sincity

Only a few years after the nostalgia-driven AR frenzy that was Pokemon Go, Niantic has cast an incendio charm on the world again with the augmented reality (AR) Harry Potter game called Harry Potter: Wizards Unite. As you can imagine, there's a lot of excitement around Harry Potter: Wizards Unite, and we could even see Pokemon Go-levels of hype as people get their hands on it – especially in the UK, where people could play the game in the locations it took place. We've put together this handy guide to everything you need to know about Wizards Unite, to prepare you for your gaming, walking, and spell-casting. Cut to the chaseWhat is it? A mobile AR Harry Potter game in the vein of Pokemon Go When can I play it? It's out now!What can I play it on? Android and iOSHarry Potter Wizards Unite release dateHarry Potter Wizards Unite will launched in the UK and the US on June 20, 2019. Just in time for the muggle children's summer holidays – what a coincidence! Niantic originally planned to make the game available on June 21, but users in the UK found themselves able to download it early, perhaps due to time differences between countries. How to play Harry Potter: Wizards UniteWhen you open the app, you're prompted to create a profile for yourself before you start playing – it doesn't take long, and you'll be playing the game before you know it. You can fill in most of your information at any time, including adding a picture and your Hogwarts house, but if you just want to play, the game will run you through a quick tutorial before letting you loose in your neighbourhood. Sprawled across the map you can see floating badges, flags, inns, greenhouses, fortresses and more – let's run through what those mean Harry Potter: Wizards Unite locationshttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dZEJhLDdEVmApYARZcBF48.jpg Image credit: Niantic Badges (Confoundables) The floating badges are called 'Confoundables' in the game, and they work similar to the Pokemon in Pokemon Go, as they're what you're trying to collect. When you select a Confoundable, you're taken to the AR camera and you have to cast a spell on it, by swiping over a pattern that appears on screen. Sometimes you have to do this once, other times you need to cast the spell a few times to finish the task. Then you'll collect the Confoundable, and add it to your 'Registry', which is rather like a sticker collection. Collecting these help you level up, and rank up in certain categories like Care of Magical Creatures and Dark Arts. The flags that you might see dotted the map indicate areas where there will be a high intensity of Confoundables, so if you're looking to collect as many as possible, these areas will be the best places to look. Just tap the flat to indicate the area they cover. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ts9ZYcGgEvz7KYnt3hQXND.jpg Harry Potter: Wizard Unite's confoundables. Image credit: Niantic / TechRadar Inns and Greenhouses Inns 'serve' a variety of cuisine (both magical and British), with each plate giving you more spell energy to use for combat. Some plates give more energy than others, so you are presented with several covered serving dishes and asked to pick one at random. It’s down to luck of the draw and you have to wait another five minutes before you can pick another - but don’t worry, the world is littered with inns to gather energy from. Alongside inns, the other notable buildings dotted across the map are greenhouses. Greenhouses reward you with ingredients, used for potion brewing, but much like inns what you get is the luck of the draw. You are presented with five plants and asked to pull up one to reveal your ingredient prize, again waiting five minutes before you can pick again. These ingredients are then used for potion brewing necessities such as health potions (there will be 10 potions available at launch), with skills such as brewing time, yield and quantity being able to be upgraded as you progress. Fortresses Much like Pokémon Go’s raids, Fortresses are battles which offer more powerful items but required you to team up with others. At present, you can take on a Fortress with up to four others (making a total of five). However, to take part in these you need to use rune stones (which you obtain from the Confoundables and treasure chests) . However, unlike Pokémon Go raids, there are extra layers to Wizards Unite fortresses. The first is that Fortresses have 10 levels, as you beat each one you progress to the next, more challenging, level. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CBhZhCQZgyjqxEW93ch4MK.jpg The map with a flag, Confoundable, fortress, and greenhouse, then a sample of what to expect in a greenhouse and fortress. Image credit: Niantic / TechRadar Combat While adventuring you will come across beasties and wizards in the world that are protecting the 'foundable items' (that's what Niantic is calling them) you’re trying to track down. It’s your job to dispel the confounding magic being used on the foundable so you can return it or defeat the witch or wizard that’s causing you grief. Before you begin the battle you can assess the threat level of your enemy to decide if it’s worth the risk. This is done by tracing the spell symbol shown on your screen, including swiping then urged to defend. Your success is based on the accuracy and speed of your trace (and luck). Landmark events Some battles are landmark events, which feed into the game’s main story and often see you revisiting a classic event from the Wizarding World franchise - such as saving a Quidditch-clad Harry from a fatal Dementor’s Kiss. All victorious battles reward you with experience, contributing to your overall level, however landmark events are the key ones to keep an eye out for. According to Niantic, there will be over 100 AR events at launch. Microtransactions Yes, you will be able to pay real-world money for spell energy and other items, but Niantic insists this doesn’t affect progression and merely reduces waiting times... Professions Wizards Unite lets you choose from three professions: Auror, Magizoologist and Professor. As you gain experience and gain items, you can invest into progressing in your chosen field. Each of these professions has its own strengths and weaknesses when it comes to battle so, when you take on a Fortress, you should be a bit strategic about how you approach the battle and who takes on which enemy. Except, at present, it doesn’t seem to have a huge impact (from what we experienced). Fortunately, if you change your mind about your profession, you can change your choice at no cost, while keeping the progress you made in that profession. Customization You first create your Ministry of Magic ID by taking a selfie you can then customize through AR: including adding hats, wigs, glasses etc. You can later choose your specific Hogwarts house and wand for that extra personal feel. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UbJnUncH96ixwzXFUy48Yn.jpg Image credit: Niantic Dynamic map Niantic’s real world platform means Wizard’s Unite map is rendered much like Pokémon Go’s. However, despite being built on the same AR software, the similarities become more distinct as you play. The Wizards Unite world is a living and breathing map, complete with owls swooping overhead, spell remnants from other players and ingredients to scoop up on your journey. This dynamic map means that a variety of aspects influence the creatures, events and ingredients you come across, including moon phase, weather and time. Story Set in the present day, Wizards Unite sees the Wizarding World facing an existential crisis which is threatening to explore the magical world to muggles. This "calamity", as Niantic calls it, sees beasts, people and artifacts from the Harry Potter franchise being scattered across the world and it’s up to players to contain it. The Ministry of Magic is calling for wizards (aka players) to join a task force in an effort to locate these magical items, dispel the confounding magic surrounding them and return them before muggles catch sight. We haven’t been told the exact nature of this calamity, and that’s purposely done. Niantic’s aim is for players to gradually pick up pieces of the story as they progress, discussing it with one another and creating a discussion around the game. However JK Rowling isn’t involved with Wizards Unite’s story, so how canon the plot is is arguable. "Your forever Harry Potter game" Niantic has promised this will be a long-haul game much like Pokémon Go - they even have post-launch content planned. We got some hands on time with Harry Potter: Wizards unite at a first-look event in Londonhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/7my2686e7tM

When you end up spending a fair chunk on your internet each month, wouldn't it be nice to be offered some of that money back? Well with BT's most recent freebie-filled fibre broadband deals, that's exactly what you get. With BT reward cards worth up to £130 up for grabs, BT has gone big with its most recent offerings. Whether you're looking to save around £6.66 a month on BT's Superfast fibre package or go all out and save roughly £7.22 on BT's bigger Superfast fibre 2 package there is a lot to love here. You can see these packages below or check out all of the BT broadband deals to see what else they have. If this still feels too expensive, even after the reward cards then check out our cheap broadband deals guide instead. Best broadband deals - see how BT compares to the competition with our guidehttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VgyagGS9HpAEPUQtUJBfrg.jpg BT's fibre broadband dealsWhat is a BT Reward Card?The Reward Card that BT sends out is a pre-paid credit card that you can use anywhere that accepts Mastercard. In short, that's around a million shops, cafes and restaurants around the world, so you shouldn't find it difficult to find places to spend, spend, spend. It's an old-fashioned chip and pin card, rather than contactless. But do make sure that you claim your Reward Card within three months of installation, otherwise you'll lose out on all that cash. Today's best broadband dealshttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/YpEX1TaabD0

Graphene – the super-strong, conductive material that has the potential to transform life as we know it – is now available in jacket form. Graphene consists of a single layer of carbon atoms, and is the magic ingredient in the rather sharp-looking Vollebak Graphene Jacket 1. Unlike many graphene products (such as rub-on smart tattoos and planes), it isn't just a concept, and is available to buy in 'a very limited run'. 40 ways graphene is about to change your lifeWhy is graphene taking so long?Graphene: the miracle material explainedThe jacket is made from high-stretch nylon, with a graphene coating on one side that allows it to conduct heat from warmer parts of your body and redistribute it, effectively regulating your temperature so you're more comfortable on warm or cool days. The coating also repels bacteria, so if you get a little warm under the arms before you put it on, it won't start to smell. Mobile warmingThe graphene jacket can also conduct electricity, but creator Vollebak has decided to dampen down this ability to protect wearers. Prototypes of the jacket were so conductive that the wearer could hold a battery in one hand and a light bulb in the other, and have the bulb light up, but Vollebak decided that, although interesting, it was best to play it safe and make the material a little more resistant. Graphene can also absorb a theoretically unlimited amount of heat, which means you can leave it on a radiator or in a sunny place, then turn it inside out and enjoy its toasty warmth next to your skin as you go about your business on a chilly day. At £525 (about $670, AU$960), it certainly isn't cheap, but you'll get an additional warm, fuzzy feeling from being an early adopter and helping Vollebak improve future iterations for new wearers. Google's Project Jacquard jacket will stop you leaving without your phonehttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/OvaNGHwXZxg

The famous old Headingly ground - setting of one of England's most famous victories - hosts today's Cricket World Cup 2019 match. Sri Lanka are hoping to cause an upset against England in order to stay alive in the tournament. Can they? Or will England take top spot in the table with yet another rampant display? No matter where you are in the world you can watch this crucial match by using our guide below to getting an England vs Sri Lanka live stream. Having been outplayed by Australia to the tune of 87 runs in their last Cricket World Cup match, Sri Lanka are now left languishing in sixth spot with four points and will have to win the rest of their four remaining matches to salvage their hopes of a semi-final berth. England look comfortable and are joint top of the table with New Zealand. Nevertheless, there's room for improvement, particularly on the bowling front, having failed to bowl out a struggling Afghanistan attack in their last match. But when you've got Eoin Morgan breaking records for the amount of sixes in an ODI innings (17!), the likes of Archer, Wood and Woakes can probably breathe easily. Game 27 of the 2019 Cricket World Cup is all set up to be a stormer, and it's one you’ll be able to watch with ease from anywhere in the world if you follow our England vs Sri Lanka live stream guide below. Discover how to live stream every single Cricket World Cup gamehttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VgyagGS9HpAEPUQtUJBfrg.jpg Watch a Cricket World Cup 2019 live stream from outside your countryIf you're in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, US or India and looking to find out how to watch the match, we've got all the details about the broadcaster in your region below. If you're away from home country and looking to tune in you'll likely to find you won't be able to thanks to geo-blocking. Thankfully there's a way to alleviate that frustration. By using a VPN you'll be able to watch the game safely without having to take a chance on an illegal feed from a website that's likely infested with malware. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/B9XNGCRYNHKJzN5zVfTMje.jpg How to stream England vs Sri Lanka live in the UK http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WWQ7UGT97CVJAVBcELPxRQ.jpg How to stream 2019 Cricket World Cup online in Indiahttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/He6pJKQNQDZMwKNLHwXpan.jpg How to watch the cricket in Pakistanhttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/D39crXd3gob7KPsE3LAFUo.jpg How to watch England vs Sri Lanka: live stream in Australiahttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/x4WvmjGdnEUCFeqhMUrnWo.jpg How to watch England vs Sri Lanka: US live stream http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kZWNrTtXZs7Ep2c7452KSo.jpg How to watch the game in New Zealand live stream http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ebGZgkd4qVX7mUuvz3WNkH.jpg http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/DGtxoAbC8B8

Apple is one of several American companies to formally oppose plans by US President Donald Trump to impose tariffs on $300 billion-worth of Chinese-manufactured goods. Devices such as the iPhone famously have ‘Designed by Apple in California, Assembled in China’ on the back, meaning the cost of the Cupertino-based company’s products would be affected if the tariffs were introduced. Trump introduced several tariffs last September, with Apple breathing a sigh of relief after its most important products – iPhone, Mac, Apple Watch and accessories – were excluded. iPhone XR 'outsells' iPhone XSAll the best phones we saw at MWC 2019What is 5G? Everything you need to knowApple tariffsHowever, the President has said he could extend these tariffs further if trade talks with Beijing do not result in progress in resolving the ongoing trade dispute between the two countries. In its submission to the government, Apple said that as the largest corporate taxpayer in the US, any tariffs would reduce the company’s contribution to the US treasury and give its rivals – most of whom are not US-based – an advantage in the global market. In any case, Apple is reportedly looking to move some production away from China. It feels the ongoing risks of depending so heavily on a single country is too great and wants to diversify its supply chain. It is thought that between 15 and 30 per cent of manufacturing could be shifted to other parts of Asia or Mexico. Apple has also been touted as one of the American firms that could be targeted by Chinese government blacklists or trade tariffs as retribution for the US government’s decision to ban Huawei from the country. However, such a move is opposed by Huawei, while Apple’s presence in China has created more than five million jobs. Here are the best iPhone deals for June 2019http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/2ig5DE15paQ

