Apple : Sennheiser Momentum true wireless earbuds price slashed in the UK and US

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• Sennheiser Momentum true wireless earbuds price slashed in the UK and US
• The Mandalorian season 2 reportedly casts Rosario Dawson as Ahsoka Tano
• Employment challenges and remaining compliant amid the coronavirus outbreak
• hide.me VPN boosts data transfer limit
• Leaked Microsoft Surface Go 2 benchmarks reveal under the hood upgrades
• LG OLED TV deals with the latest features slashed to their lowest prices this week
• Home exercise equipment: where to get treadmills, indoor bikes, weights & more
• DJI Mavic Air 2: everything we know so far about DJI's incoming drone
• Best business VPN providers of 2020
• How to watch The Letter for the King online: stream from anywhere
• The Mandalorian season 2: release date, Baby Yoda, Darksaber, Ahsoka Tano and what we know
• The latest Game Pass Ultimate deal means you can Play Ori and the Will of the Wisps for just $1 / £1
• The Xbox Series X will be the go-to console for HDR gaming - here’s why
• The best PC gaming headsets of 2020
• The best Chromebooks of 2020
• Major data breach exposes database of 200 million users
• Online sports betting: is it legal and how does it work?
• The Echo Show 5 and Fire TV stick are at some of their lowest prices right now - save up to $30
• If you want cheap fibre broadband deals then Vodafone is the way to go
• Best smartwatch 2020: the top wearables you can buy today

Sennheiser Momentum true wireless earbuds price slashed in the UK and US Posted: 20 Mar 2020 01:08 PM PDT Sennheiser Momentum deals are coming thick and fast today - just in time for the weekend. Hot on the heels of the launch of their successor model - we're seeing some fantastic prices on the original true wireless earbuds right now as retailers look to clear out their remaining stock before the new ones are released in April. You can find the Sennheiser Momentum true wireless earbuds on sale for just $199 in the US, with UK prices settling at £189 at Amazon this weekend. While the new model will feature active noise cancellation, the classic Sennheiser Momentum earbuds still offer powerful sound and a gorgeous design not usually seen at this price point.  That's right, you'll usually be paying far more for true wireless earbuds of this caliber, making this an excellent opportunity to snag a premium pair of buds for far less. These Sennheiser Momentum deals are available in both the US and the UK, so audiophiles from both sides of the pond can claim their savings this weekend.  Today's best Sennheiser Momentum deals If you're looking for more choice, you'll find plenty of wireless headphone deals right here on TechRadar. If you're after more of an Apple flavor, you'll also want to check out these cheap AirPods prices, or take a look at the best AirPods Pro deals around.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

The Mandalorian season 2 reportedly casts Rosario Dawson as Ahsoka Tano Posted: 20 Mar 2020 01:03 PM PDT The Mandalorian season 2 has cast Rosario Dawson as the character of Ahsoka Tano, according to reports by two different outlets. This will be the first live-action iteration of the fan-favorite character from The Clone Wars animated series, where the Togruta apprentice is voiced by Ashley Eckstein. Slashfilm first reported the news, then Variety said it confirmed it.  This is a huge and pleasant surprise for Star Wars fans. Ahsoka Tano was introduced in The Clone Wars CG series as Anakin Skywalker's apprentice when it began in 2008, and quickly became a fan-favorite. She had enough of a following that the character was briefly referenced in The Rise of Skywalker as (spoiler alert!) one of the Jedi ghosts who Rey hears towards the end of the movie. The Mandalorian shares an executive producer with The Clone Wars: Dave Filoni, one of the key Star Wars creatives at Lucasfilm. Dawson might be best known in recent years for her appearances in the Marvel series on Netflix, like Luke Cage and Daredevil.  How to watch the Star Wars movies in order Star Wars: The High Republic and what it tells us about Star Wars' future Disney Plus: is it worth getting? The Mandalorian: what next? The Mandalorian season 2 reportedly finished production in March, so this casting has been kept under wraps. Little is know about the show's second season, but the first season finale ends with a tease of something else seen in the CG series: the Darksaber, wielded by the Empire-affiliated Moff Gideon. We also expect to learn more about the adorable Baby Yoda's background.  The second season will land on Disney Plus in October. What is Star Wars: Project Maverick? This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Employment challenges and remaining compliant amid the coronavirus outbreak Posted: 20 Mar 2020 01:00 PM PDT With the coronavirus impact being felt by businesses more every day, and the number of cases continuing to climb, employers need to be aware of their legal obligations and how they can prepare. The government is predicting that at the peak of the pandemic, up to a fifth of the UK’s workforce may be off sick, and many firms are following official advice to adopt a working from home approach to slow and prevent the spread of the disease. Here is what you need to do as an employer to stay on the right side of the law amid these uncertain times and mitigate the potential for disputes. Help employees spot the signs It’s important to make your employees aware of how to spot the symptoms of the virus, to minimise the chances of anyone carrying and/or spreading it in the workplace. If an employee does become unwell at work with coronavirus symptoms, they must inform you straight away and go home. Protect vulnerable workers You should be particularly cautious if any of your employees are at increased risk from coronavirus, including (but not limited to) those who have a long-term health condition, respiratory illnesses such as asthma, diabetes or heart disease or a weakened immune system, as well as anyone who is pregnant, over the age of 70 and anyone who cares for someone who falls into any of these categories. Know rules around sick pay Employees are entitled to Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) if they need to self-isolate. This applies not only if they have been diagnosed with coronavirus, but also if they have any of the symptoms, for example a high temperature or new continuous cough, or if someone in their household has coronavirus symptoms. Recent measures outlined by the Prime Minister mean SSP is now payable from day one instead of day four for affected individuals. If an employee or worker cannot work, they should inform you as soon as possible with the reason. Be flexible Businesses that have not yet or are unable to adopt a ‘work from home’ policy need to have a degree of flexibility and a willingness to adapt. This means agreeing to more flexible ways of working, for example allowing employees to change their start and finish times to avoid rush hour on public transport, cancelling face-to-face events and meetings and setting up remote calling and video conferences where possible.  Businesses with a good IT infrastructure can adapt more easily to a work from home model, asking staff with work laptops and phones to take them home and work as normal. Those who do not work on computers could be encouraged to focus on paperwork tasks that can be completed at home.  Employers must pay staff members working from home as usual and keep in contact regularly to monitor their wellbeing.   This is a highly unusual time affecting businesses and working practices all around the world. However, by taking the right steps and practicing strong due diligence, employers can minimise disruption and maintain a high level of productivity, ensuring the impact on their business is kept to a minimum. Hiren Gandhi is a partner at Blaser Mills Law This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

hide.me VPN boosts data transfer limit Posted: 20 Mar 2020 12:28 PM PDT At a time when VPN usage has seen massive growth due to a huge number of people now working from home, hide.me has announced that it has raised the data transfer limit of its free plan from 2GB to 10GB. New users that sign up for the VPN company's 'Free' tier will get 10GB once they subscribe to the service. However, this data transfer limit will automatically renew every month which means hide.me users will get access to 10GB for the rest of their lives. Free VPNs often get a bad rap due to their monthly data limits and potential privacy issues. Thankfully though, hide.me is a reputable service that is now giving users more than enough data to use each month. Hide.me is the latest VPN to join the i2Coalition Ethics and VPN: the industry needs to aim higher These are the best business VPN providers Unlimited data transfer While hide.me has increased the data transfer limit of its free plan from 2GB to 10GB per month, you can still continue using the service once you've exhausted all of your data. Once you've reached 10GB of data use in a month, you can continue using the service's free plan as an unlimited data transfer plan, though there is a small catch. After exhausting the 10GB per month limit, hide.me users will no longer be able to choose a server location. Instead, they'll be connected to the nearest available server which is a small tradeoff to continue using the service. Another nice thing about hide.me is the fact that the service's free plan doesn't require users to add any payment information or register to use it. Also check out our complete list of the best VPN services This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Leaked Microsoft Surface Go 2 benchmarks reveal under the hood upgrades Posted: 20 Mar 2020 12:13 PM PDT A Surface Go 2 may have just appeared in 3DMark benchmarks, revealing the tablet's under the hood upgrades.  This isn’t the first time the so-called Surface Go 2 has been sighted in benchmarks. An earlier leak, found by NotebookCheck outed a variant of the incoming tablet, in both LTE and non-LTE variants, powered by a dual-core Intel Core m3-8100Y processor.  These are the best Windows tablets Check out the best laptops Here's everything you need to know about Windows 10 Now a second listing on 3DMark, spotted by tipster @_rogame, reveals that the Surface Go 2 will also be made available in a variant powered by Intel’s Pentium 4425Y processor. Both Surface Go 2 models will pack 8B RAM, according to the 3DMark listing, and the m3-8100Y and Pentium 4425Y variants will ship with 128GB and 256GB of built-in SSD storage, respectively. Microsoft is expected to show off the Surface Go 2 during a spring hardware launch event that presumably will be held online-only. What about the specs? While this listing confirms we’ll see a step-up over the Pentium Gold 4415Y processor that powered the original Surface Go, the second-generation models will arrive using already outdated processors. The Pentium 4425Y is only clocked 100MHz higher than its predecessor and struggled in the 3DMark Time Spy benchmarks shared by @_rogame, with a CPU score of 1,089 and a graphics score of 292. The almost-two-year-old Intel Core m3-8100Y, which has a base clock speed of 1.1GHz, fared slightly better, with CPU and GPU scores of 1,380 and 303, respectively. However, it’s worth remembering that the Surface Go is the entry-level model in Microsoft’s Surface lineup; the original model retailed for just $399. Beyond details about the device’s underwhelming innards, we don’t yet know much else about Microsoft’s next-generation 2-in-1, though the device is expected to retain silver magnesium-alloy finish and rotating kickstand found on the original Surface Go. Check out the best Ultrabooks This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

