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Microsoft is widely expected to officially pull the curtain on its oft-leaked and already-tested lightweight version of Windows 10, simply named Windows 10 Cloud, tomorrow on May 2. The company has issued invites to the press, and TechRadar will be in attendance to provide the latest news and impressions from its New York City briefing starting at 9:30am ET (6:30am PT, 2:30pm BT, 11:30pm ACT). In the leadup to the proceedings, however, the enthusiast press has enjoyed several leaks – even full builds have gotten into the blogs’ hands, purportedly. So, there’s a lot to go on regarding speculation of what Windows 10 Cloud could be ahead of tomorrow’s big show. Cut to the chaseWhat is it? A new, lightweight version of Windows 10When is it out? Likely either spring or autumn 2017What will it cost? Likely won’t be for individual purchasehttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RSxNpCtRzTN75FSHwd8PCj.png Microsoft's May 2 event invite displayed in fullWindows 10 Cloud release dateSo far, all signs are pointing to tomorrow, May 2, as the release date of Windows 10 Cloud. Microsoft’s event invitation cleverly points toward cloud cover in a cute illustration, and the event itself is titled “#MicrosoftEDU”. Microsoft hopes attendees and viewers will use the hashtag when talking about the news on social media, but it also may speak to the release date of Windows 10 Cloud. School sessions in the US generally end in late May to early June and begin again in late August to early September. It’s no coincidence that Windows 10 Cloud will heavily be focused on the education sector, where Google’s Chromebooks are currently ruling the roost. So, with an event name like that, it’s possible that we may not see Windows 10 Cloud until the start of the 2017 school season. Or, Microsoft releases both the OS and partner-made hardware running it ASAP to drum up big back to school sales numbers this summer. Windows 10 Cloud priceWe don’t expect Windows 10 Cloud to cost a dime. Well, at least expect the cost of the OS to be subsidized by the hardware makers in its pricing as well as likely sponsored software deals. To explain, Windows 10 Cloud is expected to compete directly with Chrome OS, Google’s operating system for its Chromebook platform. Google doesn’t sell that OS individually for customers to install on machines themselves, and we expect Microsoft’s competing solution to follow suit. In short, you won’t be paying for Windows 10 Cloud so as much as you’ll pay for the hardware running it (with whatever Microsoft’s charging its partners, if anything, to license the software baked in that price somehow, too). Unfortunately, we have little if anything to go on in regards to the pricing of laptops running Windows 10 Cloud. All we can say is, if Microsoft wants them to be competitive with Chromebooks, its partners better have landed somewhere below $250 (£200; AU$300). http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tQmBMM9Ghr7HKzksjDBH3R.jpg A purportedly leaked screen shot of Windows 10 CloudWhat is Windows 10 Cloud?As we said, Windows 10 Cloud is a more lightweight, pared down version of Windows 10. Specifically, the OS can only support apps downloaded from Microsoft’s Windows Store and those already baked into the OS. We know this based on an early “preview” of a leaked Windows 10 Cloud build from Windows Central. However, a Digital Trends hands-on report refutes this, showing screenshots of a Windows 10 Cloud build that allows for users to toggle the “install apps from anywhere” setting within the Settings app. However, the setting was buggy as all get out, leading to doubt as to whether the finished product will allow for this functionality. Hopefully, this is a point of contention to be answered at the Windows 10 Cloud event starting sometime after 9:30am ET tomorrow morning. This talk of a version of Windows that can only download Microsoft-approved apps is familiar, isn’t it? It sounds a lot like Microsoft believes to have mastered this approach since the turbulent days of Windows RT and Windows 8 with Bing – both of which tried to position Microsoft as the sole provider of apps through curation. What can you expect to see included in laptops and/or tablets running Windows 10 Cloud? Well, the Edge browser, OneNote and Windows Ink should all be givens. The standard Movies and Groove Music apps, as well as niceties like Maps and Mail and Calendar are shoo-ins, too. (Oh, and Cortana!) Finally, it would behoove Microsoft to devise some sort of decent free version of Office for these devices, otherwise its target audience will just go with the Chromebook – replete with Docs, Sheets and Slides – at Best Buy instead. Now, here’s to hoping that Microsoft throws in some free OneDrive cloud storage with the purchase of a device running this new OS, as we shouldn’t expect much onboard and that’s just what Google does for Chromebook buyers. If Microsoft has pulled off all of those feats, with the relative openness of Windows 10 (even in this state) to Chrome OS, it may very well have a winner on its hands with Windows 10 Cloud. Stay tuned to this space as news develops going into, during and following Microsoft’s big event. Now, will Microsoft shock us all with the Surface Pro 5?http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/PQx1SmPw7gM

Photoscape is one of the finest free photos editors around. Making your snaps look their best before posting them on social media or even, god forbid, printing them out to hang on the wall is incredibly easy thanks to its excellent set of tools presented in a clear, fuss-free interface. It all adds up to make PhotoScape an image editor that's robust enough for advanced users, and easy enough to understand for beginners. Why you need itPhotoScape presents everything in an easy-to-manage circle of options that covers all the main features. The Editing tab allows you to change various aspects of the image such as the brightness and size, add effects to change the way it looks, crop it, and place other objects such as text on top. The Page tab lets you make a collage from a group of images using a preset template. Combine offers a similar service, enabling combine lots of photos onto one page and then change the style of the borders and margins. Other features include a tool for creating animated GIFs, which is great fun, and a built-in printing suite also allows you to create sheets of photos to minimize paper wastage. There's also screen capture, a RAW-to-JPG converter, image splitter, batch editor, renaming tool and a colour picker. Review and where to download: PhotoScape http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/w0dgcbGGftE

We've already reported that some Apple employees have apparently been using prototypes of a Siri-based smart speaker in their homes to test it out, and now it looks like we're getting closer to seeing Apple's answer to the Amazon Echo and Google Home. Sonny Dickson, a blogger who usually has his finger on the pulse when it comes to Apple leaks, tweeted that Apple is finalising its designs, reports Digital Trends. It's been a couple of years since Amazon launched its first smart speaker with the Amazon Echo, and with Google recently throwing down a marker of its own with the Google Home, Apple will have to bring something special to dethrone the competition. If the current rumors are correct, the smart speaker will contain always-on speakers and cameras for facial recognition. Apple has acquired a number of startups specializing in facial recognition, lending credence to the idea. The possible uses for this tech could not only be to identify which user is talking to Siri, but also their emotional state. Seriously. Marching to a different BeatA later tweet from Dickson references the use of Beats technology in the smart speaker. The hugely successful headphone and speaker manufacturer Beats, founded by rapper and producer Dr Dre, was purchased by Apple in 2014 for $3 billion dollars. Dickson also mentioned the use of iOS, which could mean the device will have touchscreen technology, something neither the Echo or Home currently have. As this was just a series of tweets we don’t have any release dates or prices yet, but as soon as we know, you will. Google Home vs Amazon Echo: the battle of the smart speakershttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/mL4NmtaN_-A

