed one to a passenger in the backseat. In modern vehicles, 4G LTE service is common – on the Titan, you can expect to connect at speeds fast enough to watch a movie on Netflix. The hotspot is easy to find on the main display, and for those of us who throttle our usage to make sure we don’t get overcharges, it can be an amazing perk on a long trip or while waiting in the Trader Joe’s parking lot. Nissan requires that you login to a portal in your browser to get started, and the costs are fairly reasonable, at least compared to home Internet service in some areas. You pay $20 (about £15, AU$30) per month for 1GB of access; for 5GB of bandwidth per month, it’s $60 (about £45, AU$85) per month. The main advantage here is that you don’t need a phone in the truck at all, or a hotspot of your own. You don’t have to 'provide' service with your own gadget, so it’s always available for whoever happens to climb inside the truck. In my tests, the service was reliable and fast even as I was driving around town. There are no issues with the Wi-Fi not working because you are inside a building or because too many people are logged in. Strong and steadyOne thing I’ve noticed about 4G LTE service in cars – it's reliable enough that we didn’t experience any stuttering or pauses. Maybe the Titan acts as a massive antenna (my guess is that the antenna is built into the roof, but this isn't publicly disclosed as near as I can tell). That’s encouraging, because I know what’s coming next. 5G service will be faster, more reliable, more prevalent, and less susceptible to interference. Someday, 5G sensors and access points will be installed on the roadways, at exits, on bridges, and in other cars – forming a massive 5G network infrastructure. The fact that the throughput on 4G LTE is consistent is a good sign that cars will be able to handle this next step. When will it happen? My educated guess is that it will be sooner rather than later. 5G is making headlines, and it’s probably going to roll out quickly in 2020, so automakers will likely jump on board with new services. It’s also here to stay – it’s an opportunity for cities to move forward with a network standard they know won’t be replaced or superseded anytime soon. We hope. On The Road is TechRadar's regular look at the futuristic tech in today's hottest cars. John Brandon, a journalist who's been writing about cars for 12 years, puts a new car and its cutting-edge tech through the paces every week. One goal: To find out which new technologies will lead us to fully self-driving cars. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Posted: 14 Jan 2020 08:59 AM PST Imagine a healthcare company that has legacy data stored on servers in a back-office environment. It’s required that the data be accessible and available, but there’s no need to access it routinely for use in web or mobile apps at the local on-premise facility. By using AWS Direct Connect, the data is still part of the overall cloud computing environment but doesn’t depend on the public internet for bandwidth, reliability, or security needs. Believe it or not, the internet is not the perfect, all-purpose solution to everything in business. While the rise of cloud computing, mobile apps, the web, and instant-access from anywhere has certainly changed how we do business, there are still times when a network connection is more viable when it is not channeled over the public internet. One example of this is a company that has a mix of needs for high-throughput, low latency data transfer in the cloud and benefits from the scalability and flexibility, but also runs an on-premise data center or has a co-location facility where data is stored at rest and doesn’t need to be accessed on a routine basis by business applications. This data doesn’t even need to be web-accessible or on the internet at all. For those applications, what is required is a way to make the network infrastructure work for all of your business and data needs. Enter AWS Direct Connect. This network service is like a bridge between the mission-critical activities for a business (say, a patient database in a hospital or a transactional system for an e-commerce website) and those that are not urgent and do not require a cloud storage solution. It’s a way to benefit from both worlds and to connect them to form one infrastructure. Direct Connect, as the name implies, is a way to connect on-premise, co-location, or a back-office infrastructure to a cloud computing environment like Amazon S3 (Simple Storage Service) or EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud). It’s a nod to the fact that not every conceivable application or data store benefits from the cloud, and that companies still have legacy applications. Yet, it brings those legacy apps into the cloud and makes them accessible. One of the best examples of where AWS Direct Connect might fit the needs of a company is when there is a project that is not mission-critical. The data might be stored in servers at your headquarters but does