Monday, April 13, 2020

Apple : Surface Book 3 may be coming very soon, according to these leaked listings

Apple : Surface Book 3 may be coming very soon, according to these leaked listings


Surface Book 3 may be coming very soon, according to these leaked listings

Posted: 13 Apr 2020 01:14 PM PDT

New listings on several retail sites show that the launch of Microsoft's Surface Book 3, Surface Go 2, and Surface Dock 2 may be imminent. 

According to German tech site DrWindows, listings for the Surface Dock 2 have popped up on online shopping portals in Europe recently, including this one at Shopmat that is still accessible.


The listings were confirmed by tech blogger Dan S. Charlton, who screen captured the listings for 2compute.eu showing not just the Surface Dock 2 listing, but listings for several configurations of products with the aliases Surface Project T, Surface Project U, and Surface Project V. 

As Charlton points out, the price ranges for these products strongly suggest that they are for Microsoft's Surface Book 3 13.5-inch, Surface Book 3 15-inch, and Surface Go 2, respectively, based on the launch prices for the previous generation of the devices. Here are the rumored prices of each of the products:

  • Surface Project T (Surface Book 3 13.5-inch?) possible price range:
    €1618 – €2617 (about $1,760 - $,2850 / £1,410 - £2,280)
  • Surface Project U (Surface Book 3 15-inch?) possible price range:
    €2234 – €3442 (about $2,440 - $3760 / £1950 - £3000)
  • Surface Project V (Surface Go 2?) possible price range:
    €408 – €847 (about $450 - $925 / £360 - £740)
  • Surface Dock 2 possible launch price:
    €244 (about $270 / £210 )

New Microsoft Surface Product Listings

A long-awaited refresh for the Surface Dock?

The first-generation Microsoft Surface Dock was launched back in 2015 and its starting to show its age. Built for the Surface Pro 3, Surface Pro 4, and Surface Book, the Surface Dock can turn these Surface devices into desktop PCs (or nearly so, at any rate). With 2 x Mini DisplayPorts, Gigabit Ethernet connection, 4 x USB 3.0 connections, and an audio-out jack, the Surface Dock has been a popular go-to peripheral for many Microsoft consumers.

Still, the Surface Dock is starting to show its age a bit and people have been clamoring for an update for the past couple of years now. One of the most hoped-for updates in any Surface Dock refresh is naturally the addition of USB-C ports, but without product specifications, its too soon to tell whether Microsoft will be answering any prayers here. We'll know for sure in the coming weeks.

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Box boosts malware detection to help remote workers

Posted: 13 Apr 2020 01:01 PM PDT

The cloud content management provider Box has announced that it has added automated malware detection and controls to its advanced security solution Box Shield.

Now when the service identifies malware, Box Shield will automatically alert the end user, restrict downloads and sharing of malicious files and notify IT and security teams.

Chief product officer at Box, Jeetu Patel explained how Box Shield will help protect users and their organizations from malware infections in a press release, saying:

“With average cost of an attack reaching $2.6 million, malware has become one of the costliest security incidents facing businesses. Leveraging Box's unique preview technology, the automated controls in Box Shield minimize the impact of malware while allowing users to preview content without getting compromised. Additionally, the intelligent security alerts help enterprises act on the issue in minutes. These advances make it easier than ever to protect your business without getting in the way of work.”

Automated malware detection and controls

Box Shield already helps organizations prevent data leakage and the security solution also proactively identifies potential insider threats or compromised accounts.

By adding automated malware detection and controls to its advanced security solution, the company has expanded Box Shield's threat detection beyond suspicious user behavior to protect users from malicious content uploaded to Box.

With these new features, Box users will be able safely preview and edit files online, automatically restrict downloading and sharing of malicious files and generate alerts to notify security teams when a file uploaded to the service contains malware.

The new Box Shield malware detection capabilities and controls are expected to be generally available by the end of April.

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Where to buy a printer: these retailers still have stock

Posted: 13 Apr 2020 12:14 PM PDT

If you're anything like us, you rarely need to think about where to buy a printer because your office has one. However, now that so many people are working remotely, potentially without the critical IT infrastructure they're used to, you might be on the market for a printer of your very own. We're here to help. 

But because so many people are currently on the lookout for supplies for working from home, supply is a little bit short at the moment. Luckily, we here at TechRadar are pros at scavenging the web to find the best deals around, and we went ahead and did just that. 

So, whether you're looking for something that can keep up with your office printer or you just want something that can spit out some shipping labels every now and then we've got you covered. 

Where to buy a printer in the US

Learn more about what printer is best for you with our list of the best home printer 2020: the top printers for home use.

You can also shop more of the best cheap printer deals: our top budget picks.

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Finding remote working tools isn’t the issue - it’s how we use them

Posted: 13 Apr 2020 12:00 PM PDT

Long before the ongoing pandemic shut down the world’s offices, millions of workers became conditioned to remote work—probably without meaning to—because their physical workplaces were rife with digital tools. But many practiced a form of remote work that doesn’t suit the current environment.

I mean, haven’t you received instant messages from people who could literally spin their chair 180 degrees to say the same thing? Have you not spent 45 minutes reading and responding to an email chain that a five-minute conversation down the hallway could have addressed?

In a physical workplace that is digitised to the teeth, we can get away with using tools inefficiently. Knowing that we can spin the chair or walk down the hall gives us permission to do so. Fire out that email as fast as possible, and if it doesn’t make sense, well, talk it out.

Not anymore. Now, we have to use our digital tools to their fullest potential. Our communications, processes, and handoffs must be impeccable. Today, the biggest difference is not the technology we use, but how we use it.

I would argue that even if you’re using platforms specialised to your department, there are some patterns and common needs in a remote work environment. Maybe you have all these boxes checked, but hopefully, I’ll point out a blind spot, and you can do something about it.

How do you initiate work?

If you’re working in a home office—perhaps while your kids reenact scenes from Lord of the Flies—your output is probably creativity, information, and ideas. And the more abstract and complex your product is, the more it’ll benefit from project management platforms. Coders (and marketers) gravitate to systems like Asana, Basecamp, Trello, Jira, and Workfront.

Particularly in a remote work setting, we need to be articulate about what we’re doing. What is it? Who’s it for? Why are we doing it? When’s it due? Time in a pandemic is a trickster. Project management will give some order to the groundhog days.

If you can't spin your chair, how do you talk?

In business, there are different versions of conversations. There are “check-ins,” often done by email, which tend to be light in substance but heavy in exclamation marks. There are, “what-do-you-really-need-from-me?” conversations, where someone sends an email, and you send one back asking the person what they actually asked. And there are many others, mostly done through email. That is why in remote work, you need a channel that isn’t email.

The top options tend to be Slack, Hangouts Chat, and Salesforce Chatter. They let you spin the chair around. Email is a medium of conversation, but it doesn’t facilitate talking. You need a way to talk.

How do we get things we need?

