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The Netflix adaptation of The Witcher will be released before the end of 2019, the company has confirmed. That's according to an investor call (reported by Deadline). Netflix's chief content office Ted Sarandso revealed the news, which will come as music to the ears of series fans who had been expecting a 2020 launch at the earliest. While it's The Witcher computer game series that most TechRadar readers will be familiar with, its actually the games' source material, the books of Polish author Andrzej Sapowski, that the show will be taking its core inspiration from. He will work as a consultant on the show, which is being filmed in Hungary, with the series being overseen and written by Lauren Hissrich. The best Netflix series this month: fantastic Netflix shows to bingeThe best Netflix VPN 2019The best Netflix movies this monthGeralt of MetropolisSo, who's who in the world of live-action Witchering? Superman himself, Henry Cavill, will be donning a flowing grey wig to take on the lead role of monster hunter Geralt of Rivia. Ciri is played by Freya Allan, Yennefer by Anya Chalotra and Triss Merigold by Anna Shaffer. Hissrich states she is a "huge" fan of the Witcher video games, but has attempted to return to the books in order to make sure "the show we were creating was its own unique thing". Speaking to the Hollywood Reporter late last year, she said: "One of the things I feel most strongly about is people being afraid that we're going to strip out the cultural context of The Witcher, to remove its Slavic roots, the very thing people in Poland are proud of. That couldn't be further from the truth. What I've always wanted to do is take these Slavic stories and give them a global audience." More of a Star Wars fan? Here's what Disney+ has in store for you.http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/nwaqFwZAdU0

Rumors of Nintendo revamping its Switch console in the near future have been pouring in over the last few months, and one report even suggested it'll come later this year. A new report from trusted Japanese newspaper Nikkei has suggested Nintendo will be introducing a smaller, and therefore more affordable, Switch model before then. This new model will be aimed at those who want portability and to play the console while on the move, but it'll still come with the same ability to connect to your TV. Our full Nintendo Switch reviewThe list of the best Nintendo Switch gamesOur ranking of the best games consolesNikkei's report says sources believe there's still a more powerful version of the console coming, but that it won't launch at the same time. Whether that goes against the report from The Wall Street Journal, which suggested the model will launch by the end of the year is not explicitly clear. This report doesn't explicitly suggest that we couldn't still see both models before December. If the Nintendo Switch's price is a little high for you at the moment, you may want to wait a while to see if this cheaper and smaller console ever materializes. We'd expect it to be missing a couple of features though to ensure that smaller price tag, but this report doesn't suggest what any of those would be. Quality of Life updateThe same newspaper story also shared an update on Nintendo's Quality of Life project, which was a piece of sleep tracking technology that was teased and patented by Nintendo back in 2015. The company reportedly halted work on the tech before December last year, and it may have been stopped long before that too. One of Nikkei's sources said they have heard the company wasn't able to produce a “Nintendo-like product" with the technology that was developed so it was cancelled. Don't want to wait? Try our best Nintendo Switch dealsVia The Verge http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/bLyC_H-4W78

We have a very good idea of what the OnePlus 7 Pro probably looks like at this point and some new case renders have backed up previous leaks, but they also show something that we haven’t seen in previous ones – a gradient color scheme. What we mean by that is a back that shifts between several different colors, likely based on the lighting and angle that you view it at. The images were posted to accessory-retailer MobileFun and show Olixar cases which can already be pre-ordered, with the back of the OnePlus 7 Pro in the images shifting either from green to black to blue, or from pink to black to purple. Lots of 5G phones are landing this yearThe OnePlus 7 Pro will have to compete with the Galaxy S10The iPhone XS is another rivalWe wouldn’t read too much into this, as it’s very possible that this is just a stylistic flourish from the case-maker prior to them knowing the actual colors of the phone, but it is possible that we’ll see these shades for real. After all, we’ve seen similar on the likes of the Huawei P30 and some other phones, it’s just not something OnePlus has ever done. Possible colors aside, the images match what we’ve seen before, showing the OnePlus 7 Pro as having a triple-lens rear camera, a pop-up front-facing camera, no notch or top bezel and just a tiny bezel below the screen. It’s a design that should still be taken with a pinch of salt until it’s confirmed, but with all leaks lining up it looks very likely that this is accurate. We’re also expecting the OnePlus 7 Pro to land alongside the standard OnePlus 7 and a OnePlus 7 Pro 5G, so the company looks set to launch more phones this year than normal. All of these handsets might be announced on May 14 if rumors are right. We have a good idea of how the OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7 Pro will differVia GSMArena http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/bMtCz_efzXc

