Apple : Challenging the cloud oligarchy: a Q&A with Backblaze |
- Challenging the cloud oligarchy: a Q&A with Backblaze
- How to watch The Masked Singer finale online - stream it tonight live from anywhere
- Save over $100 on laptop deals at Lenovo's Memorial Day sale 2020
- New Microsoft Teams update will be a godsend for developers
- iOS 13.5 update: Apple makes the iPhone face mask and contract tracing app-ready
- Intel Tiger Lake CPUs will deliver twice the graphics performance of Ice Lake
- Linux on Windows 10 gets major computing boost
- How to watch Dispatches from Elsewhere: stream online from anywhere in the world
- Breath of the Wild 2 release date, news and trailers for the next Zelda game
- HBO Max: release date, price, movies, the Justice League Snyder Cut and more
- Best free blogging site of 2020
- Best free website builder 2020
- Best website builders of 2020: Hostgator, Wix, Squarespace, Weebly tested and rated
- Google Cloud and Dell want to bring hybrid storage to businesses everywhere
- Best Buy's Memorial Day sale 2020: deals on TVs, appliances, laptops, and more
- Lego Super Mario is getting a Cat Mario ‘Power-Up Pack’ – and it’s purrfect
- Get a cheap MacBook Pro deal this week at B&H with savings of up to $300
- Disney Plus finally sets a date on fixing The Simpsons error – and it's soon
| Challenging the cloud oligarchy: a Q&A with Backblaze Posted: 20 May 2020 03:38 PM PDT The days of backing up important files and documents on multiple hard drives for redundancy are a thing of the past as cloud backup has become increasingly affordable. However, choosing a cloud storage and backup provider can often be daunting for users who are unsure of whether they want to sync, store or backup their files. For too long, the cloud storage market has been dominated by tech giants whose solutions are often expensive, opaque and complicated. Started back in 2007 with the aim of backing up friends and family’s computers, Backblaze has emerged as a viable competitor in the space by delivering easy, low-cost backup services to businesses and consumers for years. TechRadar Pro spoke with the company’s co-founder and CEO Gleb Budman to learn more about its infrastructure and services along with its recently announced S3 compatible APIs.
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| How to watch The Masked Singer finale online - stream it tonight live from anywhere Posted: 20 May 2020 03:07 PM PDT The Masked Singer has been flying the flag for protective facial coverings long before it was considered a public transport necessity - and now the hit singing competition is about to crown a new winner in the US. Here's how to watch The Masked Singer live tonight and stream the finale of season 3 from anywhere in the world. Please be aware that spoilers for The Masked Singer season 3 exist below - divert your eyes if you're not fully up-to-date with The Masked Singer in the US. Night Angel, Turtle and Frog are the final three contestants in the show, after last week's semi-final saw Rhino outed as former baseball ace and aspiring country musician Barry Zito. In addition to Zito, we've seen Poison singer Bret Michaels voted off and discovered to be the voice behind the Banana; country music star Hunter Hayes defrocked as the Astronaut; and Kitty unmasked as singer Jackie Evancho. Other previous contestants include Lil Wayne, Drew Carey, Sarah Palin, Tony Hawk and Rob Gronkowski. Actor Nick Canon hosts the proceedings, and the show's judging panel is comprised of TV personality Jenny McCarthy, singer-songerwriter Robin Thicke, global megastar Nicole Scherzinger and comedian Ken Jeong. Who will win The Masked Singer this year? It's safe to say there's still a surprise or two in store, so read on as we explain how to watch The Masked Singer finale live - stream the show online and for free no matter where you are in the world today.
How to watch The Masked Singer finale for FREE in the USHow to watch The Masked Singer finale in Canada tonightHow to watch The Masked Singer finale from outside your countryIf you happen to be away from home at this tricky time, don't despair. You can easily watch The Masked Singer finale from nearly anywhere, despite the unfortunate digital phenomenon known as geo-blocking. The solution to this comes in the form of a VPN, which changes your IP address so that you can access your favorite shows just like you would at home, including The Masked Singer. This is particularly important if you're currently travelling in a country like the UK or Australia, which both have their own versions of The Masked Singer - airing exclusively in these markets and at different times to the North American iteration of the show. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Save over $100 on laptop deals at Lenovo's Memorial Day sale 2020 Posted: 20 May 2020 02:58 PM PDT Memorial Day is almost here and to celebrate Lenovo is giving us a sneak peek sale with early doorbuster deals throughout its site. Lenovo's Memorial Day sale includes over $1,000 in savings on best-selling laptops, webcams, desktops, and more. Lenovo's sale isn't just about laptops, the retailer also has the highly sought after Lenovo 500 webcam on sale for $49.99 and the stylish IdeaCentre A340 desktop discounted down to $629.99. Lenovo Memorial Day deals:See more laptop bargains with our roundup of the best laptops under $500 or our selection of the best cheap laptop deals and sales around right now. Plus, you can shop more deals with our guide to the best Memorial Day sales 2020. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| New Microsoft Teams update will be a godsend for developers Posted: 20 May 2020 02:57 PM PDT Microsoft Teams has seen extensive growth during the pandemic and the video conferencing tool has now surpassed 75m daily active users which is why Microsoft wants to make it easier for business developers to create apps for the service. At its virtual Build 2020 developers conference, the software giant announced a number of new features and integrations that are coming to Teams soon. The new Visual Studio and Visual Studio Code Teams extensions will allow developers to quickly build scaffolding, configure features, create and validate app package manifests and start the app publishing process either by themselves, in their organization's catalog or directly to the Teams app store. The Visual Studio Code extension is available now in public preview and the Visual Studio extension is coming soon.
Microsoft also unveiled Power Platform integrations with Teams that allow developers to build custom low-code apps, workflows, chatbots and dashboards for their teams and customers. Soon PowerApps makers will be able to add their apps to Teams with a single click. At the same time, adding low-code bots from Power Virtual Agents will also be simplified. Managing apps and creating new teamsIT admins will have a much easier time managing apps thanks to a new streamlined process to manage, review, approve and publish custom apps directly from the Teams Admin Center. A new 3rd-party subscription experience will also enable them to view and purchase subscriptions for 3rd-party Teams apps. IT admins will be able to purchase licenses and even pin the app to targeted employees directly from within the Teams Admin Center. Handling app permissions will be easier as well as IT admins can grant consent to Graph API permissions on behalf of their entire organization. They will be able to see granular permissions and provide resource-specific consent with the ability to install an app to a specific team. Microsoft is also helping organizations create new teams more quickly with templates. Each template comes with pre-defined channels, apps, and guidance on how to utilize and customize it. IT professionals can even create new custom templates for their organizations which allows them to standardize team structures, surface relevant apps and scale best practices. Microsoft Teams is adding new features at a steady pace and the updates announced by Microsoft at this year's Build conference will help attract more developers who will create new apps for the service.
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| iOS 13.5 update: Apple makes the iPhone face mask and contract tracing app-ready Posted: 20 May 2020 01:40 PM PDT The new iOS 13.5 update for the iPhone has just launched and it's ready to end all of your troubles with using Apple's Face ID when wearing a face mask, and it seeds a way for your local public health agencies to develop contact tracing apps. This very Covid-19-focused software update comes with official release notes, which begin with the most immediately helpful new iOS 13.5 feature: reducing the delay of showing the passcode menu on iPhones with Face ID. This lets you type in your PIN from the get-go. What's interesting is that Face ID still seems to work when you're not wearing a face mask, so you don't have to manually switch back and forth between the two security methods in settings. Face mask recognition is a relief for something that's been bugging us for the last two months. While Face ID, on everything from the iPhone X to the iPhone 11 Pro, is wildly advanced and secure, it doesn't deal with face masks well at all. That's been frustrating when you own one of the priciest of the best phones in the world. Now, the ability to enter the traditional passcode from the start helps avoid having to awkwardly fail out of Face ID twice just to get to the passcode screen when unlocking your phone or buying something with Apple Pay. iOS 13.5 will make life with a face mask a little easier. iOS 13.5 launches contact tracing appsOfficially called 'Exposure Notifications' in the iOS 13.5 update, Apple (along with Google doing the same with Android) has baked in an API for contact tracing apps. This framework will allow governments and public health agencies to develop apps that alert you if you've come into contact with someone who later tests positive for Covid-19 and that person anonymously logs their positive result into a database. No, the actual contact tracing apps aren't here yet in iOS 13.5, but Apple and Google note that 22 countries across five continents have requested and received access to the API, while stressing that everything is being done to protect user privacy. In addition to being contacted anonymously, the Exposure Notifications API uses Bluetooth Low Energy, not WiFi or other, more potentially identifiable means. The companies are working to make it impossible to create a digital paper trail, though privacy advocates still have concerns. Apple and Google have also said that there are no plans to use this framework beyond the current pandemic. Rounding out the new iOS 13.5 features are two smaller tweaks. The Medical ID data that's a part of the Health app can be securely shared with emergency services when you place a 911 call in the US. Right now, it's a US-only feature. The second small perk to updating to iOS 13.5 involves Group FaceTime. You can prevent the video chat tiles from changing in size when a new main speaker takes the helm of the conversation. We've download iOS 13.5 onto our iPhones and we will continue to explore it for any other hidden features and bug fixes that Apple may have made since iOS 13.4.