Worried that your Netflix experience isn't dynamic enough? That could be set to change with a new rumble feature being tested by the massive streaming platform to hammer home the impact of big-set action scenes on your phone. The feature, tentatively named 'Project Rumble Pak', arose from one of Netflix's Studio Hack Days, when devs attempt to innovate the streaming service in surprising new ways. Meet the minds behind the Switch's HD rumbleBest movies on Netflix UKBest series of Netflix UKProject Rumble Pak seeks to emulate some of the rumble features seen in modern console controllers – like the DualShock 4 or Xbox One controller – which attempt to provide responsive haptic feedback based on what's happening on screen. But this time it's your smartphone, using the vibrations usually set off by calls and notifications to enhance your viewing experience. (We've seen a similar thing on the Sony Xperia XZ2, though it wasn't exactly a must-have feature.) There's obviously less need for this when watching films and TV shows at home, and we don't expect to see Netflix sending out vibrating sofas anytime soon. Smartphones also weren't really designed with this function in mind, while the Nintendo Switch's HD Rumble function can recreate the feeling of moving an ice cube around a glass. The app would essentially just turn your phone's vibrate setting on – which we could see getting confusing if that's also how you get notified about incoming calls or messages. But given that viewers are usually having to sacrifice a degree of visual quality to watch their favorite Netflix shows on the go with their smartphone, even that small level of immersion would be a welcome addition, for those who want it. Life hacksNetflix's blog post on Hack Day Spring 2019 makes it clear that a lot of the ideas won't make it to your app, even if they'll keep trying to think up fun new things for the platform: "The most important value of hack days is that they support a culture of innovation. We believe in this work, even if it never ships, and love to share the creativity and thought put into these ideas." Other app functions toyed with at Netflix's last Hack Day include a neural AI that can mimic the voice of characters on Netflix shows – for fun – as well as more internally-focused features to help filmmakers find shooting locations. Which Netflix plan is for you?Via TheNextWeb http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/iDPKmahtvc8

One day in the not-too-distant future you could be connecting to the web via your lighting fixtures rather than your router – potentially extending your broadband internet into rooms and on to floors where it was previously unable to reach. Signify (the maker of the Philips Hue smart lights) has announced Trulifi, a new high-speed version of its LiFi (Light Fidelity) technology that transmits data over light. We've previously seem these systems tested, but now it's becoming a reality. Or at least, a reality for business and industry: Trulifi is being aimed at offices, hospitals, and other large buildings to begin with, though it could eventually make its way into our basements and attics as well. Our latest look at the Pixel 4Mesh Wi-Fi routers could be the futureYour complete guide to electric scootersThe light fantasticHere's how it works: a wired connection runs through to each room and hooks up the lights inside it. Those lights then beam out data signals to laptops that have a recognized USB access key installed, verifying the connection. Lights can pass off connections to each other as you move around the room, making it ideal for open plan offices. Signify is also talking up Trulifi's ability to work in places where the radio spectrum (Wi-Fi and 4G) might be crowded or restricted. LiFi only works as far as light can travel though – it doesn't reach through walls. While that's obviously a problem for a partitioned space, it does mean extra peace of mind for companies worried about data hacks from outside their building. As we've said, Trulifi isn't ready for home use just yet, but with the first commercial partners signing up for the technology, it's a wireless streaming option to keep an eye on – alongside the growth of 5G. These are the very best Wi-Fi extenders you can buy right nowhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/xVkmqTpGF1U

Windows 10 May 2019 Update is seemingly rolling out pretty slowly in its initial stages – with Microsoft being understandably cautious and keen not to repeat any October 2018 Update-style nightmare – and perhaps as a result of this, Microsoft has decided to notify users when their PC isn’t ready for the update. Normally, if your PC isn’t ripe for a feature update yet, and it has been blocked due to compatibility issues with your hardware components or the software you’re running, you simply won’t hear anything about the upgrade. How to reinstall Windows 10How to install the Windows 10 May 2019 UpdateWindows 10 May 2019 Update problems: how to fix themAnd perhaps Microsoft has realized that this could lead to some people scratching their heads, wondering what on earth might be going on with an update, particularly in the case of a slow-paced rollout, as the May 2019 Update appears to be. So now, at least on some machines (as reported by Windows Latest), when you look in the Windows Update menu, you get a message telling you that your device isn’t quite ready for the latest feature update yet. There’s also a link to Microsoft’s support site for more info, should you require it. You also get a similar message via the Update Assistant tool in Windows 10, as well. This is a useful additional touch to keep people informed about where their machine stands in relation to the latest upgrade, and it also helps notch up the level of transparency, something that Microsoft is working to do on a broader level when it comes to these major updates (with moves like an update health dashboard). While Microsoft has been going slow with deploying the May 2019 Update, things may be speeding up now, as the company looks to force the upgrade to any PCs still running the April 2018 Update. And that’s quite a number of machines, because the problematic October 2018 Update wasn’t offered to the majority of users, and many folks are now simply skipping straight over it (as previously predicted). Virtual namesAnother relatively minor but interesting tweak for Windows 10 was highlighted by Bleeping Computer, although in this case, it’s a potential change in the preview version of the OS. It seems that users will get the option to rename virtual desktops in the future, based on the fact that Albacore – a Twitter user who often uncovers interesting Windows titbits, like big changes coming to Cortana – spotted a hidden feature in the latest preview build for Windows 10 20H1 (the update scheduled to land in the first half of 2020). So instead of virtual desktops simply being called Desktop 1, Desktop 2, and so on, you will be able to rename them to something more meaningful, which is definitely a useful touch. As we mentioned, though, this is a hidden change in the background with the preview build, and the feature is still in development: it won’t yet save the names of your rechristened virtual desktops, for example. This means it could simply be Microsoft playing around and testing the feature, which it may later abandon, so there are no guarantees here. Still, it seems like a relatively easy change to implement, and we see no reason why it would be ditched. Keep your fingers crossed if you’re a regular virtual desktop user who would appreciate this capability. These are the best laptops of 2019http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/teS8UxpndZQ

Looking for a top-end running watch without an extortionately high price? Garmin's Fenix 5 and Fenix 5S are now back to their lowest prices ever thanks to a sale from John Lewis in the UK. Both of these watches are down to £299.99 at the retailer, which matches the lowest price we've seen previously. That was at Amazon during April this year. Right now, you won't find them for this low at any other retailer though with the average price being around £390 on Amazon and over the £400 mark on other retailers such as Wiggle. Get the Garmin Fenix 5 at John LewisGet the Garmin Fenix 5S at John LewisYou can buy the Garmin Fenix 5 in black using the links above, while the Fenix 5S comes in a choice of either white or black. Don't know which watch to go for? A lot of the technology here is exactly the same, it's just the S model is designed specifically for those with smaller wrists or people who want a smaller device. It's worth noting the Garmin Fenix 5 range now has been replaced by the more up to date Fenix 5 Plus range, but the former watch is still a powerful device that many runners will love. It's unlikely we'll see either of these watches at a better price than this for some time, but Amazon Prime Day is around the corner so it's possible that we may see some deals over that period that beat this. Our list of the best Garmin watches you can buyVia Wareable http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/qFkBsAmL95k

The Indian online smartphone shipment rate has seen a 17% YoY growth in Q1 2019 while the offline smartphone market shipment declined by 4%. This is according to a new Counterpoint Research report, which states that online sales drove the segment to capture its highest ever market share. If we look at the Indian online marketplace space, it's majorly dominated by multi-brand retail stores like Amazon and Flipkart. However, the new report reveals that Xiaomi has been able to amass 11% of the online market share in the first quarter of this year. Tarun Pathak, Associate Director at Counterpoint Research said, "Offline expansion is a key strategy for the growth of these players. Having said that we believe that the online channel will continue to hold significant importance in a price-conscious market like India.” Let's take a look at some of the major highlights of the report. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/SjRXzeBqGTANN8HuYApPnN.png Image Credits: Counterpoint Flipkart is leading the online market space with 53% sharePopular brands like Xiaomi, Asus, Huawei, and Realme have worked wonders for Flipkart along with the regular deals and offers released by the e-tailer. Flipkart has also hosted a Mobile Bonanza sale along with other such events on its platform which have driven the sales of these phones. Amazon India saw faster growth in Q1 2019Coming second, Amazon India had a speedier growth in Q1 2019 and currently holds 38% of the market share. This is mainly due to brands like OnePlus, Xiaomi, Samsung and Huawei. The report states that Amazon received volume orders for products like OnePlus 6T, Samsung M-series and Xiaomi Redmi 6A, to name a few. Amazon dominates the online premium smartphone segment with an 81% market share courtesy of OnePlus, Samsung and Apple, whereas Flipkart contributes 17% of premium smartphone sales to the online market. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TnSTBC2WryFvy7UEfZJeTc.jpg Image Credits: Counterpoint Xiaomi dominates online smartphone shipment market in India with 43% shareWith the launch of its revamped mid-range series, the Redmi Note 7, Xiaomi was able to double down on sales and as a result, now dominates the online space with 43% market share. The company was also able to boost its online e-store as it captured 11% market share when it comes to the sales channel in India. The report also reveals that Redmi 6A was the most popular selling smartphone in the first quarter this year. Another interesting tidbit-- six out of the top ten best-selling phones that were sold in Q1 2019 were from Xiaomi. In the price range between Rs 15,000 - Rs 20,000, Xiaomi Redmi Note 6 Pro saw a volume number of sales followed by Honor 10 Lite. Samsung's flash sales increased its market share to 15% in Q1 2019With the launch of the M-series earlier this year, Samsung implemented a flash sale model as the phones were online exclusive. This has strengthened Samsung's stake in the Indian smartphone market and allowed it to grow by 15% in Q1, 2019. Also Read: Vivo's 120W Super FlashCharge charging tech can fill a 4,000mAh battery in just 13 minuteshttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/C0SpElRAR-M

It's the eighth race of the 2019 Formula 1 Grand Prix season and this time it's the French tarmac that is set to take a beating. This is the place to be if you want to find out how to live stream F1 action from wherever you are in the world. You can also learn what's happened so far and what to expect from the next big Formula 1 race. The 2019 F1 season has arrived on French soil where the Paul Ricard track will offer high-speed racing on its lengthy circuit with powerful 5G corners. All that is just a 10km drive away from the French Riviera, but the drivers are going to have to earn that first. This race begins with Lewis Hamilton still leading the charge with 162 points followed by his teammate Valtteri Bottas with 133 points then Ferrari's Sebastian Vettel with 100 points. Ferrari was hoping to use its car advantages at Canada thanks to the track suiting them. They came so close, but a controversial stewards' decision denied Vettel top spot on the podium. Now the focus is to just make sure Mercedes' unbeaten run is broken. All that tension should make for an exciting race and you can stream F1 live from anywhere in the world. Cricket fan? Don't miss a Cricket World Cup live stream of every matchHow to watch the French Grand Prix from outside your countryTo see how you can stream F1 live from the French Grand Prix in the UK, Australia, the US, Canada and New Zealand, then scroll a little further down this page to see the broadcast options. But if you try and tune in to your native stream from outside your country, you'll quickly discover that it's geo-blocked. Discover how to get an F1 live stream from every single Grand Prix this seasonhttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/B9XNGCRYNHKJzN5zVfTMje.jpg How to stream F1 live from France in the UK:http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/D39crXd3gob7KPsE3LAFUo.jpg How live stream the French Grand Prix in Australiahttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/x4WvmjGdnEUCFeqhMUrnWo.jpg How to watch the French Grand Prix in the US:Check out the overall best sports streaming sites in the US todayhttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jgvvohCEmS99W9XuRfJMSo.jpg How to watch a French F1 live stream in the Canada:http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kZWNrTtXZs7Ep2c7452KSo.jpg How to get an F1 live stream in New Zealandhttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ebGZgkd4qVX7mUuvz3WNkH.jpg http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/Ut-OG_2XEcQ

While both Canada and the Netherlands have already claimed their place in the next round of the Women's World Cup 2019, today's match between the two is far from insignificant. Read on to find out how you can catch an Canada vs Netherlands live stream from anywhere around the world with our instructions below. As well as acting as a decider for who wins Group E, today's result will determine the two teams' paths in the knockout stage. While the winner will play Japan in their next game, whoever loses today's match will face tournament favorites USA - a showdown no team will fancy at this stage of the competition. A key feature of today's match will be how the two main opposing strikers fair. Canada's Christine Sinclair has so far failed to score in the tournament, while Dutch hotshot Vivianne Miedema notched twice against Cameroon to became her country's all-time top scorer at the age of just 22. Don't miss any of the action by following the instructions below and grabbing a live stream of Canada vs Netherlands wherever you are in the world. See how to live stream every single Women's World Cup gamehttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VgyagGS9HpAEPUQtUJBfrg.jpg Watch a FIFA Women's World Cup 2019 live stream from outside your countryIf you're in UK, US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, we've got your viewing options listed below. If you're out of the country for today's match, you may find that geo-blocking will prevent you from watching your regular domestic coverage from abroad. You don't have to risk watching the match on a dodgy stream, however. With the option of using a VPN service, you can tune into the match no matter where you are in the world, and its super easy to set up. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jgvvohCEmS99W9XuRfJMSo.jpg How to watch FIFA Women's World Cup: Canada live stream http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/x4WvmjGdnEUCFeqhMUrnWo.jpg Live stream Canada vs Netherlands in the USFuboTV $44.99 for the first monthHulu with Live TV $44.99 per monthPlaystation Vue starting at $44.99 per monthDirecTV Now $50 per monthSling TV starting at $15 per monthYouTube TV $49.99 per month- Discover our pick of all the US's best sports streaming sites As well as opening up your viewing options for the Women's World Cup, using a VPN allows you to watch all your domestic sports coverage from abroad. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VgyagGS9HpAEPUQtUJBfrg.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/B9XNGCRYNHKJzN5zVfTMje.jpg How to stream today's match in the UK http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/D39crXd3gob7KPsE3LAFUo.jpg How to watch Canada vs Netherlands: live stream in Australiahttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kZWNrTtXZs7Ep2c7452KSo.jpg How to watch an Canada vs Netherlands live stream in New Zealand http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ebGZgkd4qVX7mUuvz3WNkH.jpg http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/zbc6fOv90gI