Have you ever counted the number of the emails you receive that entail person A, a coworker, asking person B, you, for something persons C, D, or E might have, maybe, delivered to you sometime last month?

In a physical setting, we can triangulate the location of any file, folder, or image. But in a remote setting, we need ways for people to share files and search for them without taking up someone else’s capacity. Whether your team uses Dropbox, Google Drive, Box, a digital asset management system (DAM) etc., you need a place where people can scoop their own ice cream instead of lining up and waiting for a coworker to do it.

Are we making a difference?

Without the in-person stand-ups, shout-outs, and comradery, it’s harder to feel impactful. Regardless of what department you work in, a system to measure your impact is priceless.

In marketing, we look to social and content analytics not just for validation, but to learn from our decisions and do better next time. In sales, our colleagues are motivated to hit their numbers and track how much business they’ve brought in. Many IT people find satisfaction in resolving tickets faster and eliminating recurring problems. Give yourself the pleasure of knowing you made a difference and the awareness to rise to a higher potential.

Some perspective

I wish I could end with a bold claim, like working remotely will be the best thing that ever happened to us! The reality is, we don’t know yet.

However, evicted from our usual routines, there is a chance to see anew the way we worked before the crisis, and the way we work within it. It’s the kind of perspective we normally get by traveling to a distant country or meeting someone from an unfamiliar background.  

So, meet your new remote life. It’s weird. It’s boring, at times. But it’s going to make you rethink what remote work is, and what you and your team need to be successful in any conditions.

Brooke Emley is Head of Implementation at Widen

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Where to buy a webcam: these retailers still have stock

Posted: 13 Apr 2020 11:51 AM PDT

When you have to work from home, the capability to have an effective video conference is extremely important. And, while a lot of folks may have laptops that have a built-in camera, the best webcams can boost video quality so much that they're essential for anyone having regular video calls. 

However, now that the Covid-19 crisis has driven so many people to work from home, supply is running out. Understandably, a lot of people are scrambling to get their hands on a solid webcam so they can keep doing their jobs, even if they have to be remote. 

If you're scrambling to get your hands on a solid webcam, however, don't worry – they're definitely still out there, even if they're not quite as easy to find. 

Luckily, we here at TechRadar are online shopping pros, and we've found the retailers that still have solid webcams on sale and gathered them all up down below. Just keep in mind that because webcams are moving so fast, there are certain models that may sell out super quickly.  

In the UK? We’ve just added some webcams for the UK market as well. Stock is moving really quickly right now, so make sure you jump on what's available now. Check out our best webcams piece also to see the current range and find out which are still in stock in your areas.

Where to buy a webcam in the US

We scoured the web to find the webcams that still have stock available to buy right now. Because the nature of online shopping, however, we'll likely see some of these sell out in the meantime. Some of these webcams are on backorder right now, but if you do buy one that's affected you should still be able to get it in about a week. 

Where to buy a webcam in the UK

Webcams are also thin on the ground in the UK. Here are some that we've found that are still in stock:

Webcams on backorder

Because availability for webcams is a little hit or miss right now, many webcams are currently on backorder. That means you probably won't be able to get it within a couple days, but it should arrive within a week or two. We found the best webcams that are on backorder that are actually worth waiting for – having to wait for a piece of hardware is enough without worrying about getting something that is potentially not as good. 

Where to buy a webcam in the UK

Stock is currently an issue for webcams in the UK right now with many of the big retailers such as Amazon, Curry's and Argos selling out quickly while people adjust to their new working from home situation. We've still found some cheap webcams that are still available, so don't worry if you're still looking - we can help your search.

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9 gadgets that will speak to the artist in you

Posted: 13 Apr 2020 11:41 AM PDT

Stuck at home? Many of us are. But while some are working from home and content to let that be their productivity for the day, being quarantined is also an excellent time to let out the true artist in you. Perhaps you’ve been wanting to take up photography, but need the right camera to do it. Or, you’re a musician who wants to start recording music -- but don’t have the tools.

No matter what art form you’re interested in, there’s great tech out there that can help you achieve your artistic goals. Here are nine gadgets that will speak to the artist inside of you.

Sony Alpha a6100 Mirrorless Camera

Pros:

  • Excellent image quality
  • Quick, AI-based system
  • Good viewfinder

Cons:

  • Can be a little complicated at first

If you’re looking to step up your photography game, then the Sony Alpha a6100 is an excellent way to go. The mirrorless camera is relatively compact, but it’s ultra powerful -- making use of artificial intelligence for many of its features. The camera has a great viewfinder, making it easy to take high-quality photos and videos on the go. It can shoot in 4K, or in 1080p if you want footage at 60 frames per second, so it’s got you covered in not just the photo department, but the video department too. In other words, with this camera you’ll be getting studio-quality photos and videos in a matter of minutes.

Shop Now

Focusrite Scarlett 2i4 USB Audio Interface

Pros:

  • Easy to use
  • Two inputs
  • Works with most computers

Cons:

  • Too small for some musicians

If you’re a musician who wants to get started with home recording, a good place to start is a solid audio interface. Focusrite has been making high-end interfaces for some time, and the Scarlett 2i4 is perfect for the bidding recording artist. You’ll get two microphone preamps and four outputs, along with support for MIDI, and the ability to plug into your computer straight through its USB port. You will still need to look into other parts of a recording system, like microphones, microphone cables, and microphone stands. That said, once you have an interface, those other parts will be easy to add.

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Audio-Technica AT2020USB+

Pros:

  • Easy to use
  • Great sound quality
  • Inexpensive

Cons:

  • Some potential durability issues

Musicians aren’t the only group of people that use microphones. Podcasting is another art form that has become increasingly prevalent over the past few years, and the Audio Technica AT2020USB+ makes it easy to get started in basic voice recording. The microphone has a number of controls built right into it, including a volume control, headphone jack, and more.

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Apple Pencil

Pros:

  • Sleek and stylish
  • Works well

Cons:

  • Expensive
  • Only works with select iPad models

The humble iPad has come a long way over the past few years in offering tools for artists and graphic designers, and if you’re interested in unlocking the full artistic power of the iPad, then it’s worth getting an Apple Pencil. The Apple Pencil is currently on its second generation, and offers features like built-in touch sensors to help you quickly switch tools, wireless charging with your iPad, and more. It’s important to note that the second-generation Apple Pencil only works with iPad Pro models -- for other iPad models, you’ll need to look into the original Apple Pencil

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Apple iPad Pro

Pros:

  • Ultra powerful
  • Well-designed
  • Updated camera array

Cons:

  • Expensive

Speaking of the iPad Pro, if you’re an artist who doesn’t already have one, then it’s absolutely worth considering buying one. Sure, they can be a little expensive, but the fact is that the iPad Pro is easily the most powerful tablet on the market, plus it offers a ton of tools and software for artists. Even Adobe has versions of its apps for the iPad. The device was recently updated with a new camera array and slightly more powerful processor, and whether you’re a musician, visual artist, or any other kind of artist, you can easily get use out of an iPad Pro.

