Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Apple : Lenovo unveils new standalone Mirage VR S3 headset

Apple : Lenovo unveils new standalone Mirage VR S3 headset


Lenovo unveils new standalone Mirage VR S3 headset

Posted: 02 Jun 2020 01:18 PM PDT

At the VR/AR Global Summit Online Conference, Lenovo announced the latest addition to its portfolio of commercial VR solutions, the Lenovo Mirage VR S3 headset with ThinkReality.

The new all-in-one headset was developed in conjunction with Pico Interactive and specifically designed for enterprise use. 

The Lenovo Mirage VR S3 features a 4K display for clearer visuals, hands-free control, an included controller and an easy to clean, hygienic face plate for mass use. The company's latest VR headset is rugged, light weight and also includes integrated audio and up to three hours of battery life.

The Lenovo Mirage VR S3 headset is supported by Lenovo's ThinkReality software platform which is among the first device and cloud agnostic AR/VR platforms designed to enable commercial customers to deploy and manage applications on a global scale with worldwide support.

VR in the enterprise

Enterprise organizations worldwide are now using VR to provide training scenarios in safe and repeatable environments to empower a new generation of workers. VR also delivers immersive experiences that closely mirror job tasks and situations so employees can gain experience more efficiently and at lower cost. 

Commercial AR and VR lead at Lenovo, Nathan Pettyjohn provided more details on VR and AR are currently being used in the enterprise in a press release, saying:

“VR helps achieve better, faster training at lower cost. Our enterprise customers are looking for solutions to build and enable more skilled and efficient global workforces. They are increasingly looking for cutting-edge solutions like VR and AR supported by ThinkReality’s flexible platform to scale applications enterprise-wide.”

The Lenovo Mirage VR S3 also includes Lenovo's latest service offering, Lenovo Integrated Solutions Support (LISS). LISS is a global end-to-end service program that provides customers with a dedicated phone line for quick access, a single point of contact to resolve issues, proactive case management and escalation assistance.

Lenovo's new VR headset will be available during the third quarter of this year in North America, China, Japan, the UK, France and Spain. While global pricing may vary, in North America, the Mirage VR S3 will cost less than $450.

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Security incidents at US federal agencies declined last year

Posted: 02 Jun 2020 12:11 PM PDT

The White House has revealed that that the number of cybersecurity incidents recorded at US federal agencies went down by eight percent last year in a new report filed with Congress.

The White House's Office of Management and Budget (OMB) compiled the report which contained data regarding the types of security incidents that took place at government agencies in 2019. The Federal Information Security Modernization Act (FISMA) of 2002 requires that all federal agencies report cybersecurity incidents to the OMB.

This year's FISMA report shows that US federal agencies suffered 28,581 security incidents last year, though that number decreased by 8 percent when compared to the 31,107 incidents that were reported in 2018.

Last year US federal agencies experienced fewer incidents as a result of successful phishing attacks, website and web app compromises and loss of devices. These three categories accounted for a large amount of all of the incidents reported during the previous year.

Security incidents

While the number of certain types of security incidents at US federal agencies decreased, the latest FISMA report revealed that brute-force attacks, attacks executed with USB drives, external hard drives and other removable media and incidents caused by the improper use of a federal agency services or device are on the rise.

According to the White House, the vast majority of incidents did not involve user data and as a result, did not need to be publicly disclosed. At the same time though, three major incidents did occur last year.

In January the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) accidentally shared the personal data of almost 895,000 disaster survivors with a third party Texas volunteer organization, in June a ransomware attack impacted a license plate reader contractor working with the US customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency and in December FEMA's National Emergency Management Information System Information Assurance (NEMIS-IA) system shared data about disaster victims looking for temporary shelter with a third-party contractor.

The FISMA 2019 report also revealed that the US Federal Government “continues to face challenges mitigating basic security vulnerabilities”. These vulnerabilities include agencies being vulnerable to basic spear-phishing attacks, poor patch management, reuse of admin passwords, insecure defaults and polices that allowed for weak passwords to be used.

Overall though, US federal agencies improved their cybersecurity posture and practices last year but there is still room for further improvement in 2020.

Via ZDNet

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Intel’s 8th-generation Coffee Lake processors reach end of life this year

Posted: 02 Jun 2020 11:42 AM PDT

Intel has announced plans to discontinue its 8th-generation Coffee Lake CPUs. 

The chipmaker has issued a product change notice (PCN) confirming the discontinuation of its 8th-generation Core desktop processor family up to the flagship Intel Core i7-9700K, along with Pentium Gold and Celeron processors based on the 14nm Coffee Lake silicon.

Intel isn’t yet calling time on its Coffee Lake-based Xeon processors, which are aimed at high-performance data centre workloads. 

The Coffee Lake lineup will be discontinued as of June 1, with Intel confirming that suppliers and OEM customers can last order their products on December 18.

Intel has also announced that a range of Compute Sticks and NUCs that use 8th-generation chips will reach end of life status later this year. 

Intel's decision to discontinue its 8th-generation CPUs is hardly surprising. By now, the 9th-generation chips have long-replaced the Coffee Lake parts, and it's no doubt potential buyers will opt for its newly-launched 10th-generation Comet Lake-S processors.

This lineup is headed up by the flagship Intel Core i9-10900K, which is expected to arrive on shelves any day now. Intel has yet to announce official pricing and release date details, but a US retailer is currently flogging the processor for $600 (around £480, AU$1,095), making it more expensive than the Core i9-9900K, which fetched around $525 (around £420, AU$810) at launch. 

If you don’t fancy coughing up that much for the 10-core, 20-thread CPU, which is built on the same 14nm process as Intel’s 8th-generation processors, chances are you'll be able to pick up a cut-price Intel Core i7-9700K over the coming weeks. 

Intel has also announced that it will stop selling the Core i9-9900K and Core i9-9900KS in the special edition dodecahedron packaging. This will unlikely be that important to many, but could mean early adopters will soon have a collector's item on their hands. 

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AirPods Studio release date, price, and rumors

Posted: 02 Jun 2020 10:49 AM PDT

We've been anticipating a pair of over-ear Apple headphones for a while now, with numerous outlets reporting that the Cupertino company is planning to release a pair of studio-quality cans this year. 

The headphones, which are tentatively known as the AirPods Studio or the AirPods X, will apparently be the smartest headphones we've ever seen, if rumors of clever ear-detecting sensors are to be believed.

The AirPods Studio aren't the only new Apple headphones rumored to launch in 2020, too. The AirPods Pro Lite will apparently be an entry-level version of the noise-cancelling AirPods Pro, while the so-called AirPods 3 are the anticipated follow-up to the original AirPods – which saw their last upgrade in 2019. 

[Update: The Apple AirPods Studio are apparently launching 'very soon', according to an iPhone 12 leaks video from EverythingApplePro.

The video shares an "exclusive" update from XDA Developer's Max Weinbach about the AirPods Studio, who says that says the firmware for the over-ear headphones has been "finalized" and is ready to go onto the production units. 

Weinbach also claims that the launch is happening "imminently", and "likely" at WWDC 2020 alongside the iPhone 12, which is set to take place on June 22.]

Cut to the chase

  • What are they? Apple's first over-ear headphones
  • When will they be released? It's rumored that they'll launch ion June 22, 2020
  • What will they be called? Possibly the Apple AirPods Studio or the AirPods X
  • How much will they cost? Reportedly $349 (about £280 / AU$530)

The Apple AirPods Studio are perhaps the most concrete rumored release we know about so far. That's because the headphones were apparently been revealed early, after 9to5Mac discovered icons representing the rumored cans in iOS 14 code. 

Two icons – one light, one dark – depict a pair of over-ear headphones with padding on the earcups and headband, and appear to show two different color options for the headphones (likely space gray and the same white as the AirPods).

This is the clearest image of the new Apple headphones so far. You can check out the icons below:

apple over-ear headphones

Right now, everything we know about the AirPods Studio – from potential release dates to prices – are based on rumors and leaks. However, that's not to say that we shouldn't lend any credence to what we've heard so far – that's why we've compiled this guide to everything we know about the first Apple over-ear headphones, as well as all the features we want to see from the Apple AirPods Studio.

Apple AirPods Studio release date

The Apple AirPods Studio could be released as soon as June 2020, as part of Apple's annual WDDC event. 

This release date has been floating around for a while now, and was most recently posited by XDA Developer's Max Weinbach, who says that says the firmware for the over-ear headphones has been "finalized" and is ready to go onto the production units. 

Weinbach also claims that the launch is happening "imminently", and "likely" to take place at WWDC 2020 alongside the iPhone 12, which is set to take place on June 22.

This new intel backs up a May report by The Information, which says that Apple suppliers Goertek and Luxshare will assemble "at least a portion of the headphones in Vietnam and begin shipments to Apple in June or July".

In any case, a 2020 release date has been on the cards for a long time. KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo – whose Apple predictions have been proven right in the past – claimed that the new headphones will launch in 2020 back in 2018, when he said  that Apple was working on updated AirPods as well as “own-brand, high-end over-ear headphones with an all-new design” back in 2018.

As we now know, Kuo’s prediction about the updated AirPods turned out to be right, as the release of AirPods (2019) last year, and the subsequent release of the AirPods Pro demonstrated. 

Since then, Kuo elaborated on his initial claims, saying that 2020 would bring iPhone SE 2 (check), a new iPad Pro (check) and MacBooks with scissor keys, as well as a "smaller wireless charging mat, UWB tag, and a high-end Bluetooth headphone" from Apple.  

With Kuo’s predictions being correct so far, we wouldn’t be surprised if he – and the others – are right about the over-ear model being released in the first half of 2020 too – which would nicely coincide with WWDC on June 12.

There's no guarantee that the AirPods Studio will launch in June, though. A tweet from well-respected tech analyst Jon Prosser suggests new in-ear AirPods (perhaps the AirPods 3 or the AirPods Pro Lite) will come before the over-ear Apple AirPods Studio. That means we could be waiting until the latter half 2020 to see them, perhaps at Apple's annual iPhone launch event in October.

Either way, we're expecting to see the AirPods Studio this year – even if the headphones' release date has been pushed back in the past, as Bloomberg reported way back in 2018.

cheap Beats Solo Pro prices deals

The AirPods Studio may look similar to the Beats Solo Pro (pictured). 

Apple AirPods Studio price

An inventory listing from US store Target, may have revealed the price of the hotly-anticipated cans. 

YouTuber Jon Prosser posted an image to Twitter, purporting to show the upcoming over-ear headphones in Target's system, mysteriously listed as "Apple AirPods (X Generation)".

The product in the image appears to cost $399, which works out at around £300 / AU$600 – if these are the rumored AirPod Studio / AirPods X then the brand is aiming for the higher end of the price scale, surpassing the cost of competitors like the Sony WH-1000XM3 and the Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700

More recently, however, Prosser alleged that the AirPods Studio they'll be around $50 cheaper than initial reports suggested, coming in at $349 (about £280 / AU$530).

Either way, we're not expecting the new Apple over-ear headphones to come cheap. 

Apple AirPods Studio design

The two icons discovered in the iOS 14 code clearly depict a pair of over-ear headphones – and the lack of wires suggests they may be wireless, too. To be honest, we wouldn't expect Apple to release a pair of wired headphones after the success of their previous true wireless models.

The icons also appear to show two different color options for the headphones (likely space gray and the same white as the AirPods).

However, Jon Prosser has speculated that the Apple over-ear headphones could come in a range of colors, citing the existence of three different product codes, all priced at $399 (around £320 / AU$610). So far, Apple's existing headphones, the EarPods, AirPods, and AirPods Pro, have only ever been available in white, though Apple-owned Beats headphones often come in a range of bright colors. 

Apple AirPods Studio: what we want to see

The best over-ear headphones combine slick design, comfort, and portability – ideally without breaking the bank. But these days, headphones can be incredibly tech-heavy as well, which is what we would expect from a pioneering company like Apple. 

That’s why we’d like to see modern conveniences like wireless connectivity, built-in voice assistance, and active noise-cancelling in the rumored Apple over-ear headphones – and above all else, fantastic sound quality.

Apple Airpods

The Apple AirPods (2019) 

Better sound quality than the AirPods

They may be popular, but Apple's AirPods have never been known for their audio quality. While they have a lively presentation, they can sound a bit harsh when it comes to higher frequency sounds like snares, violins, and trumpets.

The Apple AirPods also aren’t the bassiest earbuds on the market (although the more recent AirPods Pro do a better job of this) – but more powerful bass could absolutely be achieved by a higher-spec pair of over-ear headphones. 

Ketan Bharadia, International Technical Editor of What Hi-Fi? agrees: “I've never rated the sound of the company's in-ears but, considering [Apple’s] engineering might and the sonic qualities of their iPhones and the HomePod, there's plenty of potential for over-ears to stir things up.”

Over-ears tend to offer higher sound quality than in-ear models anyway, partly because they have bigger drivers than in-ear models. These larger drivers are able to displace larger volumes of air than their smaller counterparts, which in turn creates a more powerful audio performance. 

