Apple : UFC 249 live stream: time, full card and how to watch Ferguson vs Gaethje online |
- UFC 249 live stream: time, full card and how to watch Ferguson vs Gaethje online
- Flash VPN deal: save 65% on online security and site unblocking for the next year
- Intel and AMD both just made budget PC gaming so much better
- This bidet toilet seat attachment is the at-home throne I needed in my life
- New iPhone 12 release date, leaks, price, news and everything you need to know
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| UFC 249 live stream: time, full card and how to watch Ferguson vs Gaethje online Posted: 09 May 2020 02:12 PM PDT UFC 249 is finally here. It's been a long time in the making, but now we've had the weigh-ins for the headline fight between Tony Ferguson and Justin Gaethje, there's no turning back. Yes, the big event is finally set to go ahead behind closed doors on May 9 at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida - no private islands necessary. Read on as we explain how to watch UFC 249 and live stream the Ferguson vs Gaethje fight online tonight no matter where you are in the world. Plus, details of the big fight card and the key start times for the UK, US, Australia and more. Tony Ferguson enters this eagerly anticipated UFC 249 clash as the firm favorite, with the 36-year-old American already regarded as one of the best lightweight fighters of all-time. He was hoping to secure his legacy in the original headline match, which had him set to go up against Russia's Khabib Nurmagomedov - the Eagle being perhaps best known for his clinical neck crank defeat of Conor McGregor back in October 2018. Since then, Khabib has successfully defended his title against Dustin Poirier. But now he's stranded in Russia due to the country's Covid-19 travel restrictions, so UFC fans will once again have to wait to see the long-anticipated Ferguson vs Khabib fight - a seemingly cursed octagon encounter that has now been put off an almost laughable FIVE times. Enter Justin Gaethje, a 31-year-old American who currently sits at fourth in the UFC lightweight rankings. While not necessarily the blockbuster opponent Khabib represent, he's well-respected in MMA circles and poses a significant threat to Ferguson in a fight that will be shown exclusively via ESPN+ in the US. The winner of the new UFC 249 headline fight will be crowned the interim UFC lightweight champion - and no doubt fight Khabib at a later date. Tempted? Our guide explains how to watch UFC 249 and live stream Tony Ferguson vs Justin Gaethje from anywhere in the world - as well as telling you all about tonight's card and the Ferguson vs Gaethje time. How to watch UFC 249: live stream Ferguson vs Gaethje online in the US exclusively on ESPN+Tony Ferguson vs Justin Gaethje live stream: watch UFC 249 online in the UKHow to watch Ferguson vs Gaethje: live stream UFC 249 in AustraliaUFC 249 live stream: how to watch Tony Ferguson vs Justin Gaethje in New ZealandUFC 249 full card: latest fight newsAs previously mentioned, the coronavirus pandemic has already seriously impacted the UFC 249 fight card and led to multiple changes. All information was correct at time of publication but is subject to alteration. Main card Tony Ferguson vs Justin Gaethje (interim UFC Lightweight Championship) Henry Cejudo vs Dominick Cruz (UFC Bantamweight Championship) Francis Ngannou vs Jairzinho Rozentruik (heavyweight) Jeremy Stephens vs Calvin Kattar (featherweight) Greg Hardy vs Yorgan de Castro (heavyweight) Prelims Donald 'Cowboy' Cerrone vs Anthony Pettis (welterweight) Alexey Oleynik vs Fabricio Werdum (heavyweight) Carla Esparza vs Michelle Waterson (women's strawweight) Uriah Hall vs Ronaldo Souza (middleweight) Early prelims Vicente Luque vs Niko Price (welterweight) Bryce Mitchell vs Charles Rosa (featherweight) Ryan Spann vs Sam Alvey (light heavyweight) What does a UFC fan get with their ESPN+ subscription?Quite a lot, as it happens - a subscription to ESPN+ opens up access to over 20 exclusive live UFC Fight Nights, alongside original content including Dana White’s Contender Series, UFC Destined, and Ariel & The Bad Guy, plus classic fights, replays, and there’s also the perk of fewer commercials. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Flash VPN deal: save 65% on online security and site unblocking for the next year Posted: 09 May 2020 12:07 PM PDT It's little wonder that VPN sales are booming right now - with so many of us stuck at home, we need all the online online security and access to extra entertainment we can get. And if you're still undecided about which provider to plump for, then IPVanish's weekend-only flash sale might just clinch it. For a single payment of $49, you'll get one whole year of IPVanish access that covers you on up to 10 devices (including laptops, mobile, TV streaming sticks, games consoles and more). When it comes to VPN goodness, we rank IPVanish extremely highly - the provider has terrific 24/7 customer support, zero traffic logs, unlimited bandwidth and an excellent Windows kill switch. It really is one of the very best around. So you'll get the next 12 months of your VPN needs completely covered for the equivalent of just $4.16/£3.35 a month - that's a massive 65% off the regular monthly cost. But if that all sounds appealing then we suggest you don't hang around, as this is a 'flash sale' that's set to end at midnight (ET) on Sunday, May 10. Still unsure if this is the deal for you? Scroll down to see this deal in full, or why not also check out our VPN deals guide for all of today's very best offers on cyber security, Netflix unblocking and geo-location spoofing. This flash VPN deal in full:How good is IPVanish?As well as unblocking Netflix, (hello streaming!) and being one of the best value for money VPNs, it also has a 30-day money-back guarantee and servers in over 75 countries. Plus, it boasts incredible download speeds so you don't need to worry about the VPN slowing down your device and it's got plenty of powerful, configurable apps. So whether privacy, streaming or cost is your reason for getting a VPN, IPVanish ticks all the boxes. Still undecided? Check out our IPVanish review.
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| Intel and AMD both just made budget PC gaming so much better Posted: 09 May 2020 11:30 AM PDT AMD has just launched its Ryzen 3 3100 and 3300X processors, and they're basically the best thing that's happened to the $100-$150 price range in years. Not only are these processors extremely affordable, but thanks to the Zen 2 architecture they're built on, they provide some pretty significant performance improvements, too. But AMD isn't alone here. Intel gets a lot of hate these days, and we totally get it. We were stuck with 9th-generation Coffee Lake Refresh processors for nearly two years, and even those stopped being impressive a couple months after they hit the streets. Comet Lake-S is here, though, and while we haven't had the chance to test these processors, the entire product stack now has Hyper-Threading, along with much higher boost clocks (and power consumption). So, basically, we've reached the golden age of PC building, and there's a lot to be excited about. Threadripper has kind of helped push Intel, too. Ryzen-fueled CPU competition has paid offEver since the first AMD Ryzen processors made their way out, people have been saying that it would drive both major CPU manufacturers to release better products for cheaper. And, while AMD processors were continually getting better and better, Intel was stuck on a 14nm process, seemingly in defiance of the advancements AMD was making. Team Blue just kept upping TDP and clock speeds and doubling down on its status as the "best gaming CPU". But that can only go so far. Eventually, however, multi-threaded processors were inevitable. While Intel isn't new to releasing processors with Hyper-Threading, this is the fist time in a long time where Hyper-Threading is coming to the whole desktop lineup – all the way down to the Pentium Gold G6400T. This means that no matter what kind of budget you have for building a PC, you can get strong multi-core performance. Even if you only have a couple hundred bucks, you can build a PC that's not only strong enough for the best PC games, but also good enough to get some video editing done.
