sincity

Farming Simulator has announced a new full-on European esports league – yes, Farming Simulator – with a total prize pot of €250,000 (around £220,000, $280,000, or AU$400,000). The league will run 10 tournaments across Europe, with successful squads accumulating circuit points for their wins, then come the end of the season, the top teams will get a chance to duke it out at FarmCon 2020. The winner will be crowned Farming Simulator Champion and will snag a prize of €100,000 (around £90,000, $115,000, or AU$160,000) – there’s no word on whether EU subsidies will supplement the winnings. That’s the main cash prize, and the remaining money will be given to the winners of the individual tournaments leading up to the grand final. Sponsors include the likes of Intel and Logitech. Talking cropThe competition will use the latest edition of the game, Farming Simulator 19, with players taking part in three verses three matches, although the exact details of those bouts weren’t specified. Last year, a Farming Simulator Championship was held – effectively a test season for the full esports league, without the big prize money – and that used hay bale stacking as the means to sort the wheat from the chaff and determine the winning farmer. Farming Simulator is actually quite popular in Europe, although the concept of an esports competition based on a farming game will doubtless provoke its fair share of double-takes. Although the player base of the game has taken to Twitter to air concerns that organizing this new league could distract from the core work of updating Farming Simulator 19, but the devs have assured folks that this won’t be the case. Serious gamers will want one of the best graphics cardsVia The Verge http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/4_r6Z_XuT4Y

For information about adding your event to this list and featured listing opportunities please contact mike.moore@futurenet.com. Love it or loathe it, events and conferences are often where wheelers and dealers in the world of technology meet to decide on the future of the industry. Ironically, technology itself has accelerate the demise of some massive tech events (like CeBit) but the result is that the remaining ones are more focused, alive and bustling than ever before. TechRadar Pro and ITProPortal have joined forces with the tech B2B PR industry to curate a list of national and international technology events, conferences and happenings. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nv4PdbFngjaUyJutNjbTkh.jpg Blockchain Economic ForumJanuary 24th-26th, Davos BEF Davos 2019 gathers 100+ high profile economists, regulators, government officials, investors and bankers to discuss opportunities of the technological and potential structural change in the financial system, capital markets and states. Why attend? Top speakers from across the finance and investment industry discuss the key issues surrounding the growing influence of blockchain. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nv4PdbFngjaUyJutNjbTkh.jpg BETT 2019January 24th-27th, London Bett is the first industry show of the year in the education technology landscape, bringing together the global education community to celebrate, find inspiration and discuss the future of education, as well as the role technology and innovation plays in enabling all educators and learners to thrive. Why attend? Over 850 leading companies, 103 exciting new edtech start ups and over 34,700 attendees (131 countries represented) will all be present. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nv4PdbFngjaUyJutNjbTkh.jpg Mobile World Congress 2019February 25th - 28th Barcelona The world's biggest mobile trade show marks another year in Barcelona with a stellar line-up of speakers and exhibitors. Why attend? Over 2,300 exhibitors will gather in Barcelona to showcase the newest technologies and most innovative products available. Take your place among the companies that are shaping the connected future. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nv4PdbFngjaUyJutNjbTkh.jpg RSA Conference 2019March 4th-8th, San Francisco RSA Conference 2019returns to San Francisco - take this opportunity to learn about new approaches to info security, discover the latest technology and interact with top security leaders and pioneers. Why attend? Hands-on sessions, keynotes and informal gatherings allow you to tap into a smart, forward-thinking global community that will inspire and empower you. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nv4PdbFngjaUyJutNjbTkh.jpg Data Centre WorldMarch 12th-13th, London Data Centre World brings together the world's leading minds, from industry leaders & practitioners to share their extensive wisdom and discuss the latest topics and concerns surrounding the data centre industry. Why attend? For more than a decade Data Centre World has been delivering the future vision for the industry. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nv4PdbFngjaUyJutNjbTkh.jpg Smart Home ExpoMarch 26th & 27th March, Birmingham Smart Home Expo is the UK's ultimate event for the smart technologies revolutionising the way we live, featuring 150 seminars by the industry’s greatest minds, 200 world-class suppliers, interactive panel debates, networking opportunities, exclusive show offers, and much more. Why attend? From smart lights that help with energy saving, to smart assistants that control homes via simple voice commands; Smart Home Expo is not only the place where you can find a plethora of solutions on offer, but also where you’ll learn how to best utilise them, redefining what it means to feel at home. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nv4PdbFngjaUyJutNjbTkh.jpg INDUSTRY EuropeApril 16th & 17th, Dublin Building world-class software products is hard. At INDUSTRY you will see how others manage product in different environments, from fast-paced startups to complex large enterprises. Why attend? Over 3 days, 400 attendees from over 30 countries will learn from renowned product leaders and share the latest methods, tools, and frameworks that they use to build, launch and scale world-class software products. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nv4PdbFngjaUyJutNjbTkh.jpg Blockchain Expo GlobalApril 25th-26th, London The world’s largest blockchain conference and exhibition focuses on the future of enterprise technology. The event showcases two days of top-level content from leading brands, embracing and developing cutting edge blockchain technologies. Why attend? The agenda will present a series of expert keynotes, interactive panel discussions and solution-based case studies, all exploring the key industries that are set to be disrupted the most by this new technology. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nv4PdbFngjaUyJutNjbTkh.jpg AccountexMay 1st-2nd, London Now in its eighth year, over two days visitors to Accountex will have the opportunity to gain insights from over 250 top exhibitors and immerse themselves in accounting expertise with a programme of over 250 keynotes and seminars delivered by leading industry experts. Why attend? Following a record-breaking attendance of almost 8,000 visitors at last year’s show, Accountex will be taking it up a level for 2019 with 10% more floor space, giving exhibiting companies even more room to showcase their latest accounting innovations. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nv4PdbFngjaUyJutNjbTkh.jpg Open Source Data ConferenceMay 14th-15th, Berlin Innovative strategies, forward-looking developments and new perspectives in dealing with complex data centers are the topics of OSDC. Why attend? The international conference is especially adapted to experienced administrators and architects. Get in touch with international OS-experts. Benefit from their comprehensive experience, learn about the current developments and gain the latest know-how for your daily practice. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nv4PdbFngjaUyJutNjbTkh.jpg Viva TechnologyMay 16th - 18th, Paris VivaTech is the world’s rendezvous for startups and leaders to celebrate innovation. It’s a gathering of the world’s brightest minds, talents, and products. Why attend? From top speakers and exhibitions to open innovation and live experiences, VivaTech is a celebration of today’s innovations and tomorrow’s possibilities for everyone who believes in the power of technology to transform business and society. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nv4PdbFngjaUyJutNjbTkh.jpg Gitex 2019October 6th-10th, 2019 Join attendees from 120+ countries and global media outlets in unpacking the big conversations and latest solutions around AI, blockchain, robotics, cloud and other mega trends. Why attend? GITEX takes you on a multi-sensory experience of Future Urbanism across 21 halls with 4,000 exhibitors across 24 sectors. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nv4PdbFngjaUyJutNjbTkh.jpg Big Data LDN 2019November 13th-14th, London Big Data LDN is a free to attend conference and exhibition where delegates discuss the big questions and share ideas with forward-thinking peers and leading members of the Data community. Hear from 130 expert speakers in 8 technical and business-led conference tracks, including real world use-cases and discuss your business requirements with 100 leading technology vendors and consultants. Why attend? Big Data LDN (London) will host leading, global data and analytics experts, ready to arm you with the tools to deliver your most effective data-driven strategy. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/tUiaaOtCfyg

As we move closer to the official unveiling of Samsung's Galaxy S10 lineup, leaks surrounding the new range have begun to intensify, with the latest providing our best look at the flagship's Infinity-O pinhole camera to date, along with a glimpse at its new cryptocurrency-focused features. The leaked images, taken by Twitter user @GregiPfister89 and circulated by known leaker Ben Geskin, provide a clear look at a working version of Samsung's upcoming handset in the wild, with its pinhole camera positioned in the top-right corner of the display, as suggested by previous leaks. It's presumed the images are of the standard Galaxy S10 due to its single front-facing camera – the more premium Galaxy S10 Plus is expected to have a dual-lens selfie camera on its face. Along with the aforementioned pinhole camera, the images reveal the Galaxy S10's built-in support for cryptocurrency, which is reportedly backed by Samsung's biometrics security. As seen in the first image above, a slash page for Samsung's Blockchain KeyStore app claims to provide "a secure and convenient place for your cryptocurrency," while the following image shows a wallet setup screen with Etherium listed as a supported cryptocurrency. Of course, there's currently no way to confirm the validity of these leaked pictures, although they do appear legitimate. We'll find out for sure at Samsung's Galaxy S10 launch event on February 20. Source: SamMobile Foldable Samsung Galaxy X could land on February 20http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/siCDvr-6-5g

It’s no secret that the ACCC has been rather active in ensuring that NBN customers aren’t misled when it comes to receiving the product they paid for, and the consumer watchdog’s latest message is for consumers to check if they’re entitled to a refund. For FTTN and FTTB users experiencing slow speeds, the ACCC is advising them to contact their Retail Service Provider (RSP) as the Commission has negotiated undertakings with these providers over the last 15 months. Specifically, if you’re with Telstra, Optus, TPG, iiNet, Internode, Dodo, iPrimus or Commander, these RSPs have admitted that their maximum speeds advertised (for example, 100Mbps) could never actually be reached by customers using these technologies, and hence have falsely advertised their product. The fastest NBN plans in AustraliaWhere's my money?While the ACCC has forced each of these RSPs to contact the affected customers via letter or email offering a refund, the watchdog has found that two in three haven’t responded, and that many of these customers could be entitled to a refund that could be in the hundreds of dollars. If you are one of those customers that have received a letter and are yet to contact your provider, you should do so. The same goes for customers who have recently signed up to an NBN plan but – after four weeks of usage – have found their speeds not meeting the maximum advertised speeds. ACCC Acting Chair Mick Keogh stated, “Our message to RSPs is that if you advertise a particular connection speed and customers cannot experience that speed, you risk breaching the Australian Consumer Law.” Best NBN & broadband plans in Australia comparedhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/3FHFX4rhE-0

