Thursday, April 16, 2020

Apple : No-show OnePlus 8 Lite allegedly still on the way

Apple : No-show OnePlus 8 Lite allegedly still on the way

No-show OnePlus 8 Lite allegedly still on the way

Posted: 16 Apr 2020 01:56 PM PDT

There's another new OnePlus phone on the way – in addition to the OnePlus 8 and OnePlus 8 Pro – but it's reportedly been delayed by the Covid-19 outbreak.

The cheaper OnePlus 8 Lite was had been heavily rumored as a lower-spec version of the flagships at an affordable price. A previous rumor suggested the 8 Lite would actually be called the 'OnePlus Z' and would be debuting later in the year.

The latest information came in a tweet by noted leaker @OnLeaks: when asked why that ‘third phone’ hadn’t shown up at the OnePlus 8 line reveal event, the leaker wrote that its reveal been postponed due to 'Coronavirus situation.’ 

OnePlus declined to comment as part of its policy not to comment on rumors.

Presumably, by ‘Coronavirus situation,’ @OnLeaks is implying how much the viral outbreak has disrupted production in China, which has raised concerns over the release of phones and devices slated to come out later this year. While the iPhone 12 and PS5 and Xbox Series X are supposedly safe, it’s unclear if that could change for either, or if other device releases could be affected. 

Further speculation – take it with salt

The leak could also be suggesting that the market wouldn’t support a OnePlus 8 Lite, if that is indeed the version that nearly came out. February’s slumping phone sales were likely caused by outbreak-related uncertainty, as some consumers tightened their belts and avoided big purchases in light of reduced incomes or layoffs. Launching three phones at once may have been overkill.

Or, as we learned with the iPhone XR, a cheaper model might have cannibalized sales of the pricier OnePlus phones. We don’t know much about the OnePlus 8 Lite, but given the standard OnePlus 8 price was $200 / £200 / around AU$400 cheaper than the OnePlus 8 Pro, it’s possible that the 8 Lite would have been proportionally cheaper than the standard OnePlus 8 – and siphoned consumer spending away from the higher-end versions.

That’s all speculation, of course, so we’ll wait until we hear more about the OnePlus 8 Lite to make more educated guesses.

  • The iPhone SE 2020 could be the mid-range phone the OnePlus 8 Lite needs to beat

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Trump administration may not have interfered in JEDI contract, probe finds

Posted: 16 Apr 2020 01:45 PM PDT

A new report from the US Department of Defense (DoD) has revealed that it was unable to determine whether the White House influenced the procurement process for the Pentagon's $10bn cloud computing contract as senior Defense Department officials were barred from answering questions on the subject during interviews.

The inspector general found that the department personnel who evaluated proposals and ultimately awarded the Joint Enterprise Defense Infrastructure (JEDI) contract were not pressured by any senior DoD leaders. However, the investigators could not rule out whether the White House interfered with the contract being awarded to Microsoft last year.

This is because the DoD's general counsel instructed senior DoD witnesses not to verbally answer any questions about communications between the White House and the Pentagon regarding the contract due to “the assertion of a 'presidential communications privilege”. In a statement, Pentagon spokesperson Lt. Col. Robert Carver explained that the inspector general's report should finally end the debate that the contract was unfairly awarded to Microsoft, saying:

“The Inspector's General final report on the JEDI Cloud procurement confirms that the Department of Defense conducted the JEDI Cloud procurement process fairly and in accordance with law. The IG's team found that there was no influence by the White House or DOD leadership on the career source selection boards who made the ultimate vendor selection. This report should finally close the door on corporate-driven attacks on the career procurement officials who have been working tirelessly to get the much needed JEDI Cloud computing environment into the hands of our frontline warfighters while continuing to protect American taxpayers.” 

JEDI contract controversy

Back in October of last year, the Pentagon awarded the JEDI contract to Microsoft after it beat out Amazon's bid to build the Pentagon's cloud architecture.

In a blog post, deputy general counsel at Microsoft, Jon Palmer explained that Amazon should not be allowed a do-over after losing out to the software giant for the contract, saying:

“A central premise of the federal procurement system is that “full and fair competition“ on a “level playing field“ means that competitors are asked to make their best bids without knowing what the other has bid or will bid. That principle ensures that companies seeking to do business with the federal government offer their best price from the beginning. They can’t offer a higher price in the hope they’ll win the bid anyway, and then turn around and ask to bid again if they lose. Amazon is not asking to be on a level playing field. It’s arguing that the field be tilted in its favor.”

Last year, Amazon sued the DoD alleging that the Pentagon has made several mistakes while evaluating the bids for the contract and that President Trump's public remarks about Amazon and its founder Jeff Bezos had improperly influenced the outcome.

While the inspector general's new report was aimed at clearing up the controversy surrounding the JEDI contract's bidding process, the fact that DoD witnesses were unable to answer questions regarding communications with the White House does cast some doubt over the report's findings.

Via Politico

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Facebook's Libra overhauls cryptocurrency model, makes concessions to regulators

Posted: 16 Apr 2020 12:27 PM PDT

In an effort to win regulatory approval, Facebook's upcoming cryptocurrency Libra will now be linked to individual national currencies as well as overseen by global watchdogs.

The Libra Association recently announced that it will now offer “stablecoins” that are backed by single currencies such as a Libra dollar or Libra Euro and a redesigned digital token based on these coins.

Originally Libra was going to be backed by a mix of currencies and government debt but central banks and regulators voiced concerns that the cryptocurrency could destabilize monetary policy and help facilitate money laundering.

The Facebook-led cryptocurrency will be issued and governed by the Libra Association which said that a “college” of central banks, regulators and enforcement agencies from over 20 countries set up by the Swiss watchdog FINMA will determine whether it can be licensed as a payments service provider in Switzerland.

According to the association's head of policy and communications, Dante Disparte, Libra, which was initially scheduled to launch by the end of June, will now to do so between mid-November and the end of this year.

Additional safeguards

To help combat money laundering and terrorist financing, the Libra Association will register with the US Treasury's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) as a money services business which will likely mean that it will have to keep additional records.

Libra will also bolster protections for the Libra Coin's reserve in order to help it deal with “extreme market distress”. The reserve will hold liquid assets with short-term maturity and low credit risk and a capital buffer.

In a blog post, the Libra Association's Michael Engle provided further insight on the changes it has made to its initial approach, saying:

“We have made changes to our initial approach, many of which depart from the approaches taken by other blockchain projects. Our goal was never to emulate other systems, but rather to leverage the innovative approach of using distributed governance and distributed technology to create an open and trustworthy system. By undertaking the difficult work of enhancing traditional financial systems to become programmable, interoperable, and upgradeable, we hope to allow others to leverage our efforts to build not only innovative but also safe and compliant financial applications that can serve everyone.”

Via Reuters

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AMD Ryzen 4000 desktop CPUs rumored to support existing AM4 motherboards

Posted: 16 Apr 2020 12:10 PM PDT

AMD’s hotly-anticipated Ryzen 4000 ‘Vermeer’ desktop processors will be compatible with existing AM4 motherboards, according to laptop maker XMG.