According to Audio Advice, these larger drivers tend to reproduce the “widest range of frequencies, from silky smooth highs to tight, deep bass,” providing a richer, more colorful soundstage than in-ear headphones. 

This mockup from Curved shows the so-called StudioPods charging wirelessly 

Classic Apple design

Take away the technical aspects of a pair of headphones, and you’ve essentially got a (potentially very expensive) piece of headgear – and as such, it’s important that they look good. 

We know that Apple has a strong design aesthetic; despite initial ridicule, the Apple AirPods have become iconic for their unique design, with lots of true wireless earbud manufacturers since taking inspiration from their long, protruding stems and all-white color scheme. 

We'd like to see an evolution of Apple's classic design with their rumored over-ear headphones, with smooth, clean lines, premium materials, and a minimalist look without lots of bulky hardware ruining the effect. 

Although Apple hasn’t even confirmed the existence of the StudioPods, that hasn’t stopped German tech publication Curved from mocking up its own concept illustrations of what the headphones might look like. 

The illustrations from Curved are based on the look of Apple’s HomePod, framed by “the same textile mix as Apple’s smart speaker”. 

They also take inspiration from Beats headphones in terms of their shape and build, but swaps the Beats logo for Apple’s own hallmark, although we're not sure such abundant use of color is likely from a brand that has only ever made white audio accessories so far.

Saying that, it has been posited that the Apple AirPods Studio could come in a range of colors, after three different product codes, all priced at $399 (around £320 / AU$610) were discovered in a product listing at Target

Curved also predicted that the headphones would charge wirelessly, showing the mocked-up headphones resting on an Apple-branded charging platform, and that the housings would feature touch controls, a little like the Microsoft Surface headphones.  

The Microsoft Surface Headphones

Decent sound isolation

The way Apple’s over-ear headphones sound will have a huge impact on the different situations they can be used in, as Senior Supervising Engineer at the National Film & Television School Jeremy Rodeschini explains: 

“My role is to do with sound engineering covering a wide range of applications from theatrical sound to VR as well as live sound – and each application has very different requirements.”

While Rodeschini looks for “excellent isolation from ambient noise, reliability, and robustness” from the headphones he uses for mixing live sound, comfort and “a slightly flattering response” is preferable when he’s recording actors delivering their lines in the studio. 

Of course, noise isolation isn’t just useful for working with live sound; for anyone who wants to listen to music in loud environments, like on their daily public transport commute for example, good noise isolation makes a world of difference. 

How well a pair of headphones can isolate ambient noise depends on how well they seal around your ears, creating a physical barrier that prevents environmental sound from getting to your ears; this can be challenging for over-ear styles, as they don’t offer as tight a seal as in-ear models. 

Still, a good pair of over-ear headphones should be able to physically block a decent amount of ambient noise, and this is something we would expect from a pair of high-end headphones from Apple. 

Fantastic noise cancellation

sony wh-1000xm3

The Sony WH-1000XM3 (pictured) are the best noise-cancelling headphones of 2020.

If Apple wants its AirPods Studio to compete with the best over-ear headphones on the market, it should take a leaf out of Sony’s book, and offer the same high-standard of noise cancellation provided by the Sony WH-1000XM3s, as well as noise isolation.

The best noise-cancelling headphones make commuting a breeze, eliminating the noise of crying babies, honky traffic, and the loud conversations of your neighbors by digitally tuning out unwanted environmental sound. 

With Apple’s technological might, we’d be surprised if a pair of over-ear headphones from the San Cupertino company didn’t include noise-cancelling technology – after all, it’s an increasingly common feature of premium headphones. 

Both the Beats PowerBeats Pro and the Apple AirPods (2019) contain Apple's H1 chip 

Apple's H1 headphone chip

If Apple is going to release a pair of over-ear headphones, we’d expect them to have the same H1 headphone chip that’s built-in to the AirPods (2019) and the PowerBeats Pro.

Apple’s new H1 chip is designed to improve connectivity and battery life, and allows for a new ‘Hey Siri’ voice activation feature in the upgraded AirPods – all of which we would like to see in any future Apple over-ear headphones. 

Wireless isn’t everything though – if Apple markets these headphones as studio-quality cans, the option to use a wired connection to your device will be crucial.

This is because wired headphones tend to offer higher quality audio than their wireless counterparts, as Joe Cox, Global Editor-in-Chief of What Hi-Fi? explains:

“Bluetooth would traditionally compress your music files to transmit them wirelessly, reducing audio quality before it’s even reached your headphones." 

While advances in Bluetooth like aptX HD means that audio quality is far better than it once was, you won’t find this technology in Apple’s AirPods (2019) – and if the company doesn’t include support aptX HD in the StudioPods, the option for a wired connection will be important to get that studio-quality sound.

For truly modern connectivity, Apple will need to include support for the latest Bluetooth 5.0, while ensuring that gamers don't experience annoying lag by adding support for aptX Low Latency. 

Audio accuracy

It could be that the new Apple StudioPods take inspiration from the over-ear headphones already offered by Beats like the Beats Studio 3 wireless noise-cancelling headphones – but these models aren’t exactly known for their audio quality either, with some criticizing their bass-heavy presentation.

If Apple frames these new headphones as studio-quality, true audiophiles like Rodeschini will be looking for perfect audio accuracy:

“Personally I like a comfortable pair of headphones that delivers a sound that is as close to the original as possible so I get to appreciate all the expertise of the mixer and get as close as possible to the artist's intention.” 

He continues: “If a headphone is adding any color to the soundtrack, it would be like adding the same blend of spices to every dish you eat without the chef's knowledge – not desirable in my opinion.”

Cant wait for the Apple AirPods Studio to launch? Check out the best over-ear headphone deals we've found today:

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Samsung Access offers a new Galaxy S20 with 1TB free Microsoft 365 storage

Posted: 02 Jun 2020 10:41 AM PDT

Samsung has launched its Samsung Access subscription service in the US which gives users access to its latest flagship smartphones, Microsoft 365, cloud storage and more.

While the company's Samsung Upgrade Program allows customers to upgrade to the latest Galaxy every year, Samsung Access gives users far more extras for an added fee.

In addition to being able to upgrade or cancel at anytime, Samsung Access also includes Samsung Premium Care, 1TB of OneDrive cloud storage and a Microsoft 365 Personal subscription that works on up to five devices for around $40 per month depending on which Galaxy S20 model you choose. This is a great deal as Microsoft 365 can cost as much as $99 by itself while 1TB of OneDrive storage usually costs $9.99 per month.

The inclusion of Samsung Premium Care, which costs $11.99 to $19.99 per month depending on your device, means you'll get 24/7 setup assistance and remote technical support in case you run into any problems at all using your new Galaxy S20.

Samsung Access

Samsung Access is currently available for customers buying a new Galaxy S20, Galaxy S20+ or Galaxy S20 Ultra in the US. It is also worth noting that you can choose from any color and memory configuration and still be eligible for the program.

Samsung Access is priced at $37 per month for the Galaxy S20, $42 per month for the Galaxy S20+ and $48 per month for the Galaxy S20 Ultra. Users will be able to cancel at anytime but they will lose access to Microsoft 365, OneDrive and their other benefits if they do.

However, there is a catch. Samsung Access subscribers will have to commit to a minimum three-month membership or they will be charged a one-time $100 fee if they decide to leave before the three months are up.

If you find yourself upgrading your smartphone often, are worried about damaging your device or need additional support, Samsung Access could be a great option and you also get access to Microsoft 365 and OneDrive as well.

Via 9To5Google

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Best podcasts 2020: what's worth listening to right now

Posted: 02 Jun 2020 10:35 AM PDT

Podcasts reinvigorated traditional radio, bringing fresh life to old formats and sparking many creative takes on how to tell stories in innovative ways. They’re quick and easy to download or stream, and you can binge multiple episodes or spin them out over weeks.

Whether you’re on the bus to work or pottering around at home, podcasts are an ideal audio accompaniment. They don’t demand your unwavering attention, they cover just about every topic you can think of, and they’re usually completely free. 

If you’re sold on the idea, the problem you face is picking out the podcasts that are truly worth your time, but we're here to help. As certified podcast junkies, we’ve listened to hours and hours of podcasts, and these are our picks of the best podcasts around. 

Technology podcasts

Reply All

The internet is wonderfully weird sometimes and Reply All has a knack for diving down interesting rabbit holes and uncovering comical absurdity at the heart of modern technology. While it’s ostensibly a tech show, it’s very accessible, and the hosts always take the time to explain what they’re talking about. They’re also likeable and quick to poke fun at themselves. The best episodes see them investigate strange online scams and they do a great job of balancing technical information with a compelling story that features an interesting cast of real-life characters. 

If you listen to just one episode, make it The Case of the Missing Hit. It's the most satisfying tale of internet strangeness you'll hear in 2020. 

The Dropout

Depending on your point of view, this tale of what went wrong at medical technology start-up Theranos could fit into the crime section. The company generated a huge buzz based on its potentially game-changing blood testing technology, which was supposed to allow people to have blood tests with a mere finger prick, instead of requiring a larger sample to be drawn with a needle. Theranos was widely hailed as an all-conquering unicorn and hit a $9 billion valuation before the truth came out and CEO Elizabeth Holmes suffered a dramatic fall from grace.


Noise Cancelling

If you fancy listening to an honest discussion about the latest smartphones and general happenings in the tech world, then this should be right up your street. Join the Editors in Chief of TechRadar, Laptop Mag, and Tom’s Guide, plus special guests for insightful explanations on everything from Apple to VR. Hey, we're not an objective source on this one, but it's a good listen, okay?

Society, culture and history podcasts

The Last Days of August

When adult film star, August Ames, was found dead in a park in 2017, it was quickly determined that the 23-year-old had committed suicide. In the days after her death a possible motive emerged as it was revealed that she had been the victim of online bullying. Jon Ronson, author of So You’ve Been Publicly Shamed, investigates the rumors surrounding her death and tries to piece together what actually happened. It’s sensitively handled, and the podcast has something important to say about social media and how we use it.  

99% Invisible

This long-running podcast started on public radio and is ostensibly about design – how everything from cars to keyboard keys to videogames are designed. But host Roman Mars likes to tease out obscure details and processes, which always turn out to have unlikely-sounding and fascinating stories attached. As you might expect, given the subject matter, this podcast is meticulous and tightly edited into short, bite-sized chunks just a few minutes long. 

You Must Remember This

You Must Remember This is a beautiful, and in many ways tragic, storytelling podcast that delves back into the secret history, long-forgotten mysteries and lesser-known figures of early Hollywood.

Former film critic Karina Longworth puts an amazing amount of research into each episode, which in the past have covered the largely untold stories about the likes of Charles Manson, Theda Bara, Frances Farmer and Ronald Reagan. More recently, she covered the story of controversial Disney movie Song of the South.

A must for those interested in movie nostalgia and unearthing the hidden gems you wouldn’t usually read in a Hollywood history book.

You're Dead To Me

History can be dry and boring, but host Greg Jenner injects a healthy dose of humor here and invites interesting panels of guests to talk about famous figures and periods from history. He invites commentary from a mix of expert historians and comedians, all encouraged by Jenner’s upbeat style. Covering topics like the witch craze, Blackbeard the pirate, and warrior queen Boudica, this podcast is informative and funny, and it’s suitable for the whole family, too. 


The Guardian's Audio Long Reads

If you've ever read The Guardian's Long Read articles, you know you need to set aside a lot of time to sit down with them to really be able to digest them. Luckily, The Guardian records some of them, too, so you can listen to them on the go and explore even more in-depth stories.

Stories covered by The Guardian’s Long Reads range in topics from the history of Indian restaurants in the UK to political themes from around the world. You can get some extremely diverse topics by subscribing and we'd advise checking it out to see if anything piques your interest.

The Allusionist

Do you ever catch yourself contemplating complex ideas like if it’s possible to resurrect languages that have completely died out? That's just one of the subjects The Allusionist covers, but this show also delves into the intricate minutiae of the English language that you've never even imagined.

Designed to be short little bursts of knowledge about the way we write and speak to each other, The Allusionist is an indispensable listen for anyone with even a passing interest in the ways languages have evolved and continue to change at a rapid pace.

Kermode and Mayo’s Film Review

If you're a cinephile, you need to check out Mark Kermode and Simon Mayo's podcast. You may have heard it referred to as Wittertainment, and it's essentially just two guys who love cinema reviewing the week's releases and chatting in-between. During the lockdown, the pair have focused on the latest in streaming releases. 

The podcast brings in plenty of massive celebrities, exhaustive film knowledge and one of the UK's best film critics to make one of the best podcasts about the latest releases. 

Hip Hop Saved My Life

Even if you’re not a huge Hip-Hop Head, this is a great listen. Brit-based comedian Romesh Ranganathan chats all things rap with a number of special guests who recollect the first time they heard their favorite hip-hop tracks and how they tie in with their lives. 