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| Intel Tiger Lake CPUs will deliver twice the graphics performance of Ice Lake Posted: 20 May 2020 12:54 PM PDT Intel’s incoming 11th-generation Tiger Lake-U mobile processors will offer twice the graphics performance of 10th-gen Ice Lake chips, according to leaked benchmarks. Notebookcheck got its hands on 3DMark Fire Strike Results which reveal that Intel Xe Gen12 graphics, integrated into Intel’s incoming Tiger Lake-U processors, will offer twice the performance of Ice Lake’s built-in GPU. Intel’s lowest-end Core i3 processor, which will feature 48 execution units (EU), will apparently offer 20% faster graphics performance than the Iris Plus Graphics G7 with 64 EUs on the chipmaker’s Core i7 Ice Lake processor, according to the report.
A 15W Core i5 Tiger Lake processor with 96 EUs delivers almost twice the GPU performance as Iris Plus Graphics G7, with that increasing by an additional 15% on the 28W variant. While Intel’s Gen11 Iris Plus Graphics failed to compete with AMD Radeon RX Vega 8 in the Ryzen 7 4800U, with Team Red’s iGPU offering 40% better graphics performance than Ice Lake, Intel could soon offer the faster iGPU if Tiger Lake-U performance lives up to these benchmarks. And it looks like that could be the case, as another recent 3DMark listing showed the quad-core, 8-thread Core i7-1185G7 CPU besting AMD’s Ryzen 7 4800U in the iGPU department, with a score of 1,296 in the graphics test. Intel’s 11th-generation Tiger Lake mobile CPUs, which will be built around the 10nm+ Willow Cave architecture, are set to debut in the middle of this year, with the chipmaker promising that these mobile processors will ship in more than 50 notebooks by the end of the year. These processors reportedly won’t just offer impressive performance gains in the GPU department – benchmarks shared by tipster @_rogame show the so-called Core i7-1165G7 listed with a base clock of 2.8GHz. That’s a significant increase compared to the fastest existing Ice Lake notebook processor, which has a 2.3GHz base clock. The aforementioned I7-1185G7 could run up to a base clock of 3GHz, according to an earlier leak. Hopefully Intel pulls the veil from its Tiger Lake processors soon, so we can truly see what they're capable of.
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| Linux on Windows 10 gets major computing boost Posted: 20 May 2020 12:09 PM PDT Running Linux on Windows 10 is about to get a whole lot easier as Microsoft is making a number of improvements to its Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) including GUI app support and GPU hardware acceleration. Later this month, the software giant will add a full Linux kernel to Windows 10 with the release of version 2 of WSL and the company also now plans to support Linux GUI apps that can run alongside regular Windows apps. Windows users will no longer have to use X11 forwarding to run Linux GUI apps though the updates are primarily designed for developers who want to run Linux integrated development environments (IDE) while still working in Windows.
GPU hardware accelerationRunning Linux GUI apps within Linux used to only be possible by using a third-party X server though poor graphics performance has always been an issue. However, Windows 10 will soon get added support for GPU hardware acceleration with Linux tools. This will be particularly useful for developers working with parallels computation or training machine learning or AI models. In a blog post, partner developer lead at Microsoft, Steve Pronovost provided more details on GPU hardware acceleration in Windows will work, saying: “Applications running inside of the Linux environment have the same access to the GPU as native applications on Windows. There is no partitioning of resources between Linux and Windows or limit imposed on Linux applications. The sharing is completely dynamic based on who needs what. There are basically no differences between two Windows applications sharing a GPU versus a Linux and a Windows application sharing the same GPU. If a Linux application is alone on a GPU, it can consume all its resources!” Microsoft plans to share additional details on when Linux GUI app support will be generally available later this year though Windows 10 Insiders in the Fast Ring will be able to test out GPU hardware acceleration in the next few months. Switching between Windows and Linux can be a burden for developers which is why Microsoft is providing them with all the tools and features they need to run both operating systems simultaneously.
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| How to watch Dispatches from Elsewhere: stream online from anywhere in the world Posted: 20 May 2020 11:20 AM PDT Jason Segel has been in plenty of hits, from How I Met Your Mother and Forgetting Sarah Marshall to cult favorite Freaks and Geeks. His new creation Dispatches from Elsewhere isn't like any of those, though - or anything you've seen before. It's a mysterious new drama that has captivated audiences since its release earlier in the year. Read on to find out how to watch Dispatches from Elsewhere online no matter where you are today. The often surreal show follows four ordinary people that share the common denominator of feeling like there’s something missing in their lives. The foursome are brought together after stumbling upon a puzzle "hiding just behind the veil of everyday life". As they begin to accept the mysterious challenges thrown up by the puzzle, they come to find that the mystery winds deeper than they imagined, exposing them to a world of possibility and magic. Despite being given very little in the way of clues, the mystery of the game maintains the character’s intrigue, with each piece of the puzzle, or 'Dispatches from Elsewhere', bringing them closer to the answers they seek. Alongside Segel, the show boasts an all-star cast which includes Andre Benjamin (whom you might know better as Andre 3000 from Outkast), Sally Field, and Richard E Grant. One of the most unique shows of the year so far, keep reading to find out how to watch Dispatches from Elsewhere from anywhere in the world. Watch Dispatches from Elsewhere online from outside your countryWhile many US cable subscribers will find it easy to watch Dispatches from Elsewhere online thanks to AMC's website and app, it gets a bit more complicated if you find yourself abroad and want to tune in to watch the show. Fortunately, there's an easy solution. Downloading a VPN will allow you to watch Dispatches from Elsewhere online live as it airs, no matter where you are. This simple bit of kit 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 sofa getting your lockdown on. Watch Dispatches from Elsewhere online in the UKHow to watch the Dispatches from Elsewhere online for free in the US
Stream Dispatches from Elsewhere: how to watch in CanadaCan I watch Dispatches from Elsewhere in Australia?There's no word on when Dispatches from Elsewhere will air or become available for streaming Down Under, but a trailer posted by the Amazon Prime Video account for Australia and New Zealand notes a 'May 2020' release date. We'll keep you updated as soon as we learn more. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Breath of the Wild 2 release date, news and trailers for the next Zelda game Posted: 20 May 2020 11:20 AM PDT Get ready to run, climb and glide through Hyrule once again because Nintendo has confirmed that The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 is in development for Nintendo Switch. Nintendo confirmed the sequel to its critically acclaimed Switch launch title The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild at the end of its E3 2019 presentation, confirming rumors that had been circulating following the appearance of a job listing for a 3D level designer in 2018. Given Breath of the Wild was lauded as one of the best games of 2017 and one of the best open-world experiences in gaming, it's not surprise that Nintendo is working on a sequel. But so much success means expectations are high for Breath of the Wild 2. At the moment, not a great deal is known about the sequel—including its release date—but the trailer shown during E3 suggests that Breath of the Wild 2 could take the series in a darker direction. While Nintendo hasn't given us a whole bunch to go on, rumors are abound and we've gathered up everything we know and suspect so far about The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 below for your perusal. Cut to the chase