Amazon Web Services (AWS), a subsidiary of online retail giant Amazon, expects the opening of a cluster of data centres in Bahrain to bring in new cloud customers from the Middle East and North Africa region. Werner Vogels, Chief Technology Officer at Amazon.com - speaking at the AWS Summit in Dubai - said that cloud is accelerating innovation in businesses, including startups, small- and medium-sized enterprises and multinationals. AWS is opening three or more data centres - also known as availability zones - in Bahrain, which will be completely isolated from each other and will be equipped with different power sources and networks to withstand any failures of each other. The biggest cloud services provider, after Microsoft Azure, Alibaba and Oracle, also has two data centres in the UAE — DataMena and Smart Hub — as nodes, and has been operational since August last year. Oracle opened its Abu Dhabi data centre in February and Microsoft is set to open one data centre each in Dubai and Abu Dhabi soon. Vogels said the advantage of moving to the cloud is that customers can scale up or down the cloud capacity as required without incurring additional costs. “Most of the customers here don’t have more than one data centres and now they will have three different availability zones from AWS. They [customers] can build highly-available applications which normally, they will never be able to,” Vogels said. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/C3wZWLPPYEwy8z6jtQwb5A.jpg Image credit: TechRadar We have lowered our prices 71 times in the last 15 years and I don’t think any other IT company has done it.Werner Vogels, CTO - AWS AWS is planning to open four more data centres globally in Milan, Cape Town, Hong Kong and Jakarta in the next couple of years. “We have seen which customers are successful and which architectures are successful. So, we created a framework that is over five different pillars – liability, scale, performance, cost management and security.” When asked how different AWS is when compared to Azure, Alibaba and Oracle, he said that AWS has the breadth and depth of the platform. “Some of our rivals are old IT companies who are frustrated by the fact that the arrival of the cloud has taken away 80 per cent margins of their business. They are now trying to make up for that and trying to be AWS but they are not,’” he said. “Amazon is an e-commerce company, and when we built AWS, it was based on a customer-centric approach, but other cloud providers take control of customers.” Moreover, he said that 95 per cent of the features and services in the last three years are based on feedback from customers. “We have lowered our prices 71 times in the last 15 years and I don’t think any other IT company has done it. We are successful only when our customers are successful,” commented Vogels. AWS is also said to be making major investments in the region, not only in sales or account management but also placing major emphasis on technical support. With the digital transformation taking place in the region, cloud skills will be top of the list for every possible entity. “We are investing here with AWS Educate, with universities and also bringing cloud skills to entrepreneurs here,” he said. Meanwhile, AWS has added Arabic as a text-to-speech language to its AI service Polly on Wednesday, which offers a more natural-sounding selection of voices in both male and female iterations. In Arabic, it is a female voice known as “Zeina”. The service is available as a pay-as-you-go model and offers 50 voices across dozens of languages and can be used for call centres, banks, and e-learning, with local customers such as Emirates NBD and duoLingo using Polly in Arabic. Amazon Web Services launches AWS Backuphttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/SbYv28Xu7y4