Update: YouTube TV is going nation-wide in time for Super Bowl Sunday. The streaming service announced on January 23 that it would be available immediately in 98% of the US market with the rest to come shortly after. YouTube TV is available now to everyone in the United States, from Los Angeles to New York City, and it's a brought an absolute reckoning for mainstream cable providers – you know, those guys who hose us with equipment rental fees and HD service when those things should just be free of charge. For far too long, cable contracts have penalized us if we so much as look at another cable option while bundles pack in things we don't use (cough, home phones) and channels we don't watch all so cable companies can maintain their bottom line. Well, bad news cable companies: Those days are over. YouTube TV is a cable replacement, full stop, offering live TV to your phone, tablet and streaming device without a costly cable subscription and contract. Yes, you'll be able to watch the 2019 Super Bowl online with YouTube TVIt's a deal that feels too good to be true for those of us and while it has some problems of its own, it could one day put cable companies out of business. While cable-cutters are definitely on YouTube's radar, it's the so-called cord-nevers out there - those of us who have never paid for cable, and likely never will - that YouTube TV really speaks to. It's all the channels we've come to expect from our parent's house, but at a price we can actually afford. Are you ready to cancel cable once and for all? Are you ready for dozens of channels streaming live wherever you are without the need for a cable box? If so, then pull up a seat and we'll give you the 411 on this game-changing new service. How to watch YouTube TV on your TVFirst thing's first, you'll need to sign up for a free trial of the service. Once that's done, you can either tune in on your browser (tv.youtube.com) or find the YouTube TV app on your iOS and Android phone or tablet. If you're looking for the old-school sit back experience, YouTube TV is available on Chromecast and Apple TV compatible by casting from your aforementioned phone and tablet or, if you're the proud owner of an Android TV and/or Roku device, you can find a dedicated app for YouTube TV on their respective channel stores. Now, it's also worth pointing out that to access YouTube TV, not only are you going to need a subscription to the service but also an internet service plan from one of your local ISPs (for most folks, that's AT&T, Spectrum, Verizon). This is something most folks pay for already and therefore hasn't been figured into the cost of YouTube TV - but it's worth noting nonetheless. Why YouTube TV is new, but importantWhy is YouTube TV going to be big? Well, while PlayStation Vue and Sling TV had to carve out a new audience for their products, YouTube TV already has one – one billion users that live in 88 countries and speak 76 different languages. So far, that massive user base, combined with the YouTube brand – plus the offer of a contract-free cable experience – has attracted a lot of customers, some 800,000 at last count in July 2018. Should the service ever make its way to the UK where folks watch around 180m hours a day – a number that, according to The Guardian, is growing 45% year on year – it could spell big trouble for traditional service providers. Don't miss our first look at DirecTV NowOK, so YouTube TV is going to be big, you get that. But what exactly is YouTube TV and why should you care? Let’s talk about it. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BKpfySdGieJzy9SAzcbvxg.jpg So how is YouTube TV different?YouTube TV is a US-exclusive live TV streaming service – think Netflix but instead of on-demand TV shows and movies you’ll see cable channels like ABC, NBC, FOX, ESPN and Disney among many, many more. It’s like cable in the sense that everything is divided by channel and, yes, you’ll have to pay a monthly fee for it, but the difference here is that you’ll be able to take shows whenever and wherever you go. Loading up the service for the first time, we were recommended shows like Archer, The Big Bang Theory, The Simpsons and many more. We easily found enough content to keep us entertained for the time-being, plus will have plenty to watch next time we log-on thanks to YouTube TV's stellar Cloud DVR. Cloud DVR, if you've never heard that term before, allows you to record your favorite shows as they air and save them, well, to the cloud so that you can watch them later. It’s TiVo, but everything’s online. YouTube TV promises unlimited storage for shows for up to nine months – a serious advantage over the competition which usually only offer 28 days of storage. If you think you're going to just jump past the advertisements, though, think again. Like traditional cable, YouTube TV and its line-up of channels still need revenue beyond your month-to-month subscription fee – and advertisements, as much as we despise them, are YouTube's way of keeping the lights on. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/c56ca802734fd7c752a02fbb817c397a.jpg YouTube TV on every device? We hope so.But your monthly subscription isn't without its benefits – YouTube says that its service will allow up to six people in the family to access the service and will allow up to three of them tune into the service simultaneously on the same account – a big advantage when you’re looking to replace cable and you have a big family. The other thing you need to know about YouTube TV is its price: $40 a month. For comparison, that’s slightly more expensive than Sling TV’s basic $20-per-month package and a few dollars less than PlayStation Vue’s basic $45 package that includes local stations like CBS, NBC, etc… Cut to the chaseWhat is YouTube TV? A live TV streaming service like Sling TVWhen is it coming out? It's available right now!How much will it cost? $40 per month, unless you get an add-on packageWhere can you watch it? Almost anywhere in the USWhat channels are available on YouTube TV?At last count, YouTube TV offers over 60 networks, including popular cable networks and on-demand programming available for viewing. That includes ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC and more (which means every NFL game up to and including the Super Bowl, are yours to watch every Sunday) plus all the channels that fall under the umbrella of those companies – i.e. ESPN, CSN, FOX Sports, USA, FX, Disney, E!, Bravo, SyFy, FXX, National Geographic, MSNBC, FOX News, CNBC and more. Here's the complete picture of every channel so far. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4eDVe6utXxmsJN4LB9aGw8.jpg On top of all those channels shown above, you’ll also get access to YouTube’s own network of shows, YouTube Red Originals. Shows on this ‘network’ (a term we use very lightly here) include Scare PewDiePie and exclusive films that you’ve probably never heard of. This really isn’t a huge draw for most people, but hey, maybe the money that comes in from YouTube TV can be used to crank up the quality of this content to near-Netflix levels. Now, like Amazon Video, you can actually tack on additional premium stations for an extra fee. Right now the list of premium offerings include FOX Soccer Plus and Showtime, which cost around $10 extra per month. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7AQapdopaSVSVW9Up8MKPL.jpg How is it different than YouTube Premium?This can be sort of confusing, so listen up. YouTube Premium (what used to be called YouTube Red) is an ad-free version of YouTube that has a few fun features like allowing you to keep a video playing even when your phone is turned off. What YouTube Premium won't allow you to do is watch live TV or cable TV content. For that you'll need YouTube TV. y. Is there some crossover potential here between these two services? Absolutely. Maybe a subscription to YouTube TV also nets you a free subscription to Red. But we'll just have to wait to find out more from YouTube if that's the case. Is YouTube TV a better deal than cable? That’s a good question. The answer here is ‘maybe’. Depending on how your cable service provider packages its internet and cable bundles. If you’re already paying for internet service, you can tack on an extra $40 for YouTube TV and maybe a $10-per-month subscription to Netflix and have just as much content as you’d have from a cable TV service that usually run $60-70 per month. That being said, if you’re paying for one of those bundles that allows you to package cable, internet and phone service together for a lower price, YouTube TV might not come out to be any less. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/c7b175d04bab91f47277c9c6e97b3358.jpg You're still going to need cable (or HBO Now) for your Game of Thrones fixThe benefits of going for a streaming service over a cable service are the ability to watch shows wherever you go, the potential to use Cloud DVR to save shows for later and the no-obligations contract that allows you to cancel your account without a termination fee. On top of everything else, you don’t need to rent a cable box from companies like Comcast, Spectrum or AT&T, because the streaming service comes in through whatever device you’re using. In short, YouTube TV can offer as many channels as basic cable does, without the need for a cable box and 12-month contract, which is why we consider it a win. It does all that and offers Cloud DVR, is available a plethora of apps for devices like Apple TV and the Xbox One family of consoles and does video-on-demand, making it one of the best streaming services on the planet. (Though, at the time of this writing, YouTube TV is currently NOT supported on PS4 or Roku - so there's still room for improvement.) How soon can you start watching it? Right now. Just head over to tv.youtube.com to start your free trial. Check out our reviews of PlayStation Vue and Sling TVhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/DZr6MBX6ymU