Breath of the Wild 2 release dateNintendo hasn't shared much information on Breath of the Wild 2 other than an announcement trailer and a few sparse comments—which we'll run through below. One thing to hold on to is that the trailer closed off with a line stating the game is "in development". That doesn't guarantee the game is coming anytime soon but it is coming. Last year, leaker Sabi (via wccftech) suggested that Breath of the Wild 2 is due for release in 2020, but warned that, "Zelda release dates are historically delayed, internally or publicly". And it seems they were right, as the leaker has since claimed that Breath of the Wild 2 has been delayed, likely into 2021. While it's always worth taking rumors with a big pinch of salt, Sabi is a pretty reliable leaker. The Twitter user leaked most of the big announcements from E3 2019 before they happened – reportedly even earning a cease and desist order from Nintendo. Breath of the Wild 2 trailersWe got our first glimpse of BOTW 2 at E3 2019, with this spooky trailer that shows Zelda and Link exploring an underground chamber – with some mysterious runes, glowing hands, and a brand-new haircut that has set the internet on fire. Suffice it to say we're excited. The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2 trailer is just 82 seconds long and there's no dialogue whatsoever but there are some clues to be gathered from it. It features a torch-carrying Link and Zelda traversing a dark dungeon beneath Hyrule (no big surprise there). Spirit-like tendrils creep around the musty tomb they're exploring, with the pair riding a large elephant-like beast. Something shocks the pair, and then we cut to what appears to be the resurrection of some long-dead (and creepy looking) warrior. Could this be the return of Ganondorf? The video then cuts to a long shot of Hyrule Field, with Hyrule Castle in the distance. There's a tremor, the castle is smothered with dust... and that's the end. The clip finishes with a message that reads: "The sequel to Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is in development." We wouldn't usually expect so much animation to be done so early in development, but it probably helps that Nintendo already has the in-game engine from Breath of the Wild. Breath of the Wild 2 news and rumorsCould Zelda have a bigger role this time around? (Image Credit: Nintendo) E3 uncertainty and a Mario-dominated 2020 With E3 2020 officially cancelled (physically and digitally) it's currently unclear what Nintendo is planning to do with regards to its traditional June Direct in which it lays out its plans for the latter half of the year and beyond. Uncertainty has been increased by a report from GamesBeat (corroborated by VGC) suggesting that the ongoing pandemic and switch to a work-from-home model has caused complications for Nintendo, which may have to push its Direct from June to the end of the summer. Though Nintendo has not commented on this recent report, following the cancellation of E3 Nintendo said it will “continue to be flexible and redirect our efforts to other ways of keeping our fans up to date about our activities and products" but no specifics have been confirmed. Though it was by no means certain that there would be any kind of Breath of the Wild 2 news during Nintendo's E3 Direct, fans were no doubt hoping for at least an indication of how the game is progressing given June will mark a full year since the game's announcement with little news in between. Interestingly, a further recent report from Eurogamer and Video Games Chronicle has said that for the rest of 2020, the Nintendo Switch's first-party lineup is going to be very Mario-heavy in celebration of the franchise's 35th anniversary. Though this report hasn't been confirmed by Nintendo, if it's true then 2020 being heavily dominated by Mario doesn't bode well for any kind of Breath of the Wild 2 release. It's worth pointing out, though, that February 2021 is The Legend of Zelda's 35th anniversary so if Nintendo does go big for Mario there's a precedent for it doing the same for Zelda next year in some form or another. It would certainly be the perfect year to focus on Breath of the Wild 2. Of course, this is just conjecture and we won't know anything for sure until Nintendo makes some official announcements about the game. Rumors spreading It's been a long time since anything solid on Breath of the Wild 2 has been announced and, as ever, in the absence of solid news rumors tend to creep in. The latest rumor has come from Tyler McVicker. Known primarily for his YouTube channel dedicated to Valve rumors, McVicker has recently announced he's setting up a Nintendo news channel and on a recent stream (around the 11 minute mark) teased some unconfirmed information (via NintendoLife) on the Zelda sequel. According to McVicker, Breath of the Wild 2 will take players back to the same Hyrule layout but introduce new things like "miasma"-like corruption and dungeons to add depth and detail to the map, taking inspiration from Red Dead Redemption 2 and another unnamed game. Anything said about Breath of the Wild 2 that hasn't come from Nintendo itself should naturally be taken with a huge pinch of salt. A 2020 release date? It may be delayed And it seems they were right, as the leaker has since claimed that Breath of the Wild 2 has been delayed, likely into 2021. Monolith recruitment Hiring extra hands for the development of such a highly-anticipated game can't be a bad thing and suggests that the teams are working hard on getting the game ready for whatever the as-yet-unrevealed release date is. Behind the scenes We haven't seen much from the game since this trailer but some are hoping that we'll get an update sometime soon. More hiring calls One hint comes from a Nintendo Japan tweet regarding some job listings for a “scenario planner” and a “level designer” for the game. The fact that such core roles are still being filled suggests that the game is still in the fairly early stages of development and isn’t likely to be a 2020 release. We can’t know for certain, of course, until Nintendo confirms an exact release date but we’re inclined to say later rather than sooner. All the DLC that never was "Initially we were thinking of just DLC ideas," says Anouma. "But then we had a lot of ideas and we said, 'This is too many ideas, let’s just make one new game and start from scratch.'" A darker turn for the series We've heard from Zelda series producer Eiji Aonuma that the game is going to have a darker tone than Breath of the Wild, and will even be "a little bit darker" than Majora's Mask (via IGN). The trailer certainly supports this, with what looks like Ganondorf's corpse being resurrected by a disembodied hand, and seemingly imagery from 2006's Twilight Princess, which saw Hyrule turned into a bleak shadow realm – largely in response to the far cheerier and cartoonish The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker. A Gerudo corpse, possibly Ganon, is grabbed by a mysterious force (Image Credit: Nintendo) The Twilight realm We know that BOTW's dev team originally toyed with the idea of an alien invasion, and seeing shadow creatures teleport out of the sky could well have been what they have planned this time around. A clue in the audio u/ReroFunk also suggests we could see the demon king Demise return for the next Zelda game. Demise was the final boss in Skyward Sword, and revealed to be the original form of Ganondorf. The below still from the Zelda trailer also looks a lot like Demise when you think about it. Ganon, Demise, or something else entirely? (Image Credit: Nintendo) Lots of dungeons (and an extended map) Zelda's turn in the spotlight? Zelda's devs have seemed pretty dismissive of the idea of a female Link in the past – sadly – but we may in this game see sections playing as Zelda, or at least with her playing a more active role in the story.