Ranganathan maybe known for his stand up but he's a great talk show host, too, managing to uncover brilliant stories from his guests – who range from Frankie Boyle to DJ Yoda. His own rap insights are great, too, although the less said about his lack of love for De La Soul the better.

Stuff You Should Know

Stuff You Should Know is perhaps the most self-explanatory title for a podcast ever. The show features Josh Clark and Chuck Bryant discussing topics and trying to get to the core of the information you need to know about them.

Episodes have covered subjects as broad as satanism, heroin, narcolepsy, stuttering and even ketchup. Essentially, this is the perfect show to listen to if you are looking for great new dinner party material.

No Such Thing As A Fish

What do Toy Story 2, The Large Hadron Collider and the estimated cost of the Death Star in Star Wars all have in common? It’s simple, they’ve all been topics discussed on No Such Thing as a Fish. 

Each week, the minds behind BBC's long-running entertainment panel series QI sit down around microphones to share some very bizarre facts and, believe us, this is the best podcast around if you’re looking for some very peculiar knowledge.

Lore

You can get an ultra-creepy, yet totally captivating, dose of award-winning podcast Lore every two weeks.

Each episode digs up a new, dark tale from our past in a ‘gather around the campfire and share your most spine-tingling stories’ kind of way. A mixture of strange creatures, tragic events, unsolved mysteries and unusual places makes for super-addictive listening that’s almost impossible to pause.

And with a tagline like ‘sometimes the truth is more frightening than fiction’, you know you’re onto a winner.

This American Life

One of the most famous podcasts in the world, This American Life could not be justifiably absent from our list of the best podcasts out there today. Every week the show finds a theme and tells a collection of unique stories on the same topic.

Some weeks you'll discover it's a journalistic story and other times it'll be a comedy routine instead. Over 2.5 million people regularly download and listen to This American Life, so you should make sure you're one of them to figure out whether this is the show for you.

S-Town

Even a few years after its release, you've probably heard of S-Town, and that's because it scored over 10 million downloads in the first four days it was live. It features investigative journalism from the super intelligent minds of the people behind This American Life and Serial, so it's well worth your time.

It revolves around a murder investigation, and we're not going to share any more than that as it could quite easily be considered a spoiler. It's a fascinating story that takes twists you'll never see coming, and adds up to a fascinating profile of one unforgettable individual. 

Call Your Girlfriend

The structure of this podcast isn’t rambling or interviews; instead it’s two best mates having a good ol’ chat about everything from feminism, ‘free boobin' and friendship to politics, periods and pop culture.

Fronted by two extremely smart and hilarious women, digital strategist Aminatou Sow and journalist Ann Friedman, the weekly podcast also answers listeners’ problems, and features a Phone-a-Friend episode in alternating weeks, full of in-depth interviews with some of their most interesting best friends.

Comedy podcasts

How Did This Get Made?

Every one of us, at some point, has seen a movie so bad, so utterly nonsensical and weird, that we uttered the question that gives this podcast its title. From Burlesque to Space Jam, through Jaws 4: The Revenge and Timecop there have been a lot of truly awful movies over the years. The humorous hosts give you a synopsis peppered with disbelief and comical commentary. A lot of episodes have celebrity guests and there isn’t always a consensus on every movie, which is part of what makes this such a fun listen.

WTF with Marc Maron

Once primarily known as a comedian, Marc Maron hosts one of the biggest and best podcasts around if you love in-depth interviews with big stars – he even had Barack Obama on the show when he was president. Emotionally raw monologues, probing questions, and a seeming willingness to tackle any subject elevate many of Maron’s interviews to another level, and some big stars like Donald Glover and Sacha Baron Cohen have shared anecdotes that you won’t hear anywhere else. There are always funny moments, but this show can also be deeply poignant at times.

The Adam Buxton Podcast

Beloved British comedian Adam Buxton became the king of comedy podcasts when, many years ago, he presented with friend Joe Cornish on UK radio station BBC Radio 6 Music.

Fast-forward to the present day, and Buxton has begun a new, interview-centric podcast, which he releases about every other week. Each episode sees Buxton having deep conversations, also known as ‘ramble chats,’ with the likes of Louis Theroux, Richard Ayoade and Jonny Greenwood. In more recent years, Buxton has expanded his remit to talk to a wider range of cultural voices, and the topics are insightful as much as they are humorous. 

They feel much more real and relatable than other interviews you’ll hear, and Buxton himself shares a lot too, rather than just firing questions at his guests.

My Dad Wrote a Porno

Just imagine that you found out that your dad had written an actual porno. Your dad. A porno. *Shudders*.

Well, that’s exactly what happened to Jamie Morton. But, rather than ignore it, or bottle it up or feel rather disgusted and cry like most of us probably would, he decided to read through it with the help of Radio 1’s Alice Levine and James Cooper.

And that’s how My Dad Wrote a Porno was born. Carter reads a new chapter each week, and it makes for truly laugh-out-loud-funny listening. Four series are now available. 

True crime podcasts

Criminal

Beautifully made, with an empathetic approach, Criminal is a series of short episodes that focus on some kind of crime – that’s all they have in common. Sometimes host, Phoebe Judge, will interview the perpetrator, sometimes the victim, and sometimes an expert, historian, or even a descendant, but she always gives them room to tell their story in all its bizarre glory. 

Airplane hijackers, famous criminal lawyers, murderers and more recount captivating tales in this strangely soothing podcast.  

 Someone Knows Something 

Now in its fifth season, this true crime podcast sees host, David Ridgen, investigate a different cold case for each series. It starts with the unsolved disappearance of a five-year-old boy in 1972, as Ridgen tries to pick up a long cold trail and work out what happened by interviewing the boy’s family and anyone else he can identify who may know something useful. 

This is the antithesis of the sensationalist approach to true crime, as it takes the time to sensitively deal with the victim’s family and their memories of the missing person. It’s well researched and nicely put together, but often very sad.  

Crimetown

Delving deep into the murky world of how organized crime and political corruption affected Providence, Rhode Island back in the late '90s and early '00s, Crimetown is immediately engaging and it doesn’t let go. The production here is inventive, blending in different voices from the city with real news archive clips and exciting music to reveal the extent of crime’s grip on the city. 

Some of the interviews are astounding and you hear from criminals and the men who tried to thwart them. The skill with which complex events are unravelled makes this compelling listening. Season two, set in Detroit, is every bit as good. 

Sports and health podcasts

Sports Wars

Everyone loves a good rivalry in sports; it gets people excited and makes the big face-offs essential viewing. Host Dan Rubenstein unpacks the stories behind some famous dramas in this podcast, revealing what those grudges are based upon in meticulous, painstaking, immersive detail with a blend of real clips and sometimes comical re-enactments. Federer versus Nadal, Tyson versus Holyfield, and Stone Cold Steve Austin versus The Rock, are among the epic rivalries covered here.


The Cycling Podcast

If you’re interested (even remotely) in cycling, you’ll adore The Cycling Podcast. Produced by renowned journalists Richard Moore, Lionel Birnie and Daniel Friebe, the show is centered around the world of professional cycling, detailing the weekly talking points of the sport and the stories behind them.

Featuring expert analysis and interviews with the biggest names in cycling, their expansive knowledge and love of the sport is contagious. And though they take the sport seriously and aren’t afraid of cycling’s more controversial topics, their talk of the food and culture of the region they’re visiting on a Grand Tour adds a touch of atmosphere and color that’s all nicely wrapped up with the teams relaxed (but far from amateurish) presenting technique. It’s easy to see why it’s easily one of the best podcasts for anyone who is interested in cycling.

For the likes of the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a Espana, there are daily half-hour podcasts to really sink yourself into the story of a three week Grand Tour. That’s not to mention the The Cycling Podcast Féminin, a monthly podcast dedicated to women’s cycling.

The Football Ramble

A light-hearted, genuinely passionate podcast that celebrates the game. Marcus, Pete, Jim and Luke have picked up a huge following, do live shows and offer an ad-free version and host of extra shows if you're prepared to pay for Acast, but the weekly classic and another (ostensibly) betting focused show remain freely available and well worth a listen.

Marathon Talk

Have you decided that now is the time to start running? Marathon Talk may just be the podcast that will convince you to get up and out for a run. It's the UK's number-one running show and is listened to all over the globe by people trying to motivate themselves to start running for the very first time as well as running experts.

There are hundreds of hours Marathon Talk shows out there, so if you anticipate that you’re going to start running a lot you'll have plenty of material to get you motivated and out the door.

The Greatest Game

Join Jamie Carragher as he interviews a guest about their favourite game of football (soccer). From ex-pros like Neville Southall and Michael Owen to actor Martin Compston or comedian Paddy McGuinness. Every football fan remembers their favorite game, but Carragher asks relevant questions and draws on his own career to pull out details and make the recounting more interesting.  

Against the Rules

Hosted by Michael Lewis, author of Moneyball and The Big Short, this podcast is an incisive and smart look at the fall of fairness in modern society, using much maligned referees and umpires as an example. The opening episode looks at sports referees, but the sports connection is mostly an umbrella metaphor as the series continues and drills into institutions like the New York Stock Exchange. It’s well made and full of sharp, astutely observed critiques. 

Fiction, gaming and entertainment podcasts

Talking Simpsons

Going through every single episode of The Simpsons in chronological order, Talking Simpsons takes a detailed look at the making of the world's greatest animated series (well, it was in the '90s, anyway). Each podcast goes through an episode scene-by-scene, with special guests along for the ride, sometimes from the world of animation. If you're a Millennial, The Simpsons was likely everything to you in the '90s, and this is a ideal listening if you're considering a rewatch on Disney Plus.

At the time of writing, hosts Bob Mackey and Henry Gilbert have finished re-examining season 1 to mark its anniversary, and are moving through the show's lesser years of season 11 onward. 

Welcome to Night Vale

Welcome to Night Vale is very different to anything else on this list. Night Vale is a fictional town and each episode tells the story of the place through news and announcements.

It's usually shared by the show's main character Cecil Gershwin Palmer, but sometimes secondary characters pop up to share more about Night Vale too.

For this one we'd recommend starting at the very beginning, but be warned there are a lot of episodes of Welcome to Night Vale so it's sure to suck up a lot of your time.

The Adventure Zone

The Adventure Zone has a basic concept – three brothers have talked their dad into starting a Dungeons & Dragons campaign, and you get to listen to what happens along the way.

TAZ is a wonderful introduction to the complex world of D&D but, even if you're not a fan of tabletop RPG games, the story and characters are sure to bring you in and encourage you to go along for the ride.

Retronauts

A lot of gaming podcasts are hard work. Some offer impenetrable hours filled with in-jokes, while others talk about games with a level of pretentiousness that can be a bit much. Retronauts, though, is the best gaming podcast around, since it's informative, entertaining and is only about old games.

This long-running podcast is hosted by former 1Up writers Jeremy Parrish and Bob Mackey, with a number of specialists roped in to discuss a different old game, series or console each week. It skews towards Nintendo a little, reflecting the dominance of the console in the US in the '80s and '90s, but the podcast will definitely have covered something you've previously enjoyed over its extensive run. 

A Patreon exists if you want to access more episodes. 

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Best email service 2020: paid, free and business providers

Posted: 02 Jun 2020 10:25 AM PDT

If you're looking for the best email service providers around today, you've come to the right place.

Getting hold of the best email service providers today can be easy. Sign up with an ISP and you’ve got one account for starters. Creating an account with Google, Microsoft or other big names will get you more. Buy a decent web hosting package and you'll probably get enough email addresses to power a large business, all for no extra charge.

But picking the best email service providers for you can be more difficult, as there's a lot to consider - especially in these days of remote working. What are the spam filters like? How easy is it to keep your inbox organized? Can you access the account from other email clients? And what about using the service with a custom domain and address of your own (yourname@yourdomain.com)?

Keep reading and we'll highlight some of the best email service providers around. All have decent free services, perhaps with ads and some limits, but we'll also talk about their business-friendly commercial products which deliver the power, functionality and enterprise-level extras that demanding users need.

The best email service providers of 2020 are:

Image credit: Proton Technologies

Signing up with an email provider will often involve some privacy compromises. Yahoo Mail asks for your name and mobile number, for instance. Gmail and other services might scan your messages to carry out useful actions (such as adding events to calendars), and just about everyone serves you with ads.

ProtonMail is a Swiss-based email service which focuses on privacy above all else. You can sign up anonymously, there's no logging of IP addresses, and all your emails are end-to-end encrypted, which means there's no way ProtonMail (or anyone else) can read their contents. Also, address verification (which allows you to be sure you are securely communicating with the right person) and full support for PGP email encryption is available. In late April 2019, elliptic curve cryptography was introduced, which adds additional security and faster speeds.

There are some significant limits. The free product has a tiny 500MB storage space, only supports sending 150 messages a day, and is distinctly short in terms of organizational tools (no folders, labels or smart filters). As the end-to-end encryption is specific to ProtonMail, it also ensures that you can't use the service with other email clients.