LG OLED TV deals with the latest features slashed to their lowest prices this week Posted: 20 Mar 2020 11:53 AM PDT The time for an upgrade is right now, thanks to our roundup of the best OLED TV deals this week - bag yourself a top of the line display for way less than you would think. That's right, we've got some premium displays here that could save you upwards of $700 / £1000 for a cheap OLED TV that will fit into any living room. We've got cheap OLED TV deals for all price points here, but they start in the US this week at just $1296.99 for a 55-inch LG B9 model. If you're in the UK, don't worry we didn't leave you out, because we're seeing prices start with this LG B8 OLED TV at an all-time low £999. If you want to move up the scale to find the really premium stuff then we've got you covered - scroll down to see some of the biggest screens with the latest and most powerful features on board. We've included something for everyone with these cheap OLED TV deals, so whether you're looking for your centerpiece or just something for the bedroom, you'll find it here. It's safe to say these TVs are the best of the best. OLED TVs are known for their powerful, high-contrast picture quality, achieved through using pixels that each emit their own light, rather than relying on a backlight to display an image - like regular LED models. Not only are LG OLED TVs some of the most visually spectacular displays you'll find on the market, but LG has also been leading the way in OLED TV deals recently as well. Such high-end displays obviously carry the price tags to match, so if you're a little taken aback by those costs, you might want to take a look at the QLED TV deals we're featuring further down the page. You'll find prices starting at $697.99 in the US, with UK offers beginning at £499. There are some fantastic LG OLED TV deals available below, but if you're after more you can check out the latest OLED TV sales right here on TechRadar.  Shop all OLED TV deals at Walmart Shop all OLED TV deals at Newegg Shop all OLED TV deals at Crampton & Moore  Shop all OLED TV deals at Amazon  Shop all OLED TV deals at PRC Direct  If those OLED TV deals are still looking a little pricey, you might find better luck with a Samsung QLED. QLEDs still rely on LED backlights rather than having individual pixels transmitting their own light, but they offer an extra layer of quality in their quantum dot color panels placed over the existing LED display. The result isn't as mind-blowing as an OLED, but it still offers a competitive advantage of a standard 4K TV. We've spotted some fantastic QLED TV deals in both the US and the UK this weekend.  QLED TV deals in the US Shop all QLED TV deals at Walmart QLED TV deals in the UK Shop all QLED TV deals at Currys  Shop all QLED TV deals at AO Fancy taking a look at some other brands? We're always keeping an eye on the best OLED TV deals around, but if you're looking for something a little cheaper you'll also find plenty of 4K TV deals available right now.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Home exercise equipment: where to get treadmills, indoor bikes, weights & more Posted: 20 Mar 2020 11:51 AM PDT Stay in shape without leaving your house with these cheap home exercise equipment deals from retailers like Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy. We've found a selection of workout equipment in stock that includes discounts on treadmills, indoor bikes, weights, yoga mats, and more. Our top home exercise equipment picks include deals on best-selling stationary bikes like the NordicTrack GX 4.7 on sale for $379, the Fitness Reality exercise bike on sale for $139 and the Schwinn Upright Bike Series on sale for $199.99. Perfect for small spaces, Amazon has the OppsDecor Folding Treadmill on sale for $279.99 and a $49 price cut on the XTERRA Fitness TR150 Folding Treadmill. You can also find bargains on workout accessories like a set of dumbells on sale for $8.45, the Life Energy yoga mat on sale for $29.98 and GoFit resistance bands on sale for $14.95. Shop more home exercise equipment deals below, and keep in mind these discounts are limited-time offers so you should take advantage now before it's too late. Shop more of Amazon's at home gym deals Shop more of Walmart's at home gym deals Shop more of Best Buy's at home gym deals The best home exercise equipment deals: You can also see our roundup of our top working from home essentials. Need a movie with your meal? You can see our list of the best Netflix movies: 21 amazing films you should watch in March 2020 and the best Netflix documentaries. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