Welcome to a clash of the titans. In the red corner there’s Ring, now owned by Amazon. In the blue corner, say hello to Google subsidiary Nest. Both firms can add HD eyes to your smart home in the form of video doorbells and security cameras, but there are some important differences between the two platforms. Both sets of products are designed to make your home more secure and more convenient. Video doorbells can tell you who’s at the door, while connected cameras enable you to see what’s happening in or around your house. Both platforms can detect intruders and notify you wherever you are, and both can be expanded to cover your entire property. But there are some important differences in what they do, what other products they work with, and what they cost to buy and run. Below we'll tell you all you need to know in order to decide which system, and which products, are right for you – and with Amazon Prime Day just around the corner you can expect to see cut-price deals on most of the products featured here. Ring vs Nest: what are the key features?Both platforms work with IFTTT, Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant, and the Nest Hello also has Google Home notifications for your smart speakers: if someone comes to the door your Google Home or Google Home Mini will tell you somebody’s there. Ring and Nest both enable you to set up multiple zones, for example your windows, where motion detection should be ignored. They both offer person recognition, so you don’t get alerted if the cat moves or a leaf blows past the window, and Nest also offers facial recognition. As you’d expect from a Google-powered product it’s very good, and while it takes a little bit of training it does a good job of working out who’s at the door so you can decide whether you want to get up or not. Both platforms can deliver live video from their hardware to compatible devices: via Google Home Hub for the Nest device and via the Echo Show for the Ring one. Ring also works with Samsung’s SmartThings and Amazon’s Echo and Fire devices, while Nest has its own Works With Nest family of compatible products and services. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pFKJqN5zXfCs7q8TvWnpkE.jpg The Nest Hello. Image credit: TechRadar Ring: options and accessoriesRing makes three video doorbells and three kinds of cameras: the Stick Up Cam, the Spotlight Cam and the Floodlight Cam. All of the cameras bar the Floodlight Cam are available in wired, wireless and solar variants. You can also buy a charger for the Ring Video Doorbell, and there’s a plug-in chime so you don’t need to rely on your phone for notifications. The chime also comes in a Pro version that doubles as a Wi-Fi extender. Ring also sells a huge range of fixings for its cameras and doorbells. Nest: options and accessoriesNest makes one video doorbell, three indoor cameras and an outdoor camera, all of which are wired. The outdoor camera doesn’t double as a security light, although it does have infrared night vision. The Nest products are part of a wider ecosystem that includes the Nest Learning Thermostat and Nest Protect smoke detector, the Nest x Yale smart lock, a Wi-Fi range extender and a range of Nest Secure alarm sensors. Not all Nest products are available in every country. Both firms offer bundles that combine multiple products in a discounted package. You’ll find some retailers do the same. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kMh62ZkmgJQEVim5QA9FhE.jpg The Ring Video Doorbell 2. Image credit: Ring / Amazon Ring vs Nest: which is easiest to set up?In the doorbell department it’s an easy win for Ring’s entry-level models here: its Doorbell and Doorbell 2 can run on battery power, but the Doorbell Pro and Nest Hello can’t. That means you don’t have to mess around with wiring if you don’t want to – and even if you do have a wired doorbell already, you might still need to install a transformer to give the Nest Hello enough juice. The non-Pro Ring doorbells are therefore going to be much simpler and cheaper to install, but the battery does make the Ring doorbell wider than a normal doorbell so it can be an awkward fit on some door frames. Ring also offers wireless cameras in the form of the Stick Up Cam Battery and the Stick Up Cam Solar, although the latter one still needs to be connected to its solar panel. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5AEfQ3LjgvxtKcHHitnAgE.jpg The Nest Cam. Image credit: TechRadar Ring vs Nest: how much do they cost?Ring doorbells start at £89 / $99.99 / AU$149 for the basic Video Doorbell, rising to £449 / $499 / AU$499 for the Video Doorbell Elite. The Stick Up Cam starts at £139 / $149 / AU$319. The Nest Hello Video Doorbell is £229 / $249, but that doesn’t include the recommended £100 / $100 installation. The Nest Cam range starts at £159 / $199 / AU$279 for the Nest Cam Indoor, rising to £329 / $349 for the Nest Cam IQ Outdoor. The Nest Hello and the Nest IQ Outdoor are not currently sold in Australia. Remember that the price you pay for these systems isn’t just what you pay for the hardware. There are subscription fees to consider too; without them you won’t get all the features or more than 24 hours of cloud storage. Ring vs Nest: how much do the subscription plans cost?Ring calls its subscription service Ring Protect. There are two tiers: Protect Basic, which is for one doorbell or camera, and Protect Plus, which covers all the devices at a single address. Both plans include 60 days of storage (30 in Europe), and Protect Plus also throws in professional monitoring (US only) and 10% off additional Ring purchases. Protect Basic is £2.50 / $3 / AU$3 per month or £24.99 / $30 / AU$30 annually. Protect Plus is £8 / $10 / AU$10 per month or £80 / $100 / AU$100 annually. Nest’s subscription service is called Nest Aware, and it’s £4 / $5 / AU$7 per month for five days of video storage, £8 / $10 / AU$14 for ten days, or £24 / $30 / AU$30 for thirty. Additional cameras are 50% of that cost, so that’s an extra £2 / $2.50 / AU$3.50 to £12 / $15 / AU$15 per month per additional camera. Ring vs Nest: which one is right for you?That depends on whether you’ve already embraced the exciting world of smart home technology. If you have, then it makes sense to look first at the platform that plays most nicely with what you’ve got. So if you’re a paid-up Alexa fan or use Samsung’s SmartThings then the Ring range is likely to suit you better; if you’re all-in on Google then Nest will probably be a better fit. Neither platform is a good fit with Apple’s HomeKit: while both offer iOS apps, they don’t integrate with Apple’s smart home platform in the way Hue lights or Ecobee thermostats do. Choosing either option effectively means running two separate smart home systems in the one place. If you haven’t already thrown your money into the smart home ring then Ring looks like the better beginners’ bet: the Nest range is prettier and generally more polished but Ring’s hardware is generally cheaper, most of its doorbells don’t require expensive installation, and its all-in subscription works out considerably less expensive than a Nest one if you have multiple cameras. Its camera range is more versatile too, with wireless and solar options as well as the standard wired models, and if you hang on for Prime Day, Black Friday or any of Amazon’s sale events, you’ll almost certainly be able to buy it at a big discount. It’s worth mentioning here that Amazon also has non-Ring smart security products, at least in the US, where its Amazon Cloud Cam is priced to sell and integrates tightly with Amazon’s various hardware products. However, since its introduction in late 2017 it hasn’t been joined by any further devices. Add more security with our guide to the best security camerashttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/9ioy0Gjvy74

This year's Royal Ascot is expecting 300,000 visitors in total, and many more hundreds of thousands to watch around the globe. So yes...you could say it's popular! As well as being one of the premier horse racing events of the season - with 30 races to enjoy over the course of five days - it also brings out the stars, the high society and the Royal Family. And we'll tell you how to watch a 2019 Royal Ascot live stream from wherever you are on Earth. The event dates back over 100 years and it's still going strong. While Royal Ascot week is now as much about dressing up, enjoying food and drink and, let's face it, having a flutter – it's also, of course, about the horse racing. Plenty of world famous trainers, owners and celebs will be at the event, but it's the horses that are the true stars. Thursday is the famous Ladies Day, where the hats and dresses get all the attention. But at 4.20pm there's also £500,000 on the line in one of the event's biggest races - the Gold Cup. While the Diamond Jubilee Stakes on Saturday (also at 4.20pm BST) has to be the marquee event of Royal Ascot week. And with Frankie Dettori back in the saddle for 2019, he'll be bringing the personality and looking to add to his prolific 60 wins at this event over the years. If you want to catch all the action live, read on to find out the best way you can do exactly that from wherever you are. Good news - getting a Royal Ascot live stream is absolutely free in the UK. Discover how to live stream all of the FIFA Women's World Cuphttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/B9XNGCRYNHKJzN5zVfTMje.jpg How to watch Royal Ascot 2019 for free in the UKRoyal Ascot 2019 will be aired on ITV live on ITV meaning it's free for anyone to watch via TV, the ITV Hub app or a TV player online. Coverage of the event will start at 1.30pm BST daily and run across the five days. Get a Royal Ascot live stream from outside your countryIf you're outside the UK this week and want to keep up with your wagers and accas with Ed Chamberlain and his ITV racing chums, then you can always use a VPN as described below to tune in without being geo-blocked (and, by the way, we have US watching options below that, too). It's surprisingly easy to do, and can be broken down into three easy steps (or should that be jumps?). http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/x4WvmjGdnEUCFeqhMUrnWo.jpg How to live stream Royal Ascot 2019 from the USIn the US, NBC Sports will be showing live coverage of the Royal Ascot 2019 week from 8.30am ET / 5.30am PT every morning. You'll need an NBC cable subscription to get access. Cord cutter? No worries - there are loads of TV streaming services that will let you access NBC Sports content without signing up to a long cable agreement - and usually with a free trial, too. For example: Hulu with Live TV $44.99 per monthPlaystation Vue starting at $44.99 per monthDirecTV Now $50 per monthSling TV starting at $15 per monthfuboTV $44.99 for the first monthYouTube TV $49.99 per monthhttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ebGZgkd4qVX7mUuvz3WNkH.jpg http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/mHmfWSD0rA0

It's time for the annual Queen's Club tennis tournament and we're praying for two things - firstly that the weather cheers up a bit, and second that Andy Murray's hip holds out. It's the big comeback for the former Wimbledon champ and world number 1 – at a tournament he's won a record five times – which could set him up nicely for doubles at SW19 right after. See how Andy and the rest get on with a Queen's Club tennis live stream. Founded back in 1890, this 129-year-old tournament is held in West Kensington and is part of the ATP World Tour 500 series – it's also one of the oldest tennis tournaments on the planet. It's also where a world's fastest serve record was set by Andy Roddick in 2004 with a smashing 153 mph mega swing. The 2018 winner Marin Cilic defeated Novak Djokovic, both of whom will be returning this year as will 2017 winner Feliciano Lopez. All that should make for great viewing and Murray says of his return: "Once you get back on a match court, that’s when you can really test yourself. I’d imagine after here I’d get a better idea of where I’m at." While centre court can only hold 9,000 people, you don't need to miss out. So if you want to catch all the action live, read on to find out the best way you can live stream Queen's Club tennis from wherever you are. The ace news (sorry) is that it's absolutely free to watch if you're in the UK. Get prepared - here's how to live stream Wimbledon 2019 from anywherehttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/B9XNGCRYNHKJzN5zVfTMje.jpg How to watch Queen's Club tennis 2019 for free: UK streamThis year Queen's Club tennis 2019 will be aired on the BBC Two live, meaning it's free for anyone to watch via TV, the BBC iPlayer app or a TV player online. Alternatively, if you're watching online, we'd heartily recommend TVPlayer.com, which offers a host of channels with a high quality stream. Amazon Prime will also host the event this year, live, so you can stream direct from any device that has the Prime Instant Video app. Generally speaking, Queen's coverage will start at around 1pm daily. Discover how to watch every single match at the FIFA Women's World CupGet a Queen's Club tennis live stream from outside your countryIf you try to watch this calssic British tennis tournament from abroad while on holiday or away on business, you'll discover that iPlayer will block your progress. It isn't licensed to show the action outside the UK. To get around that block, you can use a VPN - or Virtual Private Network - to pretend that your laptop or mobile's IP address is back in the UK. It's much simpler than it sounds, and can be done in three very easy steps: http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ebGZgkd4qVX7mUuvz3WNkH.jpg http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/8nyzUm40pJs