Picking the best iPhone got a bit more complicated in late 2018 after Apple launched three new picks in the iPhone XS, iPhone XS Max and iPhone XR. We've ranked these three new flagship iPhones, as well as the older handsets, so you can find the best iPhone for you. Our recommendations round out the top 10 iPhones you can buy (yes, there's more than 10), because buying the newest might not be your best option if you wanted to save money or don't want to worry about losing a cutting-edge phone. For example, 2017's iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus are still great picks, and you'll find the iPhone X on sale in certain places for a cheap price – even if you can't pick one up directly from Apple. Good news, the top 10 iPhones we recommend run iOS 12, Apple's latest big operating system update for its devices. It's therefore a bit different from our prestigious best phones list and the best Android phones list. Apple's prices vary wildly, but you'll probably have to treat them as more of an investment than lower-cost Android phones. Our top iPhone list highlights the different specs, screen sizes, and price points. Each of these handsets has something to offer for every kind of Apple fan – so we've boiled down the choices for you in a simple-to-read format. Like new: iOS 12 will make your phone like new againBest iPhone: which one should you buy todayhttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8F88HTJKFctGJi8cRe2PbC.jpg The iPhone XS Max is the best iPhone you can buy right now. It's Apple's biggest and best iPhone – if you're hands and wallets and large enough. It has an expansive 6.5-inch OLED screen with HDR10 support to make colors pop. It's the perfect phone if you want a giant screen. Behind that huge screen is an improved dual-lens 12MP camera. Apple outfitted it with Smart HDR and increased the sensor size to capture larger pixels. Don't let that static 12MP number fool you. The iPhone XS Max (like the XS) has new depth-sensing capabilities for adjustable bokeh (background blur) during and after a shot. The TrueDepth camera returns with faster Face ID recognition, and your 7MP selfies get better depth control and Smart HDR, too. And, of course, Animoji returns with the iOS 12 benefit of having Memoji now. The iPhone XS Max is more expensive than the iPhone X and iPhone XS that replaces the X, of course. But if you're paying for it over the course of two years in a contract (or through the Apple Upgrade Program), it's not that much more month-to-month. Read our in-depth iPhone XS Max review http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3gRav5C4iyXF7828hoytmh.jpg Believe it or not, the iPhone XS is Apple's best 'small' phone. It has a 5.8-inch screen, so it's more one-hand-friendly than the Max, but still a sizable upgrade for some people. It's an upgrade over last year's iPhone X, our previous best iPhone recommendation, though you'll have to look more closely for the changes – the design isn't different at all. It has a Smart HDR-capable 12MP camera, enhanced TrueDepth front-facing camera, and a fast A12 Bionic chipset, exactly like the larger iPhone XS Max. In fact, this all-screen phone is pretty much the iPhone XS Max in last year's smaller form factor. It does have a smaller battery than the Max and obviously a smaller screen, but you will still capture the same great photos and videos on this device and play the same games. There's no different there. Read our in-depth iPhone XS review http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KAmxFnoRZ9CW4xorqR36cN.jpg The iPhone XR is a great upgrade for the average consumer who doesn't want to pay for the most expensive iPhone money (a lot of money) can buy. This is Apple's 'cheap' iPhone, at least when it comes to recently launched handsets. It's also the best iPhone of the new trio for battery life. It stands out with a variety of iPhone XR colors: Blue, White, Black, Yellow, Coral, Red. This contrasts heavily with the rather muted colors of the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max. Yet it shares the same internal specs: Apple's fast A12 Bionic chipset and a 12MP dual-lens camera with a single lens on back. You don't get the dual-lens camera like you do on a higher-tier iPhone, so you miss out on telephoto shots. But Smart HDR is the real perk to taking great photos, and that's here. It's cheaper, it's more colorful and it has a big 6.1-inch screen. That's enough for most people, especially those who aren't insistent on an impressive OLED screen. Read our in-depth iPhone XR review http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QLbu7SyAwQz64NXtJPmgKQ.jpg The iPhone X is as impressive as it is expensive, but if you really want the best iPhone today and don't want to wait for the iPhone XI, this is the one to get today. Millions of Apple fans already have since it launched almost seven months ago. It's the future of Apple's smartphone. It has a large all-screen display, except for a notch cutout at the top that houses a new TrueDepth Camera. This takes selfies to another level and can also map your face to an iPhone X-exclusive Animoji. If you don't know what that is by now you probably won't care. The iPhone X is Apple's 10th anniversary smartphone and has just about everything iPhone users have been asking for, from a more forward-leaning design to faster specs and new features. You'll just have to get used to Face ID instead of reaching for that non-existent fingerprint sensor. Read our in-depth iPhone X review http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yzPdbKRFV8zrtK4XdXysqd.jpg The iPhone 8 Plus is the best iPhone if you're not willing to take the plunge into Apple's proposed smartphone future and need that Touch ID fingerprint sensor. It remains popular due to its screen size, cheaper price and physical home button. It does have several key features you'll like, however. It's among the first iPhones to have both wireless charging and fast charging, and the camera has improved. Its dual-lens camera doesn't have OIS in the telephoto lens (a feature saved for the X), but it's still a great way to snap a photo at long distances. It won't turn nearly as many heads with its bezel-heavy design, but the iPhone 8 Plus is the iPhone built for big hands and slightly smaller wallets than the new iPhone X. Read our in-depth iPhone 8 Plus review http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7aca9mYE5CvPYj2MBBzKP9.jpg This is actually the best-selling iPhone from Apple, and for several good reasons. First, we get it, you refuse to budge from the 4.7-inch iPhone screen size and, frankly, we don't blame you. Every time we go back to this iPhone with 'normal' dimensions, we feel like we just went on a smartphone vacation. Second, its price is way more reasonable for a lot a folks than the iPhone X and iPhone 8 Plus. Just because the size is the same as iPhones of old, doesn't mean the technology behind it is, though. The iPhone 8 features the same A11 Bionic chipset as the iPhone 8 Plus and the iPhone X, and it too debuted wireless charging and fast charging on an Apple smartphone. The camera is still fantastic, even if it doesn't have the dual-lens capabilities that are exclusive to the X and Plus, and you'll dig iOS 11 at this size more so than the even smaller iPhone SE. Read our in-depth iPhone 8 review http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2169c727a45643fa6e5341a9a47ddc02.jpg Back in 2016 the iPhone 7 Plus was the best phone Apple had ever made, and it remains a winner for its longevity and price. It's larger than the iPhone X though despite its smaller display, so if you're after a smaller phone with a bigger screen, this won't be the best choice for you with its 5.5-inch 1080p display. The big upgrades over older iPhones are the waterproof design and a new dual-lens camera that allows you to snap with two 12MP lenses at the same time. It allows for better optical zoom as well as a bokeh mode to blur the background of your photos and put the main focus on the foreground. Battery life on the iPhone 7 Plus is much improved upon the iPhone 6S Plus, and while it's still a costly option it's much cheaper than it was at launch, making it one of the best iPhone choices for people looking for a deal. Read the full iPhone 7 Plus review http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/c2c57d5d57ac8bd221fd9f0e750cccc8.jpg Despite the iPhone SE's small size and relatively modest price tag, it's still an upper mid-range phone. It has the same boxy yet premium design as the metal-clad iPhone 5S and the same powerful Apple A9 chipset and rear camera as the iPhone 6S. It lacks the 3D Touch features and higher-resolution front-facing camera of the iPhone 6S and beyond. The screen is also less impressive all round, thanks in large part to a lower contrast ratio. But it compares well to many mid-range handsets. It's also the most powerful 4-inch iPhone you can get, so for fans of compact form factors this is an obvious choice. But the best bit is its price, as it's one of the cheapest iPhones you'll find on the market and it's something of a bargain by Apple standards. Read the iPhone SE review http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fVSHgYqeemUw5pGCT7bgYc.jpg Don't fancy the large iPhone 7 Plus above? Why not opt for the iPhone 7, which is a smaller and cheaper alternative. This was one of the first iPhones to lack a headphone jack, but it does come with a water-resistant design that means your phone is likely to survive the odd dip in the sink rather than just being frazzled right away. There's no dual-lens camera on the iPhone 7, but you can still take some absolutely incredible photography with the 12MP sensor. If you own an iPhone 6 or iPhone 6S, you may not see much difference with the this phone but the newer processor and camera tech may be enough to entice you to buy it if you can't stomach the high price of the iPhone 8. Read the full iPhone 7 review http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5856f2a7a760d064112300cde892ac02.jpg The iPhone 6S, as you probably know, is Apple's flagship from 2015. The Apple A9 chipset and a chunky 2GB of RAM, up from 1GB on the previous model, make it far superior in raw power to 2014's model and still reasonably speedy by today's standards, and it's got some other tricks too. It has a 12MP rear camera and a tried-and-tested 8MP front-facing camera, which at the time was the best selfie shooter Apple had on a phone. It does sport largely the same design and screen as the iPhone 6 though and the latter in particular is starting to feel a bit dated in the face of super sharp QHD screens from rivals - and from the newer iPhone X. This was the first iPhone to sport 3D Touch though, which makes the screen pressure-sensitive and offers new tricks for enhanced emailing and shortcuts around the home screen. Read the full iPhone 6S review Best iPad: which iOS tablet should you buy?http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/Nbia3bJkeKs