The OnePlus 7 launch is edging ever closer, with more and more details about the upcoming handset (or is that handsets?) appearing online. We've rounded up all the OnePlus 7 leaks below, to give you an idea of what you can expect from the firm's next flagship handset, which will compete with the best smartphones – and especially the best Android smartphones – coming out in 2019. OnePlus has even told us one core feature about its next handset, the OnePlus 7 will likely be one of the first phones to support 5G. But it may not arrive on its own, with rumors pointing to a OnePlus 7 Pro as well as the standard OnePlus 7. We should learn more on April 17 as the company has teased it will be announcing something then. Update: A new leak has detailed many of the possible differences between the OnePlus 7 and the OnePlus 7 Pro. Plus, the OnePlus 7 launch date could be May 14, as multiple sources now say as much. Below you'll find everything that we've heard so far, and we’ll be sure to add any leaks and rumors on the OnePlus 7 to this page when we hear them. What we've learned about the OnePlus 7 from the OnePlus 5G prototypeCut to the chaseWhat is it? The next numbered phone from OnePlusWhen is it out? Likely mid-2019What will it cost? Probably at least $549 / £499 / AU$599OnePlus 7 release date and priceThe OnePlus 7 will probably land sometime in the middle of 2019. The OnePlus 6 was announced on May 16 2018, so a OnePlus 7 launch date of May 2019 is a possibility. That fits nicely with a OnePlus 7 launch date leak which pegs the device's arrival for May 14. That's a date that we've now heard more than once. However, the OnePlus 5 and OnePlus 3 arrived in June of their respective years, so June 2019 is also a possible launch period. We expect OnePlus to keep with May though, which means a OnePlus 7 release date of May 2019 is also very much on the cards. There's no word on the OnePlus 7 price, but the OnePlus 6T - the most recent handset from the firm - launched at $549 / £499 / AU$599 and prices have been gradually creeping up since the range began, so we’d expect the OnePlus 7 will cost at least that much if not more. If you want 5G though you might have to pay more. OnePlus has confirmed that it's working on a 5G phone and while it's not known whether the OnePlus 7 will support 5G, the company's CEO has said that its 5G handset will cost between $200 and $300 more than its next 4G device. We know the company is working on both a 5G and a 4G phone, but it's not clear whether the 5G phone is a variant or a completely different model. Either way though you should be able to get a OnePlus 4G phone if you're not up for paying that much. And in the US you might be able to buy it from a carrier for the first time, as this is something OnePlus has said it's looking into, so you might not have to pay the whole cost upfront. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/i6uhakXJpzwRK6RRnnXavR.jpg Image Credit: TechRadar OnePlus 7 news and rumorsWe've seen numerous images seemingly showing the OnePlus 7, with the clearest look coming from the renders below, which show an almost bezel-free screen with a pop-up selfie camera, while the back has a triple-lens camera. You can also see this design in some renders from a case-maker. The pop-up selfie camera isn't visible, but a cut-out in the cases to make space for it is. These images can be seen below. That same design was suggested in leaked photos too, some of which show an all-screen design with no visible selfie camera, and one of which shows a raised section slightly above the screen, which could be part of the mechanism for a slide-out camera. Since then we've seen other photos, but these supposedly show the 'OnePlus 7 Pro', which according to another source is one of three upcoming models - the other two being the OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7 Pro 5G. The photos of the OnePlus 7 Pro can be seen below, showing a curved screen and no top bezel. The images also list the phone as having a 6.67-inch screen, a Snapdragon 855 chipset, 8GB of RAM, 256GB of storage, and three cameras, with 48MP, 16MP and 8MP lenses. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Ea49b7te2DKWCoCPpdTG4b.jpg Image Credit: IT station (Weibo) It seems that all of the images showing a phone with a pop-up camera might actually be the OnePlus 7 Pro though, according to a recent leak, which included renders supposedly showing the standard OnePlus 7. You can see these below. They look a lot like the OnePlus 6T, with a teardrop notch rather than a pop-up camera and two rather than three rear cameras, though unlike the 6T the flash is inside the camera block, and the screen is apparently 6.2 inches (where the 6T is 6.41). Since then another source has outlined some of the possible differences between the OnePlus 7 and the OnePlus 7 Pro. They say that while the OnePlus 7 has a 6.4-inch flat screen, the 7 Pro has a 6.64-inch curved one, and that as the pictures above show the OnePlus 7 has a teardrop notch, while the Pro has a pop-up camera and no notch. They also say that there are two rear cameras on the OnePlus 7, with one of them being 48MP. The OnePlus 7 Pro also apparently has a 48MP lens, but joined by two others - a telephoto one and an ultra-wide one. They also mention the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G, which sounds to have the same specs as the standard Pro model, just with 5G on board. That's believable, as the company has previously claimed that it will launch one of the first 5G phones this year. The OnePlus 7 isn't named, but that's possibly what they're talking about (though the company's first 5G-capable phone might end up being the next one released, the OnePlus 7T). Likewise, the company announced it will release the first 5G phone in Europe. OnePlus is partnering with the UK network EE to bring said phone to the UK at some point in 2019. A prototype of that phone has been shown off, complete with a Snapdragon 855 chipset and what appears to be a 21:9 screen - though elsewhere there are reports that the final device won't have a 21:9 screen, and nor will it have wireless charging. But it's entirely possible that the OnePlus 7 won't be the 5G-connected phone the company has been talking about. Sources said that the 5G device will be the first in an entirely new line, and another rumor hinted that it may start at $649 (or $100 more than the 6T). That said, as noted above, more than one source reckons the 5G phone will be called the OnePlus 7 Pro 5G, suggesting it will be a version of the OnePlus 7. We've also seen possible case renders for the 5G model, which you can see below. We'd take these with a huge side of salt though, as they look more like the OnePlus 6T than most of the OnePlus 7 leaks we're seeing. They do look similar to some renders above, supposedly showing the standard OnePlus 7, but we'd expect the 5G model to be more in line with the OnePlus 7 Pro. Beyond all this, the OnePlus 7 will probably have a glass back, since OnePlus only recently switched to glass with the OnePlus 6 and OnePlus 6T. It’s likely to also have an alert slider, since previous handsets in the range do, and it’s sure to have the best Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset available - the Snapdragon 855. The OnePlus 7 is sure to also have loads of RAM. The OnePlus 6T tops out at 8GB and the company has also launched OnePlus 6T McLaren Edition which has 10GB of RAM, so the OnePlus 7 may well match that. Don’t expect a microSD card slot though based on past form and the screen resolution is very much a question mark – OnePlus has consistently stuck with Full HD resolutions, but that’s feeling ever more dated so sooner or later we’d expect a switch to QHD or higher. Since the 6T got rid of the headphone jack, it's likely OnePlus won't bring it back for the 7. What we want to seeWe don’t know anything much about the OnePlus 7 yet but based on the OnePlus 6 and what’s going on in the rest of the phone world we know what we want from it. 1. A QHD screenhttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KYENBUmNsWqjUzFPMWNFTQ.jpg The OnePlus 6 has a good screen, but it could stand to be sharper OnePlus always packs its phones full of cutting-edge specs and features, yet it always sticks with a Full HD screen, which isn’t a match for most of the top-end flagships. That may well be keeping costs down, but it’s time the range made the jump to QHD, especially given that its screens are getting bigger, so we want to see that happen for the OnePlus 7. 2. A microSD card slotYou can get a decent amount of storage in the OnePlus 6 but you don’t get a microSD card slot, so if the amount it ships with isn’t enough you’ll have to start deleting things. That’s not ideal and while the 256GB top size should be plenty for most people it won’t be for everyone – especially those who plan to pack their phone full of music, films and games. So adding a slot into the OnePlus 7 would be much appreciated. 3. Proper water resistancehttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ebJVCAVvyyquxX8kNkk9qR.jpg The OnePlus 6 should survive a spill, but we want more of a guarantee from the OnePlus 7 The OnePlus 6 has some water resistance, but it doesn’t have an IP rating. So it should be able to survive a splash if you dry it off quickly but can’t really be put in the water. Not that we’d advise doing that in general with most phones, but knowing that it would survive if you did – or if you use it in heavy rain - could give some real peace of mind that you don’t get with the OnePlus 6, so we’d like to see this improved for the OnePlus 7. 4. Stereo speakersThe OnePlus 6 has just a single speaker, and its placement at the base of the phone makes it easy to muffle, so we’d like to see it ideally moved and definitely doubled up for the OnePlus 7, with a second speaker allowing for loud stereo sound. Sure, you’ll probably mostly use headphones anyway, but having a quality speaker setup can make all the difference when you just want to watch a YouTube video or listen to a podcast without plugging in. 5. No notchhttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XzgvekSPBsvEtJcjizER8S.jpg For the OnePlus 7 we want no notch and no bezels The OnePlus 6T is one of many recent phones to get a notch, and while it can be hidden if you prefer, what we’d really prefer for the OnePlus 7 is no notch at all. But we don’t want a return to big bezels either. We’re starting to see phones like the Vivo Nex and Oppo Find X which have almost no bezel at all and we’d like the OnePlus 7 to join them. This isn’t out of the question, especially as Oppo is heavily linked with OnePlus. In fact, current leaks point in this direction. 6. Wireless chargingDespite having a glass back, the OnePlus 6 doesn’t support wireless charging, which seems like a major omission for a flagship phone. This is probably a cost-cutting measure and, in a sense, seems reasonable, since we doubt wireless charging is a heavily used feature, but it would be nice to have. 7. An in-screen cameraAlong with an all-screen design we’d like the OnePlus 7 to have an in-screen camera. Most leaks point in the direction of a pop-up solution, but an in-screen one would be so much more elegant. We don't think this is likely for the OnePlus 7, but you never know. After all, just such a camera has been rumored for at least one phone. Check out our thoughts on the Samsung Galaxy S10http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/ZohU2TDV968