Still, it seems a little unfair to complain about a service which is no-strings-attached free, and doesn't even show ads. In reality, ProtonMail is a specialist tool which is intended for use alongside services like Gmail – not to replace them – and overall it performs its core tasks very well.

If you do need more, ProtonMail's $5 (you can choose to pay in USD, Euro and CHF) a month (or $48 yearly) Plus account gives you 5GB storage, a 1,000 message-per-day allowance, custom domains (you@yourdomain.com) and support for folders, labels, filters as well as some addition features like contact groups.

A further Professional plan brings more storage, email addresses and a second custom domain, as well as adding a catch-all email address and multi-user support. It's priced from $8 per month per user (75$ yearly), which is reasonable if you need ProtonMail's security, although it's also notably more expensive than the business accounts of the big-name competition.

best email providers

Image credit: Google

First released back in 2004, Google's Gmail has become the market leader in free email services with more than a billion users across the globe.

Gmail's stripped-back web interface is a highlight. Most of the screen is devoted to your inbox, with a minimum of toolbar and other clutter. Messages are neatly organized via conversations for easier viewing, and you can read and reply to emails with ease, even as a first-time user.

There's plenty of power here. Dynamic mail makes Gmail more interactive, with the ability to take action directly from within the email, like filling out a questionnaire or responding to a Google Docs comment. Messages can be automatically filtered into tabbed categories like Primary, Social and Promotions, helping you to focus on the content you need. Leading-edge spam blocking keeps your inbox free of junk, you can manage other accounts from the same interface (Outlook, Yahoo, any other IMAP or POP email), and there's 15GB storage for your inbox, Drive and photos. 

You can also access Gmail offline, although you'll need Google Chrome for that to work. Furthermore, there is a neat snooze feature that allows you to, well, snooze an email for a specified amount of time (it also automatically labels that email as important).

Other features are more questionable. Instead of organizing messages into folders, for instance – a simple metaphor which just about every user understands – you must filter them using a custom labelling system. This works, and has some advantages, but isn't popular with all users. Still, Gmail is an excellent service overall, and a good first choice for your email provider.

Google makes a paid business-oriented version of Gmail available in the shape of its G Suite product.

This more professional product drops the ads and allows using a custom email address on your domain (yourname@yourcompany.tld). Business-oriented migration tools can import mail from Outlook, Exchange, Lotus and more. Storage space doubles to 30GB on the Basic plan, and you get unlimited group email addresses, 99.9% guaranteed uptime and 24/7 support.

G Suite is Google's answer to Microsoft Office, so of course you also get apps for working with documents, spreadsheets and presentations. Shared calendars keep you better organized, there's video and voice conferencing for online meetings, and again, there’s 24/7 support to keep your system running smoothly.

This more Office-like power makes for a more expensive product than the email-only competition, with prices starting at $6 a user for the simplest plan. You're getting a lot for your money, though, and if you'll use G Suite's features then it could be a smart choice. A 14-day free trial provides an easy way to help you find out.

best email providers

Image credit: Microsoft

Outlook's web interface follows the same familiar style as its desktop incarnation, and most other email clients: folders and organizational tools on the left, the contents of the current folder in the center, and a simple preview pane on the right (with adverts in the case of the free account).

A toolbar gives you speedy access to common features, and right-clicking folders or messages shows you just about everything else. If you've ever used another email client, you'll figure out the key details in moments.

Despite the apparent simplicity, there's a lot going on under the hood. The service automatically detects important emails and places them in a Focused Inbox, keeping any distractions out of sight. Events including flights and dinner reservations can automatically be added to your calendar. It's easy to share that calendar with other Outlook.com or Office 365 users, or you can save your events to a Family calendar that everyone can access. In addition, there are some interesting features too, like the ability to add polls directly to your Outlook emails.

Excellent attachment support includes the ability to directly share OneDrive files as copies or links. You can also attach files directly from your Google Drive, Dropbox and Box accounts, and a chunky 15GB mailbox allows storing plenty of files from other people.

This all worked just fine for us, but if you're unhappy with the service defaults, there's a chance they can be tweaked via Outlook.com's Settings dialog. This doesn't have quite as many options as Gmail, but they're well organized and give you plenty of control over layout, attachment rules, message handling and more.

If that’s still not enough, Microsoft offers a bunch of app-based integrations to take the service further. You get built-in Skype support via the beta, and apps give you easier access to Evernote, PayPal, GIPHY, Yelp, Uber and more.

Upgrading to Office 365 gets you an ad-free inbox, 50GB mail storage and a vast 1TB of OneDrive storage. Extras include offline working, professional message formatting tools, phone or chat-based support, file recovery from malicious attacks like ransomware and more. Oh, and the latest versions of Word, Excel and PowerPoint. All this can be yours for the equivalent of $7 a month on the single user Office 365 Personal plan or you can pay 70$ for a year.

best email providers

Image credit: Yahoo

Yahoo Mail doesn't make the headlines so much, these days, but its latest version is a polished and professional service which stands up well against the top competition.

The well-designed interface resembles Gmail, at least initially, with a large view of your inbox, one-click filters for common messages and content (Photos, Documents, Travel), and easy browsing of all the emails in a conversation. But you can also organize mails into custom folders, and the layout can be tweaked to display a message preview in a couple of clicks. Mobile users have some additional features like the option to unsubscribe to newsletters and such, without ever leaving the Yahoo Mail inbox.

A powerful underlying engine can integrate with Facebook, supports sending SMS and text messages, is accessible via web, POP and (in some situations) IMAP, and can forward email to another address. Valuable extras include disposable email addresses to protect your privacy, and a mammoth 1TB of mailbox storage means you can keep just about everything you receive, for a very long time.

Demanding users might find issues, over time. Mail organization can't quite match the flexibility of Gmail's labelling scheme, for instance, and there aren't nearly as many low-level tweaks, settings and options as you'll often see elsewhere. But overall, Yahoo Mail is an appealing service which needs to be on your email shortlist.

As with other providers, Yahoo offers a Business Mail plan with more features. The highlight is an option to use the service with a custom domain (yourname@yourdomain.com), although there are other advantages, too. The service can import contacts from Facebook, Gmail, Outlook and more. You can view all your mailboxes on the same screen, and there are all the usual business-friendly productivity tools (multiple calendars, document handling, analytics and more).

Prices start from $3.19 per mailbox per month, billed annually, and they drop as you add mailboxes – $1.59 for 5, $1.19 for 10, and for 20+ you'll need to contact them. Additionally, another pricing plan called Yahoo Mail Pro is available at $3.49 per month. This gives you ad-free inbox, priority customer support and additional features.

There's even a free domain name included, and not just the initial registration: Yahoo will also renew it for as long as your subscription is active.

best email providers

Image credit: Zoho

Zoho Workplace is a business-oriented email service which throws in an online office suite, document management, and a host of collaboration tools and other extras.

Zoho's free plan supports up to 25 users, although there's an extra 25 available if you can refer others to the service (update: Zoho is currently remodeling the referral program so this isn't available at the moment), each with 5GB of mailbox storage, and can be used with one domain of your own. These are features you'll normally only find in commercial products, and when you factor in the spreadsheet, word processor, presentation and other tools, it looks like a real bargain.

The email service is easy-to-use, and provides a decent set of features to help organize your emails: folders, tags, filters, smart searches, and more. You can also create custom hotkeys to expand and replace easy abbreviations of your choice with full words and phrases as you type. Zoho also has an offline mode, which allows you to read and respond to your emails even when your internet connection fails you.

The free plan is still a little basic. It gives you web access only, for instance, and there's no support for email forwarding.

Fortunately, the Zoho Standard plan fixes that. A mere $3 per user (paid annually) gets you IMAP and POP access, email forwarding, active sync, multiple domain hosting, domain aliases, 30GB storage, a 30MB attachment limit (up from 25MB with the free plan) and some major improvements elsewhere (the ability to send cloud files to non-Zoho users, for instance). You also have Lite plan which is a cheaper Standard plan ($1 per user) with less features, and a Professional ($6 per user) plan which adds more features.

A number of these features are available elsewhere for free, of course, but businesses or anyone who will use the custom domain support or Office tools will find a lot to like here. Well worth a closer look.

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Best e-commerce platforms in 2020: website software for an online store

Posted: 02 Jun 2020 09:52 AM PDT

There is a huge variety of e-commerce platform packages from which to choose, so building an online store has never been easier.

To begin, first you'll need ecommerce web hosting, which is to say hosting that will scale up with your business without interruption.  Next you'll need shopping cart software to run with your ecommerce site. This will probably include a payment gateway for credit card processing, though if you're already established and have a decent enough credit rating you could apply for merchant services to reduce transaction costs. 

Your ecommerce website doesn't have to be expensive to design, either, as there are plenty of ecommerce themes available. Additionally, if you also have a bricks-and-mortar store than a Point of Sale (POS) system for mobile credit card processing can be particularly desirable.

Which e-commerce software is best for your business depends entirely on your specific requirements. If you're an online-only outfit, then POS integration won't be necessary, but you may get a lot of business from overseas, in which case foreign currency support would be a requirement.

In this article, we’re going to highlight some of the best e-commerce platforms available right now, before moving on to consider other options you might want to explore in terms of creating your own e-commerce solution.

The best e-commerce platforms - at a glance

  1. Shopify 
  2. BigCommerce
  3. Volusion 
  4. CoreCommerce 
  5. 3DCart


Shopify is perhaps the most well known e-commerce platform available. It was set up in 2006 by founders Tobias Lütke, Daniel Weinand and Scott Lake who, as the story goes, felt that there wasn't a simple-to-use e-commerce platform available and so built their own. The company claims that: "You don't need to have any technical or design experience to easily create a beautiful online store." 

According to Shopify, it's possible to get one of its online stores up-and-running within minutes. Users can choose from a wide range of templates, or they can design the look and feel of their store themselves. It accepts a comprehensive range of credit cards, has Level 1 PCI compliance and 256-bit SSL encryption for security, and it offers 24/7 support via phone, instant messaging or email.

The platform provides a full CMS with which users can manage the functionality and layout of their online store. Users can manage their store on-the-go using Shopify's mobile apps, and the platform itself is fully responsive, meaning the store will be optimized for visitors regardless of whether they access it from a desktop computer or a mobile device. Also, a live chat function is available which allows you to have a real time conversation with your customers. There's a built-in support for 3D models and video too. There's also an option to create customizable storefronts on Facebook and Instagram. Until October 1, 2020, you can now craft email campaigns tailored to your brand with Shopify Email, for free.

Shopify also offers users unlimited hosting for their stores, in-depth analytics of how visitors are using the store, and functionality for marketing such as SEO optimization, a discount and coupon engine, gift cards and email marketing tools. You can test out Shopify with a 14-day free trial.

best e-commerce packages


Bigcommerce was established in 2009 and promises to "support your business, not just your store." In addition to offering support via phone, instant chat and email, it also offers articles and videos to help with e-commerce, and access to a team of e-commerce experts who can provide advice and guidance about online selling. Their experts are qualified in both Google Analytics and Adwords.

Like Shopify, Bigcommerce provides a variety of templates and themes to help stores look their best and get up-and-running quickly. Alternatively, users can design their own store or use Bigcommerce designers to do so. The platform incorporates a full-featured CMS that allows users to run an entire website, rather than just a store.

Users can benefit from detailed and flexible product management, optimized search engine rankings, along with a variety of integrated marketing tools and analytics. Payments can be accepted via 40+ pre-integrated gateways and shipping details can be customized as per the business's requirements. As of late, some new features have been added like support for Amazon Import and Link and Shopping in Instagram Stories. The platform offers automated order processing, flexible tax rules depending on where orders are made and shipped, and support for multiple currencies. You can test out Bigcommerce with a 15-day free trial.

best e-commerce packages


Volusion has been around for almost two decades, having been set up in Texas over in the US in 1999. The company touts its platform as being an "all-in-one e-commerce solution", and offers a free 14-day trial (no credit card required).

As with other e-commerce platforms, users are offered a variety of templates from which to choose, and can also customize templates if they so wish. Should a more complex design be required, Volusion offers a custom design service that can incorporate branding and a firm's social media presence.

The platform provides the site and product management tools you'd expect, marketing functionality for SEO, social media, and affiliate outlets, along with emails and order management functionality for fast order processing, accepting payments, tax calculations and POS integration.

In addition to its platform and associated services, Volusion offers apps from its partners, support for users and a knowledge-base for help with e-commerce. Users can draw upon blog posts, guides and webinars. As of October 8th 2018, there are no more transaction fees.

best e-commerce packages


CoreCommerce was set up in 2001 and focuses on providing e-commerce services to small and medium-sized businesses. The company places an emphasis on simplicity and transparency, promising that its platform is easy-to-use and that customers will not fall foul of any hidden charges.

Perhaps CoreCommerce's most unique aspect is that all of its features are offered to all customers regardless of what plan they are on. Price plans are determined by the number of products, the number of email addresses, the amount of bandwidth and the amount of storage required by the user (and higher-end plans also benefit from additional support).

