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| The best wireless headphones 2020: our pick of the best ways to cut the cord Posted: 22 Apr 2020 02:41 PM PDT Finding the best wireless headphones for your needs can be tricky, but we're here to help – we've spent the last 10 years with headphones around our ears and know a thing or two about finding the perfect pair of wireless cans. Honestly, a few short years ago we may have tried to dissuade you from buying a pair of wireless headphones, but thanks to advancements in Bluetooth, the best wireless headphones sound just as good as their wired counterparts, offer fantastic connectivity, and some come with nifty features like active noise cancellation and built-in AI assistants. These cordless cans also make great companions for jack-less phones like the iPhone 11 and Pixel 3 that simply lack a 3.5mm AUX input to plug your headphones into. So whatever your reason for upgrading, we're here to help you pick out the best wireless headphones, regardless of your budget – and there are lots of models to choose from. To help you get started we've split our guide into over-ear headphones, wireless earphones, and true wireless earbuds – the three main styles of wireless headphones – so feel free to jump to whichever style fits your needs and budget. Not seeing something you like? Be sure to check back regularly as new additions are added. The best over-ear wireless headphonesFor the last three years, the Sony 1000X series of headphones have been our favorite wireless headphones on the market. They sound great thanks to a combination of superb wireless codecs – aptX and Sony's proprietary LDAC tech – and keep outside noise at bay thanks to Sony's ever-improving noise-cancellation algorithms. While the Sony WH-1000XM3 might not be a massive improvement over last year's WH-1000XM2, they're still a cut above their rivals, the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, in nearly every way: they sound better, they block out noise better and have better features like Quick Attention mode that lets in all outside noise without taking off the headphones. (The latter is perfect when giving a drink order on a plane or speaking to a coworker for a brief moment before diving back into your work.) Great-sounding and feature-packed, these impressive Sony headphones are great travel companions and all-around excellent wireless headphones – and while we're hoping to see the Sony WH-1000XM4 this year, they're still the best wireless headphones of 2020. Read more: Sony WH-1000XM3 review Bose has really outdone itself with the Headphones 700 – and a big part of these cans’ appeal, is the sophistication of the noise cancellation they offer. As an alternative to the Sony WH-1000XM3, these headphones sound fantastic, with a vibrant, lively character and well-balanced soundstage and offer the same great noise-cancellation you'd expect from Bose. They don't have the same dexterity as the WH-1000XM3 and the battery life is also 10 hours less than Sony headphones despite costing more, but they're still well-worth considering when looking for a pair of wireless headphones. Read more: Bose Noise-Cancelling Headphones 700 review If you’re looking for wireless noise-cancelling headphones and you're not put off by the $399 / £349 / AU$600 price tag, the Bowers & Wilkins PX7 are well worth considering. With sophisticated noise cancellation, much-improved sound quality, and a honed aesthetic, the PX7 could give any of the headphones on this list a run for their money. Plus, they're packing aptX Adaptive for improved stability and latency between the headphones and your device, as well as high-quality (24-bit) streaming aptX HD brought to the table. Read more: Bowers & Wilkins PX7 Wireless Headphones review Offering class-leading battery life, terrific style and plenty of personalization when it comes to sound profiles, the Elite 85h is easy to recommend. That said, purists will bemoan the lack of high-end codec support and there are punchier headphones on the market at this price point. When you consider that Jabra’s Elite 85h headphones are the company’s first attempt at premium wireless ANC headphones, the result is quite commendable. We can’t wait to see what the company’s next premium ANC headphones will accomplish. If you want an alternative to Sony's WH-1000XM3, this is it. Read more: Jabra Elite 85H review Bose took the already-excellent QC35 and updated them with Google Assistant. This means you still get the class-leading noise cancellation Bose is known for, good sound quality, and incredible comfort. Said simply, they sound great and their battery life is long enough for all but the longest of flights. Despite the popularity of the QC35s, Bose has shaken things up by releasing a totally new wireless noise-cancelling headphones model, with a focus on sleek design and “breakthrough” audio tech: the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700. They may not have pipped Sony to the top spot of the best noise-cancelling headphones, but they're still a fantastic pair of over-ear headphones, coming in at number two. Read more: Bose QuietComfort 35 II review At $199 / £160 (around AU$290) the Philips PH805 offer exceptional value for money. These are wireless headphones, using Bluetooth 5.0 for connectivity – so high-resolution audio playback should be achievable. Using a single Lithium-Ion cell for up to 30 hours of playback time from a single charge, the Philips PH805 have active noise cancellation on board, administered by a couple of mics on each earcup. Read more: Philips PH805 review These Sennheiser over-ear headphones sound fantastic, with high levels of detail, warm bass, and natural-sounding highs. Customizable noise cancellation is a great touch, though it doesn't quite reach the class-leading standards set by Sony and Bose. Battery life also doesn't compete with the Sony WH-1000XM3s, and they're more expensive to boot. So, why buy the Sennheiser Momentum 3 Wireless? Well, if built-in Tile tracking appeals to you, and you like the industrial design and premium materials of the Momentum Wireless, that could be reason enough – and if you do opt for them over the Sony model, you won’t be missing out on any audio quality. In that respect, they’re truly matched. Read more: Sennheiser Momentum Wireless (2019) review The AKG N60NC Wireless sound like a pair of headphones that should be much more expensive than they are. At their mid-range price point the headphones offer fantastic value for money, with great sound quality and a level of noise-cancellation performance that's on a level with the much more premium entries on this list. Our biggest issue with these headphones is the fact that they're on-ear rather than over-ear, meaning that we found that they got uncomfortable over longer periods. Regardless, the benefit of this is that this is a fantastically compact pair of headphones, and if you're willing to make the trade-off then these are great for the price. Read more: AKG N60NC Wireless review JBL is a popular name in the world of headphones and Bluetooth speakers, and rightly so. Solidly dependable, consumers know what to expect from the brand – decent sound quality for a decent price. That's what we found with the JBL Live 650BTNC last year – and now, ready to take their place are the JBL Tune 750BTNC, a superior successor to the 650BTNC's as a high-spec and well-priced set of over-ear headphones. The JBL Tune 750BTNC sound great, look great, and they fit well. Reliable and easy to use, you might miss waterproofing and a few minor features – but at this price, it feels foolish to complain too readily. Read more: JBL Tune 750BTNC review Overall, Microsoft’s Surface headphones are surprisingly good, with a stunningly warm sound, and generous bass frequencies, which means your music will sound great whether you’re listening to subby hip-hop or acoustic singer-songwriters. One criticism of this warm sound is that it can take some of the attack away from lower-mid frequencies, which some users may find a bit underwhelming. However, if sharp trebles and mids tend to give you listening fatigue, these could be the perfect headphones for you. The calling card of these headphones is the active noise cancellation, which we felt worked really well, and we loved how easy it was to control this using the inbuilt dials on each housing. Although we were initially unconvinced by the high price (particularly when you can buy quality cans from heritage audio brands for less), the features work so seamlessly that it feels justified. Read more: Microsoft Surface headphones review Best wireless headphones 2020: over-ear headphones
Wireless vs true wireless: what's the difference?Wireless headphones are traditional over-ear or on-ear headphones without the wire – the two earcups are connected by a headband. Wireless earbuds have existed for a while now, basically since Bluetooth was invented. Though battery-powered and not physically connected to your phone, they have a cord connecting both buds – and sometimes a band around the neck too. Check out the best wireless earbuds for more. True wireless earbuds have no cord whatsoever. While wireless allows us to wear headphones a few feet away from our music players, True Wireless cuts the cord between the earbuds, giving us true freedom. If you're looking to go full wireless, we also have a round-up of the best true wireless headphones. Check out TechRadar's exhaustive guides to the best headphones to buy today including the best on-ear headphones and the best in-ear headphones. For some more specialist pairs, take a look at our guides to the best wireless headphones, best true wireless earbuds, best wireless earbuds, and the best noise-cancelling headphones. Need a specific brand? We have guides to the best Sony headphones, the best Bose headphones, and the best Audio-Technica headphones. Looking for some headphones you can work out with? Check out our guide to the best swimming headphones and the best running headphones. The best in-ear wireless headphonesThe NuForce BE Sport4 wireless earbuds are good for pretty much any situation, whether you're looking to take them out on a run or just wear them around town. They're ideal for exercise, although any urbanite will also find their lightweight functionality and impressive sound isolation highly appealing. If you want proof that wireless headphones can now compete with the best of them, look no further. Read more: Optoma NuForce BE Sport4 review The Bowers & Wilkins PI3 are the first neckband-style headphones for the company, and they're a great start. Well-designed, comfortable to wear, and simple to use, they sound really good, too. Thanks to dual drivers, these buds sound fantastic, with crisp highs, lively mids, and plenty of powerful bass. Look past the fairly unremarkable battery life and limited features, and you'll be mostly very impressed by what these offer. Read the full review: Bowers & Wilkins PI3 Wireless Headphones review If the most important aspect of wireless earphones for you is the audio quality, these wireless earbuds from Sennheiser could be a fantastic choice. With a lively, bass-heavy presentation, and a comfortable fit, the Sennheiser CX Sport wireless earphones are ideal running headphones, and can really bolster your workout through sound quality alone. They have a battery life of six hours, which means they'll last you all day, whether you're wearing them on your commute or taking them out for a jog. Read more: Sennheiser CX Sport Wireless earphones review OnePlus is most known for its “flagship killer” phones like the OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7 Pro,, but the company also makes headphones – the best example of which are the company’s excellent Bullets Wireless 2, which offer an incredible value in the neck-bud headphone category. In terms of audio quality, they boast a lively sonic presentation and an accurate-feeling soundstage, although bass-heads may want to look elsewhere for headphones that pack a bassier punch. They may be $30 more expensive than their predecessors, but the improved battery life and sound quality makes up for that; it also makes it worth upgrading if you have the originals and are due a new pair of wireless earbuds. Read more: OnePlus Bullets Wireless 2 review The SoundMagic E11BTs are a great pair of wireless in-ear earphones, and given their low price, it really is difficult to fault them – the audio quality is fantastic and they look very elegant, with sleek, compact buds. They're comfortable to wear thanks to ergonomically designed eartips and a flat neckband that won’t irritate you while running or working out – and with an IPX4 rating, they should withstand sweaty sessions. Read more: SoundMAGIC E11BT review Another pair of running headphones to make it onto our list, the Jaybird Tarah Pro headphones are wireless sport headphones for the endurance runners, athletes and fitness nuts out there. With a neck cable to keep the earbuds together, they aren’t quite ‘true wireless’, but will be practical for those concerned about dropping and losing a costly earbud in the heat of a race or training session. As the first in Jaybird’s new ‘Pro’ range of earbuds and aimed at offering higher quality audio and materials, the Tarah Pro will suit anyone not willing to sacrifice audio quality in harsher outdoor conditions or indoor workouts and who don't mind spending a bit more to get a premium product. Read more: Jaybird Tarah Pro review Now committed to a yearly refresh of the popular mid-range model, the Jaybird X4 manage to outdo both the previous Jaybird X2 and Jaybird X3 wireless Bluetooth earphones, with an upgraded IPX7 water-resistance rating. Whether you're sweating buckets or running doggedly through the rain on your way to work, the X4 will be able to cope with it. Jaybird's excellent app also provides easy EQ customization as well as the ability to make your own sound profile, with various ear tip sizes to boot. A great all round choice for anyone who doesn't want to skimp on sound or durability. Read more: Jaybird X4 review Beats haven't always gotten the best rap when it comes to audio performance, but the Beats X is trying to set the record straight. The Beats X hence make up for their slightly bassy, confined sound with a rock solid connection and a pairing process that, on iOS devices at least, is as painless as it's possible to be. If you’re shopping for a no-fuss pair of earbuds that charge in 5 minutes, work well with iOS and don’t mind spending a little extra money on them, the Beats X are for you. Read more: Beats X review Life is full of compromises, and it's no different with the Bose QuietControl 30. On the positive side you get a level of noise cancellation that comes close to what's offered by the brand's over-ear headphones, but the concession here is on sound fidelity, which just isn’t on the same level as that of other in-ear or over-ear headphones we’ve tested. There's also that neckband which adds an unfortunate level of bulk to what should otherwise be a slimline pair of headphones. Read the full review: Bose QuietControl 30 review The PowerBeats 3 running headphones are yet another pair of Beats headphones that aim to keep your tunes pumping all day long – and while we're expecting the Powerbeats 4 to launch soon, the 2016 Powerbeats 3 are still worth considering. They may come with the high price that is a signature of the Beats and Apple brands, but they offer a lot, especially for Apple iPhone users. With a 12-hour battery life and a quick charge function that can add an hour of battery life in a few minutes, the PowerBeats 3 should rarely run out of juice in the middle of your commute, or your workout. They’re also ready for all the sweat from your brow, and can even handle a run in the rain. While they may not top some of the other wireless headphones on this list for features, the PowerBeats 3 headphones will truly shine for major Apple lovers. They feature Apple’s W1 chip, which makes the Bluetooth pairing process with multiple iCloud-linked devices incredibly easy in addition to boosting wireless range. Read the full review: Beats PowerBeats 3 review The best wireless headphones 2020 (in-ear)