DJI Mavic Air 2: everything we know so far about DJI's incoming drone Posted: 20 Mar 2020 11:48 AM PDT Drones are back, it seems. Just months after we were treated to the Mavic Mini, a new DJI Mavic appears to have leaked – and it could be the Mavic Air 2, a successor to the popular DJI Mavic Air from 2018. The name is far from confirmed, as the leaked drone appears to be somewhere between a Mavic Air and the Mavic 2 Pro in size and features. But with the former now over two years old and largely sold out in stores, it looks like a mid-range drone will be DJI's first model of 2020. So what exactly will this new Mavic bring to the flying camera party? DJI's original Mavic Air become its all-rounder offering for drone beginners and enthusiasts, offering 4K video in a travel-friendly, folding package. And from what we've seen so far, that drone looks like this apparently leaked drone's spiritual predecessor. This means it would likely sit between the Mavic Mini – an even smaller drone that narrowly dips under the weight requiring registration, under new laws in the US and UK – and the Mavic 2 Pro.  The latter is currently top of our best drones list, largely thanks to its big one-inch sensor, and it seems likely that the DJI Mavic Air 2 will again sit beneath it in terms of specs and size. But could the Mavic Air 2 (or simply DJI Mavic, as some have speculated) bring new features and trick shots that would see it replace the Mavic 2 Pro as our pick as the best drone for most people? Here's everything we know so far. The best drone 2020: DJI, Parrot and more for beginners and pros DJI Mavic Air 2: release date and price The latest rumors suggest that a new mid-range DJI Mavic, possibly called the Mavic Air 2, will be launched in April 2020. This was backed up by what appeared to be a fairly significant leak from Chinese drone site Kanzhagi on March 10.  Naturally, there is some uncertainty right now about launch dates due to the knock-on effects of the coronavirus. But if the DJI Mavic Air 2 is as advanced as the leaks suggest, then it's certainly possible that an April 2020 launch could go ahead with pre-orders, with ultimate availability to be confirmed at a later date. There have been no leaks about DJI Mavic Air 2 pricing yet, but we can make some educated guesses based on the Mavic Air. That drone launched for $799 / £769 / AU$1,299 in early 2018 and, if the new Mavic is indeed its successor, we'd expect the new drone's price to be in that ballpark. That's because that price is almost exactly halfway between the two other current drones in DJI's lineup. The smaller, beginner-friendly Mavic Mini costs $399 / £369 / AU$599, while the Mavic 2 Pro hasn't moved a great deal from its original $1,599 / £1,349 / $2,499 price tag.  This would make the new DJI Mavic the new mid-range option in its lineup, and this is backed up by the leaks so far...  The possible DJI Mavic Air 2 (left) vs the DJI Mavic 2 Pro (right) DJI Mavic Air 2: design Based on the five photos leaked by Kanzhagi, it looks like the new DJI Mavic will closely resemble the Mavic 2 series, only with a smaller form factor. This means we'll get a folding drone, whose four arms can neatly fold away to help it it squeeze into a backpack. The design looks larger than the existing Mavic Air, but still more compact than the Mavic 2 Pro. Aside from the new metallic base, one of the most notable features from these leaks are the number of sensors on this new drone. The Mavic Air had three-directional environment sensing, but the new Mavic looks closer to the 360-degree obstacle avoidance seen on the Mavic 2 series. This should make it even easier to fly, particularly for nervous beginners. The busy underside – which includes DJI's dual vision system, infrared sensors and auxiliary LEDs – plus that new sensor on the back all combine to help the drone avoid obstacles and find its landing spot. DJI's tech in this department is pretty incredible, but it doesn't make the drones completely crash-proof, so you'll need to pay attention to your flying too.  One thing the leaked photos don't show very clearly is the camera and gimbal. It looks similar to the three-axis setup seen on the Mavic 2 Pro, but we don't yet know if the camera module will similarly be made by Hasselblad or what size sensor it has. It seems likely that DJI will reserve this for its more advanced Pro models, with the DJI Mavic sticking with a (possibly refreshed) 4K-shooting, 1/2.3-inch sensor. Still, while we're not yet clear on the camera, it seems a little more certain that the DJI Mavic Air 2 will be getting a new controller that's different from the one on the DJI Mavic Air. DJI Mavic Air 2: controller The apparently leaked DJI photos also appear to reveal a new controller design, which is significantly different from the Mavic Air's. It's a lot bigger, for a start, and it looks like you'll mount your phone on the top of the controller, rather than below it. This makes a lot of sense to us, though the bulkier form factor might prove a little divisive, given one of the charms of the Mavic Air is how neatly the whole setup folds away. Rather than a single switch in the middle for Sport mode, there now seems to be a three-way toggle for Normal, Sport and Tripod modes. The latter is a useful intelligent flight mode, which limits your drone's speed and helps you get smoother set piece shots. Sport mode, meanwhile, effectively turns DJI drones into a racing drone, allowing you to hit faster top speeds (42.5mph, in the Mavic Air's case) and keep up with fast-moving objects.  Otherwise, the controller has the usual 'return-to-home' button, function button and battery status lights. From the photo, it also appears to have the handy screw-in joysticks, which means you can unscrew them when you're not flying so the controller slips into backpacks much more easily. DJI Mavic Air 2: specs and features Although no specs have been leaked DJI's new Mavic yet, there is one thing we can be sure – it'll have a new safety system called AirSense. DJI said last year that all new drones it releases from 2020 (that weigh over 250g) will include AirSense tech, which receives ADS-B signals from nearby airplanes and helicopters and warns you if they're on a collision course with your drone. To help back up that system, it looks like the DJI Mavic Air 2 will have 360-degree obstacle avoidance, if those leaked photos are correct. One shot shows that there are two rear sensors on the back, which would mean it would be a step up from the current Mavic Air's three-directional environment sensing. It's not yet clear what sensor the new DJI Mavic will have. The current Mavic Air is able to shoot 4K video at 30fps at a decent bit-rate of 100Mbps and 12MP stills from its 1/2.3-inch CMOS sensor, which is the same as the Mavic 2 Zoom but smaller than Mavic 2 Pro's one-inch sensor. It's possible the new Mavic will bring support for new color profiles or HDR video, but we'll have to wait and see. One other feature that seems likely on the Mavic Air's successor, given its apparently greater size, is an improved battery life. This is one of the main drawbacks with the current Mavic Air, which is rated for 21 minutes of flight time, but more realistically gives you 18 to 19 minutes of flight before needing to return home. We're hopeful that DJI's new drone will keep going for nearer the 30 minutes of the Mavic 2 series.  Early verdict The leaks so far certainly suggest that DJI is preparing to release a mid-range drone that will succeed the Mavic Air soon – exactly what features, specs or name it will have remain unclear, as does how much its release date will be affected by the knock-on effects of the coronavirus. But the Mavic that has seemingly been revealed in recent photos is certainly exciting, particularly if does arrive with a similar price tag to the current Mavic Air. With safer and more stable flying, a longer battery life and a new controller all possible, it could turn out to be the best drone for most people. We'll bring you any official news as soon as we get it.  The best drone 2020: DJI, Parrot and more for beginners and pros This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Best business VPN providers of 2020 Posted: 20 Mar 2020 11:32 AM PDT Using one of the best VPNs is extremely important for any modern business which has a flexible and mobile workforce. As a VPN helps you protect business data by keeping a secure company network and internet connection. Which in turn, allows you to ensure and maintain high levels of privacy and security.  This is especially helpful in the world of small businesses, which usually have limited resources to devote to managing security. Fortunately, there are business VPNs out there which are a breeze to set up and manage, plus they can be scaled to fit the organisation’s needs as it grows. Business VPN vs Consumer VPN: the main differences While business VPNs perform a similar function like consumer VPNs, there are some key differences. For starters, they are designed to protect the privacy of the whole business and they add additional protection against surveillance and hacking. Consumer VPNs are generally used for individual preferences like unblocking a website or service, while business VPNs are used for business security and data protection.  In addition, business VPNs provide a dedicated IP address with a dedicated server, while the IP for the consumer VPNs might be shared with other users and can change every time you connect to the service. This also means that the servers are specially designed for business users. One of the main differences is that the business VPN is designed for multiple users. It basically means the employees will use one universal account with the account manager having full control. Also, some providers have a minimum user requirement before they offer a business VPN service. An important notice is that the company will know what websites their employees visit when using a business VPN.  Even the installation is different, although the actual installation will vary depending on the service but the company will usually get help from the VPN provider and their security experts. Check out our best VPN guide to get the best VPN deals on the market Best business VPN in 2020 Perimeter 81, offers a great business VPN experience for users who work across multiple devices and switch from one to another frequently. It’s a powerful service with many features and benefits.   Their zero-trust network service will always ensure secure, zero-trust access to web applications. This will increase efficiency and security, help with mitigating data loss, as well as reduce total cost of ownership (TCO) for IT security by replacing disconnected point products with a single, consolidated security platform. The software-defined perimeter (SDP) is used to restrict network access and provide customized, manageable and secure access to networked systems. Perimeter 81 uses its own SDP solution to offer simple cloud migration security, and secure access to cloud environments such as IaaS, PaaS, and more.  The provider also uses some advanced security features which proactively protect employees from dangerous public Wi-Fi threats, regardless of where they are working from. The two-factor authentication is also available for extra security.  Also, since Perimeter 81 is cloud-based, you can scale your network as you go without the need for external hardware. Another bonus is that you can easily manage team settings and view employee network access all in one place. The provider has well-designed clients for Windows, Mac, iOS and Android, is compatible with Linux, Linux X64 and Chromebook, and includes a single-click web management console.  While the server coverage may be slightly limited, it didn’t bother us as we got above-average speeds in our performance tests. The provider upholds a strict no-logging policy. Perimeter 81 supports IKEv2, OpenVPN, L2TP and PPTP security protocols, WireGuard connector, features automatic Wi-Fi security, and business clients enjoy priority support around the clock. Perimeter 81 has three business plans to choose from, depending on the number of users needed – including a custom plan if required. The packages available are: Essentials: $10 per team member, per month Premium: $15 per team member, per month Enterprise: Custom plan NordVPN Teams is NordVPN's solution for businesses and corporate users benefit from the same sterling levels of security and reliability the provider is known for, alongside the added bonus of getting a dedicated account manager for business account holders. Companies also get a dedicated business VPN server for internal use, and each VPN account is assigned a dedicated IP address. With the number of servers constantly growing, NordVPN is one of the better VPN providers when it comes to server numbers. It’s not the fastest network out there, but it’s fast enough – and more importantly, the NordVPN Teams is consistent in terms of its performance.  This provider offers lots of security features, including double data encryption, a kill switch, and much more. NordVPN is privacy-focused, keeping no logs of user activity and requiring no company details to purchase.  There are three plans available: Basic, Advanced and Enterprise. For the Enterprise plan, you'll need to reach out to their sales team for a quote. Head to NordVPN Teams to check out the pricing and sign up Encrypt.me Business VPN is a great choice for smaller teams who frequently use multiple devices. This is because the provider supports an unlimited number of devices which isn't something you see often. Apart from that, the provider offers very solid performance and it's quite simple to use. Encrypt.me works on all major platforms, including iOS, Android, MacOS and Windows, and it's available via Amazon as well. Each employee will have to download the app and they'll be ready to use it in minutes.  Security is very good with several interesting features available. You have DNS protection, Auto-Secure function, Content filtering, and private endpoints, so employees can connect to the office network remotely. As for privacy, there is some session logging though, so this might not be ideal for every business. The pricing is flexible and it's based on how much team members you need. The price starts at $15.98 per month for a minimum of 2 members. Encrypt.me for Teams - $15.98 per month for two members. While ExpressVPN doesn't have a dedicated business plan, it's the best consumer VPN out there, which makes it a perfect choice for remote workers and single business users. The performance is great and their server coverage is quite adequate, so you'll have no problem finding a good server. One of the first things you notice with ExpressVPN is that their app is compatible with so many platforms. Apart from the usual platforms, the provider has a client for Linux, Kinde Fire, Chromebook, Nook and more. They are all easy to set up too. In addition, there are browser extensions for Firefox and Chrome. With ExpressVPN you also get top-grade security and encryption. All the standard encryption and security features are there with some additions like split-tunneling or the fact that ExpressVPN protects your internet traffic by using its own DNS servers. The privacy protection is favorable as well, with a clear no-logging policy.  One small complaint would be the pricing as it is a bit more expensive than usual, but it might be understandable considering what you get. The packages available are: 1-month - $12.95 6-months - $9.99 per month 15-months - $6.67 per month [Save 40%] Get 40% off VyprVPN's annual plans. VyprVPN is a fast, highly  secure VPN without third-parties, all  for as little as $36.00 for the  first year. Get VyprVPN here.   (25% Off) Exclusive VyprVPN Deal: TechRadar readers get 25% off VyprVPN annual plans ($45 USD for 1 year). VyprVPN is a fast, highly secure VPN without third parties. Get VyprVPN here  VyprVPN manages all of its own servers which definitely shows when it comes to performance levels. In our tests, we found our download speeds more than doubled compared to our normal rates with the VPN turned off – it doesn’t come any better than that. Vypyr provides you with easy-to-use and intuitive software for overall account management, as well as apps for all major platforms. In addition to OpenVPN, PPTP and L2TP/IPsec protocols, VyprVPN offers additional security features like a NAT Firewall and its own Chameleon technology (which got upgraded to 2.0 version) for preventing deep packet inspection (DPI), VPN blocking and throttling. 24/7 live chat support is in place for when you need assistance. Interestingly, there isn't much information listed on the website regarding the business plans. To find out more about them, and discover the exact pricing, you have to apply for a free trial or contact customer support. There are two of these plans pitched pretty closely together, starting from $299 and $349 respectively. The packages available are: VyprVPN for Business - $299 a year  VyprVPN for Business Cloud - $349 a year Hotspot Shield delivers a consistently fast VPN with competitive pricing for consumers, and its business offering is no different. In performance terms, our tests showed a significant increase in download speeds with a slight increase in upload speeds compared to our normal rates, and barely any change in latency. On the downside, this business VPN doesn’t offer any management software so you only have native apps at your disposal.  The privacy policy is favorable, not keeping any logs, and on the security front you get all the usual protocols. Additional features include private browsing and virtual locations, among others. There’s dedicated customer support in case you run into any hiccups. You can choose from three plans, and they are quite affordable with the lower-end plan being a laudably cheap option for small businesses (although it might be that these prices aren't accurate anymore and you'll have to contact the company for exact information). The packages available are: 1-month - $39.99 6-months - $179.94 ($29.99 a month) 1-year - $239.88 ($19.99 a month) TorGuard certainly has a huge selection of servers, meaning you should never have a problem finding a reliable connection. That said, our testing revealed only average levels of performance, with some spikes in latency. Still, the speed trade-off might well be worth it as you get tons of options to set up your VPN experience on any OS. Every TorGuard business VPN account comes with a 24/7 dedicated account manager and access to a dedicated VPN management portal. Security-wise, TorGuard takes care of business (ahem) with all the regular protocols, 256-bit AES encryption, and a ‘Stealth VPN’ option that avoids deep packet inspection. There are three business price plans plus a custom option. Each gets you unlimited access and support, the only difference being the number of users covered, and dedicated IP and email addresses. The packages available are: Starter - $69 a month Small - $110 a month Medium - $169 a month Custom plan We’ve rounded up the best free VPN How to choose the best VPN for business Obviously, protecting sensitive business data is the main priority here, so you need a VPN with the beefiest levels of security. Since you’ll be handling multiple accounts at once, for multiple staff members, quality management software or a dedicated account manager are important considerations. Having access to plenty of server locations is always a good thing, particularly when it comes to a mobile workforce, and nippy performance is handy for transferring large files or perhaps partaking of HD videoconferencing. Another important factor is the number of connections available and supported devices, which must suit the size of your firm and the hardware your employees use. Also consider 1. Jungle disk: It is an easy, secure VPN access for small businesses supporting SSL and IPsec including remote access and site-to-site. There's no hardware purchase, no setup fees, all pay-as-you-go monthly, in a fully managed provider. It is aimed at 2-250 employee businesses with under 10 locations.  As little as $4.9 per employee (up to 10 employees) per month, per location. As little as $0.89 per employee (up to 100 employees) per month, per location with dedicated static public IP, port forwarding. As little as $0.56 per employee (up to 250 employees) per month, per location, with dedicated static public IP, port forwarding, Gigabit network interfaces, up to 4 LAN or Wi-Fi networks and site-to-site and 3rd-party VPN 2. ibVPN : Their VPN is best for securing your company’s data with military grade encryption while working remotely and to access business tools while traveling or when connected to public WiFi. They claim that they "provide the most complete business VPN solution offering fast VPN servers, SmartDNS and Proxies to make sure it suits all your company's needs", adding "for easy access we have developed VPN clients for major OS (Windows, Mac, iOS and Android) so even the less techie can connect in seconds with a simple click." Small Business VPN 7 (VPN + SmartDNS) - 7 simultaneous connections from $8.32 per month (billed yearly) Small Business VPN 15 (VPN + SmartDNS) - 15 simultaneous connections from $16.66 per month (billed yearly) Small Business VPN 25 (VPN + SmartDNS) - 25 simultaneous connections from $33.32 per month (billed yearly) 3. Hide.me : This VPN is geared towards "any company which wants to give its employees the geographical freedom to work without compromising on their security, any company which wants to make sure that their employees are always secure even while using public Wi-Fi connections, any company which does not want to spend a lot of time on administrating its VPN solution and any company which does not want to spend a lot of money on their VPN solution."  Hide.me’s Business VPN offers a flexible Windows SDK to control the VPN connection over an API. You can bundle the SDK into your existing application or just build your GUI on top of it. With their API, you can automatically create, delete, disable, and enable VPN accounts.  They don't ask you to pay upfront and offers a monthly consolidated billing option so that you pay only for accounts that have been active.  Make your home workers secure and productive with a remote access VPN This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