As with other e-commerce providers, CoreCommerce offers functionality for store design, product management, order processing and marketing. Of its headline features, the platform offers unlimited product customization options, a built-in blogging engine, and secure hosting that is provided by Rackspace and comes with a 99.9% uptime guarantee. You can try CoreCommerce out with a 15-day free trial.

best e-commerce packages


Having been founded in 1997, 3dcart is the oldest of our featured providers here. It was set up with a view to incorporating as many of the most requested e-commerce features into one platform as possible.

The company says it has six core values by which it operates: ongoing innovation, good service, simple solutions, fostering trust, keeping employees and customers happy, and stimulating prosperity amongst employees and customers.

Some of the platform's innovative features include a module that users can install to offer gift-wrapping, a purchase order system, the option of running a loyalty program and the ability to offer recurring orders. Many of these features are very specific, meaning that stores can be highly tailored to the needs of each business.

Stores can be designed using one of the many templates offered by 3dcart, or users can design their own store. A quick edit bar means that making changes to the design of a store is simple. Product images are fore-fronted with 3dcart's auto-zoom feature and products can be sold via Facebook with its store integration. As with some other platforms, users can blog directly from 3dcart and tools are provided for setting up coupons, sending newsletters and affiliate marketing. 3dcart is regularly updated and new features are constantly added, like the drag and drop HTML builder, the home page editor or scheduled promotions. Users can also make use out of "make an offer" feature, which basically lets you and your customers to negotiate on a price. There is also a B2B quote system, which provides customers with a temporary quoted price after discussing their order via phone.

In addition to its platform, 3dcart offers a number of professional services. Users can request help with SEO, PPC, shopping feed management, social media, Facebook ads and conversion consulting. Help can also be provided to ensure that a user's store is set up to the highest standard. Services such as site cloning, setting up custom tracking, data migration and training are offered.

In addition, 3dcart can provide SSL certification. Hosting is guaranteed at 99.9% uptime and 24/7 support is provided via phone, email or online chat. You can test out the service with a 15-day free trial.

best e-commerce packages

Also consider:

Alternative means

If you don’t want to go the route of using an off-the-shelf package, what other options are available for you to explore? That’s what we’re going to look at in the second half of this piece…

Many serious businesses have taken to eBay these days


Is eBay right for your business?

Opening its doors in 1999, eBay UK now has over 14 million users, with over 10,000 people using the site for a business that is their primary means of income. It's not just about people selling unwanted goods - businesses have used the simplicity that eBay offers to set up lucrative operations. Even the larger brands such as Argos, Debenhams and House of Fraser are using eBay to sell online.

With sophisticated tools now available you can be up and running with your store in just a few hours. The eBay Seller Centre has all the information you need. Each store is managed via eBay's familiar user interface, and there are a number of eBay-provided tools to help manage, track and promote your shop once it's established.

Using eBay as the platform for your business could be ideal if your business wants to sell goods on a fixed price basis. The complete integration of the PayPal e-payments system into eBay takes care of this essential component of your store.

The key with eBay is to look closely at the costs involved and also the transaction fees that PayPal charge before moving forward and setting up your own store.

How to create your own e-commerce solution

Of course if you want complete control over every aspect of your new online store, building each page yourself will be the best course of action. Hiring someone to code your website is one option. If you decide to do this follow these steps:

  1. Ask the company for live examples of their work to look at
  2. Write a detailed brief of the site you want created. The more detail the better to avoid confusion
  3. Ensure you understand the price you are being charged and how many revisions this price includes
  4. Always have a signed agreement or contract before work commences
  5. Ask whether the designers will host your site and if you will be able to make updates yourself or if all updates must go through the design agency at an additional cost
  6. Ask for the copyright of your design to be assigned to your company, as your website is an important part of your business' intellectual property
  7. Put into your contract, details of how the agreement can be amicably dissolved if things go wrong

Choose a website design from Template Monster


You also don't have to build your site completely from scratch. Buying a template can give you all the basic pages your site needs. You can then either modify them yourself using an application like Dreamweaver, or hire a coding expert to make the changes. Website templates are available from a number of vendors including Template Monster.

If you already have a website and want to add e-commerce functionality, this can be easily achieved with a number of applications including:

Final advice

Whichever route you decide to take when building your website always remember:

  1. You need to ensure your store can be easily updated and managed.
  2. Good professional web hosting is vital to ensure your site is always available.
  3. Look for payment and shopping carts that are intuitive and efficient to use.
  4. Customer service is king these days. Businesses shouldn't just efficiently take customers' money, but should also properly support them.
  5. Make sure that your store is fully integrated with all the leading social media sites.
  6. Put security first – shoppers are now more comfortable buying online, but always ensure your site uses SSL (Secure Socket Layer) which is now the industry standard for online payments.
  7. Above every other consideration should be your site's visitor experience. Don't forget your competitors are just a mouse click away in the world of e-commerce. 

Setting up your online store should be approached carefully and diligently to ensure you put a professional and efficient site live. Internet shopping continues to expand. Make sure your business doesn't miss out on a sales channel that shows no signs of slowing down.

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The best cheap PlayStation VR bundles, prices and deals in June 2020

Posted: 02 Jun 2020 09:38 AM PDT

PlayStation VR bundles are thoroughly back in action this week with stocks returning on a range of deals in the UK and US after what feels like months of inflated costs and empty shelves. All in all, it's a good time to be perusing for a cheap PlayStation VR deal since you've plenty of options this week from the cheap Starter Packs all the way to the more expensive five-game Mega Packs. So, if you've been patiently waiting to pick up a PSVR deal, now's the time to put your PS4 to good use and what's more, get ready for the release of the PS5.

Even with stock hit and miss right now, the PlayStation VR remains one of the cheapest ways to get into the wonderful world of VR gaming. VR deals in general rarely come as cheap as the PSVR and many don't offer such a fantastic library of quality games either. While stock is low this week, you'll still find the popular Blood & Truth and Everybody's Golf bundle available in the US. Meanwhile, the UK is enjoying a stock replenishment of both the cheaper Starter Pack and the five-game Mega Pack bundle - now both available at Amazon.

Originally $399/£350 at launch for the headset alone, we've found some great VR deals for way less than that including great game bundles such as VR worlds, or handy accessory additions, such as the PSVR Camera. You'll also be happy to know that while the PS5 launch is creeping closer, Sony's new console will retain all the VR functionality - so there's really no need to wait if you're preparing for those PS5 pre-orders.

Just use the handy quick links on the right here to jump to the best cheap PlayStation VR prices along with some great bundle options. In the individual sections, we'll let you know which ones are the best value for money.

This cheap PlayStation VR bundle deals page can also help you prepare by picking up the other kit you'll need to enjoy the best PlayStation VR experience. You'll want to pick up the PS4 camera as you need it for the PlayStation VR headset to work - thankfully it's included in the vast majority of bundles now. You could also grab a couple of PS Move motion controllers, as some VR games support them. You can also use these items with a small number of Move-based PS4 games like SportsFriends or Just Dance. If you're looking for the ultimate upgrade, check out our PS4 Pro bundle deals, or shop around a little more as we run through the best VR headsets on the market right now. 

cheap playstation vr bundles deals sales price

PlayStation VR prices

The grid below will be regularly updated with the latest PlayStation VR prices for the headset from different retailers. After seemingly endless stock shortages originally, units seem to be back in stock at most stores. Which is fantastic news with more games to enjoy than ever.

PlayStation VR bundles (USA)

PlayStation VR bundles are starting to return to shelves, and you'll find more offers available this week than we've seen in a while. These are all limited-time deals, however, so you'll want to move fast to secure a PlayStation VR deal. If you miss them, we're rounding up all the best places to check for stock first further below.

  • Newegg: Bundles available, but at considerable price increases. 
  • Amazon: Previously held stock of the PlayStation VR headset by itself as well as select bundles, but stock is now depleted as of a few weeks ago.
  • Adorama: Currently sold out of both bundles and standalone PSVR headsets.
  • B&H Photo: Offered excellent prices on the five-game Mega Pack bundle, but currently out of stock.
  • Kohl's: no stock available at time of writing.

PlayStation VR bundles (UK)

PlayStation VR bundles are also running low in the UK until this week but a handful of retailers have managed to get some bundles back on the shelves. That means you can pick up the slightly cheaper Starter Pack for lower than the standard £249 price in the UK right now, as well as the higher value £299 5-game Mega Pack bundle as well.

  • Amazon: The five-game Mega Pack bundle is out of stock right now, with restock due likely around the middle of June.
  • Currys: The Mega Pack is out of stock, but there are a few starter bundles left.
  • Argos: Regional offers mean you may pick up a Mega Pack bundle from your local store, but stock is still running low. 
  • John Lewis: Previously held limited stock on certain bundles, but that is also currently unavailable.
  • Very: Often plays host to a range of bundles on offer at great prices, but stock is currently depleted apart from the Mega Pack.

PlayStation VR game deals

Keep an eye on this handy chart below as we'll update it with the latest prices for a wide range of PlayStation VR games. To compare prices on individual titles, click the 'View all deals' button at the bottom of the chart. You can also find plenty of cheap PS4 game deals available right now as well.

cheap ps4 camera deals

PS4 camera deals

It's crucial you buy a PS4 camera along with your VR headset if it's not already in the bundle, otherwise, it will not work. Don't pay more than the standard £45/$60 for the camera though.  Sony released an updated, rounder (see image above) model with a built-in TV-mount and there are deals included in the chart below. The older PS4 camera is also compatible with PlayStation VR. If there's nothing tempting below, maybe try for a new/preowned unit via eBay?

cheap playstation vr deals sales prices

cheap ps move motion controllers

PlayStation Move controller deals

The PlayStation Move motion controllers are very much an optional purchase as not every game supports them. Many that do, also have options to use the standard DualShock 4 PS4 controller instead.

Move wands aren't as readily available as the cameras at the moment, but there are deals to be found if you shop around - or let us do it via that magical box below. It's worth noting, as well, that some of the more expensive results are actually for twin packs. 

We'd advise a little caution if you're considering pre-owned units, as the lack of use in recent years may have dulled the charge capacity of the battery compared to new controllers. If you want to try your luck (and probably save a fair amount), here are some handy links for eBay.

Dualshock 4 back button attachment price deals

DualShock 4 Back Button Attachment prices

Sony have just released the DualShock 4 Back Button Attachment, a small device that clips onto the back of your controller and adds two extra mappable buttons for extra control configurations. The device has so far been wildly popular, especially in the US, so stock is always temporary at the moment. If you see a price you like below, grab it before it's too late. 

cheap playstation vr deals

Why can it be difficult to find good PlayStation VR bundles?

PlayStation VR bundles are looking sparse right now, thanks to a surge in demand depleting stock across the US and UK. In usual times, we'd expect to see between three and four options for discounted PlayStation VR bundles available in the US and UK, because packaged deals are still fairly limited for this particular console anyway. 

We'd recommend staying on top of your favorite retailers and checking back regularly to be the first to grab any new PlayStation VR deals.

We'll update these PSVR prices on a regular basis and add any bundles that may appear featuring the headset, camera, controllers or games. 

Need an extra standard controller? Check out the best DualShock 4 deals.

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BT's faster fibre broadband deal comes with a £100 Mastercard and slashed price

Posted: 02 Jun 2020 09:31 AM PDT

It's the most popular internet provider out there but BT is by no means an affordable option. Well, not usually, but every so often BT steps up and brings forward a promotion to really make it a standout choice in the competitive world of broadband deals.

Right now, BT is taking its Fibre 2 plan - complete with speeds averaging a rapid 68Mb - and bringing the price way down. Now you just have to pay £31.99 a month to get those speeds and BT will even throw in an £100 Mastercard.

When you take into account that added Mastercard value, the effective monthly cost works out as £27.82. That puts this way below what you would normally pay for this package and is one of the best BT broadband deals we've seen for a while.

You can see this offer in full below or compare it to the rest of the market with our guide to the best broadband deals.

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.

Read more:

Today's best broadband deals

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Best NAS devices of 2020: top Network Attached Storage for the home and office

Posted: 02 Jun 2020 09:26 AM PDT

Our list of the best NAS devices on the market will help you find the right solution to your data storage needs. 

Although the best NAS device may not be top of your most-wanted list, it could be the most crucial device you can purchase - especially for those of you storing irreplaceable digital files in your home or office.

So, what precisely are the best NAS devices good for? NAS stands for Network Attached Storage and by connecting to your network, it allows every device to access the files stored on it, as if it was a hard drive directly installed in the device.

The best NAS device doesn't only make your files and folders stored on its hard drives available on a local network, it can also allow remote access via the internet as well - in a safe and secure manner, of course. This means you can access your important documents from the other side of the world, if needs be.

Also, the best NAS devices are platform-agnostic so it doesn’t matter what OS is on your device. You’ll still be able to gain access with whatever you have on hand.