In a Reddit thread spied by TechPowerUp, XMG – best known for its 16-core, 32-thread Apex 15 laptop – appears to confirm that board makers will expand the compatibility of their existing motherboards to support AMD’s next-generation desktop CPUs. 


In the post, in which an XMG staffer talks up the firm’s Ryzen 3950X-powered gaming laptop, they let slip: “Ryzen 4000 series are slated to be compatible with 2nd-gB450 Chipset via Microcode Update.”

Though there’s no official word from Team Red yet, this all but confirms that AMD’s 'Vermeer' Desktop CPUs, along with its Ryzen 4000 'Renoir' APUs, will support B450-based AM4 motherboards. As pointed out by Wccftech, this also suggests that the higher-end X470, current X570 and the upcoming B550 motherboards will also feature support for AMD's next-gen Zen 3 family of processors.

Easy upgrades

This is good news for anyone with a B450 motherboard and, if true, means the AM4 platform would support all four generations of AMD’s Ryzen processors. Intel, on the other hand, isn’t quite so generous: it typically limits CPU compatibility, with its incoming 10th-generation Comet Lake-S lineup rumored to require a new 400-series motherboard built around the new LGA 1200 socket.

The report notes that the Ryzen 4000 series will be the last-generation of Zen-based processors to be built around the AM4 socket, with AMD’s Ryzen 4000 lineup – set to be based on the Zen 4 architecture – moving to a new socket and chipset.

It remains unclear when AMD Ryzen 4000 desktop will arrive, recent rumors suggested that the processor lineup will be launched in August or September, likely at the rescheduled Computex 2020 – if that show even goes through.

The Zen 3-based CPUs are expected to deliver a significant step up over AMD’s current Zen 2 CPUs, with 10-15% IPC gains, faster clocks, and higher core counts than ever before.

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The best internet security suites and software for 2020

Posted: 16 Apr 2020 11:33 AM PDT

Internet security suites offer a comprehensive range of protection for your online devices. While antivirus is the always the base feature, others that these packages might offer include ransomware protection, a VPN, and even a password manager. These really are all-singing all-dancing online security downloads for those wanting the best possible protection.

And it's not just desktops and laptops that can benefit from internet security suites as there are also versions for Android and iPhone smartphones. Because they cover multiple devices (usually five or more), you can protect all the gadgets of you and your family on one easy plan - Windows and Macs both included.

Some providers also offer a rescue disk feature to rollback any existing attack, and encryption software for added security protection is also commonly included. Many now also come with additional privacy features, and a firewall as standard.

While internet security suites and antivirus packages are commonly aimed at domestic consumers, also note services that are specifically aimed at businesses, such as cloud antivirus and endpoint protection to offer business grade protection. There are also online cyber security courses available to help improve staff awareness.

Which ever internet security suite you're looking for, and for whatever device, you'll end up with more than just basic software with our selection of the best. Here are the ones we think are currently best on the market.

internet security suite - bitdefender total security

Bitdefender Total Security is the well-respected security firm’s top-of-the-range package, and it comes positively bristling with features as a result.

You get – deep breath – antivirus plus impressively capable ransomware protection, a firewall, Wi-Fi security advisor, a secure browser (Safepay) for online banking, file shredder, vulnerability scanner, password manager, email spam filter, parental controls, webcam and microphone defenses, and more besides (including a superb web protection module for blocking malicious URLs).

As well as security features, Total Security provides various PC maintenance and optimization tools. These are somewhat useful in themselves, for cleaning out superfluous files and streamlining boot times – but more importantly, Bitdefender’s flagship package also covers more than just Windows devices, providing apps for Macs, along with Android and iOS mobiles.

As it’s only marginally more expensive than Bitdefender Internet Security – the firm’s mid-tier security suite – it’s well worth the upgrade to Total Security if you have multiple devices across different platforms to protect.

About the only fly in the ointment is that Bitdefender Total Security may exact a bit more of a toll on the performance front than the best of the competition, although we found it to be around average in terms of any slowdown caused on our PC. Your mileage may vary, and indeed you may notice nothing at all.

Another plus point with Total Security is that there’s a 30-day trial, with no payment details needed; you just have to supply an email address. That means you can try out the security suite yourself for a full month, and see if there’s any performance impact on your own PC, before committing to buying.

internet security suites - kaspersky total security

Kaspersky Total Security is another veteran of the security world, and as you might expect, it delivers top-quality defenses with some impressively intelligent ‘adaptive protection’ capabilities (like warning you if a password you’ve just chosen is too weak).

One of the issues with the entry-level Kaspersky Anti-Virus package is that it’s rather flimsy when it comes to extra features, sticking to the core basics and not delivering much else. Which is why it makes good sense to go for Kaspersky Total Security, mainly because it provides far more functionality, and doesn’t cost much more than Kaspersky Anti-Virus (in fact, with the discounts on plans at the time of writing, it can be the same price – or even cheaper – to get Total Security, so you’d be foolish not to, really).

Total Security gives you all the basics, including fast, accurate and highly configurable virus scans. On top of that, you get an intelligent firewall (it doesn’t plague you with pop-up messages asking what to do), a secure web browser, protection from webcam hijacking, a software updater, file backup tool, along with a solid password manager, and Kaspersky’s Safe Kids module.

The latter is an excellent parental controls system with some smart social media monitoring tools. While not all the features are up to this standard – some extras, like the troubleshooting wizards, and spam filter, are wobbly around the edges – overall, you’re getting a hell of a lot for your money here.

norton 360 deluxe internet security suite

When we evaluated all of NortonLifeLock’s security suite options, we picked out Norton 360 Deluxe as the best value all-round choice for anyone who’s looking to protect more than a single device – which is likely the majority of folks.

There’s a wealth of features here, including excellent antivirus protection coupled with a very light touch when it comes to resource usage, bundled with webcam protection, and dark web monitoring (for US users only, mind), and a system of parental controls.

The parental controls are top-notch, by the way, including in-depth monitoring systems to keep an eye on what your kids are doing online, and even GPS tracking for their mobile devices. Norton’s even stronger than Kaspersky in this department, and that’s saying something.

There are some truly worthwhile extras included here, too, like a fully integrated VPN (which could be a big money-saver in itself) and 50GB of online backup storage (ditto).

Norton 360 Deluxe will cover up to five devices (and that means you can use the VPN with those five bits of hardware as well), either Windows or Mac PCs, plus there are mobile apps for Android and iOS. Pricing is highly competitive compared to rivals, so you should definitely consider this Norton package – particularly for family usage given the very thorough parental controls.

trend micro maximum security internet security suite

There’s a lot to like about Trend Micro’s flagship security suite - Trend Micro Maximum Security - not the least of which is its polished and user-friendly interface, backed up by robust virus protection and multi-layered anti-ransomware defenses.

The package also gives you better-than-average URL filtering for safer web browsing, and this system is smartly configurable, too. That said, one slight weak point with Trend Micro’s offering is that there isn’t a huge amount of low-level control – such as virus scan options – so more demanding users may find it lacking here.