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HP Envy 5055 inkjet printer

Pros:

  • Sleek design
  • Relatively inexpensive
  • Easy to use

Cons:

  • Ink is a bit pricey

What do you do after you finish a work of art? Save it into a folder? Or hang it up for all the world to see? HP has been making some of the best printers on the market for years now, and the HP Envy 5055 offers excellent value-for-money. The printer offers a resolution of up to 4800 x 1200, which should be perfect for most photos and designs. It also supports HP’s Instant Ink, and has a scanner built into it too -- which could come in handy. Safe to say, if you’re an artist who wants to bring your digital creations into the physical world, this printer is a great way to go.

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Nintendo Switch

Pros: 

  • Tons of great games
  • Portable design
  • Innovative design

Cons: 

  • Slightly short battery life

Perhaps your art involves starting a new YouTube gaming channel or learning to game better than ever before -- in which case it’s worth considering the Nintendo Switch. The Nintendo Switch offers an innovative design that allows you to play both on the TV, or on the go -- making it the perfect choice for those who want something they can play in all different scenarios. 

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Arturia KeyLab Essential 61 MIDI Controller

Pros: 

  • Versatile
  • Drum pads built in
  • Supports most major DAWs

Cons: 

  • No weighted keys

Looking to get started in electronic music? A great MIDI controller is the way to go. The Arturia KeyLab Essential 61 has 61 keys, eight drum pads, and nine sliders, all of which can be used to control major digital audio workstations like Pro Tools, Logic, and GarageBand. The keyboard comes with some of Arturia’s own much-loved software, and using it you can build songs with all kinds of instruments. 

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Pioneer Electronics DDJ-SB3 DJ Controller

Pros:

  • Easy to use
  • Relatively inexpensive

Cons: 

  • A bit basic for seasoned pros

Are you looking to get into the DJ game? DJ gear can get real expensive real quick -- but this controller from Pioneer lets you get in on the action without shelling out an arm and a leg. The DDJ-SB3 offers an awesome pad scratch function that imitates DJ Jazzy Jeff’s signature feel, plus it’s well-designed and easy to navigate. It even comes with Pioneer’s Serato DJ Lite software to get you started.

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Now is the time to create!

Sure, you may not need everything on this list -- but even a few tweaks to your overall workflow can help ensure that you’re as creative as possible. A great camera, audio interface, or microphone can seriously kickstart your artistic side -- and who knows, your art could eventually become your trade. Adorama has plenty of stock to ensure quick shipping times. Head to the Adorama website to browse for things to help make your day as artistic as possible.

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Connected cars from Ford and Volkswagen pose major security risk

Posted: 13 Apr 2020 11:38 AM PDT

A new report from the independent consumer body Which? has discovered serious security flaws in best-selling connected cars from Ford and Volkswagen which could allow them to be hacked.

The organization worked closely with cybersecurity experts to examine the computer systems that power the connected features of two of the most popular cars in Europe, the Ford Focus Titanium Automatic 1.0L petrol and the Volkswagen Polo SEL TSI Manual 1.0L petrol.

The results of the investigation confirmed Which?'s fears that a lack of regulation for on-board tech in the automotive industry allows manufacturers to cut corners when it comes to security. While the organization looked at two popular connected car models from Ford and Volkswagen, it is concerned that similar issues could be widespread throughout the industry.

Through its work with testing partner Context Information Security, Which? was able to hack into the infotainment unit of the Volkswagen Polo that serves as part of the car's central nervous system. The vulnerability was discovered in a section of the vehicle that can enable or disable traction control but the infotainment unit also contains a wealth of personal data including users' phone contacts and location history.

When it came to the Ford Focus Titanium Automatic, the experts were able to intercept messages sent by the tire pressure monitoring system using basic equipment and an attacker could potentially trick the system to display that flat tires were fully-inflated which poses a security risk. By examining Ford's code, Which? Found that it also included WiFi details along with a password for the computer systems on Ford's production line.

Connected car apps

Which?'s investigation also raised concerns regarding how much data connected cars are generating about their owners and how this information is stored, shared and used.

The Ford Pass app allows a vehicle's location and travel direction to be shared at any time along with data from the car's sensors including its warning lights, fluid levels and fuel consumption. The automaker even tracks “driving characteristics” such as speed, acceleration, braking and steering and according to Ford's privacy policy, this information can be shared with “authorized dealers and or affiliates”.

Volkswagen's We Connect app was found to request a wide range of permissions including access to “confidential information” in users' calendars and the contents of USB storage. The company's privacy policy says that its app collects data when people use it but that this data is only shared with third parties when it is “necessary for the purpose of performing a contractual obligation”.

While Ford declined to receive Which?'s technical report, Volkswagen has engaged with the consumer body since the findings were shared.

Editor of Which? Magazine, Lisa Barber provider further insight on the investigation's findings in a press release, saying:

“Most cars now contain powerful computer systems, yet a glaring lack of regulation of these systems means they could be left wide open to attack by hackers - putting drivers’ safety and personal data at risk. The government should be working to ensure that appropriate security is built into the design of cars and put an end to a deeply flawed system of manufacturers marking their own homework on tech security."

Via Which?

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Ready your graphics cards, Crysis might be getting remastered

Posted: 13 Apr 2020 11:31 AM PDT

Back in the late 2000s, it became a meme to test the best gaming PCs by asking ourselves "can it run Crysis". And, while the game has stayed a visual heavyweight, it's not really much of an accomplishment to get it running smoothly these days – what with all the ray tracing GPUs. 

However, the Crysis Twitter account broke its three-year-long silence, tweeting out simply "RECEIVING DATA". Sure, there's not much information there, but already the internet is swirling around with Crysis remaster rumors. And, we're totally here for it. 

Crysis 3 was the last game in the series to torture our computers when it came out all the way back in 2013. Since then, the seminal PC game series has been lying dormant, even though Cryengine has remained hugely popular. According to TweakTown, this isn't the first word of a Crysis remaster, as some hints were apparently dropped in tech demos.

If the remastered Crysis can adopt all the latest technology like ray tracing and take advantage of multi-core processors like the Ryzen 9 3950X, we could definitely see Crysis return to punish push an entire new generation of PC hardware. 

Now, obviously this is all speculation based on a tweet and a tech demo, so it's important to take it all with a grain of salt. Still, as TweakTown points out, EA did say it has some pretty big aces up its sleeve this year – maybe Crysis: Remastered is one of them. 

Can it run Crysis?

2020 is going to be a year that'll be packed to the brim with exciting PC hardware. We've already heard AMD CEO Lisa Su assure us that Ryzen 4000 CPUs and RDNA 2 GPUs are going to be hitting the streets, and we're sure that those lineups won't go unanswered by Intel or Nvidia, respectively. 

A new Crysis game, even if it is just a remaster of the original (fingers crossed for the whole trilogy), could be the perfect PC game to show off the new tech. 