With the PS4 and PS4 Pro life-cycles officially reaching their ends, and Sony confirming PS5 details, we can't help but wonder what Sony has in store as a successor to PlayStation VR. Sony did technically release a second PSVR headset back in 2017: the CUH-ZVR2 added HDR compatibility, integrated headphones and a smaller connective cord. But, the true PSVR 2.0 will feature a much greater jump in specs that will take advantage of next-gen hardware to up its resolution, pixel quality and refresh rate. The main question is, will the PlayStation VR 2 simply improve on its predecessor’s visuals, or will it add features like 6DoF tracking or even go wireless to compete with Oculus Rift and HTC Vive? We’ve got the latest rumors and industry insider info on what the PlayStation VR 2 could look like, its likely release date, potential backwards compatibility and much more. [update: PS5 will support your existing PlayStation VR but Sony won't comment on next-generation PlayStation VR.] http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5zcgqQAuSX8exx4RJ4enc9.jpg Moss on PSVR. (Image credit: Sony) Cut to the chaseWhat is is? The next version of PlayStation VRWhen is it out? Potentially 2020 or 2021 to coincide with the PS5 releaseHow much will it cost? TBC - probably around the PSVR's $499 launch price PSVR 2 release dateIt’s almost certain that PSVR 2 will work exclusively with the PlayStation 5, but we probably won't be seeing the next-generation PlayStation until at least 2020. With no official word yet on a PlayStation 5 release date, and Sony officially confirming it won't be at E3 2019, it's difficult to pin down exactly when we might get to see a PS5 console or the PSVR 2 - although Sony has confirmed we won't see the PS5 in 2019. If Sony mostly allocates its manpower to PS5 production, then the PSVR could launch much later than the console’s release date - perhaps a year or more. PlayStation VR launched three years after the PS4, after all. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uWMaktZRFCAmgqgQr3kMEa.jpg (Image credit: Sony) However, Siliconera spotted two new filings relating to Sony's virtual reality headset which could point to the sort of experiences the company is planning for the future. The pair were filed in 2017 and 2018 respectively, suggesting that (if they've been pursued by Sony) they could soon bear fruit. The first relates to live events. Sony's patent describes a scenario where a user is in attendance at a real world location, such as a sports stadium, with the headset "anchoring" them "to a physical location in the venue". They'd be surrounded by real-world attendees, letting them watch the event as if they were actually there. It sounds similar to other live VR applications, like Next VR, Melody VR or Oculus Venues. More interesting, then, is the second application. This one speaks of turning buddies from your PSN games list into spectators of your games as you play. So, rather than generic NPC crowds in the stands of a FIFA match or along the track of a Gran Turismo race, your friends could chose to have an avatar representation of themselves turn up in your game. These avatars could be true to life, or any sort of stylized representation they choose to submit. They could either choose to spectate in real-time in virtual reality, or show their support through a "pre-programmed" clip. The fact Sony has already applied for these patents suggests PSVR 2 could be closer than we thought... Here's everything we know about the PlayStation 5http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jJPMzSZi2c8imJajBpmahW.png Astro Bot Rescue Mission on PSVR. (Image credit: Sony) PSVR 2 newsCurrent PSVR headsets will work with the PS5 The first details about the PS5 have landed, and it has brought with it a confirmation that your current PlayStation VR headset will work with the next-gen console. Speaking to Wired, Mark Cerny (lead system architect at Sony working on the upcoming console) confirmed that all existing versions of the PlayStation VR will be compatible with the next-gen console. Whether there will be a new PlayStation VR 2 at launch is currently unclear. Cerny said, “I won't go into the details of our VR strategy today." While he didn't say that Sony won't be updating its virtual reality headset at the launch of the next-gen console, he was swift to clarify that it's worth buying an existing PSVR if you haven't already got one. He also said, "VR is very important to us and the current PSVR headset is compatible with the new console.” Backwards compatible? Games for the PlayStation 4 are set to be backwards compatible with the PlayStation 5 too, so we can expect that you'll be able to switch your existing PSVR catalogue over to the next console. PSVR 2 priceThe current PlayStation VR starter bundle retails for $200 / £259 / AU$420, but this affordable cost came after several price drops. The original price for a full bundle, $499 (£399, about AU$650), could give us a good idea of what Sony will charge for the PSVR 2 headset. Of course, this new headset will have some potentially expensive tech to go with the PS5’s increased potential. Japan Display (JDI), a LCD manufacturer co-run by Sony, recently unveiled its 3.2-inch, 1,001 pixels-per-inch (ppi) displays with 2160 x 2432 resolution. PSVR currently uses 386 ppi and 1920 x 1080 resolution for its one 5.7-inch screen. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Guf24omxN6j76ByJKAdhhh.jpg How pixel density can improve the VR experience. (Image credit: JDI) Adding better display quality, as well as doubling the screen count, could jump up the price. Currently, the only somewhat “next-gen” VR headset on the market is the HTC Vive Pro, which retails for $800, £800 or around AU$1,045. Depending on the PSVR 2’s hardware, Sony could choose to list it as a premium device. But, that would likely go against its brand of offering an affordable entry into VR. We’re hopeful Sony will avoid pricing all but the wealthiest among us out of VR. How the best VR headsets stack upWe also recently spotted a patent for upgraded motion-control wands with finger tracking and haptic feedback. Higher-cost bundles of PSVR 2 may very well include these controllers for VR experiences that a DualShock controller can’t provide. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/obAVNm7cmNyw3qGwBdnsiE.jpg The PS4 Pro will be over four years old by early 2021. (Image credit: Sony) Why be a PlayStation 5 exclusive?PlayStation 4 owners (especially Pro owners) might be a bit peeved when they discover they can’t make PSVR 2 work on their consoles. But, it could be Sony’s only option to make its second headset feel truly next-gen. We tested out PSVR on the PS4 and compared the graphical quality to the Pro. In “Pro Mode”, we spotted minor improvements in textures, graininess and lag reduction. Ultimately, though, the difference didn’t feel that momentous. While the PS4 Pro certainly packs a punch, it may not have the capacity to support VR with the higher resolution and pixel density that Sony’s new JDI displays enable. The PSVR 2 could demand processing power that last-gen consoles simply can’t match. Rumors suggest that the PlayStation 5 will use the newest AMD Ryzen CPU and updated Radeon graphics, an upgrade from the AMD Jaguar CPU of the PS4 and Pro. Sony could have trouble making its new headset compatible with two separate graphics systems. All the updated hardware, design and accessoriesThe most concrete info we have on the PS4’s updated design comes from JDI’s announcement of its 3.2-inch display with 1,001ppi and 2160 x 2432 resolution. JDI claims that this display will reduce latency to 2.2msec (compared to >18msec today), allow for 120Hz (same as the PSVR 1), and demand less processing power to achieve better image quality—potentially unlocking a lighter, smaller design for the headset. The upgraded AMD Ryzen chip that Sony is currently researching could certainly achieve the processing power necessary to support these displays. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xBBbottqErKm3JphcWA2mT.jpg Credit: AMD Sony, which uses JDI’s screens for its smartphones, will very likely rely on these upgraded displays for its new headset. Considering we already found the PSVR 1’s design comfortable for long playing periods, this could make its heir apparent even more enjoyable to use. Of course, if the PlayStation VR 2 does go with dual displays, this will make the graphical demand for the headset much more difficult to achieve. For example, if Sony wanted 4K VR, then the PS5 would need to be capable of 8K streaming. That’s a tall ask to support a device that the majority of PS5 owners likely won’t purchase. We do suspect that the PSVR 2 could go wireless, considering Sony prioritized cutting down the size and weight of the cord that connects the headset to the console in its PSVR 1 upgrade, it’s clear the company sees it as disruptive, even annoying. Removing it entirely is the logical next step. By doing so, Sony will also make it easier to support room tracking for PSVR 2. Oculus and HTC have supported 6DoF tracking for experiences for a couple of years now, and it’s one of the primary areas in which PSVR falls short of its competition. The PlayStation Camera does track your head and controller movements as you play while seated, but can’t keep track if you move around, and our reviewers found that it frequently lost track of the controller even while motionless. Adding support for room tracking will only help Sony in increasing the size of its game library, as it will support more experiences that rely on wandering around a room. Of course, this could mean that the new PSVR 2 bundle will include a couple of room sensors to augment the Camera’s tracking. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HRNZ6CPzS94BqfBTnPkGRg.jpg Most first-gen VR bundles came with the camera included, but none included 6DoF tracking sensors. (Image credit: Sony) However, Sony could instead take the route that Lenovo did with the Mirage Solo headset, which adds WorldSense tracking tech inside of the headset itself. Reducing the number of peripherals could make the experience less onerous to set up. We also suspect that Sony has plans to double down on Move controllers. Its recent patent shows that it wants to compete with the Oculus Touch and Vive controller by adding improved tracking functionality to its Move wands. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tPhC8XDgGN9Pr2DQbcKW5d.jpg (Image credit: Sony) Sony’s most promising idea is its “reaction force generator”, which would have portions of the Move wand expand or contract based on whatever the user is currently “holding” in-game. This tech could make experiences feel more immersive than before, without having to give up on controllers entirely (see: Oculus’ haptic gloves). We've listed the best PlayStation VR games out todayPSVR 2: just what the VR industry needs?As we've mentioned, PlayStation VR hasn't met Sony's sales expectations, but its sales are nothing to sneeze at compared to the high-end VR headset competition, but Sony had expected the entire VR market to grow. Instead, Sony likely worries that VR will stay too niche to make the profits the company once hoped for. Kodera said Sony would have a more “realistic outlook” on what kind of future sales it can expect. Kodera’s statement implies that Sony remains committed to producing more VR devices. Unfortunately, the tepid VR market could mean Sony invests less time and money into future VR experiences. But, ideally, the PlayStation VR 2 and other next-gen headsets with better specs and fewer cords could revitalize the market and keep Sony fully on board with VR. Don't want to wait for PSVR 2? Here are the best PSVR deals right nowhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/eoiJjP-gtH0