Maximum Security also provides parental controls, social network protection, and PC maintenance tools, although the latter isn’t a strong suit. It also boasts data theft prevention countermeasures, a secure vault for storing sensitive files, and an impressive integrated password manager.

Less tech-savvy types will appreciate the ease of use here, which also goes for the capable mobile apps. There’s a 30-day trial as well, so you can thoroughly check all this out for yourself before buying.

avast ultimate internet security suite

Avast is best known for its excellent free antivirus product, but the firm also provides an impressive all-round security solution in the form of Avast Ultimate. This is another offering which bundles a full VPN, giving you far more protection online than a typical antivirus suite, and making Avast Ultimate a value-packed buy for those who are also thinking of picking up a VPN.

Avast’s SecureLine VPN may not compete with the best VPN providers out there, but it delivers a solid enough – and importantly speedy enough – service. Avast Ultimate also sports a decent password manager, a secure browser, and some excellent network protection measures.

This suite has plenty of options for experts to play with in terms of configuration, and has solid enough antivirus defenses, backed up by a very commendable Ransomware Shield for extra protection on that front.

There are some minor irritations here, notably some of Avast’s unwelcome attempts to flog its other products in a paid-for suite, and we observed a little system slowdown in our review. But these niggles aside, if you need a VPN as well as antivirus, Avast Ultimate is a great choice.

Webroot majors in being incredibly lightweight and fast-performing. Indeed, it has a minuscule memory footprint, and takes up next to no space on your system drive, as the product’s virus definitions are all stored in the cloud.

Yet despite this minimal impact on your machine, Webroot Internet Security Plus comes with plenty of features. There’s online banking and identity theft protection, plus webcam protection, an accurate anti-phishing system, and a password manager (which is actually powered by LastPass – one of the most trusted names in password management, so you can be assured of the quality here).

Downsides? Well, you might get lightning quick malware scans, but Webroot’s antivirus engine hasn’t been evaluated by the big-name independent testing labs in recent times. That’s not necessarily bad, but from what we’ve seen ourselves – and what ratings are out there – there’s something of a mixed picture of its antivirus accuracy. Also bear in mind that the iOS app doesn’t offer malware scanning (it consists of a secure browser, backup, and password manager).

Still, Internet Security Plus is a well-rounded package, and a 70-day 100% money-back guarantee shows Webroot’s confidence in its suite.

ESET Smart Security Premium internet security suite

ESET Smart Security Premium packs in a lot of features. This includes parental controls, network monitoring, additional network protection, webcam protection, secure file encryption, and an anti-theft feature for Windows devices (allowing for location tracking, and more) is an interesting bonus.

That said, the quality of some features can vary: for example, the system of parental controls is pretty barebones, but the password manager is very well fleshed-out. ESET also offers plenty of configuration options, which will please experts, although computing novices may find it tricky to get to grips with in some respects.

ESET’s core antivirus protection seems solid, albeit with some mixed evaluations from independent testing labs.

Bear in mind that ESET Smart Security Premium isn’t a great value proposition for longer-term subscriptions either, but it’s fine for a one-year plan, and a decent shout for an all-round solid security suite (plus it covers Linux, too).

McAfee 2020 Antivirus solutions

As the name suggests, McAfee’s baseline product, Total Protection Individual, only covers one individual device. And if you’re thinking of buying it, and you own more than just a Windows PC, then you’re almost certainly better off purchasing McAfee Total Protection Multi-Device. For not much more money, you get a sound security suite which protects up to five Windows or Mac computers, and Android or iOS devices. US customers also get a useful additional extra in the form of identity theft protection.

McAfee’s interface is simple and streamlined, which keeps things easy for beginners, although it’ll likely be too sparse for more experienced users. The UI also suffers from some annoying quirks.

Independent test lab reports suggest McAfee Total Protection offers solid enough antivirus defenses, if not class-leading. Overall, McAfee’s suite represents reasonable value and a decent choice in the Multi-Device package, with some nifty extras for boosting web browsing and app performance.

bullguard internet security suite

Another internet security suite worth considering is one from BullGuard, which offers a triple-layer of security backed by advanced machine learning to stop currently and future malware threats.

Additionally there is a built-in firewall, vulnerability scanner, and a home network scanner for ensuring your Wi-Fi connection is safe and secured. While Bullguard is missing some features that others provide, it does uniquely include parental controls for protecting children in the household from accessing malware websites.

There is also the option to protect multiple devices, and this works out cheaper than a lot of rival providers overall. In which case, this option would suit those looking for a more basic internet security suite without all the additional tools others bundle in that you might not use anyway.

Panda Dome Premium

Panda Dome Advanced has quite a proposition for those who own a lot of bits of hardware they need to protect – it covers an unlimited number of devices (subject to ‘reasonable home use’ as a caveat).

For not much more money, you get the same core protection as Panda Dome Essential (which is solid enough – although Panda’s malware defenses are inconsistently rated by the independent testing labs). On top of that, Panda Dome Advanced provides identity protection, parental controls, and advanced threat protection (including anti-ransomware).

This is a decently well-featured and lightweight suite that’s definitely worth a look for, say, larger families who might have a lot of devices to protect.

  • GET AN EXTRA LAYER OF PROTECTION WITH THE BEST VPN

What's the difference between antivirus and Internet Security?

Whereas antivirus software provides a basic level of protection for your system, full internet security expands on capabilities such as scanning files and software, activity monitoring and vulnerability search with features tailored for Internet use.

Indeed, many internet security products are marketed as ‘suites’ because they contain several different programs that can be accessed by a single interface.

These might include a firewall, anti-spam controls, ad blockers, webcam protection, keylogger protection, parental controls and credit card safeguards. There might also be additional protection against web-specific types of malware such as spyware and adware.

However running so many different types of program might mean that internet security suites use more of your system resources than conventional AV.

Can I create my own free internet security suite?

There are many advantages to purchasing a premium internet security suite from a trusted vendor, but it is perfectly possible to create your own modular suite by picking the most suitable free products.

While this might mean you save money, it does mean you have to do much of the work yourself. You will have to identify the best components, whether its virus protection, firewall or backup software, and fix any problems yourself.

The more components you introduce will increase complexity and system resource use. You will also suffer from the pitfalls of using free services such as frequent adverts urging you to upgrade.

Using a premium internet security suite means the vendor integrates several services into a single package that can be managed from a single interface. What’s more, they might cover several different types of device and offer different tiers of protection.

If you do want to build out your own suite, then you can pick the best of individual components in the following advice guides:

- rescue disk
- encryption software
- privacy
- firewall
- cloud antivirus
- endpoint protection
- online cyber security courses

  • Empty list

What should I look for in an internet security suite?

All of the products on this list offer effective capabilities, so the difference is in additional capabilities. If there is a particular type of threat that concerns you, such as ransomware or phishing, check to see if there are specific protections included.

Banking safeguards, firewalls and parental controls are also areas you should consider – especially if there are multiple users on your computer. And of course, you should consider whether you need protection across multiple devices, such as smartphones.