Xbox Series X is going to push PC games forward, trust us. A good sign for the futureFor the longest time PC games were extremely single-threaded applications. Even to this day, there are a ton of popular titles that will only really use one or two of your CPU cores, ignoring all the rest. Because a vast majority of gaming PCs use Intel processors still – even if AMD has been killing it in sales over the last couple of years – this hasn't really been a huge problem. Intel processors in general feature very strong single-core performance, which has led to Team Blue's reputation as the company behind the best gaming processors. There have been plenty of games over the last few years, however, that have bucked that trend. Titles like Battlefield V and Assassin's Creed Odyssey are heavily threaded, leading to much stronger performance across the board. In fact, many of the PC games we test for our performance test articles have started splitting processing among many cores, with Doom Eternal and Red Dead Redemption 2 being major ones. And when you consider that the next generation consoles both feature AMD Zen 2 processors with 8 cores and 16 threads, we fully expect this to continue well into the future. With the huge install base that consoles bring with them, it's impossible that games won't be optimized for processors with many cores. Even before these consoles come out, though, multi-core processors are quickly becoming the baseline for gaming PCs. According to the latest Steam Hardware Survey, the amount of CPU cores in gaming PCs is obviously growing. Quad core processors are down to 48.89% of the market, from 52.49% in December. Hexa-core processors, thanks to mainstream heroes like the Ryzen 5 3600 and the Intel Core i5-9600, have grown from 20.13% of the Steam userbase to 22.58% in the same 5-month period, while 6.7% are now using high-end 8-core chips. If 6- and 8-core processors continue to grow in popularity like this, gaming will inevitably become multi-threaded – that's how technology works, after all. We can't wait to see all the budget PC builds It's the perfect time to build your budget gaming PCBuilding a gaming PC, especially if you want to tackle the latest and greatest PC games, is an expensive venture. Even if you go with solid mid-range hardware like the Ryzen 5 3600X and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060, you're still probably looking at a pretty sizable price tag. Anything that can bring down that barrier of entry is a good thing in our books, and both AMD and Intel have come out with 2020 processors that have done so. We haven't had the chance to test the newly-announced Intel Comet Lake-S desktop processors yet, but just taking a look at the Core i3 product stack, we can just tell that they'll provide an excellent solution for folks trying to save cash on their gaming PC. This is one of the odd times where both major CPU manufacturers are providing very compelling products, and it couldn't come at a better time. We predict that CPU requirements are going to change a lot over the next couple of years, so we couldn't be happier that Intel and AMD are providing this kind of power to everyone. So if you were on the fence about building that "cheap gaming PC" that people on internet forums are always telling you is possible, now's the time to do it. The best part, though – you don't have to compromise on awesome CPU performance to get a $100 processor anymore. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| This bidet toilet seat attachment is the at-home throne I needed in my life Posted: 09 May 2020 11:00 AM PDT I went to Taiwan for the first time to attend Computex in 2019, and when I was there I got to try a bidet for the first time. Before that, I had heard a ton of stories about how much more hygienic they are compared to using toilet paper – and it really makes sense if you think about it for a couple of minutes – but that hotel bathroom exposed me to a whole new world. I used that toilet after going through a 16 hour plane ride from New York City to Taipei literally a week after being hired as an editor at TechRadar. Needless to say, I was pretty exhausted. But, using that bidet made me feel completely refreshed. Fast forward to the end of the conference, and I flew back to New York, then back to my home in Colorado, and I didn't get to use a bidet for nearly a year. I missed it every day – toilet paper kind of loses its appeal when you've seen just how good life can be. So, when Coway reached out and asked if I wanted to try out the BidetMega 400, there was no way I was going to turn that down. This is my story. Computex did more than just show me some fancy RGB PC components A little about the Coway BidetMega 400When I first heard that I'd be getting a bidet in the mail, my expectations were pretty tame. Just thought it'd be a toilet seat with a hose running through it that would clean me up after I used the bathroom. I didn't know just how luxurious a toilet could be. The Coway BidetMega 400 isn't just a bidet, it's an experience. Yes, it has the core functionality of spraying water to clean, but it can do so much more. The bidet stores some water in a heated reservoir, at one of three user-selected heat levels. This means when you use the bidet, it's not just ice-cold water being sprayed at you, it's heated and it feels amazing. But that's not even everything that's heated. You can also select one of three heating levels for the seat, which would have been nice in the actual winter, but it's whatever. Still, even when the weather is moderately warm, like it is right now, there's a certain something about being able to sit down on a warm piece of plastic when I'm doing my business. The warm nature of the BidetMega 400 also includes a blowdryer, almost completely eliminating the need for toilet paper – though it's still good to make sure that the bidet didn't, like, miss anything. That's right, this thing is seriously high-tech. Finally, the BidetMega 400 has a freaking night light. Because the Covid-19 epidemic and the changing nature of the world have been keeping me up at night a bit, I've been using the bathroom more in the middle of the night, and now my toilet illuminates the restroom in this pleasant blue light so I don't have to blind myself by turning the lights on. Honestly, at this point I don't think I can live without it – it even self-cleans every time it senses someone is sitting on it. I'm in love. The night light is seriously cool Taking it a bidet at a timeNow of course, the world is in kind of a weird place right now. I'm not in expert in pretty much anything but processors and ray tracing (and even that is debatable), but I can speak from my own personal experience. The Rite Aid by my apartment has been sold out of pretty much any paper product for like 6 weeks, and I've had to refresh my toilet paper and paper towel supply by going to the little bodega on my corner – and it really only has single-ply toilet paper on offer. It definitely gets the job done, but that's no way to live. This bidet came just in time, really – I don't need to worry about battling the crowds in order to get my hands on toilet paper, and I don't have to sacrifice hygiene to avoid it. I've been using the Coway BidetMega 400 for around three weeks at this point, and while I recognize the privilege that having such a luxurious hygiene product in the current climate is, I couldn't be more thankful for it. It's at the point where I legitimately look forward to using the bathroom. I feel so refreshed and clean afterwards, without really being in danger of touching my own waste. It's a bit of a pain to clean, and installing the bidet in a tiny New York City apartment was a bit of a chore, but I really would do it all again. That one hour of work that it took to install it early on a Saturday morning was nothing compared to the weeks of comfort I've experienced as a result. In the face of this pandemic, we're all under so much stress, but the BidetMega 400 is the creature comfort I needed in these hectic times. The world will probably eventually return to normal, but at the end of the day I don't think I will. It'll probably be a long time before I'm emotionally and mentally prepared to handle crowds again. The silver lining in all of it is that it gave me the opportunity to get a bidet in my life, and even when everything else goes back to the way it was before, I'll never go back to living a bidet-less life. It's seriously that good. I went ahead and included some links to buy a bidet down below. If you have the opportunity, I wholly recommend it, regardless of brand. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| New iPhone 12 release date, leaks, price, news and everything you need to know Posted: 09 May 2020 09:13 AM PDT The iPhone 12 is coming in 2020, and it may be a big change to Apple's flagship smartphone. After a limited update with the iPhone 11 series, the first flagship Apple phone of a new decade does seem to be the perfect opportunity for a shake up. Why does Apple need to change things with the iPhone 12? The iPhone 11 range focused on camera tweaks and upping the power inside, but these were modest upgrades on the iPhone XS series. We've already seen Apple unveil the 'budget iPhone' this year in the form of the iPhone SE, but it's almost certain the company will bring a new flagship series toward the end of the year. So what will that encompass? We're starting to get a clearer picture. If you're excited about iPhone 12 leaks and rumors, you're in luck. There are lots, and we've already heard details about the potential price, the iPhone 12 design, how many models there will be, 5G connectivity and much more. We've combed through all the latest leaks and rumors about the new iPhone, and we've put together the most likely ones below. TechRadar has been monitoring the iPhone rumor mill since day one, so we're well placed to give you the fullest picture of what to expect from your next iPhone. Latest iPhone 12 news: No matter what model of the iPhone 12 you buy, you'll likely get 5G. That's what the latest rumor says, and it suggests you'll only get the top-end 5G connectivity technology if you opt for the top-end phones. You can find more in the 5G section below. iPhone 12: cut to the chase
iPhone 12 release date: will it be delayed?The iPhone 11 Pro Max There isn't any official iPhone 12 release date information available yet. We're almost certain the phone (or phones) will appear in 2020 though as Apple launches its new phones almost metronomically. Firstly, the new iPhone release date will probably be in September 2020 - and it's always around the second week of the month. It's almost always unveiled on a Tuesday too, so we'd put our money on it being revealed on September 8, 2020. There's always the chance it may be pushed back to September 15 too as it isn't always the second week of the month. We'd predict that you'll be able to pick it up 10 days after that, so you'll need a Friday off work if you're desperate to get your hands on one. That said, there's a chance that the Covid-19 pandemic's impact on the production of the next iPhone may push things back. We had heard that development would be unaffected, and there are even now reports that the main manufacturing factories are fully staffed up. Plus, an exec at Foxconn (the main manufacturer of the iPhone) has said that company aims and hopes to make up for lost ground. But elsewhere there are reports that the phone will be delayed until October or November, with Apple apparently not even having finalized the design in late March 2020. Some sources even say it could slip into 2021 with Reuters also claiming a delay could be likely. So what is going to happen? No-one knows for certain yet, but there's a strong possibility that the iPhone 12 release date may be staggered by model. This is something said by respected analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who says it would likely be the larger models of the phone that would come later than September. As of April 2020, the most recent news on this subject comes from a report in The Wall Street Journal, which states that production of the iPhone 12 has been delayed by around a month. That doesn't necessarily mean that the release date of the range will also be delayed as the company may find a way to make up for lost time, but we'd think there's a significant chance that it will be. iPhone 12 priceWhen it comes to the iPhone 12 price, it’s likely to stay broadly in line with the current models. For reference, the iPhone 11 started at $699 / £729 / AU$1,199, the iPhone 11 Pro starts at $999 / £1,049 / AU$1,749, and the iPhone 11 Pro Max starts at $1,099 / £1,149 / AU$1,899. That's backed up by rumors too, with a leak suggesting that the iPhone 12 Pro will start at $999 (and likely therefore £1,049 / AU$1,749), while the iPhone 12 Pro Max will start at $1,099 (likely £1,149 / AU$1,899). However, things are a bit different at the bottom of the range, with the most direct iPhone 11 successor (the 6.1-inch iPhone 12) apparently starting at $749 - so $50 more than the iPhone 11. But then there's also said to be a new 5.4-inch iPhone 12 model that will start at $649 - so $50 less than the iPhone 11. Having said all that, one report suggests that the cost of materials for the iPhone 12 range might go up, which could mean even higher prices at retail. iPhone 12 nameThe iPhone 11 First things first: we're pretty confident the 2020 Apple phones will be called the iPhone 12 series. It's likely not to be the 11S or similar, and that's mostly thanks to an industry analyst (with a great track record) saying as such. That's why we're calling it the iPhone 12 throughout this article, even though Apple hasn't confirmed this name. Others might be calling it the iPhone 2020 or the 'new iPhone' - but we're not thinking that will be the moniker Apple plumps for. That said, Apple may surprise us with a whole new name entirely so that may be subject to change in the future. Before we get started on the rest of the leaks and rumors, it's important to note that we expect there to be four versions of the iPhone 12. Unlike the last two years where we've seen three models, lots of consistent and recent leaks suggest there will be four models. iPhone 12 designSo far, leaks suggest the iPhone 12 is set to get a very different design but it's likely going to take elements we've seen on previous iPhone models and use them here. Remember the iPhone 4? You may recognize some of the elements. First off, you'll have four sizes to choose from. According to the most recent information on models, there will be the below:
That offers a larger screen size for those who don't want to spend lots on an iPhone 12 Pro model, and essentially means you'll have the choice of two devices are each of the price points. Jon Prosser - a Twitter leaker who proved to have consistently correct information on the iPhone SE and MacBook Pro 13 - this information is correct and you can see some of the specs below. Consistent leaks have suggested the iPhone 12 will have a metal frame, and the most trusted source before Prosser was Apple analyst Ming-Ch Kuo. The rear of all four phones is is still expected to be made of glass, but the edges are expected to be more squared than the rounded ones on current models. Prosser's information suggests it'll be aluminum used on the iPhone 12, while the iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max will come with a stainless steel body. Some sources speaking to Bloomberg claim similar, and they make comparisons to the design of the iPad Pro, saying that the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max will have flat stainless steel edges, more sharply rounded corners, and flat screens. That look has been further backed up by CAD renders that you can see in the video below made by EverythingApplePro and Max Weinbach. The reports above also point to smaller notches on all four rumored models, which is something we've heard consistently since new Face ID technology was first rumored in October 2019. You should still expect a notch at the top of the phone's display, but it looks like it'll be a lot smaller than before but won't be drastically different to previous models. One of the upcoming phones might even lack a notch according to analysts, with the front-facing camera potentially set to be embedded under the screen instead. If this happens we’d expect it to be the most expensive iPhone 12 model that has this feature – likely the iPhone 12 Pro Max, or whatever it launches as. One report has also suggested Face ID will be dropped entirely in favor of an under screen fingerprint scanner, though this seems unlikely. This would be a big change for the brand, since current models don’t have a fingerprint scanner at all. That said, if the camera really is in-screen then it might not be possible to have all the Face ID sensors, so it could be that this fingerprint scanner will replace Face ID, though we're not convinced Apple would go that far. iPhone 12 colorsAs for the iPhone 12 colors, we've heard a rumor that Apple will be debuting a navy blue on its top-end models. Reports say the Midnight Green color that debuted on the iPhone 11 Pro sold beyond Apple's expectations, so it may decide to keep that or it may be replaced in the lineup by this navy shade. The iPhone 11 Pro and Pro Max were available in Space Gray, Silver and Gold alongside the Midnight Green. Those shades may remain for the iPhone 12 Pro and Pro Max, but we've yet to hear any firm evidence those colors will return. As for the standard iPhone 12, we're expecting a similar pastel range to the iPhone 11. That phone is available in Black, Green, Yellow, Purple, Red and White, so you should probably expect some of those colors to return for 2020's device. iPhone 12 displayWe've touched upon display a little bit above and the four different models you can expect in 2020, but here we're going to dive into the rumors about the tech for the screens being used. Ming-Chi Kuo has also said that all the iPhone 12 models may come with OLED screen tech for the first time. That’s a claim we’ve heard more than once, too. The iPhone 11 features an LCD display, while the iPhone 11 Pro features OLED technology. That may allow for a far stronger screen on the standard iPhone 12 models, although we don't yet have any clear details on the resolution you can expect from any of the four phone's displays. The iPhone 11 Pro Another source has said that the two Pro models will use a form of OLED that's both thinner and cheaper to produce than the screens used in the iPhone 11 Pro range. That could mean lower prices, but we wouldn't count on it. One or more 2020 iPhone models might also have a 120Hz refresh rate, up from 60Hz on current models. This – which has been rumored by a reputable leaker - could make interactions feel smoother. This is a claim we've now heard more than once, and some phones already have higher refresh rates than 60Hz, as do some iPads, so this isn’t unbelievable. That's especially true as top-end phones like the Samsung Galaxy S20 and OnePlus 8 Pro now feature the tech too. We've also heard that at least some iPhone 12 models could have thinner, cheaper and more energy-efficient screens than the iPhone 11 range. This in turn may allow the phones themselves to be thinner, as well as lasting longer between charges. iPhone 12 5GAnother big change could take the form of 5G, which has been widely rumored for the iPhone 12 as many of its competitors now sport the technology. Back in July 2019, Kuo predicted that all models will support 5G. At the time, we only expected this feature to come to one model in the iPhone 12 range but it now looks like it'll be on all four devices. Prosser has suggested as much in his specs that he learned from a source at Apple. The big caveat here is that the base iPhone 12 models may not support mmWave 5G technology. It's expected this will be a feature reserved for the two top-end models, so those on carriers like Verizon in the US will have to opt for those. iPhone 12 specsHow are these phones going to power 5G connectivity? One rumor suggests it'll have a custom-made 5G antenna alongside a 5nm A14 Bionic processor. What that means for the average consumer is an iPhone with an even longer battery life and more power than ever. That would be rather impressive, given the iPhone battery life is currently the best we've ever seen from Apple. The RAM could also get a boost, with analysts claiming that the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max will have 6GB of the stuff, up from 4GB on their predecessors - though the standard iPhone 12 will apparently stick with 4GB. This is something we've now heard again, so it may well be true. The chipset seems ready to wow too, as an A14 Bionic leaked benchmark showed it had a single-core and multi-score score that was ahead of the Snapdragon 865, the processor we've seen in almost all Android flagships in 2020. And the iPhone 12 might also support the new 802.11ay specification, which could allow it to share content at speeds of at least 20-30Gbps. So in every sense this phone is likely to be fast. Battery capacity is an unknown at the moment for the iPhone 12 range. One rumor from late 2019 suggested that Apple may be using a smaller battery protection module for the iPhone 12 that would allow it to pack in a larger cell. Whether that happens or not is currently unknown, and we may not even know that until someone manages to get one to do a teardown on the exact internals of the new iPhone. iPhone 12 cameraThe iPhone 12 might also get a camera upgrade, with a laser-powered 3D camera rumored for inclusion. This would be on the back, and while only one rumor mentions lasers, another also talks about a depth-sensing snapper, while one mentions 3D sensing, so this might well be something we see in some form. We've also now seen a leaked sketch showing four rear lenses on the iPhone 12 Pro. This sketch supposedly came from a build of iOS 14 and is backed up by lots of sources. Three of the lenses look like those on the iPhone 11 Pro, if perhaps slightly bigger, but the new fourth lens looks like the LiDAR scanner found on the iPad Pro 2020. This can accurately judge distances and therefore depth, so it's in line with the rumors above and would allow for improved augmented reality and Portrait mode. We've since heard specific mention of a LiDAR scanner being included on the iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max (alongside three lenses), while the basic iPhone 12 is said to have two camera lenses and no LiDAR scanner. These claims have been made by multiple sources. Elsewhere, one source says the iPhone 12 might have a 64MP main camera, over the 12MP snapper on the previous few versions, which would be a huge upgrade. This leak also suggests that the phone will have multiple lenses that support night mode shooting, and the ultra-wide snapper could have a dedicated macro mode. Another report from Fast Company cites sources close to production of the phone and says these same features are in development. One of the sources for this rumor claims the two top models would get this, along with a triple-lens camera, while the two lower end ones would just get a dual-lens camera without 3D sensing. Elsewhere, we've heard that the top end iPhone 12 (likely the iPhone 12 Pro Max) will get a new image stabilization tech called 'sensor-shift', which would allow the sensor to move in order to counteract camera shake. The camera on Apple's iPhone 11 Pro Max A recent EU ruling may also mean future iPhones won't be able to use Lightning cables in Europe. That may force Apple to switch the connector on future phones to USB-C, and while it's not clear yet whether this will be the case for the iPhone 12 it may be something to consider. Another report from Chinese publication Caifa news also suggests Apple and other manufacturers may soon use GaN power adapters. These are currently used by Xiaomi, and allow for fast-charging speeds up to 65 watts. There's no gurantee this will debut on the iPhone 12 - or any future iPhone for that matter - but it may mean we see an improved fast-charging experience along the line. Of course, the iPhone 12 will also use new software, namely iOS 14, and while we don't know much about this yet, one leak suggests it could feature a new, iPadOS-inspired app switching screen. iPhone 12 softwareApple's big software developer conference is set to start on June 22. It's called WWDC 2020 and it's expected to be the event where we first hear about iOS 14, which is likely to debut on the new iPhone. It's also likely to come to your existing handset, but the iPhone 12 will be where it originates and it's likely to come with a few major upgrades over iOS 13. That said, little is actually rumored about iOS 14 so far. There are rumors of a new Fitness App that will come to iPhone, Apple Watch and Apple TV that allows you to watch fitness related videos on your phone. iMessage is heavily rumored to be getting some upgrades too with an ability to tag people - with an @ sign like you can do on other messaging platforms like Slack - as well as a way to delete your messages after you've sent them. Should I wait for the iPhone 12?The iPhone 12 release date is still around half a year away, if the September 2020 launch window stays constant, so you should probably consider the iPhone 11 series if you need a new iPhone in the next few days, weeks or even months. If you need a new top-tier Apple phone now, you’re looking at the iPhone 11 or the higher-spec iPhone 11 Pro or iPhone 11 Pro Max. Here are the best prices in your region: Want to know what we want to see from the iPhone 12? Head on over to the next page to find out. The iPhone 11 range is a strong - but safe, and thus a bit dull - upgrade for Apple. So for the iPhone 12 we want to see bigger, riskier changes, such as the following. 