Samsung has announced its sixth phone in the Galaxy A series, the Galaxy A70 in India on Wednesday. It has one of the biggest display Samsung has ever put on any smartphone, is powered by a huge battery and is the first phone in the series to feature 25W fast charging. The A70 is also the first phone in the series to support Samsung Pay. Samsung Galaxy A70: price and availabilitySamsung has priced the Galaxy A70 at Rs 28,990 with pre-bookings starting from April 20. The phone goes on sale for the first time in India on May 1 and will be available in three colours- white, blue and black. As part of the launch offer, Samsung is bundling the Galaxy A70 with U Flex neckband headphones for an additional Rs 999. Samsung's U Flex Bluetooth earphone usually retails for Rs 3,799 in India. The Galaxy A70 will be available on Samsung India Store, Samsung Opera House in addition to Flipkart. Samsung Galaxy A70: specifications and featuresWith a Full HD+ (2400 x 1080 pixels) resolution, the Super AMOLED screen on the Galaxy A70 measures 6.7-inch in size. There's a u-shaped waterdrop notch on the front which houses a 32MP selfie camera having an f/2.0 aperture. The display is also embedded with an optical fingerprint reader. As opposed to the other phones in the A series powered by Exynos chipsets, the Galaxy A70 runs on Qualcomm Snapdragon 675 processor with an octa-core CPU. This is paired with 6GB of RAM and 128GB internal storage. Users have the option to bump up the storage by upto 512GB via microSD card. The phone runs on Samsung One UI over Android 9.0 Pie. The A70 has a triple camera setup consisting of a primary 32MP camera with an f/1.7 aperture backed by a 5MP depth sensor which assists in creating pictures with depth of field. The third sensor is an 8MP ultra-wide sensor with an aperture of f/2.2. The rear cameras support features like slow motion and wide-angle video recording while the front camera can be used with AR-Emoji to create fun looking pictures and videos. It has a battery capacity measuring 4,500mAh and supports 25W fast charging which is a first for the A series. Also Read: PUBG Mobile 0.12.0 released with EvoZone, Darkest Night and friendly spectator modehttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/7tHRGfBh1h8