After the introduction of the Amazon Echo Look, the online retailer is rumored to be planning the introduction of a screen-equipped Echo device, according to Cnet. Apparently the company has been planning to expand its range for some time, but has accelerated its plans thanks to the rapid development of the Google Home speaker. According to the source, the new device is set to be revealed next month, although the timing could apparently change. From audio to videoBefore the announcement of the Amazon Echo Look we would have been skeptical of the idea of a screen-equipped Echo, since the point of Amazon's smart speakers so far has been to create an entirely auditory experience. If these rumors end up being true, it would see the Echo lineup transitioning from a lineup of smart speakers, to a voice-controlled personal computer range. While the additional functionality could be useful, it also potentially loses what made the Amazon Echo such an interesting product in the first place. Check out our review of the Amazon Echo and Amazon Echo Dot.http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/5HCb7u29IRo

Have ambitions of competing on Master Chef or Chopped? Yeah, us too, and while we're still perfecting the fine art of, um, not burning food, Google Home wants to help you kill it in the kitchen. The smart speaker is today adding recipes to the mix, allowing users to follow step-by-step instructions for over five million recipes read out by Google Assistant. Yes, you read that right: five million. With the likes of Bon Appetit, The New York Times and, of course, the Food Network, feeding recipes to Google Home, aspiring chefs of every skill level will likely find just what they're looking for. You'll first need to locate recipes through Google Assistant or search, then hit the 'Send to Google Home' button to shuttle the instructions to your speaker. Recipes are saved wherever you are, so you don't need to be home to earmark these digital cookbook pages. To get cooking, say "OK Google, start cooking" or "OK Google, start recipe." If you need to go back a step, say "OK Google, repeat" or "OK Google, what's step two?" If you don't have a specific recipe in mind, you can also have Google look up how to make a dish for you. Google Home will continue to function as normal while you're slicing and dicing, so you can play music, ask questions, and set timers, too. Recipes are rolling out over the coming week, Google says, so don't be discouraged if you can't call up the feature just yet. Google Home vs Amazon Echo: which smart speaker wins?http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/HQk0lL1THU0

You don’t need validation that you’re a sharp dresser. You don’t. But, on some level, part of you just wants some reassurance that you’re ready to face the world looking your best. Tapping into that deep-seated insecurity … uh, desire to look your best, Amazon is releasing a new member of the Echo family called the Echo Look. Part wide-angle camera, part style guru, the Amazon Echo Look snaps a full-length photo of you in the morning, allowing you to see what you look like on your phone, and then uses computer learning to tell you how good you look. How does the Look know the difference between what’s hot and what’s not? The Look’s depth-sensing camera blurs out the background of the image, focusing on you and the clothes you’re wearing. Once it has a picture (or a video) of your outfit, the Look uses a Style Check algorithm that harnesses fashion specialists’ advice to compare what you’re wearing to known outfits. If you get the thumbs up, you’re ready to go out and conquer the world with your Vogue cover shot-worthy outfit. If not, the Look might refer you to its online store where you can shop for new, Amazon-approved duds. So Amazon’s judging you? Yes. Yes they are. It’s not hard to put two and two together here. Amazon owns a fashion section of the website. You might not always feel good about the way you look and want to improve your style. Amazon kills two birds with one stone by providing you with a smart style assistant who just so happens to be tapped into the e-tailer’s marketplace full of great-looking clothes. But setting aside the Look’s slightly duplicitous nature, it has real potential to be a handy little guide to putting together a unique look each morning. Another advantage of the Look is that when it’s not doling out the fashion advice it works just like an Amazon Echo Dot, which means it can tap into other smart home devices or answer queries in between fashion shows. Unfortunately, however, the Amazon Echo Look is only available to VIPs only. Like the launch of the original Echo, Amazon is selling the Look on an invitation-only basis. Should you get the invite, though, the Look will set you back $200 (around £150, AU$270). Google Home vs Amazon Echo: Which speaker is right for you?http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/ob6kLF2tIOY

Parsing through Google Play's extensive library of Android apps is a Herculean task, so Google is saving you the effort by highlighting some of the best to come out in the past year. The Android maker has announced its nominees for the 2017 Google Play Awards, giving apps across 12 different categories a chance for their share of recognition. You can see each of the nominees and their respective categories here, with the winners receiving their dues on Thursday, May 18 at the Google IO 2017 developer conference. To qualify, each app was not only considered exemplary in its individual category by Google staff, but also maintains a relatively high star rating and was either launched or significantly updated from April 2016 onward. This also explains how mainstays like Netflix and Hearthstone nabbed a nomination for 'Best TV Experience' and 'Best Multiplayer Game', respectively, despite both coming out well before last April. Nominated appsIn addition to more straightforward categories, two newcomer-friendly awards include 'Standout Startup,' recognizing fast-growing companies like CastBox, Digit, and Discord, and 'Standout Indie,' showing off eye-catching indie titles like Reigns, Causality, and Mars: Mars. Smartphones apps aren't the only software on parade, with wrist-bound software like Foursquare City Guide and Bring! getting nominations for 'Best Android Wear.' Virtual reality wasn't forgotten either, as apps like The Arcslinger and the BBC's The Turning Forest received nods for 'Best VR Experience.' Some not-so-obvious awards are also on display at this year's Google Play Awards, such as 'Best Social Impact' and 'Best Accessibility Experience,' the latter of which highlights apps that interact "in an innovative way that serves people with disabilities or special needs." Though we don't have a whole awards show planned out like Google, we certainly have ample best Android app recommendations of our own, should you need to know what's worth a-downloading for your Android device. Prefer iOS? Here are the best iPhone appsWhat can we expect from Android O?http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/-bNhNzxerKc

Exact Audio Copyhttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Z3NPEW36KgeQUzUqXReN6.png There are lots of free programs around that call themselves CD rippers, but if you're serious about making the best possible copies of your discs, you need Exact Audio Copy. As its name implies, this free software makes perfect bit-for-bit copies of your discs, so you don't lose data – and therefore quality – when the tracks are transferred to your PC or an external drive. Even if you don't plan to go entirely disc-free, it's well worth making backups with Exact Audio Copy for when the physical media inevitably picks up scratches. Why you need itExact Audio Copy uses a technology called AccurateRip, which uses data from other users around the world to determine whether there are any errors in your ripped files caused by dirt or damage to the discs. AccurateRip can also correct for imperfections created by your optical drive as it reads the CD. Once you've made your copies and stored them in a lossless format like FLAC, you can keep them safely archived, and create copies in your preferred lossy format for everyday use. If you need a hand getting started, audiophile forum Head-Fi has an excellent guide for new users. Download here: Exact Audio Copy http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/nYJ9a63wtu8

In a bid to further persuade users of the standalone versions of Office to shift over to a cloud subscription (Office 365), Microsoft has announced that those who made a one-off purchase of an Office product will no longer get access to the business flavours of OneDrive and Skype come the end of the decade. So here, we are talking about folks who have bought a standalone copy of Office 2016 or previous versions of the suite. Currently, these users can access and make use of both OneDrive for Business and Skype for Business. However, on October 13, 2020 – which is the date for the end of mainstream support for Office 2016 – these users will have their access to both OneDrive and Skype business services cut off. In other words, Microsoft wants you to switch over from a standalone product to an Office 365 subscription in order to keep these benefits. Plentiful noticeIn a blog post, Microsoft said: “We’re providing more than three years’ notice to give IT time to plan and budget for this change. Until this new requirement goes into effect in 2020, Office 2010, Office 2013 and Office 2016 perpetual clients will still be able to connect to Office 365 services.” The firm also explained that those connecting to Office 365 services with a legacy version of Office were not enjoying the full range of benefits on offer. But now, they won’t be enjoying any benefits come 2020, of course. Microsoft is constantly refining Office 365 and pushing both consumers and business users towards the subscription offering for obvious reasons, and with some considerable success. Indeed, last autumn, Microsoft announced some impressive Office 365 user numbers – the online suite had 85 million active commercial users, and 24 million consumers. And those ranks have doubtless swelled since then. Via: PC World You might already be running Office 365 on one of our best laptopshttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/2Yth-nYLHp0