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| HBO Max: release date, price, movies, the Justice League Snyder Cut and more Posted: 20 May 2020 11:16 AM PDT HBO Max, the upcoming streaming service from WarnerMedia, is poised to take on Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney Plus later this month. Including shows from Cartoon Network, CNN, DC Comics, HBO Originals, TNT, Crunchyroll, and Sesame Workshop, that's over 10,000 hours of content that puts the current streaming giants in WarnerMedia's crosshairs, and it's launching soon. But in the vicious, dog-eat-dog world of streaming, you don't even have a hope if you can't put your money where your mouth is. That's why HBO Max features serious scalps like The Big Bang Theory, Rick and Morty, and South Park. Not only that, but iconic '90s sitcom Friends will be a subscription driver on its own, let alone with a Friends reunion on the way. With the HBO Max release date fast approaching, it's time to start asking yourself whether the content on offer is worth the cost of another monthly sub, especially given that HBO Max will be one of the more expensive platforms around when it goes live. We know the launch offerings, second wave slate, and plenty more content to come, and it's looking healthy. So, below you'll find everything you need to know about HBO Max's launch offerings, price, supported devices, and more. HBO Max release date: May 27HBO Max has a release date: it will launch on May 27. Check out a trailer of what to expect below. HBO Max is officially getting the Snyder Cut of Justice League in 2021HBO Max will release the much-discussed Snyder Cut of the 2017 movie Justice League in 2021, it's been announced. This will be Zack Snyder's director's cut of the film, and represents a massive major exclusive for the service. According to THR, this new version of the film could be almost four hours long, and could cost an extra $20-30 million to finish. HBO Max price: what it'll cost you each monthHBO Max will cost $14.99 (around £11, AU$22) per month. That puts it on the dearer end of the streaming service spectrum. However, it's also the same price as HBO Now, and HBO Max should offer a lot more entertainment goodness for your hard-earned cash. By comparison, Disney Plus is $6.99 per month, while Netflix's Standard tier is $12.99. HBO Max's subscriber target is 50 million by 2025 – a lot by anyone's standards, but considering HBO had 54 million US subscribers as of 2017, it's really not out of the question. HBO Max won't replace HBO Go and HBO Now: both services will apparently set to carry on, though HBO Max has been characterized as the "workhorse" of Warner's pay TV efforts. Still, given there's three variations on the platform, below you'll find a breakdown of their differences. HBO Max vs HBO Go vs HBO Now: what's the difference?One potential problem facing HBO is the confusion between the different HBO-branded services. Here's a quick explainer:
When HBO Max launches in May, HBO Now subscribers can switch over to Max for the same monthly price, but only if they're directly subscribed through hbonow.com. If you're subscribed to HBO Now through a third-party, the HBO Max FAQ says to 'stay tuned for more details'. The same notice is used for those subscribed to HBO through a cable or TV provider. People subscribed to HBO through AT&T-related services, meanwhile, can watch all the HBO Max content they want for no additional cost, too. If you have HBO via AT&T TV or U-Verse TV, that comes with HBO Max. People subscribed to 'premium' AT&T mobile and broadband services will apparently have the offer of bundles with HBO Max 'at no extra charge'. It's a little complicated to unpick, then, but if you're among the millions already directly subscribed to HBO Now, switching to HBO Max should be nice and simple. HBO Max devices: how will you be able to stream it?Apple devices will be supported at launch on iPhone, iPad, iPod touch, Apple TV 4K and Apple TV HD. Users can subscribe to HBO Max in-app, too. If you're already subscribed separately, of course, you can log in to the app and use it as normal. In addition, subscribers can access HBO Max seamlessly within the Apple TV app. If you own a second or third generation Apple TV device, you can stream HBO Max via AirPlay. Also, following a deal with Google, the service will also be available on Android, Chromecast, and Android TV. HBO Max will also be available on PS4, Xbox One, Samsung Smart TVs from 2016 onwards and likely more to come. HBO Max launch shows: everything you can stream day oneOriginal content is the lifeblood of any new streaming service, and HBO Max has a lot in the works alongside the content coming from HBO itself. Here are the HBO Max original launch shows that'll be available straight away:
Upcoming original shows and movies coming to HBO MaxBut launch content is just the start: there will be 31 original HBO Max series in 2020, a number that'll swell to 50 by 2021. Here's what's to come in the second wave of Max Originals:
When it comes to future originals, arguably the biggest is the Friends reunion, which is likely to film at the end of the summer. "We’re holding out for being able to get this special done hopefully by the end of the summer, if the stars align and hopefully we can get back into production" WarnerMedia Entertainment and Direct-to-Consumer chairman Bob Greenblatt said. The six-character reunion was originally slated to launch day one, but has been delayed by Covid-19. Then there's the brand new House of Dragon Game of Thrones prequel, coming at some point in the future, too. There are six DC Comics adaptations in the mix, including Green Lantern, a live-action series from Arrow producer Greg Berlanti, and Justice League Dark from JJ Abrams. Abrams is also making two other series for HBO Max, The Shining-related show Overlook, and a 1970s-set show called Dusters. Strange Adventures comes from Berlanti, too, which is an anthology show that "will explore close-ended morality tales about the intersecting lives of mortals and superhumans." There's also a three-part animated Aquaman show on the way. Called Aquaman: King of Atlantis, the show will follow the early days of Arthur Curry's rule as king. Also from DC Comics comes DMZ, a show about a modern-day American civil war adapted by filmmaker Ava DuVernay. Along with Doom Patrol, HBO Max will also become the new joint home DC Universe shows such as Titans and the Harley Quinn animated series. These are examples of how HBO intend for Max and DCU to work in tandem, but "we're still working out what those mechanics are" an HBO exec said at the TCA winter press tour in January 2020. Elizabeth Banks will produce DC Superhero High, imagining life in high school for the comic book icons. Michael Mann will direct the pilot Tokyo Vice, about American journalist Jake Adelstein's life as a police reporter in the Japanese city, which sounds like its biggest swing at a conversation-starting original – and will star Ansel Elgort of Baby Driver fame. Dune: The Sisterhood is a spin-off of the upcoming Dune film, with the pilot sharing a director in Denis Villeneuve. Raised by Wolves is a Ridley Scott-produced series about two androids raising a child on another planet, while 80s cult hit Gremlins is an upcoming animated series too. Speaking of animated series, Santa Inc. is an eight-part animated comedy starring Seth Rogen and Sarah Silverman, set on the North Pole during Christmas season. College Girls, meanwhile, is a teen show from The Mindy Project's Mindy Kaling. Rap Sh*t is about a Miami-based female rap group trying to get famous. Search Party, a great-but-overlooked TNT adult mystery drama, is moving to HBO Max for its third and fourth seasons. Post-apocalyptic drama Station Eleven is based on the book of the same name. Made For Love is an adaptation of Alissa Nutting's novel, starring Cristin Milioti. Generation is a Lena Dunham-produced show about modern sexuality in a conservative environment. A new version of teen drama Gossip Girl is in the works, with Kristen Bell returning as the titular character in voice only and Selena Gomez is fronting a cooking show, so far called Untitled Cooking Project. In terms of original movies in the works, Superintelligence, starring Melissa McCarthy, author film Let Them All Talk from Steven Soderbergh, and legal comedy Bobbie Sue starring Gina Rodriguez. Expect a suite of original reality TV shows and kids' shows, too. Animated original Scoob!, starring Mark Wahlberg and Zac Efron, will launch on-demand while cinemas are closed by the coronavirus, but it hasn't been confirmed for HBO Max yet. The Sundance 2020 award winner, Charm City Kings, is also coming to HBO Max after the company picked it up from Sony. There's also a ten-part dark comedy starring Jean Smart (of Watchmen fame) as a Las Vegas diva. And following the news that Audience Network will no longer be a home for original content, raising questions over series like Mr. Mercedes and Loudermilk, but sources say that at least three originals transition over to HBO Max. However, don't expect Cinemax content to come to the service: programming production at the company is to wind down, which leaves series like Jett and Warrior in unknown territory. HBO Max: other shows and movies you'll be able to streamHBO Max will have an enviable backlog of TV shows to binge, so we'll just list some highlights here, even if the timeframe of their respective releases is a bit unclear at this point: The Fresh Prince of Bel Air, South Park, Rick and Morty, The OC, The Big Bang Theory, Adventure Time, The Office UK, Luther, Doctor Who series 1-11, The Sopranos, The Wire, Game of Thrones, Westworld, Barry, Veep... Basically, there's a lot to look forward to if you've paid attention to any TV in the past 20 years. That's the key thing with HBO Max: if WarnerMedia owns it, that means it's probably coming to HBO Max at some point. New original shows from The CW, like Katy Keene and Batwoman, are coming to HBO Max, though older shows like Riverdale are part of a pre-existing Netflix agreement. Cartoon Network and Adult Swim shows will be part of the offering, too. And let's not forget everyone's favourite TV chef, Anthony Bourdain: all 12 seasons of Parts Unknown are heading to HBO Max. And what about movies? It's looking promising. The Matrix trilogy, The Lord of the Rings, The Conjuring movies, Lego movies and Gremlins movies will all arrive within the service's first year. So too will every Batman and Superman movie from the last 40 years. Notably, the Harry Potter films won't be on HBO Max – Universal has an exclusive streaming deal on those until 2025, which includes the Fantastic Beasts movies. However, fans will have been heartened to hear Reilly's comments on the subject at the TCA winter press tour: "Those discussions will continue on. At some point, you can’t have our experience without having Harry Potter be a part of it." HBO Max has another ace up its sleeve: the rights to Studio Ghibli's complete library, including Spirited Away and Howl's Moving Castle. Speaking of anime, streaming service Crunchyroll will provide a 'curated' selection of shows for HBO Max, too, which will rotate on a quarterly basis. That's a lot of different places to draw content from, and you can expect newer Warner movies to make it on there, too. Joker, the billion dollar-grossing Joaquin Phoenix-starring DC film, will be on HBO Max in 2020. HBO Max app features: downloads and recommendations explainedHBO Max will let you download content for offline viewing. It'll also have a PIN system for parental control, personalized profiles, and brand-based content hubs similar to how Disney Plus categorizes Star Wars and Marvel. You'll also have the option of 'co-viewing' homepages that represent the tastes of multiple people in your home. If you're sick of Netflix's algorithm-based recommendations, HBO Max will feature picks from "talent and influencers", with short videos accompanying the content they chose. That is a little different from how the other streamers are doing it. As you can see above, that talent includes