At birth, we humans are helpless. We spend about a year unable to walk, about two more before we can articulate full thoughts, and many more years unable to fend for ourselves. We are totally dependent on those around us for our survival. Now compare this to many other mammals. Dolphins, for instance, are born swimming; giraffes learn to stand within hours; a baby zebra can run within forty-five minutes of birth. Across the animal kingdom, our cousins are strikingly independent soon after they’re born. On the face of it, that seems like a great advantage for other species – but in fact it signifies a limitation. Baby animals develop quickly because their brains are wiring up according to a largely pre-programmed routine. But that preparedness trades off with flexibility. In contrast, humans can thrive in many different environments, from the frozen tundra to the high mountains to bustling urban centres. This is possible because the human brain is born remarkably unfinished. Instead of arriving with everything wired up a human brain allows itself to be shaped by the details of life experience. France is tapping into AI's potential for humanityThe future of work in the age of AIEU publishes guidelines on building ethical AINow imagine a technology like Artificial Intelligence (AI) that uses an associative data index that shapes itself by the connections that exists in the data. Instead of arriving with everything wired up by a developer for the pre-canned business questions, it knows the connections in the data and allows users to explore the data from any directions and perspectives based on their intuition. This would provide companies with huge flexibility and advantage because every day they have a new business question, and with the “livewired” data, they can explore it and gain unexpected insights. This new breed of AI is what we call ‘augmented intelligence.’ Essentially this means placing human intuition in the middle of data analytics and advanced algorithms. Here are three considerations for businesses bringing humans and AI together: Embrace human brain power with cognitive computing By investing in cognitive computing platforms, businesses can look to extract contextual information as humans can, adapting as requirements and targets change. Unlike fixed algorithms, cognitive computing platforms can resolve ambiguity and tolerate unpredictability, using probability to support decisions even with little representative data. Although such technology is still evolving and has a long way to go before mimicking the human brain, human attributes are being woven into analytics platforms themselves to support effective decision making. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/P4geQxarNAKemytF8wPMtG.jpg Image Credit: Pixabay Fuel AI innovations with associative data Accessing and associating all the data will be the key enabler as AI comes of age. There are vast amounts of enterprise data in various organisational silos as well as public domain data sources. To enable a holistic view of a complex problem, making connections between these data sets is critical, from which new AI-driven insights can be identified. Essentially, if the analytics technology does not allow businesses to get the full story from their data, building AI around it will only make the problem more evident. Ensure data is trusted through data governanceWith vast amounts of data coming from multiple disparate systems, an effective data governance strategy also becomes important for AI to produce trustworthy insights. Data governance offers a simple and direct way to ensure that right data is used to generate insights, but also identifies data errors and quickly flags and resolves those errors to help maintain the organisation’s confidence on data and ultimately on the insights generated. To take this confidence one step further, a data catalog integrated with data governance empowers an organisation with quick and efficient insight discovery, so data users spend less time searching for the trusted data they need to feed into AI. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/p8a2RidshtSAWMtQWPVTbe.jpg Image Credit: Shutterstock Putting humans at the centreDespite the key role that automation and advanced algorithms must play in data analytics, the ideal model will always put humans at the centre. Afterall, we humans bring awareness, perception and ultimately decision making. That’s why rather than replacing business intelligence tools or teams, augmenting users will expand adoption by helping them become more data literate and allowing them to uncover insights in an easier and more ‘governed’ manner. Elif Tutuk, Senior Director of Research at Qlik We've also highlighted the best AI platforms for businesshttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/n6tATygkVsE

The Nissan GT-R is 50 years old, and Nissan is celebrating in style with a fresh, tech-packed special edition that takes its inspiration from the racetrack. The 2020 Nissan GT-R 50th Anniversary Edition keeps the car's classic look, but is packed with new tech, including the NissanConnect infotainment system that impressed us in the revamped Micra and Qashqai. NissanConnect not only covers audio, navigation and communication, it also connects to a smartphone app that allows you to remotely lock and unlock the car's doors, activate the alarm, contact the emergency services, and track down its whereabouts. Driverless cars explainedYour complete guide to electric vehiclesHow AI in cars will change how we driveWhen you're behind the wheel, NissanConnect is controlled using an eight-inch touchscreen, which is set into a dashboard wrapped in a single, seamless piece of soft leather. Indeed, the interior is leather and Alcantara fabric as far as the eye can see, in a tasteful shade of gray that Nissan rather poetically likens to "the atmosphere of the night sky after the twilight hour". Road or trackThe 50th Anniversary Edition GT-R is also sportier, with upgrades including a refined 'R' mode designed for exiting corners more quickly on the road or on track days, plus gear shift paddles so you can keep your hands on the wheel. If you're planning on hitting the track, you'll also appreciate the adaptive shift control, which interprets the way you steer and accelerate and changes gear shifting modes automatically to suit your driving style without any extra input from you. If that's not enough, Nissan is also releasing a specially 2020 Track Edition optimized for racing and decked out in carbon fiber. "With the 2020 GT-R, we kept to the car's concept – pursuing ultimate driving pleasure," said Hiroshi Tamura, chief product specialist for the GT-R. "Once you take hold of the steering wheel, you will immediately know that no other car in the world delivers as much satisfaction to the driver, both physically and spiritually." Nissan has yet to reveal details of prices and availability. Nissan camper trailer uses recycled EV batteries to fuel off-grid adventureshttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/llthtj_CwZo