Microsoft has confirmed that the next major Windows 10 update, codenamed “Redstone 3,” is slated to land this September. In the same blog post making the announcement, the firm promised to release major Windows 10 updates every March and September from here on out. Citing strong consumer feedback regarding the want for more predictability and stability from Microsoft’s Windows update model, Windows Commercial Marketing GM Bernardo Caldas stated that Microsoft is aligning its Windows 10 update schedule with that of its Office 365 ProPlus and System Center Configuration Manager products. The news comes after a general lack of clarity surrounding when previous major Windows 10 updates would drop, much less when they would hit a given customer’s device. While this won’t change anything about the latter issue, at least the regularity will be a welcome change. Caldas went on to write that Microsoft will support each of these major updates with security patches for 18 months after their deployment, which isn’t necessarily news, but a reminder in light of this announcement. What does this mean for you? Not a ton, frankly, other than you can more readily count on seeing big Windows 10 updates in March and September, starting this year. We’ll be sure to check back come September (and next March) to see whether Microsoft makes good on its word. These are the best laptops of 2017 so farhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/55YRmeoRy0I

Think you know a lot about smart speakers? Let’s test your knowledge. Only one speaker can connect to your Google account, check your calendar and allow you to add new events. Is that speaker a.) Google Home or b.) Amazon Echo? If you guessed Google Home, you’re a logical, intelligent human being. If you guessed Amazon Echo, you’re twisted, illogical and, well, also right. In a seriously strange series of events, Amazon recently patched Echo devices to work even better with Google Calendar, now allowing you to not only to check your calendar but to add new events to it, too. This isn’t something Google has enabled the Home to do, despite owning the entire end-to-end ecosystem. To create a new event, make sure your Google account is tied to your Echo and simply say “Alexa, create a new event”. Alexa will prompt you for the date and time of the event, as well ask for a name to label the event on your calendar. Ask Google Assistant to do the same thing and it responds “I’m sorry, I can’t add events to your calendar yet”. Amazon 1, Google 0. But at least Google can tell who’s talkingWhile Google Home can’t do much with your Google Calendar (or Gmail, Drive, Docs, Maps, Voice account, Alerts, Chat, Trends or Google Plus), it can at least differentiate between different voices – something that Echo currently can’t do. While both devices support multiple accounts, Google Home can detect which voice is speaking and tailor results to that person. It also allows you to add up to six accounts on a single device, which is pretty handy in larger households. Still, none of that makes up for the incompatibility its own first-party services – a huge failing, and one we didn’t shy away from criticizing when we reviewed the Home a few months ago. But, that being said, Google IO is coming up and it's likely to hold a few surprises for the Mountain View company's smart speaker. Via Engadget Google Home vs Amazon Echo: Which speaker is right for you?http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/TsXnKIdvNCg

Shortly after it was teased just a few days ago, Google is rolling out a sorely-needed feature for the Google Home smart speaker: multiple user support. Arriving today in the US and coming to the UK "in the coming months," Google Home will now support up to six different users. The speaker will track each user's personal itinerary, music playlists, commute, and even flight details. Previously, the Google Assistant-backed speaker could only support one user at a time, making it a hassle to personalize the experience without messing up another person's settings. The real kicker isn't just that Google Home can now keep tabs on more than one person, but that it can do so instantly by recognizing individual voices. When setting up multiple users on Google Home, the most recent version of the Google Home app will ask to hear you say "OK Google" and "Hey Google" a few times when linking your account to the smart speaker. Once that's complete, Google Home's neural network gets a feel for your voice, allowing it to know it's you asking about the weather, and not your spouse, kid, roommate, or a well-trained parrot. Though Amazon Echo has had multiple user support for a while now, it requires users to actively ask the Alexa-powered smart speaker to switch accounts. By knowing who's talking by voice alone, Google Home has made a big step forward in staying competitive, saving us precious time in the process. Google Home vs Amazon Echo: which speaker is right for you?http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/RZkevJpysEM

Stellariumhttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Z3NPEW36KgeQUzUqXReN6.png Stellarium is a virtual planetarium for your Windows PC that lets you stargaze from anywhere on Earth. Stellarium presents you with a realistic 3D view of the sky at night, replicating what you'd be able to see with a telescope, binoculars, or the naked eye. It can use co-ordinates of any location in the world (which you can find using Google Maps GPS Coordinates). Why you need itNot only does Stellarium show you amazing, accurate representations of the night sky, it's also packed with fascinating information. It comes with a catalogue of over 60,000 stars, and there are many more available to download. There are constellations from over 20 cultures with illustrations. Stellarium is stunningly realistic, with shooting stars, eclipse simulation, sunrise and sunset, and customizable landscapes. You can zoom right in on stars, and even see them change over time. Get Stellarium free today and see the stars like never before. Download here: Stellarium http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/_eveJvI92PQ