The number of additional features and devices may impact cost though.

Finally, think about usability and the impact on system performance. Do you want a high level of customization or do you want an easy-to-use interface and do you want a program that is capable of fast scans or one that requires minimal system resources?

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Best wireless drives 2020: external hard drives without the wires

Posted: 16 Apr 2020 11:31 AM PDT

The best wireless drives offer a few advantages that their wired counterparts cannot, and therefore have an important place in certain users’ setup. It’s true that a wired external storage drive is still king, especially in terms of speed and reliability. However, wireless drives rule when it comes to convenience, versatility and a cleaner, cable-free setup.

If you need to store and access your files without having to think about plugging a drive into your laptop or desktop PC, the best wireless drives are the most ideal solutions. Not only that, but they also let you connect other devices that typically cannot connect to an external storage – like smartphones and tablets. Keeping your space clutter-free – who enjoys having to deal with tangled cables? – is simply a bonus.

Find the most ideal one for your needs on this list. We gathered all the best wireless drives 2020 has to offer. We’ve even included our price comparison tool, so you’re getting the best deal, no matter which one you end up buying.

The best wireless drives at a glance

  1. Western Digital My Passport Wireless SSD
  2. Asus Travelair N
  3. LaCie Fuel
  4. Western Digital My Passport Wireless Pro
  5. Seagate Wireless 500GB Mobile Storage

Western Digital My Passport Wireless SSD

The Western Digital My Passport Wireless SSD is a sturdy external hard drive for carrying your data around with you. (Image credit: TechRadar)

Western Digital is building a good collection of wireless drives, and the My Passport Wireless SSD is an excellent addition. As the name suggests, it has an SSD (Solid State Drive) which means it's an excellent performer when it comes to data transfer speeds. However, it's worth noting that when using this wirelessly, you're not getting the full benefit of SSD speeds. However, the solid state technology means it's more robust than traditional hard drives, and with a drop resistant rubber case, the My Passport Wireless SSD is a sturdy external hard drive for carrying your data around with you. Its wireless connection is useful, and it includes a memory card slot as well, making this an excellent choice for photographers.

Asus Travelair N

The Asus Travelair N has a water-resistant design which keeps your data protected while you're out and about. (Image credit: Asus)

Not only does Asus make great laptops, monitors and gaming components, it's also got a fantastic wireless drive with the Asus Travelair N. It offers 1TB of capacity, comes with a built-in 3300 mAh battery that provides up to 8 hours of streaming time, and even has a water-resistant design which keeps your data protected while you're out and about. You can connect up to five devices at once to access the data on the drive, and there's an SD card slot for quickly and easily backing up photos. Its 7,200 rpm drive is faster than many other Wi-Fi drives, which often stick to 5,400 rpm.

LaCie Fuel

LaCie Fuel is the company's first attempt at a Wi-Fi drive. (Image credit: LaCie)

LaCie is a company that has made some of our favorite external hard drives, and the LaCie Fuel is the company's first attempt at a Wi-Fi drive. LaCie has a reputation for making good-looking devices, and the Fuel is certainly eye-catching, with a square design and modular design that allows you to use it with a variety of ports. It has a decent 10-hour battery life, which is essential if you want to use it wirelessly. It uses an app that allows you to stream content on the drive to compatible devices, such as smartphones.

Western Digital My Passport Wireless Pro

For photographers, Western Digital My Passport Wireless Pro will stand out. (Image credit: TechRadar)

Even if we had mixed feelings on past versions of the My Passport Wireless, the 2016 “pro” variant of the external HDD restores faith in the Western Digital name. The design, for one, has been overhauled and no longer resembles the My Passport Ultra or My Passport for Mac. Instead, there’s now a more premium feel to the My Passport Wireless Pro. It resembles an external DVD drive, but considering the onboard SD card slot, don’t worry about getting it confused with anything else. For photographers, this will make the Wireless Pro stand out.

For everyone else, there’s a massive 6,400mAh battery built into the device. This lets the drive be used completely free of wires over 2.4GHz or 5GHz channels. When it’s wired up, however, don’t expect cutting edge connection tech, as the My Passport Wireless Pro uses only USB Type-B to Type-A. Completely absent is the latest and greatest USB-C connection.

Where the My Passport Wireless Pro compromises on affordability, it’s able to benefit in just about every other area. Of course, not everyone needs a wireless hard drive or SD card support, but for those who do, it’s almost essential.
 

Seagate Wireless 500GB Mobile Storage

Seagate Wireless 500GB Mobile Storage is one of the most affordable wireless drives. (Image credit: Seagate)

Seagate is a well known brand when it comes to storage, and it's the parent company of LaCie, which has its own wireless drive in this list, so it's not too surprising to find that Seagate also does its own very good wireless drive, the Seagate Wireless 500GB Mobile Storage. At 500GB, it's not the largest wireless drive on this list, but it's one of the most affordable, so if you want one of the best wireless drives on the market, but you don't need that much storage space (and you certainly don't want to pay for capacity you're not going to use), then this is a great choice. It comes with a 6 hour battery, and is compatible with iOS, Android, Kindle and PC and Macs.

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Best PC controllers 2020: the best game controllers for PC gaming

Posted: 16 Apr 2020 11:29 AM PDT

The best PC controllers 2020 has to offer are some of the best accessories you can get for PC gaming. This may not be a popular opinion amongst purists who think that using a gaming mouse and a keyboard is the only way to play the best PC games. But, give it a chance, and you’ll never look back.

The best PC controllers make your gaming a bit more streamlined, as you’re only using one peripheral, instead of two. That means that they also deliver more dexterity for demanding genres like action-RPGs and fighting games. In addition, they offer simpler controls since you’re only mostly utilizing your thumb, middle and index fingers. Many AAA games are now designed with support for console controls, so it’s time for you to try it for yourself and reap the many benefits of using a controller for PC gaming. 

There’s a lot of controllers out there so you’ll find a couple that’s ideal for you and your playstyle. Whether you want a budget-friendly one with a more minimalist design or a premium one that’s feature-rich, let us help you choose. These are the best controllers for PC that we’ve handpicked ourselves. Since we’ve spent many hours playing PC games to test them (someone has to do it), trust that each of these PC game controllers will be worth your time and money.

Best PC game controllers: Xbox Wireless Controller

The Xbox Wireless Controller is as universal as they come.

Microsoft’s Xbox controller has been the ruler by which other PC game controllers are measured since the Xbox 360 days, and for good reason. It’s comfortable and weighty with a button layout that feels natural. The most recent version – designed for the Xbox One console – iterates on everything that made last generation’s model so great by adding clickier shoulder bumpers and a vastly improved directional pad.

The built-in bluetooth wireless makes pairing it with your desktop a breeze, and the price point is very attractive for consumers on a budget. It also comes in a variety of colors and patterns, meaning you’re likely to find something that matches your rig. And, even if there isn’t a color scheme you’re into, Microsoft will let you customize it through the Xbox Design Lab. This controller is as universal as they come, making it a fantastic choice for just about any setup and one of the best PC controllers of 2020. 