The best true wireless headphonesConsidering it's still rare to get noise-cancellation in wired earbuds at all, the fact that Sony has managed to pack it into a pair that are not only wireless, but true wireless is very impressive indeed – and that's why they're the best true wireless earbuds of 2020. The Sony WF-1000X manage to offer a level of noise-cancellation that's very good for a pair of earbuds – it won't offer the same isolation as a pair of over-ear cans, but if you're after a sleek form factor then the compromise is well worth it. Read more: Sony WF-1000XM3 review Cambridge Audio is known for its high-end audio equipment, but until now, hasn’t ventured into the world of true wireless earbuds. Enter the Cambridge Audio Melomania 1s: with an outstanding 45 hours of battery life, they combine the brand’s award-winning engineering with the convenience of truly wireless listening. For a pair of true wireless earbuds, the sound quality offered by the Cambridge Audio Melomania 1s is sensational. In fact, it rivals some of the best over-ear headphones, which is all but unheard of for buds of this size. Read more: Cambridge Audio Melomania 1 review You may not have heard of up-and-coming audio brand Lypertek yet, but expect to hear a lot from it soon – its Lypertek Tevi true wireless earbuds are among the best we’ve tried, especially given the low price tag. With USB-C charging, a well-balanced sound, lengthy battery life, and waterproofing, it ticks every box you could ask for, from what are basically a pair of budget buds. The Lypertek Tevi, surprisingly, might just blow you away, punching well above their weight and rivaling buds from some of the biggest audio brands on the planet. Read more: Lypertek Tevi true wireless earbuds review With their stellar sound and build quality, long-lasting battery life and what may be one of the coolest cases we've ever seen, we'd argue that the Klipsch T5s are of the best models on the market right now.. Of course, you're buying a Klipsch product because it features the signature Klipsch sound, which is warm, detailed, and never harsh. Acoustic music is lush and detailed, and the detail extends to the highs as well, allowing the headphones to sing in the higher registers without ever being sibilant. Read more: Klipsch T5 True Wireless review The Jabra Elite 75t improve upon their predecessors, the Jabra Elite 65t, in just about every way – except for tonal balance. The headphones and charging case are much smaller, battery life makes an immense jump, catching up to the competition, and the customization features we enjoyed in the 65t remain. While they don't have the best sound quality and they lacks active noise cancellation, neither stops the Jabre Elite 75t from being a solid pair of true wireless headphones to use, especially if you make frequent calls with your your headphones on. Read more: Jabra Elite 75t review Apple has launched its new true wireless earbuds, bringing active noise cancellation, a (finally) much better fit, and an improved design, in a bid to lure more iPhone users into the true wireless fold. However, at $249 / £249 / AU$399, they’re pretty pricey too, and as such can’t be called the very best wireless headphones out there. With an entry-level version of these buds expected this year – the so-called AirPods Pro Lite – this could soon change. The sound quality of the AirPods Pro has certainly improved since the previous iteration – there’s a notable emphasis on vocals and bass, meaning these earbuds are better for pop fans than those that enjoy a more natural presentation that lends itself to classical music or more orchestral sounds. Read more: Apple AirPods Pro review ThePowerBeats Pro true wireless Beats headphones are something special – they’re supremely comfortable, sound decent and seem to never, ever fall out. Thanks to small additions like the pressure-reducing micro-laser barometric venting hole, their longer battery life and their superior sound quality, they're the best Beats headphones you can buy in 2020. Read more: Beats PowerBeats Pro review With the TWS50, SoundMAGIC has hit the price/performance sweet-spot, thanks to these true wireless earbuds' fantastic price, comfortable design, great sound, and support for Bluetooth 5.0. They offer a wide, spacious soundstage, with a good, well balanced presentation, alongside a decent battery life and comfy fit – in short, if you're looking for some cheap AirPod-alternatives, the SoundMAGIC TWS50 are well worth a look. Read more: SoundMAGIC TWS50 true wireless in-ear headphones review Sennheiser entered the race with its Momentum True Wireless earbuds. An extension of its reputable Momentum range, these cordless buds offer Sennheiser's trademark high-fidelity audio in a gorgeously sleek package. You only get four hours of charge in the earbuds, but the carry case will be able to charge them two times over on top of that, giving you 12 hours in total when on the go. Don't expect to see these buds here for much longer, though; the new Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 look to be better than their predecessors in just about every way. Stay tuned... Read the full review: Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless review Let’s get one thing out of the way – the B&O Beoplay E8 are some of the best-looking and most expensive wireless earphones you can buy at $350 / £300 (around AU$570). Audio quality is undeniably excellent, and you can tweak the sound to your liking using the accompanying Beoplay app on Android and iOS. The Bang & Olufsen E8 2.0 truly wireless earphones look great and sound great, although the touch-sensitive buttons are a little too sensitive at times, and there's no active noise cancellation. However, it's hard to not find these earphones appealing, and if you want your true wireless earbuds to look as good as they sound, they could be the perfect model for you. Read more: B&O Beoplay E8 2.0 Wireless Earphones review With a promising battery life and well-managed bass enhancement over Audio-Technica’s usual neutral sound, the Audio-Technica ATH-CKS5TW true wireless earbuds have a lot going for them. They've one of the most complete and well-rounded sound profiles we've seen from true-wireless earbuds, and that's despite the claimed bass enhancement. It's a very enjoyable sound that they make. However, they are let down a bit by their fit – mileage will vary of course depending on your preferred bud style and the size of your ears, but all will find the fiddly case fit will annoy over time. Still, the quality audio here may be a worthy trade-off. Read more: Audio-Technica ATH-CKS5TW review
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| Best headphones 2020: your definitive guide to the latest and greatest audio Posted: 22 Apr 2020 02:35 PM PDT The best headphones of 2020 combine incredible audio fidelity with stunning design, and boast tons of cool features like noise cancelation, built-in voice assistants, and wireless connectivity. A great pair of headphones are a necessity for many of us – aside from breathing new life into our favorite songs, they keep us entertained with music, podcasts, and audio books when we're working out, commuting, or just trying to disconnect from the world around us. That being the case, there's so much choice these days, and there could be even more on the way, with rumors of the first-ever Apple over-ear headphones and the AirPods Pro Lite circling. With all those options out there, making the right buying decision can be tricky – and it's our mission to hook you up with the perfect headphones for your needs (and your budget). We encourage you to take a look at all the headphone lists here on TechRadar – however, if you're in a hurry and just want to find the best headphones your money can buy, check out our top picks below. The Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless Headphones are the best headphones you can buy in 2020 – for now, anyway. They're pretty consistent with what Sony has released in the last two years in the form of the Sony WH-1000XM2 and Sony MDR-1000X, improving on some already fantastic models. A dominant noise-cancelling pair of headphones, the Sony WH-1000XM3 can beat anything Bose has with ease. That’s because, while Bose has done a tremendous job working out its noise cancellation algorithm over the years, Sony has spent that time perfecting audio playback while simultaneously creating an adaptable algorithm that doesn’t just create a single sterile sound barrier, but multiple kinds that can tailor itself to whatever situation you’re in. Beyond being exceptional at keeping external noises at bay, these impressive Sony headphones are Hi-Res Audio-ready, sporting aptX, aptX HD and LDAC codecs, and offer the smarts of Google Assistant right on-board. If you need a pair of headphones that can live up to any challenge and excel in any environment, these are the pair for you. We could soon see a new contender for the top spot though; rumors of an imminent Sony WH-1000XM4 release date have been circling since an FCC filing from Sony revealed the model number of what could be a brand new pair of noise-canceling headphones. Read more: Sony WH-1000XM3 review After spending a few weeks with both the 1MORE Triple Driver in-ear headphones, we were blown away by the great value for money they represent. For $100 / £100 (about AU$168), it’s hard to think of a better-sounding and more well-built pair of earphones than the 1MORE Triple Drivers. (That said, if you want just that little extra refinement and luxury materials, the 1MORE Quad Drivers are still a bargain at twice the price.) There’s very little we can fault the Triple Drivers for. Sure, the inbuilt remote feels a little cheap, but that's more than made up for by the lush sound quality offered by these luxe-looking earbud. For the price, it’s impossible to do better than 1MORE's Triple Driver in-ear headphones. Read more: 1More Triple Driver In-Ear Headphone review If you have a tendency to lose or break headphones, but you still value sound quality, it’s hard to think of a better value pair of earbuds than the RHA S500u. These in-ear headphones have no business sounding so good for $40 / £30 / AU$52, sporting a balanced soundstage with a slight mid-bass bump to power you through your workouts and make your music sound great. Bass is slightly emphasized but not egregiously and features good impact while maintaining good control – and highs, while sibilant at times, makes music sound more exciting. In short, these are the best earphones you can buy if you're on a strict budget. Read more: RHA S500u review Again, the Sony WH-1000XM3 are our true winners in this category, but if you want an alternative, the Jabra Elite 85h are a fantastic choice. Offering class-leading battery life, stylish design, and plenty of personalization when it comes to sound profiles, the Elite 85h are easy to recommend. That said, purists will bemoan the lack of high-end codec support and there are punchier headphones on the market at this price point. When you consider that Jabra’s Elite 85h headphones are the company’s first attempt at premium wireless ANC headphones, the result is quite commendable. We can’t wait to see what the company’s next premium ANC headphones will accomplish. Read more: Jabra Elite 85h review For years, the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 were among our favorite wireless headphones because of their excellent sound, build quality and features. Unfortunately, they were also kind of expensive. For a lot less ($150 / £140 / AU$240), Plantronics now sells the brilliant BackBeat Go 810, which use less premium materials but sound nearly identical to its more expensive predecessor – and sport an equally chic design. With that in mind, the BackBeat Go 810 are an affordable pair of ANC headphones that will please travelers and commuters who don’t want to spend too much money on headphones. Read more: Plantronics BackBeat Go 810 review Considering it's still rare to get noise-cancelation in wired earbuds at all, the fact that Sony has managed to pack it into a pair that are not only wireless, but true wireless is very impressive indeed. The Sony WF-1000X manage to offer a level of noise-cancelation that's very good for a pair of earbuds – they won't offer the same isolation as a pair of over-ear cans, but if you're after a sleek form factor then the compromise is worth it. That being said, in spite of a few minor problems we feel that Sony has knocked the ball out of the park with the WF-1000XM3: not only are these hands-down the best-looking true wireless earbuds out there, but they also combine serious noise cancelling tech with fist-pumping musicality. If you don’t want the inconvenience of carrying full-size cans, they’re a persuasive and smart alternative. Read more: Sony WF-1000XM3 Wireless Earbuds review The NuForce BE Sport4 wireless earbuds are a rare find: earbuds that are grear for basically all situations, whether you're looking to take them out on a run or just wear them around town. They're ideal for exercise, although any urbanite will also find their lightweight functionality and impressive sound isolation highly appealing when traveling on crowded trains or navigating busy streets. If you want proof that wireless earphones can now compete with the best wired earphones, look no further. Read more: Optoma NuForce BE Sport4 review If the Sony WH-1000XM3s are the true king of noise-cancelling headphones, the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 are next in line for the throne – and for the sake of offering an alternative, we've included them in this list. Traditionally, noise-cancelling headphones have been designed to block out the environmental sounds around you, so that you can hear your music more clearly (or catch some shut-eye on a noisy flight). This can be really effective if you’re listening to music. If you’re making a phone call however, the person you’re speaking to can still hear everything that’s happening around you, whether you’re standing on a busy street or trying to speak on a rumbling train. The Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 seek to remedy this, by applying noise-cancelation to phone calls as well as music. The sound quality is undeniably good, with a vibrant, lively character and well-balanced soundstage. If you’re trying to decide between buying the Sony WH-1000XM3s and the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700, we’d recommend going for the former because of that lower price and better battery life. That being said, you wouldn’t be making a mistake if you opted for the Bose cans instead (and we wouldn’t blame you if you did) – they sound great, look stunning, and the noise cancellation is out of this world. Read more: Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 review Sennheiser is well-known for its great-sounding noise-cancelling headphones, and its latest, the $199 / £159 (about AU$280) Sennheiser HD 450BT, offer a cheaper alternative to previous models like the Momentum 3 Wireless and class-leaders like the Sony WH-1000XM3. With a minimal design and built-in noise cancellation, these fully-foldable wireless headphones are aimed squarely at the commuting crowd. Their well-balanced profile should appeal audiophiles and bass-hunters alike. Battery life and connectivity are both very good, and the noise-cancelling works well enough, although you might find that these headphones don’t quite block out all external noise. Read more: Sennheiser HD 450BT review For your money, you can't do any better than Grado's SR60e. The third-generation of the Brooklyn, NY-based company's Prestige Series are its best and most refined yet. The SR60e in particular are a smart choice if you're looking for an entry-level pair of headphones that sound far more expensive than they really are. Their open-backed earcup design makes them feel more breathable than most on-ear headphones, delivering a wide, natural soundstage. In a few words, they're our gold-standard when it comes to on-ears. (Our review is for the SR60i, but the newer SR60e headphones are largely similar in design and performance.) Read more: Grado SR60e review While the original Plattan headphones were just fine for a pair of on-ear headphones, Urbanears wasn’t satisfied with being mediocre. The company took customer feedback to heart and addressed many complaints about comfort, sound quality and isolation. For the most part, Urbanears succeeded, making the Plattan II a worthy sequel to the company’s most popular headphone. In short, these are basic headphones without a ton of features. But, because they're feature-light, you get a good-sounding pair of wired headphones for significantly less than you would otherwise. Read more: Urbanears Plattan II review While Beyerdynamic may not be as well known as its German brother, Sennheiser, the audio company has a history of creating some of the best sounding audio gear on the market – the company’s DT770, DT880 and DT990 were renowned for their excellent build and sound quality. Above them all, however, stand the Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro, an open-back version of the Beyerdynamic DT 1770 Pro, which won our Editor’s Choice for its imaging, design and value for the money. Both headphones are priced the same ($599 / £589 / AU$1,159), so you won’t find a deal picking up one over the other. The difference here comes down to sound. As they’re open-back, the DT 1990 Pro are meant to be used at home or in the studio for serious analytical listening. Sound is able to get in and out, but the good news is that the open-back design gives the DT 1990 Pro a great sense of space. The soundstage is quite wide, too, allowing even the most lackadaisical listener to pinpoint the exact location of where each instrument is playing. If you've been searching for a pair of high fidelity cans that are used by some of the world's leading audio engineers, these are the best headphones for you. Read more: Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro review JBL is a popular name in the world of headphones and Bluetooth speakers, and rightly so. Solidly dependable, consumers know what to expect from the brand – decent sound quality for a decent price. That's what we found with the JBL Live 650BTNC last year – and now, ready to take their place are the JBL Tune 750BTNC, a superior successor to the 650BTNC's as a high-spec and well-priced set of over-ear headphones. The JBL Tune 750BTNC sound great, look great, and they fit well. Reliable and easy to use, you might miss waterproofing and a few minor features – but at this price, it feels foolish to complain too readily. Read more: JBL Tune 750BTNC review The Focal Stellias are perhaps the best-sounding headphones on the planet. Their wide-open soundstage and detailed, accurate sound treatment means they make any genre of music sound brilliant. If you listen to songs you think you know inside out, the Stellias' precise separation of the frequencies means that you will probably hear details you’ve never noticed before. If you like to keep things minimal in the headphones department, you probably won’t like the showy, opulent design of the Focal Stellias, and they can feel a little chunky for wearing on the commute into work. But if luxury is your thing, the full-grain leather cups, woven cables, brushed copper accents, and matching carrying case are likely to appeal. That luxury feel is translated right down to the presentation of the user manuals in a neat little leather-style wallet – and you may well expect to find this level of detail in exchange for parting with $3,000. Ouch. Read more: Focal Stellia headphones review Best headphones of 2020, at a glance
Choosing the right headphones for you can be an agonizing decision – but it doesn't have to be if you look for a few key features. Above all, sound quality is the most important thing to look for. That doesn't mean you have to buy the most expensive audiophile headphones on the market; it just means that you should have an idea of what kind of sound you like. How you define good sound quality depends on your personal taste. Do you like a warm, well-rounded sound, or do you prefer ultra high-fidelity that allows you to hear every single detail of your music? Are you a dedicated bass head or a classical music junkie? If you're all about that bass, you'll want to look out for dynamic drivers that displace lots of air, leading to a bassy soundstage. If detail is everything, look for large frequency ranges – 20Hz to 20 kHz is the standard, so anything larger than this may allow for more detail in the highs and lows. It's also important to consider the soundstage as a whole; if you love a wide, open sound, try a pair of open-back headphones. Worried about sound-leakage when you're in the company of others? Try a pair of closed-back cans with a secure fit to stop your tunes bothering the people around you. You also need to consider the design of your new headphones. Do you want the freedom of true wireless earbuds or the security of a pair of sturdy over-ear headphones? Wireless or wired is also an important consideration. A few short years ago, we may have tried to dissuade you from buying a pair of wireless headphones (the technology had issues with wireless connectivity over Bluetooth and sound quality took a dive as a result). Nowadays however, advances in Bluetooth technology means that wireless headphones can sound fantastic and rarely experience annoying dropouts. If you're going for wireless headphones, make sure the battery life is decent, too. You should also think about what you'll be using your new headphones for; if you need to soundtrack your workout, you'll want to look at headphones specifically designed for running or swimming. Lastly, you need to consider price. You don't have to break the bank when your buying a pair of headphones, as evidenced by our guide to the best cheap headphones of 2020. Press on to page two to see how to pick out a good pair of headphones along more of our recommendations. Check out our videos below for a roundup of the best headphones available. There's usually more to a set of headphone than meets the eye. As such, we've provided a breakdown of what you can expect to find in each kind of headphone. Not only will learning more about headphones help you make a more informed purchase, but you'll know when you're really getting your money's worth. What headphones should you buy? Check out our video below for everything you need to know. In-ear headphones1More Triple Driver In-Ear Headphones This type of headphone, more commonly referred to as an earbud or earphone, is usually the cheapest and easiest way to pump audio into your ears. If you've purchased an MP3 player, or more recently, the new iPod touch (7th generation), it's likely that a set was included with the purchase. Earphones rest in or just outside the ear canal, creating a tight seal to keep air out and sound in. Compared to other types of headphones, these are the most discreet ones you'll find. Their small form-factor also makes them the king/queen of portability and the prime choice for athletes. You're not likely to find strong performers at the low-end of the price spectrum. Their sound delivery is generally muddled, lacking bass and overcompensating for that with harsh mids and highs. That said, it won't cost you much money at all to find a value-packed option complete with inline controls and a microphone. On-ear headphonesGrado's GW100 Wireless on-ear headphones While similar to over-ear headphones in appearance, they fit to your head a little differently. Instead of enveloping your ears with a soft cushion, on-ear headphones create a light, breathable seal around your ear. Thus, the noise isolation is much less effective than in-ear or over-ear options. This might be a dealbreaker for some, but there are big benefits to consider here. On-ear headphones are usually more portable than their over-ear brethren, and as such they appeal to travellers and the fitness crowd. Taking a walk or a jog around town is also safer, as you can hear traffic go by and be aware of potential hazards. Over-ear headphonesThe Beyerdynamic DT 1990 Pro headphones This ear-muff style of headphone generally provides greater richness and depth of sound, which allows listeners to pick apart the instruments and sounds much easier. Additionally, over-ear, or circum-aural headphones, go around the ear and offer a generous amount of padding. The price range for a set of on-ear headphones begins around $100 and from there, the sky's the limit. For example, the Oppo PM-1, while excellent, are priced exorbitantly at $1,099. It's definitely not necessary to spend that much. That said, you tend to get what you pay for. If your headphone budget is in the $2-300, you'll start getting into options that have excellent build quality, premium materials and amazing sound and features like ANC (active noise cancellation.) Wireless headphonesThe OnePlus Bullets Wireless 2 Wireless headphones can be split into three different categories: wireless earphones connected via a neckband, wireless on-ear headphones, and wireless over-ear headphones – all are battery-powered and use Bluetooth to connect to your smartphone, laptop, portable music player, or even your turntable. For wireless over-ear and on-ear models, you simply lose the wire connecting them to your device – otherwise, they look pretty much the same as your regular pair of wired cans, and give you the noise-isolating prowess of over-ears without the need for cumbersome wires to connect to your device. Wireless in-ear models, earphones, or earbuds (depending on your preferred vernacular), have a neckband connecting each earbud, making them ideal for runners who want the freedom of a wireless connection with the security of a wire keeping their earbuds firmly around their neck. Opting to go wireless will cost you a premium of anywhere between $50-100 over the price of wired cans. Going futuristic isn't cheap. One important thing to consider is that your music player must support the Bluetooth wireless protocol, as it's required to use this type of headphone. Speaking of Bluetooth, it has become exponentially more reliable over time, but it's always susceptible to disturbances in the force. True wireless earbudsTrue wireless earbuds on the other hand, have no cord whatsoever; no wires to get caught in your zipper, and nothing to keep each bud connected to each other. For some, this means true freedom; for others, untethered true wireless means constant danger of losing their expensive audio kit down the drain – or terrible connections. The latter, at least, has changed now – thanks to advances in Bluetooth technology like aptX HD, the best wireless headphones have never sounded better. These advances have also paved the way for true wireless earbuds to dominate the audio market. You just have to look at the popularity of the Apple AirPods (2019), Beats Powerbeats Pro, and Samsung Galaxy Buds, to understand how successful the true wireless market has become in recent years.
Noise-canceling headphonesBose's QuietComfort 35 II headphones This category, like wireless headphones, isn't limited to a form factor. You can find this clever mix of technologies integrated into the ear pieces of in-ear and over-ear headphones alike. Many companies falsely claim to offer true noise cancelation with just the padding included around the ear cups. Don't believe it. This is PNC (passive noise cancelation), and it doesn't amount to much. You can even replicate this effect by cupping your hands around your ears, so why shell out the big bucks for it? On the other hand, ANC (active noise cancelation) is the real deal. This technique employs a set of external microphones, which detect the decibel level outside. Once it has an idea of the incoming noise level, the headphone speakers inside transmit a noise generated to dampen the racket. The end result is an effect that hushes the outside noise, allowing you to focus.
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| Google switches Shopping service to free listings Posted: 22 Apr 2020 01:52 PM PDT Google has announced that it will now allow any business owner that sells their products online to list their inventory for free on the company's Google Shopping platform. Up until now, online businesses were required to pay for ad placement on Google Shopping but the search giant has decided to change this in order to help retailers and small businesses better reach their customers during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. In a blog post announcing the change, president of commerce at Google, Bill Ready explained how the move will benefit retailers, advertisers and shoppers, saying:
“With hundreds of millions of shopping searches on Google each day, we know that many retailers have the items people need in stock and ready to ship, but are less discoverable online. For retailers, this change means free exposure to millions of people who come to Google every day for their shopping needs. For shoppers, it means more products from more stores, discoverable through the Google Shopping tab. For advertisers, this means paid campaigns can now be augmented with free listings.” Google ShoppingThe new free option for Google Shopping will go into effect on April 27 and according to Ready, it will also be rolling out worldwide over the next few months. Customers that previously payed to promote some of their products on the platform will now be able to list their full inventories for free while new users can now apply to place listings for free in Google's Merchant Center. Additionally Google announced that it is partnering with PayPal to allow merchants to link their accounts. This will help speed up the onboarding process while allowing the company to ensure that it is providing the highest quality results for its users. Google also plans to continue working closely with its existing partners, including Shopify, WooCommerce and Big Commerce, to help merchants manage their products and inventory.
Via The Verge This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Dell laptop deal: the XPS 13 laptop gets a massive $527 price cut Posted: 22 Apr 2020 01:51 PM PDT Dell's laptop deals include massive price cuts on best-selling models like the XPS 13 laptop that's on sale for $1,299.99. That's a massive $527 discount and the lowest price we've found for the 4K touch screen laptop. Shop more of Dell's best laptop deals below that all qualify for free standard shipping. These offers are limited-time promotions, so you should take advantage now before it's too late. Dell laptop deals:See more laptop sales with the best cheap laptop deals: prices start at just $129 today. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| The best Verizon Wireless plans in April 2020 Posted: 22 Apr 2020 01:06 PM PDT There is no one best Verizon plan - the ideal tariff will come down to what you need from it. Verizon has comprehensive unlimited data plans and 5G connectivity, but also features more affordable plans with limited data and a number of prepaid plans that come with a viable amount of data. Figuring out what you need from your data plan will make it much easier to pick the best Verizon Wireless plan for you. If you want to get a lot of data that’ll never get cut off, you’ll likely need to look at some of the premium data plans. If you’re planning to share an account with friends or family and share data among you, Verizon has a few plans that offer just that sort of functionality. You’ll also need to decide if you want any of the extra perks some plans come with, like cloud storage, Apple Music, or mobile hotspot. We've gone through the details, both the major and the fine print, to find out everything we can about Verizon's various plans so we can help you find the best one. Whatever your needs - and whether you’re shopping alone or with friends and family members - we’ll help you understand Verizon’s best plans so you can make the right choice. In almost all cases, the plans will be cheaper per-person if you activate multiple lines. If you’re planning on getting a new phone, you may also consider what Verizon offers with its plans. Verizon is currently offering deals on the latest smartphones which include the iPhone SE, iPhone 11, and Galaxy S20.