Modern phone cameras can take stunning print-quality photos, and you probably have some real gems stored on your handset right now – so why leave them there? Individual prints look great, but a printed collage is a great way to show off several snaps at once. A collage based around a particular theme or event makes a striking piece of wall art – particularly if printed on canvas. You could make a collage by piecing images together using a photo editor like Photoshop or GIMP, but it requires a lot of careful resizing and measuring, and really isn’t much fun. It’s much better to use a dedicated collage maker, and there are some fantastic tools that make the job as simple as dragging and dropping, and make the process of creating an original design a real joy. These are the tools – both browser-based and standalone – that will help you make gorgeous collages in moments. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XpjytZKadYHuY5Kqsnopd7.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/g63SMwa7g2kuQ2imDoiYV6.jpg 1. Fotojethttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5TkfQ8DT6Cxn8eLZ6myYJR.png Feature-packed and fun to use – the best tool for creating amazing print-ready collages Online collage maker Fotojet looks very much like Fotor and Canva (below), but is more flexible and fun to use than either, making it our number one choice. To get started, click "Collage" and choose either a grid or an illustrated design (in our opinion a simple grid-based layout shows off your photos better). Those marked with a crown are available to premium account holders only, but you can resize the image frames in any grid, so this isn't much of a drawback. You can also adjust the spacing and roundness of the boxes, and pick an aspect ratio for your canvas. Click "Add photos," then drag and drop them into the template. Once you’ve inserted an image you’ll be presented with a list of customizable Instagram-style filters to give your collage a bespoke look, plus advanced options for tweaking exposure, brightness, contrast, saturation, and hue. There’s a good selection of backgrounds to choose from too (either plain colors, or tasteful geometric patterns), plus clip art and text. Once you’ve finished, you can save your creation as a JPG or PNG file (there’s no PDF option) at a compression setting and size to suit you. You can also share it via Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, or Tumblr, or even print it directly from the browser. It's great fun to use, and easy to master. Try it online: Fotojet http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XpjytZKadYHuY5Kqsnopd7.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gAMXsFStcw9UKkg75HB2n9.jpg 2. Canvahttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5TkfQ8DT6Cxn8eLZ6myYJR.png If you’re planning to print to canvas, this online-only collage maker is an excellent choice Like all the other browser-based collage makers here, most of Canva’s photo collage templates are free to use, but there are also premium designs available for a fee. These are clearly marked, so there’s no need to worry about creating a design, then being unable to export it without parting with a handful of cash. To begin, set a new username and password, or sign in with your Facebook or Google account. Select "Personal use" and you’ll be presented with a menu of project types, including social media graphics, banners, book covers, and presentations. Select "Photo collage," then "See all collage templates" to see the full set of free options available. Alternatively, click "Elements" and choose a grid, then start adding the images, borders, icons, and other items that will make up your collage. To add your own pictures, click "Uploads" and drag them from your desktop. You can then drag them straight onto your collage canvas. You can also add images from Facebook, or from Canva’s own library of free pictures. If you’ve chosen a grid layout, they will be resized and cropped to fit automatically. Once you’re done, you can save your collage as a printable PDF, PNG, or JPG file, or make it public for others to use. You can even add crop marks and bleed space – an option that’s very useful for professional printing, and absent from most free collage makers. The only drawback of Canva is that you can’t set the resolution of the output file (although you do have a choice of standard or print-quality PDFs). Beyond that, it’s a truly superb free collage maker. Try it online: Canva http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XpjytZKadYHuY5Kqsnopd7.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BHgn9c3xxmhbFHvJMZ3gMC.jpg 3. Fotorhttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5TkfQ8DT6Cxn8eLZ6myYJR.png Not just a great photo editor, Fotor also has a module dedicated to making stylish collages There are currently two versions of Fotor’s collage maker – one that uses Flash, and another built with HTML5. The former will soon be phased out in favour of the latter, but they work the same way. Fotor's design isn’t quite as intuitive as Canva’s, but it’s still much quicker and easier than creating a collage from first principles. All of Fotor’s essential features are free, with extras available for a subscription fee. Premium membership also removes ads from the collage creator. To get started, click "Sign in" and either create a new account using your email address, or log in with Facebook (you’ll need an account in order to save your work as you move between tools). Once that’s done, click "Collage", pick a template (those marked with a diamond icon are only available to premium account holders) and upload your pictures using the "Import" button on the right. Click "Fill in" on the left, and the spaces in your chosen template will be populated with the uploaded pictures – cropped and resized to fit automatically. It’s incredibly simple, and the quickest way to create a collage if you don’t mind letting the web app make creative decisions for you. Stickers and text let you give your design a personal touch before it’s exported. Unlike Canva, Fotor lets you choose the aspect ratio and resolution of your finished collage before saving it in JPG, PNG or PDF format. Fotor is an excellent free collage maker, though its design is a little less intuitive than Canva, pushing it into a respectable third place. Try it online: Fotor http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XpjytZKadYHuY5Kqsnopd7.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pDPWnYviNxdAJfEiBhehNF.jpg 4. PhotoPadhttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Z3NPEW36KgeQUzUqXReN6.png A desktop-based free collage maker that’s fast, if a little utilitarian PhotoPad is a desktop program, making it faster and more flexible than its browser-based counterparts. You don’t have to relinquish your email address or Facebook username to use it, either. Unfortunately, it looks a little dated, and lacks some of the features that make online collage makers so much fun, including stickers and filters. Click "Collage" to begin, and set up your canvas by choosing a size for the finished print. Next, pick the background that will show behind your images. Most of the patterns provided here are quite cheesy, but you can also use your own picture or a solid color. Once that’s done, it’s time to choose a layout. There’s a great choice of grids (none are locked away behind a paywall), and you can customize the spacing between photos and roundness of the corners using a pair of sliders. Click a space in your grid to add a photo from your PC. They will be resized to fit, and you can adjust the area to be cropped by clicking and dragging. Unfortunately there’s no way to add text or shapes within the collage editor, and neither are there any filters to give your pictures a fresh look before finalizing your design. If you really want to add extra elements, you’ll have to re-open the saved collage using PhotoPad’s main photo editor and make the alterations manually. Download here: PhotoPad http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XpjytZKadYHuY5Kqsnopd7.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4JLMRqbaZ4UTf4NNbP3XpH.jpg 5. piZaphttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5TkfQ8DT6Cxn8eLZ6myYJR.png A fun way to create collages for Facebook, but not the best for making wall art Unlike other browser-based free photo collage makers, piZap doesn’t ask you to part with your email address before you start creating your first design; just get stuck straight in. This is a handy time-saver, but has the disadvantage that you can’t save your progress and edit your creation at a later date. First, pick a free design; there are options based around rectangles (our preferred choice), hearts, circles, and other shapes like stars. The latter options are better suited to greeting cards than wall art, and risk detracting from the impact of your photos. We’d also avoid the themed options, which are all rather cheesy. Once you’ve picked a template, simply click each frame in turn to insert a photo. Not only can you upload images from your PC, you can also grab pictures from Facebook, Instagram, Dropbox, and Flickr. The now-defunct Google Picasa is also listed. Once your photos are in place, you can set a background color, adjust spacing, and add a drop shadow. There’s a good range of filters available, though they can only be applied to the entire canvas, not individual photos, and the clip art options lack subtlety. The remaining tools (paintbrushes and meme text) are fun for creating something silly to share online, but not for stylish wall art. Once you’ve finished, the free collage maker only gives you one export option – a standard resolution JPG that’s fine for a small print, but not for a large canvas. Overall, piZap is best for making fun compositions to share on social media. If you want something to hang on your wall, the other tools here are much better choices. Try it online: piZap http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/maSHgrz3prw

Allowing users to ditch their passwords completely, Microsoft has joined forces with the Lloyds Banking Group to pioneer new, quicker, and safer security options that let you make payments with your face – i.e. Windows Hello via Windows 10. Building on the biometrics that allow users to unlock their machines using fingerprint or facial recognition software, certain Windows 10 users will soon be able to log-in to their online banking accounts using nothing more than their own mug. Don’t go getting too excited though, the era of “The 6th Day” style payments are still some way off. Lloyds has confirmed that it won’t start trialling the features until “the second half of the year,” with Lloyds Bank, Halifax and Bank of Scotland customers the first to be treated to the enhanced online options. Unlike the Samsung Galaxy S8’s facial recognition abilities which have already tricked by photographs of users, Windows Hello creates a data representation of a face rather than a standard image. Utilising inbuilt infrared cameras, compatible Windows 10 machines more securely identify faces in all manner of lighting conditions, meaning your banking’s not going to be off limits just because it’s a gloomy, overcast day. “This Lloyds Banking Group pilot marks another significant step towards an era of more personal computing,” said Ryan Asdourian, Windows & Devices Lead, Microsoft UK. “With more than 400 million active users of Windows 10 able to take advantage of Windows Hello, it’s great to see a major financial services institution looking at how it can apply this technology to transform the customer experience. “Windows Hello enables users to log in to a Windows device in less than two seconds and this use of advanced biometric technology will provide Lloyds Banking Group customers with a more seamless and frictionless experience without compromising security.” Microsoft-made devices that currently make use of its Windows Hello features include the Surface Pro 4 and Lumia 950. Although a first for Windows machines, iPhone-owning Lloyds Bank customers can already authenticate and access their accounts using nothing more than a fingerprint. The best Windows tablets – many of which rocking Windows Hellohttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/nlldu57CUXM