Even though neither Crysis 2 or Crysis 3 carried the same graphics card-killing reputation as the first game in the series, all three games utilized the latest graphics technology to create some of the most beautiful games of all time. Hell, the whole trilogy still stands up 13 years after the original Crysis came out way back in 2007. 

Crytek, if nothing else, knows how to make a technically ambitious game, one that truly takes advantage of the best hardware on the market. If it remasters Crysis – and remember, this is far from a known fact – it could end up being one of the best-looking and most demanding games of the year. 

We know we can't wait to see what a 2020 Crysis looks like, and we're sure we're not alone. 


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AMD RDNA 2 release date, specs and rumors: everything we know about 'Big Navi'

Posted: 13 Apr 2020 11:00 AM PDT

AMD Navi launched way back in July 2019 with the Radeon RX 5700 XT and RX 5700, and while those cards are champions of the mid-range, folks have been hungry for 'Big Navi' – the AMD graphics card that would take on the RTX 2080 Ti

However, we're nearing a year since the first AMD RDNA graphics cards hit the streets, leaving us wondering: when will we actually see RDNA 2, and what will it look like? 

The good news is that it will be the graphics architecture behind the next-generation consoles, the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5, so it's pretty safe to assume that new graphics cards are on the way. There have been a ton of rumors that have been surfacing too, painting a picture of some incredibly powerful ray tracing-enabled AMD graphics cards that might give Nvidia some much-needed competition on the high-end. 

Still, AMD hasn't come out and actually announced many details about RDNA 2 or the supposed 'Big Navi' card that is rumored to be coming out, so all we have is gossip and speculation to go off of. But be sure to keep this page bookmarked and we'll be sure to keep it updated with all the latest AMD Big Navi rumors and information.

Cut to the chase

  • What is it? AMD's hopefully high-end graphics card
  • When is it out? Supposedly sometime in 2020
  • What will it cost? No one knows, but it probably won't be cheap

AMD RDNA 2

AMD Big Navi release date

It seems like AMD Big Navi release date rumors have been everywhere since the very beginning of time – or at least since Navi rumors first started appearing in late 2018. However, here we are in April 2020 without a solid release date for AMD's high-end graphics card. 

Initially we had heard that Big Navi would be launching at Computex – but that show has been pushed all the way back to September due to Covid-19, so that's a no go. But even if it did appear at the giant Taipei tech show, we probably won't see it until the end of 2020 – think October or November. 

At the AMD Financial Analyst Day back in March, Team Red said itself that it was targeting the end of 2020 for the launch of Big Navi. That's disappointing news, but that would put RDNA 2 desktop graphics and the next-generation consoles right next to each other, which would kind of make sense.

Either way, we'll get an AMD RDNA 2 graphics card release date when AMD is ready. However, because Computex did get pushed back, we wouldn't be surprised if AMD came out of nowhere with a giant online-only event to show off the RDNA architecture any day now. Stay tuned. 

AMD RDNA 2

AMD Big Navi price

AMD has traditionally enjoyed a reputation for providing more affordable products than their competition, but we're not so sure that's going to extend to Big Navi. 

And to back this up, we'd like to point to the AMD Radeon VII. With this graphics card, AMD genuinely provided performance that was pretty close to what the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 provided at the time, while sitting with a price tag of $679 (about £540, AU$970), which was very close to the RTX 2080's $699 (£649, AU$1,119) price tag at the time. 

Now, since launching its Navi lineup, AMD has put some price pressure on Nvidia's mid-range lineup, most notably baiting Nvidia into lowering its prices on its Super cards at the last minute. So, we might see something that challenges the RTX 2080 Ti for maybe $200 (£200, AU$300) less than that card's MSRP, but don't expect graphics card prices to drop to where they were before Nvidia Turing made everything more expensive. 

AMD RDNA 2

AMD Big Navi specs and features

We have heard so many different rumors about what the 'Big Navi' card will eventually look like, but we're only really dive into what's actually feasible here. 

What we know is that AMD is planning on dropping a 4K-ready graphics card that can handle ray tracing in 2020. That much comes directly from AMD CEO Lisa Su, who came out in an interview and said "I can say you’re going to see Big Navi in 2020." That's definitely a blunt way to tell us to expect the high-end GPU this year. 

Then, during AMD's financial day, AMD doubled down on RDNA 2 coming, with a slide saying that the top-of-stack graphics cards would not only provide "Uncompromising 4K gaming" but that it will also feature hardware-based ray tracing and variable rate shading – two features already present in Nvidia Turing GPUs.

Beyond that, we have seen rumors that suggest the RDNA 2 flagship will feature 80 compute units, which if each compute unit has the same amount of Streaming Processors (SPs) as the original RDNA graphics cards – we could see 5,120 SPs on a single GPU – but it could be even more. 

Of course, that's a lot of silicon to cool, and AMD's current blower-style coolers probably wouldn't be sufficient. Even in the transition from Pascal to Turing, Nvidia abandoned blower-style coolers in favor of more efficient dual-fan designs, and word on the street is that AMD could be doing the same thing

What is perhaps more important is that the rumors are saying that Big Navi could be up to 30% faster than the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti, which would frankly be amazing if true – that card can already destroy pretty much every game at 4K, so a further 30% boost could probably mean that we'll see more accessible 4K gaming lower in the product stack. 

At the end of the day, while we do have all of this juicy speculation, we don't know what will ultimately end up being true and what won't be. And, even if AMD Big Navi ends up blowing Nvidia Turing out of the water, it's entirely possible that the RTX 3080 may be close behind. Either way, 2020 is going to be an exciting year for the best graphics cards. 

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Samsung's Galaxy Watch Active hits lowest price ever at Best Buy

Posted: 13 Apr 2020 10:57 AM PDT

The fitness-packed Galaxy Watch Active is getting a rare price cut at Best Buy. For a limited time, you can get Samsung Galaxy Watch Active on sale for $149.99. That's a $50 discount and the lowest price we've found for the 40mm smartwatch. You can also get the all-new Galaxy Watch Active 2 on sale for $249.99.

As the name implies, the Galaxy Watch Active is focused on health and fitness and features an ultra-lightweight design with a one-inch display. The Samsung watch continually monitors your heart and will send alerts when an abnormal heart rate is detected. The smartwatch can even help with sleep and stress, sending you breathing exercises when high-stress levels are detected. The Galaxy Watch also helps you meet your fitness goals by tracking up to 39 exercises and displaying your health summary on a single screen.

As we mentioned above, the all-new Galaxy Active 2 currently retails for $249.99, which makes the $149.99 price tag on the original Active watch extremely attractive. We don't know how long Best Buy will have the smartwatch on sale, so you should take advantage now before it's too late.

Samsung Galaxy Watch deals:

See more Galaxy Watch offers with our roundup of the best Samsung Galaxy Watch Active prices and deals.

You can also find out more about the Samsung smartwatch with our Samsung Galaxy Watch Active review.