The best Verizon Wireless plans for youLet's take a close look at what each of these plans has to offer for the price. Afterward, we'll also go over some of Verizon's alternative plans in case these aren't a fit for you. Whether you're a modest web surfer, a heavy Netflix-user, or just pull your phone out a few times a week, there should be a plan to fit your needs. Verizon Wireless plan: Small | 2GB data | Unlimited calls and texts | $35/Month View this plan: at Verizonwireless.com Verizon Wireless plan: Medium | 4GB data | Unlimited calls and texts | $50/Month View this plan: at Verizonwireless.com Verizon Wireless plan: 5| 5GB data | Unlimited calls and texts | $50/Month View this plan: at Verizonwireless.com Verizon Wireless plan: Large | 8GB | Unlimited calls and texts | $70/Month View this plan: at Verizonwireless.com Verizon Wireless Start Unlimited, Play More Unlimited, Do More Unlimited, and Get More Unlimited plans | Unlimited data | Unlimited calls and texts | $70/Month, $80/Month, $80/Month, or $90/Month (plus taxes and fees) Here's a quick, detailed breakdown:
If you don't want your speed reduced during periods of high network traffic, you may want to get the Play More or Do More Unlimited plan. And, if you want extra Wi-Fi hotspot data and cloud storage, check out the Get More Unlimited plan. These plans also allow you to add extra lines at reduced rates. You can see what you'll pay with a calculator Verizon provides on its site. For four lines, the per-line price drops to $60, $70, $70, and $80, respectively. For the Play More, Do More, and Get More Unlimited plans, users can get free 5G access with a compatible device, and that includes 4K video streaming and unlimited 5G mobile tethering. Eventually Verizon will begin charging more on top of plan prices for that 5G access. View these plans: at Verizonwireless.com Verizon Wireless: Prepaid plansIf the above Verizon plans aren't what you're looking for, there are also a number of monthly prepaid plans. They all include unlimited talk and text in the US and unlimited text to over 200 international destinations. They also allow mobile hotspot usage (except the unlimited plan). They range in price from $35 a month for 6GB to $65 a month for unlimited data comparable to the Start Unlimited plan. Verizon currently has some bonus deals on extra data for these prepaid plans. One is just $45 a month for a plan with 16GB of data (it's the 8GB plan, but Verizon is offering an extra 8GB of data at no extra charge). There's also a plan with 6GB of data for $35 a month, which is an amazing value for moderate users. View Verizon Wireless prepaid plans here If you just have a basic phone and want simple service, Verizon also offers a basic plan with unlimited talk and text and 500MB of data for $30 a month. See that plan here. Phones are more expensive, unfortunatelySince Verizon Wireless eliminated the two year contract and switch to these new types of plans, it has unfortunately done away with the old subsidies on new phones that came with 2-year contracts. That means instead of paying a flat $200 for every new phone you get, you'll have to pay whatever that phone actually retails for. For a new flagship, that can be anywhere from $600 to over $1000. Verizon Wireless does offer installment plans for customers, though. So if you're shopping for a new phone and plan and have good credit, you can likely find a phone that you'll be able to pay for over the course of a couple years. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Xiaomi’s Galaxy Z Flip styled foldable phone in the works Posted: 22 Apr 2020 01:05 PM PDT While Motorola and Samsung have already released the world's first clamshell foldables in 2020, Xiaomi might not be far too far behind. Last year Xiaomi filed a patent for a flip phone with a foldable display, and reports suggest that the Chinese smartphone maker is indeed working on a foldable phone with Galaxy Z Flip-like design – which it could start producing later this year. Industry insiders were quoted by ZDNet Korea stating that Xiaomi plans to go with a clamshell-like foldable OLED display similar to the materials used on the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 's screen, unlike the completely plastic screen on the Motorola Razr. Xiaomi plans to source these displays from Chinese companies like BOE and CSOT initially, which both mass-produce folding screens for Motorola, and then switch to Samsung screens, per the report, due to concerns about quality. Xiaomi could potentially turn to LG for foldable screens, the report noted.
So, what do we know?Xiaomi is said to be looking for an ultra-thin glass OLED display housed under a thin layer of plastic, similar to what Samsung has used in the Galaxy Z Flip. This flexible display will form the inner part of the phone and will work as a regular smartphone when unfolded. The old patent files suggest that there could be a secondary smaller display for alerts and notifications, housed on the outer shell of the phone, though we don't know if it's a smaller outer screen like on the Galaxy Z Flip or a large display like on the Motorola Razr. The company is expected to push this new device into the production lines by the second half of the year. And while it is almost certain that we may see this foldable phone coming out of Xiaomi’s stable sometime later this year or early next year, it is still premature for us to even speculate about the potential specifications of the phone. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Team Fortress 2 source code has leaked, and you can apparently get malware by playing Posted: 22 Apr 2020 12:27 PM PDT The source code for Team Fortress 2 has apparently been leaked, leading to hackers reportedly able to deliver malware through Remote Code Execution to other players. This leak was initially reported by @SteamDB on Twitter, with the source code in question dating back to 2017 and 2018, affecting Counter-Strike: Source and Team Fortress 2. According to a report on the issue from PCGamesN, several Team Fortress 2 server communities have advised players to avoid the game until further notice. We have reached out to Valve for comment on this situation, and we'll update this story as soon as we hear anything. However, according to @HeavyUpdateOut on Twitter, "Remote Code Execution exploits have already been found". It's important to note, however, that @HeavyUpdateOut is simply a fan account, and while it's unbelievably popular, you should take the extent of this damage with a grain of salt. Still, neither Valve or the Team Fortress 2 Twitter accounts have shared any news on this issue, and there haven't been any posts by the company on its own forums or the Team Fortress 2 subreddit. Instead, the community has taken the lead, with a post on the TF2 subreddit warning users away from playing TF2 or CS:GO until the problem is patched out. That post does state that "If you aren't playing on any multiplayer servers you are not at risk" – but it may be best to avoid the affected games entirely. We are also hearing unconfirmed reports that all current multiplayer Source-based games may be affected, including Garry's Mod. Until Valve comes out and makes a statement or updates the game in some way, this is unconfirmed. But, because this is potentially a danger to your data security, our advice would be to avoid playing until the problem has been properly addressed by Valve. We're going to be doing some further investigation on our end, as well, and will update as soon as we get any more information. Until then, maybe it's time to check out one of the best PC games just to play it safe for now. This is a developing story. Why is this so dangerous?We have to reiterate that reports of Remote Code Execution in Team Fortress 2 and other Valve games have been unconfirmed. In fact, in that Reddit thread we mentioned earlier, mod Demoman clarifies that the source code is "an old version and was initially leaked about a year or two ago". And further that "it is unlikely but not impossible that security flaws such as RCE (Remote Code Execution) exist". Still, the risk of RCE in the first place is a pretty substantial threat. Through this particularly nasty flavor of malware, an attacker can gain full control of your PC, and execute any code without your permission. Wannacry was a pretty major example of a cyberattack enabled through RCE last year. This was a piece of ransomware that encrypted all files on victim's PCs, demanding a substantial payment through cryptocurrency. So, even if RCE hasn't been actively confirmed, the fact that it's even a possibility in the present state of the game means that it's best avoided. If an attacker is able to pull it off, all of your data is potentially at risk.
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| iPhone SE price cut: Apple's pre-order deal gets you a $170 discount Posted: 22 Apr 2020 12:23 PM PDT The iPhone SE is officially available to pre-order, and Apple is offering a fantastic deal on the budget iPhone. For a limited time, you can save up to $170 when you trade-in an eligible device. That brings the price of the iPhone SE down to just $229, depending on your trade-in value. After you purchase the iPhone SE, you'll get a trade-in email that explains how to get your old device ready to ship. Apple will send you a trade-in kit that includes a box and prepaid shipping label with instructions on how to prep your old device. After you ship your phone within 14 days, Apple will credit your original payment. See more of the best iPhone SE pre-order deals: the best prices and plans available right now. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| The best cheap SSDs 2020: lightning-fast speeds on a budget Posted: 22 Apr 2020 12:07 PM PDT There was a time when the best cheap SSD on the market still cost several hundred dollars, so just having a solid state drive was considered a luxury reserved for a high-end system. Things have changed. Now there are some truly affordable SSDs out there that put the top of the line drives from just a few years ago to shame. Some of the best cheap SSDs can even rival some of their high-end cousins in terms of performance, if not total capacity. So whether you're a gamer, a creative, or you're looking to improve the data access performance on your enterprise machines, you've come to the right place. We've reviewed dozens of SSDs over the years at every price point, so we're here to tell you that if you're looking for the best cheap SSD, you're in luck. You not only have options, you don't even have to sacrifice speed to find some amazing hardware in your price range. So whether you're looking for a SATA-compatible SSD, an external, or the latest PCIe M.2 SSDs with speeds bordering on the obscene, we can help you find what you're looking for. Best cheap SSDs at a glance
The latest SSDs come with a PCIe M.2 interface, which are far and away faster than a standard SATA connection. These new SSDs slot directly into the motherboard, giving it the ability to read and write data extremely fast. In the case of the Adata XPG SX8200 SSD, we're talking speeds of up to 3,060 MB/s for sequential read and 1,765 MB/s for sequential write. It even boasts a random access read of 403 MB/s. These are impressive numbers, but they are even more so once you realize that you can find the Adata XPG SX8200 SSD prices anywhere from $50 - $85 for a 256GB SSD. The price-to-performance ratio makes it hands down one of the best cheap SSDs you're going to find anywhere. Read our full review: Adata XPG SX8200 SSD review While PCIe is the next step for SSDs, not every motherboard supports those interfaces. The HP S700 Pro SSD uses the standard SATA 3 connector, so it isn't nearly as fast as the newer PCIe SSDs, but it is about as fast as you're ever going to get over a SATA cable. With a sequential read speed of 562 MB/s and a sequential write speed of 509 MB/s, the S700 Pro is still plenty fast fore most users and is still miles ahead of an HDD with spinning disks. One of the major issues with those spinning disks, besides the sluggish speeds, is their eventual failure from wear and tear. This is where the HP S700 Pro really stands out in that its MTBF (Mean Time Between Failures) is rated at 2,000,000 hours, so it'll keep your data safe for a long time to come. Read our full review: HP S700 SSD Portable SSDs offer the advantage of quick data access while remaining portable enough to carry with you to work or school. Perfect for laptops with lower capacity drives, the Seagate Fast SSD is one of the best cheap SSDs to give you the added space you're looking for. Portability comes at a cost, however, and portable SSDs aren't the fastest on the market by any stretch, but Seagate's Fast SSD lives up to its billing with a sequential read speed of 440 MB/s and sequential write of 439 MB/s according to our CrystalDiskMark tests. You're not going to get that kind of performance out of many portables out there, making the Seagate Fast SSD a top choice for the best cheap SSD for users on the go. Read our full review: Seagate Fast SSD One of the best cheap SSDs we've ever tested is the WD Black SN750 NVMe SSD. The WD Black SN750 NVMe relies on nearly the same memory architecture as the earlier WD Black NVMe, managing some decent performance gains through updates to the device's firmware alone. The 500GB model featuring a sequential read speed of 3,470 MB/s and a sequential write speed of 2,600 MB/s, all for under $100. With performance like this at this price, the WD Black SN750 NVMe is definitely one of the best cheap SSDs for the hardcore gamers out there who don't have a lot of money to spend on something other than their graphics card. Read our full review: WD Black SN750 NVMe SSD review When it comes to SATA SSDs, Samsung has been leading the industry for a while now. That hasn't changed, thanks to the Samsung 860 Pro SSD. An improvement over the 850 Pro, the 860 Pro has a sequential read speed of 562.9 MB/s and a sequential write speed of 532.7 MB/s, making it about as fast as anyone is ever going to get with a SATA SSD. Better still, Samsung says the 860 Pro is able to write 4,800 TB of data without failing, meaning that if you're looking for a SATA SSD that you can count on for the long haul, the Samsung 860 Pro has you covered. Read our full review: Samsung 860 Pro SSD review This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Walmart's iPhone SE pre-order deal cuts the price down to just $199 Posted: 22 Apr 2020 12:01 PM PDT The all-new iPhone SE was released last week, and Walmart is currently offering a fantastic pre-order deal on the budget iPhone. For a limited time, the retailer is bringing the price of the iPhone SE down to just $199 when you activate on an installment plan from AT&T, Verizon, or Sprint. That's a $200 discount and one of the best deals we've seen for the all-new iPhone. This is one of the best deals we've seen for the iPhone SE and an incredible price for an all-new iPhone. This pre-order deal is only available online and will be in select stores starting on April 24. See more of the best iPhone SE pre-order deals: the best prices and plans available right now This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Vivaldi web browser blocks trackers, launches in full on Android Posted: 22 Apr 2020 11:20 AM PDT In an effort to protect its users against unwanted tracking and data collection, Vivaldi has released version 3.0 of its desktop browser for Windows, Mac and Linux which now includes a built-in tracker and ad blocker. At the same time the company, founded by former Opera co-founder and CEO Jon von Tetzchner and Tatsuki Tomita, has also announced that its Android browser is now out of beta. Vivaldi 3.0 includes a built-in tracker blocker that was developed in partnership with DuckDuckGo. The blocker protects users from the trackers that follow them around the web gathering their personal information and just like Vivaldi itself, it is highly customizable.
Users will be able to enable different blocking levels for individual websites and make exceptions for the sites they want to allow trackers on. They can choose to block trackers, block trackers and ads or disable blocking all together. Tracker blockerTo block trackers, Vivaldi relies on a list of well-known tracker URLs and stops requests to those URL before they are sent. Through its partnership with DuckDuckGo, the company is now using the search engine's Tracker Radar to protect its users online. DuckDuckGo's Tracker Radar continually crawls the web looking for trackers on major websites so that users can browse the web without third-party trackers operating in the background. Other browsers also block trackers but they utilize a different approach where they stop trackers from setting cookies and limiting their access to browser resources after connecting to them. However, this leaves the users open to many different types of tracking and Vivaldi believes that trackers should be blocked outright to really protect users. In addition to blocking trackers, Vivaldi users can also now block almost all ads without having to download any extensions. This feature is disabled by default as the company doesn't want users to block ads on the sites they regularly visit as this could prevent them from generating revenue. Vivaldi's ad and tracker blocker feature is also available in its new Android browser which is available on Android 5 or higher as well as compatible with Chromebooks.