1. Exciting new featuresFirst things first - the new iPhone needs to be good. Brilliant. Better than expected. We’re talking things that we haven’t even thought of. Things that we’re hoping Apple’s brightest minds are currently dreaming up in the company’s labs. This might sound like a very vague request, but Apple is one of the biggest companies in the world and if any brand could make a decent folding handset, or one with detachable VR glasses, it's Cook's Crew. Because a tweaked design and improved specs are expected, ordinary, and no longer enough as consumers are holding onto their handsets for longer than ever. Come on Apple, give us something mind-blowing. 2. A new designThe back of the iPhone 11 Pro Perhaps the thing we want most from the iPhone 12 is a new design. Apple has been rolling out basically the same design for several years now, ever since it refreshed the look with the iPhone X. Sure, some things get tweaked, but the core is the same. And it’s starting to look a bit dated. That’s thanks mostly to the large notch, which might be necessary for all the camera components needed for Face ID, but which we’d like to see shrunk or removed if possible. Beyond that, we’d really like a whole new look. There’s not too much wrong with the rest of the iPhone 11 Pro’s design, but it certainly feels overly familiar at this point. 3. An in-screen everythingWe’d like the iPhone 12 to have an all-screen front, and one way to achieve that is to move the front-facing camera under the display. If Apple can effectively achieve that, it’s sure to impress. While it’s on, we’d like Apple to re-add a fingerprint scanner, for those times when Face ID isn’t working quite as slickly as it should. But we want this in the screen too, or better yet, make the whole screen one big fingerprint scanner, as it has been rumored Apple might be planning for a future phone. 4. A higher refresh rateThe iPhone 11 Pro One way some companies are further improving their displays is by upping the refresh rate from the standard 60Hz. The OnePlus 7 Pro for example has an optional 90Hz refresh rate, while the Razer Phone 2 goes up to 120Hz. This can help make interactions with the handset and animations feel silky smooth, so we’d like to see Apple offer a higher refresh rate of its own. It’s not out of the question, especially as some iPad Pro models have a refresh rate of up to 120Hz. Indeed, exactly that refresh rate has been rumored for the upcoming iPhones. 5. Further battery boostsFor the first time in years, with the iPhone 11 range it feels like Apple has really prioritized battery life in its phones, but we want the company to go even further with the iPhone 12. Or at the very least not go backwards. We’re still waiting on an iPhone that can comfortably last two days, and we’d like the iPhone 12 (or at least the iPhone 12 Pro Max) to be it. 6. 5G supportSamsung's Galaxy S10 Plus 5G Apple is behind when it comes to 5G, as none of the iPhone 11 range offer it, while rival handsets like the Samsung Galaxy S20 family and OnePlus 7 Pro 5G do. Apple’s lack of support isn’t a big deal right now, as 5G coverage is still very sparse in most countries, but by the time the iPhone 12 launches it will be more widely available and a large number of other handsets will support it, so it will be time for Apple to jump on board. The good news is that it’s heavily rumored that 2020’s iPhones will support 5G, so this is one thing we’re likely to get. 7. A lower priceWe ask for this every year with new iPhones and this year we actually kind of got it, with the base iPhone 11 starting at less than the iPhone XR did. So it’s actually not impossible that we could see an even lower price – or a reduced price for the rest of the range – with the iPhone 12. We wouldn’t count on it, but Apple’s more affordable phones are typically its best-selling in recent years, so there should be some incentive to cut costs where possible.
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| The best Memorial Day TV deals: price cuts from Samsung, LG, TCL, and more Posted: 09 May 2020 09:10 AM PDT Memorial Day is just around the corner, and that means fantastic deals on patio furniture, appliances, mattresses, and most importantly - 4K TVs. You can score record-low prices from top brands like Samsung, LG, and TCL from retailers like Best Buy and Amazon. Memorial Day TV deal of the week:Memorial Day TV deals:You can see our guide to the best Memorial Day sales 2020. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Best Assassin’s Creed games: every AC entry ranked for PS4, Xbox One, and PC Posted: 09 May 2020 09:00 AM PDT In the past decade of Assassin’s Creed games, from the franchise’s humble beginnings back in 2009, Ubisoft has certainly got to work. We’ve had 11 mainline Assassin’s Creed games so far, jumping through so many centuries and settings that it’s hard to keep track of what world the latest one inhabits. Whether you’re scaling Victorian buildings with a grappling hook in Syndicate, overturning ships in Black Flag, or gathering your fellow assassins about you in Brotherhood, the best Assassin’s Creed games have never lost their sense of adventure, giving players a way to visit carefully constructed worlds from across time – albeit with a little revisionism to make them more fun to play. With the 12th entry in the franchise, Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla, set to launch later this year, we thought we’d bring together our definitive ranked list of the best Assassin’s Creed games so far, from the original 2009 entry that started it all to 2018’s Odyssey installment that brought us meddling assassins to ancient Greece. While the overarching lore that connects all these games may be a bit hard to track, each AC game is still a journey unto its own – and this is our list of which should be on the top of your play pile if you haven’t tried them already. 1. Assassin’s Creed II (2009)The first Assassin’s Creed sequel is also, it turns out, the Assassin’s Creed game the closest to the TechRadar team’s hearts. Launched two years after the first game, it amped up the action and intrigue with a move to Renaissance Italy, and a suave protagonist known as Ezio Auditore da Firenze. There’s plenty of brilliant nonsense here, including an in-game Leonardo da Vinco NPC, who builds the player new weapons and items, including a flying machine (which Leonardo da Vinci actually designed). But other gameplay developments are what makes this game shine, with dual hidden blades and a new disarm mechanic. More than anything else, Assassin’s Creed II showed how easy it was to continue the AC franchise in a whole new setting, and paved the template for the globetrotting, century-jumping entries to come. 2. Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey (2018)Taking the action to ancient Greece, Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey offered a massive open world, bringing together some of the best aspects of the series while hewing closer to a full-on action RPG. As a mercenary caught up in a war between Athens and Sparta, you end up travelling to some of the world’s most iconic landmarks – while an emphasis on story, branching dialogue options, and multiple endings make this one of the most engaging AC games of the franchise. (You get to fight some mythological creatures like the Minotaur, too.) The combat in this action-heavy entry isn’t necessarily what AC does best, but the scope of this game was huge, and the gorgeous open world environment provides endless hours of joyful exploration. It’s a big AC game, and some may find it too big to finish, but it offers a freedom suitable for any assassin. 3. Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood (2010)Assassin’s Creed Brotherhood was a direct sequel to Assassin’s Creed II, set in the same Renaissance era in Italy, and couldn’t help but feel less fresh than the previous entry – hence not ranking quite as highly. However, the way Brotherhood picks up the baton and sprints with it still makes it one of the best Assassin’s Creed games in the series. The name Brotherhood reveals this game’s main selling point: the ability to recruit other assassins and send them on missions to further the Assassins’ cause – or summon them into battle to fight alongside you. Who said assassinating had to be lonely? Notably, Brotherhood also introduced the first online multiplayer mode for the series, seeing players sprint and parkour their way across rooftops to try and take each other out. 4. Assassin’s Creed: Black Flag (2013)Pirates! Assassins! Pirate assassins! Black Flag was a hugely exciting departure for the series, taking the action onto the high seas in the 18th century – playing as the grandfather of the protagonist in Assassin’s Creed III. As a swarthy pirate, you end up sailing as much as you do sneaking, but there’s still plenty of land-based action that the series is known for – along with ship-based warfare, whale harpooning, and even encounters with Blackbeard himself. Truly one of the most fun games in the series. 5. Assassin’s Creed: Origins (2017)After a sensible year off from releasing games – one of Ubisoft’s favorite hobbies – players were treated to Assassin’s Creed: Origins. Playing as a desert nomad in ancient Egypt, under the reign of Pharaoh Ptolemy XIII, you’re tasked with pursuing peace and safety for the population around you as its kingdom crumbles – with a truly epic origin story for the first ever assassins (so don’t expect to see any AC entries set before this). With Cleopatra and Julius Caesar appearing, and lots of historical easter eggs to satisfy anthropological hobbyists, Origins was a brilliant entry that got the AC formula down pat. 6. Assassin’s Creed (2007)The game that started it all. The original Assassin’s Creed was truly breathtaking in its scope and ambition for last-generation platforms (it launched on Xbox 360 and PS4, with a PC port soon after). This game setup the curious sci-fi framing device of the Animus: a machine for hacking into genetic memories held in the protagonist’s (a kidnapped bartender named Desmond) DNA. Its open-world setting in the 12th century Holy Land, with the action jumping between Jerusalem, Acre, and Damascus during the Third Crusade. Players take on the mantle of Altaïr, an assassin tasked with furthering the cause of their secret order, while gradually learning more about a mysterious artifact called the Apple of Eden, that recurs throughout the franchise. Other games refined its formula, and others broke it, but 2007 Assassin’s Creed is what began our collective fixation with a pickpocketing, parkour, shadow-slinking assassin, and is one of the best games in the franchise for it. While the graphics and combat may not hold up today – enemies being incredibly easy to defeat simply by running around them until your health regenerated – it’s certainly worthy of its place on this list. 7. Assassin’s Creed: Syndicate (2015)An Assassin’s Creed game set in Old Blighty? Count us in! Syndicate took the action to Victorian London, with all of the cockney accents, wood-panelled pubs, and silly hats you’d hope for. Syndicate also, for the first time, allowed players to pick their avatar’s gender, playing as either Jacob or Evie Frye (twin assassins) as they sought to free London from the cruel grip of the Templars – a welcome addition after half-hearted protestations from developers that women were… too costly to animate? Players also got to use a dedicated grappling hook for quickly speeding up multi-storey buildings, brass knuckles for brawling in the city’s cobbled streets, and horse-drawn carriages for navigating the Victorian era world. A brilliant and imaginative setting, in a game that – despite its historical nature – showed that Ubisoft was catching up with modern day. As ever, though, some technical glitches held it back from greatness. 8. Assassin’s Creed: Revelations (2011)Released just one year after 2010’s Brotherhood, Revelations was the first time Ubisoft appeared to be rushing things. It certainly felt familiar, with players filling the shoes of 21st-century protagonist Desmond, the original game’s Altaïr avatar, and Ezio from Assassin’s Creed II and Brotherhood – and it showed the franchise was in need of a refresh. One notable addition, though, was the ‘hookblade’ – a grappling hook attachment to your iconic assassin’s blade – that helped elevate the game’s verticality and roof-jumping to a whole new level (roof level). It could also be thrown into enemies to pull them in for some good ol’ assassinating. 