If you're looking into getting a home security camera, you may well be looking at products from Blink or Ring. Both brands are owned by Amazon, but they bring very different capabilities and price points to the party. Blink offers affordable security cameras for in and around the home. It’s a scalable, entry-level system that’s designed to be easy to fit and use. For a relatively low price, you can set up motion-sensing cameras and have alerts send to your smartphone. There’s no monthly fee, and the cameras use regular batteries. Ring is best known for its video doorbells, but the security firm has expanded to offer a range of complementary security cameras. Prices are higher than for Blink products, and you’ll need to subscribe to one of Ring's Protect plans if you want to store recorded footage, but the hardware is more versatile and offers several potentially important extra features. While Amazon owns both companies, Blink and Ring are quite different prospects. Both are worth considering if you’re looking to set up security cameras in and/or outside your home, but it's likely that one system will suit you better than the other – so let’s dig into what each offers – and with Amazon Prime Day just around the corner you can expect to see cut-price deals on most of the products featured here. Pricing: BlinkFor a single indoor camera from Blink you’ll pay £79.99 / $79.99 (about AU$145), but you can add additional cameras for £69.99 / $69.99 (roughly AU$125) each. You also have the option to buy a five-camera system for £289.99 / $279.99 (about AU$525). The Blink XT, which is the outdoor weatherproof camera, will cost you £99.99 (approximately AU$180) for a single camera system, with additional cameras at £89.99 (around AU$165) each, though you can get a five-camera system for £399.99 (roughly AU$725). http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Kz5Si6ej4qXuim9jN3a7fC.jpg The Blink XT. Image credit: Blink / Amazon If you're in the US, the outdoor model is the Blink XT2 rather than the XT. This costs $99.99 for one, then $89.99 for additional cameras, or you can pay $379.99 for a five-camera system. This promises improved motion detection, two-way audio, and longer battery life over the original Blink XT, but is otherwise similar. It should be landing in the UK some time in 2019. Blink systems come with a wireless hub, called a Blink Sync Module, that can support up to 10 cameras. There are no monthly fees. Pricing: Ring Ring offers video doorbells. The original Video Doorbell is £89 / $99.99 / AU$149 and the Video Doorbell 2 is £149 / $159 / AU$329. You can also get a variety of security cameras from Ring. The basic Stick Up Cam can be placed indoors or out and costs £139 / $149.99 / AU$319 for the wired or battery-operated version. You can also get a solar version, powered by its own solar panel for £179 / $229 / AU$399. There’s also a Spotlight Cam at £169 / $169 / AU$329 for the wired or battery model, and £199 / $229 / AU$359 for the solar version. Finally, there’s a Floodlight Cam at £199 / $199 / AU$379, which is designed to be wired in. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/koJKaLE7yHhAgeAzYG3qjC.jpg The Ring Stick Up Cam. Image credit: Ring / Amazon It’s not essential to subscribe to a Ring plan unless you want to be able to record video – without a plan your Ring cameras will just work as live feed devices. The Protect Basic or Protect Plus plans store recorded video in the cloud for 30 days. A Protect Basic Plan is £2.50 / $3 / AU$4 per month or £24.99 / $30 / AU$40 per year, but only covers one device. A Protect Plus Plan costs £8 / $10 / AU$15 per month or £80 / $100 / AU$150 per year, and covers every Ring device at one address. Types of camera and equipmentBlink is a more basic system offering two types of camera that need to be hooked up wirelessly to a Sync Module over Wi-Fi. Ring offers a variety of standalone devices that connect directly to your Wi-Fi network. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tikFni6ihZsuVRe2EfU7hC.jpg The Blink. Image credit: Blink / Amazon The indoor Blink camera has motion and temperature sensors and a microphone. It can record HD video at 720p and takes two standard AA lithium batteries. The slightly more expensive Blink XT or XT2 camera is suitable for the outdoors as it has an IP65 rating. It can also record at higher quality, up to 1080p, and it has infrared night vision. Blink suggests the batteries will last up to two years, but much depends on how often your camera is triggered – in practice, the Blink XT2 should easily be able to hit the two-year mark. Ring’s system is far more versatile. All three of the security cameras record 1080p footage, just like the Ring Video Doorbell 2. You can choose rechargeable battery power, wire them in, or opt for the solar panel with the Stick Up Cam or Spotlight Cam. The Stick Up Cam can be used indoors or out and it offers two-way talk, which is lacking in all Blink systems except the Blink XT2. The Spotlight Cam is designed for outside, and adds LED light strips and a siren. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xsKz4QUWMALqSawUhC5sjC.jpg The Ring Floodlight Cam. Image credit: Ring / Amazon Ring also offers the Floodlight Cam, which is designed to replace security lights. It lights up when it senses motion, streams video and sends you a notification. It also includes a 110-decibel siren to help you scare off suspicious people. The Floodlight Cam must be hardwired to a standard electrical box. Ring even offers a full alarm security kit with motion sensors and a keypad, but it’s a standalone product that doesn’t integrate with the cameras. Smart home featuresYou can use Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant with both Blink and Ring devices. You can also set up motion events to trigger other smart home devices, so that, for example, your porch lights turn on when motion is detected at the door. If you have an Amazon Echo you can even use it to communicate through your Ring cameras and have a two-way conversation. The Ring app also works with various smart lock systems. Using the appThe Blink Home Monitor app is free for Android or iOS. It enables you to customize your camera settings, determine the sensitivity of the motion sensor, choose the length of video clips it records, and set up a schedule if you want. The app records video in five second bursts by default, but you can increase that up to 60 seconds. You’ll get alerts on your phone when motion is detected by your Blink cameras, and you can then review the recorded clips. You can also choose to tune in to the live feed, but you can’t record video when watching a camera live. You’ll also be asked if you’re still watching every 60 seconds. The free storage space is enough for 7,200 seconds of video in total and it will overwrite the oldest video clips as soon as the limit is reached. If you're using the Blink XT2, you can also use two-way audio through the app. The Ring app is also free for Android and iOS. It will alert you when motion is detected, or when the doorbell rings if you opt for a doorbell. You can view a live feed of the camera and, if you’re using a doorbell, Stick Up, or Spotlight Cam, even have a two-way conversation with whoever is there. You can also adjust the sensitivity of the motion sensors to reduce the risk of false positives. Which is right for you?You could install either the Blink or Ring systems yourself, unless you opt for the wired-in Ring devices. If you’re looking to keep costs down and just want a basic system with no hidden fees or subscription, then Blink could be exactly what you need. The Ring devices are more expensive to begin with, and you’ll need a monthly subscription to record and review video. Ring offers a much more versatile set of devices and power options, with extra features such as light and siren functionality. There are also cameras with two-way audio, and while Blink offers this too, it's only on the Blink XT2, which is currently only available in the US and Canada. Best security camera: keep an eye on your home from your smartphonehttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/2qbrJGUXmrc

Power banks are one of the ultimate accessories for the modern gadget lover to have stowed away at the bottom of their bag. Whether it's to recharge your phone, laptop, Nintendo Switch or any other piece of tech you take around with you, a power bank can ensure you're not left without charge wherever you are. As portable chargers have become commonplace, of course, they run into the opposite problem: there are a lot to choose from. We base our recommendations on a balance of battery capacity, safety and a svelte size with ample power reserves. Below you'll find our list of the best portable chargers that include compact designs, high-capacity options and even laptop-compatible power banks. Hopefully we can recommend the perfect charger for you to ensure you never fall to 0% battery again. Just want to charge your laptop? Check out the best portable laptop chargersBest power banks for capacityhttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/A8oD2A2p4LirTrw9qxcgqb.jpg Image Credit: iMuto If you're looking for a high capacity charger that's portable, the iMuto 20,000mAh portable charger may be for you. It offers a 20,000mAh capacity that will be able to charge your average smartphone over four times and still have some charge left. It can also charge some MacBooks and laptops too, but you may want to make sure it will be compatible with your computing option before you buy it. Considering the price though, we really like the iMuto... plus you've got the color choice of white or black. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XpjytZKadYHuY5Kqsnopd7.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sCEqZqU6bt3CxnXVXHRS2E.jpg Image Credit: RAVPower The RAVPower 20,000mAh doesn't look much different to a lot of the options above and below, but it offers a lot of capacity and can be cheaper than the other devices surrounding it. You have two ports here so you can charge two gadgets at the same time and it'll have enough capacity to be able to charge both a mobile and an iPad or tablet from 0% too. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XpjytZKadYHuY5Kqsnopd7.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xyBLLmZR67bZhyvipqyQgn.jpg Image Credit: Aukey This power bank features two ports so you can charge both your phone and your tablet at the same time and also has a light to show you how much battery charge is leftover. The blocky design may not be for everyone, but this portable charger should be able to charge your phone and other gadgets a few times over with such a high capacity cell inside. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XpjytZKadYHuY5Kqsnopd7.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YBnbm9kkCb6bKR2zePpari.jpg Image Credit: Anker You've likely heard of Anker, and this is one of the company's best portable chargers. It comes with a huge 20,100mAh battery inside, meaning this will be able to charge up your phone or tablet multiple times before it needs a recharge. It also comes with high-speed charging for your devices if they use PowerIQ or VoltageBoost. It won't be able to use Qualcomm's QuickCharge technology, but it'll still boost your device when you're on the go. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XpjytZKadYHuY5Kqsnopd7.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YYVcc7j4zeCbA3GgBQZEUg.jpg Image Credit: Mophie The Mophie Powerstation Plus XL is one of the best power banks designed for the iPhone and iPad (aside from the new iPad Pro 2018 range with its USB-C port), and we say that for several reasons. It contains an embedded Lightning cable you can’t lose, it charges via a Lightning cable and you can charge it wirelessly with any Qi charger, so you may already have everything you need. This 10,000mAh power bank has a soft fabric finish and can charge two devices at once, one via the 10W USB-A port and another with the integrated Lightning charger. You won't find as much use from this portable charger if you're on Android, though it's still possible to use that USB-A port so you can help a friend charge. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XpjytZKadYHuY5Kqsnopd7.jpg Best slim power bankshttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VnsPb6K9MFqcquvXULWJVi.jpg Image Credit: Xiaomi Xiaomi has a hand in some unexpected sectors of technology, including audio and portable chargers. But don't sleep on either, as it's onto something worth checking out. During our testing, its 10,000mAh Power Bank provided good results, both in terms of its portability and charging potential. While not the fastest charger out there, it was able to charge our Google Pixel 2 in a little over two hours. Thankfully, it's discreet enough that you can bring it with you just about everywhere to plug in when necessary. It's not rare for a power bank to come with a charging cable, but we appreciate that this one has been built with care to suit both micro USB and USB-C users with the same cable, as seen in the above gallery. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XpjytZKadYHuY5Kqsnopd7.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/f7m3ZnmXjtKMK6Kebfyv8a.jpg Image Credit: Veho With 10,400mAh inside, two USB outputs and fast charging technology the Pebble P1 Pro may be one of the best all-round power banks you can buy right now. This doesn't have anything to do with the defunct watch brand, but instead it's called the Pebble for its curved edges design. This should be able to recharge most phones at least two and a half times from a single charge, plus this power bank can be charged up by either microUSB or USB-C so you won't need to have a specific cable with you to pump it up again when it's out of juice. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XpjytZKadYHuY5Kqsnopd7.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cTSNxP4S5W5DEKUdNZ9svi.jpg Image Credit: Poweradd Poweradd also offers a great slim portable charger, and it's one of the cheapest options on this list yet boasts a substantial 10,000mAh cell inside. It may be quite heavy, but this is only 1.3cm thick, making it a great device to slip into your back pocket when you're out and about. You'll want to grab a cable to go with it though as unlike the Iceworks choice above it doesn't come with one built in. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XpjytZKadYHuY5Kqsnopd7.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/y2iD9wTX9afup8fckNETDg.jpg Image Credit: Anker We love this little guy. The Anker PowerCore II 10,000 power bank is perhaps the most portable option on this list and allows you to have at least two full charges for your phone in your back pocket ready to go. At only 209g and 1.5cm thick, you'll be able to take this around with you and not feel weighed down while still having 10,000mAh of extra power for any of your devices. Plus it comes with Anker's own fast-charging tech that should mean you won't be plugged into it for too long. Like a lot of the chargers on this list, it doesn't come with a cable attached so you'll need to take your own out and about with you. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XpjytZKadYHuY5Kqsnopd7.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qAGLqcC64ZeAfjaFYMTemd.jpg Image Credit: RAVPower This is the cheapest option for a portable charger we have on the list, but this option from RAVPower should suit you for recharging your mobile phone while on the go. It has a capacity of 6,700mAh, which should recharge your average smartphone at least once and maybe even twice. There are three color options here with the choices of either pink, bright blue or silver. The LEDs on the side of the device also show you how much charge is left and there's fast-charging tech built-in too. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XpjytZKadYHuY5Kqsnopd7.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yJHwG7hQvkqVSF4tA8iPaD.jpg Image Credit: Jackery Don't you hate it when you have to pull a charging cord out alongside your pocket battery? The Jackery Bolt has both Lightning and MicroUSB cables built-in, so you won't have to juggle cords. Unfortunately, that means the latest Android phones that recharge via USB-C won't get any use out of the Bolt. But it has a decent 6,000mAh of battery, which is good for between one and two full smartphone recharges depending on your device. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XpjytZKadYHuY5Kqsnopd7.jpg Best power banks with lots of portshttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xBpqi3jeEHkWUr5Wygg3si.jpg Image Credit: MAXOAK This may not be the most portable charger on our list, but it features a lot of ports, so you can charge multiple devices at the same time. It'll even charge laptops as well as your phone and tablet. You can charge six devices at once, and with a 50,000mAh capacity it has the juice to do that, so if you're usually surrounded by a lot of tech this is possibly one of the best chargers to buy. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XpjytZKadYHuY5Kqsnopd7.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/j6Hv2ZyZmrrar7Mv6TEJvi.jpg Image Credit: Qi-infinity Looking for a another option with lots of ports on it? This may be a good choice for you, as there are four ports and you can charge up your MacBook as well as USB devices such as your phone. There's a quick charge port too, which will fast charge compatible devices such as the Samsung Galaxy S7. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XpjytZKadYHuY5Kqsnopd7.jpg Best power banks for both laptops and phoneshttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2uLZdhDkC69CUGeqE3B5vi.jpg Image Credit: RAVPower RAVPower's portable charger is a great choice if you need a device that can charge both your laptop and your phone. It features USB-C and normal USB outputs as well as an AC output, so you can plug your laptop charger directly in. There's also a 20,100mAh capacity battery inside, so this will be able to juice up your phone or tablet multiple times before you need to put it back on charge. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XpjytZKadYHuY5Kqsnopd7.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ue9gt5EHDG2mRQYDEcUJvi.jpg Image Credit: Poweradd The picture above may be deceptive, as this isn't a small charger and is capable of charging up your laptop or tablet as well as your phone simultaneously. You can charge up to three devices at the same time and it comes with a 23,000mAh capacity, so it should last long enough between recharges. Looking for a laptop charger? Here are our best laptop chargershttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/SLDrqYuvjCs