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Best blogging platforms of 2020

Posted: 13 Apr 2020 10:25 AM PDT

The popularity of blogging (which originally derives from ‘personal web log’) continues, whether for profit, or just to have a voice on the web, since over a decade ago when it first captured the internet as the ‘next big thing’. Some blogs are standalone sites, but others are a more personal section that fits into a larger, corporate web site.

In order to blog, a blogging platform is required, which takes care of formatting the content in the form of text and images, and provides a framework for getting it onto a website. The blogging platform also makes it easier for a search engine to categorize the blog entries, and to be able to take advantage of marketing and advertising opportunities.

So before you start cranking out posts, and welcoming your virtual visitors from around the world, you need to choose the best blogging platform to suit your needs. Check out these great options.

Blogger

Ask any old-time blogger about what platform they started their blog with, and chances are they'll answer that it was Blogger. To this day, Google’s offering in the blogging space still retains several advantages, including that your existing Google account already means you have a Blogger account.

A broke startup blog will appreciate that it is free to use, and it will even provide the blogspot.com domain name, as well as the option for a custom domain name. It is also one of the easier platforms to use, and provides a choice of templates that can be flexibly modified.

As it is a Google offering, it easily integrates with other Google products, including Google Analytics that can provide information about your website’s visitors that should be used to help grow traffic. Also, your blog can be integrated with Google’s Adsense, that will analyze your content, and display relevant ads to monetize your blog, so you can pay for the coffee as you sit in Starbucks and blog into the night.

With all that going for it, is there any reason not to use Blogger? Well, the problem is that as your blog grows, its simplicity means that you may outgrow Blogger at some point. In addition, it can be difficult to transition from Blogger to another platform. 

WordPress

WordPress is a popular blogging platform which is used on a claimed 30% of web sites, that offers an excellent balance between ease of use, and more powerful options.

They can handle all the details, and take care of the domain name, the security and the hosting for a one stop shopping option. WordPress offers hundreds of themes, with flexibility in fonts and options for a custom look. They also offer expert support, and credit card payments can be accepted via an available plugin.

Pricing starts at the Personal plan for $4 (€3.6, £3.1) monthly billed annually, which removes all WordPress advertising. There is also a free tier available, which is suitable for a noncommercial blog as there is WordPress advertising and no way you can monetize it. 

Jekyll

The latest version of Jekyll (4.0.0.) is a “simple, blog-aware, static site generator.” Content gets created in TXT files, which get placed into folders. Then you build your site via Liquid language templates. Jekyll then merges the content and the template together, and voila, a website is generated that can be uploaded to a server. For those that need a host, there is integration with Jekyll to host the website for free on GitHub.

While there is a comprehensive ‘quick-start guide’ on the Jekyll website, it hardly offers the simplicity of some competing blogging platforms that can do this all from a web interface. However, the benefits that Jekyll offers are the advanced features, which include options for paginating posts, available plugins, templates, and community maintained themes. It also supports blog migration from other platforms.  

The plus here is that there is no cost to the platform, but the downside is that there is only community support, and the work takes place in the Ruby development environment, so many newbies will be put off. 

Tumblr

While some blogs are well developed, and blur the line between a blog, and a full fledged website, at the other end of things we have Tumblr. It seems to be doing something right as it claims a staggering 450+ million different blogs.

It focuses on the more concise end of the spectrum, with an emphasis on shorter content, like just an image, or link, that can appear as more of an alternate social media platform. Content is definitely more short-form, with posts consisting of a variety of material, for example, pics, jokes, quips, Spotify tracks, and video (just remember that adult content is no longer welcome). Like a social media platform, you can also follow other blogs, and republish posts you like to your own blog.

The pro is that Tumblr is quite simple to use, costs nothing, and is ideal for use on a mobile device. However, this is not ideal for a more developed blog, as the content remains in the Tumblr ecosystem, and there is no way to monetize it.  

Typepad

Typepad is a fully developed blogging platform, designed for the professional blogger. It offers a ton of flexibility, including the ability to publish from email, a web browser, or mobile. It also easily integrates with Google Analytics, and has its own affiliate plan.

Typepad supports design customization with a Theme Builder for a custom look, and the option for creating your own custom template or modifying a theme with custom CSS. Typepad is also fully hosted, and has support available. 

After the initial 14-day trial, plans start at $8.95 (£8) per month for up to four blogs with unlimited storage. 

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WebEx users targeted in new phishing campaign

Posted: 13 Apr 2020 10:13 AM PDT

A new phishing campaign designed to harvest Cisco WebEx credentials through a security warning for the application has been discovered by the Cofense Phishing Defense Center (PDC).

Surprisingly, Cisco's own Secure Email Gateway failed to catch this new campaign which was launched at a time when millions of people are working from home using a variety of online platforms and software. Cybercriminals are well aware of this and have begun to exploit trusted brands like WebEx to deliver malicious emails to users.

Video conferencing software has been targeted by attackers in the past but the rapid influx of remote workers during the global pandemic makes for easy prey for hackers. Cofense anticipates that there will continue to be an increase in remote work phishing in the months to come.

WebEx phishing campaign

This latest phishing campaign begins with potential victims receiving an email with subject lines such as “Critical Update” or “Alert” from the spoofed address “meetings@webex.com”. The body of the email explains that there is a vulnerability that the user must patch or risk allowing an unauthenticated user to install a “Docker container with high privileges on the system”.

This quite clever on the part of the hackers as they have spoofed a legitimate business service and have even included links to a write-up for a legitimate vulnerability tracked as CVE-2016-9223. To make their email more compelling, the linked article uses the same wording as the email.

The attackers have also created a fake URL (https://globalpagee-prod-webex.com/signin) which, at first glance, appears quite similar to the actual Cisco WebEx URL (http://globalpage-prod.webex.com/sigin). However, upon further inspection, it is clear that the spoofed URL contains an extra "e" and uses a dash instead of a period at the end.

To carry out this attack, the hackers registered a fraudulent domain through Public Domain Registry just a few days before sending out their credential phishing email. They even went as far as to obtain a SSL certificate for their fraudulent domain to make it appear more legitimate. Once again though there is a discrepancy though, as the official Cisco certificate is verified by HydrantID while the attacker's certificate is through Sectigo Limited.

The phishing page then redirects users to a fake Cisco WebEx login page that is visually identical to the real thing. Once a user logs in, the attackers then have their WebEx credentials which could be sold on the dark web or used to launch additional attacks against them or their organization.

Working from home certainly has its perks but remote workers must remain vigilant to avoid falling victim to this and the many other scams making their way around the internet at the moment.

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iPhone 12 Pro leak suggests an iPad Pro-like design, slightly delayed release date

Posted: 13 Apr 2020 08:40 AM PDT

The iPhone 12 release date may be slightly delayed, but a new report suggests that Apple is due to change up the design of the iPhone 12 Pro to match the iPad Pro.

Specifically, the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max are said to have flat stainless steel edges, rather than curved ones, and more sharply rounded corners and flat screens, according to anonymous sources who spoke to Bloomberg.