The best camera phone isn’t easy to pick out. It doesn't come down to the latest iPhone or the camera with the most megapixels. So much of the camera unit's quality is determined by how well the smartphone has optimized its software to snap photos or record videos. It's also important to consider which photos you'd want to capture, since some smartphone cameras can handle certain scenarios better than others. We’ve tested all of the top camera phones in a multitude of lighting conditions, scenarios, and with a wide range of subjects. Knowing how each camera performs at different shooting tasks will help you determine which can capture the moments you want to save. So, before you settle on the best camera phone for you, you’ll want to figure out your photographic needs. Great front-facing sensors with a wide-angle lens (or two) to snap better selfies? An array of different sensors on the back for versatile shooting? Knowing will help you decide which phone best suits your uses. Want to know more about dual-cameras? Check out our video below. Beyond the specs and capabilities of the camera itself, there are a number of aspects about the phone you’ll also want to consider. For example, getting a high-storage option or one that supports a microSD card will be helpful if you capture lots of 4K video. It's also worth thinking about battery size and screen quality - if you're going to be heading out all day and doing longer photography sessions, you'll need a battery that can keep up. And if you're mostly going to look at your photos on the phone, then a phone with OLED screen technology can really make your snaps pop - but if it's social media, or even printing out your photos, that's your plan then you've got a wider array of options. We've listed all that information below, along with some of our top test snaps so you can make the right decision when it comes to choosing your next camera phone. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mSr3Ghg36ueQJ7NFGXdKvH.jpg The Google Pixel 3 is the best camera phone you can buy right now. Even better, you get the choice of two handsets for your best camera phone experience, with both the Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL boasting the same camera setup. While most of the other handsets in our best camera phone round-up have at least two rear cameras, the Pixel devices come with just a single rear snapper. These cameras are extremely powerful though, with an intuitive interface and AI smarts adapting fantastically to any scenario, be it beautiful vistas or low-light portraits. What sets Google's 12.2MP rear camera apart from the competition is its consistency. We got sharper, slightly brighter photos from the Pixel 3 and 3 XL versus the iPhone XS Max (overly warm color tones), Samsung Galaxy Note 9 (not always the best HDR) and Huawei P20 Pro (frequently over-sharpened). Behind-the-scenes, Google's dedicated Pixel Visual Core chip and machine-learning software are the magic that recognize what photos should look like and which shots you'll actually want. If there's one thing Google knows how to do, it's processing data and perfecting algorithms. And let's not forget, both phones also have dual front-facing cameras, giving you great portrait-mode selfies with beautifully blurred backgrounds. Between the two, we'd opt for the Pixel 3 XL for the best camera phone experience. Its bigger, higher resolution display (vs the Pixel 3) works as a great viewfinder, while it also boasts a bigger battery which will keep you snapping for longer. Read our full reviews: Google Pixel 3 | Google Pixel 3 XL http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VaRHXSyqXCQcgXECrz6yyV.jpg With three rear cameras the Huawei Mate 20 Pro offers a highly versatile camera phone experience. The P20 Pro ushered in this era of great Huawei cameras, and the Mate 20 Pro inherits its 40MP wide-angle f/1.8 lens and 8MP, f/2.4 3x telephoto with OIS and then builds on it further. Rounding out that trio of rear-facing cameras is the new star, an ultra-wide 16MP, f/2.2 lens. It expands the Mate 20 Pro's feature set, letting you take a wider array of photos from limited positions. Even for casual shooting, it makes life easier when trying to fit a bunch of far-flung elements in the same photo. The Mate 20 Pro's overall low-light performance is superior to that of most other smartphones we tested, especially with its seconds-long-exposure Night Mode. The phone's 3x telephoto does a great job of snagging distant shots, and the hybrid 5x zoom adds a digital blend to give you a bit more reach. It’s not perfect, but in our comparative testing, it outdid some digital-only zooms like on the Google Pixel 3. There's a host of other features in the camera app on the Mate 20 Pro too, allowing you to really fine tune and tinker with the photography experience. Read our full review: Huawei Mate 20 Pro http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TTkqXFkwpMSkqv2FeA4xpi.jpg The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 builds on the strong camera offering of the Galaxy S9 Plus, with a number of small enhancements making it even better. The result is a handset which is comfortable shooting in any scenario, including in low light, for some truly impressive shots. The Samsung Galaxy Note 9 camera identifies and adapts to various subjects with a new scene-optimizer feature. It adjusts the white balance and color based on 20 subjects as varied as sunsets, flowers, food, birds, text and so forth. Compared to even the six-month-old S9 Plus, the Note 9 camera captures more detail, but you'll have to squint to see the differences. As this is a Note device, you get Samsung's S Pen stylus included with the handset, and you can use the button on this as a remote shutter key. It means you can set the Galaxy Note 9 down on a surface and walk away from it and still snap a shot using the S Pen. It's a relatively minor perk, but one we enjoy using. One slight mark against the Note 9 is its lack of HDR video recording, but for many this won't be an issue. Read our full review: Samsung Galaxy Note 9 http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FA2JDKCtEFJgJ8nQorgweK.jpg Apple's latest iPhone duo boast powerful dual rear cameras, but it's not just the specs that appeal about the firm's mobile photography experience - it's also the ease of use of their smartphone snappers. The iPhone camera app is well known for being a simple, clutter-free interface, focused on taking great snaps every time with minimal controls, modes and settings for the user to worry about. It means that you don't quite get the same breath of shooting options as you do on the likes of the Samsungs and Huaweis, but the iPhone XS and iPhone XS Max boast Apple's best smartphone snappers to date, with improvements to their low-light capabilities. If you want a phone to pull out and take a quick snap with minimum effort, the new iPhones are some of the best camera phones around. Apple has popularized the blurred background Bokeh effect, and Portrait Mode is one of the best implementations of the technology we've used on a smartphone, with a range of studio lighting effects adding extra pizzazz to your compositions. Both the iPhone XS and XS Max have exactly the same dual 12MP rear cameras, with the only differences between the two being screen size, battery size and their physical size. The 6.5-inch display on the iPhone XS Max gives you a huge viewfinder when it comes to snapping photos, but it comes with an equally huge price tag, with the still-expensive iPhone XS producing the same results in a smaller form factor. Read our full reviews: iPhone XS | iPhone XS Max http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Y76SjxxM8THJdcTySbhuoA.jpg Earlier this year the Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus was our best camera phone pick, fusing an excellent all-round smartphone experience with a highly accomplished photography offering. As you can see, it's now be usurped by a number of new camera phone releases, but it's still a fantastic offering which has now dropped in price since launch. Round the back you get two cameras, with the main 12MP sensor joined by a secondary 12MP sensor directly below it. The main sensor is rather special, as it has a world's-first-on-a-phone f/1.5 aperture, meaning that it performs fantastically well in low light. That's not all this sensor has up its sleeve though, as it also features Samsung's Dual Aperture Technology, allowing it to move from f/1.5 (for low light) to f/2.4 (reduces overexposure in bright scenes). Meanwhile the second camera allows you to take bokeh-rich photos, with parts of the image blurred while other parts are in focus. This is all wrapped up into an easy-to-use camera app with an automatic mode which takes care of most of the technological trickery, meaning all you have to do is point and shoot for a great snap. Read our full review: Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hRBRdaZTKk9tH3FoLCwvq9.jpg The Huawei P20 Pro marked a significant shift for the Chinese firm, as it offers up one of best camera phone experiences on the market. It may have been superseded by the newer Mate 20 Pro, but take nothing away from the P20 Pro, this is still a top camera phone. Its party piece is the triple camera setup on its rear. The three cameras have a combined megapixel count of a staggering 68MP. Chuck the 24MP front facing camera into the mix as well and the phone has a total count of 92MP. How the Huawei P20 Pro triple camera worksMegapixels only get you so far, but the good news here is that the Huawei P20 Pro backs up its MP count with a strong suit of camera features. The main 40MP camera is backed up by a 20MP black and white sensor that helps with image processing, including decreasing noise and improving dynamic range - although as default the P20 Pro shoots at 10MP. The third rear camera has a 3x 'zoom' lens and an 8MP sensor, letting you zoom into a scene without using digital zoom - which means there's very little decrease in image quality when used. Read our full review: Huawei P20 Pro http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vYqco93QWaPH9xVY5a3ABi.jpg You may be wondering how the Galaxy S9 is as far down as it is considering its bigger brother is above it. The reason is that, unlike the iPhone XS/XS Max and Google Pixel 3/3 XL which have identical cameras, Samsung gave the S9 Plus more photography prowess. The Galaxy S9 is still a top camera phone though, with its powerful 12MP rear snapper (there's just one on the back of this phone) an advancement on the excellent sensor found on its predecessor. Samsung has improved the camera's low-light capabilities on the Galaxy S9 with an industry leading f/1.5 aperture, and it's added super slo-mo, 960fps video recording to the mix as well. The camera is even smarter though as, like the S9 Plus, it boasts Samsung's Dual-Aperture Technology, allowing it to automatically switch between f/1.5 in low-light settings, to f/2.4 in bright scenes. The result? An easy to use camera, with an auto mode which, nine times out of ten, delivers a great photo with very little effort. Read our full review: Samsung Galaxy S9 http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sTEufnpDmsjrFGThCrA43B.jpg The Sony Xperia XZ3 is the best camera phone from the Japanese firm to date, with its single 19MP rear snapper proving a powerful photography option. The user interface has been streamlined for starters, so there's less swiping to get to the various modes and frequently accessed settings are always shown on-screen, so there's minimal fiddling around when prepping your shot. In good light, detail is strong, and a nice amount of background blur can be achieved without calling on any bokeh modes. Where the Xperia XZ3 camera excels though is video. The digital stabilization works well in good light in particular, and the 4K HDR footage you can capture is simply breath-taking. Sony is also still the only manufacturer whose phone cameras are able to capture 960fps Full HD slow motion, with the competition capping out at 720p. It's totally unusable in medium to low light, but it's a nice feature to have when you're outdoors on a sunny day. Read our full review: Sony Xperia XZ3 http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KUwUVtC7EgUKZ22BHqh8T4.jpg The LG G7 ThinQ isn't the only camera phone on this list to pack more than one snapper on its rear, but it uses the two sensors it does have in a different way to everyone else. Its primary rear camera is a relatively standard 16MP affair with a f/1.6 aperture that's accomplished enough to take decent quality snaps, but it's the second 16MP camera alongside it where things get a little more interesting. Instead of gathering extra data to improve shots on the primary camera, or to provide bokeh-like effects, this 16MP snapper boasts a wide angle lens allowing you to cram more into every shot. This is great when it comes to shooting landscapes or skyscrapers, and you can easily switch between the two sensors with a single tap on the screen. Overall quality isn't quite as impressive as the Samsungs, Pixels or Huaweis above, but for those looking for something a bit different, and some serious wide-angle action, the G7 ThinQ has you covered. Read our full review: LG G7 ThinQ http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KhuVWthymxyvfpwAXTLtxm.jpg The OnePlus 6T may not be the very best camera phone here, but it's cheaper than the rest of the competition and still offers up a flagship photography experience. The camera features a wide-angle lens paired with a 16MP sensor, as well as a secondary 20MP lens and sensor combination. Both lenses feature a f/1.7 aperture. While OnePlus has stuck with the same hardware on the T update as the OnePlus 6, the software has been improved, notably with the addition of a new Nightscape long exposure mode. It's good, but not as good as the similar modes on the Mate 20 Pro or Pixel 3. Selfies are also nice and sharp, especially in good light, with the nicely exposed faces you want – and the selfie bokeh mode works well too. Read our full review: OnePlus 6T http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/_I4sXy8mvns

Now that AMD has revealed its first 7nm consumer graphics card, the Radeon VII, it’s about time for Team Red to reveal its other 7nm GPU architecture, Navi. There have been rumors that suggest AMD Navi won’t occupy the high end immediately, and judging by the recent reveal of the AMD Radeon VII, we’d have to say those rumors are on point. Instead, it seems likely that AMD Navi will occupy the midrange, along with the rumor of a GPU designed for the next generation of consoles. So, before we start exploring all the juicy gossip, speculation and even some information, consider that nothing is set in stone yet. Still, you should keep this page bookmarked, as we’ll update it as soon as we get any new information. Cut to the ChaseWhat is it? AMD's next-generation 7nm GPU architectureWhen is it out? 2018What will it cost? Pricing remains yet to be confirmedhttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/SN8YYQvsgknKMRLgqumdz3.jpg AMD Navi release dateRight now, the only official proof that Navi will be launch anytime soon is a small statement from AMD titled “Expanding our High-Performance Leadership with Focused 7nm Development.” In the release, AMD Chief Technology Officer Mark Papermaster states that “We have already tapped out multiple 7nm products at TSMC, including our first 7nm GPU planned to launch later this year and our first 7nm server CPU that we plan to launch in 2019.” Unfortunately, even with that statement we don’t really have a full picture of when or how AMD Navi is going to hit the market. Especially when the only 7nm GPUs have been the , Radeon Instinct cards for workstations, Vega II and the AMD Radeon VII, a high-end part tapped to compete with the RTX 2080. A lot of the speculation right now revolves around Navi being designed to power the next generation of game consoles, with gaming graphics cards to follow later. This all comes from that leaked roadmap we mentioned earlier, which suggests that AMD Navi will show up in the second half of 2019. However, the entire line probably won’t make an appearance at the same time. Instead, the cards that will likely show up in 2019 will be more mid-range products for budget-minded gamers with full-fat enthusiast grade 7nm cards showing up as late as 2020. This all comes from a leaked benchmark, however, but it would seem to fall in line with when we can expect the next generation of consoles – late 2019/early 2020. AMD Navi also may come in laptops and even the next line of MacBooks if newly found code in macOS Mojave is to be believed. These Navi-powered MacBooks are rumored to arrive in July, which would follow just a month after their purported debut in the next-gen consoles. Either way, we know that AMD Navi is coming, we’ve even seen rumors about Navi’s follow-up, called Arcturus, according to a report from Wccftech. It seems like AMD has a lot of stuff coming out in the next few years, we just have to wait to see what happens. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZB38DGhViSRPDnVSHS2mzZ.jpg AMD Navi priceOver the last decade or so, AMD has essentially built a name for itself in the GPU space as the budget king. And, as Nvidia gets ready to release its next generation of Turing RTX graphics cards that cost upwards of a thousand bucks, AMD will probably double down on this – just like it released Ryzen and Ryzen Threadripper to counter Intel. As for the exact pricing, we’re not entirely sure, but we expect the pricing to follow in line with the Radeon RX 500 series. Those prices are below. AMD Radeon RX 550 - $114 (£99, AU$104)AMD Radeon RX 560 - $139 (£140, AU$235)AMD Radeon RX 570 - $280 (£250, AU$340)AMD Radeon RX 580 - $289 (£289, AU$450)We can expect the prices to go up, however, due to the likely inclusion of GDDR6 memory, which we’ll dive into later. Either way, expect to pay more for the Radeon RX 650. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KqHtTFGGLsoceUy83wXYBZ.jpg AMD Navi specsBeyond the rumor that it’s going to be running on a 7nm process and GDDR6, there’s not much we know about AMD Navi. Because AMD Navi is going to be the first mainstream GPU processor to break away from the GCN architecture, we could see more shaders and and faster clock speeds, while improving efficiency substantially. However, we don’t think AMD is going to be doing much to compete on the high-end with Nvidia this time around. AMD Vega 7nm, which would have the horsepower to compete with Nvidia Turing, won’t be coming to gamers. Instead, it will likely appeal more towards professionals and creatives – with Apple likely being a huge customer. In the past AMD would compete with high-end Nvidia GPUs by just shoving multiple chips into a graphics cards and passing it along as a enthusiast-grade GPU. This time around, though, AMD has made it clear that it’s not interested in making multi-GPU setups, according to a report from PCWorld. This is backed up by the fact that only two of the AMD Radeon RX 500 series cards were even compatible with Crossfire. So, instead of any high-end GPU, we’ll likely see a Radeon RX 600 series that’ll continue the legacy of cards like the AMD Radeon RX 580, delivering respectable performance in modern titles at 1080p while keeping prices attainable for more budget-conscious gamers. So instead of the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti rival, think more Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 in terms of direct competition. Unfortunately, we’re going to have to keep waiting for concrete information on AMD Navi. But, until then, keep this page bookmarked for all the latest news, rumors and speculation. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/YWF6WPIFqOw