Best PC game controllers: Xbox Elite Wireless Controller

If you're looking for the most feature-packed controller available for your PC, the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller is your best bet

A premium version of the Xbox One controller, the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller certainly earns its moniker. It features an enormous number of upgrades over the standard Xbox controller, such as an interchangeable component layout and paddle buttons on the reverse side. There’s also a trigger governor that you can toggle for more sensitive trigger pulls. It’s more than double the price, though, so this is a product aimed squarely at those among us who truly want to take advantage of keyboard levels of customizability. 

The Elite controller includes some truly impressive software functionality, which lets you tweak and fine-tune nearly every aspect of play. Here, you can customize many different profiles, of which the controller can hold two at any time, letting you change between them with the flick of a switch. If you’re looking for the most feature-packed controller available for your PC, this is your best bet, provided you’re willing to shell out the cash.

Read the full review: Xbox Elite Wireless Controller 

Best PC game controllers: Logitech F310

The Logitech F310 is a fine choice for an inexpensive alternative to a mouse and keyboard.

If you’re in the market for the best PC controller that won’t break the bank, it’s tough to beat Logitech’s F310. It may be basic in its execution and functionality, but there’s something to be said about the no-frills nature of this cheap option. Just plug it in via USB and you’re ready to go. Considering the glut of customization options and features of all the premium controllers out there, the F310 is oddly refreshing. It also boasts an admirable directional pad and a great button layout.

As might be expected, the price point comes with a number of tradeoffs. First, the controller is rather lightweight, which lends an unfortunately flimsy quality to the experience of gaming with it. Also, with no wireless functionality, the cord interface may be less than ideal for some. It’s also a tad small and larger hands are likely to struggle a bit. Still, given these caveats, the F310 is a fine choice for an inexpensive alternative to a mouse and keyboard.

Best PC game controllers: Sony DualShock 4

The Sony DualShock 4 boasts tactile analog sticks with just enough resistance.

The DualShock 4 is Sony’s best controller to date, and lucky for us it’s compatible with Steam’s entire library of games. Very comfortable in the hands, the DualShock 4 boasts tactile analog sticks with just enough resistance, and perhaps the best directional pad ever. It also features motion technology that’s compatible with with a surprising number of games, allowing you to steer in racing games or aim in shooters by moving the controller around.

There are a couple issues, though. Most notably, the exposed shoulder buttons make it easy to accidentally bump them on the desk. The rubber on the analog sticks also tends to rub off after extended use. Still, Sony’s controller ranks up there among the best options for controller-based PC gaming.

Read the full review: Dualshock 4 Controller 

8BitDo SN30 Pro

The craftsmanship on the 8BitDo SN30 Pro is surprisingly sturdy, especially considering its budget pricing.

Peripheral manufacturer 8BitDo has made its name on retro designs that lean heavily on nostalgia, and the SN30 Pro wears its inspiration on its sleeve. Modeled after old-school Super Nintendo controllers, it’s ideal for the PC’s ever-growing library of retro-inspired games, even if it doesn’t necessarily appeal to everyone. The button layout will be instantly familiar to anyone who grew up with 2D platformers and JRPGs.

The craftsmanship on the SN30 Pro is surprisingly sturdy, especially considering its budget pricing. It also sports a pair of analog sticks should you want to use it for modern shooters or action games, though we wouldn’t recommend that. Its small form factor makes it uncomfortable in the hand during extended sessions and more twitch-based games. Regardless, there are a number of games that would benefit from the authentically retro touch that the SN30 brings to the desk. That alone makes this one of the best PC controllers right now.

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Amazon warehouses close following virus ruling

Posted: 16 Apr 2020 10:59 AM PDT

Amazon will close its warehouses in France for several days after a court ordered the company to limit deliveries to essential goods such as food and medical supplies.

The company's decision to close its six warehouses in the country follows a ruling by a French court that the ecommerce giant could be fined €1m for every non-essential item shipped. While Amazon does plan to appeal the ruling, it will shut down its warehouses in France from at least April 16 to April 20 as the risk that it could come into conflict with the court's decision is too high.

In a statement to The Verge, an Amazon spokesperson provided further details on its current situation in France, saying:

“Following the judgement of a French court on Tuesday, we have to temporarily suspend operations in our Fulfilment Centres in France. This is in spite of the huge investment we made in additional safety measures to keep our hard-working, dedicated colleagues safe, while ensuring they had continued employment at this difficult time. Our FC operations are complex and varied, and with the punitive 1M euro per incident fines imposed by the court, the risk was too high. We remain perplexed by the court’s decision, which was made in spite of the overwhelming evidence we provided about the safety measures we have implemented, and have launched an appeal.”

Warehouse closures

Amazon has faced increased pressure both in the US and overseas for how it has handled health and safety concerns during the coronavirus outbreak.

According to the Financial Times, more than 50 of the company's facilities have confirmed Covid-19 cases though the ecommerce giant is now building its own testing lab to ensure that its operations continue to run smoothly.

In France, the trade union Union Syndicale Solidaires has filed complaints pushing for additional oversight into how Amazon is handling health issues during the pandemic while calling for the closure of its facilities due to overcrowding.

To continue to serve its French customers now that its fulfillment centers have been temporarily closed, Amazon will use its Marketplace sellers and “robust global fulfillment network”.

Via The Verge

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How to watch Keeping Up With The Kardashians season 18 online from anywhere

Posted: 16 Apr 2020 10:59 AM PDT

The world's most dramatic, hashtag-loving family is back - and between the glamorous vacations and Instagram moments, there's still loads of secrets being unveiled. Ready for the momager and her girls to take over your screen again? Keep reading to find out how to watch Keeping Up With The Kardashians from anywhere in the world right now.

If there's anything that the trailer for this season showed us, it's that the girls are back and...Bible! Which is to say, KUWTK is as flamboyant and funny as ever.

We won't give too much away, but from what has been teased (you can watch that further down this article) Kim apparently becomes too friendly with Khloe's ex, NBA star Tristan Thompson. Fans can also expect to see the usual business and beauty excursions, topped off with luxuriously extravagant family vacations. 

W'vee only had three episodes so far, but we've already seen Kylie's exclusive collection with Balmain, a few explosive fights, and Kim and Kourtney heading to Armenia... we'll leave it at that as we're no fan of spoilers for those of you still catching up.

We think we just found our new favorite reality TV series Okurr? So keep reading to find out where to watch Keeping Up With The Kardashians from anywhere in the world - stream the latest episode of The Kardashians season 18 online with our guide.

Watch Keeping Up With The Kardashians online from outside your country

If you find yourself far from home when wanting to watch the Kardashians, there's no need to panic - geo-blocks are easy to overcome.

This is all thanks to a handy piece of tech called a VPN, it changes your address so you can stream KUWTK no matter where in the world you are. So you can watch each episode live or catch-up with the series and watch as if you were back at home.