This would amount to an iPhone 12 Pro design that’s inspired both by the iPad Pro and the iPhone 5, and it’s something that we’ve broadly heard before. It stands in stark contrast with the slightly sloping edges of the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max.

About that iPhone 12 release date

Apple is said to be releasing four iPhone 12 models, with the two lower-end versions rumored to be sequels to the cheaper iPhone 11 in two different screen sizes. These designs may not sport flat-sided edges, though, which would further differentiate the normal iPhone 12 from the iPhone 12 Pro designs. 

The report also claims that some of Apple's new phones in the series may delayed by 'multiple weeks' due to disruption caused by Covid-19. But while we may not have an iPhone 12 release in September, it's expected to launch during the usual 'fall' pre-Christmas window.

As we've heard from prior iPhone 12 leaks, the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max could have three rear cameras along with a LiDAR scanner, while the cheaper two iPhone 12 models would just have two rear cameras.

The iPhone 12 Pro Max is said to have a slightly larger screen than the 6.5-inch iPhone 11 Pro Max, and these four upcoming iPhones are apparently likely to have a smaller notch than their predecessors, as well as significant processor upgrades focused on speeding up artificial intelligence and augmented reality tasks.

These are mostly details that we’ve heard before from other sources, so there’s a good chance they’re accurate – but as ever with rumors we’d still take them with a pinch of salt until Apple makes everything official.

HomePod 2 and AirTag

It’s not just the iPhone 12 that Bloomberg’s sources have information on, though: they also claim that a smaller, cheaper HomePod could land in the second half of this year with a similar design to the original HomePod, but coming in at about half the size. Apple is also said to be working on widening the support for third-party music streaming services.

And the long-rumored Apple AirTag (or Apple Tag as it's called here) gets a mention too. The device is said to work similarly to the Tile trackers, letting you attach it to valuables as a way to keep track of them.

Apple's AirTag is also said to be coming this year, and will apparently be bundled with an Apple-designed leather sleeve and a keychain to attach it to objects.

This again is broadly in line with what we’ve heard before, as is the existence of a HomePod 2 or a HomePod Mini. If it all comes out this year as has been rumored, then it seems Covid-19 might not have caused too much disruption to Apple after all.

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iPad sale at Best Buy: the latest model Apple iPad gets a $30 price cut

Posted: 13 Apr 2020 08:17 AM PDT

If you're looking for at-home entertainment while stuck indoors, a tablet can be a fantastic option. Luckily for you, Best Buy is slashing the price on Apple's latest model iPad.

For a limited time, you can the 10.2-inch iPad on sale for just $299. That's a $30 discount and the best price we've found for the 32GB tablet. If you're looking for more storage, you can get the 128GB Apple iPad on sale for $379

The 2019 iPad includes Apple's powerful A10 Fusion chip and is available in a 32GB or 128GB storage option. The tablet features a 10.2-inch Retina display that's now able to support a full-sized smart keyboard. The updated tablet runs on iPadOS, which allows for seamless multitasking and the use of the Apple Pencil. The iPad also includes a 1.2MP front-facing camera and has the voice-assistant Siri built-in.

This is a fantastic deal for a newer model iPad and an incredible price for a feature-packed tablet. We don't know how long Best Buy will have the iPads on sale, so you should take advantage now before it's too late.

iPad deals:

Interested in other iPad models? We've listed even more of the cheapest iPad deals and refurbished iPad sales.

You can learn more about the latest iPad with our hands-on iPad (2019) review.

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Nvidia ray tracing could be coming to World of Warcraft: Shadowlands

Posted: 13 Apr 2020 08:09 AM PDT

Blizzard’s World of Warcraft: Shadowlands could up the ante in the graphics department with support for Nvidia ray tracing and variable rate shading (VRS).

So says Reddit user LemonKing, who while poking around in the command console of the eighth expansion to the World of Warcraft, found references to DXR (DirectX Raytracing) 1.0, ray traced shadows and VRS.

Though added to the engine, it’s worth noting these graphics features are not yet implemented in the alpha build of Shadowlands. However, it’s likely that they’ll be fully functional when the game is released later in the year.

These features have the potential to make World of Warcraft look better and run faster on modern systems. Ray-tracing will bring more lifelike and accurate light and shadows to the venerable MMO, while VRS - currently supported on Nvidia's Turing graphics cards and Intel's Gen11 graphics architecture - will allow gamers’ GPUs to identify areas in a frame that need to be rendered in full detail while reducing the detail of other parts of the frame, leading to better overall performance.

Both of these features are staples of DirectX 12, which Microsoft developed with Nvidia in order to bring next-gen graphics features to Windows 10 PCs and the Xbox Series X. This hints that Blizzard could be planning a version World of Warcraft version for the next-generation console, along with Sony’s PS5.

Though unconfirmed, Blizzard has previously confirmed it was looking at bringing ray tracing to World of Warcraft. Game developers Michael Bybee and Patrick Magruder said in an interview on MMO-Champion that the “the engine team is working on taking advantage of RTX".


No woe for low-end systems

For those worried that their old machine won’t be able to handle the souped-up graphics, the developers added that World of Warcraft will continue to run well on all kinds of systems, saying they "believe that the more machines that can run WoW, the better".

This is an approach that Blizzard has taken with World of Warcraft for years. The developer has added a ton of visual flair to the aging MMO over the years, while maintaining a very low barrier of entry for folks that don't have access to the latest PC components. 

After all, for a game that relies on a large player base, it only makes sense to get as many people into the game as possible. And, if Blizzard can do that while also including high-end features like ray tracing – more power to it. 

World Of Warcraft: Shadowlands will is due to arrive on Windows and macOS later this year, though no exact release date has yet been announced. 

Via Wccftech

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12 very long Nintendo Switch games that'll make 2020 disappear

Posted: 13 Apr 2020 08:00 AM PDT

Ever bought a game for $60/£50 on the day it released, then finished it just hours later? Chances are, you're either playing an FPS game from the late '00s, or you just got unlucky. The current trend in blockbuster singleplayer games is to make them long, or replayable, and it's definitely a good thing for people taking a chance on a new purchase. 

If you're among the thousands of people who just bought a Nintendo Switch in the current phase of panic buying, you're possibly wondering which games offer the best value in terms of hours played. That's why we've made this list, focused specifically on games that are really, really long. 

Some of them, in fact, can be played forever, not that we necessarily recommend you do that. For each game below, we provided an estimate on how long it'll take to beat, based on the player data supplied to the website How Long to Beat. Find something you like the sound of, then give it a try. 

The Witcher 3: Complete Edition

Genre: RPG
How long is it? 51 hours (at least) 

The Witcher 3 takes some graphical sacrifices to work on Switch, but if it's your only way to play what's widely considered the best RPG of the last ten years, you should totally grab it. This fantasy RPG, starring Geralt of Rivia, offers a beautiful world to explore, extremely well-written side quests and fun real-time combat. 

51 hours is just scratching the surface with this game, really. When factoring in the two expansions that ship with this Switch edition of the game, you're looking at well over 100 hours of game to enjoy. A great way to pass the time if you're waiting for The Witcher season 2 on Netflix.