While they obviously won’t be as fast as the best SSDS, the best hard drives are much cheaper and more capacious. Sure, you won’t find the best hard drives in something like an Ultrabook, but they’re definitely useful as an extra drive or a external measure – especially if you have a lot of data to store or backup. Finding the best hard drive for your needs ultimately boils down to what you need to do with it. If you’re looking for the best hard drives for game consoles, you’ll want a 2.5-inch drive, or maybe one of the best external hard drives. However, if you’re rocking one of the best gaming PCs, and you just want the biggest drive you can get, you’ll want a hard drive with a ton of space – and a ton of speed. It’s a lot to take in, but we went ahead and gathered up the best hard drives you can buy today. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ofW6Wmfd5KpeeVVDtgSGzh.jpg Seagate BarraCuda Seagate’s BarraCuda lineup is the indisputable face of the best hard drives. And, it’s not without good reason – they offer a great ratio of gigabyte per dollar and speed benefits to top it off. The 2TB model hits a sweet spot by balancing high performance and affordability. Since this drive combines 7,200rpm platters and high density data, computers outfitted with this drive will be able to read data extra fast. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YdWqbh9HVLPKkkooeD2Rrj.jpg Toshiba X300 Even if its laptops aren’t as popular as they used to be, Toshiba is still a huge name in computing, and has a lot to offer. When it comes to the best hard drives, the Toshiba X300 is a high-capacity, high-performance champ worth taking a look at. The X300 drives boast great gigabyte-to-dollar value without sacrificing on performance. These drives all spin at 7,200 rpm and include 128MB of cache for higher speeds. The only downside is the warranty only lasts two years, which feels short for a drive meant to store so much important data. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pMFEDEVrvrR3GM9Wq6w8nm.jpg WD VelociRaptor When it comes to PC gaming, speed is everything. So, for anyone resisting the allure of an SSD, and looking to kick it old school with one of the best hard drives, it’s time for something that spins just a bit faster. And, with the WD VelociRaptor and its insane 10,000rpm spin speed, you’re going to want to pay attention to it. With capacities up to 1TB available, the VelociRaptor drives are ready to store large game libraries, ad the super fast platters will help those games launch and load quickly. 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 FireCuda http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/r3J4giQbPfQSTiGzj6EvJo.jpg WD Blue Desktop Western Digital offers a solid bargain with its line of WD Blue hard drives. With a wide variety of storage options from a small 500GB to a capacious 6TB, the WD Blue is a viable pick for almost any type of PC build that’s sticking to a budget. The best value comes from the larger drives – they’ll give you much more storage per dollar spent. And, if you’re looking for a bit more speed, there are also 7,200rpm models available that don’t come with too much of a price hike. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RdJtw7eUEjfBcZfetGyQC4.jpg Seagate Firecuda Desktop SSDs are all the rage these days, and it’s not hard to see why. But if you need a lot of fast storage, hybrid hard drives – which contain a small amount of solid state storage to bump of their speed – are a great option. The SeaGate FireCuda is the best hybrid drive out there, it can fit up to 2TB of data, and then its 8GB of solid state cache storage learns and stores the data you use most to access it faster. That speed boost is even sweeter when you consider this drive spins at a fresh 7,200rpm. With its 5-year warranty and approachable price tag, it’s easy to see why it’s one of the best hard drives out there. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jSEX3zxxi5te5PdLsLTTe5.jpg Seagate IronWolf NAS It’s a little unfortunate that the Seagate IronWolf NAS drives come at a premium, but they aren’t priced much more expensively than a standard hard drive at their capacity. However, their native NAS optimization makes that premium totally worth it. These drives are capable of running at a fast 7,200rpm spin rate 24/7 without having to worry about drive failure. Really, if you have one of the best NAS devices for your business or home, the Seagate IronWolf NAS really is your best bet. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WqpGYSxfMiJYCXnVEArwP7.jpg Seagate FireCuda Mobile Upgrading the storage in a laptop in a hard drive can be tough, since they typically require a smaller drive to fit. A lot of the 2.5-inch options aren’t terribly attractive, as anything fast comes with a serious markup, but Seagate’s 2.5-inch FireCuda hybrid drive strikes a nice balance. It offers an easy way to add lots of storage to a laptop while also giving it a speed boost thanks to 8GB of flash storage. A 5-year warranty on the drive will also help ensure it for as long as almost any laptop’s lifespan. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/EaenHwBta7vSrYw3mmd8zM.jpg WD My Book Game consoles hard drives fill up fast with massive libraries. And, like laptops, the upgrade path for 2.5-inch hard drives isn’t all that great, but that’s where an external drive comes in. The WD My Book strikes an amazing balance of storage and price, offering enough room for massive game libraries. Running on USB 3.0, it may not be quite as fast as an internal drive upgrade, but it will run games and offer more storage at a cheaper rate. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/aHmntAKAxYEMhyCSL6hgQo.jpg G-Technology G-Drive A lot of people seem to think that the best hard drives are ancient and dead technology in 2019. However, with devices like the G-Technology G-Drive, you can show the naysayers in your life that spinning disks have their own place in the future. Not only does this external hard drive offer huge amounts of storage – up to 10 TB – but thanks to Thunderbolt 3 compatibility, it can even charge your laptop while you work. If you have a MacBook Pro, it’s hard to think of a better work companion. Read the full review: G-Technology G-Drive http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/4yFWGJ3V2jQ

Some tablet and laptop makers might lead you to believe that the best mouse is just a stylus or a tap of the finger, and we’d have to disagree. There’s nothing quite like using a mouse to navigate your desktop. No matter whether you’re on a PC or a Mac, a trackpad or a touchscreen just isn’t the same. The best mice aren’t limited to a tiny space on your laptop chassis – not to mention they’re way more precise. You might already have a mouse lying around, but we promise that our picks will make everything else seem mediocre by comparison. But, before you decide on the best mouse for your needs, you should think about what you actually need your mouse for. Is your current pointing device acting buggy? Are you thinking about going for a wireless mouse? Or, are you just looking for one of the best gaming mice? Regardless of what you’re looking for, the best mice can make your entire computing experience better. All the best mice on this list are packed with unique features that can only be found in high-end peripherals. So, let’s dive into the best mice 2019 has to offer. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hVWe2QuNSiVRrxQphfSw3W.jpg Yeah, we know, you saw how much the Logitech MX Master 2S costs and just scoffed – just bear with us a second. The Logitech MX Master 2S is the best mouse 2019 has to offer, especially if you have work to do. While most mice in this price range appeal to gamers with ridiculous button setups and edgy designs, this mouse is created for productivity alone. Trust us, you might not think you need a high-end wireless mouse for your day to day office work, but once you get your hands on this one – you’ll never go back. Read the full review: Logitech MX Master 2S http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hKJUsFuXFW9mgoffXRAyfT.jpg Smaller than Logitech’s flagship, the MX Master, the Logitech MX Anywhere 2 is the ideal travel mouse. It can connect with up to three distinct devices with 2.4GHZ wireless technology or with Bluetooth, making it obvious why this mouse is renowned for having quick setup and surprisingly long battery life. Capable of extremely quick charging, in just 4 minutes the MX Anywhere 2 charges enough for an entire day. After finding a great mouse, get the best keyboardhttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3ZBHrRYWZMoiAT4dJuqygW.jpg In an age when all of our peripherals are either being shoved full of extraneous lighting or morphed into odd shapes, the Microsoft Classic Intellimouse modernizes the classic design with an appealing white lighting effect. It also beefs up the sensor, allowing users to ramp up the DPI to 3,200. It’s not wireless, and it’s hardly made for gaming, but if you’re in the market for a mouse that will help you get all your work done, the Microsoft Classic Intellimouse might be the best mouse for you. Read the full review: Microsoft Classic IntelliMouse http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3ce477da6912d51add070522cd4b597b.jpg Yeah, this mouse looks weird and its name kind of looks like some annoying tongue twister, but the Anker Vertical Ergonomic Optical mouse is only off putting until you get your hands on it. From the moment you start using this mouse, you’ll know it’s the one of the best mice around. While it’s built a little more cheaply than other ergonomic mice, it’s an affordable way to prevent RSI. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9fad8d7ebf16a5b2479eef52d2be5599.jpg When Apple isn’t occupying itself by building luxury smartphones that you can unlock with your face, it was hard at work crafting one of the strangest mice we’ve ever used. If you found yourself doing a double take when reading the specs, you saw right – the Magic Mouse 2 lacks buttons completely. However, it makes up for this apparent oversight with sheer aesthetic appeal. This mouse is completely controlled by gestures, giving it all the benefits of a trackpad as well as a mouse. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KCBzDkdR5ApMD5gzh97EgU.jpg If you’re looking for an extremely comfortable mouse that will make your work day a little less rigorous, you’ll need an ergonomic-focused mouse. Luckily, the Logitech MX Vertical is a great example of what these mice are capable of. As the name suggests, it’s a vertical mouse, but it feels a lot more natural in your hand and helps reduce the amount of stress you have to exert on your wrist and hand muscles. And, as an added bonus, there’s a handy little button at the top that lets you seamlessly swap between different computers – even further reducing the amount of movement you have to perform. Read the full review: Logitech MX Vertical http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3NwBtt5dcxx2QvRdw5P3BD.jpg The third trackball mouse Logitech has put out since 2008, the MX Ergo Wireless is an anomaly in an industry that is otherwise crowded with optical laser mice. As such, it’s certain to charm those who haven’t quite moved on to the gesture-based desktop trackpads of the present. With the option to lay it flat or use it at a 20-degree angle, this mouse is uniquely satisfying. Read the full review: Logitech MX Ergo Wireless http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6QA6NA7sRDdy44zQvu8ZS.jpg This is one of the best mice if you’re looking for something that’s seen and not heard. Because the Logitech M330 Silent Plus is so compact and silent, it’s the perfect mouse for using on an airplane tray next to a sleeping neighbor. Just slip it into your laptop bag when the flight touches down, and weighing less than a quarter of a pound, you won’t even notice the added bulk. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/038a3ade5981895f7686f6e66658d909.jpg Sure, the Microsoft Surface Precision Mouse that came out late last year is tempting, but sometimes you just need a cheap, reliable mouse that you can throw in your laptop bag without a care in the world. That’s where the Bluetooth Mobile Mouse 3600 comes in. This may be the best mouse for anyone looking for an inexpensive pointing device that won’t let them down – it’s one of the most reliable wireless mice you can buy today, and it’s from a brand you can trust. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/59618045e23a29b6dcb9df10f991b164.jpg Razer products aren’t for everyone. Specifically, they appeal to an audience that enjoys the svelte industrial design of an Apple gadget, but with a gamer-centric slant. That’s especially the case with the DeathAdder Chroma, a mouse that comes with 16.8 million LED-backlit color options out of the box, along with a hyper-accurate 10,000 DPI sensor. Read the full review: Razer DeathAdder Chroma Gabe Carey and Bill Thomas has also contributed to this article http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/YbUaMI-If2Y