actors like Bill Hader (Barry) and Regina King (Watchmen), both of which are synonymous with existing HBO shows. HBO Max could win the streaming wars, if price doesn't slow it downHBO is a name synonymous with prestige TV, from shows like Oz and The Sopranos through to Game of Thrones and Chernobyl. With HBO Max, it'll likely come to mean something else entirely – but that association is still a massive asset. In the 'Peak TV' age, HBO has more than held its own, producing the likes of Succession and Watchmen and remaining the center of the TV conversation while a streaming arms race occurred around it. That is what HBO Max is building upon: the best TV of the last two decades, coupled with every major brand Warner can throw at it. Not all streaming services will survive this content war, but HBO Max has a lot in its corner. That said, HBO Max's content chief doesn't see the current landscape in terms of "streaming wars" at all. During the Television Critic's Association winter press tour (via THP), Kevin Reilly took to the stage to admit that he sees most households subscribing to multiple services, rather than each of them being at war with each other: "These are all going to be different products where each household is going to be piecing it together," Reilly said. HBO Max probably won't launch in the UKIn October 2019, Warner Bros and European broadcaster Sky renewed their programming deal in the UK, with part of that deal involving co-development of new shows with HBO Max (via Deadline). That means it's extremely unlikely HBO Max is going to launch any time soon in the UK. Indeed, the Game of Thrones spin-off House of Dragon will launch on Sky, just like its predecessor. The upside for UK subscribers? That subscription to Now TV should still get you all that great HBO content for years to come without you needing to spend anything extra. It's a smaller pond for streaming services in Britain, after all.
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| Best free blogging site of 2020 Posted: 20 May 2020 11:10 AM PDT Free blogging sites have come a long way in recent years, and it’s now easier than ever to create a professional-looking blog to share a hobby with likeminded people, express your opinions, and establish an online presence. These free blogging sites are aimed at hobbyist bloggers – blogs are created and managed online, and hosted on the blogging platform’s own servers. If you want to create a self-hosted blog, the downloadable version of WordPress is an excellent option, with total flexibility, support for third-party plugins, and as much storage as your hosting plan allows. If you're interested in making a static website rather than an online journal, take a look at our guide to the best free website builders. Wix makes it dead easy to design and realize your blog, and you can do a lot more besides Wix has a range of paid-for subscription plans, but also a free offering, although it’s best to note upfront that this has some caveats. With the free product, your site will have Wix branding, and you’ll be limited to 500MB of data transfer per month, so it’s not for heavily trafficked sites. You also only get 500MB storage, too, so bear that in mind. You are, however, free to build a blog with an unlimited number of pages, and where Wix really shines is with its powerful blog functionality. The editor may be simple, but you get access to all the stuff you need – from image galleries through to videos and music – and there are a ton of ways to customize a post. There’s also a lot of flexibility in the way you can schedule posts, and neat touches like being able to set things up so that posts are automatically pushed to Facebook when they’re published. For instance, you have a feature called WiX Bookings, that allows customers to schedule appointments and classes right on your website. And what makes Wix truly compelling is on top of this, you get the run of the rest of what this website builder offers aside from blog support. That includes using Wix’s ADI (Artificial Design Intelligence) editor to make building your site a snap even for novices, plus impressively diverse support for various different types of media, and quality customer support to boot (yes, even on the free plan). As of recently, Wix introduced Wix Turbo, which increases the speed and performance of websites considerably. When you consider what you’re getting for nothing, the bandwidth and data limits don’t seem like such a heavy set of shackles. And you can always upgrade at a later date if you want to break free of them in the longer run. Try it online: Wix Powerful and highly customizable, WordPress is a brilliant platform for blogs of any size, and bloggers of any level of experience. Creating your first blog is very straightforward, with a simple wizard that guides you through the process of choosing a name and suitable theme. You can leave it there and begin writing posts immediately, but the real fun lies in the more advanced editor, which lets you customize virtually every aspect of your blog’s appearance. Unlike some blogging sites, WordPress isn’t a drag-and-drop affair, and you’ll have to familiarize yourself with its system of menus. It’s well worth the effort, though, and enables you to create something truly personal. The editor also lets you create static pages – like a writer’s biography, for example. The post-writing interface is much like an ordinary desktop word processor (though some options are presented in a toolbar at the top, while others are in a menu at the side, which can be a little confusing at first). Again, time spent getting to know the interface is rewarded with advanced features like customizable social media sharing buttons, geotagging, and the ability to pick a custom style for individual posts. Sometimes you might want to create a photo gallery, for example, and other times a more text-focused style would be more appropriate. You can also view and edit the HTML source. As your blog grows, WordPress lets you track its stats, including page views, visitors, likes and comments over time. You can also see how readers reach your site, which content they viewed, and where they are in the world, so you can tailor your content accordingly. Your site is hosted on WordPress servers, with an address in the format yoursite.wordpress.com. Users of the free service don’t get email or live chat support, but the WordPress community forums are very active and questions are usually answered within a few minutes. Additionally, privacy protection for domains that are registered at WordPress.com is free. WordPress displays ads on free blogs, but provided you can live with that, it’s a top-notch solution for a free blogging site. Try it online: WordPress Blogger has been around for many years, but has kept up with current trends and technology, including responsive blog templates Blogger is another superb blogging platform. It’s not quite as powerful as WordPress, but more accessible for new users, which comes as no surprise when you learn that it’s owned by Google. Blogger offers an excellent selection of templates, all of which include mobile versions optimized for smaller screens – a very sensible addition with so many people accessing online content through smartphones. Blogger’s post-editing tool is much like WordPress, but offers fewer options. As a result, its toolbars are less confusing – a trade-off between power and usability. One of Blogger’s best features is its integration with other Google apps and services. For example, it uses your Google Drive account to store images and other files for your blog. Google Drive gives you 15GB of space free, so Blogger is a good choice if you’re planning to share a lot of high-res photos. Spam comments are a big problem on blogs, so Blogger’s automatic spam filter can help save your sanity. You can monitor comments via Blogger’s dashboard, which also lets you see visitor stats. There are some handy visualizations here, including a world map to show the global distribution of your readers. Your blog will have an address in the format yoursite.blogger.com, and, like all Google services, will include ads. Support is available through the Blogger user forum, which is very active but has a strange layout that can be a little off-putting. In all other respects, Blogger is brilliant – one of the best free blogging sites if you prioritize ease of use over flexibility and are a fan of the Google ecosystem. Try it online: Blogger Weebly takes a modular approach to blog building, with a drag-and-drop editor that lets you choose which elements to add to your site, and where. Pick a basic template, then plonk various types of content onto the page, including social media links, text, images, maps, and sections of code. It’s a refreshingly simple way to build a blog that feels unique to you, but doesn’t require any messing about with menus. It’s worth noting, however, that certain content blocks can only be positioned in certain areas; it isn’t a total free-for-all. This makes sense – forcing you to stick within the confines of your chosen template stops the page looking messy – but you might find it limiting. Blog posts are made in the same way: drag text boxes, picture frames, buttons and page breaks into position, then click to edit them. One particularly nice feature is the ‘secret draft link’, which lets you preview your unpublished post, and even share it with others via email before releasing it into the wild. Weebly has some other interesting tricks up its sleeve too, including an area for pasting in Google Analytics tracking code (though it doesn’t offer analytics itself). You’re only given 500MB for uploaded content, so photographers might want to look elsewhere. Weebly puts an ad in your site’s footer, but it doesn’t obscure any of your content. Try it online: Weebly Penzu is a personal blogging tool that lets you create your own private diary Whereas the other free blogging sites are designed to get as many eyeballs on your posts as possible, Penzu is the equivalent of a locked diary stashed in a safe. Penzu is a journal platform that makes your posts private by default and locks them down with at least one password (even after you’re logged in, you need a second one to read or edit your posts). That’s because it’s designed for private thoughts and personal reflection. There are free apps for iOS and Android that enable you to update your Penzu diary anywhere, but the contents are for your eyes only. Penzu isn’t a tool for self-promotion, so although it’s far from ugly, it understandably focuses on function rather than looks. Custom colors and backgrounds come at a price – currently $20 (about £14, AU$25) per year. It’s a shame that 128-bit AES encryption is also limited to the paid-for version, and there’s a fair amount of pressure to upgrade. Extra options are often dangled under your nose then yanked away, but the core offering is a good one, and if you simply want a place to record your thoughts and practise writing, Penzu could be just what you need. Try it online: Penzu
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| Best free website builder 2020 Posted: 20 May 2020 11:05 AM PDT Creating a website used to be the domain (geddit?) of professional designers and coders, but thanks to free website builder applications, these days it's something anyone can tackle. The problem is that there are so many website creation applications and services vying for attention that it can be difficult to know which one to opt for – this is where we can help. We've collated the very best free website builders available, including a mixture of offline software and online tools. It's usually quicker, easier and more efficient to create and edit a site entirely online with a WYSIWYG editor, but if you want complete control over every aspect of your site's design and web hosting, you'll need a desktop-based free website builder. So whether you're looking to create a site for your business, a new blog, or you just fancy creating an online presence for yourself, here are the best free website builder services to help you out.