The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim 

Genre: RPG
How long is it? 33 hours (at least)

Skyrim is one of those games that's been ported to everything that'll run it, and that includes the Switch. You'd be hard-pressed to notice big differences between this edition and the original console releases on Xbox 360 and PS3. This fantasy RPG is still a treat to play nine years after it first debuted, even if the sidequest design is pretty rudimentary, and maybe a bit too familiar if you've played any of Bethesda's other RPGs.

Like The Witcher, the novelty of Skyrim on Switch is just seeing it actually work, but there's a reason RPG fans still revere this game all these years later. 33 hours might get you through the main story, but combined with the bundled-in DLC, you're looking at well over 100 hours of potential play time here. 

Octopath Traveler

Genre: RPG
How long is it? Roughly 60 hours

A throwback to turn-based RPGs of old, Octopath Traveler charts the adventures of eight unique characters, all of which have an interesting story to tell. The twist is you can play as any of them, whether that’s as an exotic dancer or a hardened warrior, and delve further into the storyline of each, if you choose. 

The eight travelers also have special abilities that you need to use to interact with the world, and you'll experiment with different tactics in battle to overcome challenging enemies. You might need to intimidate a guard to cough up more information, for example, or charm a formidable character to join you in battle.

Octopath Traveler mixes things up further in the combat department thanks to its clever boost system. Store up action points with each turn, then spend them all in one go to unleash incredibly powerful attacks and abilities.

It’s easy to fall into the satisfying gameplay loop that Octopath Traveler offers: leveling up, scouring the land for more effective gear, and completing every single side quest that pops up. Trust us when we say that a truly epic quest awaits you. 

Divinity: Original Sin 2

Genre: RPG
How long is it? Roughly 95 hours

Getting excited for Baldur’s Gate 3? You should be, if developer Larian’s last effort is anything to go by. If Divinity: Original Sin showed what the potential for a modernized CRPG could bring to the table, Original Sin 2 crystalized the format – and proved there was no developer better to pick up the Baldur’s Gate mantle than Larian.

Divinity: Original Sin 2 is a mammoth game, a blast in single-player and a revelation when enjoyed as a multiplayer adventure. Taking on the role of magically charged misfits on a journey towards godhood, it’s one of the most freeing RPGs imaginable. Taking the “if you can imagine it, you can try it” approach of a tabletop RPG, you’re free to approach any combat encounter in any way you like, taking full advantage of a cleverly reactive environmental system and turn-based battle mechanic.

That this gigantic game can be squeezed onto the Switch seems almost impossible, but it has been masterfully ported. It’s taken a visual downgrade, undeniably, but there’s one last treat in store if you’ve already played the PC version – the game is fully compatible with cross-platform saves.

Pokémon Sword and Shield 

Genre: RPG
How long is it? 25 hours (at least)

The latest Pokémon game courted controversy for not featuring the complete roster of monsters from past generations, but that might actually come as a relief if you're starting the series for the first time. Either way, you've got hours of monster catching and battling ahead of you in the series' first HD effort. It'll take you over 20 hours to finish the main game, then much, much longer to fill your Pokédex, which you can do online. 

You can extend things much further by taking your monsters online and battling other trainers. If, somehow, that's not enough game to fill your time, two new DLC packs are coming to Sword and Shield this year, complete with new Pokémon to collect. 

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 

Genre: Open world
How long is it? 50 hours (at least)

The first properly open world Zelda is, without exaggeration, one of the best games ever made. After an extended intro that explains all of the ways you can interact with the world, you can finish it at any time, though there is a critical path of sorts. But exploring, discovering and making your own stories is the lifeblood of Breath of the Wild. 

Maybe you'll get hit by lightning while riding on horseback across a stormy plain. Maybe you'll use a bomb to knock three enemies off a cliff. Perhaps you'll glide off a mountain in your underpants. Breath of the Wild is unlike any other open world game in how tactile it feels. Link can climb any surface in the game, which is extraordinary and something we wish other open world games would copy. It's a world filled with secrets, that players can unravel in any order they like.

We can't wait for Breath of the Wild 2

Animal Crossing: New Horizons 

Genre: Life sim
How long is it? It never, ever ends

Animal Crossing: New Horizons is the latest big Switch exclusive. Continuing a long line of life sim-style games going back to the N64 era, in each game you move to a new town, settle down and pay off your mortgage. In this particular entry, you've just flown to an island to start your new life. You can collect bugs, interact with the cheery animals who move in, and redecorate your home and its surroundings in the way you see fit. 

There's no strict way to complete Animal Crossing, which makes it the perfect game to play over the next few months. You're supposed to enjoy it for 30 minutes or an hour a day (though one look at people's towns on social media will tell you they are not obeying that philosophy), selling fruit and digging up fossils each day. 

It's a nice, relaxing bit of escapism with a colorful cast of characters, and Nintendo is running seasonal events in-game over the coming year to keep you occupied. And don't get us started on the turbulent turnip market. 

Super Mario Maker 2

Genre: Level creation
How long is it? Endless

Super Mario Maker 2 is a great game to sink your time into. While there is a campaign of sorts, which you’ll storm through in only 10-15 hours, it’s the creation tools that are really at the heart of this game, and they will last you a whole lot longer.

Like the Super Mario Maker game on 3DS, this sequel for Switch allows you to make and refine (or entirely ruin) your own Mario platforming levels, offering near-endless combinations of Goombas, Thwomps, item blocks, hovering vehicles, green pipes, and more. There’s even a mix of game styles, too, from the 8-bit NES era to the 3D graphics of the Wii U – whether you’re traversing the ocean floor, building terrifying slides, or dumping Mario in the desert.

With the option to upload your creations for other Switch owners, and play whatever monstrosities they’ve made in return, you’ll never run out of things to do, while the level editor offers huge freedom in crafting and tinkering levels to your heart’s content.

Just remember: a Mario level is never finished. It is only abandoned. 

Stardew Valley

Tetris 99

Genre: Puzzle
How long is it? Endless

Unlike a few of the picks on this list, there’s no end to Tetris 99. Much like the original puzzle game that has become a staple of Nintendo’s home consoles, Tetris 99 is a time sink for anyone who gets addicted to its upbeat music and consistent serotonin hits when you clear a line of blocks.

In Tetris 99, you’ll be fighting against almost a hundred other players to survive for the longest time possible. It’s a battle royale, so much like in Fortnite or Apex Legends you’ll be fighting tooth and nail to survive until the very end.

When you clear a line of tetrominoes you’ll then be shooting them across at other players and trying to make their lives as difficult as possible. It’s a simple concept, but the best part is the game is free-to-play so you’ll be able to try it out yourself without spending a penny.

Baldur’s Gate 1 and 2 Enhanced Editions 

Genre: RPG
How long is it? Roughly 50 hours for the first game, 80 for the second. Not including expansions!