http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Z3NPEW36KgeQUzUqXReN6.png Freemake Music BoxBored of your current music collection? Want to discover some new artists, or find tracks by your favourites - all for free? Freemake Music Box is an ingenious desktop player for Windows that lets you search for and stream music videos uploaded to YouTube by record companies and official publishers. The videos aren't downloaded to your PC and any illegal uploads are filtered out automatically. Why you need itBecause it's a wonderfully easy way to find and enjpy music. Simply type in the name of an artist or track and Freemake Music Box will present you with a list of matching videos, arranged by relevance. Either click the play button beside a video to start listening/watching immediately, or select the plus button to add it to your playlist. Search results can be filtered by track, album, or artist Freemake Music Box can also search for music on your PC, and you can add tracks from your hard drive to your playlist alongside ones streamed from the internet. You can also import tracks manually, and even add playlists created using other media players. Freemake Music Box is fast, free, and extremely easy to use. Give it a spin - we think you'll be impressed! Download here: Freemake Music Box http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/VCrr8-SGm-E

Helium Music Managerhttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Z3NPEW36KgeQUzUqXReN6.png Helium Music Manager is a fantastic free media organizer and player will help you tame even the largest, most unruly music library. Helium has everything you need to tag, sort and arrange your tracks, as well as a superb built-in player with excellent sort and search functions to help you find exactly what you want to listen to. Why you need itHelium looks great, and is highly customizable with collapsible panes showing information about your collection and the current track. You can add tags to songs while they're playing, see biographies and lyrics, and check out similar artists. There are even charts showing the years the songs in your collection were recorded and released. If you own an iOS device, you can get even more out of Helium Music Manager with the Helium Streamer and Helium Remote mobile apps, which do exactly what their names suggest, letting you stream music from your Helium library to your device, and use it to control the desktop app. Download here: Helium Music Manager http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/6mQYralj0hg

Painting software has come a long way in recent years, and there are now superb programs available completely free that offer a realistic simulation of watercolors, oils, pastels, charcoal, and more. These programs work well with a mouse, but are even better with a stylus or touchscreen for direct control over your virtual brushes and pens. Some of the latest painting software also lets you work in three dimensions, creating your own models and then applying your own textures and paint effects. You can combine these with 2D sketched elements to create scenes, and even print them in 3D. Here, we’ve picked out the very best drawing software for Windows. Some of these tools are designed for serious illustrators, while others are better for keeping children occupied without the mess of real painting. There’s something for everyone – the only limits are your imagination and skill. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XpjytZKadYHuY5Kqsnopd7.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8dpc2HxHihRhc53i8L7S7R.jpg 1. Kritahttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Z3NPEW36KgeQUzUqXReN6.png Top-quality free painting software that gives all artists equal access to the best tools Krita is professional-quality painting software created by a team of artists with the noble aim of putting top-notch creative tools within reach of everyone. You can use Krita for any kind of drawing and illustration, but it's particularly great for comics and manga. There are panel templates, halftone filters, and perspective tools in addition to the usual brushes, fills and pens. Each brush is totally customizable, and you can save your bespoke brushes to use again later. Right-clicking anywhere on the canvas in Krita will bring up a selection wheel that lets you pick a new tool and select a colour in seconds – a system that's much easier than trawling through menus and settings Krita was created by artists for artists, and it shows in the dozens of thoughtful little touches that make it easier to create great paintings. There are handy drawing aids for creating straight lines, vanishing points and smooth shapes. You also get layers, masks, various transform tools, HDR support, and advanced selection functions. Krita is an incredibly powerful painting program, and it's yours to download and use completely free. Download here: Krita http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XpjytZKadYHuY5Kqsnopd7.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/o3oLKGbCiByW6pd5pQ7YCF.jpg 2. Artweaver Freehttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Z3NPEW36KgeQUzUqXReN6.png A realistic simulation of traditional artistic media, with a huge selection of brushes and tools Artweaver Free enables you to create beautifully realistic digital paintings by taking your input – from your mouse, from a stylus, or if you have a touchscreen PC from whatever you feel like tapping the screen with – and applying ultra-realistic brush effects. In addition to familiar brushes such as conte brushes, calligraphy pens and airbrushes you also get a huge range of patterns and pens, enabling you to produce very complex images with the minimum of effort. It’s layer-based too, so you can build up your masterpiece in layers without losing the ability to change anything. Artweaver Free designed for artists of all ages, but we’ve found it particularly useful for children. Kids love experimenting with all the different brushes, and we love not having to clean up any mess afterwards. Download here: Artweaver Free http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XpjytZKadYHuY5Kqsnopd7.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KM4qQyCRhiqZnvVyeLK3ed.jpg 3. Microsoft Paint 3DMake three-dimensional models with this kid-friendly free painting software – included in the latest Windows 10 update Paint 3D comes as part of the Windows 10 Creator’s Update, and is great fun even if you have no artistic talent to speak of. Like the classic version of Paint (which still exists, and can be found using Windows 10’s search bar), Paint 3D offers a small selection of drawing tools for doodling on a flat canvas. However, the real fun happens when you click the 3D Objects button. Here you can pick a model to import (current choices include people and animals), or better yet, draw your own shape and then ‘inflate’ it to turn it into a three-dimensional model that can be rotated and viewed from different angles. You can choose a finish for your shape (options include matte, gloss, dull metal, and polished metal), paint its surface, and apply lighting effects. There’s no way to control the thickness of the 3D effect, so your object will always resemble something created with Puff Paints, but it’s great fun for kids of all ages. Multiple models can be positioned at different depths and combined to create a scene, and you can even bring doodles into the real world if you have access to a 3D printer. Get the Windows 10 Creator's Update, including Paint 3D http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XpjytZKadYHuY5Kqsnopd7.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pjHhNJT7mASk5v6U3Xrt5Q.jpg 4. Microsoft Fresh Painthttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Z3NPEW36KgeQUzUqXReN6.png Another child-friendly app from Microsoft, with realistic brush strokes and a fun interface Fresh Paint is another art app from Microsoft – this time designed to replicate the feeling of putting brush or pen to paper. The interface really goes to town with skeumorphism, with a plastic palette of colours that splatter when you dip your virtual brush, showing which shade you’re currently using and making a pleasing splat. You can wash the bristles in a cup of water before picking a different color, or use one immediately after another to blend them together on the brush. Fresh Paint can simulate watercolors, gouache, and all kinds of other material. As the name implies, you can interact with your work as though it’s not yet dry, smearing it and mixing colors together on the canvas. Experienced artists will be able to achieve great results with tools that behave like their real-life counterparts, while kids and novices will make an equally realistic mess. Download here: Microsoft Fresh Paint http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XpjytZKadYHuY5Kqsnopd7.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Zq3jVr6Cai2Zf8m7GDTaVk.jpg 5. MyPainthttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Z3NPEW36KgeQUzUqXReN6.png Open source software for hobbyist artists with the time and patience to master a new tool MyPaint is the brainchild of artist Martin Renold, who was frustrated by the limitations of his Wacom tablet’s proprietary software and decided to take matters into his own hands. Today, the open source software is an accomplished tool for artists. Its background as a Linux app means MyPaint works a little differently to most Windows apps, and it’ll take a little while to master its interface, but it’s well worth the effort if you’re a hobbyist illustrator and Krita’s focus on comics means it doesn’t quite fit your needs. MyPaint works best when used with a graphics tablet, but you can also use it with any other input device, or a touchscreen. There’s the usual selection of customizable brushes, plus support for layers, and a handy scratchpad for creating sketches. You can also download and install additional brush packages created by other users – a perk of the source code being publicly available. Download here: MyPaint http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/z9uyMfZi16c