How to watch The Letter for the King online: stream from anywhere Posted: 20 Mar 2020 11:20 AM PDT The Letter for the King is a new Netflix Originals fantasy drama that the streaming service is hoping will fill the Game of Thrones-sized hole in your viewing. So if you're lamenting the lack of Jon Snow or Mother of Dragons in your life, this could be the show to provide you with a satisfactory dose of action-packed adventure - read on to find out how to watch The Letter for the King online from pretty much anywhere in the world. Widely being referred to as "The Witcher, but for kids", the six-part series is adaptated from Tonke Dragt’s beloved 1962 Dutch novel De brief voor de Koning. The story centers around Tiuri, a 16-year-old aspiring knight played by His Dark Material star Amir Wilson. As his training progresses he finds himself drawn into a dangerous mission to deliver a secret letter to the King who lives across the Great Mountains. Along with his high-stakes courier job, Tiuri must also help save the kingdom of Dagonaut from an evil prince (Gijs Blom) who is threatening to plunge it into darkness. Unlike a lot of recent fantasy films and shows that are pitched squarely at an older audience, with tons of graphic violence and nudity, The Letter For The King is primarily aimed at teens and is positively wholesome so should come as a godsend to parents of bored kids at home on the lockdown. Read on to find out how to watch The Letter For The King and stream the new series online from all corners of the globe. Need more to watch? Here's how to watch Contagion online How to watch The Letter for the King on Netflix How to watch The Letter for the King from outside your country The Letter for the King has been rolled out at a time when people are desperate for something new to watch. If you're looking to get stuck in but find yourself stuck abroad in the lockdown in a country where Netflix isn't available, you might worry that you'll be unable to watch show using your normal streaming service, due to pesky geo-blocking restrictions. Fortunately, there's an easy solution. Downloading a VPN will allow you to watch The Letter for the King no matter where you are. This simple bit of software changes your IP address so that you can access episodes live or on demand as they become available, just as if you were lying on the couch munching your favorite takeout. Read more: How to watch Better Call Saul season 5 Get yourself the very best Netflix VPN Discover our favorite TV streaming services This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

The Mandalorian season 2: release date, Baby Yoda, Darksaber, Ahsoka Tano and what we know Posted: 20 Mar 2020 11:12 AM PDT We can't think of a Disney Plus show we're looking forward to more than The Mandalorian season 2. The Star Wars saga has had its ups, and its downs (cough, Rise of Skywalker, cough) for sure, but season 1 of the highly anticipated show certainly established itself as the former. It won't be long before Baby Yoda, and a fresh stream of memes, will be back: filming has already finished. Speaking of the diminutive green jedi, The Mandalorian season 2 will likely focus on the search for his homeworld, as the finale to season 1 suggests. We'll also see "major, major, epic, epic lightsaber action" according to Giancarlo Esposito, who'll return as the Darksaber-wielding Moff Gideon. We may also see Skywalker characters, if the rumors floating around bear fruit. And it's looking like Ahsoka Tano from The Clone Wars will turn up this season, based on recent reports. Here's everything we know about The Mandalorian season 2, including the release date, story, and what we know about the Darksaber. We'll also discuss the potential spin-offs being prepped for the smash hit Star Wars TV show. The Mandalorian season 2 release date: October 2020 The Mandalorian season 2 officially has a release date of October 2020, which Disney confirmed in its earnings report in February.  Season 2 was already in the works when season 1 started releasing on Disney Plus – confirmation of a second season came from creator Jon Favreau after just one episode was released. Favreau revealed a little more on Friday December 27, with a tweet confirming that the new season would be coming in Fall 2020. Only later was the specific month of October revealed by Disney.  Now, filming on season 2 appears to have wrapped as of March 2020, based on this Instagram post from star Gina Carano: The Mandalorian season 2 reportedly casts Rosario Dawson as Ahsoka Tano A report from Slashfilm suggests that Rosario Dawson will play The Clone Wars favorite Ahsoka Tano in The Mandalorian season 2. This would mark the character's first appearance in live-action. The outlet reports that two sources verified the info, but that Lucasfilm or Dawson's representatives wouldn't comment on it. Variety, too, confirmed the report, saying it's a guest-starring role. Enjoy the Star Wars movies in order, including The Mandalorian's place in the timeline What is Star Wars: The High Republic? Disney Plus UK: when UK viewers can finally see The Mandalorian The Mandalorian season 2 story: the search for Baby Yoda's homeworld and Darksaber action George Lucas had a rule that Jedi Master Yoda's species and home planet weren't to be disclosed, back when he was in charge of Star Wars.Now that Disney is in charge of Lucasfilm and Star Wars, though, it's likely that this has changed, as everything suggest The Mandalorian season 2 will focus on the search for “the Child” – aka Baby Yoda’s – home.  During the season 1 finale, the Mandalorian Armorer on Nevarro tells the Mandalorian (real name Din Djarin) that because Baby Yoda is a foundling (and therefore probably not, as previously speculated, a clone), “By creed it it is in your care.” She then adds that, “You have no choice, you must reunite it with its own kind.” Unfortunately for Mando, however, the Armorer didn’t have any information on where he might find them: “This you must determine,” she teases. But as ever in Star Wars, there’s a degree of ambiguity here – and the identity of who the Mandalorian is actually looking for may come down to your own point of view. Perhaps Mando is, as it seems at first glance, looking for the homeworld of Yoda’s species. Or maybe he’s simply looking for Jedi who survived the Emperor’s Order 66 purge in Revenge of the Sith, some three decades earlier.  Why the confusion? In the Outer Rim worlds that provide the setting for The Mandalorian, the Force exploits of the Jedi are just myth – indeed, the Mandalorian simply says of Baby Yoda’s Force abilities that “it can move objects with its mind”.  “I know of such things,” the Armorer reveals. “The songs of aeons past tell of battles between Mandalore the Great and an order of sorcerers called Jedi that fought with such powers.” Crucially, when Mando asks if Baby Yoda is an enemy, the Armorer states: “Its kind were enemies but this individual is not.” So seeing as Mandalore’s battles were with the Jedi, rather than specifically with Yoda’s species, this implies that Mando’s new bounty may actually be the Jedi... Or maybe the Mandalorian will settle for simply finding out Baby Yoda's name. Apparently he has one, and Disney CEO Bob Iger told The Star Wars Show that he knows what it is – not that he's giving anything away. Speculation over Yoda's name continues. Of course, we'll see more of Moff Gideon in season 2 of The Mandalorian, probably looking for revenge after the battle at the end of season 1. "Major, major, epic, epic lightsaber action happening on this show," the actor said at Fan Expo Canada (via Comic Book). Whoever Gideon is fighting with the Darksaber, though, won't be Mando or (heaven forbid) Baby Yoda. Either way, this means we'll see another character wielding a lightsaber in season 2.  The Mandalorian season 2: spin-offs may be in the works In an earnings call, Disney's Bob Iger hinted at more characters being introduced in The Mandalorian, with possible spin-offs being set up. He teased it as, "more coming from The Mandalorian thereafter, including the possibility of infusing it with more characters and the possibility of taking those characters in their own direction in terms of series". "More coming" from The Mandalorian could also mean a season 3 is planned. The exact phrasing suggests spin-offs will focus on newer characters, rather than existing ones. We're sure a lot of fans would argue Gina Carano's Cara Dune would be a good fit... One actor rumored for a role in season 2 is WWE star Sasha Banks. Who she'd be playing, though, is yet to be confirmed.  The Mandalorian season 2: the Darksaber explained Above: clips from The Clone Wars featuring the Darksaber. When Moff Gideon cuts himself out of his stricken TIE Fighter at the end of The Mandalorian season 1 finale, he uses a blade that sounds much like a lightsaber, but looks rather different to the weapons we’re used to seeing in the hands of Jedi and Sith. More sword-like in shape, with a black blade surrounded by a bright glow, it should, however, be familiar to viewers of Star Wars: The Clone Wars and Star Wars Rebels. Because unless we’re very much mistaken, this looks like the legendary Darksaber. This unique weapon is a key part of Star Wars – and particularly Mandalorian – lore. Originally created by Tarre Vizsla, the first Mandalorian warrior to join the Jedi order, it became a symbol of power on the planet of Mandalore. At the conclusion of Star Wars Rebels (set two years before the events of Star Wars: A New Hope) it ended up in the hands of Bo-Katan Kryze, who was deemed the rightful heir to the Mandalorian leadership. But how did such an important weapon end up in Moff Gideon’s hands? We do know that at some point between the end of Rebels and Return of the Jedi, the Empire carried out the so-called “Great Purge”, all but wiping out the Mandalorians. We also know that Gideon was an officer in the Imperial Security Bureau (ISB) during the Purge, so could have obtained the Darksaber from Bo-Katan at that time. (If that does turn out to be the case, it’ll be intriguing to find out if Bo-Katan survived – she was played by Battlestar Galactica’s Katee Sackhoff in both The Clone Wars and Rebels, so this could be a chance to get a fan-favorite actor into the show.) Alternatively, the Darksaber could have been in the possession of the Mandalorian “Tribe” living underground on Nevarro throughout The Mandalorian season 1 –Gideon may simply have obtained it when his Imperial remnant wiped out most of the Mandalorians in hiding. This seems less likely, however – surely the surviving Armorer would have protected such an important weapon with her life. The Mandalorian season 2: Jon Favreau will direct an episode Despite being the creator and main writer of The Mandalorian season one, Iron Man director Jon Favreau didn't direct a single episode – it didn't hurt the show at all, but season 2 will benefit from his input. "I didn’t get a chance the last time around because I was doing Lion King," Favreau mentioned to EW. "So I'll step in for one of them." George Lucas has been on the show's set, too, resulting in this amazing photo: What's more, it's rumored that Peyton Reed (Ant-Man, Yes Man) will direct two episodes. This comes from Charles Murphy, but he admits that he has no secondary source to corroborate his information. Another rumor doing the rounds in February 2020 contended that James Mangold (Walk the Line, The Wolverine), but Mangold later debunked them. The Mandalorian season 2: Original Trilogy characters rumored to appear According to Deadline, “Insiders have hinted that several established characters from the Skywalker saga’s feature films mythology will make appearances during the show’s sophomore season.” Jon Favreau’s release date tweet above showed a picture of a Gamorrean, one of the so-called Pig Guards from Jabba’s Palace in Return of the Jedi, but we suspect that – if this insider's rumors are accurate – they’re referring to someone who’s a significantly bigger deal in the saga than that. While Jabba the Hutt, Darth Vader and the Emperor are dead (or so the galaxy believes…) and Luke Skywalker is unlikely to crop up away from the saga that bears his name, there are plenty of big names in the Star Wars universe who’ll be operating around the time of The Mandalorian. It's set five years after the destruction of the second Death Star in Return of the Jedi, after all. Original trilogy survivors Han Solo, Princess Leia, Chewbacca, Lando Calrissian, C-3PO, R2-D2, and even Rebel legends Wedge Antilles, Admiral Ackbar and Nien Nunb could all cross paths with the Mandalorian and Baby Yoda.  But we’d be much more interested to see General Hux’s dad, Brendol – a former Imperial officer who was instrumental in the formation of the First Order – or even (SPOILER ALERT) Rey’s parents. Now that we know they lived in hiding – pretending to be “nobody” before giving Rey away – any new glimpses at their backstory could enhance what we learned in The Rise of Skywalker. Perhaps most likely, however, is the reappearance of various bounty hunters hired by Darth Vader to capture the Millennium Falcon in The Empire Strikes Back. IG-88, Zuckuss, Dengar, Bossk and 4-LOM are still theoretically looking for work in the time of The Mandalorian season 2, and definitely operate in the same hives of scum and villainy as our friendly neighborhood Mando.  Maybe we’ll even see a return for the legendary Boba Fett… Yes, he was last seen being swallowed by the Sarlacc in Return of the Jedi, but the bounty hunter did manage to escape 1000 years of digestion in the old Expanded Universe “Legends” stories, a plot that could be ported over into official canon. And there’s also been plenty of speculation online that the mysterious figure on Tatooine who finds the body of the deceased Fennec Shand in Chapter 5, “The Gunslinger”, may be Fett himself – the jangling spurs might just be a clue... And even if the owner of the spurs isn't Fett, one particularly interesting theory suggested on Inverse suggests it could be a member of the family – Ailyn Vel, his daughter in the Legends stories. Could this be the identity of this mysterious Funko Pop! Vinyl figure?  The Mandalorian is the best slice of Star Wars in years We can't wait for a second season of The Mandalorian. A couple of less thrilling episodes in the middle of season one aside, the simple storytelling and stylish imagery of this show made it a satisfying glimpse at a different side of the Star Wars universe. Creator Jon Favreau has plenty on the table to pay off in season 2.  The Falcon and the Winter Soldier release date: what we know This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