Wix makes it very easy to design a website, while giving experts plenty of power to customize elements if they need it Wix is a big-name website builder which offers a free plan, enabling you to have the run of this service without having to put your hand in your pocket. And you benefit from one of the most impressive website editors in the business. This editor can be run in ADI (Artificial Design Intelligence) mode, which has a very basic interface to keep everything really simple and user-friendly. This is great for beginners, as you can create a basic site without even remotely breaking a sweat (a range of attractive templates are provided, as well). Those who want to get more involved with tweaking the design of their website can step up to the full Wix editor, which boasts powerful functionality, and the ability to really hone your website and get it looking just as you want. Visual previews of page elements make it easy to pick what you need for any particular part of a web page, too. Wix is so polished that putting together your site using the editor feels more like using a native application rather than a website builder, and it also sports excellent support for a diverse range of media, and quality customer support as well, even on the free plan. In addition, Wix Turbo was recently released which improves the performance and speed of all Wix websites. Powerful blogging functionality rounds things off nicely, and you’re getting a truly high quality offering with the free version of this website builder. Constant Contact provides an intelligent website builder and ecommerce store platform, both of which are free to use. Setting up a website is easy using drag-and-drop functionality, allowing you to set up a design simply and easily, and insert the features you need. Settings are automatically optimized for mobile platforms and SEO, and there is a free image library with over 50,000 images included as part of the package. The ecommerce platform allows for online payments through Paypal, Mollie, or Stripe. There are order and inventory features that automatically updates inventory with orders, and sends an email alert when items become out-of-stock. While the basic level website is free, there are paid plans which add more features. Additionally, there is also a paid email marketing option available to allow you to reach new customers. Overall, Constant Contact does a good job of setting up the basics. The free plan is a great way to set up your website, and there is a 60-day free trial if you do upgrade. If you want to create a website as quickly as possible, look no further than Weebly. It's so easy to use, you'll have a great-looking site online in mere minutes Weebly offers you two ways to build your website. Both involve creating it online, and both are as quick and painless as possible. The simplest option is to use the basic editor builder which will guide you through a series of questions before automatically creating a site for you. There is scope for customization, but the focus here is really on fast results for anyone who is terrified of designing websites. A more hands-on approach is available if you decide to use the standard Editor. There are literally hundreds of stylish templates to choose from – and, yes, they are genuinely impressive – which you can tweak and tailor to your needs using a beautiful WYSIWYG editor. Despite being a cloud-based website builder, Weebly gives you a great degree of control over the look of your site and placement of page elements. You can also liven it up using additional features such as a newsletter and live chat. This power and flexibility make Weebly a top-notch website builder. WordPress is the tool of choice for many blog owners. It takes a little getting used to, but once you've mastered it, you'll love its flexibility Causing a slight degree of confusion, there are actually two different versions of WordPress. The more complex variant can be downloaded from wordpress.org, and you will need to upload it to your own web space and install it using the automated online installer. You can then customize the templates and use add-ons to make the site your own. This is the route many bloggers go down, but there is a simpler option for people who don’t want the hassle of fiddling about with scripts and getting dirty with hardcore editing. The hosted version of WordPress lets you create your own site on wordpress.com. You can create everything from a blog or photo site, to a fully fledged online store, and there are a number of templates to choose from. Additionally, Mailchimp users have a benefit of adding a Mailchimp block, which can grow your mailing list among other things. Whether you're creating a static site, or a blog-style site with regularly updated content, the online editor is a joy to use and allows just about anyone to create an impressive, professional-looking site. The only downside is the limited range of plugins and templates compared with the desktop website builder. WebSite X5 makes building a website on your desktop easy, with good-looking templates and an intuitive site builder Incomedia WebSite X5 received an overhaul in April 2019 with new templates, an updated interface, new paid versions and more. The main thing to note is that the service now has a free version for everyone (note that the free version for TechRadar readers is still available to download). There are two paid versions, Evo and Pro, priced at €29.95 ($27.5) and €69.95 ($64.3) respectively. This is a one time purchase and naturally, both versions come with additional and improved features compared to the free one. There is also a demo version of both paid versions that you can try out. Unlike WordPress and Wix, WebSite X5 is a desktop website builder, which means you can work on your site offline and have more freedom to make your website look exactly the way you want. There's a range of ready-made templates to choose from, or you can create your own design from scratch. Next, build up your site map, showing the hierarchy of your pages and how they connect to one another – a feature you won't find in most web-based site builder apps. There is also e-commerce support with features like product search page and optimized checkout. Once that's done, you're ready to start building your pages using Website X5's simple drag-and-drop interface, which includes tools for editing both rich text and photos. If you don't want to be tied down to an online site builder, WebSite X5 is the tool for you. CoffeeCup Free HTML Editor isn't a WYSIWYG website builder, but it provides a live preview of your site as you create it CoffeeCup Free HTML Editor is one of a dying breed of web building programs that don't use a CMS (content management system). While not in the same league as the likes of Adobe Dreamweaver, Free HTML Editor packs quite a professional punch. With split screen code/preview views, it's possible to see the effect the changes you make have straight away. To help you get started quickly, there are a number of templates built into the program, and there are some very nice features such as tag and code suggestions as you type. For absolute beginners, the program might seem a little overwhelming to start with, but it's worth sticking with – assuming you have some HTML knowledge. There is one slight issue; a number of features, such as spell-checking and code optimization, are only included in the paid-for version of the program. If you've used WordPress before, you might be interested in the power of Joomla. It's not as easy to use though, so beginners are better off sticking with a simpler option like Wix Joomla is a well-known name in the CMS world. It may not be as popular as WordPress, but it offers the same two options: build a site using the web app at launch.joomla.org and have it hosted on the company's servers, or download the software from joomla.org and host it yourself. If you choose the latter option, you'll notice that the interface is much less approachable than WordPress. It's not completely impenetrable, but there are lots of menus and options to work through and it doesn't feel quite as polished as WordPress. Joomla's online website builder is nearly as complex, but doesn't involve the same setup process, making it a better option for beginners. Its key selling point is a huge collection of themes and extensions, which provide endless ways to customize the way your site looks and works. You might also want to check out our other website hosting buying guides:
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| Best website builders of 2020: Hostgator, Wix, Squarespace, Weebly tested and rated Posted: 20 May 2020 10:40 AM PDT Website builders have been around for many years, but a new generation now make excellent use of new technologies like responsive and mobile platforms to offer an even better service. The best website builders allow businesses and individuals to build anything from a single-page site to a professional online store, without the need for any HTML or design experience whatsoever. Whether you're a sole trader or a multinational corporation, just about every business needs an online presence – in other words, a website. A growing number are adding bells and whistles like an email list or form facility, domain name registration and much more. While most cost money, there are also some free website builders available, though they tend to have more limited functionality than ones developed for business use. Additionally, there are website builders that cater specifically for musicians, photographers, and online art portfolios. Here, we'll give you a rundown of the best website builders currently available.