9. Assassin’s Creed III (2012)Ubisoft needed a new setting for the AC game after Revelations, and it certainly made one. Assassin’s Creed III jumps in time to the American Revolution in the 18th century. Players take on the mantle of Connor, as a half-English, half-Mohawk character navigating colonial America. With a new Anvil engine, the graphics really got an upgrade, while the American Frontier was a wonderful change from the largely European settings of the previous games that pushed the limits of the open world franchise even further – with an increase in use of natural foliage for sneaking and hiding, rather than the largely urban structures we’d grown used to. Some less-than-inspiring mission design, though, let down what could have been a truly landmark AC game. 10. Assassin’s Creed: Unity (2014)Unity was the first Assassin’s Creed game to launch on the current-gen PS4 and Xbox One, with the graphical jump that you’d expect. Set during the French Revolution, with the story largely taking place in Paris, the game brought AC firmly back to Europe after many a year in the American colonies or on the Caribbean seas. Like Rogue – which launched, for some reason, in the same year – Unity was plagued by bugs, marring what could have been an explosive arrival on a new generation of consoles. It deserves some marks for its introduction of cooperative gameplay, though, allowing up to four players to complete missions together. Now that’s unity. 11. Assassin’s Creed: Rogue (2014)Alas, poor Rogue. There was plenty of potential in this much-maligned Assassin’s Creed game, especially in putting the player in the shoes of an enemy Templar instead of a member of the Assassin’s guild. Expansion of the naval warfare in Black Flag was also hugely welcome, but some obstacles simply got in the way – namely, game-breaking bugs. Rogue was truly the game where Ubisoft’s annual release schedule got the better of it, leading to a rushed game that launched with a huge amount of bugs and glitches, ruining immersion and leading plenty of players to ditch the story before it had really got underway (the campaign wasn’t overly long, anyway). 12. What’s next? Assassin’s Creed: ValhallaWith another upheaval to a new time and place, the next AC game – Assassin’s Creed: Valhalla – takes the franchise to medieval Britain, during the Viking expansion across the island nation. You’ll take on the role of Viking raider Eivor, who leads their clan from their native home of Norway to the shores of Dark Ages England – with a hope of settling for good. But resistance from the Saxons (and a stern King Alfred) won't exactly make it easy. This new Assassin's Creed game leans more into RPG elements, allowing players to build and manage settlements, raid towns for resources, form alliances and even customize their character. It will be the first AC game on PS5 and Xbox Series X, with support for Smart Delivery on the latter – meaning anyone buying it on Xbox One consoles can upgrade to the next-gen version for free too. Our first look at the gameplay didn’t show off much, but we’re likely to get more in-depth showcases in the coming months, ahead of its release in late 2020.
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| This VPN could change everything with its decentralized approach Posted: 09 May 2020 07:00 AM PDT Consumers and businesses alike are now relying on VPNs to protect their privacy and increase their anonymity online. However, most VPN services are highly centralized and many lack transparency which makes it difficult to know how protected your data really is online. The blockchain-based ecosystem Tachyon has developed a decentralized VPN that it thinks could solve many of these issues. Tachyon VPN uses the Tachyon Node network as its infrastructure and service provider and as a result of this, its servers are not run by a centralized organization. This means that attackers or even governments can not pressure it to provide records on its users. Tachyon VPN is also adding new users at a steady pace as the service reached 50,000 global active users back in March and this month, it is now hosting 100,000 users according to Cointelegraph. V SYSTEMS' chief architect, Sunny King provided more details on the company's new VPN to the news outlet, saying:
"I’m delighted that Tachyon VPN has just reached 100,000 users globally this month and I believe that eventually it would enable a vibrant VPN service marketplace for the world. Tachyon is designed as a VPN services marketplace. It creates the necessary infrastructure for service providers and users to participate in a highly decentralized VPN marketplace.” Tachyon VPNTachyon VPN is based on the Tachyon Protocol which is what nodes and users on the company's network use to communicate with one another. The protocol ensures that internet traffic moves from place to place privately, securely and quickly. The Tachyon Protocol also uses a cryptocurrency called IPX Token, based on V SYSTEMS' blockchain database, for authentication, transaction settlement and community governance. Users need to have IPX Token for verification but provider nodes can also set a price for their spare bandwidth and earn tokens by participating in Tachyon's open and decentralized network. Tachyon VPN is currently available for macOS, iOS and Android with a Windows app coming soon. There are currently 163 servers available in 16 countries and interested users can download Tacyon's decentralized VPN here.
Via Cointelegraph This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Call of Duty Warzone on mobile: what we want to see Posted: 09 May 2020 07:00 AM PDT While Call of Duty: Mobile is one of the most successful mobile games ever, it has a flaw - its Black Ops 4-style battle royale mode is rather outdated compared to the newer Call of Duty: Warzone free-to-play game, released in early 2019. It's no secret Call of Duty: Warzone should have launched on mobile devices too - we've already argued as much before - but it looks like publisher Activision has cottoned on to that mistake because rumors suggest there will be a new Call of Duty mobile game coming later in 2020. Could it be a port of Warzone? Given that the current Call of Duty: Mobile is a game seemingly intended to last for a long time, constantly seeing new updates, maps and changes, we wouldn't expect this second app to be a newer version of it. Instead, there are two options: a brand-new stand-alone zombies game, or a Call of Duty: Warzone mobile app. We're going to assume the latter is more likely, given Activision pulled the zombies mode from Call of Duty: Mobile due to the fact they thought it wasn't working in its current form. If that is indeed the case, there are a few tweaks we think the company should make to the format to make it a perfect match for smartphones. Mainly, these tweaks are hardware-related, as most people who have played Warzone will agree it's a pretty great take on the battle royale formula. So here is our list of what we want to see in a Call of Duty: Warzone mobile port. What we want to see from Call of Duty: Warzone on mobileOnePlus 8 Pro has a 120Hz screen Support for 120Hz phone screensSome of the best smartphones out there right now have screens with 120Hz refresh rates: the Samsung Galaxy S20, OnePlus 8 Pro and Xiaomi Mi 10 all have these smooth-refresh panels. However, not all games support these refresh rates, so you don't get to enjoy the smooth motion when you're gaming even if your smartphone has the tech to allow it. Call of Duty: Warzone on phones would be enjoyable to play if it supported 120Hz phones, making transitions silky-smooth. Actions like peering around corners, scanning a landscape through a sniper scope or frantically rushing away from the circle in a beat-up buggy would all be a treat if seen at 120Hz. Call of Duty: Warzone A smaller app sizeWhen Call of Duty: Warzone was released its file size was almost 100GB - that's more storage than lots of smartphones even have, and so naturally wouldn't work on handsets, especially given subsequent patches have been pretty sizeable too. Not all of these files were important either, as by downloading Warzone you're also downloading all of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare's assets, many of which you're not going to use if you just want to play a battle royale. If Warzone is going to make its way onto smartphones, Activision will need to drastically reduce the size of the file. Dropping Modern Warfare assets will be a start, but by downscaling graphics to HD (only the Sony Xperia 1 supports 4K at time of writing, which isn't enough to justify a 4K option), and limiting the number of available modes (Warzone has a few like Plunder which don't seem to be very popular), that file size could shrink. After all, Call of Duty Warzone on mobiles wouldn't be fun if only people with advanced phones could run it. The winning factor of Call of Duty: Mobile was that it runs on nearly all phones, and Warzone would need to emulate that. Same COD Mobile control schemeOne of the reasons Call of Duty: Mobile is one of the best games you can get on your phone is the control system. Instead of emulating the system employed by other mobile shooters like PUBG Mobile, Fortnite and more, which uses two on-screen joysticks to move and look about, then a separate 'shoot' button, in Call of Duty: Mobile firing is baked into the joystick for looking about, making it so much easier to fire as soon as you see enemies. There's also more customization in the control layout in Call of Duty: Mobile compared to other phone shooters, so overall it's just much easier to play than its competitors. Of course, a Warzone app would be so much funner to play if it made the most of this control scheme. Compared to the battle royale mode already available in Call of Duty: Mobile (based on Black Ops 4's mode), Warzone has far fewer necessary controls (that mode had abilities and ways to interact with the environment that Warzone lacks. In addition menu navigation in Warzone (when you're using certain buying stations around the map) would actually be easier on a touchscreen device, so you don't need to cycle through the options. PUBG Mobile on the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 No botsOn this list of things we want to see, we're going to list something we don't want in the game - or, at least, something we don't want to be mandatory in the game - bots. For context, PUBG Mobile populates some of its matches with non-player AI-controller opponents, and there's a fairly good reason for the inclusion, as their reduced intelligence compared to real players makes them easy targets for new players looking to get their first few kills. In a game that can be a little hard to control, it's a decent inclusion. However, as we've said, Call of Duty: Mobile has great controls, so new players won't face the steep control learning curve that PUBG Mobile presents. They don't need an easy opponent to get a few kills, as there's more of a chance they'll be getting them against real opponents anyway. The downside to bots is that seasoned players can find them a little boring to fight against, as they're too easy. That's not a reason not to include them, of course, as it's important for new players to find a game accessible, but if bots are unnecessary for first-timers to have a fighting change, we'd be fine without them in the game. Gaming on the iPhone 11 Pro Max Cross-play between iOS and AndroidCall of Duty: Warzone has cross-play enabled by default, so PS4 and Xbox One players can fight alongside each other in combating PC gamers. While we've said Activision can utilize a great control scheme for mobile Warzone, the controls aren't exactly good enough to put mobile gamers in the same league as console or computer gamers. So general cross-play shouldn't be an option, but we'd like to see iOS and Android users play together. This would let friends play together no matter what side of the iPhone vs Android line they sit on, and make it easier for the game to fully populate matches. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Production delays could push back the launch of new AirPods Posted: 09 May 2020 07:00 AM PDT The spread of the coronavirus pandemic and the world's efforts to contain it have caused havoc with tech release schedules this year, and it would appear that the next version of the Apple AirPods are the latest bit of gadgetry to get delayed. A new report in the Nikkei Asian Review suggests that Apple is hastily trying to shift some of its AirPods production to Vietnam instead of China, and that it's having a knock-on effect on its plans to bring out new versions of the earbuds this year. That matches up with something we heard from a respected Apple analyst last month: Ming-Chi Kuo, who is often on the mark when it comes to Apple predictions, has already said we won't see new AirPods until 2021.