Via Engadget This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| It looks like Nvidia has delayed billing for GeForce Now Founders until June Posted: 22 Apr 2020 10:54 AM PDT Update: we've got a screenshot of the email in question, and now we can confirm that this is official. Nvidia has reportedly told GeForce Now Founders that they’ll have their initial billing payment date pushed back until June. An apparent email sent to Founders was posted on the ResetEra forums, where Nvidia apparently said: "As you can imagine, we're experiencing a substantial increase in the number of GeForce Now players and their amount of playtime.”
“While the service continues to grow, we have decided to take this opportunity to show our early Founders members our appreciation, and will not begin billing until June 2020. Your first charge date has been extended. Please check account.nvidia.com for more information. Stay safe and happy gaming." Assuming this is real, it's a nice gesture on Nvidia’s part, but the reasoning behind it remains unclear. It could simply be a goodwill gesture in wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, with Nvidia following in the footsteps of the likes of Sony which has been offering free games to its 100 million-plus PlayStation 4 users. Is this triage?The move could also be in response to the lackluster reaction the GeForce Now service has received so far. Ever since the streaming service first launched in February this year, big-name publishers, including Activision-Blizzard and Bethesda, have been removing their libraries of games. This is believed to be due to the fact that there was no commercial agreement between Nvidia and publishers when GeForce Now exited its free closed beta. Things got worse for Nvidia this week, with Warner Bros and Xbox Games Studios announcing they were also abandoning the service. This means early adopters of GeForce Now have lost access to the likes of Gears 5, Halo: The Master Chief Collection, and the Mortal Kombat series. With this in mind, Nvidia’s apparent goodwill gesture could be an attempt to try and placate early GeForce Now subscribers while it attempts to beef up the service’s dwindling games library. In a blog post this week, the company said that it’s “working with digital game stores so publishers can tag their games for streaming on GeForce Now, right when they publish a game,” adding that this will help it “bring more games to the library, quicker, as well as provide a more stable catalog.”
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| The Mandalorian season 2: release date, Baby Yoda, Darksaber, Ahsoka Tano and what we know Posted: 22 Apr 2020 10:02 AM PDT What is The Mandalorian season 2 release date? The flagship Disney Plus series returns in October 2020, and we can't wait. After the disappointing end to the Skywalker Saga, this was the Star Wars TV show we really, really needed. It's proven so popular, in fact, that The Mandalorian season 3 is apparently already in the works. While you wait for more of Din Djarin and his charge, Baby Yoda, we know a ton about The Mandalorian season 2 already. Production on the show has finished, with the Lucasfilm effects wizards now presumably completing the show. Beware spoilers for season one ahead. The Mandalorian season 2 story will most likely follow the little green infant's search for its homeworld, as hinted at by the conclusion to the first season. We'll also see "major, major, epic, epic lightsaber action" according to Giancarlo Esposito, who'll return as the Darksaber-wielding Moff Gideon. Perhaps there'll even be some Skywalker cameos if certain rumors turn out to be correct. Cast details are emerging all the time, not least Rosario Dawson as The Clone Wars favourite, Ahsoka Tano. Here's everything we know about The Mandalorian season 2 release date, story, potential spin-offs and season 3. The Mandalorian season 2 release date: October 2020The official Mandalorian season 2 release date is 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. Filming on season 2 wrapped as of March 2020, based on this Instagram post from star Gina Carano: The Mandalorian season 2 cast: will Rosario Dawson star 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. Speaking to Variety, Dawson explains how excited she would be for such a role. "That's not confirmed yet," she said, "but when that happens I will be very happy." She went on to say "The two universes, Star Trek and Star Wars. I get in those two, I'm telling you, man, that's it. I will just retire." It seems like it's fair to say that if Dawson doesn't play Ahsoka Tano, it wasn't her decision. But in terms of confirmed cast news, Micheal Biehn is a huge addition for season 2 (via The Hollywood Reporter). Known famously as Kyle Reese in The Terminator and Corporal Hicks in Aliens, this is Biehn's first major role in more than a decade. We'll have to wait for any concrete details on his character, however, but the rumor is he'll be another bounty hunter.
The Mandalorian season 2 story: the search for Baby Yoda's homeworld and Darksaber actionGeorge 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, and season 3 is reportedly in the worksIn 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". 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 3, too, appears to be in the works already. Variety confirmed that Jon Favreau is deep into writing season 3, with Lucasfilm's art department beginning work on the next set of episodes already. The Mandalorian season 2: the Darksaber explainedAbove: 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 episodeDespite being the creator and main writer of The Mandalorian season one, Iron Man director Jon Favreau didn't direct a single episode – it didn't hurt the show at all, but season 2 will benefit from his input. "I didn’t get a chance the last time around because I was doing Lion King," Favreau mentioned to EW. "So I'll step in for one of them." 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. Taiki Waititi has confirmed he will not return as director for season 2. During an Instagram Live session, the Jojo Rabbit and Thor: Ragnarok director said "I'm not directing any of the episodes of The Mandalorian because I was doing another film, a soccer film with Michael Fassbender. After Jojo Rabbit I decided to make a sports film, something I’ve never done, about a sport I knew nothing about and I still don’t." Waititi didn't rule out a return as sharpshooting droid IG-11, however. The Mandalorian season 2: Original Trilogy characters rumored to appearAccording to Deadline, “Insiders have hinted that several established characters from the Skywalker saga’s feature films mythology will make appearances during the show’s sophomore season.” Jon Favreau’s release date tweet above showed a picture of a Gamorrean, one of the so-called Pig Guards from Jabba’s Palace in Return of the Jedi, but we suspect that – if this insider's rumors are accurate – they’re referring to someone who’s a significantly bigger deal in the saga than that. While Jabba the Hutt, Darth Vader and the Emperor are dead (or so the galaxy believes…) and Luke Skywalker is unlikely to crop up away from the saga that bears his name, there are plenty of big names in the Star Wars universe who’ll be operating around the time of The Mandalorian. It's set five years after the destruction of the second Death Star in Return of the Jedi, after all. Original trilogy survivors Han Solo, Princess Leia, Chewbacca, Lando Calrissian, C-3PO, R2-D2, and even Rebel legends Wedge Antilles, Admiral Ackbar and Nien Nunb could all cross paths with the Mandalorian and Baby Yoda. But we’d be much more interested to see General Hux’s dad, Brendol – a former Imperial officer who was instrumental in the formation of the First Order – or even (SPOILER ALERT) Rey’s parents. Now that we know they lived in hiding – pretending to be “nobody” before giving Rey away – any new glimpses at their backstory could enhance what we learned in The Rise of Skywalker. Perhaps most likely, however, is the reappearance of various bounty hunters hired by Darth Vader to capture the Millennium Falcon in The Empire Strikes Back. IG-88, Zuckuss, Dengar, Bossk and 4-LOM are still theoretically looking for work in the time of The Mandalorian season 2, and definitely operate in the same hives of scum and villainy as our friendly neighborhood Mando. Maybe we’ll even see a return for the legendary Boba Fett… Yes, he was last seen being swallowed by the Sarlacc in Return of the Jedi, but the bounty hunter did manage to escape 1000 years of digestion in the old Expanded Universe “Legends” stories, a plot that could be ported over into official canon. And there’s also been plenty of speculation online that the mysterious figure on Tatooine who finds the body of the deceased Fennec Shand in Chapter 5, “The Gunslinger”, may be Fett himself – the jangling spurs might just be a clue... And even if the owner of the spurs isn't Fett, one particularly interesting theory suggested on Inverse suggests it could be a member of the family – Ailyn Vel, his daughter in the Legends stories. Could this be the identity of this mysterious Funko Pop! Vinyl figure? An upcoming documentary will tell us "how the Mandalorian came together"As we wait patiently for the tiniest scraps of Mandalorian cast and story details, perhaps we'll get some in an upcoming documentary all about the flagship Disney Plus show. Set to land for Star Wars Day 2020 (May 4, in case you didn't already know), Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian is an eight-part documentary series set to give us a behind-the-scenes look at how the show was made, from idea to screen. Eight episodes is quite a lot, so we're expecting this series to dive pretty deep. Favreau said "Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian is an opportunity for fans of the show to take a look inside and get to see a different perspective, and perhaps a greater understanding, of how The Mandalorian came together and some of the incredibly talented contributors throughout season 1." While it's unlikely The Mandalorian season 2 will be the focus of the documentary, we can always live in hope. The Mandalorian is the best slice of Star Wars in yearsWe can't wait for a second season of The Mandalorian. A couple of less thrilling episodes in the middle of season one aside, the simple storytelling and stylish imagery of this show made it a satisfying glimpse at a different side of the Star Wars universe. Creator Jon Favreau has plenty on the table to pay off in season 2.
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| Best Motorola phones 2020: find the top Moto smartphone for you Posted: 22 Apr 2020 10:00 AM PDT Motorola phones, alongside Nokia phones, and certain LG phones, are champions of the budget smartphone market. That means if you're looking for a decent handset that won't break the bank, you're in the right place. But that will change soon now that the Motorola Edge and higher-performance Motorola Edge Plus have been officially revealed. Both combine top specs, sharp displays, and 5G connectivity with flagship polish; they'll surely make this list when we've finished reviewing both. Motorola's current lineup of smartphones run the gamut of lower-end price points, but each has impressive features that may convince you to pick one up. The Moto Z handsets can support additional features - including 5G - with Moto Mods; the Moto G range consists of budget devices with certain impressive specs each; and the Motorola One handsets are wacky and interesting in even more novel ways. Of course, these phones won't compete with the likes of the iPhone 11 Pro or the Samsung Galaxy S10, but they won't cost you as much either. They're reliable, with impressive specs for their price tag. The exception, of course, is the Motorola Razr, a throwback to the original's iconic design with a flexible inner screen that technically makes this a foldable. Despite its hefty pricetag - it's fully three times the cost of a Moto Z4 - it isn't the fastest phone; instead, it folds into a footprint half the size of any regular smartphone. We've reviewed it and included it in our rundown, but you might be surprised where we've placed it after all the hype. Motorola has a lot of phones, and tends to release a bunch of new ones at the same time, so it can be a little tough getting your head around the products. That's why we've made this list of the best Moto phones to guide your hand. We also update this list regularly, when Motorola releases a new phone, or when software updates cause the rankings to shift, so keep checking back to see which devices we recommend the most. Best Moto phones 2020 at a glance:
Best Moto phones 2020The Moto Z4 is a safe move from Motorola - it looks nearly identical to its predecessors, with only minor shifts in size and shape - but that likely arises from the company's decision to keep supporting the Moto Mods, which require phones to keep roughly the same shape. Thus, the phone doesn't look like it's changed. Look closer and you'll find some improvements, like an expanded 6.4-inch screen to the edges (around a top notch), an in-screen fingerprint scanner, and the return of a 3.5mm headphone jack. Gone also is the dual 12MP lenses in the rear camera bump; instead, the Moto Z4 follows the midrange (and Google Pixel-like) trend of dropping lenses and using software to make up for it. We found the Moto Z4 took slightly better photos with its lone 48MP rear camera, and similar improvements with its 25MP selfie lens. The phone is speedy enough, though its performance might drag on over the years: instead of packing an older but still flagship chipset like its predecessor, the Moto Z4 opted for a Snapdragon 675 - a new, but definitively midrange option. This is more speculation - we'll have to see whether this chipset lasts longer than we expect - but the phone's 4GB RAM (only option) isn't promising for longevity either. Read our in-depth review: Moto Z4 Lenovo spent 2019 releasing many Motorola One phones, and the highlight of this series is the Motorola One Zoom. The Motorola One Zoom has a whopping four rear cameras, which is loads for an affordable handset like this. They include a depth sensor, a telephoto lens, and a wide-angle snapper, as well as the main sensor. Beyond that, there's a decent battery, and a good-looking screen. However, we found there were some sacrifices to be made to keep the price so low, like middling processing power and a design that leaves a little to be desired. Motorola is a budget and mid-range champion, and this is pure Moto class, with decent specs and a low price. Read our in-depth Motorola One Zoom review Motorola’s One range all run Android One - so are guaranteed security updates monthly for at least two years. This is a great reason to go for the One Macro that sports a camera designed to excel with close-up images. Unfortunately, as this is a budget phone, the cameras are not as good as we’d hoped and shouldn’t be the phone you buy if you want a premium camera smartphone. But the solid design, decent battery life and clean, up to date Android software mean the One Macro has a lot going for it. The display is better than the price suggests and performance is surprisingly good, too but there’s no NFC for mobile payments. It’s a fine Moto phone if you’re on a budget, just don’t buy it expecting amazing cameras, despite the marketing. Read the Motorola One Macro review. Considering the price it’s amazing that the G8 Plus fits in small bezels, triple rear cameras, stereo speakers and decent battery life. It looks great too, with an attractively simple version of Android 9 Pie to boot. The Snapdragon 665 means the phone has decent battery life but