Just after Netflix announced that it will be raising its subscription price in 2019, Hulu fired back today with the news that it’s going to cut the price of its service from $8 per month down to $6. Hulu's new price cut goes into effect on February 26 for new subscribers, while existing subscribers should see the change the next time they’re billed after that date, according to a news release on Hulu’s website, It’s worth noting, though, that the price cut only affects the basic tier of Hulu - i.e. the one that comes with advertisements throughout the shows. If you want the ad-free experience, that’ll still cost you $12 per month - and, worse, if you want the Live TV version of Hulu, that’s going to cost you even more next month with a new subscription price of $45 per month. While that makes Hulu with Live TV a bit more expensive than the other options out there (both YouTube TV and DirecTV Now start at $40 per month), its base package price is substantially less expensive than Netflix which will soon set you back $9 a month once the price hike goes into effect. 85,000 episodes (with ads) for $6 per monthThe reason Netflix is raising costs, analysts speculate, is to help offset the cost of producing all the new original content like Roma, Stranger Things and the dozens of other new movies and TV shows the streaming service produces throughout the year. While Hulu has a few original shows of its own - like the award-winning The Handmaid's Tale - most of the 85,000 episodes on the streaming service come from cable networks like AMC, Comedy Central, Discovery, FX and others. In short, original content takes more money to produce and while you might miss some of those shows by switching to Hulu, you'll at least be saving some money. Want to make the switch? Here's how to cancel your Netflix subscriptionhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/ooBnoCi6pEw

If you or a loved one is at school or college, then our guide of the best printer for students in 2019 is here to help. Buying the best printer for the student in your life can help them with their studies, printing out notes, homework and research. Having the best student printer means you don't have to go to an internet cafe or library to print out your stuff. This can help save time, money and stress when those deadlines loom. Of course, if you're looking for the best student printer you're probably on a budget, so we've picked the best student printers that don't cost the earth. We're not just talking about initial outlay when you first buy the printer, but we've also picked the best printers for students that have low running costs as well. With our list of the best printers for students, we've put together our top picks that will suit a student's needs, no matter what educational institute they are at. If you're also looking for a laptop, make sure you check out our best laptops for students 2019 guide. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gngv24Wmv7MWLqDKUWDi9H.jpg If you've checked out some of our other printer buying guides, you'll have likely seen the Deskjet 3630 at the top, or near to it. That's because it's a great little printer that strikes a good balance between features, affordability and print quality. It's compact enough for you to easily take with you to university with, and it offers print quality that can rival more expensive devices. This makes it our pick for the best printer for students overall. However, if you have a bit more of a budget, you may want to check out some of the other printers in this list... Read the full review: HP Deskjet 3630 http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/36f0e84001dd51fbddcfccb036dfcc69.jpg At first glance, the Epson EcoTank ET-4550 might seems like an expensive choice for a printer for students, but while the initial cost of this printer is quite high, it can end up being much cheaper over the years thanks to its ink-saving features. It allows students to refill their printer using ink bottles, which can be a huge money saver, which will be a blessing if the student loan is running low! Epson also includes two years of ink with the package; no more expensive cartridges and instead, you have enough material to deliver 11,000 pages worth of black and color inks (that's 700ml worth of liquid). http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7G3LD6CBEZANz9FuJFDW5X.jpg The HP Envy 5540 All-in-One printer is a cheap all-in-one printer that offers printing, scanning and photo printing, supports not just USB but Wi-Fi, Wireless Direct and AirPrint wireless printing, and it even offers automatic double-sided printing. This makes it one of the best printers money can buy for students, giving them a host of features they'd usually have to visit the library to use. As with many budget printers, the cost of consumables can be quite high, but for a flexible all-in-one with plenty of student-friendly features, the HP Envy 5540 is hard to beat. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8a5319c9816ec18c1566b2d60cd74d10.jpg The Brother HL-3140CW is showing its age, but it this means you can get some excellent prices for it these days, making it a great choice for students. For the money you're getting a superb wireless color laser print that offers very good print quality at decent speeds. It's larger than many other printers, but it fits in loads of features, such as scanning and photocopying, and it's wireless nature means it can be shared with the rest of the household. This is one of the best printers for students who live in shared houses. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9xoAhwawMm5Wim63Nju7Dc.jpg If you're a student moving away from home, you don't want to be lugging around a heavy old printer. That's why the HP OfficeJet 200 Mobile Printer is such a good choice for students. Weighing less than HP's previous mobile printers, the HP OfficeJet 200 Mobile Printer is a brilliant little portable printer that can hook up to devices via Wi-Fi. It offers plenty of connectivity options, and while it's more expensive than its less-mobile rivals, if you want to travel light (or you just don't have the room), it's well worth considering. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/r3EALqqJnD3X7pmEERVqNf.jpg Being a student isn't all about studying and homework, though of course those play a big part, but you'll also want to have fun as well. That's why the HP Sprocket Photo Printer is a great gift for any students going off to study. It's a small, hand-sized, photo printer that offers an easy and fun way to instantly print digital snaps - essentially turning any digital camera into a Polaroid-esque instant printer. It doesn't use ink, so you don't have to worry about buying replacement cartridges - instead it uses heat to transform a pre-dyed sheet of paper into your photos. It runs on batteries and has a stylish design as well. Sure, it won't print out any dissertations, but for keeping those precious memories of fresher's week and beyond, it's a brilliant printer for students. Check out our list of the best printers, no matter if they are ink jet or laserhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/lZQNG_-un9s

Are you hunting for the best inkjet printers money can buy? Then we're here to help, as we've put together our top picks for the very best inkjet printers in 2019. There are a number of reasons why you'd rather get an inkjet printer, rather than a laser printer. First of all, they are often more affordable than laser printer. However, even the best inkjet printers will cost money to run, as you'll need to make sure that they are well stocked in ink cartridges, which they use to print. When compiling this list of the best inkjet printers of 2019, we've taken running costs into account, so the inkjet printers you find on this page will be economical to run, so you should save money in the long run. We've also picked some of the best budget inkjet printers. These brilliantly cheap inkjet printers are affordable, yet don't skimp on the print quality. You'll be seriously impressed by how well these printers handle your printouts. We've also got some great all-in-one inkjet printers that handle scanning and photocopying as well. Check out our pick of the best laser printersBest inkjet printers 2019http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/292b2ffad450d7dcadff3f4addf94552.jpg The WorkForce Pro WF-4630 is a solid printer for small businesses and workgroups given its fast print speeds, solid print qualities and remote printing and scanning capabilities. Using the larger XL print cartridges, the WF-4630 delivers economical print costs that rival laser printers. Read the full review: Epson WorkForce Pro WF-4630 http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/36f0e84001dd51fbddcfccb036dfcc69.jpg One of the biggest concerns when buying an inkjet printer is the running costs when it comes to ink cartridges. That's why the Epson EcoTank ET-4550 is so high up in our list of the best inkjet printers of 2018, as it allows users to refill their printer using ink bottles. That's enough of a potential game-changer as it is, but Epson also includes two years of ink with the package; no more expensive cartridges and instead, you have enough material to deliver 11,000 pages worth of black and color inks (that's 700ml worth of liquid). http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7G3LD6CBEZANz9FuJFDW5X.jpg The HP Envy 5540 All-in-One printer offers printing, scanning and photo printing, supports not just USB but Wi-Fi, Wireless Direct and AirPrint wireless printing, and it even offers automatic double-sided printing. Best of all, this is an inkjet printer that won't cost the Earth, as it comes with a very competitive price tag. It's not the best all-in-one printer in the world, but it's definitely one of the best inkjet printers you can get for the price. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7E3prMfagFzTSwHbjNMx9V.jpg If you're looking for the best inkjet printer that excels at photo printing, then the Canon Pixma Pro-100S is your best bet. OK, it is expensive for an inkjet, but print quality is simply stunning thanks to its 8-ink dye system that produces gallery-quality prints. It can also handle print sizes of A3 and over, and it's pretty fast as well, able to print a 4 x 6-inch photo in just 34 seconds. If you take a lot of photos on your smartphone or tablet, then the wireless printing feature will be a great help as well. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/oZQL9bxC8L79B3DXcFNVGd.jpg Great for the travelling professional or someone who needs a small printer for occasional use, printing photos or using the scanner function. It's a bit pricey to buy - and to run - but the flexibility and quality of the printouts is excellent. If you're looking for an all-in-one inkjet printer that can handle photocopying and scanning, as well as producing brilliant color printouts, then this is definitely one of the best inkjet printers money can buy in 2018. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/h5chgftyxuDpDvcd8gPvXc.jpg This is yet another great all-in-one inkjet printer from HP, and it comes with a very agreeable price tag as well. There's no wireless printing, or Ethernet support, but that's a sacrifice you'll have to make if you want an inkjet at this sort of price. In our view, as long as you don't need to share it among other PCs in your home, it's a sacrifice worth making. Plus, you can always plug it into a router if you do need to share it on a network. Problem solved! http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bGVo3JettbJNVDPLmSXhd8.jpg If you're looking for a great all-round inkjet printer that doesn't skimp on print quality for your photographs, then we don't think you will be disappointed by what the PIXMA TS9150, Canon's flagship inkjet printer, has to offer. Sure, it's more expensive than some inkjet competitors, but it offers stunning print quality, especially when it comes to printing out photographs. It's also nicely designed and is wireless as well, allowing you to easily position it around your home or office without worrying about cables. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/00de9433713f70473e0037c921612d2b.jpg The Deskjet 3630 is a very good printer for the price, offering reasonable print speeds and the ability to connect to mobile devices without breaking the bank. Just be wary as its ink cartridges can be expensive when picked up from shops. It doesn't quite have the build quality of HP's more expensive Envy models, but if you're looking for an initially cheap model that catches the eye when sat on a shelf, the Deskjet 3630 is a great option. Read the full review: HP Deskjet 3630 What about the best 3D printers?http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/j7VqsOdFWNc