Electric scooters are springing up in cities around the world, often without warning or explanation. They're a fun, convenient way to get around, but there are a few facts you should be aware of before hiring one (or taking the plunge and buying one yourself), so read on and enjoy safer scooting. Are electric scooters legal?Whether electric scooters are legal depends where you live. Some cities have decided to welcome electric scooters, some insist that companies register before scattering scooters around the streets, and some have banned them outright. The law is complicated and changing all the time, so check out our complete guide for the full picture: are electric scooters legal? Which companies hire out electric scooters?The biggest names in electric scooter sharing are Bird, Lime, Lyft, Uber (under the name Jump), Scoot (now owned by Bird), Skip and Spin. Those aren't the only players, though, and more are popping up all the time as new markets open up. Germany and Italy, for example, will soon legalize electric scooters, and startups in both countries are champing at the bit to make a name for themselves. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/oaHng2iMjKx4VB4xQcZ8UE.jpg Image credit: Shutterstock How do you ride an electric scooter?Most electric scooter sharing services work in a similar way. Start by downloading and installing the app on your phone, creating an account and setting up a payment method. You can then use the app to find scooters near you (and often their battery level too), and unlock one. You'll typically be charged a fee for unlocking the scooter, with an extra charge for each hour or minute you spend riding. To ride an electric scooter, start by releasing the steering column by flipping the latch near the base and extending the column. Once you're happy, lock the column. Some electric scooters have a power button, while others are activated when you begin moving. To get going, stand with one foot on the platform and kick off with the other, as though you were riding a conventional scooter. After that, you can accelerate using a throttle controlled using your thumb, and stop using a bicycle-style brake lever on the handlebars. When you're done, you'll need to park the scooter and use the app to end your ride. Depending on which scooter sharing service you're using, you might need to leave it in an assigned service area or a dock, or you might be free to park anywhere it won't be a nuisance. It's best to take the scooter for a few slow test runs somewhere quiet until you've got a good feel for how it handles, and are confident that you can steer around obstacles, and stop safely. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uBwxZVbwiWYpZKgUZuvk4J.jpg Image credit: Shutterstock How fast do electric scooters go?The top speed of an electric scooter varies from a sedate 11mph to a frankly silly 40mph. Some cities only permit electric scooters that travel below a certain speed, and others classify speedier scooters as road vehicles that need to be registered, taxed, insured, and fitted with brake lights and indicato, so make sure you check the top speed if you're thinking of buying one. If you're using a scooter from a sharing scheme, its top speed will probably be approved by local authorities, but it's a good idea to check before scooting. Here are the top speeds for all the big scooter sharing companies: Scoot – 30mphSkip – 18mphBird – 16mphLime – 15.5mphLyft – 15mphSpin – 15mphUber Jump – 15mphWhat's the range of an electric scooter?Range anxiety is a common complaint for electric car owners, but it's not quite so bad with electric scooters; it might be heavy, but if you run out of juice, you can always carry it. To avoid a flat battery spoiling your fun when using a scooter share scheme, check the charge level using the app before checking one out. Here are the ranges of all the big players' scooters when they're fully charged: Uber Jump – 40 milesLime – 37 milesSkip – 30 milesScoot – 20 milesBird – 18 milesLyft – 15 milesSpin – 15 milesDo I need a helmet to ride an electric scooter?It's always a good idea to wear a helmet when riding an electric scooter, and in some cities it's illegal not to. It won't save you in a head-on crash with a car, but most scooter and bike accidents are low speed, and it could save you a nasty smack on the head if you lose your balance or snag a wheel in a pothole. It's also illegal to scoot bare-headed in some cities. Lime is handing out 250,000 free helmets to users who complete its Respect the Ride pledge, and Skip riders can request a free helmet by filling out an online form. Scoot riders can ask for a free helmet too by submitting an email address, but only if they live in the San Francisco Bay area. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4DUDgaPTTbzL3YhshAGzdj.jpg Image credit: Shutterstock Spin doesn't provide freebies, but does give a discount on folding helmets, which are easy to carry around. Uber offers 20% off Closca helmets using the code CLOSCALOVESJUMP. Bird doesn't provide helmets for their scooters, free or otherwise, but advise that you wear one. Are electric scooters legal? Know the law where you livehttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/pByh-7BRmi8

Vivo has announced its new fast-charging solution, 120W Super FlashCharge which is capable of filling up a 4,000mAh battery in mere 13 minutes. The company is expected to showcase its Super FlashCharge tech during Mobile World Congress (MWC) Shanghai 2019, which starts from June 26. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UcDDYW7gwuutxVtUStF2bJ.jpg Image Credits: Vivo (Weibo) Until Vivo's announcement, we've seen smartphone makers gunning to provide their consumers with a super-fast charging solution. However, these have been limited by up to 50W charging solution. Recently, Xiaomi teased that it's working on a 100W Super Charge Turbocharger, but Vivo seems to have one-upped them. Vivo has revealed that its 120W Super FlashCharge tech will take 5 minutes to fill 50% of the battery in a 4,000mAh phone, and 13 minutes to fully charge it. While the numbers are impressive, we don't wish it to be the father to the thought. Fast charging a battery generally leads to the generation of more heat, and we still don't know how the company plans to tackle that aspect. Will it be built into the charging adapter? Or will it only support particular phones? We'll know more next week when the MWC Shanghai kicks off, and Vivo possibly debuts the Super FlashCharge tech. Also Read: Motorola One Vision with in-screen camera launched in India at Rs 19,999http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/bNzmAHjD_OE

Ed: The Secretary of state for digital, culture, media and sport has announced that the scheme, commonly known as the UK porn block, has been postponed for another six months because of an "administrative oversight" The UK porn block scheme could be frozen once again according to a Sky News report which cites anonymous sources and say that the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) Secretary Jeremy Wright will make the announcement in Parliament later today. The body in charge of implementing the UK porn block, the British Board of Film Classification, was apparently told of the development yesterday afternoon, Wednesday, June 19. The reason put forward for delaying - but not cancelling - the UK porn block is a technicality. DCMS failed to notify the European Commission as it is legally required to thereby undermining the legal basis of verifying someone’s age. Campaigners against the scheme have put forward the frightening potential of tracking profiles and browsing habits of millions of UK individuals with online surveillance and blackmail a distinct possibility. MindGeek, the owner of most of the major porn sites online, is one of the age verification partners for the scheme with AgeID. There’s also the fact that the law can be circumvented by using VPN to access porn from a server (and IP address) abroad. The delay though is likely to be indefinite although Alastair Graham, from AgeChecked, understandably disagrees. “Regardless of today’s news, online age verification is coming.” he said, “The way that we transact online needs better protection, whether it’s the sale of knives, access to gambling sites, or placing barriers in front of adult content.” These are the best VPN providers in 2019http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/ffmUylUhROE

There's never been a better time to be a VR enthusiast. With the increased presence of standalone, wireless headsets, plus the advanced motion tracking and screen resolutions to make VR experiences vaguely in sync with our body’s own senses, we’re now reaching a point where VR simulations are starting to feel, if not real, certainly more realistic than they used to be. We’re still far from the Matrix, however. Developers are still trying to get around basic physical issues like motion sickness and eye strain, while the kinds of human character models generated for VR game engines – or any game engine, for that matter – are anything but lifelike. With volumetric capture, though, that might start to change. I made a visit to Dimension, a VR production studio working with the new video capture technology, to find out how a simulation of a Viking battle ship could signal the future of interactive VR experiences. What is volumetric capture?http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Nc54Pwu9oKNY35Go8gAsdn.jpg When you're capturing that much detail, you need good lighting (Image Credit: TechRadar) Volumetric capture is a relatively new video capture technology for recreating people and objects in virtual reality. Patented by Microsoft, with only two studios currently licensing the technology worldwide – Dimension being one of them – it has the potential to change the level of immersion and emotional engagement we get from VR. Instead of using a 360-degree camera that snaps real-life footage in all directions, or recreating an entire scene in a computer physics engine, volumetric capture uses a vast array of cameras in a dedicated capture studio – recording from multiple angles to capture an incredible amount of detail, when is then scanned into a CGI environment. Dimension’s capture stage has 106 individual cameras (53 RGB, 53 infra-red) as well as eight directional microphones to capture audio in real-time, instead of adding in separately in post-production. The full array is able to capture over 10GB of detail per second, at 30 frames per second – or 20GB/s at 60 frames per second. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FCkQfQKpQkquS8rompGUgn.jpg 106 cameras capture the actors from all angles (Image Credit: TechRadar) Steve Jelly, managing director of Hammerhead (which owns and operates Dimension), ran me through how the process works: “Half of [the cameras] are shooting visible light, and the other half are shooting infra-red light, which is lit by these lasers here… and that helps our algorithms figure out form as well as color. “We take those images, and then we run them through a massive computer farm over the road, which basically computes every position of every single pixel in space, creates a mesh, and wraps the video footage over the top of it.” The precision of the mapping method, which uses “thousands of tiny dots” to capture 3D objects, means that the cameras can even recreate details as small as the folds in your clothes – far more detail than you’d get with traditional motion capture methods, which rely on recreating gesture and movement within a computer-generated ‘puppet’. “That’s the problem [with motion capture],” said Jelley. “You can make it look fantastic, if you got a lot of money, and you’re outputting a 2D frame, but you always lose something in translation.” What do Vikings have to do with anything?http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BPEbj5RTh3Xb8o9hXmi9bn.jpg A Viking vessel at sunset (Image Credit: Dimension) We arrived at Dimension’s studio to try out a preview of Virtual Viking: The Ambush. A collaboration between Ridley Scott’s production studio RSA Films and the interaction entertainment center The Viking Planet in Olso, it’s one of the latest examples of how immersive the VR experiences of tomorrow could be. The Ambush is a historically-accurate recreation of a Viking battle ship in VR, using expertise from a host of era-appropriate museums – “wherever there are Viking boats”, we were told – and research texts such as Kim Hjardar’s Vikings at War. Produced for The Viking Planet center in Olso, Norway, the demo is set to be part of a wider exhibition of the lives of Norse seafarers, using a number of VR headsets to bring budding historians onto a Viking ship in the heat of battle. Given the involvement of Microsoft, it’s unsurprising that The Ambush runs on a Windows Mixed Reality headset: the HP Reverb. The Reverb does, however, have one of the sharpest displays on the market, with 2,160 x 2,160 resolution per-eye panels, delivering twice the display resolution of the HTC Vive Pro and Samsung Odyssey+. Not to mention six degrees of freedom for fluid movement in 360 degrees. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GCCxrHPTLLRzkYaJjnUagn.jpg The HP Reverb features a crisp 2,160 x 2,160 resolution per eye (Image Credit: TechRadar) We’re told the end experience will have full haptic feedback for the seats you’re in too, recreating the gentle rock of the boat to minimise motion sickness – another recurring obstacle for seamless VR. Making the virtual feel realWe’ve been to a lot of VR demos – everything from 8K batman helmets to nausea-inducing paragliding – but The Ambush felt incredibly fresh. Starting out at a dozy campfire and ending up under siege from flaming arrows on an ancient Viking boat, Dimension has pieced together a simple narrative along Norway's west coast, with the historically-accurate recreations of boats, weapons and Vikings to lend the scene some weight. The closest comparison I can think of is sitting onstage in a theatre, with the actors only a few feet away from you. I could see the Vikings in front of me heaving their chests as they rowed their ship down the river at night, squinting their eyes to see better in the dark, knuckles tensing around their CGI oars, and flinching as projectiles began to rain down on their allies. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/oMoPvCvVVCiSj3gNqspqan.jpg A Viking battle scene (Image Credit: Dimension) While many of the objects – and the ship itself – was generated in Unreal engine, it was the actors that really made the virtual space feel peopled, and made the resulting destruction of the ship’s crew all the more affecting. It’s those small details, in a look, a tightening grip on an oar, or the twitch of a facial muscle, that make a person feel real – without the ‘uncanny valley’ effect with digital characters that simply aren’t as expressive as a human face. The challenge with capturing human performances, though, is that you can’t blame the technology for bad acting. Lisa Joseph, producer at RSA Films, started her career in the theatre, and is only too aware of how important this aspect is. “You’re taking real people, and putting them into a computer generated world,” says Joseph. “So they really need to be able to act.” Dimension had to run “rigorous casting” over several days, to make sure the result was worth the trouble of the new capture method. What made the process easier was by adding NPCs (non-player characters) into the background, only utilizing actual people for those in close proximity to the viewer, where the difference in detail would really count. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4kp3HLofpxrYDnfKabZtrV.jpg Arrows had to be added through CGI after the images were captured, so viewers could see them flying out of the bow (Image Credit: Dimension) There are certainly big applications in VR games: imagining an open-world Fallout or Skyrim with complex, human expressions instead of rote facial animations could completely transform how engaging our interactions in games can be. Those at Dimension won’t be baited on the topic, but their use of Unreal Engine – which powers titles ranging from Fortnite and Gears of War to the Final Fantasy VII remake – gives us hope that it isn’t too long before volumetric capture catches on in the wider industry. We have a lot more VR demos ahead of us, and we want them to feel a lot more like this. Are shared experiences the future of virtual reality?http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/NYfpwx8dltY