The latest Game Pass Ultimate deal means you can Play Ori and the Will of the Wisps for just $1 / £1 Posted: 20 Mar 2020 11:07 AM PDT With this latest Game Pass Ultimate deal, you can play the brand new addition to the Xbox library Ori and the Will of the Wisps for just $1 / £1. Thanks to Microsoft, this brand new release is now added to their extensive library - so get ready to pick up some spirit light containers and get down with some Metroidvania fun this weekend. If you're new to the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate service, you can set up a one-month subscription for this low $1 / £1 price. That's great if you're just looking to play Ori and the Will of the Wisps as quick and cheap as possible, but if you're looking for a longer-term membership there are even better ways to save with the latest Game Pass Ultimate deals.  Before you sign up for your one-month membership, grab a cheap Xbox Live Gold subscription (the best we've found this week is this $52 / £39 12-month membership). Add those Live Gold months to your account and when you join Game Pass Ultimate they will automatically be converted into the much more expensive subscription!  This is a fantastic way to save big on a Game Pass Ultimate subscription and is fully endorsed by Microsoft. But if you've already signed up before, there are still plenty of ways to save with a cheap Game Pass deal, like this $10.49 / £7.99 three-month Game Pass subscription.  We're running through all the ways to save with Game Pass Ultimate deals below, so you can get back to Ori and the Will of the Wisps for less.  Play Ori and the Will of the Wisps for as little as $1 / £1 Best Xbox Live Gold deals If you want to maximise your savings on that Microsoft Game Pass Ultimate deal, you'll want to pick up a cheap Live Gold subscription first. You can convert anything up to 36 months into a Game Pass Ultimate subscription when you sign up for that $1 / £1 trial, so the more months you stack the more you save.  Best Xbox Game Pass deals  If you've already subscribed to Game Pass Ultimate, but still want to find some Game Pass deals to boost your membership length for less, these offers should do the trick. You're not getting access to online play, PC offerings, or exclusive discounts, however, so if you're after those you should check out the Game Pass Ultimate deals below. You'll still find Ori and the Will of the Wisps available on the standard Game Pass subscription. Best Game Pass Ultimate deals These Game Pass Ultimate deals bring everything together in one handy subscription which usually comes at a slight premium. However, today you can save plenty of cash on a cheap Game Pass Ultimate subscription and start playing Ori and the Will of the Wisps straight away.  We're tracking all the latest Game Pass sales right here on TechRadar, as well as the best Xbox Live Gold prices around. While you're at it, why not refresh your gear? We're keeping tabs on all the best Xbox One controller prices around.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

The Xbox Series X will be the go-to console for HDR gaming - here’s why Posted: 20 Mar 2020 11:00 AM PDT If you’re a fan of HDR gaming (and why wouldn’t you be?), the Xbox Series X is shaping up to be the console of choice for those who love the beauty of high dynamic range. Microsoft’s diminutive tower of power already has gamers salivating over its impressive technical specifications, but the company is ensuring that when you hook an Xbox Series X up to a HDR-compatible display, you’ll be in for a visual (and nostalgic) treat.  Unlike PlayStation 4, the Xbox One X already supports both HDR10 and Dolby Vision, which is noticeably missing from Sony’s platform. Dolby Vision is Netflix’s HDR standard of choice and has also been adopted by a growing library of 4K UHD Blu-Ray. It’s safe to assume, then, that Xbox Series X will retain these features. What’s more, Sony is doubling down on priority tech for PS5, like its Tempest 3D audio instead of Dolby Atmos. Microsoft, meanwhile, created their own spatial audio tech for Xbox One - Windows Sonic - but also lets users choose Dolby Atmos, if they prefer.  While we can confidently predict Sony won’t be introducing a new display technology anytime soon (fingers crossed), it’s refreshing to see that Microsoft is continuing to invest in more widely available standards, such as HDR. But what about the Xbox's wide, catalogue of backwards-compatibility treats? No one could have guessed that Microsoft would figure out a way to retroactively add HDR to older games, though. But that’s exactly what it’s managed to do, so now your classics will be HDR too.  What’s HDR to me?  HDR, or High Dynamic Range, is a relatively new TV standard that lets you experience accurate colors, greatly improved contrast and more vivid pictures than what was previously possible with standard dynamic range televisions (SDR). That means you’ll see brighter whites when viewing a snowy mountain top, deeper blacks during darker scenes and a greater spectrum of colors overall. Colors won’t appear crushed or oversaturated, either, meaning you’ll often be able to see more nuanced details that were previously hidden. HDR10+: the new HDR standard that’s taking a leaf out of Dolby’s book Hybrid Log Gamma: everything you need to know about HLG HDR Dolby Vision IQ is about to make HDR TVs even better to look at HDR is a huge boon for video games in particular, as they often use exaggerated color palettes and feature explosive set pieces that take full advantage of HDR’s capabilities. SDR content can look rather muted and flat in comparison, lacking the vibrancy and clarity that only HDR can provide.  Imagine, then, if the Xbox Series X could inject a fresh lick of HDR paint to all the games you played years ago. But how would that work exactly? Old dog, new HDR tricks During Digital Foundry’s visit to Microsoft’s HQ in Redmond, Washington, the team was shown the Xbox One X enhanced version of Halo 5: Guardians, running with a very convincing HDR implementation. Even though developer 343 Industries never shipped the game to include HDR support originally, Microsoft has found an ingenious way to add HDR into the game – developed from the state-of-the-art HDR implementation used in Gears 5. Microsoft ATG principal software engineer Claude Marais revealed that, by using a machine learning algorithm, the team was able to generate a full HDR image from SDR content – on any backwards compatible title. And when Microsoft says any backwards compatible title can receive the HDR treatment – it means any title. The Digital Foundry team was stunned to see Fusion Frenzy – an original Xbox game that was released almost 20 years ago – running with real HDR.  Microsoft’s new HDR-mapping tech will extend across the entire Xbox library on Xbox Series X, and apply to the hundreds of compatible games that don’t have their own bespoke HDR modes already. Some TV displays will ship with baked-in HDR-effect or HDR boost options – which aren’t actually HDR proper. But Microsoft’s technology creates exact heatmaps (instructions for the brightness settings) for the auto HDR tech to work from, ensuring the picture looks just as it should. A heatmap showing luminance data in Halo 5, created by the auto HDR tech.  Retro makeover Seeing classic Xbox titles get the HDR treatment for Xbox Series X is an enticing prospect, then, but Microsoft also has some other interesting ideas where its machine learning algorithm can be used, particularly when it comes to accessibility.  “If you have people that cannot read well or see well, you probably want to enhance contrast when there's a lot of text on-screen. We can easily do that,” Marias explained to Digital Foundry. “We talked to someone that's colorblind this morning and that's a great example. We just switch on the LUT and we can change colours for them to more easily experience the announcement there." There’s no denying that Xbox Series X is a technically accomplished piece of technology, but Microsoft has ensured that its new console will make the most of the innovations available today, to help bring new life to the treasured games of the past. Revisit these classic titles - the best backwards compatible games on  Xbox One This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