If you're on the hunt for the best laser printer money can buy, then you've come to the right place, as in this guide we'll look at the very best laser printers of 2019. While many homes and offices go for inkjet printers, there are still plenty of reasons why you'd want a laser printer. While they might be a bit more expensive to buy at first, the best laser printers are actually more economical to run – so they won't be guzzling up ink cartridges like inkjet printers do. The best laser printers are also faster, which makes them the ideal choice for busy offices where lots of people need to print off high volumes of documents. They are quieter than inkjets as well, which is another important consideration. Perhaps best of all, the best laser printers are more affordable and flexible than ever before. This means they make great printers for home use as well as being used in offices. The best laser printers come in every shape and size, and we've listed our top recommendations so that you can find the right laser printer for your home or office. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3af398de9e1d303d90c62d530bb5516d.jpg This temptingly priced printer offers 28ppm printing at up to 4,800 x 600 dpi (effective, rather than optical, resolution). With wired (Ethernet/USB) and wireless (Wi-Fi/NFC) connectivity, duplex printing, decent eco settings and support for a wide range of media, the Samsung is an excellent all-rounder, although the multi-purpose tray can only handle one sheet of media at a time. The main cassette has a more useful capacity of 250 sheets. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2d4df1aff8ed691543ae390a8b87ff33.jpg The M2070W delivers a lot of bang for your business buck – there's NFC printing from compatible smartphones, online document sharing, and a clever Eco system that supplements the usual toner saving mode with a feature to remove images from documents by replacing bitmaps with sketches. Factor in claimed speeds of 20ppm, a clever scan to mobile feature and an effective print resolution of up to 1200dpi and you've got a multifunction printer that's well worth considering. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/706866da810703ad7f369488e124b011.jpg The DCP-9020CDW is a baby Brother – it's an entry-level all-in-one aimed at small offices, and with claimed speeds of 18ppm and a resolution of up to 2,400 dpi (effective) it has a decent spec for the price. It can upload to cloud services such as Dropbox and OneNote, it's wireless with WPS authentication and wireless direct printing, and its running costs are competitive. It also offers automatic duplex printing and its colour screen makes it easy to install and operate. This device is a solid all-rounder for PCs and mobile devices alike. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/555b3806e7f0cf31233b7d0f9629ccfe.jpg This is a colour laser printer, plain and simple. It has a relatively small footprint on the desk thanks to a surprisingly compact design. The printer is fitted with a 150-sheet main paper tray and a 100-sheet output tray, with an integrated drum/fuser unit and manual duplexing capabilities. Controls are adequate, with a two-line LCD display and a number of buttons for basic menu navigation. The C1760NW also offers an Ethernet connector, 802.11n Wi-Fi and a USB 2.0 port; although there is no USB host connectivity. The printer is aimed at office or small workgroups and has a high-rated speed of 15ppm for black and colour. This is a good workhorse for everyday printing, where colour isn't a major part of the mix. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8a5319c9816ec18c1566b2d60cd74d10.jpg At the time of writing, this Brother was Amazon's best-selling laser, and with good reason – for very little cash you're getting a superb wireless colour laser. However, at this price don't expect rock-bottom running costs – it's a printer for livening up documents with the occasional flash of colour, not constant photo printing. It doesn't have automatic duplexing or an Ethernet port, but the HL-3140CW delivers superb print quality, reasonable mono running costs and good wireless features for a very low price. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iSJR8EJ5mCXHRqAX7FMW2i.jpg The Xerox WorkCentre 6515/DNI is an excellent laser printer for office use. It can handle a huge variety of paper sizes and types, and it excels at printing text documents. As an all-in-one printer, it's a great addition to any busy office, and it's also very fast and quiet. However, if you need to print out lots of graphics, or photos, then you'll find better laser printers for the price. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rnMeX4KPZ8BbzzhfPbPhbD.jpg If you're looking for a color laser printer that also does a good job of scanning and photocopying, then the Canon Color imageClass MF634Cdw is well worth considering. It's a great laser printer that provides very good print quality, and its output speed is impressive. It comes with plenty of features, including Wi-Fi capabilities. However, it is very large, so you may struggle to fit it into smaller offices and rooms. Also, it's output tray only handles 100 pages, which could prove annoying if you're printing large documents. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/SJ5h4JJmZ5niqUep5MnXjc.jpg The HP T6B82A Color LaserJet Pro is a decent entry-level laser printer that's best suited to small business or home use. This is because while it's quite a low initial price tag, this isn't the fastest laser printer. It also isn't the most economical when printing large volumes. If you don't need a laser printer that can quickly and cheaply print out large documents 24/7, and instead want a decent laser printer that can also scan and photo copy for a low initial cost, then this is a worthwhile investment. Check out our list of the best printers, no matter if they are ink jet or laserhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/dHt9vfLFl-8

A new strain of ransomware has been discovered, and it’s a nasty one which is apparently targeting gamers as well as PC users in general. McAfee has dubbed the fresh threat Anatova, and it’s a sophisticated piece of ransomware deployed by experienced malware peddlers. Anatova apparently employs the icon of either a game or application in order to entice the user to double-click it. McAfee discovered the threat lurking on a peer-to-peer file sharing network, and not only does it boast strong protection techniques to defeat analysis, it’s also built with modular extension in mind. In other words, malicious actors can easily bolt-on fresh malware capabilities to the strain, meaning it could potentially evolve quickly, and spread further online as multiple different threats. Worryingly, McAfee also notes that Anatova is sophisticated enough that typical anti-ransomware tactics could prove ineffective, and it cleans up after itself, including taking measures to “prevent dumping memory code that could assist in creating a decryption tool”. Dash demandAnatova encrypts as many files as it can on the target PC – or connected network shares – before demanding the payment that gives ransomware its name. In this case, victims are expected to pay up in the form of cryptocurrency, as ever: 10 Dash is required to (theoretically) unlock files, which equates to about $700 (around £540, AU$980). This strain of ransomware has been discovered most prevalently in the US, but also in the UK, and across Europe. As ever, use common sense when downloading files to your PC, and try to avoid any dodgy-looking sources – stick to official stores where possible – or ‘offers’ that seem too good to be true (they almost certainly are). It doesn’t hurt to have a strong antivirus solution on your PC, either, which may warn you if you happen to navigate to a suspect website. Equally, when it comes to cure rather than prevention, you should keep regular backups of all your data, so if the worst happens and some kind of ransomware strikes – or indeed even a critical hardware failure – you have a fall-back solution. Also, check out our roundup of the best paid anti-ransomware softwarehttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/-O1ZhdhChEs

The Meizu Zero has just been announced and it takes a different approach to other smartphones, as this has no buttons and no ports. Made with a ceramic unibody, the Meizu Zero is the first hole-less smartphone and relies on the likes of an eSIM rather than a removable SIM card, and wireless rather than wired charging. It also uses 'mSound 2.0', which allows the display to function like a speaker, so there’s no need for a speaker hole. And instead of physical buttons the Meizu Zero has a ‘Virtual Side Button’, which apparently offers similar tactile feedback to a physical button. High-end but still has bezelsBut while the Meizu Zero lack buttons, it doesn’t lack bezels on its 5.99-inch UHD AMOLED display, so it doesn’t look quite as futuristic as you might expect, and loses out to phones like the Honor View 20 in that sense. This certainly sounds like a high-end phone though, as it also has an in-screen fingerprint scanner, a Snapdragon 845 chipset, IP68 certification for water and dust resistance, and fast 18W wireless charging. There’s no word yet on when or where the Meizu Zero will be sold, but we expect it won’t be widely available and it will probably cost a lot. Loads more weird phones might land at MWC 2019http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/2nxrM4oEkn0

We don't often get to mention the words 'cheap iPad' when talking about the larger 128GB capacity versions, but we might just try them on for size today. That's because Amazon is having an iPad sale for the latest 2018 edition, knocking the price down from £409, to a much more appealing £379.98. We're super keen on this deal for the 128GB version as the default 32GB model just isn't big enough for most users once you start to fill the iPad with apps, games and media files. Damn you Apple and your lack of expandable storage options! Apple's going to Apple though. A fact of life if ever there was one. iPad sale of the weekSo yes, if you want to pick up this iPad deal in a less flashy colour you can get it for just £389.97 in Space Grey or Silver. You know what's going to look great on this 9.7-inch retina display, whichever colour you go for? The upcoming Super Bowl live stream! If you'd prefer to check out even more options for different models, why not head on over to our full guide to the cheapest iPad sale prices and deals. If you need something with even more power for work and creative editing then we've got you covered for the latest iPad Pro prices too. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/L0YA6PwfTkM

Vodafone and O2 have extended and widened their mobile infrastructure sharing partnership so it covers 5G and so the operators can further monetise their network assets The existing network sharing partnership has been extended and will now include 5G at joint-radio sites, allowing each operator to more rapidly rollout 5G services to more locations and at a lower cost. The deal also includes measures to upgrade sites with fibre connectivity, lowering the latency of 5G networks, and to give both companies access to a wider choice of network partners. Everything you need to know about 5G CTILCTIL was established in 2012 as a vehicle to pool basic parts of O2 and Vodafone’s network infrastructure. Each operator would retain control over their own Radio Access Network (RAN), spectrum, core networks and customer data, and there was an initial target of 18,500 sites. Originally, O2 took the west of the country (and Northern Ireland) while Vodafone took the east of the country. Each operator was responsible for upgrading masts in their ‘zones’ while duplicate sites were eliminated. EE and Three have a similar network sharing arrangement called MBNL. However, London has since been excluded from this arrangement. Previously, O2 was responsible for North London, while Vodafone covered the South. Now, each firm rolls out their own infrastructure across the capital. New agreementO2 and Vodafone now want to devolve further activities to CTIL, giving the entity an “enhanced” role in the operation of this passive infrastructure to improve the efficiency of its operations. CTIL will also look at securing third-party tenants to its towers, boosting revenues. “We believe that these plans will generate significant benefits for our business and our customers as we move into the digital era of connected devices, appliances and systems on a mass scale,” said Vodafone UK CEO Nick Jeffrey. “Customers will benefit from the best 5G experience available and we will deliver even faster speeds by using our spectrum holding more effectively.” “I’m excited by the potential of these plans to meet the future needs of our customers while delivering value for our business,” added O2 CEO Mark Evans. “In addition, these plans would allow us to utilise the spectrum we acquired in the last auction very effectively.” Mast saleIt’s unclear whether CTIL could be sold. Late last year, Vodafone Group CEO Nick Read confirmed the company was investigating options for its mast tower network across Europe, with its 58,000 masts moved into a separate business unit. “The goal is to create an internal tower business within Vodafone,” explained Read in November. “Rather than being country-by-country they will report to an internal group because it encourages efficiencies of those assets. “We’re more open to sharing passive infrastructure such as towers in urban areas and then outside more complex environments such as rural areas we’re open to RAN sharing for 5G. “I think it’s important we retain control of those assets. Would we consider minority interest or specific formulas? Yes. [but] I think we’d be reluctant to lose strategic control.” Here are the best Vodafone mobile deals for January 2019http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/kTfZ5Z_hxLk