Best Wireless (Bluetooth) Headphones: Welcome to TechRadar's guide to the best wireless and Bluetooth headphones you can buy in 2019. Years ago, we might've tried to dissuade you from buying a pair of wireless headphones. At the time, the technology had issues with wireless connectivity over Bluetooth and sound quality took a dive as a result. On top of all that, the batteries that were put into these headphones only lasted an hour or two, max. Thankfully, we've left those days behind us and are now living in the golden age of wireless. Thanks to advancements in Bluetooth (thanks, aptX), the best wireless headphones not only stay connected to any phone, from the best smartphones to the best cheap smartphones, in every situation. But they sound just as good as their wired counterparts, too. Editor's note: The headphones below are all over-ear headphones. If you're looking for earbuds, don't miss our guide to the best wireless earbuds or best Apple AirPod alternatives (true wireless earbuds)!Sure, a wireless pair of headphones might cost a bit more than a similar wired model, but wireless headphones offer greater freedom of movement - making them perfect for a trip to the gym or a great companion for phones like the iPhone X and Pixel 2 that simply lack a 3.5mm aux port to connect with. Whatever your reason for upgrading, we're here to help you pick out the best wireless headphones, regardless of your budget. What you'll find below are the top headphones we've reviewed – some of which come with neat features like noise-cancellation – all vetted by our staff so you can shop with confidence. Can't decide which headphones to buy? Check out our guide video below: The best over-ear wireless headphoneshttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tdbYLfwJ3U5eSREdqfV8oZ.jpg Image credit: TechRadar For the last three years, the Sony 1000X series of headphones have been our favorite wireless headphones on the market. They sound great thanks to a combination of superb wireless codecs - aptX and Sony's proprietary LDAC tech - and keep outside noise at bay thanks to Sony's ever-improving noise-cancellation algorithms. While the Sony WH-1000XM3 might not be a massive improvement over last year's WH-1000XM2, they're still a cut above their rivals, the Bose QC35 II, in nearly every way: they sound better, they block out noise better and have better features like Quick Attention mode that lets in all outside noise without taking off the headphones. (The latter is perfect when giving a drink order on a plane or speaking to a coworker for a brief moment before diving back into your work.) Great-sounding and feature-packed, these impressive Sony headphones are great travel companions and all-around excellent wireless headphones. Read the full review: Sony WH-1000XM3 Looking for the best Sony headphones? Read our round up of the best Sony headphones we've reviewed so farhttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/U6D3ofXKriRQ8SrHtFkjL4.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/id9rPiysZyNhDg4qws64Yf.jpg Image credit: TechRadar Offering class-leading battery life, terrific style and plenty of personalization when it comes to sound profiles, the Elite 85h is easy to recommend. That said, purists will bemoan the lack of high-end codec support and there are punchier headphones on the market at this price point. When you consider that Jabra’s Elite 85h headphones are the company’s first attempt at premium wireless ANC headphones, the result is quite commendable. We can’t wait to see what the company’s next premium ANC headphones will accomplish. If you want an alternative to Sony's WH-1000XM3, this is it. Read the full review: Jabra Elite 85H http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/U6D3ofXKriRQ8SrHtFkjL4.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/AFWRzeeXLNuq6Uk4jnpMT6.jpg Image credit: TechRadar Bose took the already-excellent QC35 and updated with Google Assistant. The headphone is identical in every way save for the new Google Assistant button. This means you still get the class-leading noise cancellation Bose is known for, good sound quality, and incredible comfort. Said simply, they sound great and their battery life is long enough for all but the longest of flights. If you're looking to save some money, however, consider the original Bose QuietComfort 35. They can also be found for far cheaper these days, and if you're not fussed about having Google Assistant built into your headphones then you can save yourself some money while you save up for QC35 II. Read the full review: Bose QuietComfort 35 II http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/U6D3ofXKriRQ8SrHtFkjL4.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UQKw3kgoNhaUw9X5j9NXCk.jpg Image credit: TechRadar The Beyerdynamic Amiron Wireless are the best-sounding wireless headphones you can buy, period. Sound is spacious, detailed, and makes you want to rediscover your music library. Their bulky design and average noise isolation make them terrible for travel but if you’re looking for the best sound from a wireless headphone, this is it. Just be prepared to shell out for them. Read the full review: Beyerdynamic Amiron Wireless http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/U6D3ofXKriRQ8SrHtFkjL4.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/AptCo2zWmEWNNUeEVUbPyJ.jpg Image credit: Audio-Technica Audio-Technica has a long history of producing high-quality headphones, microphones, and turntable accessories, and with the release of the ATH-M50xBT, it delivers studio-quality audio without the cord. The ATH-M50xBTs are designed for really high-end audio performance, with 45mm drivers and a frequency response range of 15-28,00 Hz, and it shows - we were very impressed with the warm, well-rounded sound. The ATH-M50xBT headphones also performed well in terms of battery life and Bluetooth connectivity, however the microphone isn’t particularly strong, and you may struggle to make phone calls using them - still, that’s probably not the reason you would purchase a pair of studio grade headphones in the first place. Read our full review: Audio-Technica ATH-M50xBT http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/U6D3ofXKriRQ8SrHtFkjL4.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/EtEX7ipka7WmJqMk9Zbak6.jpg Image credit: Sennheiser The Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC headphones are proof that you don't need bottomless cash reserves to get decent noise-canceling. Sure, they're not as powerful as the Sony WH-1000XM3 or sound as beautiful as the Amiron, but these are decent all-around wireless headphones at a good price. Read the full review: Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/U6D3ofXKriRQ8SrHtFkjL4.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4a8yHQheRW4QHr4ynDW6r.jpg Image credit: TechRadar The AKG N60NC Wireless sound like a pair of headphones that should be much more expensive than they are. At their mid-range price point the headphones offer fantastic value for money, with great sound quality and a level of noise-cancellation performance that's on a level with the much more premium entries on this list. Our biggest issue with these headphones is the fact that they're on-ear rather than over-ear, meaning that we found that they got uncomfortable over longer periods. Regardless, the benefit of this is that this is a fantastically compact pair of headphones, and if you're willing to make the trade-off then these are great for the price. Read the full review: AKG N60NC Wireless http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/U6D3ofXKriRQ8SrHtFkjL4.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VEb3XC6k95jYSofhcHXmoE.jpg Image credit: TechRadar The Grado GW100s sound great with a wide soundstage, clear highs, smooth mids, and extended bass frequencies. They also sport a kitsch, retro design that recalls Grado’s humble beginnings in 50’s Brooklyn. Although the Bluetooth connection works very well, the need for a wireless pair of open-back headphones can be unclear; particularly if the design makes them unsuitable for commuting or listening in communal areas. Saying that, having the option to listen wirelessly is undeniably convenient when you’re pottering around the house, and you can use these cans with an AUX cable if you're something of an audiophile who prefers a wired connection. Overall, we feel the Grado GW100s are designed for a fairly niche market of audiophiles who crave a wide, natural sound, and who do the majority of their music listening at home. If that sounds like you, you will probably love the Grado GW100s. If not, you may want to look at closed-back models instead. Read the full review: Grado GW100 Wireless headphones review http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/U6D3ofXKriRQ8SrHtFkjL4.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fXZCXQnd3cPxs6GhaBivxj.jpg Image credit: Microsoft Overall, Microsoft’s Surface headphones are surprisingly good, with a stunningly warm sound, and generous bass frequencies, which means your music will sound great whether you’re listening to subby hip-hop or acoustic singer-songwriters. One criticism of this warm sound is that it can take some of the attack away from lower-mid frequencies, which some users may find a bit underwhelming. However, if sharp trebles and mids tend to give you listening fatigue, these could be the perfect headphones for you. The calling card of these headphones is the active noise cancellation, which we felt worked really well, and we loved how easy it was to control this using the inbuilt dials on each housing. Although we were initially unconvinced by the high price (particularly when you can buy quality cans from heritage audio brands for less), the features work so seamlessly that it feels justified. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/U6D3ofXKriRQ8SrHtFkjL4.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FymWhTyRWF75MEvEDBNJuG.jpg Image credit: TechRadar If you're a frequent traveler you're probably all too familiar with headphones that can't hold a charge and can't block out sound, let alone sound very good. Let us introduce you to the Plantronics BackBeat Go 810, one of the few headphones on the market that can do all of the above and cost less than half as much as one of the bigger names like Beats headphones, Bose and Sony. For a lot less ($150, £140, AU$240), Plantronics now sells the still-very-good BackBeat Go 810, which uses less premium materials but sounds nearly identical to its more expensive predecessor. That being said, we feel the Go 810 are an affordable pair of ANC headphones that will please travelers and commuters who don’t want to spend too much money on headphones. Read the full review: Plantronics BackBeat Go 810 Looking for something more compact? Read our guide to the best earbuds 2019The best in-ear wireless headphoneshttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eG493nEFPxMkxveeC3SpRg.jpg Image credit: TechRadar Here's where things get a bit murky - the term 'wireless headphones' is often used interchangeably with 'Bluetooth headphones' - i.e. headphones that don't use a 3.5mm jack to connect to your phone, but still have a wire running between them. While we contemplated leaving these off our list entirely, Bluetooth headphones are still well-worth considering - even if it means having a wire wrapped around your neck. That being said, if we had to pick a pair of Bluetooth headphones to go with, it'd be the NuForce BE Sport4 headphones: They're an incredible value for a pair of wireless headphones that sound good, last all day, have a bulletproof build and incredible noise isolation. While they're not the most dynamic or resolving headphones, NuForce shows us that the future of Bluetooth is a bright one. Read the full review: Optoma NuForce BE Sport4 http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/U6D3ofXKriRQ8SrHtFkjL4.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PH2WAu9Mz4wvsKgtgL2XFX.jpg Image credit: TechRadar When you think of noise-cancelling headphones you probably picture bulky over-ear cans like the Bose QuietComfort 35 or the Sennheiser Momentum Wireless, but three years ago Bose turned its noise-cancelling chops to in-ear headphones, and the result was the excellent Bose QuietComfort 20i. Soon after that came the Bose QuietControl 30 (QC30, for short). These neckbuds offer the best noise cancellation of any in-ears we’ve tried and are comfortable enough to wear around your neck for long flights. Add to that the fantastic wireless capabilities of these headphones and you have the recipe for success. While we'd love to see a true wireless pair of headphones from Bose, the QuietComfort 30 are a tried-and-true stopgap that you'll enjoy all the same. Read the full review: Bose QuietControl 30 http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/U6D3ofXKriRQ8SrHtFkjL4.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/aftrbU9MXBMdAe5QTiEAW6.jpg Image credit: TechRadar If you don't mind rocking a neckband, the Moto Surround hits all the high notes in terms of price, performance and battery life. After spending some time with the RHA MA390 Wireless, we came away extremely impressed with the package RHA has come up with. The headphones are built extremely well, have a vibrant sound signature, and are hardy enough to take anywhere -and all at an affordable price. It’s main rival, the OnePlus Bullets Wireless, are also excellent, however we give the nod to the RHA MA390 for its more dynamic sound and better build quality. Read the full review: RHA MA390 Wireless http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/U6D3ofXKriRQ8SrHtFkjL4.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DsZY9kVjsTPqScUbK4gnES.jpg Image credit: Beats / Apple Audiophiles may complain about the sound performance of Beats headphones, but the inclusion of Apple's proprietary W1 chip has been a boon for the strength of their wireless connectivity. The Beats X make up for their overly bassy sound with a rock solid connection and a pairing process that, on iOS devices at least, is as painless as it's possible to be. Functionally that makes these wireless earbuds a joy to use, just don't expect the most detailed or broad soundstage. If you’re shopping for a no-fuss pair of earbuds that charge in 5 minutes and don’t mind spending a little extra money on them, the Beats X are for you. Read the full review: Beats X The best true wireless headphoneshttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4Ud9BoFsFJbJugmq6vcHZH.jpg Image credit: RHA Although the TrueConnect is RHAs first true wireless headphone, the company showed they did their research and development by making it one of the best true wireless headphones on the market today. The combination of sound quality, battery life, and wireless reliability means these are a pair of headphones you can rely on everyday. The Jabra Elite 65t set the standard for what true wireless headphones should be and, regardless of what RHA has done here with the TrueConnect, they’re still great headphones. Compared to the RHA TrueConnect, the Jabra has more features with its useful ambient noise mode to help with situational awareness and an app that lets you tailor sound. The RHA doesn’t have either of those features but we didn’t miss them, thanks to better sound quality and wireless reliability. The RHA also feels more like a premium product than the all-plastic Jabra. All said, if you’re shopping for a pair of true wireless headphones, the $170 (£150, about AU$265) RHA TrueConnect should be at the very top of your list. [Looking for a more stylish design? It comes at a price, but the Earin M-2 true wireless earbuds look as good as they sound.] Read the full review: RHA TrueConnect http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/U6D3ofXKriRQ8SrHtFkjL4.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hRNc47ZbEXMAHts6Ach8Vk.jpg Image credit: Jabra You might have expected to see the Apple AirPods on the list. While Apple's true wireless earbuds are fine for certain folks - cough, iPhone users exclusively - they're not the best for everyone. If you're looking for an egalitarian pair of true wireless earbuds, you can do no better than the Jabra Elite 65t. Not only are these competent Bluetooth buds for use around town, with a long-enough battery life and good sound quality, but they are easily some of the best true wireless earbuds on the market, offering a perfect balance of usability, features, and sound quality. If you’re in the market for the ‘ultimate’ set of true wireless headphones and don’t mind paying for them, then they are a strong choice. Read the full review: Jabra Elite 65t True Wireless http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/U6D3ofXKriRQ8SrHtFkjL4.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xRs682MHSGL2tXMGBFLpF7.jpg Image credit: Optoma The NuForce BE Free5 wireless earbuds show just how accessible truly wireless headphones can be nowadays. For around $100 (about £75, AU$134) they feature a more polished design than the more expensive BE Free8, and even sound better to boot. However, we found the left earbud would drop out briefly more than we’d like, and we hope NuForce can address this issue. The connection dropouts combined with the frustrating controls keep it from claiming the top spot on our list, but the BE Free5 offer undeniable value in the truly wireless headphone market,, making them a great option for your first pair. Read the full review: Optoma NuForce BE Free5 http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/U6D3ofXKriRQ8SrHtFkjL4.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WF2oNJ87mzPnQYV4aB6Lzj.jpg Image credit: TechRadar The second generation Apple AirPods, the AirPods (2019), aren't quite the AirPods 2 we were hoping for, but they still some cool features. They still feature the iconic design of the original AirPods (a good or bad thing depending on your point of view), and sound quality hasn't changed at all. The bulk of the upgrade comes from the new H1 headphone chip, which improves connectivity and battery life, and allows for a new ‘Hey Siri’ voice activation feature. The AirPods (2019) also come with an optional wireless charging case means you can use a Qi-compatible charging mat to power the case, rather than sticking a cable into the Lightning charging port in the bottom of the case. Like their predecessors, they are super easy to pair, but they are very much optimized for using with iPhones – and they aren't exactly cheap. Read our full Apple AirPods (2019) reviewhttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/U6D3ofXKriRQ8SrHtFkjL4.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XK8ncNLKhKzL8UbEqWHHzK.jpg Image credit: TechRadar Apple AirPods undeniably popularized the true-wireless format. They work seamlessly with an iPhone, sound good in terms of their form factor, and have excellent connectivity and battery life. Even though they are around three years old, the original AirPods still hold their own in the true wireless earbud arena, and the upgraded AirPods (2019) aren't actually very different. Apple has now stopped selling the AirPods, but many stores are still trying to sell off their remaining stock – head to our round up of the best Apple AirPods prices, sales, and deals for up to date information on any discounts. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/U6D3ofXKriRQ8SrHtFkjL4.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gpT85T66C22eWBkbBind5U.jpg Image credit: TechRadar From the minds behind the Ticwatch Pro, Ticwatch S and Tichome Mini , the TicPods Free have been cited as a more flexible alternative to the AirPods, coming in a range of colors, and enabled for Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa, as well as Siri. When we tested them, we thought the audio quality was impressive, and although guitars sometimes sounded a little distorted, it’s a small price to pay for the amount of sonic power you get with these in-ears. These in-ears are unlikely to appeal to true audiophiles but if you’re a casual listener, the TicPods Free will do just fine, and for a great price. Read the full review: TicPods Free review http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/U6D3ofXKriRQ8SrHtFkjL4.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MvChMB4x7qWSffCkY9kXrD.jpg Image credit: Sony Sony’s first pair of true wireless headphones, the Sony WF-1000X, were divisive -some users thought they didn’t offer enough bass, while others said they had too much. Some said they cut out or unpaired periodically. Others simply never had that problem. Criticisms came from all corners of the internet and the only reasonable conclusion one could make after sifting through all of the noise was that Sony’s headphones just couldn’t please everyone. Now, Sony’s second-generation true-wireless headphones – the Sony WF-SP700N – are here to try it again. These true wireless headphones are better tuned for the low-end and they’re stable in almost every situation. They still offer very modest active noise-cancellation tech and a sweat-resistant PX4 rating, and the new charging case is aesthetically pleasing if not radically different in functionality from before. Read the full review: Sony WF-SP700N http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/U6D3ofXKriRQ8SrHtFkjL4.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RqS2BmZeBU8xR4QMTL9EuD.jpg Image credit: TechRadar Let’s get one thing out of the way – the B&O Beoplay E8 are one of the nicest-looking and most expensive wireless earphones you can buy. At $299 (£259, AU$449, AED 1,199) you can throw in a bit more cash and splurge for one of our favorite noise-cancelling headphones, the Bose QuietComfort 35 $349 (£259, AU$499, AED 1,449), which give you better battery life and a richer sound. But if you’re looking for a something to take to the gym and have the cash burning a hole in your pocker, then the Beoplay E8 might be just what you’re looking for. While they don't feature noise-cancellation, you will find a longer-lasting battery life of around four hours alongside Bluetooth 4.2. The E8 come with a stylish carrying case, and you can tweak the sound to your liking using the accompanying Beoplay app on Android and iOS. Even without tinkering around with ToneTouch, the E8 sounds crisp and clear. Bass feedback will depend on how snug you’re wearing the E8s, but was acceptable for earphones of this size. If you’re able to look past the price point, then then Beoplay E8 is a great investment. It’s super compact, offers great audio, and looks great – what more could you ask for? Read the full review: B&O Beoplay E8 Wireless Earphones Additional resources: Check out TechRadar's exhaustive guides to the best headphones to buy today including the best on-ear headphones, the best in-ear headphones and the best over-ear headphones.For some more specialist pairs, take a look at our guides to the best noise-cancelling headphones.Looking for some headphones you can take in the pool or on a run? Check out our guide to the best swimming headphones and best running headphones.http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/UUDkn5Rc1yE