If you’re writing code or creating a website, a good text editor will save you time and help you work more efficiently. Syntax highlighting for multiple programming and scripting languages is one of the most useful tools in any text editor, and autocomplete is a welcome addition as well. The best text editors will also offer recordable macros to help you code more efficiently, as well as flexible customization options and plugins. Design matters too. A tabbed interface makes it easy to manage multiple documents at once, and the best text editors will cache your progress automatically so nothing is lost if you accidentally close the program. With all that in mind, here’s our pick of the best free text editors you can download today. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XpjytZKadYHuY5Kqsnopd7.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RGtbFbixJu3MdKpBkAsmGA.jpg 1. Notepad++http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Z3NPEW36KgeQUzUqXReN6.png A flexible and powerful text editor packed with tools to help you write code more efficiently Probably the best-known text editor, Notepad++ is a familiar name even if you’re not a programmer. The reasons for its enduring popularity is its support for syntax highlighting and autocomplete in a huge number of languages, as well as macro recording, code collapsing, and a near-endless list of plugins that can used to extend the already-impressive feature set. Although it’s not immediately apparent from the wording of the installer, Notepad++ can be used as a portable app and run directly from a USB stick or cloud storage service. Notepad++ benefits from a tabbed multi-document interface so you can work on several files at once, and is lightning fast – even when handling very large files. It's been in development a long time, and is a truly fantastic text editor. Download here: Notepad++ http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XpjytZKadYHuY5Kqsnopd7.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6s8WSPZ5ETBEU5qynfB3g7.jpg 2. Atomhttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Z3NPEW36KgeQUzUqXReN6.png A fully customizable open source text editor, Atom is almost infinitely expandable Described as "hackable to the core", Atom is the perfect free text editor for anyone who likes to have complete control over their software. Despite this, it has an approachable design that means even newcomers should feel comfortable – an impressive feat for a program from the developer-focused Github stables. Atom's Github heritage also means that this is an open source tool (hence its hackability), and there are numerous add-on packages available to extend its capabilities. There's even a built-in package manager so you can search for expansion options from within the program, without the need to fire up your web browser. Atom's multi-pane interface makes it possible to easily work with multiple files, and common features such as code completion and incredible support mean that it can be used for everything from web design to app building. Download here: Atom for Windows Download here: Atom for other operating systems http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XpjytZKadYHuY5Kqsnopd7.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/r3jJmjMBD5AwozRwkE7y85.jpg 3. Vimhttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Z3NPEW36KgeQUzUqXReN6.png A powerful tool, but you'll need to adapt your work style to suit it, not the other way around Like Notepad++, Vim is a text editor that's with us for quite some time, and is showing no signs of losing its power or appeal. Vim is available for all the major desktop platforms (and some minor ones) as well as iOS and Android, but makes few concessions for beginners. The learning curve is steep, with no hand-holding, but in exchange Vim offers unrivaled power. There are features such as various methods of code completion, macro recording and playback, history support for calling up commonly used snippets of code, and built-in script for automation and customization. Vim is an expansion of the Unix vi editor, and its old school design could be a little intimidating if you're used to modern Windows software, but it's a superb text editor nonetheless. Download here: Vim for Windows Download here: Vim for other operating systems http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XpjytZKadYHuY5Kqsnopd7.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xgzWA52qgjoLcJyAixexqC.jpg 4. Light Tablehttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Z3NPEW36KgeQUzUqXReN6.png A stylish text editor with a built-in browser for previewing code without switching programs If we were judging text editors on looks alone, Light Table would feature highly for its undeniable style. It's a shining example of beautiful minimalism. Light Table can be used for just about any coding project, but it's particularly well-suited to website building, and the fact that it’s available for Windows, Mac and Linux is a big bonus. If you're coding a site in Light Table, you can instantly preview what you're working on thanks to the embedded browser. The tabbed and paned interface makes great use of space, and the program is highly customizable so you can easily tailor it to individual projects. This open source text editor started life as a Kickstarter project and the developers did a great job of listening to what people were looking for, including a centralized list of plugins, inline code feedback, instant testing of code, and watching of code feedback for easier analysis and evaluation. Download here: Light Table http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XpjytZKadYHuY5Kqsnopd7.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6pVEczGkFpDSJgLVSMGb5J.jpg 5. Bluefishhttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Z3NPEW36KgeQUzUqXReN6.png Once you get to grips with its busy interface, Bluefish is an excellent cross-platform text editor Another cross-platform editor, Bluefish is available for Windows, Linux (various distros) and Mac. Its developers pride themselves on its lightweight design; the program is speedy and can handle dozens (or even hundreds, if you believe the documentation) of files simultaneously. One of the more intimidating-looking pieces of software in the list, Bluefish could overwhelm some people with its plethora of tab and toolbars, but if you can get past this, you're onto a winner. Bluefish gives web developers scope for remote editing with Bluefish, and there’s support for lots of programming languages (including syntax highlighting and checking). Bluefish won’t be to everyone's liking, largely due to the button-strewn interface – but if you can give the UI a chance, you’ll find it’s a superb text editor. Download here: Bluefish http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/YnXMu7QWdA4

In an attempt to attract young people into its workforce, McDonald’s is integrating Snapchat into its job application process in Australia. The ‘Snaplication’ process basically involves the applicant sending McDonald’s a 10 second video of them talking about themselves while using a new filter which places a McDonald’s employee hat and name badge over them. After they’ve submitted their video the applicant will then be sent a link to the McDonald’s career hub where they can download an application form. Shaun Ruming, chief operating officer of McDonald’s Australia, told news.com.au that this is a “world first” example of “a Snapchat ‘lens’ that gives users the ability to apply for a job — or at least commence that process.” First impressionsThe idea of commencement is key here, though. Rather than being an integral part of the job application process, it seems more that McDonald’s is using the novelty of the feature as a way to effectively recruit more young employees. It’s not entirely clear whether or not everyone who submits an application via Snapchat will receive a link to the actual application or whether only some will after their video has been reviewed. Ruming does say that despite the short length, the video should let them see whether or not an applicant has the “positivity” and “bubbly personality” required to be “good in a customer service role” which gives the impression that the Snaplication will have some impact. Regardless of how good that 10 second clip is, though, Ruming said that Snapchat won’t replace the traditional hiring process. That means an applicant will still have to fill in a form and attend a “thorough” face-to-face interview. In some ways the addition of a Snapchat portion to the job application process simply seems like a gimmick that will draw the whole thing out more while giving McDonald’s plenty of publicity. However, McDonald’s is the biggest youth employer in Australia and considering Snapchat has more than 4 million daily users in the country, the majority of whom are young people, this is a fairly good means of reaching them. In some ways it may actually streamline the process – young people are already on Snapchat but they’re not on the McDonald’s job page, and this is something that’s more likely to get them there. Whether or not it’ll have any impact on application numbers is yet to be seen but if it does it's not impossible that it could be something other companies with large numbers of young employees could adopt, or perhaps it could even extend to other McDonald’s territories. Not a Snapchat fan? You could also apply for your next job through Facebookhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/zXd_RofMHrs