At the annual Bett education conference in London Microsoft showed off a number of new affordable Windows 10 devices that it hopes will challenge the Chromebook’s domination in the education sector. Chromebooks are hugely popular in classrooms thanks to their affordable prices and simple ChromeOS operating system, which offers students the basic tools they need – such as word processing and image editing – without too many distractions. While devices running Windows 10 can have the edge due to the flexibility of Windows compared to ChromeOS, they're usually more expensive and complex, with shorter battery lives. Taking on ChromebooksTo compete with Chromebooks, Microsoft has shown off seven easy-to-manage Windows 10 devices that start at just $189 (around £145, AU$260) from Acer, Lenovo and Dell, and which will be ready for the upcoming school year. The new devices are: Lenovo 100eLenovo 300e (2-in-1)Lenovo 14wAcer TravelMate B1(B118-M)Acer TravelMate Spin B1 (B118-R/RN)Acer TravelMate B1-141Dell Latitude 3300 for EducationMicrosoft hasn’t revealed any more details about the devices yet, but we’ll follow up with the manufacturers to find out more, and hopefully get them in for review. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/EgesNi6VDmAsyM9dYKXCxi.jpg Classroom PenMicrosoft also announced a new stylus, the Classroom Pen, which is designed for K-8 (ages 5 to 14) students and schools, and is optimized for its affordable Surface Go tablet. The Classroom Pen will be sold exclusively to educational facilities in packs of 20 for $799.80 (around £600, AU$1,120), in every market where the Surface Go is available. Will this be enough to tempt classrooms away from the best Chromebooks? Time will tell… What is a Google Chromebook?Via Microsoft http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/7ptOITXRqEc

The Moto G7 range has been more extensively leaked than most budget handsets and those leaks aren’t stopping, as we’ve now seen photos seemingly showing both the standard Moto G7 and the Moto G7 Power. Starting with the normal G7, these images were obtained by 91mobiles and show the phone in both black and red. You can see a teardrop notch at the top of the screen, along with bezels on the sides and bottom. The back meanwhile appears to be slightly curved and made of glass. It houses a dual-lens camera and a fingerprint scanner. This is all exactly in line with previously leaked renders. Power upMoving on to the Moto G7 Power, photos of this were spotted by Android Pure. These images were apparently snapped in a Brazilian store, and show a phone with a more conventional notch, along with bezels on the bottom edge and sides. The back of the phone, shown here in blue, once again appears to be glass and houses a fingerprint scanner, but there’s a single rather than dual-lens camera. This also all lines up with earlier leaks. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ddzeTGh4Lf9nFjN27pHGbL.jpg Credit: Android Pure As well as images of the Moto G7 Power itself, this leak also includes a specs list, pointing to a 6.2-inch HD+ display, a 5,000mAh battery, a 1.8GHz octa-core chipset, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of storage, a 12MP rear camera, and an 8MP front-facing one. There’s also a price listed in Brazilian Real, which converted comes to around $365/£280/AU$515. That’s a bit higher than we’d expect to pay and also higher than has previously been leaked, but then price conversions are rarely accurate, so we wouldn’t read too much into that. The images though look legitimate, and with so many leaks emerging we’d expect the Moto G7 range to be announced soon. In fact, Android Pure also reports that invites have been sent to a Motorola event in Brazil on February 7, so it’s possible that we’ll see the range then. Moto G7 release date, price, news and leaksVia PocketNow http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/zMzE5Jr8sbg

We've just been given another look at the Xiaomi foldable phone, and this time it's a well lit shot of the firm's co-founder seemingly using the device to open apps and make video calls. It looks to be the same device which was teased in a short video clip by @evleaks a few weeks ago, but this time we get a much better look at the concept foldable smartphone. What gives this video credibility is the flexible phone is being used by Lin Bin, the co-founder of Xiaomi, and he shared it on his personal Weibo account where he said the "Xiaomi double folding mobile phone is coming." Instead of having a central folding action, this device has two folding hinges, with the outer thirds of the large display folding behind the central portion of the screen. That's different to the only other foldable phone we've managed to get our hands on - the Royole FlexPai - which has a more traditional central folding action, but also considerably more bezel, while the Xiaomi offering looks far more slick. You can see the Xiaomi foldable phone in action below. A little too good?As impressive as the phone appears in the video, it's worth taking it with a pinch of salt. We're skeptical as the concept phone seems too good to be true. Having been hands on with the Royole FlexPai - a heavy, thick device with clunky software and a sizable bezel to one side to house the various technical features of the phone - it's difficult to see how Xiaomi has made such a seemingly slick device. It's worth noting that this is still very much a concept device, with Bin saying "if you like it, we will consider making a mass production machine in the future." What it does mean is the rumored folding Samsung Galaxy X, which is tipped to launch on February 20 alongside the Galaxy S10, could have some serious competition. Samsung Galaxy X: everything we know so far about Samsung's foldable phonehttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/09pVy0JUz64

There's no getting around it...the iPhone XS is expensive. And that gets only worse if you want more than the standard 64GB onboard storage. So when an iPhone XS SIM-free deal comes along with £150 off the usual price for the 256GB version, it's only natural that we would sit up and take notice. This impressive discount comes courtesy of both Amazon and Carphone Warehouse who seem to share our view that when it comes to phone storage - bigger is better. For £999, the usual RRP of the 64GB storage edition, you can upgrade and grab a 256GB edition instead. Get the 256GB iPhone XS from AmazonGet the 256GB iPhone XS from Carphone Warehouse (with up to £500 trade-in)The handset is available in Apple's now familiar Silver, Gold or Space Grey colours. So if you're heart is set on a big storage iPhone XS you can see all of the details down below. But we would hurry if we were you, as we can't imagine stocks will last long on a deal this impressive. Or if you think a contract may suit you better try our best iPhone XS deals page for all of the options available - from cheap monthly bills to enormous amounts of data. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VgyagGS9HpAEPUQtUJBfrg.jpg This reduced SIM-free iPhone XS deal Check out all of today's best mobile phone dealshttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/ahziLPBSkBY

AMD’s 7nm Navi graphics cards have been spotted in the source code of macOS, with four variants listed, indicating that we could see the range of next-gen GPUs sooner rather than later – underlining previous speculation of a July launch. These details were unearthed by Gigamaxx, a forum denizen over at Tonymacx86.com (as seen by Videocardz). They were found in the Mojave 14.2 beta version, by scrutinizing the innards of the ‘AMDRadeon6000HWServiceskext’ file. The Navi 16, Navi 12, Navi 10 and Navi 9 models are mentioned in the file, and it’s not fully clear exactly what these refer to at this point, although as Videocardz theorizes, the numbers could well refer to the quantity of Compute Units carried by each particular model. Gigamaxx observes that before the launch of Vega, similar code strings were turned up in macOS Sierra, and that all this underlines that maybe we’re only six months away from the launch of Navi. This ties in with previous buzz on the GPU grapevine, as well. We have previously seen a leaked roadmap which suggested that Navi will pitch up in the second half of 2019, so July would be in line with that. We also heard the cards were being lab-tested last October, with apparently impressive results… Budget-minded boardsNote that the initial Navi GPUs are going to be mid-range 7nm products with a wallet-friendly leaning. AMD’s first 7nm offering, which is still based on the Vega architecture rather than Navi, will be the high-end Radeon VII graphics card which launches next month and was unveiled at CES. We might be waiting until next year before full-fat high-powered Navi graphics cards make an appearance. Indeed, we’ve even heard concerns that Radeon VII stock will be thin on the ground initially, but AMD has come out to deny this – and also speculation that there might not be any third-party variants of the GPU at launch. And that’s probably just as well, given the situation with Navi. We've picked out all the best graphics cards of 2019http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/QiKO6y1dFpw

Philips has been out of the audio game for a little while, but 2019 will see it thundering back into the personal and home sound system spaces with a mix of resurrected lines and all-new devices. Most timely of all will be the introduction of the brand’s first stab at true wireless headphones, the UpBeat SHB2505, ready to do battle with the Apple AirPods. With an affordable price point stated of 99 Euros (which converts directly to around £87 / $115 – with reps promising a sub-£100 UK price point), and available in a range of colors, Philips looks to be courting those enticed by the prospect of a wire-free life, rather than those demanding audiophile thrills. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xU5zYciDjtnZ4a2krDPW6U.jpg Launching in white, black, blue and purple shades, the UpBeat SHB2505 follows the standard true wireless headphone template, with a pill-box like charging case, complete with LED indicators for battery status. You’ll get 3 hours out of the headphones per charge, with the case holding an additional 9 hours of playback. That’s 12 hours total. We’ve seen longer battery life spans, but at the price point that’s an acceptable concession to make. The UpBeat SHB2505 uses Bluetooth 5.0 and has smart pairing functionality, meaning they’ll connect to your player the instant they’re removed from that magnetically-snapping charging case. Hands-free calling and a mono mode is supported too, if you fancy leaving one ear free for the world around you. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xU5zYciDjtnZ4a2krDPW6U.jpg Ready to rockIt’s one of a few new launches in the audio space for Philips this year, with the company stating that the first 6 months of 2019 will see a gradual introduction of new products alongside a wider range of returning items, before revealing more advanced and innovative devices later in the year. Philips will have a full range of audio products that will include Bluetooth speakers, home systems, clocks, CD players, portable radios, sound bars, and headphones, including the reintroduction of the well-received Fidelio X2HR over ears. Elsewhere, in the first half of the year you’ll find the launches of competitively priced PRO650NC active noise cancelling headphones (rocking the neckband style), 49 Euro PRO6305 in-ears (a striking price for hi-res audio compatibility) and a HTL1510 soundbar that comes complete with a wireless subwoofer. Expect more in the second half of the year, ready for IFA 2019. Best true wireless earphones: the finest wire free buds aroundhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/4C6kp9BspLg

Apple Pay is coming to more US retailers in the coming weeks and months, as Apple announced today that Target, Taco Bell, and other stores will soon support its digital payment service. In fact, waving your iPhone or Apple Watch over credit card terminals will initiate Apple Pay at 74 of the top 100 US retailers, according to Apple's press release this morning. The wider adoption of Apple Pay nationwide makes it easier – and safer – to pay for goods, with authenticating done via Touch ID or, on newer iPhones, Face ID. The last four digits of your credit card number are also masked via Apple Pay. Of course, this new rollout doesn't necessarily mean retailers won't support Google Pay, too. Often we see impartiality when it comes to accepting various NFC payment system. Technically, even more retailers accept Samsung Pay due to its more universal MST technology. Update: Sure enough, just as we were writing up this Apple Pay news, Google Pay has been announced for Target stores too. Also, Samsung Pay via NFC (without having to rely on the MST technology) is also coming to Target. Like we had predicted, the retailer's use of NFC sounds fairly universal. Apple Pay 2019 timetable in the USApple Pay is going to blanket Target at all 1,850 locations across the US, says Apple, and its expansion is estimated to be complete "in the coming weeks." Taco Bell's more than 7,000 stores and Jack in the Box's 2,200+ locations will get Apple Pay "in the next few months." For the record, fast-food rivals McDonald's and Burger King are already on the official Apple Pay list. New convenience stores will also get Apple Pay starting today. Namely, Speedway’s 3,000 locations and Hy-Vee's 245 stores will join existing partners including 7-Eleven, Duane Reade, Wallgreens, and late 2018 addition, CVS Pharmacy. Need an upgrade? Best iPhone 2019http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/T6gEcsVMZ3c