The best Android phones of 2019 are looking very intriguing with slimmer bezels and some startling new designs. Given the growing number of killer Android smartphones, it can hard to pick the best one to suit your specific needs, but we’ve had plenty of hands-on time to list the best – and the rest. For now, Samsung is still holding strong thanks to its talent for blending features, high specs, and a great design alongside some stunning cameras in its new S10 line. But given the advancements coming from competing Google Pixel and Huawei phones, the roster of best Android smartphones will keep getting more interesting. The new OnePlus 7 Pro is a scrappy contender in its own right. If you’re hunting for a new Android smartphone, be sure to check all of these handsets out, as you'll likely find some you might not have heard of or haven't taken seriously. You can also compare the list to our best phones and best unlocked phones to see how Android and iOS devices stack up. And, if you need mobile service to go with your phone, we can help you find the best unlimited data plan. Without further ado, let’s take a look at the best Android phones on the market right now. Best Samsung Phone | Best Huawei Phone | Best Moto Phone | Best Sony Phone | Best Nokia Phone | Best iPhonehttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BG7PQN9qbVBNu2wMXjw8CK.jpg While the Samsung Galaxy S series has only made incremental improvements in recent years, the Galaxy S10 Plus makes a bit more of a substantial leap ahead with new features and an even sleeker look. While the other models in the series have their advantages, the S10 Plus is simply the best of the best – top specs, an expanded camera suite and some shiny new tricks. The Snapdragon 855 at the phone's core competes with the Apple A12 for the fastest chip you can get in phones, and the 8GB RAM makes browsing and gaming speedy. The baseline 128GB of storage is great, but you can also pick up the phone with 512GB – or even 1TB, if you pay for the premium ceramic-backed version (which boosts the RAM to 12GB). If that's not enough, storage can be boosted by 512GB via microSD, bumping potential storage to 1.5TB...whoever should need it. The phone has few drawbacks, with a huge 6.4-inch screen in the smallest frame we've seen thanks to a 93% screen-to-body ratio. The in-screen fingerprint sensor is cool, the ability to wirelessly charge other devices using the new Wireless PowerShare feature is even cooler, and we just love the clean look of the phone. Aces all around...if you're willing to pay the (very) high price. Read the full review: Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xQU4W6EpyNDgHPQNeghXVW.jpg If you hate the smartphone notch, you can still get the best smartphone camera without it. Google’s Pixel 3 comes in smaller and more affordable than its bigger sibling, but it offers the same best-in-class camera performance. The design of the Pixel 3 isn’t quite up to par with the rest of the new flagships from 2018, as it has sizable bezels above and below the screen. It fits a 5.5-inch display with a resolution slightly above Full HD. Though it’s not winning any contests for its looks, the internals are up to the task, with a Snapdragon 845 and 4GB of RAM to power through most tasks quickly. Google’s phones also get timely and ongoing updates to the operating system, so the Pixel 3 may remain relevant longer than some of its competition. Read more: Google Pixel 3 review http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Nmoz5z8BVL83GaZq5LZe3U.jpg The Samsung Galaxy S10e is essentially the iPhone XR for Android: flagship specs at a lower price, with a few features shaved off to cut costs. And yet, the S10e is less of a compromise. It retains an AMOLED display (the XR's is LCD), starts at 6GB of RAM and packs a second ultrawide rear camera to the XR's single wide lens. There are several things the S10e lacks compared to its pricier siblings, but nothing you'll terribly miss: its side-mounted sensor is still more reliable than the in-screen fingerprint sensor on the S10 and S10 Plus. The 2x telephoto lens on its bigger siblings isn't as useful as the ultrawide sensor it keeps. But most importantly, it's a cheaper, smaller phone in a sea of Android phones that are getting larger and pricier. The S10e is a more distinct alternative to the S10 Plus than the standard S10, which ends up being a middle child that doesn't quite earn its price hike from its budget flagship sibling. Read the full review: Samsung Galaxy S10e http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8YLWG9MwLsU4ddXgAigtzM.jpg Image credit: TechRadar The OnePlus 7 Pro is the pinnacle of the company's design ethos: top-tier specs and software at sub-flagship prices. While the latter is still true - and you can get the standard OnePlus 7 a little cheaper, if you want - the pricetag for the elite OnePlus 7 Pro is creeping closer to the competitors it had previously outvalued. But arguably, the upgrades from last year's OnePlus 6T are worth it. The new handset adds a third ultrawide camera (following the Samsung Galaxy S10 line and Huawei Mate 20 Pro before it), retains its in-display fingerprint sensor, and even bumps up the resolution to an impressive WQHD+ (1,440 x 3,120) for a sharper-than-ever picture. The OnePlus 7 Pro's real innovation is a seamless, no-notch display - made possible by a persicope 16MP selfie camera. It pops up when taking selfies, but also when unlocking the phone with facial recognition. It even auto-retracts when the phone's gyroscope detects it's been dropped, though we haven't tested how effective this is. All in all, the phone is a solid upgrade over its predecessor, though its extreme value over leading flagships has diminished somewhat. Read more: OnePlus 7 Pro review http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zPxBKrqxvkYuSA26vVwqp6.jpg The Samsung Galaxy S10 is an incredible phone – a true flagship that ticks all the boxes and even has a few new tricks that make it a bit more than just an incremental upgrade over the Galaxy S9. But with the addition of the 'budget flagship' S10e to the S10 line, the standard edition is a bit harder of a sell. Don't get us wrong, it's still a fantastic phone. Packing the latest Snapdragon 855 chip and doubling the RAM to 8GB makes the standard S10 a powerful device, and the baseline 128GB of storage is very welcome. The new in-screen fingerprint scanner is pretty cool, and the extra 2x optical telephoto and ultrawide lens are reasons alone to pick this over last year's Galaxy S9. The new Wireless PowerShare is very handy in a pinch to charge other devices. But for a noticeable price cut, you aren't missing much if you opt for the S10e; and on the other side, for a bit higher price, the S10 Plus offers a slightly larger screen, another selfie camera for portrait depth, and a higher spec ceiling. Thus, the standard S10 is likely for folks who want a flagship that's not too big, not too small, yet is powerful enough to last years of use. Read the full review: Samsung Galaxy S10 http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zTYybmqQWnbejFfhrUWEcJ.jpg Huawei's P series has always taken photography seriously, and the P30 Pro takes that to an extreme. Where other phones have struggled to fit more than a 3x optical zoom in ever-slimmer phones, Huawei circumvented that limit with a novel design: lay its lens stack along the phone's length and use a mirror to reflect it out the rear cover. Hence the "periscope" lens, which manages 5x optical zoom, a 10x digital zoom and a baffling 50x full digital zoom. The phone is no slouch in other departments, either, sporting Huawei's latest Kirin 980 chip to reach speeds on par with Apple and Samsung flagships. Respectable RAM and storage round out the phone's specs, but you'll pick up the P30 Pro for its astounding photo capabilities, which include impressive DSLR-level ISO, per Huawei's claims. Alas, Huawei phones aren't the easiest to get in the US – you'll have to pick them up wholesale from a retailer, since no carrier currently sells the company's devices and network support is limited. If not for that scarcity issue, this phone would likely rank higher in our list. But if sourcing your phone isn't much of an issue, the P30 Pro looks to be a great choice. Read our full review: Huawei P30 Pro http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vfExeZiuJ8ineqdxqCGiMj.jpg The Galaxy Note 9 may not reign supreme after other phones have surpassed it this far into 2019, but its high specs and handy stylus keep it on our list of best Android devices. With a sharp, 6.4-inch Super AMOLED display, the Note 9 offers a great viewing experience for anyone that’s on the go often. Inside, it’s powered by the same components as the Galaxy S9 Plus, but with larger storage capacities available, a bigger battery, and more RAM optional. The Galaxy Note 9 sets itself apart with the S Pen, which enables some handy hands-free features and smooth note-taking. The cameras on front and back are just as impressive as the Galaxy S9 Plus shooters. For everything that the S9 Plus offers and a little bit more, this is a winner if you have the wiggle room in your budget. Read the full review: Samsung Galaxy Note 9 http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/SbGZmAh4f4rBSXMPxzhtxY.jpg Huawei’s Mate 20 Pro isn’t the easiest to get your hands on in the US, but that doesn’t make it any less impressive a phone. It’s the best we’ve ever seen from Huawei, and stacks up well against all other Android phones. It’s QHD display measures 6.39 inches and supports HDR10 for a great visual experience, as long as notches aren’t an issue There’s a fingerprint sensor embedded underneath the display as well. Inside, it’s offering impressive performance with Huawei’s own Kirin 980 chipset and 6GB or 8GB of RAM. It comes with plenty of storage and a large battery as well. The camera offering on the Mate 20 Pro is truly impressive, with a combination of three cameras on the back and a super-sharp 24MP selfie camera. The rear camera system combines a 40MP wide-angle sensor, an 8MP telephoto sensor, and a 20MP ultra-wide sensor. The result is an incredibly versatile snapper with AI backing it up. Read more: Huawei Mate 20 Pro review http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cAVJ3Uz8hzz5iUrH4DAho.jpg Google’s Pixel 3 XL is a bit bigger and blockier than its smaller sibling, with sizable bezels that are less and less ignorable in 2019. The phone still has one of the best camera setups on the market, and it does that with just one rear sensor, two front-facing sensors, and a whole lot of software optimization, so credit where credit is due. The design of the Pixel 3 XL isn’t quite as dazzling as the other offerings on this list, but it’s passable. It boasts a 6.3-inch OLED screen, but has a glaring notch at the top. The dual front-facing speakers help make up for that unsightly notch. The internals are also competitive with the other flagship phones. And, with regular operating system updates guaranteed by Google, the Pixel 3 XL may have a longer life than some of the competition. Read more: Google Pixel 3 XL review http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Y76SjxxM8THJdcTySbhuoA.jpg While many try, it can be really hard to beat a Samsung flagship that nails just about every aspect of being a great Android smartphone. The Galaxy S9 Plus offers so much to meet the varied needs of just about any phone user. Even after it's been surpassed by the S10 Plus, the venerable S9 Plus is still a quality phone that you can now get pretty cheap. The design of the Galaxy S9 Plus is great, with a nearly bezel-less display measuring 6.2 inches across. That screen is crisp with a high resolution, and it’s only made better by the Super AMOLED technology. And, let’s not forget about the inclusion of a 3.5mm headphone jack and an IP68 rating against water and dust ingress. Pair that great design with powerful internals, ample storage that’s expandable via microSD card, and a suite of capable smartphone camera sensors, and you’ve got an easy winner. The pot is only sweetened by the lower price of the Galaxy S9 Plus compared to phones like the Mate 20 Pro, iPhone XS, and Galaxy Note 9. Read the full review: Samsung Galaxy S9 Plus http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/R4ntL3BhpMPAxJkLRib8si.jpg LG may not be as present in the collective phone consumer consciousness as it once was, but it’s recent smartphones have been quality options. The LG G7 ThinQ is a testament to that. Inside, the LG G7 is similar to other flagships, with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 chipset and 4GB or 6GB of RAM depending on the device’s storage size. It has a 6.1-inch display with a sharp 1440 x 3120 resolution, and can offering a blazing 1000 nits when you really need to see the screen in direct sunlight. The dual-sensor system on the rear offers both a standard camera and a super-wide-angle lens for versatile shooting. AI helps the cameras along as well, recognizing scenes and subjects to dial in the settings so you can get a good shoot. Read our full review: LG G7 ThinQ http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/KasJBUzKAzc