The Nikkei Asian Review report also says AirPods demand has been hit by the spread of the coronavirus and the closure of many Apple Stores worldwide. Production on the current AirPods models has been scaled down by 10 percent, apparently. Stay tunedDon't give up hope just yet though – we've also heard rumors from a respected source that a new version of the AirPods are in fact ready to go and were due to launch in March, at an event that was canceled as Covid-19 spread. That tip was from Jon Prosser, who is usually accurate in his information. He did however say the new AirPods could appear alongside a new MacBook Pro – the MacBook Pro has now been unveiled, but the earbuds are nowhere to be seen. Part of the confusion is because these leaks might all refer to different versions of the AirPods. A 'lite' edition of the earbuds are apparently on the cards, without noise canceling, while 'pro' over-the-ear headphones are also said to be in the pipeline. A lot of rumor-collecting is educated guesswork, and the global pandemic we're all currently living through has added even more chaos and confusion. It's safe to say we can definitely look forward to new AirPods – it's just a question of when. Via MacRumors This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| The 10 best Netflix Original movies – and 5 of the worst Posted: 09 May 2020 05:00 AM PDT When Netflix first launched as a mail-order DVD rental service, making movies was not part of the plan – and why would it have been? In the early 21st century, going direct-to-video was considered the kiss of death for a film, and few self-respecting Hollywood stars would voluntarily make the move away from the big screen. Times have changed, however, and these days there’s no shame in making films for a streaming platform – in fact, it’s something Hollywood’s biggest players have embraced wholesale. Regularly throwing blockbuster-sized budgets at its movies, Netflix attracts some of the biggest names in cinema to work on its original movies, with the A-list likes of Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver all making films under the Netflix banner. Now that movies like The Irishman, Roma and Marriage Story have become major contenders in awards season conversations, Netflix has taken its seat at Hollywood’s top table. While it’s quite the success story, however, its movies don’t always get it right… So we've put together a list of 10 of the best Netflix Original movies you can watch right now – and, for balance, we’ve also picked out 5 of the worst you might want to avoid, which you'll find at the bottom of this page.
The Irishman(Image credit: Netflix) Yes, the CG technology used to turn Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Joe Pesci into younger men is a game-changer, but if that’s all you take away from The Irishman you’re missing the point. Martin Scorsese’s return to the gangster genre that made his name undoubtedly lacks the energy of the genre-defining Goodfellas and Casino, and at three-and-a-half hours gets perilously close to overstaying its welcome. Nonetheless, the leisurely pacing feels appropriate in a movie that’s as much about ageing as it is offing your rivals. Proof that some of the most important movies in Hollywood are now being made by Netflix. Marriage Story(Image credit: Netflix) Marriage Story scrapped with The Irishman on this year’s awards circuit – indeed, with Laura Dern picking up an Oscar as Best Supporting Actress, it was arguably more successful. The Squid and the Whale/Frances Ha writer-director Noah Baumbach crafts the perfect falling-out-of-love story, an anti-romance that charts the painful divorce of a couple of New Yorkers. It’s sometimes excruciating to watch, but Baumbach latches onto the humanity of his characters to find the tenderness in their story, with stars Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver both on mesmerizing form. Roma(Image credit: Netflix) With this decade seeing wins for Alejandro Iñárritu (Birdman, The Revenant), Guillermo del Toro (The Shape of Water) and Alfonso Cuarón himself (Gravity), Mexican filmmakers had already made their mark on the best director Academy Award by the time Cuarón helmed the brilliant Roma. Even so, this semi-autobiographical story about growing up in 1970s Mexico City still managed to break new ground as one of the first Netflix movies to hit big at the Oscars. Shot in gorgeous black-and-white, it’s a heartfelt, low-key masterpiece that would have been a much more deserving recipient of the big prize than eventual victor Green Book. The Ballad of Buster Scruggs(Image credit: Netflix) Despite an eclectic career that’s seen them dabbling in film noir, screwball comedy and the Dude, the closest the Coen brothers had previously come to the small screen was the superlative Fargo TV spin-off (which they didn't make). Netflix persuaded them to break their televisual duck, however, tempting Joel and Ethan back to the Western genre that served them so well in True Grit and (kinda) No Country for Old Men. Featuring six typically idiosyncratic Old West tales, this anthology boasts an all-star cast including James Franco and Liam Neeson, while O Brother, Where Art Though? veteran Tim Blake Nelson gets back in the Coen saddle as the eponymous singing cowboy. Okja(Image credit: Netflix) Before he made a searing satire on wealth, class and modern society with the superlative Parasite, director Bong Joon-Ho pointed his viewfinder at animal rights and factory farming. Co-written with The Men Who Stare at Goats author Jon Ronson, Bong’s story starts off as a surprisingly touching tale of a girl and her genetically modified ‘superpig’ BFF – the eponymous Okja, an adorable triumph of CG. Things take a darker turn in the final act, however, as bad guys led by a wonderfully OTT Tilda Swinton try to take the pig back to its corporate roots. A one-of-a-kind collaboration between storytellers from East and West – and all the better for it. The Two Popes(Image credit: Netflix) As soon as Pope Francis was elected head of the Catholic Church in 2013, people started asking when Jonathan Pryce – who shares a remarkable likeness with the Pontiff – might play him on screen. Netflix eventually made it come to pass, as City of God/The Constant Gardener director Fernando Meirelles took a peek through the keyholes of the Vatican. We’ll never know how accurate the portrayal of Francis's meetings with Benedict XVI – his more conservative predecessor (played by Anthony Hopkins) – really are, but it’s a brilliant odd couple drama, especially when the duo let their hair down watching their teams face off in the 2014 World Cup Final. High Flying Bird(Image credit: Netflix) Netflix has a habit of enticing big-name Hollywood directors to make movies for the platform, but few have crossed over quite like Steven Soderbergh. In fact, while Netflix is usually synonymous with massive budgets, the Out of Sight and Erin Brockovich director has chosen a rather more frugal route, shooting his recent films on smartphones. There’s rather more to this sports drama than your average home video, however, as André Holland (star of new Netflix series The Eddy) plays an agent taking on the basketball establishment. It’s a gripping story with plenty to say about issues surrounding race in sport, and with the supremely talented Soderbergh behind the camera – or should that be phone? – it’s as impeccably told as you’d expect. Dolemite is my Name(Image credit: Netflix) Every so often a new Eddie Murphy movie gets hailed as a return to form. Dolemite is my Name is the latest to follow in the potentially career resurrecting footsteps of Shrek and Dreamgirls, and there’s no doubt the star’s performance justifies the hype. Murphy heads back to the 1970s to play real-life actor, comedian and singer Rudy Ray Moore, most famous for the blaxploitation films he made about his Dolemite character. While Moore’s rise from clubs to the big screen is straight out of the biopic textbook, it’s a wonderfully atmospheric recreation of the era, with an intriguing character at its heart. I Lost my Body(Image credit: Netflix) You didn’t think Netflix was going to let Disney, Pixar and DreamWorks have everything their own way, did you? Weeks after the release of the Christmassy Klaus, the streaming service's first homegrown feature-length cartoon, it was back in animation action with this weirder, more grown-up affair. For all Pixar’s spirit of creative adventure, they’ve never dared front a movie with a disembodied limb, but here a severed hand – making its way across France to find its owner – is the star of the show. Part horror, part love story, I Lost my Body is a beautifully animated tale, and a refreshing antidote to a medium dominated by CG. Atlantics(Image credit: Netflix) Just to prove that Netflix isn’t all about big-name Hollywood directors, they also gave a debut to French actor-turned-director Mati Diop – with Atlantics, she became the first woman of color ever to direct a film in contention for the Palme d’Or at Cannes. Set in the Senegalese city of Dakar, Atlantics focuses on a group of construction workers who are lost at sea when they go looking for a better life elsewhere – and, crucially, the people they leave behind. It’s an arresting, unconventional mix of romance, hard-hitting drama (the issues facing migrants are inescapably real) and the supernatural, all tied together with remarkable skill by Diop. And here are five of the worstAs with its TV productions, not everything Netflix makes is a slam dunk. IO(Image credit: Netflix) For all the success Netflix has had with genre series (everything from Altered Carbon to The Umbrella Academy to The Witcher), its sci-fi movies are still playing catch up. Despite being fronted by talent like Anthony Mackie (Marvel’s Falcon) and Margaret Qualley (The Leftovers), this end-of-the-world drama is as lifeless as the futuristic Earth it portrays. Death Note(Image credit: Netflix) Sometimes Hollywood gets hold of a classic Japanese manga and crafts something as all-round brilliant as Edge of Tomorrow. At other times, they make Death Note... It’s the story of a teenager who discovers a notebook whose pages have the ability to kill – there are supernatural powers at work, but paper cuts would be scarier. A major waste of You’re Next director Adam Wingard’s talents. The Open House(Image credit: Netflix) We’re pretty sure it wasn’t Netflix’s plan when this haunted house story was greenlit, but it’s become a handy resource for students who want to learn how not to make a horror movie. Genuine scares are in perilously short supply when a teen and his mum into beautiful mountain chalet – in fact, the film’s biggest shock is that they thought they could get away with one of the worst twist endings of recent years. Sandy Wexler(Image credit: Netflix) UK-based Netflix subscribers get to enjoy the critically adored Adam Sandler vehicle Uncut Gems (and US subscribers get to watch it from May 25 2020). Unfortunately, Sandy Wexler is a reminder that not all of the Happy Gilmore star’s output is gold. Heading back in time served Sandler well in The Wedding Singer, but unfortunately this overlong, ’90s-set tale of a Hollywood talent manager prone to exaggeration is bogged down by way too many gags that miss the mark. How it Ends(Image credit: Netflix) From Mad Max to Dawn of the Dead to A Quiet Place, there have been loads of classic movies depicting the fall of civilization. Despite its what-it-says-on-the-tin title, however, How it Ends will not be joining that list. A widespread power-out is the catalyst for an apocalypse driven by questionable plotting and far from A-list effects. You’re supposed to care about Theo James, Kat Graham and Forest Whitaker’s familial squabbles – sadly, you won’t give a damn.