we found the performance wasn’t as good as hoped with occasional stuttering. You can forget high-end gaming, too. Despite this Motorola is promising two years of security updates and a software update to Android 10 making it a good, large-screened Moto option. The triple cameras and great stereo speakers add some excellent upgrades over the G7 range, too. Read the Moto G8 Plus review. The Motorola One Hyper adds to the company’s burgeoning smartphone range with an all-screen design and pop up camera. It’s a shame there’s no telephoto camera considering there’s two main rear cameras but the main 64MP sensor makes up for this with amazing detail in shots. A Snapdragon 675 processor means decent mid-range performance for the price and battery life is solid, if not spectacular. Unfortunately the notch-less screen struggles when trying to display many games, cropping the action incorrectly in many instances. It means if you are a keen mobile gamer this is one to avoid. For everyone else, it’s yet another solid Motorola phone. Read the Motorola One Hyper review. The Motorola One Action has lots in common with the other Motorola One phones, like its chipset and screen quality, but it has one novel feature that makes it an interesting prospect for phones buyers. As well as its main and depth sensing cameras on the back of the device, the Motorola One Action has an 'action cam' which is designed for impressive video recording. You can record in landscape while holding the phone in portrait, and the camera is great at picking up video detail: all in all it's a great device for people who take a lot of videos. On top of that the handset is actually cheaper than lots of other Motorola ones, so you could do a lot worse if you're looking for a device with an intriguing extra feature. Read our in-depth review: Motorola One Action The Moto Z3 is still a solid pick in the Moto line, with a comparable (if not slightly faster) chipset than the Moto Z4. Best of all? It's still the cheapest way to access 5G through the 5G Moto Mod. When this Moto add-on first came out, it made the Moto Z3 the first 5G-capable phone to hit the market in the whole world. Of course, there are a lot of caveats to that fact – namely, that the mod is only coming to Verizon in the US, and will only work in that carrier's very limited 5G coverage areas – but it's still an impressive claim for a sub-flagship phone. Yes, the phone doesn't have the beastly specs of top-tier flagships – but at half the price, the Moto Z3 boasts impressive value. It sports a Snapdragon 835, which is respectable if dated, and comes in two average if unimpressive versions: 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage, or 6GB of RAM and 128GB of space (expandable via microSD to up to 512GB). That's enough for streaming multimedia and moderate gaming, which look good on the phone's 6-inch (2160 x 1080) AMOLED display. Combine that with basic dual 12MP rear cameras and an 8MP front-facing selfie shooter and you have a good phone sitting somewhere below the OnePlus 6T and lesser-performing midrange phones. The phone's glass back and side-mounted fingerprint scanner are similarly middle-luxe – a good compromise if you want performance at a lower price. Read our in-depth review: Motorola Moto Z3 No, Motorola One Vision is not inspired by the Queen song, but it is one of the royalty of Moto handsets – its clean and clear Android One operating system (OS) cuts away the bloat and excess of normal Android, and the phone itself has an attractive and clean design. The Motorola One Vision's 21:9 aspect ratio may be questionable to some, however, as the jury's still out on whether this is the future of smartphones or just an annoying gimmick. If you're on-board with the phone's unwieldy length, and don't mind its weak specs in a certain few areas, the Motorola One Vision sits at a happily affordable price point and does impress in a few major ways. Read our in-depth review: Motorola One Vision Why list the Moto G7 here? Sure, it's slightly less powerful than the G7 Plus, but it's also available in more regions (including the US), so we're covering our bases in case you don't want to pay international shipping on your budget-plus phone. You don't miss much going for the G7, either: its Snapdragon 632 chip is a bit less powerful, sure, and its frame is plastic instead of aluminum. But the rest of its specs are essentially the same, which means you're getting a phone that's nearly as nice at a discount. That means 4GB of RAM and 64GB of space, a 6.2-inch LCD display and dual 12MP + 5MP rear shooters/an 8MP front-facing camera for a great price. Plus it comes with Android 9 Pie right out of the box. Read our in-depth review: Moto G7 The allure of the new Motorola Razr is undeniable. Recalling the original 2004 flip phone, the new version puts a foldable 6.2in display on the inside and tries to free us from the monotony of yet another black glass rectangle. But the thing is incredibly expensive and has somehow arrived at that price with a bad camera, mid-range processor and bad battery life. Add to that potential issues with the display and it’s not a phone most people should consider buying. If you really want a folding phone and were obsessed with the Razr back in the day then the nostalgia might be too much to resist. But for most people, any other Moto phone on this list will serve you better. Read the Motorola Razr review. If you're looking for the ultimate Moto value, think about digging back into the reserves. The Moto Z2 Force came out in mid-2017, but it's still a relative powerhouse – and you can find it for a bit cheaper than the newer Moto Z3. Despite over a year between releases, the Z2 Force packs the same Snapdragon 835 processor as its successor. Its screen is even higher resolution at 2560 x 1440, though its 5.5 inches are smaller than the Z3's display. Unfortunately, the Z2 Force shows its age in its chin and top bezels, which are significantly larger than those on phones released today. But if you don't mind not sporting the sleekest phone on the block, the Z2 Force has most of the newest top-tier Moto phone at a lower price. And it works with Moto Mods -- including, eventually, the Moto Mod 5G, which will expand functionality to the earlier Z2 phones at some point after it's released on April 11. Read our in-depth review: Moto Z2 Force The Motorola Moto G7 Plus has been superseded by the G8 Plus, but is the top performer of the brand's G7 family, which counts four phones. The G7 Plus is the standout model, though it may not reach your region: Motorola confirmed the device isn't coming to the US. But if you can pick the phone up, you won't be sorry. For sub-midrange price, you'll get a Snapdragon 636-powered phone with a decent 4GB RAM and 64GB of storage (expandable up to 512GB). The phone even has one up on the more powerful Moto Z3 with its 3.5mm headphone jack. So why the G7 Plus and not, say, an older (but still hefty) Moto Z2 Play? Simple: Android 9 Pie out of the box. That leads us to recommend the phone even over other more powerful Moto phones (like the Moto Z2 Force, which is nearly identical to the Z3), and the G7 Plus has other benefits of a later release date, like speedier Fast Charging and a higher screen-to-body ratio. Read our in-depth review: Motorola Moto G7 Plus This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Best rugged tablets of 2020: Water resistant, drop-proof and shockproof slates Posted: 22 Apr 2020 09:38 AM PDT Rugged tablets are designed to withstand hard knocks, long drops, high or low temperatures, moisture, dust and more, yet still provide a great user experience at the same time. They've been put through rigorous testing to make sure they can survive the extremes of what you can put them through. That makes rugged tablets perfect for people working outside, in extreme locations or in busy environments, as the tech can be the ideal tool for a range of various functions that your standard smartphone, tablet or rugged phone can't withstand. This does mean that they come with a slightly higher initial outlay compared to standard tablets, but it's worth remembering that they can save money in the long one, as you don't need to repair or replace damaged rugged tablets as often – if at all. While you won't get a rugged tablet that's as slim and light as the iPad Air 2, it doesn't mean you should have to lug around a chunky and unwieldy tablet either. If you think a conventional tablet like that might be better for your work, check out our list of the best tablets instead. So, to help you find the best rugged tablet, we've put together this list, which gather the top shock and drop-proof tablets on the market today.
The best rugged tablet you can buy right now is the Getac UX10, from Getac which is known for its well-protected and versatile devices. The Getac UX10 is a fairly customizable rugged tablet, as you can pick from a variety of Intel Core CPU options and there are a variety of accessories you can pick up to tailor the UX10 to a variety of work situations. This makes it fairly versatile, and along with its decent screen specs, rugged protection and various high-storage options, the device is great for work out in the field. Getac doesn't publish a price for the UX10, but you can request a quote for the device at the Getac website, by clicking here. If you're looking for a rugged Windows tablet that can withstand an impressive amount of punishment, then the Getac F110 is an excellent choice. Its durable body can withstand moisture, extreme temperatures and drops, without it being bulky or heavy. It is certified to MIL-STD 810G, 1P65 and MIL-STD-461F standards. The most recent version of this tablet comes with 6th generation Intel Core processors, so there's plenty of power here, and a dual battery system means you can easily swap them out without having to pause. There are a few other Getac devices out there, but this is one of the only that's rugged enough to make our list of the top spots (the company makes rugged laptops too). Dell is a respected brand that makes rugged tablets as well as other devices, and its Latitude Rugged Extreme tablets often appear on this list. The 7220EX rugged tablet is one of its newest device, and the most deserving of a spot on this list, as it's an upgrade on some of Dell's previous similar devices with a more up-to-date processor, and more protection. This protection adds to the P65, MIL-STD-810G and IP-810G certifications previous models had, so it's certainly a well-protected device, as it'll withstand drops, harsh conditions and rain. It's quite a pricey tablet, and it won't win any beauty pageants, but if you're looking for a rugged slate that'll easily do the job with modern compontents and all-around decent specs, it's worth considering the Dell Latitude 7220EX Rugged Extreme. Not all rugged tablets are designed to withstand temperatures, knocks, dust or water, some are meant to protect from the most destructive force of all: kids. The Lenovo 10e Chromebook is designed to be great as a learning tool for children. The tablet is fairly big and well-protected, and its processor, memory and storage are all designed for the kinds of tools a child will be using, so there's not plenty of storage space or processing power but it's enough for schoolwork and learning. You can also buy an optional keyboard now to turn the device into a pseudo-laptop. The Panasonic Toughbook CF-33 is a 2-in-1 rugged device, which means it has an attachable keyboard that allow it to work as either a laptop or as a tablet. When in tablet mode, the Toughbook CF-33 is an excellent durable machine , with MIL-STD-461F, MIL-STD-810G and IP65 certification, which means it can survive shocks, drops liquids and dust. The battery life is a bit on the short side compared to other rugged tablets on this list, but you can quickly swap out the battery when you need extra time. You can also buy extended batteries that double the run time from 10 hours to 20. This is an additional cost, however. Unlike other rugged tablets on this list, the Samsung Galaxy Tab Active 2 isn't designed for industrial-grade protection. However, what it does provide is IP67 certification for dust and water ingress, and a battery that lasts between eight to 10 hours. Plus, it supports replaceable batteries, so you can keep on working even if you're away from a power supply, and it's drop-tested to 1.2 metres. A decent camera and NFC technology are included, and it's rounded off with Samsung's customary excellent build quality. The newer Galaxy Tab Active 2 improves on a lot of the features of the first Tab Active, with more RAM, better CPU and much more. This 10.1-inch Android tablet can withstand drops up to six feet, as well as being water and dust resistant. While it's bulkier and heavier than non-rugged tablets, it's still portable enough to be easily carried around worksites. The XSlate Android L10 also has a better display than its predecessor, made of Corning Gorilla Glass 3 with higher resolution and glove/wet touch technology. It's not the most powerful tablet on this list, but it's a more affordable alternative for people who want to use an Android device outside and on the road. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| NordVPN rolls out WireGuard across all its platforms Posted: 22 Apr 2020 09:36 AM PDT NordVPN has begun rolling out a new technology called NordLynx, that is built around the WireGuard protocol, which will significantly improve VPN speeds for its users. WireGuard is considered to be “the future industry standard” and based on the company's tests, NordLynx's speed outperforms other leading VPN protocols. NordLynx will be available to all of NordVPN's users as the company has added support for it to its Windows, Mac, iOS, Android and Linux clients. To determine NordLynx's speed, NordVPN took an academic approach using statistical methods and carried out 256,886 speed tests.
These tests revealed that when a user connects to a nearby VPN server and downloads content from a content delivery network (CDN) within a few thousand miles, they can expect download and upload speeds that are up to twice as high. NordLynxThe WireGuard protocol uses state-of-the-art cryptography and is the result of a lengthy and thorough academic process. The new protocol is faster than existing VPN protocols such as OpenVPN and IPSec but it is often criticized for its ability to secure users' privacy which why NordVPN came up with its new NordLynx technology. NordLynx combines WireGuard's high speeds with the NordVPN's custom double Network Address Translation (NAT) system to help protect users' privacy. The company's double NAT system allows for a secure VPN connection to be established without needing to store any identifiable data on a server. Dynamic local IP addresses remain assigned only while the session is active and user authentication is done with the help of a secure external database. Digital privacy expert at NordVPN, Daniel Markuson explained the work that went in to implementing WireGuard across all of its apps, saying: “We are proud that NordVPN is the first VPN provider to implement WireGuard® on such a scale. For more than a year, we have worked to make NordLynx available for everyone, spent hundreds of hours polishing it, and solved complex obstacles when preparing the infrastructure for scaling. Now we have the fastest VPN protocol existing today. It has elegant cryptographic design and provides unprecedented speed.” To switch to using NordLynx, NordVPN users must update their apps to the latest version where the NordLynx protocol can be chosen manually from the settings menu. As the updates will be released gradually, the new protocol may not be available for all users right away.