The best PC gaming headsets of 2020 Posted: 20 Mar 2020 10:36 AM PDT The best gaming headsets are an essential part of any gaming setup, bringing the sound in games, movies and music to life. Poor audio is a quick way to ruin any gaming experience, whether you’re traversing an open world or sniping opponents in the best PC games. And, while there are many excellent computer speakers out there, there’s really nothing more immersive (not to mention, less disruptive) than a quality gaming headset. Once you’ve gotten the best gaming PC and paired it with the best gaming monitor, it’s time to focus on the audio and getting one of the best gaming headsets available. Not only do they deliver superb sound quality, but they also bring depth to the sound with excellent sound staging and surround sound. Some even offer virtual surround sound as part of their feature set. Best yet, these gaming headsets cater to gamers with appropriate aesthetics such as RGB lighting and extreme comfort for those long gaming sessions. Because there are quite a few worthy candidates out there, we handpicked the best gaming headsets of 2020 for you. Each one has been tested and reviewed by us, so whichever one you choose, you know you’re making a sound investment. The pure comfort and top-notch sound of the HyperX Cloud Revolver S more than make up for its high price.  When we first sat down to review the HyperX Cloud Revolver S, we were a tad conflicted. On one hand, it boasts incredible 7.1-channel surround sound, delivered through Dolby's trademark digital signal processor. On the other, it's extremely expensive when compared to other similar headsets. Fortunately, as one of Kingston's most subdued pair of cans we've ever seen (or heard), the pure comfort and top-notch sound more than make up for its high price and weirdly placed detachable mic. And that’s why it tops our list of the best PC gaming headsets.  Read the full review: HyperX Cloud Revolver S SteelSeries Arctis Pro takes SteelSeries' impeccable audio to the next level. SteelSeries is known for offering impeccable audio, but the SteelSeries Arctis Pro takes things to the next level. This headset doesn’t just offer up immersive surround sound for all the explosive action of your favorite games, but thanks to its included DAC (digital to audio converter), the Arctis Pro also serves you well when listening to your favorite music. One of the best PC gaming headsets to date, this one’s a little on the pricey side, but when you consider just how comfortable and exceptional sounding this headset is, well, it’s easy to see why it’s one of the best gaming headsets you can buy today. Read the full review: SteelSeries Arctis Pro  For years, the Astro A50 has been one of the best gaming headsets. For years, the Astro A50 has been one of the best gaming headsets, known for premium comfort and audio quality. And, the 2019 model improves it on almost every level. Not only is the sound quality still there in full, but it looks better, with a full-black design, rather than the clashing colors of past models. The docking station is also smaller and less of an eyesore. Just keep in mind that this is still a pricey headset.  Read the full review: Astro A50 Wireless Beyerdynamic CUSTOM Game is one of the best PC gaming headsets we've used in some time. While it’s more expensive than we’d like, the Beyerdynamic CUSTOM Game is one of the best PC gaming headsets we’ve used in some time. It doesn’t feature flashy surround sound or wireless functionality, unfortunately. However, this headset does excel in two of the most important categories: sound and comfort. Seriously, once you put it on and experience your games in headphones this amazing, there’s no looking back. Read the full review: Beyerdynamic Custom Game The Corsair HS50 Stereo Gaming Headset has sound and mic quality that rivals headsets. Usually when you're purchasing anything, including gaming peripherals, you get what you pay for. You don't go into Walmart, pick up a $50/£50 gaming headset and expect to be blown away, at least not usually. Well, Corsair takes this rule and turns it on its head. The Corsair HS50 is, for the budget gamer, the best PC gaming headset you can get today. Retailing at $50 in the US, the HS50 has sound and mic quality that rivals headsets that are double the price. Everything, down to the build materials, radiates quality. If you don't mind forgoing some extra bells and whistles – like 7.1 surround and Bluetooth connectivity, for example – then you need to take a look at the Corsair HS50. Read the full review: Corsair HS50 Stereo Gaming Headset  You can get high quality lossless audio playback with the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless. Compromises are a part of everyday life, but nobody actually enjoys making them. Luckily, you won’t have to with the SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless. With it, you can get high quality lossless audio playback with a wireless headset. And, when you add the unique and ultra-convenient dual-battery charging system that lets you wear this headset in perpetuity to the mix, you have a formula for one of the best PC gaming headsets we've ever had the chance to use. If you have the money, and you absolutely need the best wireless headphones money can buy, this is your best bet. Read the full review: SteelSeries Arctis Pro Wireless  The Creative Sound BlasterX H7 Tournament Edition further cements Creative's legacy. Creative has made a name for itself over the years for crafting sublime audio products – and the Creative Sound BlasterX H7 Tournament Edition further cements that legacy. Instead of just sitting back and iterating on the same winning formula of its previous products, Creative gives the Sound BlasterX H7 a full overhaul, resulting in a PC gaming headset that looks just as great as it sounds. If you’re looking for a comfortable, solid and meaty-sounding headset, the Creative Sound BlasterX H7 Tournament Edition is one of the best PC gaming headsets you can get. Read the full review: Creative Sound BlasterX H7 Tournament Edition  The Turtle Beach Elite Atlas Aero offers great sound quality coupled with its ProSpecs Glasses Relief system. Yes, there might be a few things that hold the Turtle Beach Elite Atlas Aero back from true greatness – namely, its tight fit and not-so-appealing aesthetic. However, when it comes to what really matters, this headset delivers. With great sound quality to start, coupled with its ProSpecs Glasses Relief system to make it more comfortable for wearers with glasses, plethora of features and incredibly powerful software, this is one of the best gaming headsets we’ve ever put over our ears. And, for it, you’ll be happy to pay what would have felt like an exuberant price.  Read our full review: Turtle Beach Elite Atlas Aero The Razer Nari Ultimate has haptic motors in the ear cups that make your ears vibrate. Anyone can simply just listen to their games, but with the Razer Nari Ultimate, you can feel them as well. This gaming headset has haptic motors in the ear cups that make your ears vibrate. That’s more than enough to make this at least a curious headset, but when paired with the long battery life, amazing sound quality and comfortable build, it’s clearly one of the best gaming headsets out there. Do yourself a favor and turn off the haptic feedback, even when you’re listening to music. Read the full review: Razer Nari Ultimate The Astro A20 boasts solid stereo sound performance. If you're searching for one of the best PC gaming headsets, but the $300 price tags on those high-end cans make your stomach turn, you should take a closer look at the Astro A20. Boasting solid stereo sound performance in a wireless headset, not to mention the superb 15-hour battery life, this headset has all the necessary qualities that you might want in its price range. Sure, it doesn't come with surround sound, but it more than makes up for it with its economy and battery life. Read the full review: Astro A20 Asus ROG Strix Fusion 700 provides fantastic sound quality without being tethered with a wire. With its Republic of Gamers brand, Asus has built a reputation for being the name behind some of the best gaming peripherals to constantly meet consumer standards. The Asus ROG Strix Fusion 700 joins their ranks. Packed with 50mm Neodymium drivers and Bluetooth compatibility, this gaming headset provides fantastic sound quality without being tethered with a wire. It’s even compatible with other gaming platforms, so you won’t have to switch between different headsets. It’s a little pricey, but considering how good this headset sounds and how flexible it is, we’d say it’s worth it. Read the full review: Asus ROG Strix Fusion 700  HyperX Cloud Flight gives you two full days of gaming in between full charges. The HyperX Cloud Flight is a long-lasting wireless gaming headset that boasts up to 30 hours of battery life. This means you can likely get two full days of gaming in between full charges. There is a catch, however – unlike the Cloud Flight’s competition, namely the Astro A20, this gaming headset only offers stereo sound, ditching any surround sound capability. You can thankfully get circumvent that by messing around with the Dolby Access app, though, and the sound profile is balanced enough to make this a non-issue, making this one of the best PC gaming headsets in 2020. Read the full review: HyperX Cloud Flight Corsair HS70 Wireless Gaming Headset boasts virtual surround sound capabilities. Corsair unveiled one of the best PC gaming headsets late last year with the Corsair HS50, and now, it has taken it to the next level by making it wireless and flourishing it with virtual surround sound capabilities. These features on their own might make a great gaming headset, but when you add in the fantastic Corsair CUE software on top of it, you get a complete package that would make a great addition to your gaming setup. Read the full review: Corsair HS70 Wireless Gaming Headset  The Void Pro RGB Wireless delivers great build quality, fantastic sound fidelity and RGB lighting. It wasn't that long ago that Corsair was only known for PC components. However, over the last five years or so, it has possibly become better known for its gaming peripherals. With products like the Corsair Void RGB Wireless, it's not hard to understand why. While at first glance, some may scoff at the asking price, the Void Pro RGB Wireless delivers on that price point with great build quality, fantastic sound fidelity and – perhaps most importantly – RGB lighting. Plus, if you've already got a full arsenal of Corsair peripherals, the Void Pro RGB Wireless fits in perfectly, and can even synchronize lighting effects with other peripherals through the Corsair Utility Engine. Read the full review: Corsair Void RGB Wireless  Turtle Beach Elite Pro Tournament is extremely comfortable to wear and boasts top-notch sound. If you're the type of gamer who likes to let the world know you're playing games, the Turtle Beach Elite Pro Tournament may just be the best PC gaming headset for you. Not only is it extremely comfortable to wear, but its 50mm drivers mean that sound quality is always top notch – even if it could have a bit more bass in the mix. You really do have to like the 'gamer aesthetic' however, as its plastic build and orange highlights personify the style. Still, if you can get past or embrace the looks and the price tag, there's a lot to love about the Turtle Beach Elite Pro Tournament. Read the full review: Turtle Beach Elite Pro Tournament   Gabe Carey has also contributed to this article Put your audio quality to the test in the best PC games This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