Bear in mind a few things when shopping for the best NAS devices for your needs. How much storage do you need? While most of the devices we’ve rounded up come with a good deal of storage, you’ll want to look ahead at how much you’ll actually need, not just now but in a year. The best NAS devices should be able to do more than just provide a large hard drive for your network. They should also be able to store your backups in case anything happens to your original files.

As you’ll notice, not all of the best NAS devices use hard drives. Instead, they hold multiple hard drives that you have to buy separately. While a tad more complicated, you gain flexibility in storage space and hard drive speed. Also, if you do some bargain hunting, you could save some cash buying the hard drives separately.

You’ll want to consider your backup and redundancy needs when searching for the best NAS devices. Many are able to hold more than one hard drive and can mirror that hard drive in case of failure. So if one hard drive does go, you don’t have to worry. It’s all backed up on another. Also, the best NAS devices allow you to use an external drive as a backup. Whether this is an extra precaution or because you want to take the data with you, it’s a useful feature.

Take a look at our picks for the best NAS devices for your needs. And if you already have a NAS device and want to boost its storage, take a look at our choices for the best hard drives.

Best NAS devices - at a glance

  1. WD My Cloud Personal NAS drive
  2. Seagate Personal Cloud 2-Bay NAS drive
  3. QNAP TS-251A NAS drive
  4. Buffalo LinkStation LS220D NAS drive
  5. Synology DiskStation DS1817 NAS drive
  6. WD My Cloud Mirror NAS drive
  7. Synology DiskStation DS1517 NAS drive
  8. WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra NAS drive
  9. Western Digital DL4100 NAS drive

WD My Cloud Personal NAS drive

WD My Cloud Personal NAS drive is one of the best NAS drives and starts at 2TB of storage. (Image credit: WD)

WD has attained quite significant success with its unashamedly consumer-friendly My Cloud products, which can stream to any DLNA-compliant device and be accessed via mobile apps for iOS and Android.

Advertised as a 'personal cloud,' this WD is one of the best NAS drives by any other name and starts at 2TB of storage (you can also get it in 3 or 4TB). Because it's a one-bay unit, it can't back itself up since there's only one drive. However, it can back up to an external hard drive thanks to a USB port on the back.

Read the full review: WD My Cloud Personal

Seagate Personal Cloud 2-Bay NAS drive

Seagate Personal Cloud 2-Bay NAS drive mirrors the files from one hard drive to a second one. (Image credit: Seagate)

Continuing with the 'personal cloud' theme, this unit from Seagate takes its lead from My Cloud, while offering far larger capacities, along with dual bays for two hard drives. This allows the Seagate Personal Cloud 2-Bay NAS device to mirror the files from one hard drive to a second one, securing your files in case one of those drives fails.

We also appreciate the no-fuss appearance of this unit, meaning it fits easily under a router or on a shelf. Plus, it can work with cloud accounts – like Dropbox and Google Drive – and you can also use an app to share content to streamers, such as Chromecast and Roku.

Read the full review: Seagate Personal Cloud 2-Bay

QNAP TS-251A NAS drive

The QNAP TS-251A NAS drive has more features than you can shake a stick. (Image credit: QNAP)

The QNAP TS-251A is an extraordinary NAS device that has more features than you can shake a stick – or the included remote control – at. It includes dual Ethernet ports, an HDMI out for connecting it to a TV and respectable hardware like the dual-core 1.6GHz Intel Celeron CPU and 4GB of RAM for hardware transcoding media files.

The QTS OS also lets you effortlessly install a variety of apps, from the Plex Media Server and file sharing apps to, surprisingly, a karaoke app, as well as running Ubuntu Linux for added flexibility.

Long story, short: this is an incredible NAS device, even if you do have to purchase the hard drives separately. Just factor that in to the overall cost.

Buffalo LinkStation LS220D NAS drive

The Buffalo LinkStation LS220D NAS drive can integrate directly with BitTorrent. (Image credit: Buffalo)

As one of the best NAS drives out there, this 2TB dual-bay unit (also available in 4, 6, and 8TB capacities) comes courtesy of Buffalo, the company that also produces the TeraStation line of advanced NAS units.

The key selling point of this model is that it can integrate directly with BitTorrent, which means that it can download files for you even when your PC is not on. You won’t need to worry as much about your downloads getting interrupted. Like many of the other devices listed, you can also stream to it via various devices, it's platform agnostic, and you can use it as an iTunes server.

  • This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Seagate Personal Cloud 2-Bay 

Synology DiskStation DS1817 NAS drive

The Synology DiskStation DS1817 NAS drive lets users fill the included eight drive bays with whatever they desire. (Image credit: Synology)

Every now and then, a product comes along that challenges the conventions of their product category. The DS1817 is one such product. Most NAS devices that occupy the ‘value’ space tend to be underpowered and have little to no room for expansion. The DS1817 breaks the norms by letting users fill the included eight drive bays with whatever they desire, so that you can get as much (or as little) storage as you want. On top of this massive expandability, which helps rank it as one of the best NAS drives available, the 10GbE LAN and Quad-Core CPU also mean that you’ll never be left wanting for performance.

Read the full review: Synology DiskStation DS181 

WD My Cloud Mirror NAS drive

The WD My Cloud Mirror NAS drive can produce a mirrored backup of your data. (Image credit: WD)

This two-bay unit can produce a mirrored backup of your data, duplicating your files on both drives, using RAID configuration. That's quite an advanced feature for a consumer unit. Just keep in mind that you end up paying quite a lot for that capability and WD's user-friendly presentation, including an easy-to-master, browser-based control screen.

This is a 4TB unit, though 6, 8 and 16TB units are also available. For extra peace of mind, you can also back up the contents to Dropbox.

Synology DiskStation DS1517 NAS drive

The Synology DiskStation DS1517 NAS drive can reach sequential speeds of 111.4 MB/s write and 110.3 MB/s read. (Image credit: Synology)

Anyone looking at purely technical spec’s will instantly fall in love with the Synology DiskStation DS1517. Thanks to its quad-core CPU and up to 8GB of RAM, this NAS can reach sequential speeds of 111.4 MB/s write and 110.3 MB/s read without any trouble. Combining that raw performance with the DS1517’s expandability, and you have a formula for a NAS device that has undeniably earned its spot among the best NAS drives on the market. Just know that the DS1517 isn’t cheap, and unless you’re a creative professional, or you’re looking for a NAS for a small business, it might be a bit too much.

Read the full review: Synology DiskStation DS1517 

WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra NAS drive

WD's My Cloud EX2 Ultra NAS drive is designed for small business use. (Image credit: WD)

Featuring RAID capabilities found in pricier and more intricate NAS devices, as well as offering Microsoft Active Directory support, this box is designed for small business use. That’s without mentioning that it can also act as a file server, FTP server, backup server and P2P download server.

In addition, WD's EX series is available in diskless variants, though this price is for the 4TB version. 8TB, 12TB and 16TB units are also available to purchase. If you don't need any of this extra stuff, then go with the My Cloud Mirror.

Western Digital DL4100 NAS drive

Western Digital DL4100 is one of the best NAS drives to help manage your backup needs. (Image credit: Western Digital)

If you're looking for one of the best NAS drives to help manage your backup needs, the DL4100 might be worth a look. One of the coolest features of this device is its web dashboard, which provides users options for backing up to cloud services such as Dropbox and Box. Additionally, it has the ability to set up SMS and email alerts in case the system fails for whatever reason.

As far as storage options go, the DL4100 is equipped with four drive bays and comes with your choice of four configurations. Despite some annoying issues with wireless transfers, we found that the DL4100's 1.7GHz dual-core Atom processor and 2GB of RAM (configurable up to 6GB) performs admirably. Combine this with a simple setup and cloud connected web apps, and you have an interesting backup device on your hands.

Read our full review: Western Digital DL4100 review

  • This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the WD My Cloud EX2 Ultra 

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The best PS4 Pro prices, deals, and bundles in June 2020

Posted: 02 Jun 2020 09:06 AM PDT

PS4 Pro bundle deals are a hot commodity this week, especially in the US where we're all waiting for stocks to replenish, although you can still pick up a standalone for $399. We're keeping a sharp lookout on the listings daily however, and we'll be the first to let you know about any new PS4 Pro deals that crop up. If you're visiting from the UK then we've got better news for you as there are several good PS4 Pro bundles to choose from, including a preorder on the brand new Last of Us II bundle at Amazon for £349.

With the PS5 launch nearing closer and closer, now's actually a great time to grab yourself a cheap PS4 Pro as prices remain fairly low even with stock issues. In addition to the vast array of existing titles in the PS4 library, you'll also likely have access to a whole new range of PlayStation exclusives really soon - and for cheap.

So, keep this page bookmarked to stay informed of the latest PS4 Pro bundles. If you're looking for more information on the PS4 Pro, take a look at our handy Q&A below the deals. We're also keeping an eye on future PS5 pre-orders if you're hunting next-gen deals. Looking to buy in Australia? You'll want to take a look at our AU page.

If you'd prefer a standard PS4, then check out our PS4 bundles (USA) or PS4 deals (UK) pages. Don't forget to top up your subscription with one of our discounted PlayStation Plus deals too.

What is the usual PS4 Pro Price?

The PS4 Pro price sits at $399 MSRP in the US and £349 in the UK. That means if you spot a deal above these price points, it's likely not going to be worth your cash unless it's good some hefty goodies included. 

PS4 Pro bundle deals (USA)

PS4 Pro bundles are in short supply right now in the US, with nearly all of the big retailers being sold out currently. However, over the years we've developed an eye for cheap PS4 Pro prices and there are still a few PS4 Pro deals to be had if you know where to look.

PS4 Pro bundle deals (UK)

Need an extra controller on the cheap? Take a look at the best DualShock 4 deals. We also have a guide to the best PlayStation VR deals too.

Cheap PS4 game deals

Looking for something to pair your new PS4 Pro deal with? We've collected all the best prices on the latest and greatest PS4 exclusives right here. 

DualShock 4 Back Button Attachment prices

If you were looking to add extra functionality to your PS4 controller, this DualShock 4 Back Button Attachment from Sony offers just that. The small device slips onto the back of your controller and provides two extra mappable buttons to play with. While it's brand new to market, it's so far been incredibly popular, so you might have to keep an eye out for stock to return, especially in the US. The best prices will be listed right here as soon as this device does hit shelves again, so be sure to check back soon if there's none available right now. 

Cheap PlayStation Plus deals

If you're buying a PS4 Pro, you'll probably need a cheap PlayStation Plus deal too. PlayStation Plus (aka PS Plus or PS+) allows you to play PS4 games online, along with access to the Instant Game Collection, a bunch of free games for your PS4 each month. The default price for a year is now £49.99. We've shopped around for you though and found a range of prices. So check out our guide of you want the best PlayStation Plus deals.

What is the PS4 Pro?

Essentially, the PS4 Pro is an upgrade of the PS4, rather than a 'next-gen' console. The keywords to take in from the PS4 Pro are 4K and HDR. The new machine will allow game developers to include 4K options in their games, so expect the likes of Red Dead Redemption 2, God of War, Uncharted 4, Spider-Man, Days Gone, Horizon: Zero Dawn and more to look even better on a 4K TV.

HDR, or High Dynamic Range, is the other buzzword to be excited about as the PS4 Pro will allow for extra detail to be seen on a range of games and also a wider range of colors not usually displayed by traditional HD TVs.

Will my old PS4 games work on PS4 Pro?

Absolutely. If you're planning on upgrading to a PS4 Pro from an older PS4, all of your games will still work. Not every title will be patched to take advantage of the new 4K/HDR capabilities, but the default upscaling (if you have a 4K TV) will more than likely see some improvement to the visuals and the improved console power may give the frame-rate a boost on some titles.

What else can I watch in 4K/HDR on PS4 Pro?

The PS4 Pro is compatible with 4K and HDR, and the content options for both are increasing all the time on services like YouTube and Netflix. Amazon Prime Video is yet to be updated for 4K content on a PS4 Pro though, so you'll need to check out the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K deals if you want to enjoy 4K Prime.

Does the PS4 Pro support 4K Blu-rays?

No. This was a surprise if we're honest, especially as both the Xbox One S and Xbox One X consoles do. It's a bit of a gamble for Sony, but at the same time, 4K Blu-rays are very expensive for now and many consumers look to digital services to provide their 4K movies and TV content instead.

Do I need a 4K TV to run a PS4 Pro?

No, the PS4 Pro will still work on a regular 1080p TV, you won't get the benefits of upscaling or HDR though. You may see a slim amount of extra detail, or frame-rate boost, but we wouldn't expect a massive leap.

If you are thinking of buying a 4K TV soon, then it's probably a good idea to splash out on the PS4 Pro instead of the regular or new PS4 Slim as it'll future proof you for a while. Be sure to look out for a TV that supports HDR too, in order to take full advantage of the PS4 Pro's capabilities.

Will PlayStation VR be better on the PS4 Pro?

Yes, but only a little. The PlayStation VR frame-rate is better on PS4 Pro and the resolution gets a bit of a bump too. PlayStation VR will certainly work on the older PS4s too, you don't need a PS4 Pro to get involved there.