The Raspberry Pi 3 just got even more useful with the Creators Update, as Cortana support has come to the version of Windows 10 tailored for IoT devices. Windows 10 IoT Core now contains support for Cortana with the latest update which officially starts to roll out today, meaning that tinkerers will be able to use their Raspberry Pi 3 boards to build smart gadgets which are capable of accepting voice commands. They need to run Microsoft’s OS on the device, of course, as opposed to Linux (such as Raspbian, the Debian-based operating system specifically optimized for the Raspberry Pi). As PC World reports, the range of voice commands available to Raspberry Pi users will be similar to the way that the digital assistant works on the PC, and developers will be able to program various custom commands tied to whatever smart device they’re producing. Smart moveThis is all part of Microsoft’s big push to get Cortana into the smart home, and really, into as many peoples’ lives as the firm can possibly manage. With the Creators Update, Cortana is now supported not just on the Pi 3, but across a range of other mini-computers such as Intel’s Compute Sticks – and at the end of last year, Microsoft made it clear that the digital assistant would be coming to all Windows 10 IoT Core smart gadgets which have displays, from fridges to thermostats. That has meant adding new capabilities such as ‘far-field voice’ support which allows Cortana to recognize commands from a distance – around four meters away – and pick those commands up even with the background noise and chatter you might have in a typical home. This is all part of the battle lines which are currently being drawn between Cortana and other digital assistants such as Amazon’s Alexa, Google Assistant and Siri. But Microsoft is giving itself the best possible chance in making Cortana available not just across PCs, tablets, phones and its Xbox console, but also by maximizing the number of smart home devices that could potentially benefit from the integration of its voice assistant. Raspberry Pi support is certainly a big part of the latter puzzle. Want to do something neat with your Raspberry Pi?http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/BqkxTisvKJs

It used to be that, unless you were some big time Hollywood hotshot or a trader on Wall Street, paying someone to protect your home really wasn’t an affordable option. But these days finding a good security guard is as easy as going to your local electronics retailer’s smart home section. That being said, the good news for both your home and your wallet is that there are literally dozens of affordable smart devices that can keep you and your house safe while you’re away. Tracking down which of these electronic watch dogs is worth buying can be tricky but we’ve done some sleuthing of our own and found at least 10 gadgets that will keep your home safe and secure. But look, before we start it’s worth saying explicitly that we don’t think your house is unsafe and that you should buy into this weirdly perpetuated culture of fear. Likely, your house would be fine with or without these things. Still, there’s something to be said for security and peace of mind no matter the circumstance so it’s for that reason we’ve assembled this list. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/oZFgVcpXhiPYTZLQQRfyUY.jpg 1. LG Smart Security Solution Kicking off our list is the LG Smart Security Solution that’s powered by ADT Home Security. While other gadgets on this list only perform one task at a time, LG’s security solution is a camera, motion tracker, microphone and speaker all-in-one. Setting up the camera takes a matter of minutes, and simply involves downloading an app from the app store. Wall mounting it would take a bit longer than placing it on a shelf in good view of your front door, but by and large it’s one of the easier setups on the list. The only downside? While you can watch a live view of your camera’s feed from the app for free, you’ll need to subscribe to ADT in order to store and retrieve video. ADT charges $9.99 per month to keep the last seven days of footage or $29.99 for the last 30 days. Buy it now on Amazon for $199 http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/b75ebaf5ec80fa54480ef852d4a70669.jpg 2. Skybell HD Wi-Fi Video DoorbellWhile not a security camera in the traditional sense, the Skybell HD Wi-Fi Video Doorbell acts as like a personal bouncer analyzing potential guests before they walk into your humble abode. The Wi-Fi Doorbell offers 1080p video, free online video storage and on-demand video along with a notification when anyone presses the button. On top of everything else it hooks into the Amazon Alexa ecosphere allowing you to take photos or record video via voice command. Buy it now on Amazon for $179 or on Amazon.co.uk for £275 http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4WeCzpHFsFD6uAn8CohM5X.jpg 3. Kwikset Kevo Smart Lock (2nd Gen.)But if you’re looking for total front door security, a smart doorbell requires a smart lock to go along with it. The best partner in anti-crime for the Skybell HD Doorbell is the Kwikset Kevo Smart Lock, a solidly built lock that finds the ideal balance between security and convenience. We like the Kwikset Kevo for a few reasons. The first is that it offers a few ways for you to get into the house: a key fob, cell phone or, if you’re traditional, a standard key. Better yet, if you want to allow a friend access to your abode for a bit – say to watch a pet or child while you’re out – you can send them an eKey to grant them limited access over a set period of time. Want a smart lock that requires a little less setup time? The August Smart Lock fits over your standard deadbolt and connects into Apple’s HomeKit ecosystem of smart appliances. Buy it now on Amazon for $229 or on Amazon.co.uk for £697 http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Hd8XT7Mwxjxqqk8exbhP88.jpg 4. Kuna Light FixtureIf you like your locks just the way they are right now, but you’re still interested in some outdoor security enhancements, check out Kuna’s line of smart light fixtures. At first glance these relatively sleek and svelte-looking outdoor lights might appear to be … well, not very intelligent. But little do burglars know that on the bottom of each light is an HD camera waiting to catch them in the act of breaking in. Want to chat with suspect intruders before answering the door? Most models function as a two-way communicator, allowing you to visually and aurally assess potential threats before meeting them face-to-face. Buy it now on Amazon for $158 or on Amazon.co.uk for £544 http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/a907de7bdf15fe59a16b5adf5c240cc4.jpg 5. Nest Protect Fire and Carbon Monoxide detectorAll right, now that we’ve got the outside of the house locked down, let’s focus on what we can do inside to keep you safe. One of our biggest recommendations as far as preventing smoke, fire and carbon monoxide related incidents is the Nest Protect. Nest was one of the first major mainstream smart devices and it got that way because of how simple it is to setup and install, and how effective it is once you’ve done so. Should the Protect ever detect any one of the above not only will you get a notification on your phone but also anyone else part of the family plan. Plus, should it go off accidentally, you won’t have to wave a towel – simply open the app on your phone to shut it off. Buy it now on Amazon for $99 or on Amazon.co.uk for £89 http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9RcyfDhfyGpFnrXRNY86hd.jpg 6. Securifi Almond 3 Smart RouterWhile all routers are pretty smart, Securifi’s Almond 3 is very smart. Not only will it connect you to the outside world like any old router would, the Almond 3 packs in a few smart home tricks that help you automate and control your internet usage. Want to get a notification when your son or daughter comes home from school and jumps on the Wi-Fi? Now you can. Securifi sells its own suite of smart home products that go alongside the Smart Router – everything from a door sensor and motion detector to a smart remote and a smart switch – but thanks to some smart partnerships you’re welcome to hook it into the Amazon Echo. Want to turn off Wi-Fi to all devices in the Kids group? Just say the word. For an extra layer of protection, Securifi also offers an IoT Security plan that stops devices from outside your local network from controlling your house. The plan scans all devices in the network for botnet/malware vulnerabilities, monitors outbound traffic to detect zombie devices in the network and sends notifications when suspicious device activity occurs and it detects vulnerable devices in the network. Buy it on Amazon for $149 or on Amazon.co.uk for £99 http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RaBryyH5PN5wAZieVg9ez3.jpg 7. Withings Home Baby BundleThe Securifi Almond 3 might protect kids from the dangers of the internet but, if your kids are even younger, you might want to look into the Withings Smart Baby Monitor. So why trust Withings with the youngest member of your family? Not only does it allow you video surveillance 24 hours a day of the crib, but it also does some neat tricks like turning on a nightlight and can play some soothing music should your little one wake up. Automatic movement and noise alerts tell you when they’re not sleeping as soundly as they could be, plus there’s a push to talk button on the app that allows you to communicate (and most definitely freak out) your kids. On second thought, maybe that last bit isn’t really a great feature to emphasize… Buy it now on Amazon for $199 or on Amazon.co.uk for £169 http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LhiWMcTPQHZXDfCNj7KTbj.jpg 8. Samsung SmartThings Home Monitoring KitWhile other smart home systems occupy a certain niche or specialize in one particular area, Samsung’s SmartThings system can be used in any number of ways to keep your home locked down. That being said, the best place to start is the Samsung SmartThings Home Monitoring Kit. Inside, you’ll find a SmartThings Hub (the brains of every SmartThings set up), a multipurpose motion sensor, two window and door sensors, plus a SmartThings Outlet that allows you to remotely turn appliances on or off. Without buying any of the other SmartThings-compatible devices, with just these tools at your disposal you’ll be able to track who’s home and when, thereby providing some peace at mind when you know you’ve got the entire family home safe and sound. Add on anything else from the SmartThings catalogue and you’ll soon have a smart home worthy of a sci-fi flick. Buy it now on Amazon for $205 or on Amazon.co.uk for £139 http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cbdd3663c887c550d75d8ea0d8f346b4.jpg 9. Philips Hue Lighting SystemThere are a few great smart lighting options out there including bulbs from Cree and LIFX, but so far the one that’s impressed us the most is Philips Hue. Not only does it hook into the Amazon Echo family of products, but automating the Hue is super simple as well. Want the living room light to turn on at sundown? What about turning the outdoor lights on when you pull out of the driveway? Just set the parameters in the app and you’re good to go. One shortcoming that’s worth pointing out is that these smart lightbulbs are far more expensive than their ‘dumb’ alternatives. While a regular lightbulb might only run you a few dollars or pounds, each Philips Hue bulb costs 10 or 20 times that amount. Buy it now on Amazon for $69 or on Amazon.co.uk for £59 http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uNCRrRNdqtJmpjiZsuF9DR.jpg 10. Automatic Pro Car AdapterBefore you start your month-long vacation feeling pretty good about your new ultra-secure smart home, there’s one last thing you need: the Automatic Pro. The Automatic Pro works like a smart sensor for your car. It can tell you when your car is parked somewhere it shouldn’t be (like a street-sweeping zone) and allow you to keep tabs on your vehicles location whenever and wherever you are using your smartphone. It plugs into the OBD-II port (on-board diagnostic), the same thing that technicians use to get a read on what’s wrong with your car when you take it in for an inspection. Not only does Automatic do the standard security features you’d expect, but it also has a few neat features like mileage tracking and crash alerts that will keep you up to date on your car’s status. Buy it now on Amazon for $129 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/aUp9-WDhdGQ