The best Chromebooks of 2020 Posted: 20 Mar 2020 10:34 AM PDT The best Chromebooks in 2020 are more than just the lightweight laptop alternatives they were first created to be. These days, Chromebooks have evolved to be just as capable (or at times, more) than the classic laptops. What were once largely considered to be budget and less powerful substitutes are now reliable portables in their own right, and many of them can hold their own against some of the best laptops out there. While it holds true that the best Chromebooks may not be for everyone, the same can be said about laptops. If your everyday computing demands involve extensive video editing or AutoCAD designing, for example, a Chromebook isn’t for you – just as not so powerful laptops wouldn’t be ideal. However, if your typical workday mostly includes emails, word processing and handling spreadsheets, and you can do all your important tasks on the Chrome browser, then a Chromebook is a great and more cost-effective fit. The best Chromebooks will see you through productivity and multitasking – as well as last you long enough for some post-work entertainment due to their excellent battery life – without breaking a sweat or your bank. We carefully picked the best Chromebooks we’ve reviewed so far, and included our price comparison tool. This just might be the best investment you’ll make this year. Google continues its tradition of making the best Chromebooks in the world. While it's older Pixelbook used to occupy the top spot in our best Chromebooks list, it's been replaced by Google's latest Chromebook: the Pixelbook Go. This is a Chromebook that proves that these devices can be just as stylish and powerful as traditional laptops, and the Pixelbook Go brings a lot of the original Pixelbook's premium features to a more affordable device. It also features a fantastic battery life and a brilliant keyboard that makes typing on a pleasure. Read the full review: Google Pixelbook Go Before Google rolled out the Pixelbook, and showed us exactly what the best Chromebooks should be, the Asus Chromebook Flip was the Google laptop a lot of Google laptops aspired to be. With a full Intel Core processor and a full-HD display, the Asus Chromebook Flip was certainly a game-changer. These days, in the shadow of Google Pixelbook, the Asus Chromebook Flip is the best Chromebook for you if you want the Pixelbook’s key features, but cannot afford its steep price. If you're on a budget, this is one of the best Asus laptops to consider. Read the full review: Asus Chromebook Flip  If you’re looking for a Chromebook that really gives you excellent value for money, then the Acer Chromebook 314 is the best Chromebook for you. It’s easy to use, reliable, and has a wonderful screen and battery life (up to 12 hours) combo – not to mention, a 14-inch crisp and  bright display that gives you more screen real estate for your productivity needs. It also has a keyboard that is satisfying and a joy to use, as well as a touchpad that interacts well with all your fingers' movements and commands. More importantly, it strikes a great balance between design, usability, features, battery life and performance, while being comfortable with its own limitations.  Read the full review: Acer Chromebook 314 This product is only available in the US as of this writing. UK and Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Asus Chromebook Flip. If versatility is a top priority, then look no further than the Acer Chromebook Spin 311. This all-rounder has all the makings of a great Chromebook, from its good battery life to its robust build and solid usability. However, the Acer Chromebook Spin 311 takes it further with its impressive levels of versatility, thanks to its abundance of ports considering its size, 2-in-1 design, portable size and excellent touchscreen display. It also boasts a keyboard and a touchpad that are not only reliable, but also satisfying to use. That’s a rare thing in a machine at this price point.  Read the full review: Acer Chromebook Spin 311  The best Chromebooks are generally affordable devices so that they are accessible to anyone, no matter their budget. The Dell Inspiron Chromebook 11 2-in-1 perfectly fits this bill, even if isn’t the most powerful Chromebook on the market. This device is everything every Chromebook needs to be: affordable, easy to use and durable. Aned, it’s rugged too. The Dell Inspiron Chromebook 11 2-in-1 is great for doing all your web browsing, paper writing and show binging needs. Plus, it may just be one of the best laptops for kids, as it won’t break from a single drop. Read the full review: Dell Inspiron Chromebook 11 2-in-1 The best Chromebooks make the most compelling student laptops, and that’s exactly where the Acer Chromebook Spin 11 excels. Whether you’re a student or a parent of one, this is a cheap, capable and durable laptop that will let you get some schoolwork done while commuting or traveling. You might not get any hardcore gaming or proper video editing done on it. However, if you only need to write up some papers and stream videos or shows in your downtime, then the Acer Chromebook Spin 11 should be at the top of your list. Read the full review: Acer Chromebook Spin 11  With a solid build quality that rivals a MacBook, it’s easy to excuse the Acer Chromebook 15’s aversion to 2-in-1 form factors. Still, given that the best Chromebooks rolling out this year are fully convertible, thanks to the wide adoption of Android app support, the Acer Chromebook 15 had to prove itself with more than great style. Beyond its aptitude for laying flat using a 180-degree hinge, this beautiful 15-inch Chromebook also makes a great impression with its battery life, lasting nearly 17 hours in our battery test. Read the full review: Acer Chromebook 15 We wouldn’t be surprised to see Acer replacing the Chromebook R11 someday soon – at least, judging by the recent release of the Chromebook Spin 11, and owing to the fact that it isn’t the most powerful choice out there. Yet it still holds up to this day as among the best Chromebooks on the market, giving you full access to Android Apps on the Google Play store. What’s more, it does so on a touchscreen display that can be rotated around into tablet mode, fitted in an all-metal finish that you would be proud to show off.  Read the full review: Acer Chromebook R11 The best Chromebooks balance a bargain price and efficient use of Chrome OS – and the HP Chromebook 14 is the perfect example of that. While it’s similar to the Acer Chromebook 15 in a lot of ways, this 14-inch Chromebook is a tad more compact and looks slightly better. Complemented by a bright blue finish and a screen made to astound, the HP Chromebook 14 offers the best value of any Chromebook out there. Even if the battery life and performance are average – the HP Chromebook 14 is easily one of the best Chromebooks to date. Read the full review: HP Chromebook 14 We can easily forgive the Acer Chromebook Spin 15’s shortcomings – namely, its subpar trackpad and the fact that doesn’t take full advantage of the space it has – as it more than makes up for them with enough power for formidable multitasking, a battery life that will outlast yours and a beautiful touch display that’s surprisingly premium for the price. All those certainly warrant this Chromebook a spot in our best Chromebooks list, and that’s without even factoring in its affordability. If you’re not convinced that you should jump on the Chromebook bandwagon, this one will make a convert out of you. Read the full review: Acer Chromebook Spin 15 Juan Martinez, Michelle Rae Uy and Gabe Carey have also contributed to this article. Watch the video below for the top 7 things to consider when buying a laptop: Many of the best Chromebooks also made our best cheap laptops list Stay safe online with one of these best Chrome VPN extensions This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Major data breach exposes database of 200 million users Posted: 20 Mar 2020 10:25 AM PDT Security analysts at CyberNews have discovered an unprotected database online which contains over 800GB of personal information including detailed records on over 200m US users. The records stored in the unsecured database contained the full names and titles of the exposed individuals, email addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth, credit ratings, home addresses, demographics including numbers of children and their genders, detailed mortgage and tax records and other personally identifiable information. Based on its analysis of the database, CyberNews believes that much of the data it contained may have originated from the US Census Bureau. This is because certain codes used in the database were either specific to the bureau or are used in the bureau's classifications. This popular dating app leaked info on millions of users Avast anti-tracking system actually exposed users Millions of online shoppers have data exposed The database in question is located in the US and was hosted on a Google Cloud server which was exposed for an unknown period. At the beginning of March, all of the records contained in the database were wiped by an unidentified party. However, the empty database is still online and is accessible without any type of authentication. Exposed records CyberNews also discovered two other folders which were unrelated to the personal records found in the main folder on the database. These folders contained emergency call logs from a fire department in the US as well as a list of 74 bike share stations that is now owned by Lyft. While the two smaller folders did not contain any personal information, the call logs from the fire department included dates, times, locations and other emergency call metadata from as far back as 2010. These two seemingly unrelated data sets may indicate that the database was a collection of stolen data or was used by several parties simultaneously. However, the security analysts suspect that the database belonged to a data marketing firm or a credit card company based on how the data in the main folder was structured. Although the database has since been wiped, it contents could have been downloaded by a malicious actor and CyberNews explained how those whose data has been exposed could be affected, saying: “If the data was stolen by a malicious actor, the consequences for more than 200 million US users may be immense. Merely selling these records on darknet marketplaces at the below-average asking price of $1 per record would net the seller about $200 million. If utilized by cybercriminals to its full destructive potential, however, this data leak can result in untold billions in damages for defrauded users.” If you're worried that your data may have been exposed, you can check here to see if it was. We've also highlighted the best VPN services This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Online sports betting: is it legal and how does it work? Posted: 20 Mar 2020 10:18 AM PDT As of 2020, online sports betting is legal in 14 states. It was barred across the US for several decades because of a federal law known as the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). But, in 2018, the Supreme Court struck down PASPA and opened the way for online sports betting. In this article, we’ll look at where online sports betting is legal and how you can place a bet. Online sports betting in brief Placing online wagers on sporting events is now legal in 14 states across the US, and many more could soon follow suit. Not every sportsbook is operating online in every state and the number of sports betting platforms is constantly increasing. So, you may have to do some research to find out what sportsbook options are available in your state. That said, once you find an online sportsbook, perusing odds and placing wagers is extremely fast and simple. Where is online sports betting legal? As of 2020, 14 states have legalised online sports betting:  New Jersey Delaware Pennsylvania Rhode Island New Hampshire West Virginia Iowa Illinois  Indiana Tennessee You must be within the bounds of these states in order to place a bet online, and most mobile sportsbooks apps require your location to verify you are located in a state that has legalized online sports betting. Note that Arkansas, Mississippi, and New York, three states that have legalized retail sports betting at physical locations, have not legalized online sports betting.  Notably, this list could expand rapidly. Nine more states have considered legislation that would legalize sports betting in some form, and it’s possible that more states will follow suit after it becomes more clear how much revenue online sportsbooks bring in for state coffers. How do you find an online sportsbook? To make matters more confusing, there’s no one online sportsbook platform operating in every state that has legalized sports gambling. That’s in part because some state laws require that online betting is run by the state lottery. For example, the state lotteries in Oregon and Montana are responsible for building online sportsbooks. The platform in Oregon is already live, but Montana has not yet launched an online interface for placing bets. Other states have a variety of third-party operators depending on when their legislation was passed and the licensing fees required to launch. FanDuel and DraftKings, which run two of the larger sportsbooks in the US, are available in New Jersey, West Virginia, Indiana, Pennsylvania, and Iowa. DraftKings is also available in New Hampshire, while BetMGM is available in New Jersey and West Virginia. How do you place a bet?  If you are in a state where online sports betting is legal and a sportsbook has already launched, placing a bet is fairly straightforward. Most platforms have a variety of sports available for betting on, going far beyond major US sporting leagues to include European soccer leagues, golf, tennis, car racing, and more. Depending on the platform, you can typically browse events available for betting and look at odds without first creating an account. Proposition bets, in which you are betting on match-related milestones other than the final score, are commonly available. It’s also typically easy to find live sporting events already in progress that you can place prop bets on. If you do want to place a bet, simply create an account and deposit money into it to get started. From there, you can add individual wagers to your betslip and easily create parlays and round robins. Note that most online sportsbooks also offer mobile apps. When using the mobile app, you’ll need to verify your location as being inside a state where that sportsbook operates. But, you will find all the same sports bets available and can easily add wagers to your betslip on the go. More on this: Is gambling illegal online in the US? What are daily fantasy sports? Compare the best daily fantasy sites - FanDuel vs DraftKings Gambling responsibly You probably don't need us to tell you that any form of gambling comes with serious risks and should never be undertaken as a silver bullet to solve your financial troubles. It's worth remembering the phrase...the house always wins! If you suffer from a gambing problem or suspect somebody you know does, then we strongly suggest that you give the National Problem Gambling Hotline a call on 1-800-522-4700 to discuss it with a professional. It’s so important to make gambling safer for yourself and loved ones. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

The Echo Show 5 and Fire TV stick are at some of their lowest prices right now - save up to $30 Posted: 20 Mar 2020 10:09 AM PDT These Amazon Echo Show 5 deals from BHPhoto are reducing the price down to just $59.99 this week, giving you the potential to save $30 off the normal retail price on this super slick smart home device. If you're looking for a handy smart display with an intuitive touchscreen interface - perhaps for the kitchen or living room, then you can't go wrong with this Echo Show 5 deal this week. This is lowest we've seen this retailer go on this device, but be warned, they currently only have limited stock at this price so you'll have to jump on it quick if you want to capitalize on this great deal. The Amazon Echo Show 5 is a versatile and helpful little device at a price that's just right. For just $59.99 you'll be able to view song lyrics, keep an eye on recipes, catch up on Prime Video, follow WikiHow instructions, and make and receive video calls - all from the 5.5-inch touchscreen display. Plus, measuring just 148mm wide and 73mm deep, the Amazon Echo Show 5 sits perfectly on any bedside table, kitchen counter, or coffee table.  Or, if you're looking to take your entertainment to the big screen, you'll find a range of Fire TV stick deals offering cheap streaming devices for less this week, from the £$39.99 standard Fire Stick to the $49.99 4K version. You could even spring for the powerful Fire TV Cube, coming in at $199.99 right now.  Want to maximize those savings even more? New subscribers can even try Amazon Music HD FREE for 90 days - that's three months of access to Amazon's library of 50 million songs in glorious high definition.  Not in the US? Scroll down for the best Amazon Echo Show deals and Fire TV Stick sales in your area.   Today's best Amazon Echo Show 5 deal Shop all Amazon Echo deals at BHPhoto Shop all Amazon Echo deals at Amazon Today's best Fire TV Stick deals Shop all Fire TV Stick deals at Amazon Try Amazon Music HD free for 90 days We're tracking all the latest Amazon Echo sales, but you can also check the latest Google Home prices to get a look at the competition. You'll also find plenty more Amazon Fire TV Stick sales right here on TechRadar.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