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| Bank Holiday sales 2020: laptop, headphone, iPad, and 4K TV deals continue this weekend Posted: 09 May 2020 04:30 AM PDT Bank holiday sales are continuing well into the weekend, with fantastic deals on top tech sticking around a little longer. That means there's more time to grab a bargain on a new laptop, iPad, 4K TV, or set of headphones, as well as big savings on home and garden renovations. We're rounding up all the latest bank holiday sales right here, so you can snag yourself a fantastic price on anything you're shopping for this weekend. We're keeping this page topped up with regular updates on the best deals to hit the digital shelves this weekend. Plus, we've weeded out all the prices that aren't worth your time, and brought you the very best price cuts on offer. So bookmark this page and check back regularly, because we're scouring all your favourite retailers all weekend. We've already seen some of these deals come and go, and with stock levels of particularly in-demand items (Nintendo Switch Lite, iPads, Apple Watches, and premium laptops) already shakey due to the global pandemic, we wouldn't hestitate to grab a deal you like the look of today. With so much on offer right now, there's plenty of bank holiday sales to choose from, so sit back, relax and soak in the savings - once they're gone, they're gone. Where to find the best Bank Holiday sales
Bank Holiday sales 2020We're rounding up all the latest bank holiday sales right here, with the very best graduating to this quick list of the top deals.
The Bank Holiday sales are a great time to shop for a cheap laptop deal. With recent demand rising, plenty of retailers have been competing with some fantastic prices over the last few weeks as stock inventories start to heal from the initial impact of lockdown. That means we're seeing plenty of savings on everything from cheap Chromebooks to more powerful machines this week.
If you're looking to keep yourself entertained during this Bank Holiday, there's likely to be plenty of sales catering to your needs with cheap tablet and iPad deals. With the release of the 2020 iPad Pro, we're seeing discounts on previous high-end models, as well as cheaper Android tablets. Below, you'll find some of the latest sales available today. Smartwatch and fitness tracker deals are usually pretty reliable over the Bank Holiday sales, and though we're not getting out and about as much as we usually do, things still look good for some discounts in 2020. Thanks to new releases pushing the prices of older models down, and more wrist candy to choose from than ever, you'll find some healthy deals available right now. Headphones and speakers always do well in Bank Holiday sales. Typically (though not always) less expensive than laptops, tablets, and 4K TVs, premium earbuds and over-ear headphones have a habit of dropping in price during sales like this. Keep an eye on AirPods for some particularly exciting deals, as well as some of the older Bose and Beats models. 4K TV deals are making a splash in this year's Bank Holiday sales, so be sure to keep your eye on the latest prices if you plan on upgrading your set this month. We're seeing some fantastic deals available right now, so if you see a price you like there's no point in waiting.
If you're looking to beat the lockdown blues with an Xbox One or PS4 bundle deal, the Bank Holiday sales are serving up some excellent prices. Stock is looking particularly strong at the moment with the offers below from Currys already standing out. TechRadar Life: the best home and garden bank holiday salesWhen will the Bank Holiday sales start?The early May Bank Holiday has been moved to Friday the 8th this year, to coincide with VE Day celebrations. That means you'll have a whole weekend of sales to shop, with plenty of deals spanning the entire week as well. We're seeing retailers publish their deals earlier and earlier at the moment, so keep this page bookmarked for all the latest information, and start checking back regularly from Wednesday 6th May for the latest discounts. How to find the best Bank Holiday dealsWe're highlighting all the best Bank Holiday sales right here on TechRadar, but if you're flying solo you'll want to take a look at the retailers who regularly discount the items you're after. So, in the world of TVs, laptops, headphones and tablets, head over to Currys, John Lewis, AO, and Amazon. For larger home and garden appliances, you'll also have luck with Argos, B&Q and Very. More May bank holiday sales 2020
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| Twitter is reportedly rolling out a tweet scheduling feature to more users Posted: 09 May 2020 03:00 AM PDT If you're a regular Twitter user, the ability to schedule tweets rather than blast them out all at the same time can be really handy, and there are a variety of third-party plug-ins to help. Now it seems Twitter might be pushing out its own scheduler more widely. As The Next Web reports, some users have already started seeing a schedule option appear on the interface: you can pick a specific date and time for your post, as well as see all the tweets you've currently got scheduled. This is something that Twitter started testing last year, although the feature was never rolled out widely beyond a small trial group. The new functionality looks similar to the experiment we saw in November.
Now it appears more people are getting the option – though for the time being at least, it looks as though the feature is only available if you're using Twitter on the desktop through a web browser. The ever-evolving TwitterWe haven't heard anything from Twitter itself yet, so it's possible that this is just an extension of the original test: it may disappear as quickly as it arrived, or it may suddenly become available for everyone at once. Besides being able to schedule tweets through various social media management tools, the feature is also available in TweetDeck – the power user web client that's actually owned and run by Twitter itself. That would suggest it's not going to take too much software engineering know-how to switch the scheduler over to the main Twitter clients. Twitter has also been busy experimenting with new ways to show threads in recent days. Being able to schedule tweets is undoubtedly useful – though it can cause a serious amount of social media embarrassment too, if it inadvertently becomes ill-timed, or looks ignorant of what everyone else is talking about on the network (Twitter moves fast, after all). There's still no sign of an edit button though. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| AMD Ryzen 4000 ‘Renoir’ leak hints at a seriously powerful 8-core APU Posted: 09 May 2020 02:27 AM PDT AMD Ryzen desktop APUs are about to get a major boost and step up to 8-cores, at least going by a leaked benchmark. The result for what speculation contends is an AMD Ryzen 4000 ‘Renoir’ desktop APU shows an 8-core, 16-thread chip which would double up on the current Ryzen 3000 APUs that are led by a quad-core part (the Ryzen 5 3400G). As you can see, the benchmark spotted by TUM_APISAK (and Komachi – both of whom are the source of many hardware leaks on Twitter) comes from User Benchmark and shows an 8-core chip which is clocked at 3GHz with boost to 3.95GHz. The User Benchmark score itself was recorded as 86.2%.