Watch Keeping Up With The Kardashians in the US

Watch Keeping Up With The Kardashians online in Canada: 

How to watch Keeping Up With The Kardashians online in the UK

How to watch Keeping Up With The Kardashians online in Australia

Where to watch Keeping Up With The Kardashians online: seasons 1 to 17 streaming 

If you're not fully caught up with all of the family's excursions and antics, don't fret - what better time is there to start a series with 17 seasons then now that we all need to spend increasingly more time at home?

US: All you've got to do is sign up to Hulu or Sling TV Okurrr?

UK:  For fans based in the UK, you'll have to head on over to Hayu also. Don't want to sign up to Hayu? You can also watch it on Sky if you have it.

Canada: You'll need to subscribe to Hayu to watch these famous sisters

Australia: You've got plenty of options to catch up with the latest family options. Choose Hayu, Foxtel or 9Now.

Elsewhere: Currently in a country not on the list? Don't worry, you can always get a VPN and stream the show from one of the countries above.

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Minecraft RTX vs Minecraft: come see how much ray tracing really matters

Posted: 16 Apr 2020 10:49 AM PDT

Minecraft RTX was first revealed way back at Gamescom 2019, where Nvidia was showing off to the world just how advanced ray tracing has become. However, it's been nearly a year since it was revealed, and now that Nvidia Turing is getting close to its second birthday, it's kind of the perfect time for Minecraft RTX to enter its open beta.

We've been playing the beta for a couple days now and based on our first impressions, we can easily say that it, alongside Quake II RTX, makes for a stunning example of how much of a difference ray tracing can make. 

And, sure, it can be argued that ray tracing in a game as visually basic as Minecraft is a waste of effort, but it's that basic nature that really makes the difference in lighting pop. Ray tracing, in effect, makes Minecraft look like an entirely different game, and we've got the screenshots to prove it. 

Here's a nice little teaser Minecraft RTX comparison image. We included a ton more near the bottom of the page. 

When can I play Minecraft RTX?

First things first, if you're looking to get in on the Minecraft RTX action yourself, you're in luck. The Minecraft RTX beta begins today, and anyone can sign up for it – but it's a bit of a process. 

Quick note: if you plan to do any of this, be sure to back up your worlds by going to the following folder and copying any files you need to keep. 



  • %LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\Microsoft.MinecraftUWP_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalState\games\co m.mojang\minecraftWorlds

Minecraft RTX is only available on Windows 10, so you're going to need to own that version to access it. If you want into the beta, download the Xbox Insider Hub app from the Windows 10 Store, open it and click the three horizontal lines in the top left corner.

From there, click on 'Insider Content' and then click on Minecraft for Windows 10. From there just click Join. From there, you can click on 'Manage' and choose whether you want a part of the regular Minecraft Beta program or just the Minecraft RTX Beta.

Now that that's done, be sure to download the game ready driver from GeForce Experience or Nvidia's website. 

Nvidia Geforce RTX 2060 Super

What do you need to play Minecraft RTX?

Because we're talking about ray tracing and AMD RDNA 2 GPUs with hardware-enabled ray tracing are releasing who-knows-when, you need an Nvidia RTX graphics card to really take advantage of these new effects. 

Nvidia told us that an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 is required for "playable" framerates at 1080p, which it defined as "30 fps". Keep in mind, however, that this is with DLSS 2.0 enabled, which, to the uninitiated, is Nvidia's AI-based upscaling technology. 

We didn't do full performance testing of Minecraft RTX like we typically do with major game launches (see Resident Evil 3 and Doom Eternal performance), because it was a beta. However, that doesn't mean that we ignored our performance. 

We played the game on our home gaming PC, which is packed with an AMD Ryzen 9 3900X, 32GB of RAM and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti – as close to top-end as you can get right now without breaking into the HEDT world. And, even with this extravagant level of hardware, we didn't manage to break a 60 fps average at 3,440 x 1,440 with ray tracing enabled. 

That being said, when we turned off the DLSS upscaling, framerates tanked all the way down to the mid-20s, so we would say that enabling DLSS is basically required with Minecraft RTX. 

Keep in mind that this is just a beta, however, so performance can get a lot better over time as the talented developers over at Mojang work out the kinks and get optimization down. 

Until then, however, we'd advise sticking with 1080p or 1440p unless you're one of the few folks that has an RTX 2080 Ti installed. 

Does Minecraft RTX really make that much of a difference?

We definitely encourage you to download and install the beta if you really want to see how much of a difference ray tracing makes with Minecraft, but we can personally attest that it makes it look like an entirely different game. 

The inclusion of ray traced global illumination, shadows and reflections here makes every single object in the game look so much better. Items that create light are more important, as their placement in your project is going to determine whether or not a cave or a room is going to have enough light to see. 

One of the demo worlds that Nvidia provided to us had this giant castle, and just for laughs we went through and removed all of the torches. It got so dark that we were reminded of the illumination tech found in Metro Exodus, which had really sold us on this whole ray tracing thing when we saw it in action. 

We can go on all day about how jaw-dropping the difference is, but screenshots are going to tell the story better anyways, so here you go. And, again, we encourage you to try it out for yourself, because this editor has never played Minecraft before writing this article, and they don't know how to really get the most out of this technology here. 

We also went ahead and included a whole bunch of comparison screenshots down below, so you can see for yourself just how much of a difference ray tracing in Minecraft really makes. 

So, yeah: Minecraft with RTX is pretty incredible. While the game isn't as bombastic as Control or Metro Exodus, we think it's a neat way to show off what the tech can do. 

Plus, in a game that revolves so much around creating whatever folks want to create, having more tools to do that can't hurt. Frankly, while we probably won't be playing much Minecraft in the future, we're ecstatic to see what people create with it. 

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Where to buy an Xbox One: all the retailers with bundle deals still available

Posted: 16 Apr 2020 09:45 AM PDT

If you're wondering where to buy an Xbox One, you're not alone, with stock starting to slip there are only a few bundle deals still available. We're running through all the remaining Xbox One S and Xbox One X bundles still available to order, as well as the best retailers to keep an eye on for future stock. 

That means you can grab an Xbox One before they go the same way as the PS4 and Nintendo Switch, and there's still time to pick up an excellent price as well. With Xbox Series X firmly on its way, these older consoles have been subject to considerable price drops over the last few months. The surge in demand may have changed that, however, as more players have the chance to check out Microsoft's library. 

So, your hunt for where to buy an Xbox One has come to an end - let's get into the best places to pick up your new console to while away the days. 

Where to buy an Xbox One in the US: all the retailers with stock

Where to buy an Xbox One in the UK: all the retailers with stock

Why buy an Xbox One in 2020

So why buy an Xbox One now? Well you're still picking up an excellent machine, and if you choose the Xbox One X, one capable of 4K gaming for a brilliant price. Not only that, but Microsoft seems to be leaning into its 'Xbox as a service' party line, meaning you won't get so left behind when the new console lands. That's all down to Xbox Game Pass, the 100+ strong catalog of first and third party titles available for a low monthly cost, as well as Microsoft's focus on backwards compatibility.