"What on Earth is a OnePlus?" - the question overwhelmingly most asked of OnePlus owners when they try showing off their brilliant smartphone to friends and family. Having quietly built up a reputation for producing fantastic smartphones as affordable prices, OnePlus 6T deals have steadily risen in popularity since release last year. But the mobile - which TechRadar's OnePlus 6T review deemed "one of the best phones you can buy right now" - is now coming to the end of its shelf-life. The OnePlus 7 is expected to land within the next few weeks and, with it, the beginning of the end for the 6T. That's because, unlike iPhone deals and Samsung phone deals, OnePlus doesn't tend to keep its older generation of mobiles hanging around when its latest, greatest flagship phone goes on sale. So once the OnePlus 7 lands, prepare for OnePlus 6T deals to quickly become tomorrow's fish and chip paper. That means if you've been liking the look of OnePlus's smartphones and don't want to risk a price hike when the new one comes out, then you'd better get in there quickly. It's still being sold at a number of reputable retailers, and we've summarised the cheapest SIM-free prices on different models below: OnePlus 6T 128GB | 6GB RAM | £499 from Amazon or from John LewisOnePlus 6T 128GB | 8GB RAM | £529 from Amazon or from John LewisOnePlus 6T 256GB | 8GB RAM | £579 from Amazon or from John LewisOr if you want to go all out on your OnePlus 6T, you could always pick up the McLaren Speed Edition from Amazon for £649. It ups the RAM to 10GB for performance as fast as you'd want from that branding and comes with a very swanky orange trim. Need a new SIM for your handset? Discover all of today's best SIM only dealsWhat about OnePlus 6T deals on contract?If you don't fancy splashing £500+ upfront on your phone, then you don't have to...that's what contract mobile phone deals were made for. And these are the three best OnePlus 6T deals you can get before they're cruelly ripped away... http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/9v3ZQFvT3jM

Intel is abandoning plans to build 5G modems for smartphones after it reportedly missed a number of deadlines for development of a chip that would have powered the first next generation iPhone next year. Apple was apparently so concerned about delays to the XMM 8160 5G modem chip that it was considering alternative suppliers. Court records showed it had explored the possibility of using Samsung and MediaTek components, while Huawei had thrown its hat into the ring. Now it is confirmed Apple will have to find another supplier for 5G. Intel says it will continue to meet customer commitments for 4G smartphones, such as the iPhone, but does not expect to launch any 5G smartphone products – including those it had planned to launch in 2020. Huawei 'eager' to help AppleApple and Qualcomm settle litigationWhat is 5G? Everything you need to knowIntel 5G modemsIntel Bob Swan added that the company would conduct an assessment of the opportunities for 4G and 5G modems in PCs, IoT and other devices and would continue to invest in 5G infrastructure. “We are very excited about the opportunity in 5G and the ‘cloudification’ of the network, but in the smartphone modem business it has become apparent that there is no clear path to profitability and positive returns,” he said. “5G continues to be a strategic priority across Intel, and our team has developed a valuable portfolio of wireless products and intellectual property. We are assessing our options to realize the value we have created, including the opportunities in a wide variety of data-centric platforms and devices in a 5G world.” Intel had fought hard to win Apple’s modem business, even agreeing to terms which meant the iPhone manufacturer had to prioritised over other customers. Qualcomm’s modem technology has been used in several iterations of the iPhone, but since the iPhone 7, Apple has diversified its supplier base, using Intel chips in some handsets. Qualcomm believes its modems have been completely eliminated from the most recent iPhones, a belief that is supported by independent teardowns. This led to a series of legal battles in which Qualcomm claimed Apple violated its patents, while Apple says the Snapdragon chipmaker is abusing its dominant position in the market and charging extortionate fees. But in a surprising parallel development, Apple and Qualcomm have agreed to settle all outstanding litigation in their seemingly never-ending worldwide legal battle. The two parties have even agreed to extend licensing and chip supply contracts. This paves the way for Qualcomm to supply 5G modems to Apple for its 5G iPhone. Here are the best iPhone deals for April 2019 http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/OxAEZ5xYshI