The Google Home app started displaying a potentially exciting new panel today. In the Discover section of the app, a window has appeared that claims “Multiple users now supported”. The function to support multiple users isn’t active, so it seems that the update, picked up on by Android Police, may have been a little premature. Nevertheless, it’s an addition we're keen to see. Who’s home?Google Home, the speaker vessel for Google Assistant, has been available in the UK for a little less than a week, and while it’s already making waves, there are some issues. Aside from the lack of multi-user support, one of the main problems we had with Google Home when we reviewed it was the lack of integration with Google’s own services. Being able to send an email or input a diary event feels like it should be a basic function of a Google device. In the new app window, Google claims the update gives you and others in your home a more “personalised experience”, which hopefully includes the same level of interaction that Google Assistant gives you in its phone form. The main reasons for the lack of interactivity at the moment are security and privacy, with Google not wanting to leave accounts vulnerable to abuse via the Google Home. So it looks like the multiple-user issue and the Google services issue could be connected, albeit tenuously. Now for the good news: there is a possible fix to this problem hidden in the code for the app. As we previously reported, the Google Home app has code that refers to identifying individual users by voice. We can’t say with any certainty when this function will appear, but we’re hoping that it could be part of this update. It would certainly be a good time, and would make multiple user interaction a lot more user-friendly than on the Amazon Echo, where you currently have to ask Alexa to 'Switch accounts' before using individual services. Google Home reviewhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/aO-eGcULPvM

A new app for Microsoft's virtual assistant Cortana, named Device Setup, has been launched in the Google Play store. In the app, unearthed by The Tech Portal, you're talked through the set-up of your Cortana-powered home device – which is interesting, because there isn’t a Cortana home speaker on the market at the moment. We're all becoming familiar with the idea of far-field home speakers, and with Amazon Echo and Google Home already established in many homes it was only a matter of time before Microsoft entered the field of play. What, when?At present Cortana can be used to control Windows phones and computers via voice commands, and now it looks like she'll be invading our kitchens and living rooms too. Right now, however, all we have in terms of news of a home speaker from Microsoft is this pretty but vague teaser video, in partnership with Harman Kardon. Rumors have been circulating for a while about a Microsoft hardware launch in spring 2017, and with a recent report suggesting the Surface Book 2 wouldn't be launched at this event we've been wondering if the Cortana speaker was going to be launched instead – and the launch of this new app makes that more likely. Surface Book 2 may be a no-show at Microsoft's next hardware launchhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/7c-oWqv1o2M

CherryPlayerhttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Z3NPEW36KgeQUzUqXReN6.png CherryPlayer is a superb media player that's designed to make finding new music a breeze. Not only is CherryPlayer an excellent choice for playing and managing your media library, with support for all the most popular audio and video formats, it can also stream content straight from the biggest music and video portals. Why you need itCherryPlayer's killer feature is its ability to stream new chart music straight from Billboard, Last.fm, YouTube and BBC Radio, helping you keep up to date and discover new songs in moments. Other supported sites include Twitch.TV, making CherryPlayer a good choice for gamers as well. You can also use CherryPlayer to download content from your favorite sites, though bear in mind that you should only download videos and music if you have the copyright holder's permission. Download here: CherryPlayer http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/software-news/~4/7ixTe_IkquY