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| Disney Plus: our guide to exclusive shows, 2020 movies and how to sign up Posted: 22 Apr 2020 09:35 AM PDT Disney Plus, officially styled as Disney+, is Disney's streaming service that brings together the best of the House of Mouse, Star Wars, Pixar and Marvel in one place. In this piece, we'll explain everything we know about it, including how you download it, what you can watch, and which movies are coming to Disney Plus in 2020. Try a free 7-day Disney Plus trial here if you want to see what the fuss is all about. Disney has got off to an amazing start, with 50 million paying subscribers as of April 2020. A steady global rollout commenced in November 2019, beginning with USA, Australia, New Zealand and The Netherlands. Disney Plus UK launched on March 24, along with Ireland, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Austria and Switzerland. More regions are coming in 2020. The main reason to subscribe to Disney Plus, beyond eventually having every Disney movie in one place for a reasonable subscription fee, is its slate of original content. We've already had The Mandalorian, which gave us the Baby Yoda phenomenon, but in late 2020 we'll get to see The Falcon and the Winter Soldier and WandaVision, the first TV shows to officially be part of the MCU canon. That's assuming the current global pandemic doesn't stop production all year. Throughout 2020 as contracts with other streamers expire, more movies from Star Wars, Marvel, Pixar and Disney will be added to the service, making the service even more desirable. Disney has begun to surprise release big movies, too, with Frozen 2 and Onward available now on the service. The next big movie to skip the traditional theatrical window is the kids' book adaptation Artemis Fowl, coming on June 12 2020. Fans of The Simpsons, too, will be pleased to hear that the correct 4:3 aspect ratio will be restored to the show in May, after a long wait. Below, read our guide to Disney Plus, including a list of movies we know are coming to the service in 2020. How to sign up to Disney PlusIf you're in the US, Canada or the UK, you can sign up for Disney Plus here, or if you're in Australia or New Zealand, click here. No matter where you live, there's a 7-day trial that'll let you see if the service is right for you. If you're in the US, you can also sign up to a bundle (US-only) that includes ESPN+ and Hulu's Basic package for $12.99 a month, which saves $5 on subscribing to the services individually. ESPN+, of course, is for the sports plan in your life. Hulu, meanwhile, hosts a lot of shows from other networks, like South Park and Rick and Morty, as well as having its own originals like The Handmaid's Tale. While Disney Plus is family-friendly, adult-oriented content can be found on Hulu.
Disney Plus: our verdict and what you should watchWe've published our Disney Plus review, and we're mostly positive about the service. It's not as comprehensive as its competitors like Netflix, but having this selection of blockbuster movies in one place is very enticing. While not every Disney movie has made the leap yet, we're seeing that selection grow as the months go on. It really helps that The Mandalorian arrived in the launch window, to give people an idea of how much Disney is willing to spend on original content. But a lot of its best shows, like the Marvel series coming to Disney Plus, feel a little far away. The months leading up to August, when The Falcon and the Winter Soldier arrive, could be a little fallow. That's the only note of caution we have on the streaming service right now. But the price is good for what you get. Wondering what to watch? Check out our lists of the best Disney Plus movies and best Disney Plus shows for recommendations. If you can only watch one movie right now? Onward, just for the sheer novelty factor. If you can only watch one show? It's The Mandalorian. Disney Plus movies and shows coming in 2020 and beyond to the USWhile Disney Plus launched with loads of movies and TV, much more is coming after release, right into 2021 and beyond. Frozen 2 and Onward recently launched on the platform. Here are some highlights, including new movies and shows, as well as archive content finally making their way to the streaming service.
Expect more of Disney's recent movies to come to Disney Plus in 2020, too, like Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and Maleficent: Mistress of Evil. 2020 movies like Mulan, Black Widow, Soul, Onward, Artemis Fowl, and Jungle Cruise could arrive by the year's end as well. That's assuming the delayed release dates of movies caused by the worldwide pandemic don't keep moving back. There's plenty to be excited about in terms of TV, too. Season 2 of The Mandalorian aims to capitalize on the success and thriving memes of the first, whereas The Falcon and the Winter Soldier step onto the small screen amid the fallout of Avengers: Endgame. Others are far off and don't even have release dates yet, such as TV series focusing on Obi-Wan Kenobi, Might Ducks, and Solo: A Star Wars Story's charming rogue, Cassian Andor. Disney Plus FAQ: quick questions answered
Here's what the Disney Plus interface looks like. Disney Plus app links: start streaming on your deviceAs you can see, Disney Plus has launched on pretty much every major platform. Disney confirmed the list of platforms that will support Disney Plus sometime before launch. It includes Apple TV, Roku streaming devices, Google Chromecast, iOS and Android, PS4 and Xbox One – as well as the Android TV platform that supports Nvidia Shield TV, Sony TVs, and Hisense TVs. Amazon's Fire TV is also supported at launch, following a late deal between Disney and the retail giant. Search the app on your preferred device if it's not linked in the box to the right, and you should find it. A while back, we heard about a planned Disney Plus app for Nintendo Switch – but at launch, no such app exists. Disney Plus error codes: what the numbers meanCheck out our list of Disney Plus error codes for more on what the different numbers mean. If you're having issues with Disney Plus you can't seem to solve, try the Disney Plus help center for more. This is how you contact Disney Plus customer service, too, if you can't resolve an issue. You can call 888-905-7888 if you're based in the US. You can also tweet the Disney Plus help account. This email should help, too: DisneyPlusHelp@Disney.com. Disney Plus is out now in the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and parts of EuropeThe Disney Plus streaming service launched in the US, Canada and the Netherlands in the early hours of November 12, hours before its official launch time of 6AM ET. It launched in Australia and New Zealand on November 19. Disney Plus arrived in the UK, Germany, France, Italy and Spain on March 24, 2020. Disney Plus will expand through Western Europe, Japan and all of Latin America later in 2020, the company has confirmed. Disney will eventually bring the service to the entire world, but rolled out over a two-year period. You could be waiting a while depending on where you live. Disney Plus price and bundles explainedThe Disney Plus price is $6.99 per month, or $69.99 per year in the US. The price is then $8.99 for both Canada and Australia (or $89.99 per year), while in New Zealand it's $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year. In the Netherlands, the price is €6.99 per month, or €69.99 per year. In the UK, Disney Plus costs £5.99 per month or £59.99 per year. We've created a comprehensive guide on the Disney Plus price tiers, to help you compare it to its rival streaming services. You can also get Disney Plus with ESPN+ and Hulu in a bundle for a nice $12.99 per month. All of this means the service is cheaper in the US than Netflix, for now at least. "I can say that our plan on the Disney side is to price this substantially below where Netflix is. That is in part reflective of the fact that it will have substantially less volume," said Robert Iger, Disney's chairman and CEO. "It'll have a lot of high quality [content], because of the brands and the franchises that will be on it that we've talked about. But it'll simply launch with less volume, and the price will reflect that." Iger also suggested that the price could rise gradually over time as the service grows, which wouldn't be a massive surprise. This is exactly what has happened with Netflix as its investment in original content has escalated over the last few years.
New episodes of The Clone Wars are coming to Disney Plus. Disney Plus has 4K HDR streamsDisney Plus streams to up to four devices simultaneously in 4K resolution and HDR (high dynamic range) at no extra cost – with up to seven user profiles on the platform. Not all content is available in 4K / HDR, of course, and naturally you'll still need a 4K TV to watch the content that is. But since all of the original Star Wars films have launched on the service in 4K with Dolby Vision, that bodes well for future films that make the leap to Disney Plus. Netflix, on the other hand, has a premium tier that grants access to 4K / HDR streams. The all-in-one nature of the subscription is appealing by comparison. Disney Plus supports both Dolby Atmos as well as Dolby Vision, making it a fantastic choice for movie lovers. Disney Plus: Marvel TV shows and moviesBy summer 2021, you'll see every single MCU movie on Disney Plus minus The Incredible Hulk and the two Spider-Man movies (the rights to those three belong to other studios – but it's not impossible they'll be licensed for Disney Plus). But the big draw of Disney Plus are original Marvel TV shows that will star your favorite superheroes, and they'll officially be part of the MCU canon. One report suggested these shows will have budgets of $25 million an episode. A first look at these shows is available on Disney Plus right now, in a special called Expanding the Universe. The first of these MCU shows will be The Falcon and The Winter Soldier (starring Anthony Mackie and Sebastian Stan), reportedly coming in August, around a year after Disney Plus goes live. It'll be six episodes long, and will feature the return of Civil War's Helmut Zemo (Daniel Bruhl). After that will be WandaVision, also coming in 2020, featuring Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen) and Vision (Paul Bettany). The numerous fans of Tom Hiddleston will be happy to hear that next in the new Marvel line-up will be the Loki TV show, a six-episode miniseries starring the trickster god. We also know from San Diego Comic-Con that the series will kick off after Loki's sudden escape in Avengers: Endgame, via the Tesseract. No doubt he'll get into plenty of mischief as a result. Expect that in 2021. All three of these shows have had their production shut down over coronavirus, though, and we're unsure when they'll resume filming. After those, there'll be a Hawkeye TV show, with Jeremy Renner reprising the role, and mentoring a new iteration of Hawkeye, Kate Bishop. Expect that in 2021 too. Other Disney Plus Marvel shows include Moon Knight, Ms Marvel and She-Hulk, but none of those have release dates yet. Expect this to just be the start of Marvel's expansion onto Disney Plus. And unlike the Defenders Netflix shows, they'll unambiguously be part of the movies' continuity. It's Hawkeye's time to shine! Interestingly, there's also going to be a Marvel TV show that puts a different spin on the MCU. Called Marvel's What If...?, the animated series is based on a comics series where reality played out a little differently for our favorite superheroes and villains. Like how would Agent Peggy Carter have fared if she'd taken the super soldier serum instead of Steve Rogers? Many Marvel actors will be reprising their roles for this anthology show, making it much more than just a weird curio. Disney Plus: Star Wars TV shows and filmsYou may remember that Disney bought Star Wars back in 2012, meaning it now has the rights to the entire library of movies, as well as the ability to make original programming set in that universe. Expect plenty of Star Wars films and TV shows on Disney Plus as a result. Every movie from Episodes 1-8 are now on Disney Plus in the US, with just The Rise of Skywalker and Solo left to be added later in 2020. The first season of The Mandalorian is now complete, and it's the first live-action Star Wars show, created by Jon Favreau. Baby Yoda steals the show, but it's an incredibly entertaining slice of Star Wars regardless. This show has a rumored budget of $15 million per episode, and you can certainly tell from the level of effects on display. The Mandalorian season 2 is already on the way. Two other live-action Star Wars shows will be exclusive to Disney Plus: a spin-off starring Rogue One's Cassian Andor, and an Obi-Wan TV show featuring Ewan McGregor reprising the role. Don't expect either until 2021 at the earliest. Meanwhile, the seventh and final season of The Clone Wars comes to Disney Plus on February 20. You can watch the entire run of that show on Disney Plus, along with animated series Rebels, Resistance, and several Lego-themed spin-offs. The only missing piece is the 2D animated Clone Wars show. Hopefully that'll be added someday. There's also a rumor about an as-yet-unannounced series featuring Star Wars spin-off character Doctor Aphra that may launch in 2020. We're unsure if that'll be the case – as with all rumors of this nature, treat it cautiously. You can check out exactly what films and TV series are hitting the service in our Disney Plus Star Wars guide. Disney Plus: The Simpsons and Fox contentDisney's acquisition of Fox was a very, very big deal – especially for Disney Plus. James Cameron's Avatar landed on day one, but Fox's back catalogue is pretty extensive. Fox own the rights to a huge amount of classic television, including The Simpsons, which means every episode from the first 30 seasons of the show has come to the service (minus the season three episode 'Stark Raving Dad' for reasons that'll be obvious to fans). Fox used to hold the keys to the X-Men franchise, putting big restrictions on the Marvel Cinematic Universe (such as the word 'mutant' never being used onscreen). The merger now means those characters can appear in the MCU, along with the Fantastic Four. They're likely to be saved for movies rather than TV shows, but either way, one day you're likely to see MCU projects based on both coming to Disney Plus. It's possible you'll see some of Fox's superhero movies come to the service, like the X-Men or Fantastic Four films. Disney Plus has a selection of animated '90s cartoon classics, like X-Men, Fantastic Four, and Spider-Man. Fox movies like The Princess Bride and The Sound of Music will come to the service eventually. You can expect a reboot of Home Alone coming down the pipe exclusive for the service, too, which we were all definitely asking for. Home Alone itself was on Disney Plus in the US in time for the holidays, but has since been removed, presumably for licensing reasons. It'll likely return one day. Expect the classic Fox sitcom Malcolm in the Middle to arrive at some point soon, too. Disney's live-action remake of Mulan (2020) will be coming to Disney Plus too. Other Disney Plus movies, shows, and exclusivesMarvel and Star Wars might be the highlights, but the Disney Plus originals extend far beyond superheroes and space. A gigantic selection of additional new shows and TV series are in the works, including a new Monsters Inc. project called Monsters at Work (coming in 2020), while the service launched with a mockumentary take on the evergreen High School Musical series that, brace yourself, is called High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. Expect a new TV series based on classic movie Willow, with Warwick Davis reprising his role. An original Christmas film called Noelle also arrived with Disney Plus at launch, starring Anna Kendrick and Bill Hader. Other original shows include Diary of a Future President, and the One Day in Disney series of shorts. Marvel Hero Project is a reality series about young community heroes. For classic Disney lovers there's a live-action remake of Lady and the Tramp available to stream, while '90s animation fans will eventually get a new live-action Mulan that will hit both theaters and the streaming service. Deadline suggests that projects based on Don Quixote, Sword and the Stone, and 3 Men and a Baby are in the works, along with other projects titled The Paper Magician, Togo and Timmy Failure (the latter arrives in February). Disney Plus will also be a home for DisneyNature documentaries, including Dolphin Reef – narrated by actress Natalie Portman. Disney Nature works both in documentary films and animation, and will also be bringing animated feature Penguins to the Disney Plus service. A documentary series called The World According to Jeff Goldblum is available now, with a second season on the way. All of Disney Plus's original shows will roll out on a weekly basis, unlike services like Netflix and Amazon where every episode tends to drop at once. What is Disney Plus missing?The Disney streaming service won't have content from outside of the Disney ecosystem. The reason you see such a vast range of content on Hulu and Netflix is because they have a big web of licensing deals with external studios. Disney Plus is a more focused offering. But, of course, Disney has plenty of content to draw from, especially with a slow drip of Fox movies and shows to come. It's also worth noting that there won't be any R-rated or adult-oriented content on the service. Expect mature-oriented Fox films to go to Hulu instead, according to a report from Deadline. Even though Disney now owns Fox, for example, that doesn't mean you'll start seeing Deadpool swearing on Disney Plus. There's talk, however, of a PG-13 take on Deadpool 2's X-Force for the platform (via ComicBook). That hasn't materialized yet, though. Sorry, Deadpool, but you're too adult for Disney Plus. It's pretty obvious, but the Marvel TV original series on Netflix won't be crossing over to the new Disney Plus service – as far as we know. That means the likes of Daredevil, Luke Cage, and Jessica Jones won't be rebooted on Disney Plus in their current iterations. They've all been axed anyway, but we can't see them leaving Netflix any time soon. It's possible you'll see them return some day, but in different iterations as an official part of the MCU. Disney Plus gift subscriptions: get a year of Disney Plus for a friendIf you want a great gift, Disney has introduced Disney+ Gift Subscriptions. For the same price as a yearly subscription, $69.99, you can gift a whole year of the streaming service to a friend. This only works for new customers, and doesn't include the 7-day free trial. You also can't purchase the Disney bundle with this, but it's an ideal last-minute gift. You can choose the day the gift subscription is sent to the recipient via email. The gift subscriptions are also be physically available in certain Disneyland and Walt Disney stores.