We know that times are hard for almost everyone out there, and that doesn’t make replacing your aging laptop hardware any easier. Luckily, the list of the best laptops under $500 is slowly growing with truly quality devices that are worth the plastic and silicon they were printed on. While it’s still a small gathering of worthy laptops under $500, we’ve rounded up the most impressive that we’ve reviewed within the past year. Our list includes both forms of 2-in-1 laptops and incredibly affordable Chromebooks that will get the job done for minimal impact to your bottom line. Each of the products below scored at least four stars in one of our in-depth reviews, making them worthy of inclusion in a TechRadar buying guide. With that, you can buy one of these laptops with confidence that it has been thoroughly tested and critiqued by our expert editors. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pjyDo7hLwToHVewGiRXXTi.jpg An affordable Surface device has been in demand since the first Surface Pro, but the wait has ended at last. Microsoft's Surface Go is not only the best Windows tablet for ultra-mobility, but the best cheap laptop around. Thin, feathery, mobile and elegant, but without the high cost, Microsoft has packed in everything they could in a Surface for under 500 bucks. If you’re a student, or just looking to spend less than a grand on a laptop, the Microsoft Surface Go is a winner for both work and play. Read the full review: Microsoft Surface Go http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eaV3kfiKqe8HZw8guGnRxS.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/q7Pu3XwhSDpkuCWKRR2mfb.png The Microsoft Surface Book 2 is plenty pricey, but the Acer Switch 3 is a fine alternative for far less cash. This tablet is designed around largely the same idea as the Surface Book 2, but it's clearly less capable, thanks to lower-power components. However, for most tasks it's a plucky little computer. What this 2-in-1 laptop holds over Microsoft's 'Pro' and 'Go' models is that it comes with the keyboard included. Of course, the Acer Switch 3 comes in several configurations, with USB-C, 8GB of memory, an IPS touchscreen and an Intel Core i3 7100U processor coming with the pricier option. Read the full review: Acer Switch 3 http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eaV3kfiKqe8HZw8guGnRxS.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2N2XSgKy2i7kwXjhByHRcC.jpg The top Chromebook is an affordable product that anyone can approach. And, in that vein, it's easy to see how the Dell Inspiron Chromebook 11 2-in-1 cuts the mustard. This isn’t the strongest Chromebook out there – rather, it's exactly what people need it to be: budget-friendly, easy to use and able to take a beating. The Dell Inspiron 11 2-in-1 is ready to handle all your web browsing and document editing, and for that it's one of the best cheap laptops, as it won’t shatter from a simple stumble. Read the full review: Dell Inspiron Chromebook 11 2-in-1 http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eaV3kfiKqe8HZw8guGnRxS.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/EpfRQms7YaUSKTQTYtRFUG.jpg With a shiny chassis that rivals the most recent MacBook, it’s easier to forgive the fact that the Acer Chromebook 15 is the only straight-laced laptop on this list. Every other laptop on this list is fully convertible, leaving the Acer Chromebook 15 having to prove itself with more than stylish looks. This gorgeous, 15-inch Chromebook makes an amazing impression with its battery life, too, lasting nearly 17 hours in our battery test. That's crazy for a 15-inch laptop – Chromebook or not. Read the full review: Acer Chromebook 15 http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eaV3kfiKqe8HZw8guGnRxS.jpg Got some extra cash? These are the best gaming laptopshttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/SBTbmeRwjw0

While speech-to-text used to be specifically only for desktops, the development of mobile devices and the explosion of easily accessible apps means that transcription can now be carried out on a smartphone or tablet. This has made speech-to-text applications increasingly valuable to users in a range of different environments, from education to business. This is not least because the technology has matured to the level where mistakes in transcriptions are relatively rare, with some services rightly boasting a 99.9% success rate from clear audio. Even still, this applies mainly to ordinary situations and circumstances, and precludes the use of technical terminology such as required in legal or medical professions. Despite this, digital transcription can still service needs such as basic note-taking which can still be easily done using a phone app, simplifying the dictation process. However, different speech-to-text programs have different levels of ability and complexity, with some using advanced machine learning to constantly correct errors flagged up by users so that they are not repeated. Others are downloadable software which is only as good as its latest update. Here then are the best in speech-to-text recognition programs, which should be more than capable for most situations and circumstances. Also take a look at the best voice recognition softwareWant your company or services to be added to this buyer’s guide? Please email your request to desire.athow@futurenet.com with the URL of the buying guide in the subject line. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/C7nx2Pjm4chUdWdTiuPwdJ.jpg Image Credit: Google If you already have an Android mobile device, then if it's not already installed then download Google Keyboard from the Google Play store and you'll have an instant text-to-speech app. Although it's primarily designed as a keyboard for physical input, it also has a speech input option which is directly available. And because all the power of Google's hardware is behind it, it's a powerful and responsive tool. If that's not enough then there are additional features. Aside from physical input ones such as swiping, you can also trigger images in your text using voice commands. Additionally, it can also work with Google Translate, and is advertised as providing support for over 60 languages. Even though Google Keyboard isn't a dedicated transcription tool, as there are no shortcut commands or text editing directly integrated, it does everything you need from a basic transcription tool. And as it's a keyboard, it means should be able to work with any software you can run on your Android smartphone, so you can text edit, save, and export using that. Even better, it's free and there are no adverts to get in the way of you using it. You can download Google Keyboard herehttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/F7yPaw9EgX9ucEpVrFRkhM.jpg Image Credit: Open Planet Software If you want a dedicated dictation app, it’s worth checking out Just Press Record. It’s a mobile audio recorder that comes with features such as one tap recording, transcription and iCloud syncing across devices. The great thing is that it’s aimed at pretty much anyone and is extremely easy to use. When it comes to recording notes, all you have to do is press one button, and you get unlimited recording time. However, the really great thing about this app is that it also offers a powerful transcription service. Through it, you can quickly and easily turn speech into searchable text. Once you’ve transcribed a file, you can then edit it from within the app. There’s support for more than 30 languages as well, making it the perfect app if you’re working abroad or with an international team. Another nice feature is punctuation command recognition, ensuring that your transcriptions are free from typos. This app is underpinned by cloud technology, meaning you can access notes from any device (which is online). You’re able to share audio and text files to other iOS apps too, and when it comes to organizing them, you can view recordings in a comprehensive file. The app is available on iOS devices for $4.99. You can download Just Press Record herehttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/aXHVDtFXRsgNs7EFsPoL2Q.jpg IMage Credit: Speechnotes Speechnotes is yet another easy to use dictation app. A useful touch here is that you don’t need to create an account or anything like that; you just open up the app and press on the microphone icon, and you’re off. The app is powered by Google voice recognition tech. When you’re recording a note, you can easily dictate punctuation marks through voice commands, or by using the built-in punctuation keyboard. To make things even easier, you can quickly add names, signatures, greetings and other frequently used text by using a set of custom keys on the built-in keyboard. There’s automatic capitalization as well, and every change made to a note is saved to the cloud. When it comes to customizing notes, you can access a plethora of fonts and text sizes. The app is free to download from the Google Play Store, but you can make in-app purchases to access premium features (there's also a browser version for Chrome). You can download Speechnotes herehttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/h7QT949MoQFT8zhHATtKcS.jpg Image Credit: Apple Marketed as a personal assistant for turning videos and voice memos into text files, Transcribe is a popular dictation app that’s powered by AI. It lets you make high quality transcriptions by just hitting a button. The app can transcribe any video or voice memo automatically, while supporting over 80 languages from across the world. While you can easily create notes with Transcribe, you can also import files from services such as Dropbox. Once you’ve transcribed a file, you can export the raw text to a word processor to edit. The app is free to download, but you’ll have to make an in-app purchase if you want to make the most of these features in the long-term. There is a trial available, but it’s basically just 15 minutes of free transcription time. Transcribe is only available on iOS, though. You can download Transcribe herehttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/S5PP2P8DNJWjzDCdPfuqaU.jpg Image Credit: Nuance Should you be looking for a business-grade dictation application, your best bet is Dragon Professional. Aimed at pro users, the software provides you with the tools to dictate and edit documents, create spreadsheets, and browse the web using your voice. According to Nuance, the solution is capable of taking dictation at an equivalent typing speed of 160 words per minute, with a 99% accuracy rate – and that’s out-of-the-box, before any training is done (whereby the app adapts to your voice and words you commonly use). As well as creating documents using your voice, you can also import custom word lists. There’s also an additional mobile app that lets you transcribe audio files and send them back to your computer. Overall, the interface is easy to use, and if you get stuck at all, you can access a series of help tutorials. However, the software is far from cheap, retailing at $300. You can download Nuance Dragon Professional herehttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/mY7qvGotkS98RVcFi2L9qm.jpg Image Credit: Google Other speech to text apps to considerThere are an increasing number of apps available across all mobile devices for working with speech to text, not least because Google's speech recognition technology is available for use. SpeechTexter is another speech-to-text app that aims to do more than just record your voice to a text file. This app is built specifically to work with social media, so that rather than sending messages, emails, Tweets, and similar, you can record your voice directly to the social media sites and send. There are also a number of language packs you can download for offline working if you want to use more than just English, which is handy. Voice Notes is a simple app that aims to convert speech to text for making notes. This is refreshing, as it mixes Google's speech recognition technology with a simple note-taking app, so there are more features to play with here. You can categorize notes, set reminders, and import/export text accordingly. ListNote Speech-to-Text Notes is another speech-to-text app that uses Google's speech recognition software, but this time does a more comprehensive job of integrating it with a note-taking program than many other apps. The text notes you record are searchable, and you can import/export with other text applications. Additionally there is a password protection option, which encrypts notes after the first 20 characters so that the beginning of the notes are searchable by you. There's also an organizer feature for your notes, using category or assigned color. The app is free on Android, but includes ads. iTranslate Translator is a speech-to-text app for iOS with a difference, in that it focuses on translating voice languages. Not only does it aim to translate different languages you hear into text for your own language, it also works to translate images such as photos you might take of signs in a foreign country and get a translation for them. In that way, iTranslate is a very different app, that takes the idea of speech-to-text in a novel direction, and by all accounts, does it well. Working with over 100 languages, the basic version is free to use, but the pro version costs $4.99 for a month, or you can subscribe annually for $39.99. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/bqhHRsh6znE