More experienced users can customize and fine-tune the design to suit their own needs, or perhaps install a more traditional web design package that allows them to build the perfect site from scratch. There are free options, but these often have major restrictions, including limits on the size of the site and the lack of any ability to use your own domain. Fortunately, the commercial options are very reasonably priced, from around £5/$5 to £10/$10 a month, with hosting included. To help you decide which option is best for your needs, we’ve picked out the cream of the crop: these are the five top players in the website building world right now. A popular web hosting choice, Hostgator also has some great website builder capabilities. The Starter plan starts at $3.84 (£3.25) per month for a two-year plan (With our "TECHRADAR" code, you'll pay $3.46 per month). This will get you unmetered storage and bandwidth, unlimited pages, 1-year free domain and hosting, free SSL certificate, $200 ad vouchers and a few other things. The top tier plan will also grant you eCommerce functionality. You’ll have the simple and powerful drag and drop builder at your disposal so you can quickly and easily build your website and you can choose around 30 fully customizable mobile-friendly themes to help you with the website building. Hostgator also gives you analytical tools so you can always check how well your website is performing. Additionally, you’ll have access to live feeds from Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. All the features work very well and the website builder itself is very simple to operate so even the most non-tech savvy users will have no problem with it. Unfortunately, if you want to create a blog, the features there are lacking when compared to the competition. There is no option to schedule posts and the only comments you can post are the Facebook comments. Still, if you want a simple blog it will be good enough, although more demanding users probably won’t be satisfied. The support is great and it’s available 24/7 with telephone, live chat, or email. Although, to get the best support you’ll need to purchase something other than the Starter plan. All in all, Hostgator’s website builder is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to start making a website and they are quite capable hosting provider too. Wix has more than 100 million registered users Wix is one of the most popular online website creators, offering a range of plans and products. The free version has Wix branding, limited storage space (500MB) and bandwidth, but move up to the most popular plan (unlimited) and there’s no Wix ads. You get unlimited bandwidth (hence its name) and 10GB storage, along with a free domain, Google Ad vouchers and much more. The e-commerce plans start with the "Business Basic" plan with a price of $17 (£13.30) per month. An excellent collection of 500 plus templates gets the design process off to a quick start. The drag-and-drop editor gives you all kinds of tools and features to explore – an image editor, video backgrounds, animations, social buttons, an integrated site blog – and just about everything can be tweaked, tuned and restyled. Furthermore, as of recently, Wix introduced Wix Turbo, which increases the speed and performance of websites substantially. All the core editing functions are really smartly designed, and operate more like a native app than your average website builder. Wix does have some weaknesses, with tech support seeming a little sluggish and limited in some respects. But there’s no denying that the superb editor and range of top-notch templates make it easy for web building novices to create something impressive. Another capable provider, Squarespace’s website builder offers a plethora of features with some gorgeous looking templates. The service is a bit pricey with the cheapest Personal plan is priced at $12 (£10) a month, paid annually. To be fair, you do get a lot of features like SSL security, unlimited bandwidth and storage, SEO features, intelligent image optimization, image and video galleries, performance boosting CDN support, professional web store, a powerful blogging platform, and several others. One of the first things to catch your eye are the templates. They are beautifully designed and easily accessible, as you can switch them at will if you decide later that you don’t like a particular template. The website editor itself is very minimalistic and kinda bland looking, but don’t let that fool you, as there are a bunch of options and features available here. This is because they are only shown when you put your mouse cursor over its individual elements. This will take some time to get used to, but once you do, you’ll appreciate all the features you get. If you encounter any issues Squarespace offers good support and their support team is quite knowledgeable. Apart from their support pages that have FAQs, guides, video tutorials and other support like articles, there is a live chat available on workdays from 4 am to 8 pm EST, and email support is available 24/7. Weebly is one of the few website builders that offer a free hosting tier. Weebly is another big name in the website building world which offers a powerful editor and capable set of features. There’s a free plan, which like Wix limits space to 500MB and imposes ads on your site. However, if you move up to the Professional plan – at $12 (£9.5) a month – the ads and storage limit are dropped, plus you get a free domain, and even support for a web store containing up to 25 products. The supercharged Business plan lets you create sites with unlimited web store products and high-end store features like product reviews and discount coupons, retailing at $25 (£19) a month. The service offers hundreds of professionally-designed web templates, covering just about any site type. The drag-and-drop editor is neatly designed, although you don’t get full control over where you can position elements on the page, and the interface can seem a little cluttered. A further niggle is that there is no global Undo feature. Like Wix, we found tech support was a little wobbly in terms of sluggish responses, but Weebly offers a host of powerful features, some very stylish templates, and easy access to free images for your site is another definite boon. 1&1 IONOS is one of the biggest web hosting companies in the world There’s a lot to like here in terms of a powerful drag-and-drop editor bristling with professional features and highly customizable templates, but at the outset, let’s make it clear that this isn’t the cheapest service around. There’s no free plan (or indeed trial – although there is a 30-day money-back guarantee), and the most basic plan is priced at $5 a month (£5 for UK) (first month is free). That gives you unlimited pages and web space, a simple integrated blog, limited SEO settings, plus website backup and restore, so it’s a touch pricey for what you get. That said, 1&1 IONOS MyWebsite offers a wide range of responsive templates, and an editor which provides loads of potential adjustments and tweaks, all with plenty of visual feedback and context-sensitive menus to help streamline the whole process. What’s clever here is that the top-level stuff is easy to use and understand for beginners, yet expert users can dive more deeply into the menus to really play around and customize elements. You also get your own personal consultant free of charge. Other highly useful features include the ability to point to your old website in order to import media content from there straight into your new site. This could be a huge timesaver for some. There also an e-commerce plan starting at $20 per month. Also considerAs we’ve seen, many a website builder pitch themselves towards novices and making life easy for the less site-savvy out there, but what about experts who want powerful low-level control? Those are the users Voog has in mind. So you don’t get many templates here, for example, and there’s the bare minimum of media support – but what you do get is a compact drag-and-drop editor which does its best to stay out of your way. There are weaknesses here, and the interface is somewhat clunky in respects – and it’s another which lacks a global Undo function – but it has some real power you can drill down into. For example, clicking a text box gives you the option to use bullet-point lists, insert tables or videos, or even edit the HTML source to customize effects. Voog also lets multiple users easily collaborate on a site project, and if you’re after nifty, unusual features like these, you won’t see them elsewhere. The entry-level Standard plan is priced at $8.80 (£7.10) per month (billed annually) and gives you 5GB storage, and all the core features you’ll need, including SSL security (although it’s limited to 30 pages). If you know what you’re doing in terms of website design, and want some true power and customization capabilities, there is a 30-day trial you can check out (no credit card details needed). Jimdo is a somewhat quirky website builder targeted largely at novice users, but it’s well worth your attention for a number of reasons, not the least of which is a free plan which boasts more than the average offering. Yes, there are the usual limitations including adverts, a 500MB storage limit, no custom domain, and very limited SEO. But there are a few features you won't get in other free plans, like a password protected area, for example. The site editor itself is simple and consistent, even if it’s somewhat unconventional in terms of its design. Also, the editor doesn’t have as many functions and features as some rivals. For example, there aren’t that many templates, and the widgets on offer aren’t as plentiful as you might find elsewhere – plus there’s no global Undo (although Jimdo isn’t alone in this respect). Another neat touch is a good web knowledgebase which means help is generally close at hand when it comes to troubleshooting. Overall, this is a compelling product, that is well worth giving a whirl. You might also want to check out our other website hosting buying guides:
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| Google Cloud and Dell want to bring hybrid storage to businesses everywhere Posted: 20 May 2020 10:37 AM PDT Google Cloud and Dell have launched a new hybrid cloud storage system capable of moving up to 50 petabytes of data across private and public clouds. Cloud OneFS for Google Cloud combines the scalability and performance of scale-out network-attached storage from Dell Technologies with Google Cloud's analytics and compute services. The new system allows companies to easily move and access high performance computing and demanding workloads in a single file system between on-premises Dell EMC Isilon filesystems and Google Cloud without needing to make any changes or adjustments to their applications.