Looking for more? We're tracking all the latest Xbox One deals and sales as well as the best Xbox One X prices right here on TechRadar. If you haven't made up your mind about the console you want to pick up, you might also want to check out where to buy a PS4 and where to buy a Nintendo Switch. 

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Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is official: this cheap Android tablet could be an iPad rival

Posted: 16 Apr 2020 09:39 AM PDT

After months of speculation on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite, a more affordable sibling of the Galaxy Tab S6, Samsung has confirmed its availability, as well as its price. Well, we know those details in the US and UK, plus we expect global availability to be announced soon.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is available to pre-order now in the UK from Samsung's website, but its official launch date isn't until April 30. An official date has yet to be confirmed for the US.

The slate is available from £349 / $349.99 (roughly AU$690) for 4GB RAM and 64GB storage, but if you want an LTE option that's an extra £50 (roughly $60, AU$100). 

At that price the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is a close competitor to the iPad Pro 10.2, which costs $329 / £329 / AU$529 for 32GB storage, which you can bump up to 128GB for $429 / £479 / AU$689 (there's no 64GB version of that to directly compare). 

Either way, the Samsung Galaxy Tab and iPad occupy roughly the same price point, so we'll have to test the new Android slate thoroughly when it comes in to see how it compares.

What is the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite?

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite comes with a 10.4-inch 2000 x 1200 display, just a touch smaller than the standard Tab S6. This new device also comes with an S Pen stylus, but it doesn't feature the same groove in the back of the device to house the stick as the Tab S6 does.

The battery on the Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite is 7,040mAh, which Samsung says will last for 13 hours of video playback or 12 hours of internet use.

The front-facing camera on the tablet is 5MP, which rises to 8MP for the back snapper, and while none of them hold a candle to the more high-res options on the non-Lite slate, they'll likely be enough for your video calling needs.

There's no mention of a processor on the Galaxy Tab S6 Lite listing, although previous leaks have debated between Exynos 9610 and 9611 (a slightly improved chipset over the former). The Samsung store does confirm there will be 4GB RAM, and either 64GB or 128GB storage, which can be expanded up to 1TB.

These specs all seem similar to the aforementioned iPad 10.2, although both tablets may have compromises in different areas. When we get our hands on the new device we can test it out to see which is the best budget tablet for you.

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Home security systems at SimpliSafe: save 15% off and get a free camera

Posted: 16 Apr 2020 09:32 AM PDT

SimpliSafe's home security system sale allows you to secure your home and save money with this limited-time offer. Starting now through April 21, you can save 15% off any new systems and receive a free SimpliSafe camera.

SimpliSafe is a well-known home security system that features 24/7 monitoring for your home or business. SimpliSafe allows you to build a system that's tailored to your space and needs, or you can select from several pre-configured security systems. You'll always feel secure with a 24/7 monitoring center that alerts police when your home needs help. There are no contracts with the easy-to-install system that's built to withstand power outages, downed Wi-Fi, cut landlines, and anything else you can think of.

This limited-time promotion not only includes 15% off a security system, but you'll also receive a free security camera. The SimpliSafe HD camera alerts you when motion is detected and normally retails for $99.  The offer is automatically applied at checkout when you enter your email on the homepage.

SimpliSafe Home Security Sale:

You can find more home security sales with the best cheap home security camera deals that are currently available.

You can also shop more smart home deals with the best cheap smart home devices and gadget deals.

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Amazon Echo Show deals: save up to 50% on the latest models now

Posted: 16 Apr 2020 09:32 AM PDT

Amazon Echo Show deals can have you video calling with ease in no time thanks to the latest discounts on both the 5-inch and 8-inch models. We're seeing some particularly fantastic price cuts in the UK right now, but US shoppers are also being treated to some discounts on the Echo Show 8 and 5 this week as well. 

You can pick up the 2019 Amazon Echo Show 8 for just $99.99 in the US right now, or £59.99 in the UK. Those are some excellent savings on the Alexa-enabled smart display with a gorgeous 8-inch HD screen and a range of Amazon services available. 

Whether you're catching up on the news, video chatting with friends and family, using your Alexa skills, or controlling your smart home, there's a massive range of experiences to be found on this device. Between the two, you're looking at differences in screen size and resolution, but you'll find all the same features available on each model. 

That said, this week we're seeing the far more luxurious Amazon Echo Show 8 available for just a little more than the Echo Show 5, so it's well worth springing a little extra for a more premium display. You'll find the Amazon Echo Show 5 on sale with a price tag of $69.99 in the US and £49 in the UK. 

These latest Amazon Echo Show deals are offering some stunning discounts as well, so be sure to grab yours before prices rise once more - it won’t be until Amazon Prime Day 2020 later in the year that we’ll see some kind of similar drop.

Amazon Echo Show 5 deals

Amazon Echo Show 8 deals

We're keeping tabs on all the latest Amazon Echo deals and sales right here on TechRadar, but you can also check out the best smart home deals available at the moment as well. 

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How to watch Westworld online: stream season 3 from anywhere

Posted: 16 Apr 2020 09:29 AM PDT

The hosts and the humans are looking more and more similar in the new season of Westworld. From each park all the way to the Valley Beyond, things only look set to get even more confusing - and we know you won't want to miss a single piece of the puzzle. Read on to find out how to watch Westworld online and stream season 3 online.

Season 3 has dived back into the weird and wonderful world of that fateful theme park, with an eight episode roster unlike the usual ten we're used to receiving over the past two seasons. 

We won't spoil anything for you unless you need to catch up but we will say that we recently saw Bernard Lowe managed to survive an attack and saw him returning to Westworld.

So if you just need reminding about how to watch Westworld season 3 online - or, indeed, any of the previous episodes - keep reading and we'll tell you your option from your corner of the globe.

How to watch Westworld online from outside your country

If you're trying to access a Westworld stream from outside your country (maybe on holiday or working overseas?) you might have some difficulty making it past the geo-blocking restrictions. HBO, Sky Atlantic and the rest aren't directly accessible from outside the US, but installing a VPN will allow you to watch Westworld online quickly and easily. 

A VPN is a Virtual Private Network that essentially blocks data about your computer from the websites that you visit for safety, so changing your IP address to one of a separate country is as easy as selecting from a drop down list.

How to watch Westworld online in the US

How to watch Westworld season 3 in the UK

How to watch Westworld online in Canada

How to watch Westworld season 3 online in Australia 

Where can I watch old episodes of Westworld?

Get ready for the latest season by catching up on older episodes of Westworld online. Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to binge the first two seasons, wherever you are in the world. 

US: HBO Now and HBO Go both offer previous episodes of Westworld for catching up, but you can also watch Season One and Two on DirecTV.

UK: You'll be able to catch every previous episode of Westworld through a Now TV Entertainment Pass. That's especially handy if you're looking to watch season three at the same time. If you're a Sky TV subscriber, you can also watch the last two seasons of the show using Sky Go. 

Everywhere else: If you can't find on-demand access to old episodes of Westworld where you are, there's always a VPN. Simply switch your location to the US or UK, and you'll be able to binge the last few years of Westworld episodes using one of the services listed above. 