not need to be immediately accessible. In fact, you may not need to access the data stores over the public internet at all. Direct Connect can help you create a network connection between this private data store at your location. The connection runs between Amazon AWS in the cloud but is not on the internet. This can dramatically reduce bandwidth costs because you are not relying on an internet provider, it reduces congestion and dependence on the internet, and it reduces the likelihood of internet bottlenecks. Benefits of AWS Direct ConnectInterestingly, another benefit has to do with scaling your IT infrastructure management. While you may have fixed data center locations or back-office servers, you can still adjust the bandwidth for Direct Connect from 1 Gbps to up to 10 Gpbs, and you can still configure your infrastructure to meet the changing needs of your apps and data. You can add more virtual interfaces, provision more AWS resources, and make decisions about legacy data or data-at-rest to increase availability or throughput as your business needs change. In short, you still benefit from a cloud computing infrastructure and the decisions you can make about scaling the service up or down. One of the most important benefits to using AWS Direct Connect is related to the costs. Legacy apps, data that is not mission-critical, or even projects, apps, and databases that simply don’t need high-performance throughput or scalability are sometimes still moved to a cloud infrastructure because there is no way to maintain the on-premise servers. This ends up costing more. With Direct Connect, there is a lower cost for the network access from on-premise to Amazon services like S3 or EC2, avoiding the internet altogether. This means lower costs because you do not have to pay for internet access or any overage charges and because Direct Connect provides a lower cost structure. As you can imagine, the “direct” connection between on-premise and the cloud also reduces the possibility for congestion, network interruptions or faults, and interference on the public internet. Direct Connect is easy to use. It runs within the AWS console interface, and there are templates you can use for configuring virtual interfaces to make it all seamless and obvious in terms of which data is being transmitted from which locations to the cloud. With the AWS console, you can view the entire infrastructure from one interface with a global view of operations.
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| The cheapest iPhone 7 unlocked SIM-free prices in January 2020 Posted: 14 Jan 2020 08:57 AM PST Don't like the idea of committing to two years of a phone contract? Buying the iPhone 7 unlocked and SIM free can be a cost-effective and convenient alternative. That's particularly true given the highly competitive and consumer friendly SIM only deals market right now, which allows you to get bags of data and minutes for very little money. Buying the iPhone 7 unlocked is also an optimum way of giving the phone as a gift as it means you only need to pay the cost of the handset and doesn't commit you to 24 months of additional payments or require you to go through a credit check. And we'll make you this guarantee - you won't have to pay the extraordinary amount of money it costs to buy the iPhone XS Max or XR! iPhone 7 SIM-free deals fluctuate from day to day and many sites charge higher or lower fees than others. So shopping around or doing a bit of price comparison is a shrewd way to ensure you pay as little as possible for your new unlocked phone. Luckily TechRadar is here to help. Our price comparison tools search the web every hour to locate the cheapest and best value unlocked iPhone 7 prices currently available. Today's cheapest iPhone 7 unlocked / SIM free prices:This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Latest Amazon Sales: 4K TV, Fitbit, AirPods, laptop, and Xbox One deals live now Posted: 14 Jan 2020 08:56 AM PST We're seeing excellent deals on Fitbits, AirPods, laptops, 4K TVs, Nintendo Switch and Xbox One consoles, and even a few cheap laptops on Amazon this week. Whether you're looking to save cash on a new set of Beats headphones or snag a great 4K TV deal ahead of the Super Bowl, the Amazon sales have you covered right now with brand new discounts on a range of electronics. We're seeing some fantastic Fitbit deals stick around for the January fitness tracker rush, as well as AirPods prices dropping in a return to Black Friday-esque sales. From laptop deals to cheap Xbox One sales, there's enough on offer here to grab any deal-hunter's attention. We've listed all our favourite Amazon deals from today below, so you can jump straight to the good stuff. Amazon Daily Deals: Today's Top Picks
Massive Fitbit sales at Amazon
Beats and AirPods sales coming in hot
New offers on iPad and Kindle sales
Nintendo Switch, PS4 and Xbox One deals still live
Cheap Echo speakers and displays
4K and smart TVs on sale
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