Does the PS4 Pro have optical audio support?

Yes! The optical audio output has been removed from the PS4 Slim though, which is a massive shame. PS4 Pro owners though will still be able to use optical connections for their soundbars and sound systems.

What are the best games on PS4 Pro?

We've dived through our back catalogue of PS4 games that have received a PS4 Pro update patch to see which ones look the best and have a noticeable difference. Take a look at our extensive feature - The best PS4 Pro games.

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The best cheap TV sales and 4K TV deals in the UK in June 2020

Posted: 02 Jun 2020 08:40 AM PDT

Our weekly 4K TV deals roundup showcases the best and latest discounts on a whole range of superb displays from respected retailers. We're constantly on the hunt, comparing all the jargon, specs, and prices to find what we consider on the best TV sales into one exhaustive article.

This week's TV sales and 4K TV deals include some massive savings of up to £300 and some of the lowest prices we've ever seen on 4K TVs in the UK. Sony, Philips, Toshiba, and LG are all represented here, and what's more, they're all competing to offer the best tech for your hard-earned cash. With powerful upscaling processors, full smart home integration, and industry-standard Dolby Atmos support, all these 4K TV deals are fantastic value.

We sort our cheap TVs by size, so you can head straight to the best dimensions for you where you'll find each set organised by price to keep that budget in check. No matter what room you have in mind, we've got 4K TV deals for all applications and places here, be it the bedroom, living room, or study.

Overall, we're seeing some stunning cheap 4K TV deals in this week's round-up. These cheap TVs are offering the latest in display technology, with awe-inspiring HDR and streamlined upscaling processing to make everything shine. We've got you covered if you're looking for TV deals in the US too. If you're looking to push the budget, you can also take a look at the best OLED TV prices and deals available right now.


We keep our eye on the latest TV deals throughout the year, so we're poised to find you the best price whenever the need to replace your old TV arises. We're fully behind the 4K TV movement too as a competitive market has seen prices reach affordable levels much quicker than when HD sets first came around. One look at the prices below and you'll see what we mean. Check our picks of the best 4K TVs to scope out the top dogs. 

Finding you the best cheap 4K TV deals

We've split our carefully curated 4K TV deals into different size categories immediately after our pick for cheap TV deal of the week. Whatever your budget, we're sure we can find something for you. 

Note: all of our selected TV sales highlights are for 4K/Ultra HD TVs and include a built-in freeview tuner as standard. Pretty much every deal comes with Smart TV functionality built-in along with HDR technology. If they don't, we'll clearly mention it.

The best cheap TV sales available now

cheap tv deals sales 4K TV price

cheap 4k samsung tv deals sales prices

cheap TVs 4K TV deals sales

Extra retailer cheap 4K TV sales links:

Not found the right cheap TV for you today? Or maybe you'd prefer to directly browse the offers at your favourite retailers instead of our highlights of the best cheap TV deals? We're updating this page on a regular basis, so you may have better luck another day. If you want to take a look for yourself now though, here are the direct links to a the full collection of TV sales at multiple stores. 

More large screen 4K TV sales

If you're after more seriously large TV deals, we should warn you, they don't come cheap. However, if you want to see some more large screen TV deals -we're talking about 65 to 85-inch TVs- we'd recommend heading over to John Lewis, Currys and Amazon as they seem to stock more models than most UK retailers.

If you'd like a headstart on some of the very finest TVs money can buy, be sure to take a look at our guides for the best 55-inch TV or if you're going large we've got the best 65-inch TV models covered too.

Are 4K TV deals getting cheaper?

As the technology progresses, and even leaps into the world of 8K, 4K TV deals are getting cheaper and cheaper, meaning more households than ever are able to afford premium displays like the ones highlighted here. Not only does that show just how cheap these 4K TV deals have become in recent years, but it also means there's more content being made to be displayed on these 4K TVs available as well. So, not only are these sets getting cheaper, but there's also plenty more to watch on them as well. 

How to tell if cheap TVs are worth it

It's easy to get lost in the price tag of cheap TVs, but it's worth remembering that you'll get what you pay for in display quality (barring a particularly awesome flash sale). That means a 4K TV offering you the world for under £200 is rarely going to be living up to expectation. On the other hand, even displays costing between £200 and £400 are often considered to be cheap TVs, so you'll want to make sure you're getting your money's worth with your new setup. That's where these TV deals come in handy - you can easily get features well above your price range included in your new cheap TV if you know when and where to deal hunt. 

Nowadays, you'll want to be picking up a 4K TV if you're looking to spend within this price range. Straight HD and HD-ready TV deals are still kicking around some retailers and, for the price you're paying for the previous wave of technology, you could well be picking up a 4K display instead. As the price scale rises, you'll be picking up higher pixel density, better colour differentiation, deeper dynamic range, and better upscaling from pricier units. It's worth checking out the various display specifications to make sure your cheap TV matches up to what others are offering at that particular price point. 

Or, you could let us do all of that for you with the 4K TV deals listed here. 

Need something to watch on your new 4K TV? Check out the latest Amazon Fire Stick prices and deals, or shop the cheapest Roku prices and sales available now. 

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Apple AirPods Studio release date leaked – and they're coming 'very soon'

Posted: 02 Jun 2020 08:34 AM PDT

The Apple AirPods Studio – the first-ever over-ear headphones from Apple – are apparently launching 'very soon', according to an iPhone 12 leaks video from EverythingApplePro.

The video shares an "exclusive" update from XDA Developer's Max Weinbach about the AirPods Studio, who says that says the firmware for the over-ear headphones has been "finalized" and is ready to go onto the production units. 

Weinbach also claims that the launch is happening "imminently", and "likely" at WWDC 2020 alongside the iPhone 12, which is set to take place on June 22.

This new intel backs up a May report by The Information, which says that Apple suppliers Goertek and Luxshare will assemble "at least a portion of the headphones in Vietnam and begin shipments to Apple in June or July".

We've been hearing about the over-ear AirPods for much longer than that, though. Back in 2018, KGI Securities analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, claimed that Apple was working on updated AirPods as well as "own-brand, high-end over-ear headphones with an all-new design".

airpods studio

A mockup of the AirPods Studio as shown in the EverythingApplePro video.

The headphones, which are tentatively known as the AirPods Studio, could well be the smartest headphones we've ever seen if rumors of clever ear-detecting sensors are to be believed.

As such, we're not expecting the new AirPods Studio to come with a budget-friendly price. In fact, respected Apple leaker Jon Prosser has claimed that the new cans will cost $349 (about £280 / AU$530) – the same price as the best headphones of 2020, the Sony WH-1000XM3.

We're also expecting to see active noise cancellation, wireless connectivity, and Apple's well-established slick design when the AirPods Studio are finally revealed – and with everything pointing to a June 22 release date, we may not have to wait long.

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Cheap iPhone deal: save up to $550 on the iPhone 11 at Verizon

Posted: 02 Jun 2020 08:23 AM PDT

If you're on the hunt for a cheap iPhone deal, then you're in luck. Verizon is currently offering up to $550 in savings on the iPhone 11 with a select trade-in. You can also get a $150 Verizon Gift Card when you switch to Verizon on Unlimited.

To receive this deal, you must add the iPhone 11 to your cart with monthly device payments on any Unlimited plan. Once you trade in a select smartphone, you'll get up to $550 credited to your account for over 24 months. Verizon is also offering free two-day shipping and $20 off the $40 activation fee when you order online on the My Verizon App. 

Verizon's iPhone deal not only gets you a massive price cut and a Verizon gift card, but you can also receive a free Echo Dot and Amazon Smart Plug when you switch to Verizon on Unlimited.

iPhone 11 deal at Verizon:

See more offers with our round-up of the best iPhone 11 and 11 Pro deals and prices.

Learn more about the upcoming Amazon Prime Day 2020 event.

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Samsung S20 Plus deals: this exclusive offer gets you 100GB at a very low price

Posted: 02 Jun 2020 08:07 AM PDT

Samsung's latest trio of phones are amazing but they are by no means affordable. Luckily, for those looking to go flagship with their next purchase, we have an S20 Plus offer that helps mitigate costs, exclusively for readers of TechRadar.

At just £47 a month for a pretty large 100GB of data, this offer comes miles under other Samsung S20 Plus deals in cost. In fact, it's roughly what you would be paying for a Samsung S20 deal instead - a phone that costs £100 less.

Overall, if you're interested in either of Samsung's two smaller S20 devices, this promotion seems like the best offer out there right now. For those who have their eyes of the Samsung S20 Ultra instead, you're going to have to put a bit of a larger investment in however.

This Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus deal in full:

What's so good about the Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus?

Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus:
The S20 Plus is the middle tier in Samsung's trio of phones, landing you the same camera set-up as the regular S20 but with the addition of a depth vision lens that allows the creation of 3D feeling images. The battery is increased to a size of 4500mAh and the screen climbs to 6.7-inches.

Really, the S20 Plus is the best of both worlds, blending the more affordable price points of the S20 and the high-end specs of the Ultra into one neat package.

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Intel doesn't want its CPUs to be judged just on benchmarks, but also broader benefits

Posted: 02 Jun 2020 08:03 AM PDT

Intel’s CEO has recently offered up his thoughts on how the PC industry is too focused on looking at benchmark numbers, and should be considering the broader benefits which its processors deliver.

The comments came from Bob Swan, chief executive, delivered in a ‘Message to Computex’ which was uploaded to YouTube.

Swan also again confirmed that Intel’s next-gen Tiger Lake processors for laptops were still on schedule to arrive in the middle of 2020, or what he actually said was ‘later this summer’ which makes it sound like a July or August ship date, rather than this month. (Remember, though, that shipping is one thing, and it won’t be until the end of the year that laptops actually go on sale with the 11th-gen processors).

And the CEO stirred up some controversy when he remarked that these Tiger Lake CPUs would “cement [Intel’s] position as the undisputed leader in mobile computing and PC innovation”.

Obviously, given the huge strides forward AMD has made with its latest Ryzen 4000 mobile processors, which are now making very tempting options for powerful yet competitively priced laptops, Swan’s statement seems to be tilting perilously towards arrogance more than anything else.

Granted, Intel does dominate the laptop market, with the majority of notebooks still having the company’s processors inside – so it is still the market leader when it comes to mobile CPUs, but as to innovation, well, you can’t really accuse AMD of failing in that department.

Perhaps this is pointing towards Tiger Lake coming in and being something special – after all, we’ve heard that the incoming laptop chips are set to deliver quite a performance boost over 10th-gen Ice Lake processors, at least according to the rumor mill. Certainly Intel’s Xe integrated graphics are expected to be a massive boost and twice as powerful as the previous generation, at least going by a recent benchmark leak.

Refocusing needed

Although the other main thrust of Swan’s YouTube speech, as we mentioned at the outset, is to stop focusing on benchmarks, and given the current coronavirus situation, instead look more to broader benefits

As PC Gamer spotted, Swan noted: “We should see this moment as an opportunity to shift our focus as an industry from benchmarks to the benefits and impacts of the technology we create. The pandemic has underscored the need for technology to be purpose-built so it can meet these evolving business and consumer needs.”

This has, inevitably, led to some of the more cynical online suggesting it hints that Tiger Lake might not be such a huge leap forward with its new architecture.

That aside, there’s the argument that without benchmarks, how exactly are we supposed to quantify the difference between a generation of processors anyhow? However, Swan is clearly talking in general terms, and about shifting focus away from benchmarks, rather than discarding them entirely.

Even so, one of the biggest benefits outside of CPU performance is arguably tied up in the cost of the silicon, and making processors more affordable and therefore more broadly available – and AMD has been taking the price/performance crown, with Intel’s newest Comet Lake desktop processors not making an immediate strong entrance on that front, as we’ve seen.

Will Tiger Lake push harder to be more competitive? Maybe this is an early indication that this could indeed be the case, but as ever, only time will tell.

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Rick and Morty season 5: release date, cast, and what else we know

Posted: 02 Jun 2020 08:01 AM PDT

How long will we have to wait until Rick and Morty season 5? Us fans of a certain belching scientist and his pubescent grandson sidekick needn't fret now that season 4: there are loads more episodes to come to Adult Swim, and the wait between seasons should be plenty shorter. Rick and Morty season 4's continuity-heavy finale leaves a lot to think about, too, especially around Beth - but we won't spoil that here if you haven't seen it yet. 

Production problems on the wacky intergalactic animation forced us to wait years between seasons, but following confirmation of a Rick and Morty season 5 in July 2019, co-creators Justin Roiland and Dan Harmon have stressed that the wait won't be as long this time.

The fourth season was split into two parts, but this time it's possible we could see monthly episode drops for Rick and Morty season 5 - more on that below. In this article, we'll be breaking down when we can expect the first episode of the fifth season to arrive, the returning cast, and the future of the anarchic animated series.