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How to watch Mrs America: stream the new series online from anywhere

Posted: 16 Apr 2020 09:13 AM PDT

Limited mini-series Mrs America has started airing in the US on Hulu and is all set to be shown in the UK courtesy of the BBC. Ready to watch the equal rights drama  unfold? We're here to tell you how to watch Mrs America online from pretty much anywhere in the world. 

Already picking up rave reviews, Mrs America tells the true story of the rise of second-wave feminism in the 1970s. It tracks the movement to pass the Equal Rights Amendment and the campaign opposing the bill led by prominent conservative, Phyllis Schlafly (played by Cate Blanchett). 

The series also examines the movement's political fallout, including the rise of the Moral Majority in the US. 

As well as having Blanchett in the lead role, the series also boasts a stellar supporting cast that includes Elizabeth Banks, Sarah Paulson, Rose Byrne, Uzo Aduba, Margo Martindale, John Slattery, James Marsden and Melanie Lynskey.

Read on to find out how to watch Mrs America online and stream it from all corners of the globe - including for free.

How to watch Mrs America from outside your country

Mrs America has already begun airing in the US and is also set to be released in the UK and Australia in the coming weeks. If you're looking to get stuck into the show but are going abroad, you might worry that you'll be unable to watch the show using your normal streaming service, due to pesky geo-blocking restrictions.

Fortunately, there's an easy solution. Downloading a VPN will allow you to watch Mrs America no matter where you are. This simple bit of software changes your IP address so that you can access episodes live or on demand as they become available, just as if you were lying on the couch munching your favorite takeout.

How to watch Mrs America for free online in the US

How to watch Mrs America for free online in the UK 

How to watch Mrs America in Australia online

How to watch Mrs America online in Canada

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Gamescom 2020 officially canceled, to be replaced by a digital-only event

Posted: 16 Apr 2020 09:12 AM PDT

Gamescom 2020 won't be happening, at least not in its traditional form. The German government has announced that the ban on large gatherings has been extended until at least the end of August, due to the Covid-19 pandemic. 

In response to the mandate, the Gamescom team has put out an official statement saying that it will "under no circumstances" move forward with the physical show but says that it's planning a replacement digital event.

According to German newspaper, Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger, mass gathering events are prohibited until August 31, with the German government specifying that these measures are to contain Covid-19 and to "ensure urgent clarity for organizers".

This year's Gamescom is due to take place between August 25 and August 29 in Cologne, Germany; and those dates are likely to remain the same once the team firms up its digital event plans. 

Why did this happen?

It looked likely that Gamescom 2020 would be affected by Covid-19. After all, E3 2020 has already been cancelled and Microsoft is transitioning to "digital experiences" in the run-up to the Xbox Series X launch.

Which brings us on to the biggest draw of Gamescom: Geoff Keighley's Opening Night Live show. Introduced at Gamescom 2019, Opening Night Live acted as a mini E3, showcasing upcoming games and premiering new contenders. Last year's Opening Night Live boasted plenty of announcements and even gave us the best look at Death Stranding before its release.

In a relative silver lining to an otherwise gloomy situation, Keighley has announced that Opening Night will be digitally broadcast too, meaning we're still likely to see some announcements from major publishers this year.

TechRadar has contacted organizers Verband der deutschen Games-Branche for comment.

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How to watch 90 Day Fiancé online: stream all the latest episodes from anywhere

Posted: 16 Apr 2020 09:05 AM PDT

Think that reality can't get any weirder than it is right now? Try having a K1-visa application hanging over the head of you and your prospective marriage. That's exactly what participants in one particularly cruel/unusual/entertaining reality TV have to deal with - here's how to watch 90 Day Fiancé online and stream all the latest episodes, including the upcoming quarantine special.

Whether you're a die-hard Big Ed fan or new to the show completely, the premise of 90 Day Fiancé is relatively straightforward: it follows couples as they negotiate the tricky three-month period allowed by a US K1-visa to get married.

Reality TV enthusiasts are in for a treat, as this stressful situation results in awkward moments galore - of which meeting the prospective in-laws is only the tip of the iceberg. 

In fact, the next instalment in the long-running series is a special five episode spin-off titled 90 Day Fiancé: Self-Quarantined, which combines self-shot footage and remote interviews from more than 40 former cast members to detail the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on relationships.

By way of background, a K1-visa is allotted to US citizens who want to marry a foreign national in America. It's a case of tie the knot in 90-days or your partner has to return home. It's like getting booted off the island, except the island is a proudly owned Trump Resort...

Brimming with real-life drama and emotion, it has quickly become a must-watch show for reality TV fans, so here's how to watch 90 Day Fiancé online and stream every episode from anywhere - including the new 90 Day Fiancé: Self-Quarantined spinoff.

How to watch 90 Day Fiancé online from abroad

For many of us, it's difficult to imagine being abroad right now. The halcyon days of hopping a cheap flight to visit friends, see family, or attend a work conference seem like a distant memory - but normality will one day resume. In fact, despite current circumstances, some people may still find themselves abroad during these troubling times - and a taste of home can be just what the doctor ordered.

Fortunately, you can easily recreate the comfort of your couch by tuning into the same streaming services you would from home - all you need is a good VPN and you can watch 90 Day Fiancé and loads more shows just like you normally would. But which one to choose?

How to watch 90 Day Fiancé online in the US

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How to watch 90 Day Fiancé online in Canada

How to watch 90 Day Fiancé online in the UK

How to watch 90 Day Fiancé online in Australia

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Hackers selling Zoom Windows and Mac exploits online

Posted: 16 Apr 2020 09:00 AM PDT

Exploits for serious vulnerabilities affecting Zoom for Windows and MacOS are available online after being putting up for sale by hackers, security experts have warned.

The vulnerabilities are classed as zero-days (or 0-days), which means the vendor is unaware of their existence in its code and therefore temporarily powerless to prevent their exploitation.

The zero-day present in Zoom’s Windows application reportedly allows the hackers to execute code on the target device remotely, and is listed for purchase online for at $500,000.

Zoom security issues

Zoom’s security standards have come under scrutiny in recent weeks, amplified by the explosion in users brought about by coronavirus quarantine measures.

Researchers have uncovered a litany of vulnerabilities -  from the opportunity for credential theft to app hijacking, malicious code injection and more - forcing the company to suspend product development to focus on eliminating security flaws.

According to anonymous sources, who have not examined the code first hand but have spoken with the selling party, the two new exploits vary in potency.

The zero-day present in Zoom for Windows could be used to gain access to the application, but not the device it’s held on. To abuse the bug, the hacker would also need to join the same video conference as the victim, ruling out a stealth-based assault.

The flaw affecting Zoom’s MacOS client, meanwhile, does not allow for remote code execution and is therefore less threatening to end users.

In a written statement, Zoom confirmed it is investigating the zero-days but disputed the legitimacy of the rumours.

“Zoom takes user security extremely seriously. Since learning of these rumours, we have been working around the clock with a reputable, industry-leading security firm to investigate them,” said the firm.

“To date, we have not found any evidence substantiating these claims,” it added.

Via Motherboard

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