Of course, we need to take any leak with a sizeable amount of caution, and assuming this is a genuine AMD part, the clock speeds reflect an engineering sample chip, so aren’t representative of the final performance you can expect. The processor was benchmarked in an ASRock B550 motherboard and will reportedly support not just this and X570 boards, but also B450 and X470 products. As Wccftech reports, _rogame (another high-profile Twitter leaker) also chimed in on this one, claiming that there are currently (at least) two Renoir APUs undergoing testing, both 8-core models, one running at 3GHz and one at 3.5GHz, with the GPU purportedly clocked at 1750MHz in both cases (he’s guessing that the Vega integrated graphics will be 8 compute units – the same as the Ryzen 9 4900HS which is also clocked at that speed). Performance jumpAssuming all this speculation is on the mark, or at least near it, we can expect a considerable jump in performance with AMD’s Ryzen 4000 APUs compared to existing models. While User Benchmark scores are not the first benchmark you’d turn to in an ideal world, the result of 86.2% puts this alleged sample chip roughly in line with the sort of performance you’ll get from the Ryzen 7 4800H (which averages at 86% bang on in the User Benchmark database). For comparison, the Ryzen 5 3400G comes in at an average of 74%, and of course the jump to 8-cores will be more than welcome for those looking for a compelling APU, although obviously this alleged top-end chip will come with a price premium compared to the quad-core 3400G. Pricing will likely be pitched some way under AMD’s Ryzen 7 3700X 8-core desktop CPU, although exactly how far under is of course a complete guessing game at this point. It’s further expected that as well as this 8-core model, there will be a quad-core offering for those who don’t want to fork out that much for an APU. According to Wccftech’s sources, the new AMD Ryzen 4000 APUs are expected to launch in July. The existing Ryzen 5 3400G offers a base clock of 3.7GHz with boost to 4.2GHz and the integrated GPU is Vega 11 Graphics clocked at 1400MHz, with the chip having a TDP of 65W (the latter is expected to be maintained with the incoming 8-core model).
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| Brilliant BT Broadband deal alert: £80 reward card and less than £30/pm for fibre Posted: 09 May 2020 01:40 AM PDT We know that this Bank Holiday may be looking a lot like all your other weekends at the moment (spending a bit of time at home, perhaps?), but the extra day off work does make it the ideal time to finally get your broadband deal sorted out. And BT has come up with a belter of a deal right in the nick of time. Sign up to its best value Superfast Fibre 1 plan any time this week and you stand to receive an £80 pre-paid Mastercard that you can spend on whatever you like, anywhere you like. So if - like us - your favourite kind of freebie is a nice fat wad of cash, you'll probably want to know more. Fortunately, the rest of the details are pretty handsome, too. You're looking at monthly payments of £28.99, rocketing speeds of 50Mb (plenty for seamless streaming and a houseful of hungry internet users) and only the cost of the router delivery to pay upfront. BT Broadband says that most of its packages can be installed without an engineer visit to your home - it will simply send you a hub and it’s easy to get set up yourself. However this is a 24-month contract, so if the contract length feels off-putting, consult our guide to the fibre broadband deals from all of the different providers.
BT's brand new broadband deal in full:What is a BT Reward Card?The Reward Card that BT sends out is a pre-paid credit card that you can use anywhere that accepts Mastercard. In short, that's around a million shops, cafes and restaurants around the world, so you shouldn't find it difficult to find places to spend, spend, spend. It's an old-fashioned chip and pin card, rather than contactless. But do make sure that you claim your Reward Card within three months of installation, otherwise you'll lose out on all that cash. Today's best broadband dealsThis posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Unannounced Redmi 9 already listed on Xiaomi's website Posted: 09 May 2020 01:17 AM PDT It seems like Xiaomi is getting ready to introduce the Redmi 9 to the global market as the handset was spotted on Xiaomi’s global website. This revelation comes shortly after the handset maker introduced the Redmi Note 9 on the global stage. The handset popped up on the Xiaomi Global’s RF certification page. The page usually has names of released devices that comply with the radio wave exposure guidelines required, however, it sometimes also gets entries of unreleased phones like it just did with the Redmi 9. As a consequence, the model number - M2004J19G - of the handset also got exposed. Xiaomi doesn’t look like it’s in a hurry to remove the entry either as it’s still there. Unfortunately, none of this gives us an idea about the specifications of the upcoming affordable smartphone range. The model, along with another similar one - M2004J19C - was spotted on the CCC (3C) database. Although the latter had a 10W charger even as the Redmi 8 series supports 18W charging. This is the best lead we’ve got on the unreleased phone yet. Previous leaks suggested that the Redmi 9 could be equipped with a MediaTek Helio G80 SoC or the MediaTek Helio G70 while the Redmi 8 has a Snapdragon 439 chip. Moreover, a leaked image revealed quad cameras. The setup is, allegedly, constituted of a 13MP main, 8MP ultra-wide and 5MP macro cameras along with a 2MP depth sensor. Either of the two new chips, if they’re used, would be a much-needed upgrade as consumers complained of an underwhelming CPU on the Redmi 8. Interestingly, the unreleased Redmi 10X, which was thought to be a Chinese version of the global Redmi 9 was also revealed recently to be equipped with the Helio G70. The octa-core chip has two Cortex A75 cores plus six A55 cores compared to the quad Cortex-A53 core Snapdragon 439. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Redmi Note 9 Pro Max to go on sale on May 12 in India Posted: 09 May 2020 01:06 AM PDT While the Redmi Note 9 Pro went up for sale before lockdown, its bigger sibling, the Redmi Note 9 Pro Max is yet to get its first sale. That is finally happening on May 12 as the government eases lockdown pressure on e-commerce portals. To be precise, the sale will kick off on May 12th at 12 PM on Mi.com but there’s still no confirmation from Amazon where the model was supposed to retail earlier. As for prices, the ‘Max’ variant starts at Rs 16,499 for the base model with 6GB RAM and 64GB internal storage. Furthermore, 6GB + 128GB and 8GB + 128GB variants are priced at Rs 17,999 and Rs 19,999, respectively. Colour options include Aurora Blue, Glacier White and Interstellar Black. These are refreshed prices that come after the latest GST hike. Before the price hike, The Redmi Note 9 Pro Max was priced at Rs 14,999 for the base model. The Redmi Note 9 Pro has also gotten costlier. The base model with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage will set you back by Rs 13,999 whereas the top-end model with 128GB storage and 6GB RAM will cost Rs 16,999. It’s also worth noting that orders might take longer than usual to arrive due to overwhelming demand and Red zones won’t get any deliveries. The Max model is very closely identical to the Redmi Note 9 Pro except that it has better cameras. The Max gets a 64 MP, (f/1.9 aperture) sensor instead of the 48MP on the Pro and the front camera gets a 32MP sensor in place of a 16MP shooter. All other sensors are exactly the same. The Redmi Note 9 Pro Max also boasts 33W fast charging compared to the 18W on the Pro model. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Excited for the new iPhone? Take our iPhone through the ages quiz Posted: 09 May 2020 01:00 AM PDT The first flagship new iPhone of a brand new decade is expected to launch in September this year, and we're already hearing a lot of rumors about the upcoming family of devices. In our coverage of the new iPhone, we wanted to take a look back through the 13-year history of Apple's smartphone. It has changed a lot, and you may have forgotten some of the devices that we've seen Apple sell since 2007. TechRadar has covered the iPhone since day one, so we've put together a quiz on every device from the original Apple phone all the way through to the brand new iPhone SE and iPhone 11. Below you'll find our full iPhone quiz so you can test your knowledge of Apple's smartphone through the ages: This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Retailers are dropping the iPhone 8 but don't worry - iPhone SE deals are the fix Posted: 09 May 2020 01:00 AM PDT Cut from the Apple website, no longer selling from major retailers like Carphone Warehouse and Mobiles.co.uk...grab your violins everybody and play a sad song - the iPhone 8 looks to be going out of business. Last year, Apple took a chainsaw mentality to the popular 10th anniversary iPhone X, completely removing it from the Apple website. Not long after hosts of retailers pulled it, and now, this looks to be happening to the iPhone 8. Head straight to Apple and you'll be told the phone is "available at authorised retailers". But as retailers have started to discontinue this device, that starts to get a little bit tricky. Luckily, Apple has offered a solution. The cheap iPhone solution:If you've recently been looking into cheap iPhone deals, you'll probably have seen the new and shiny iPhone SE deals now on the market. Externally, it's an iPhone 8...literally. It has the exact same screen and body size, ratio, camera set-up and style. But internally Apple has crammed in its 2020 A13 Bionic chip (the same as the iPhone 11), more powerful camera specs and a number of other improvements. And despite its 2020 specs, it's really not that expensive, coming in at £419 SIM-free. So yes, we can remember the good ol' iPhone 8 with its cheap price tag or look to the future and present you all with an alternative - iPhone SE deals. Still interested in the iPhone 8 instead? Luckily it is still for now available from a host of retailers with just a select few cutting the cord. For how long that will last, we can't say for certain. Head to our iPhone 8 deals page to see the available options. This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| This rare AMD chip is the cheapest 16-core CPU right now Posted: 08 May 2020 08:00 PM PDT Nearly 10 years ago, AMD attempted to break Intel's stranglehold on the server market with the Opteron 6272, a 16-core processor with 16 threads. Its price at launch was $523, but you can now get hold of one for £31.99 (around $40/AU$60) on eBay - and yes, you can fit up to four of them in a server or workstation. The vendor is based in the UK, but will ship to many countries worldwide for an additional fee. Should remaining stocks run dry, there are still a fair few 6272s available from other sellers. Based on the Bulldozer architecture, the Opteron 6272 was produced using a 32nm manufacturing process, has a TDP of 115W and 32MB cache with a base frequency of 2.1GHz.
Unsurprisingly, these parts have been pulled from a working environment. Opteron processors are server CPUs, used primarily in data centres that support service providers (i.e. web hosting , cloud storage and SaaS companies). Fast forward to 2020 and AMD has its best chance in a decade to make a splash, with the new EPYC range that has up to 64 cores per CPU and is built using 7nm process. Compared to its predecessor, AMD's new server processor enjoys a much higher IPC (instruction per clock), larger cache, multithreading and the ability to ramp up the core count with ease.
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