Rick and Morty season 5 release date: episodes may arrive faster

There's no release date for season 5 yet, but we at least know that the likely ten episodes are pretty far along on its route to Adult Swim in the US and E4 (and later Netflix) in the UK. Speaking to Slash Film, co-creator Justin Roiland said while "season 5 is mostly in the can," that "it’s largely dependent on how quick the episodes can get produced."

He went on to float the idea of a monthly release schedule for season 5, although that's evidently up to Adult Swim. "I believe if they [Adult Swim] have the full ten episodes, they’ll release them without a split," he said. “I’ve been saying we should drop an episode each month, just make it a big event [...] If you do one a month, the show is alive the whole year and you’re still buying us all the time we need to make them as good as they need to be."

Either way, there's a chance we may not have to wait as long between seasons as we have before. Season 3 was delayed for two years, but the wait was even longer due to protracted contract negotiations between Roiland, Harmon and Adult Swim. However, the pair's new contract struck in 2018 with the cable network, including at least 70 more episodes, has given them the security to produce episodes better and faster.

"It is structured into our deal that if we’re going strong and fast there are options to deliver more episodes at a time," Harmon told EW. Speaking to Polygon, Roiland said “For the first time ever, we’re locked in, we know what the future is, we have job security. We want the episodes to stay good, but we do also want to try to turn them around a little quicker now that we have this big order, I think it gives us the ability to be faster."

However, Sarah Chalke (Beth) suggested to Digital Spy that there may be a coronavirus-related delay ahead of season 5. Recording is currently on hold because "as it stands, we are going to most likely hold off on recording until things settle down a little bit," Chalke said. Some recording has been done remotely for seasons 4 and 5, but the team need to be in a proper studio to record at the necessary quality.

Rick and Morty season 5 cast: will Kanye appear this time?

While there's no season 5 cast list confirmed yet, we can almost certainly expect Spencer Grammer (Summer) and Sarah Chalke (Beth) to return alongside Roiland (Rick and Morty). We also know that Chris Parnell (Jerry) is all-but-officially in, after revealing to IGN "I've upgraded my home setup - even though it doesn't look like it - so I can actually record proper sessions from home."

In terms of direction, will this be the season in which Kanye West gets an episode? It was confirmed that he'd be offered this chance in 2019, but so far schedules between the rapper and the Rick and Morty creators have not synced. "We f**king love Kanye, man," Roiland told a photographer at the WarnerMedia upfronts last year. "He's a kindred spirit."

Rick and Morty season 5 story: expect new worlds and adventures

rick and morty season 5 story

We don't know much about Rick and Morty's future escapades, but at least Roiland aims to always keep the show fresh, and not cover old ground. To EW, Roiland said, "One philosophy we tend to adopt is to keep moving forward with new ideas, new worlds, and not look back as often as other shows might, just in fear of that coming off as disingenuous fan service."

Will Rick and Morty go on after season 10?

Once season 4 is complete, there will be another 60 Rick and Morty episodes still to come. However, it seems likely it'll go on after season 10. Harmon told EW, "Sure I’ll end it! But I don’t know that would be on 70. I would be equally unsurprised if you told me that this thing goes for 20 years. I wouldn’t balk at that at all. If it still feels right, let’s do it." 

Roiland agreed: "We have characters that don’t really age, it’s very Simpsons-esque. There’s so much we can do to keep riding this train."

No doubt hardcore fans are happy to watch this adult animated comedy for many years to come. 

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Hurry if you want to save $200 on a superb QLED 4K TV deal at Best Buy

Posted: 02 Jun 2020 08:00 AM PDT

Best Buy has just launched a fantastic 4K TV deal, offering a brand new 65-inch Samsung Q70T for just $1,099.99 (was $1299). You'll have to hurry to bag this $200 discount though, as this 4K TV deal is available for today only

The Samsung Q70T series is brand new for 2020 and feature the latest updates to Samsung's fantastic mid-range QLED Q70 range. Onboard is Samsung's 4K Quantum processor, which handles a range of AI-assisted 4K upscaling as well as some neat little tricks to optimize your display depending on the picture or content. The Dual LED backlighting technology will also adjust the color tone of your picture, which in addition to full HDR10+ support and 100% color volume, gives you a rich and deep palette overall.

While not cheap by any standard, this 4K TV deal is excellent value when you consider this is a brand new 2020 release packing in some of the very latest, cutting edge tech you can buy in a TV. If you've been holding off on upgrading for a while, or are simply in the market for a premium display then this Samsung is definitely a good option.

Not in the US? check out the best 4K TV deals in your region below.

Today's best 4K TV deal at Best Buy

TechRadar's best cheap 4K TV deals page is a great alternative if you're finding this Samsung QLED deal a little too expensive for your tastes. Or, alternatively, if you want to really splash the cash then head over to our cheapest OLED TV deals page, where you'll find only the very best 4K TV deals available.

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Best WordPress hosting 2020

Posted: 02 Jun 2020 07:52 AM PDT

Getting started with WordPress web hosting doesn't have to be expensive, after all the 17-year old WordPress is free (and open source). Even the cheapest shared hosting plan usually comes with a one-click WordPress installer, allowing the greenest of blogging newbies to have their first post ready in less than 60 seconds (we tried it).

Managing a blog over time is much more challenging, though. You'll need to find your own themes and plugins. And also keep them, and WordPress itself, up-to-date (although you can even get that done automatically).

Blogs are often targeted by malware, so it's important you have some way to detect and remove any threats, and you'll want regular backups to help get a broken blog working again. 

There's a long list of hosting companies offering WordPress plans, but we've picked out five of the best to point you in the right direction. Whether you're a first-time user or a big business, there's something for you here, and with prices starting at around a pound per month, it's well worth taking the time to find out more.

  • Want your company or services to be added to this buyer’s guide? Please email your request to desire.athow@futurenet.com with the URL of the buying guide in the subject line.

These are the best WordPress hosting services of 2020

Image Credit: Bluehost

Budget WordPress hosting can have a lot of appeal, but it usually won't deliver the features, performance or reliability that high traffic sites need. If you're the demanding type, opting for a premium hosting plan will give you much better results.

Bluehost has created its own VPS-based architecture to deliver optimum WordPress performance via NGINX, a custom PHP-FPM setup and intelligently allocated resources through KVM hypervisor. (If you're not a hosting geek, this just means Bluehost has taken the time to optimize the low-level setup of its platform for WordPress, rather than simply making do with a standard configuration.)

The company doesn't waste time by pretending to offer ‘unlimited’ resources, and instead tells you exactly what you're going to get. For the Basic plan which starts at $2.75 per month for the first term (renews at $7.99), this means 50GB SSD storage, a single website, a free domain for one year and $50 Marketing Credit.

Additional features for all plans include free SSL, unmetered MySQL DB, site analytics dashboard, unlimited parked/sub domains and Bluehost Marketplace where users will have access to premium themes and plugins at exclusive prices. New Bluehost accounts will also get a free service called Blue Spark, which is designed to help newcomers with everything WordPress related.

The Plus plan which starts at $5.45 per month for the first term (renews at $10.99), adds unlimited websites and website space, and additional features like spam protection, free CDN and WP staging environment. The Choice Plus plan costs $5.45 per month for the first term (renews at $14.99) and adds even more features. Bluehost also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee if you feel the service doesn't deliver. 

If you need more power, BlueHost has a managed hosting solution called WordPress Pro that has been optimized for WordPress websites, with prices starting at $17.95 per month. These plans have many additional features like unlimited everything, malware detection and removal, JetPack site analytics, business review tools and more.

Image Credit: Tsohost

Managed WordPress packages can often feel overpriced. Many hosts charge significant premiums for impressive sounding claims – optimized servers, malware scanning – that are difficult to evaluate or confirm.

The UK-based Tsohost isn't interested in any of that, instead focusing on providing the core WordPress essentials at a very fair price.

The baseline Economy plan gives you a free domain name, will migrate your existing site, includes 50% discount on Standard SSL and has no limits on bandwidth. You get daily backups and can restore any of the last 30 days with a click. There's 24/7 support via ticket and email, and phone and live chat is available from 7am to midnight.

You get a hundred 200MB mailboxes, and the plan restricts you to 100GB storage and 100,000 page views a month. If that's enough for you, the plan costs ~$4.9(£3.99) a month paid annually.

If that's just too underpowered, opting for the Deluxe plan gets you unlimited storage, 500x1GB mailboxes, and unlimited hosted websites. That's significantly more capable, yet still very reasonably priced at ~$7.8(£5.99) a month paid annually.

The  "most popular" Ultimate plan is priced at ~$11.7(£8.99) a month paid annually and supports unlimited storage, unlimited hosted websites, unlimited 10GB mailboxes and a free SSL certificate among other things.

Tsohost doesn't offer all the frills and extras you'll get with some products. There's no talk of SiteLock malware protection, optimized WordPress add-ons or a custom CDN. But it's hard to complain at this price, and Tsohost is still delivering a capable service with more than enough power for smaller sites.

Image Credit: Inmotion Hosting

Most web hosts offer only a few WordPress plans, and even these might be set up to point you in a particular direction. You'll often see an underpowered plan, an overpriced one, and a special deal on the mid-range plan they really want you to buy. That makes it easy to decide, but it also limits your upgrade options if your site grows over time.

InMotion Hosting is unusual in offering six WordPress plans, covering everything from small personal blogs to resellers and big business. Figuring out which is the best product for you will take a little more thought, but at least there's room to upgrade – or downgrade – if your circumstances change.

Better still, InMotion hasn't artificially limited the low-end plans by removing key features. Even the baseline WP-1000S plan – which costs $5.99 (£5.15) a month initially (1-year plan), $9.99 (£7.70) on renewal – gives you 50GB SSD storage, unlimited bandwidth and email addresses, preinstalled WordPress, SSL, backups, automatic updates, SiteLock security, cPanel site management, and extras like BoldGrid and WP-CLI. The only significant issue is InMotion's suggestion that the plan works best for blogs with up to 20,000 monthly visits, and even that won't be a problem for many smaller sites.

Upgrading your plan gets you some extras – premium themes and plugin subscriptions, a dedicated IP address, support for hosting more sites – but it's mostly about giving you more resources.

There are cheaper deals around, but in previous reviews, we've found InMotion to be reliable, professional, and honest, and any price premium is likely to be worth paying. You don't have to take our word for it, though – an exceptional 90-day money-back guarantee gives you plenty of opportunities to find out for yourself.

Image Credit: 1&1 IONOS

Web giant 1&1 IONOS seems to have a hosting product for every possible need, and WordPress is no exception. Novice users can try out its service for a nominal $3 (£2.4) a month, yet the plan still outperforms many competitors. 

The bundled 25GB of storage means you won't be running out of space in a hurry, for example. There are no bandwidth or visitor limits, and you can set up as many email accounts as you need.

1&1 IONOS offers the core WordPress management functions that you would expect: a setup wizard, preinstalled plugins, automatic updates and 24/7 support (including by telephone). Also, you get a personal consultant free of charge. 

All this is built on a capable platform – NGINX, PHP 7.2, OPcache, up to 2GB RAM guaranteed – to enhance your blog's performance.

There's SSL included and even a free domain thrown in, which is a ridiculously good value at this price.

If you're a WordPress novice, it might be worth taking out the plan for an initial year, claiming your free domain and taking the time to learn how the blog works. When you time is up, renew if you're happy, or if you're not, use your knowledge and experience to find a better plan.

1&1 IONOS isn't just about newbies, though: there's value for more demanding users, too. In particular, the Unlimited plan gives you unlimited Wordpress sites and storage space, unlimited databases (1GB max), and unlimited email accounts (2GB each). Bonus features include a Wildcard SSL, a CDN and SiteLock malware scanning, as well as RailGun content delivery network, and the price looks good at $18 (£14.6)

Image Credit: HostGator

Choosing the best WordPress hosting package can seem like a complicated business, with a stack of low-level details and issues to consider. But it doesn't have to be that way. If you don't have special requirements then opting for a reliable company will get you capable mid-range products that can handle everything most users need.

HostGator generally delivers powerful hosting plans for a fair price, and its managed WordPress range is no exception. Its Starter product may only cost $5.95 (£4.25) ($3.98 with our promo code) per month for three years, $9.95 (£7.10) afterwards, but you still get a free site migration, an SSL certificate, automatic malware detection and removal, unlimited email addresses and unmetered storage and bandwidth, and it can handle up to 100,000 visits a month.

Ramping up to the high-end Business plan gets you more CPU power, support for up to three sites and 500,000 visits a month, yet still costs only $9.95 (£7.10) ($9.18 with our promo code) a month for the first three years, $22.95 (£16.40) a month afterwards.

Smart caching and a CDN are on hand to enhance your website's performance, 24/7 support helps keep your site up and running, and surprise bonus features include free domain privacy to protect from identity theft and reduce annoying spam.

We've had good experiences with HostGator's service, but if you're not so lucky, there's a generous 45-day money-back guarantee. As with other hosting companies, this won't cover any domain registration fees, but it's still a better deal than you'll often find elsewhere.

You might also want to check out our other buying guides:

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