Before there was Dragon Age, before there was Mass Effect, the RPG veterans at Bioware were making a name for themselves with the Baldur’s Gate series. An epic fantasy adventure in the top-down CRPG vein, it weaved a lengthy, engrossing story across two gargantuan games using traditional Dungeons and Dragons rulesets.

They’re among the most influential series of all time (the second game regularly features near the top of ‘greatest games of all time lists’, despite being 20 years old at this stage), and the Nintendo Switch is the perfect console for them, letting you take these huge adventures with you wherever you go. Traditionally controlled by keyboard and mouse, the Switch port does a masterful job of tweaking the UI and button scheme to give you direct movement over your party of characters with the analogue stick.

If you manage to get through these monsters, there are also great double-pack ports of stablemates PlaneScape: Torment and Icewind Dale on the Nintendo Switch. The former of those two is every bit as good as the Baldur’s Gate series, though with a darker sci-fi-horror theme. 

Get through the first two Baldur’s Gate games and you’ll be well-prepared for the long awaited Baldur’s Gate 3, an all-new game in the series expected to release in 2020.

Final Fantasy X/X-2 HD Remaster 

Genre: RPG
How long is it? 80 hours combined (at least)

A healthy chunk of the Final Fantasy back catalogue is on the Nintendo Switch now, and it's hotly contested as to which game in the series is actually the best. In terms of value, though, we'd argue this two-pack is a great purchase. You get the 2001-released, aquatic-themed Final Fantasy entry and its breezy 2003 predecessor, both looking extremely nice on that portable screen. They were originally made for PS2, but got a healthy tune-up for the PS3 back in 2014, and this version is based on those.

Each game is vastly different from the other. FFX features a detailed turn-based combat system and deep character customisation, while the other is a semi real-time RPG with an extensive class system. If this doesn't suit you, consider Final Fantasy 12: The Zodiac Age, an entirely real-time game with no random battles.

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Best smart wearables under Rs 15,000 in India for 2020

Posted: 13 Apr 2020 08:00 AM PDT

Smartwatches and wearables are no longer just for enthusiasts, as they have matured into functional pieces of tech. They complement our smartphones, work as a notification extender and even help with fitness. Understandably, their popularity has continuously risen. In a time like now where fitness is so important, getting a dedicated tracker might just be the push that many people need.

The sub Rs 15,000 segment is a good entry point for someone looking to get their first wearable without breaking the bank. These typically come under three categories: smartwatches, hybrids and fitness trackers. The smartwatches in this compilation are rather entry-level, with the hybrids offering the best balance between features and price.

Following the best smart wearables under Rs 15,000 in India:



Huawei Watch GT 2

Huawei Watch GT 2

Huawei's latest smartwatch aims to do what most smartwatches can only dream of — offering battery life longer than a week. That surprisingly does not come at the cost of a lack of functionality. 

It offers great internal and external hardware along with a decent suite of fitness features. The Watch GT 2's design will also be appreciated by many.

Buy Huawei Watch GT 2 from Flipkart | Amazon

Read our review

Fossil Hybrid Collider HR

The Fossil Hybrid HR is the company's first attempt at creating an entire ecosystem around a wearable that is a part-time smartwatch and a full-time timepiece.

Not only does it offer one of the classiest designs we've seen, but it also brings a two-week battery life, thanks to the e-paper display under the arms. Its features are a little lacking, and will be the make or break factor for many. 

Buy Fossil Hybrid HR Collider from Amazon

Read our review


Fossil Sport

Fossil remains as one of the few manufacturers that still makes Wear OS watches. Due for a refresh, the Fossil Sport is a cute little smartwatch with an unmatched app selection and feature set. 

You'll probably need to charge it every other night, but that could be a small price to pay for everything this watch can do. It can legit function as a smartphone replacement when used to the limits.

Buy Fossil Sport from Amazon

Read our review

Huami Amazfit GTS

Huami has produced quite a few exciting smartwatches and fitness trackers in recent years. The Amazfit GTS sports  a big 1.65-inch curved AMOLED display which is plenty for everything.

It has a respectable battery life of almost 10 days, which is a big plus. Essentials such as water resistance, extended notifications, music controls and fitness are all present. 

Buy Amazfit GTS from Flipkart | Amazon

Honor Magic Watch 2

The Honor Magic Watch 2 is the spiritual sibling of the Huawei Watch GT 2 at a significantly lower price. It carries most of the same pros and cons too.

The casing is pretty sleek and sturdy, and offers almost two weeks of battery life on a single charge. Fitness-related features are once again its strong suit, but functionality otherwise is rather limited. 

Buy Honor Magic Watch 2 from Amazon

Read our review

Fitbit Inspire HR

The Fitbit Inspire HR is one of the more affordable trackers from the brand, while retaining the entire suite of functionality, app and services that Fitbit is so well known for.

As always, strong points include a sturdy design, reliable battery life, and robust statistics and fitness tracking. Apart from that, it is pretty minimal on the hardware and software fronts, but that is not necessarily a bad thing.

Buy Fitbit Inspire HR from Amazon | Fitbit

Read our review

Xiaomi Mi Band 4

Xiaomi has been responsible for democratizing fitness trackers in India, and the new Mi Band 4 just pushes that further. As always, its price is its biggest selling point.

It sports an OLED display within a sleek capsule that has great outdoor visibility and sharpness. It also manages to fit in a heart rate tracker as well as connected GPS. The battery still manages to last for almost three weeks.

Buy Mi Band 4 from Amazon

Read our review

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Resident Evil 4 is rumored to be next in line for a remake

Posted: 13 Apr 2020 07:57 AM PDT

The new and improved Resident Evil 3 has only just launched, but Capcom isn't letting up: the studio is rumored to be working on a remake and relaunch of Resident Evil 4 now, with a release date of 2022 mooted.

Our favorite of the entire series, Resident Evil 4 originally arrived on the GameCube in 2005, before finding its way to modern consoles in more recent years.

VGC has the scoop on the new remake, which makes sense for Capcom given the success of modernizing Resident Evil 3 and Resident Evil 2. "Multiple" sources have told VGC that production on the new Resident Evil 4 is already well underway.

Development will apparently be led by M-Two in Japan, headed up by Tatsuya Minami, though Capcom is going to be lending plenty of support and expertize along the way. Original creator Shinji Mikami has reportedly given his blessing too.

What to expect

There's no doubt that Resident Evil 4 could be the best remake in the series yet – it was a monster smash when it first appeared on the scene, pioneering the third-person, off-the-shoulder viewpoint.

Technically the sixth installment in the franchise, the original was itself a reboot of sorts: different enemies, a faster pace, and a shift in gameplay priorities. That all bodes well for when the updated version appears.

That estimated launch window of 2022 isn't all that definite either. With the coronavirus pandemic continuing to cause havoc across the world, the Resident Evil 4 remake may well get pushed back as a result.

However, we're excited to see what Capcom and M-Two come up with, whenever it arrives – it's going to be interesting to see if the developers can improve on what is already a near-perfect video game.

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