If you want cheap fibre broadband deals then Vodafone is the way to go Posted: 20 Mar 2020 09:45 AM PDT Slow broadband speeds getting you down? If you're ready to make the switch to fibre broadband but don't want a price spike with it then we have the solution for you. And the answer to your problem comes in the form of Vodafone's two cheap fibre broadband plans: Superfast Fibre 1 and Superfast Fibre 2, the former is slightly cheaper than the latter. If you're looking to cut costs wherever possible, and don't mind compromising on speeds then the Superfast Fibre 1 for £22.95 with speeds averaging 35Mb (£20.95 for Vodafone customers) is the one for you. Or, if faster fibre speeds are what you're after, then Superfast Fibre 2 would be the ideal plan for you as it's only £1 extra per month. You're getting almost double the speeds, with 63Mb for just £23.95 a month (£21.95 for existing Vodafone customers). Both fibre broadband deals are excellent, but we highly recommend Superfast Fibre 2, as it's the best value for money offer out of both. Need more information before making a decision? Below we've outlined both Vodafone offers in full.  Or, if none of these deals are right for you, why not check out our best broadband deals guide to find your ideal offer. Fibre broadband deals: see all of the faster internet plans in one place These cheap Vodafone fibre broadband deals in full: What other broadband deals are there right now? And if Vodafone isn't your cup of tea, there are plenty of providers out there who might be. If you're not looking for fibre speeds then why not go with the UK's cheapest broadband plan, courtesy of the Post Office? With this provider you could get internet for just £15.90 per month.  What about alternative fibre plans? Two other options stand out above the rest - BT and Plusnet. Go with BT's Superfast Fibre plan and you'll be paying £28.99 a month for speeds averaging 50Mb. Plus, this deal also comes with an £80 reward card! Another option is Plusnet. With Plusnet, you'll be getting speeds averaging 36Mb while only paying £22.99. And you wouldn't be giving up the freebie part with this deal as it also comes with a £70 Mastercard! Read more: TechRadar's full guide to today's best broadband deals Want to try something different? How about 4G home broadband? Got a need for speed? Use our very own broadband speed test This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

Best smartwatch 2020: the top wearables you can buy today Posted: 20 Mar 2020 09:42 AM PDT Today's best smartwatch models can perform lots of tricks, like searching the internet with your voice, tracking your location with GPS or even monitoring your heart rate to protect your overall health. These will likely work best when paired to one of the best phones on the market, but some of the models even work without a phone in tow. We've tested the vast majority of the top-end wearables you can buy right now from the Apple Watch to Fitbits to Garmin watches to Tizen-sporting Samsung watches. There's also Wear OS (you may have known that in its previous incarnation called Android Wear) which is Google's own wearable operating system in the vein of Apple's watchOS - you’ll see it show up in a lot of these devices. During our review process, we take into account the design, features, battery life, spec, price and more for each smartwatch, rank it against the competition and enter it into the list you'll find below. Some of the high-end smartwatches might be reduced, especially older versions of recently-update devices - like the Apple Watch 3 or Apple Watch 4 – these may not be the latest models, but they're still great smartwatches in their own right. Below you'll find our full ranking of the very best smartwatches money can buy. Our best smartwatch you can buy right now is from Samsung, and instead of opting for the expected Gear S4 name it's called the Galaxy Watch. Following on from the Gear S3 series and the Gear Sport in 2017, the latest Samsung Watch is much improved. We've tested out the larger 46mm version of the watch and it comes with a phenomenal four day battery life even when you're using it extensively. That's impressive considering a lot of other watches on this list last a day or so from a single charge. The rotating bezel remains a highlight of navigating around the Tizen OS on the watch, and the interface is one of the easiest to pick up that we've seen on a smartwatch. Apps available on the watch are more limited than Wear OS or watchOS - two rival smartwatch operating systems - but it still offers the core basics and Samsung had provided a watch that's good at fitness as well as sporting a great design and lots more functionality too. Read the full Samsung Galaxy Watch review Apple hasn't taken the top spot in our best smartwatch list, but this is the best device you can get if you own an iPhone. It works seamlessly with Apple's phones, and it's well worth considering if you plan to stick with the iPhone range for at least a few years. There aren't many huge upgrades over the Apple Watch 4, but the main change is it comes with an always-on display for the first time. That means you won't have to raise the watch to see your key stats, and instead it'll display most of the information you need on a dimmed screen. The design is similar to the Apple Watch 4 - a look that we loved - so you'll get a larger display than earlier iterations of the device, and it comes in either 40mm or 44mm sizes. All of the fitness features you'd expect come on this watch, and that includes a variety of top-end features such as the ECG monitor, GPS tracking, impressive heart rate monitoring and more.  If you're looking for the very best Apple Watch, this is it... it's just not our favorite smartwatch money can buy. Read the full Apple Watch 5 review Samsung shrank the best parts of the the Galaxy Watch into this sportier smartwatch that's slimmer, lighter and, arguably, more comfortable - then released a second version months after the first that included a few coveted features, including a rotating digital bezel and LTE version. Overall, not much has changed - which isn't a bad thing, as it's still a quality smartwatch at a decent price. Galaxy Watch Active 2 features a 1.2-inch 360 x 360 display that is bright and beautiful yet small enough to be strapped around your wrist than a lot of the other devices in this list. It still comes sporting all of the top-end fitness features you'd expect from Samsung's Tizen watch range, with 39 workout modes, a heart rate and ECG sensor, and health app with stress and sleep monitoring. While it's still more affordable than the leading Apple Watch, the price was bumped up from the original Watch Active, shrinking its value compared to the competition. It's certainly not a cheap smartwatch, but when compared to the original RRP of the Galaxy Watch you may prefer to opt for this version that's remarkably similar. Read the full Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 review Fossil has developed a lot of expertise in the wearable tech space over the last few years, and this has all culminated in the best smartwatch the company has made so far. The Fossil Sport is a top-end watch with a lower price tag than the two devices above in this list. It features GPS, a lightweight - yet premium - design and at least two days of battery life from a single charge. Fossil has packed a Snapdragon Wear 3100 chipset inside, which is the latest update from Qualcomm that offers a smoother experience than you'll get on a lot of older Wear OS watches. It doesn't sport any truly unique features, but the overall package of the Fossil Sport may be the best watch for you. That'll especially be the case if you're looking for a fitness watch that comes with Wear OS software and won't look odd on your wrist when you're going about your day. Read the full Fossil Sport review One of the cheapest devices on this list, the TicWatch E2 is from a relatively small brand called Mobvoi but it has made a big splash with its latest couple of smartwatches. The E2 is waterproof, comes with great battery life and it's all available for an affordable price. You probably won't fall in love with the design of this watch - it's not particularly premium - but we like the look considering how much it costs. For health, the watch comes with built-in GPS, an accurate heart rate sensor and sleep tracking. All of the fitness features you'd expect are here, but make sure you note that it won't be able to do contactless payments as there's no NFC onboard. Read the full TicWatch E2 review Don't like the design? There's also the TicWatch S2. That's a remarkably similar watch to the TicWatch E2, but it comes with a slightly more rugged look for adventurers who want a watch that can take a beating. Check this out if you're happy to spend a bit extra. One of our favorite Wear OS watches is the TicWatch Pro, which you can use with either an iPhone or with your Android phone. You may not have heard of TicWatch before, but the latest from the company it a top-end watch with a unique dual-screen feature. There are two displays on this watch - one layered on top of the other. On the top is a transparent LCD display that can display the time, your heart rate and more when the battery is low. Below that is a bright and bold full color OLED screen that will give you all of the benefits of Wear OS. That means you can have a normal smartwatch, which we found would last around two days, and then have the time and some other features still available when your battery is running low. Plus the low power mode also lasts for a whole 30 days too. In terms of smartwatch features there's GPS, NFC for Google Pay, Bluetooth for listening to music and the top Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 2100 chipset in here running the watch as well. Then there's the price, which undercuts a lot of the other watches on this list. Read the full TicWatch Pro review The Fitbit Versa 2 is the latest part-smartwatch-part-fitness tracker from Fitbit, one of the most famous wearable companies about. The Versa 2 brings a host of upgrades to the original Fitbit Versa, including an always-on display, Alexa integration, and a slightly smaller body. However if the original Versa wasn't quite right for you, the Versa 2 may not be the best either, as it's still fundamentally the same device, and it lacks some of the trappings of different smartwatches, like GPS functions or offline Spotify. But for general wearable fans, the Fitbit Versa 2 is a good option, and it's more affordable than some of the other options on this list too. Read our full Fitbit Versa 2 review This is remarkably similar to the Apple Watch 5 that we've spoken about above, but it's easy to forget how much of a big change 2018's addition was for the Apple Watch range. The Series 4 comes with a larger display than preceding smartwatches, and thanks to the release of the Apple Watch 5 it's now much cheaper. It comes in either 40mm or 44mm sizes, and the screen on both of these versions is much larger than you'd get from a lot of other watches. The most exciting tech here is the fact there's an ECG feature within the heart rate tracker. It can test your heart to see if you're at a high risk of atrial fibrillation, which will allow you to seek help earlier if your health is in danger. There are tons of fitness features, the latest watchOS onboard and more. Just note that this won't work with an Android phone, so it's only an option for those who have an iPhone. Read the full Apple Watch 4 review The Fitbit Ionic was always going to be a tough move for the brand, trying to enter the world of smartwatches from fitness bands. The effort succeeds in some places: namely fitness, as you might imagine, where you can track all manner of things, from running to weight lifting to swimming. There's also dedicated bodyweight coaching sessions in there, and you can pay for items on the go using Fitbit Pay. When it first launched, the price was super high and it was a bit too expensive to wholeheartedly recommend. The good news is the price seems to have dropped in recent months so you can get it for at least $70/£70 cheaper than the RRP. If you're a Fitbit fan looking to do more than you get on an average band, this is a nice option. Read the full Fitbit Ionic review The Apple Watch 3 (or Apple Watch Series 3, if you're picky) was once the very best smartwatch, but it has since been bumped down by the Apple Watch 4 and 5. The Apple Watch 3 is essentially just the Apple Watch 2 frame with some new innards... but they made a huge difference. The main highlight now is that the price is so low that it's the equivalent of many other popular, affordable smartwatches. The LTE connection was the headline event at the time of release, although that's not really as useful as some might hope. It's water-resistant so you can swim with it and you won't have to worry about getting it wet in the rain when you're out for a jog. There's GPS onboard to make running that little bit easier, plus it you can now upgrade to the latest watchOS too. Read the full Apple Watch 3 review Best smartwatch at a glance: Samsung Galaxy Watch Apple Watch 5 Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 Fossil Sport TicWatch E2 TicWatch Pro Fitbit Versa 2 Apple Watch 4 Fitbit Ionic Apple Watch 3 These are some of the best smartwatch deals around today On a budget? Our guide to the best cheap smartwatch for you Looking for something active? Check out our list of the best fitness trackers Just want an Apple Watch? Try our full best Apple Watch guide  Have an iPhone? We have a guide for the best smartwatches for iPhone There's also our selection of the best Wear OS watches Want traditional looks? Our guide on the best hybrid smartwatch This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now

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