Original reporting by Andrew Hayward. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Sony's WH1000XM3 noise canceling headphones get a $72 price cut at Best Buy Posted: 22 Apr 2020 09:29 AM PDT If you're looking to score a price cut on a quality pair of headphones with noise cancelation technology, then you've come to the right place. Best Buy has the best-selling Sony WH1000XM3 headphones on sale for $278. That's a $72 discount and the best price we've found for the wireless earphones. See our roundup of the best noise-cancelling headphones and shop more of the cheapest noise canceling headphone deals that are currently available. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Best website builders for photographers in 2020 Posted: 22 Apr 2020 09:27 AM PDT Plenty of online tools will help you create a website in just a few minutes with just a few clicks, but they're not all geared towards helping photographers – those people who want to show off big, beautiful galleries of images online. If you're looking for the best website builder that's going to help you showcase your work as stylishly as possible, we've picked out four of the best for you to consider. They all score highly for their pricing, features, ease of use, and the choice of templates they offer for getting a photo portfolio up on the web. Once you've picked your favorite, you'll soon be getting your photos up in front of a potential audience of millions. Some sites even give you options for selling copies of your images via the web. Find the best website builder for photographersFormat sample photography site If you're after simplicity first and foremost in your website builder, then check out Format – it doesn't have as many advanced features or options as some of its competitors, but that means less hassle for you and a shorter time between signing up for the site and getting your photos online. You've got over 60 different themes to pick from (plus additional premium ones if you go down that route), all of which can be customized in terms of pages, layouts and colors. Every theme adapts automatically to desktop or mobile, and you can preview all this in your browser. As you would hope, getting images up on your site is simple, and once they're on the page they can be dragged and dropped into position as required. If you're happy with original design of the template you've picked – and the templates are all professional-looking and clean – then you really can be online within minutes. We also like Format because of the extras it throws in. The platform lets you bring in your own domain name, set up an online store, and add a blog, with video tutorials generously spread around to help if you get stuck. If you do know a little bit of website coding, you can edit the CSS of your site too. There is a 14-day free trial available to test out the service. Carbonmade sample photography site On the scale of basic to advanced, Carbonmade is somewhere towards the former, but its service is specifically for creatives – and that means getting your work up in a cool-looking theme is very straightforward, and actually a lot of fun too. You only get a handful of templates to pick from, so if you'd rather spend time agonizing over a choice of hundreds, then Carbonmade perhaps isn't for you. Once you're in, the site builder has one of the best workflows we've seen, letting you easily create projects and pages, and get your pictures uploaded to the site. It's one of those interfaces that you really don't need an instruction manual to get around. Everything from the published/unpublished status of your pages, to the use of thumbnails for navigation, is simple to configure. The customization tweaks you've got, like the option to drop in a logo or a favicon, are all well chosen too. There are some neat extras like the Carbonmade Messages (which lets you interact with all the people interested in your work) or the ability to connect your custom domain. Additionally, If you have a Dropbox account, you can upload files directly from there. You don't get anything in the way of advanced features, like online sales or pages with password protection, but not everyone needs those anyway – if you'd rather get your site up, get it looking good, and then get on with your photography, Carbonmade is definitely worth a look. Squarespace sample photography site Squarespace is one of the biggest names in website building, and it offers dozens of top-notch templates for getting your portfolio of pictures up on the web. Whether you want your images to show up at full-screen size or you prefer the grid look, Squarespace should have something to suit. All the image cropping and resizing is taken care of for you, so your site is going to look great on any kind of device, and there's actually quite a lot of flexibility when it comes to how your images are presented. You can use your own branding, fonts, and colors, or take the defaults that Squarespace gives you. To protect your images, the platform lets you password-protect certain gallery pages, and if you need to have text flowing alongside your pictures then that's simple to do as well. Embedding a contact form only takes a few minutes if you want to give clients a way to get in touch. Everything can be managed through an attractive web browser interface and you can also add and remove pictures from an iOS app if you need to. It's easy to see why Squarespace is one of the more popular website builders, and it's well suited to photographers. Dunked sample photography site Dunked doesn't have the same range of templates or the same depth of features as some of its rivals, but getting everything up and running is really simple and really fast. Take a look at the templates on the home page – if you like any of them, give Dunked a whirl. As with most similar services, you've got a basic drag-and-drop interface for getting your pictures in the right place. If needed, images can be split up into pages and categories, so whether you want to stick your whole career online or just a few select snaps, Dunked makes it possible. Even though the choice of templates isn't the widest, they're all designed to adapt to screens of any size, and if you know a bit of CSS then you can tweak various aspects of the site design – just don't expect a massive amount of help beyond the basics of colors and fonts. Changes can be applied at any time and only take seconds. We like the balance Dunked hits in getting you started very quickly and then giving you a few customization options later on. It's going to be too basic for some, but if you don't want to spend hours pondering over layouts, it may well suit you perfectly. You can try out the service free for 10 days.
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| Which country has the best Disney Plus movies and TV shows? Posted: 22 Apr 2020 09:23 AM PDT Remember when Netflix started launching around the world? If you lived outside the US, you probably looked at the shows and movies on the US version of the service with envy. These days, it's a lot more balanced, with tons of original content that exists across all regions and plenty of local licensed offerings. In fact, Netflix US is having a hard time holding onto licensed favorites like Friends and The Office these days, meaning you might find better shows and movies elsewhere. Now that Disney Plus has launched in parts of Western Europe as well as North America and Australia, you might be wondering if a similar content disparity exists between various versions of this newer streaming service. The truth is, while there are curious differences, it's not nearly as big a deal as it was on Netflix five or six years ago. In this piece, we'll mostly focus on the differences between the UK and US versions of Disney Plus, with some discussion of the regional variations in The Netherlands, Canada and Australia too.
Disney Plus US vs Disney Plus UKThe most obvious difference between Disney Plus US and its recently-launched UK counterpart is how more recent Disney films are being rolled out on the service. In the US and Canada, Onward and Frozen 2 are now available to stream, while in the UK, Onward has no release date and Frozen 2 isn't streaming until July. That suggests the different territories aren't entirely in sync, and it's mildly frustrating for UK viewers. There are signs, however, that all the Disney Plus regions are starting to join up in how they distribute content, with the upcoming release of Artemis Fowl scheduled for June 12 worldwide, and the simultaneous worldwide release of the recent Simpsons short film. Where Disney Plus UK pulls ahead, though, is in its archive of movies that the US simply doesn't have yet, due to 'pre-existing agreements'. The Incredibles 2, Tarzan, Tomorrowland, Christopher Robin, The Jungle Book (2016), Beauty and the Beast (2017), Maleficent, John Carter and Ralph Breaks the Internet are all available to stream now in the UK. US viewers have to wait for those. The differences go deeper than that, too. Disney Plus in the US has none of Fox's X-Men movies, while the UK variant has the original trilogy, Days of Future Past and two Wolverine spin-offs. America also won't start getting the classic Mighty Ducks movies until July, whereas the whole trilogy is available now in the UK, despite the ice hockey-focused movies having far more cultural resonance in the US. Almost all Disney Plus regions have a complete line-up of Star Wars movies, except America, which lacks Solo (only until July 9, though). On the Marvel front, too, the US lacks Avengers: Infinity War and Ant-Man and the Wasp, though both will arrive this summer. Infinity War is streaming in the UK, but US users have to wait for it. Outside of kids' movies and superheroes, the UK has all three Home Alone movies, while the US just has the third one (not that you're likely to be watching those outside of the holiday period). Disney Plus did launch with slightly more interesting adult movies in the US, like (500) Days of Summer and Never Been Kissed, but they're no longer on the service (they'll likely return, though, and are probably the result of existing agreements). The UK has Never Been Kissed, but not (500) Days of Summer, while the UK has Edward Scissorhands, and the US does not. The US is getting The Princess Bride on May 1, it was announced on Twitter, whereas the UK hasn't had a similar announcement. The UK has three Ice Age movies, whereas the US just has the first one. Live-action TV shows offer some interesting differences, too. Marvel's Agents of SHIELD can't be streamed in the US, but five seasons can be watched in the UK. In the US, users can stream three seasons of Marvel's Runaways, while only the first two are available in the UK. Star Wars: Resistance, a kiddie-focused series that most fans will feel comfortable skipping, has two seasons to stream in the US and none in the UK. One member of our team, who has a young child, noted that Book of Pooh is not on the service in the UK, but it is available to stream in the US. All the differences mentioned above are just the ones we've noticed, and there are no doubt more we haven't picked up on. But who's the winner, Disney Plus US or the UK? Let's call it a tie. Disney Plus UK would definitely have the edge if it suddenly had Frozen 2 and Onward, though, simply because the US still has a bunch of movies tied up with other streaming services. Then again, Disney Plus launched a lot earlier in the US, meaning subscribers there got to watch The Mandalorian without having it spoiled by Baby Yoda memes plastered all over Twitter. The Mandalorian is on episode 6 in the UK at the time of writing, and that gradual rollout hasn't been ideal, given how long the initial wait was. What about other versions of Disney Plus?We're less acquainted with other versions of Disney Plus, but even they have notable differences. The Netherlands has all five Ice Age movies, for example, as well as Agents of SHIELD and Never Been Kissed. According to What's On Disney Plus, as of early March 2020 (before Disney Plus launched in most of Western Europe), it was Australia that had the most movies with 729, 39 more than the US. Disney Plus Australia streams the 1995 Sandra Bullock flick While You Were Sleeping, which is available in the UK but not the US. After a delay, too, it's streaming Onward from 24 April, and it already has Frozen 2. Australia also has two more X-Men movies than the UK, in First Class and Apocalypse. It's only got one season of Agents of SHIELD, though, giving the UK an advantage on a Marvel TV show most people have probably forgotten about. We haven't used Disney Plus Canada, but it doesn't appear to differ enormously to the US, and it got Onward on the same day that America did. Canada has a few movies you won't find on Disney Plus US, though, including the X-Men films. Most surprisingly, it has a complete collection of live-action Fantastic Four movies as of January 2020, including 2015's appalling reshoot-ridden effort. None of those are on Disney Plus US or UK. Who wins?There is no real loser when it comes to Disney Plus. The US misses out the most over existing licensing restrictions, but even then, this issue doesn't affect most of its classic movies, which are already streaming. The fact the US got Frozen 2 and Onward first makes it feel like the 'primary' version of the service, though. The UK has neither of those newer films yet, but it did just launch last month, and there are plenty of films to enjoy that aren't available in the US. Disney Plus has pretty much the same core catalog of Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars classics across all regions, and our assumption is they're eventually aiming for global parity when rights permit it. It would be nice if Disney offered more of a timeframe as to when certain movies will arrive – we'd bet US viewers are keen to watch the 50% or so X-Men films that aren't total garbage – and at some point, we hope Disney will consider adding more 'adult'-oriented content to give each library more breadth. In late March, a user on r/DisneyPlus mentioned that a Disney Plus survey was asking select users if they would like to see shows like Firefly, Black-ish, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Malcolm in the Middle on the service (we reached out to Disney Plus a couple of times at the time to try and verify the survey's authenticity, but got no response). That feels like the missing piece of the Disney Plus library, along with those big-budget Marvel shows, like The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. Otherwise, wherever you are, Disney Plus is a great family streaming service. There aren't vast enough differences between Disney Plus regions for it to be comparable to the early days of Netflix's international release, and that's a good thing. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
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