In a press release, vice president of engineering at Google Cloud, Rich Sanzi praised the company's new partnership with Dell, saying: "We're proud to partner with Dell Technologies to deliver high-performance, scalable cloud storage services to our customers with OneFS for Google Cloud," said Rich Sanzi, vice president of Engineering at Google Cloud. "Through this partnership, customers can more quickly and effectively leverage Dell Technologies storage solutions through Google Cloud and have access to the best of breed file storage solutions, across hybrid cloud environments." Hybrid cloud workloadsIn a recent report, the Enterprise Strategy Group (ESG) found that file data often accounts for at least half of an organization's on-premises data though very little of it is stored in public clouds due to performance and scale limitations. In the media and entertainment industry for example, 4K video files demand terabytes of storage and require high throughput and low latency file storage and this makes it difficult for production companies to manage large file workloads in public clouds. However, now with OneFS for Google Cloud, businesses can easily work across private and public clouds with consistent operations while still having the flexibility to scale as needed. Dell is also making it easier for organizations to begin their hybrid cloud journeys by expanding the node configuration options of its Dell Technologies Cloud platform subscription model and deployment services available through Dell Technologies On Demand. The new node configuration models include as few as four nodes which allows companies to begin using hybrid cloud at approximately half the cost with a smaller footprint.
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| Best Buy's Memorial Day sale 2020: deals on TVs, appliances, laptops, and more Posted: 20 May 2020 10:36 AM PDT Memorial Day 2020 is almost here, and Best Buy is kicking things off with incredible deals throughout its site. Best Buy's Memorial Day sale includes price cuts on best-selling TVs, laptops, headphones, appliances, and so much more. Our top Best Buy Memorial Day sale picks include the best-selling Apple Watch 3 on sale for just $199, the Insignia 50-inch 4K Smart Fire TV on sale for $289.99, a $100 discount on the HP Envy x360 2-in-1 Touch-Screen Laptop, and popular Google Home Mini on sale for $39.99. If you're looking for appliance deals, Best Buy has the powerful Dyson V8 Animal on sale for $299.99, the Insignia 6qt Pressure Cooker on sale for only $39.99, and a $50 price cut on the iRobot Roomba e5 robot vacuum. Best Buy Memorial Day sale picks:Shop more of the best Memorial Day sales below that are happening online. The best Memorial Day sales:
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| Lego Super Mario is getting a Cat Mario ‘Power-Up Pack’ – and it’s purrfect Posted: 20 May 2020 10:01 AM PDT Lego Super Mario arrives on August 1, but that hasn’t stopped Nintendo from showing off a range of new ‘Power-Up Packs’ that players will be able to purchase. Based on classic costumes from the Super Mario video games, the Power-Up Packs unlock new ways to play with the plastic plumber. You can customize Mario with the classic ‘Fire Mario’ suit, ‘Propeller Mario’ suit, ‘Cat Mario’ suit and the ‘Builder Mario’ suit. The Fire Mario suit lets our plumber friend shoot fireballs at his enemies, while the Propeller outfit is perfect for high-flying action and airborne tricks. The Cat Mario costume (our favorite pick of the bunch) lets Mario meow like a cat and climb walls to collect extra virtual coins (did we mention Mario will meow like a cat?). Rounding up the selection of new outfits is the Builder Mario attire, which gives Mario a powerful ground pound attack so he can smash objects (not literally, of course). It's-a-me, Meow-rioEach power-up pack will be sold separately and consists of a new hat and dungarees for Mario to wear. You’ll need to own the Lego ‘Starter Course’ if you plan on giving Mario a makeover, which will be priced at $59.99 / £49.99 (around AU$100), as each pack only includes the outfit. Each Power-Up Pack will cost $9.99 / £9.99 (about AU$14.99). Announced back in March, Lego Super Mario is a surprising collaboration between Nintendo and the Danish toy maker, which adds LCD displays to Mario’s eyes, mouth and chest to enable a unique interactive experience that children can enjoy. There will be four Lego Super Mario sets to choose from when the toy releases, including a Bowser boss battle and a Piranha Plant kit. Oh, and if you pre-order the Starter Kit today you’ll get a ‘Monty Mole and Super Mushroom Expansion Set’ for free.
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| Get a cheap MacBook Pro deal this week at B&H with savings of up to $300 Posted: 20 May 2020 09:58 AM PDT It's a great time to be looking for a cheap MacBook Pro deal now we've got some brand new 2020 entries bringing down the prices on some older models. This week's B&H Apple sale is no exception - offering a 2019 MacBook Pro for just $1,199 (was $1,499). This 256 GB capacity 13-inch MacBook Pro features the same baseline specs as the new releases, and now it's got a $300 price cut, it's also coming in at $100 cheaper versus a 2020 13-inch MacBook Pro. You're getting the same fantastic Liquid Retina display, 8GB of RAM, and Intel Core i5 processor - although you are getting a slightly older keyboard design. If you can do without the much-lauded Magic Keyboard upgrade, then this is definitely a good way to save some cash on a MacBook Pro deal. If you fancy stretching the budget a little bit then there's also a great saving on this upgraded 16-inch 2019 MacBook Pro for just $2,099 ($2,399). This one does feature the Magic Keyboard, as well as an Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB of RAM, and a Radeon Pro 5300M graphics card. It's quite simply one of the best productivity workhorses you can buy - and now $300 cheaper, thanks to B&H. So, whether you're an aspiring artist, music producer or simply just someone needing a little bit of grunt from their work machine, these cheap MacBook Pro deals from B&H offer some great options. Not in the US? Check out all the best MacBook Pro deals in your region below.
This week's best MacBook Pro deals
While you're here, why not head on over to our best MacBook Pro deals article, where we're checking out all the best retailers in the UK and US every week. If you'd like to compare against all the other premium Apple laptops, our MacBook deals page is the place to be - where you'll see all the best prices on a range of Pros, Airs and standard Macbook deals. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Disney Plus finally sets a date on fixing The Simpsons error – and it's soon Posted: 20 May 2020 09:45 AM PDT Disney Plus will finally fix The Simpsons' aspect ratio issue on the service on May 28, the animated series' longtime showrunner Al Jean has announced on Twitter. Since launch, Disney Plus has presented earlier, pre-widescreen seasons of The Simpsons in 16:9, with the original 4:3 image cropped in to achieve this effect. As well as cutting certain jokes out, it's simply not what the show is supposed to look like. Disney has been promising a fix more or less since launch, and six months later, it's finally here. Here's Jean's tweet confirming the news: Finally, the more pedantic Simpsons fans among us can enjoy the show and put our DVD boxsets away for the time being. Still, how about bringing us the audio commentaries for each episode next, eh? A new Simpsons short is coming to Disney Plus, tooIn addition, Jean has revealed that The Longest Daycare short featuring Maggie Simpson from 2012 will arrive a day later, on May 29. The short originally released alongside Ice Age: Continental Drift. The next big Simpsons content drop coming to the service will likely be The Simpsons season 31, which ended on Fox in the US on May 17. Hopefully we'll see that arrive at some point this summer. We'll probably just be watching seasons 2-10 over and over again, though, to be honest.
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