Huawei has cast doubt on its founder’s claims that the company could supply rival Apple with 5G modem chips. The Chinese mobile giant has an in-house semiconductor division that creates chipsets for Huawei mobile phones and other products, including the Balong 5000 5G modem detailed in January. However, Huawei has repeatedly claimed it has no intention of becoming a major chipset vendor that would compete with Intel and Qualcomm. Huawei 'eager' to help AppleSamsung starts mass production of 5G chipsWhat is 5G? Everything you need to knowHuawei Apple 5GBut with Apple’s efforts to launch a 5G version of the iPhone by 2020 reportedly being hampered by Intel missing deadlines for the development of its own XMM 8160 5G modem chip, it has been suggested another firm could enter the fray. Qualcomm was the sole supplier of iPhone modem chips between 2011 and 2016, before Apple split the contract with Intel. Intel became the exclusive provider to the iPhone in 2018. This inevitably led to speculation about Samsung and Huawei, and in a recent interview with CNBC, founder Ren Zhengfei suggested it would be open to the prospect of working with Apple. These comments have now been undermined by rotating chairman Ken Hu, who told the company’s annual global analyst summit in Shenzhen that it had no plans to enter the handset chipset market and looked forward to competing with Apple in 5G smartphones. In any case, it’s unlikely that even if the two firms could agree a deal that Apple’s 2020 deadline would be met if Intel was unable to pull through. Details from Apple and Qualcomm’s court case revealed that the former had explored the use of Samsung and MediaTek chips but despite the Samsung Exynos Modem 5100 going into mass production, it is unclear if either company is a realistic option. Here are the best iPhone deals for April 2019http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/QmvHM6AztTo

Netflix has always kept its viewership numbers pretty close to the chest, and while it will likely continue to do so for the foreseeable future, the streaming colossus today revealed that it will soon begin testing a new feature that provides users with a definitive 'top 10 list' of its most popular TV shows and movies. The best Netflix series in the USThe best Netflix series in the UKThe best Netflix series in Australia"Later in Q2 we’ll be running a test to improve our UK member experience by releasing weekly top 10 lists of the most popular content on our UK service across various programming categories," said Netflix CEO Reed Hastings in his Q1 letter to investors. He continued, "For those who want to watch what others are watching, this may make choosing titles even easier." Of course, there's no guarantee the top 10 list will stick around after Netflix has finished testing the feature, with Hastings stating that, "After a few months we’ll decide whether to end or expand the test." Netflix's already presents a list of top trending shows on its home screen, however, in this instance the shows and movies listed are all personally curated for each user based on their viewing history. It will be interesting to see how the overall list varies, and how the online conversation surrounding the feature evolves after the test kicks off in the coming months. The best upcoming TV shows and movies on Netflixhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/s6cjtsJiGkc

Electronic Arts’ PC gaming platform, Origin has been found to have a security vulnerability that allows hackers to trick users of the service into opening and running malicious software on their system. EA’s answer to the popular Steam and Epic storefronts is used to launch the publisher’s own gaming titles such as Apex Legends and Anthem, but researchers from Underdog Security found a loophole in the Windows version of the client – installed by tens of millions of gamers. EA reveals new 'premium' Titanfall game coming this yearApex Legends: battle pass, characters, and newsApex Legends: which is the best character for your playstyleAs reported by TechCrunch, it was possible to trick the desktop app to run any program on the user’s computer when clicking on a custom link, which in turn could allow hackers to run certain commands on their system and download malicious programs such as malware. What’s more, the link doesn’t even need to be explicitly clicked on for the Origin client to execute it, with the ability of a script to open the problematic link when a user visits another unrelated page. Thankfully, EA released a patch that successfully addresses the exploit on Monday, but users of the service are recommended to check they’re running the latest version. Mac users can breathe easy as the vulnerability never affected that version of the client. Origin might be showing your real name – here's how to fix ithttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/svz-SlFUdKM

The prestigious Pulitzer Prize has its 2019 winners, and while it celebrates the best in literature, music composition and journalism, there are two categories for photography as well. The prize for the Breaking News Photography category went to the photojournalists from Reuters for their images of the migrant caravan heading towards the US border. The photographs are “a vivid and startling visual narrative of the urgency, desperation and sadness of migrants as they journeyed” north through Central and South America. The Feature Photography prize was awarded to Lorenzo Tugnoli for his contributions to The Washington Post. His photographs of the devastating effects of the famine were initially entered into the Breaking News Photography category, but the jury moved them to the Feature Photography instead. He won the prize for the “brilliant photo storytelling of the tragic famine in Yemen, shown through images in which beauty and composure are intertwined with devastation”. Congratulating his photography team, Reuters’ editor-in-chief Stephen J Adler rightly said, “While it’s gratifying to be recognized for the work, public attention should be focused more on the people about whom we report than on us: in this case, the Rohingya and the Central American migrants.” We have displayed only a few images from each category here, but you can view all the winning images, along with the descriptions, at the Pulitzer Prize website. Please do keep in mind that some of the images are graphic and heart-wrenching. 41 tips and tricks to improve your photographyhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/d0v_xn9ZR-I

The best cheap phone in the US can be a little tricky to pick, as it's not always going to be based around what phone launches with a low starting price. Some of the best cheap smartphones are actually older models with heavy discounts, while certain new phones offer killer value and the latest perks. Another major factor that goes into finding the best cheap phone is the price. Cheap for one person isn't necessarily the same for another person. With flagship phone prices from Apple and Samsung flying up toward $1,000, some people may find anything under $600 cheap, while those with tighter budgets could be looking below $400 or even below $200 for a smartphone. Fortunately, no one gets left out when it comes to great cheap smartphones. Older phones from Samsung and Apple come in at prices that thrift shoppers can afford, and new phones from OnePlus, Huawei, Motorola, and more manufacturers that might have fallen off your radar can pack new technologies into affordable packages well worth considering. We've assembled a ranked list of the best phones under $600, $500, $400, and $200. No matter your budget, we're recommending a smartphone for you based on these price categories. These value phones are frequently unlocked, contract-free, and SIM-free, making them even easier to pick up and try out. Just know that mobile devices on this list definitely won’t be the very best phones in the US. Don't expect the high-end iPhone XS or Samsung Galaxy Note 9 here. A lot of these are a step below in performance and quality, but in line with their low prices. In fact, every cheap phone here should be just fine for anyone looking to save several hundred dollars on a discounted iOS 12 or Android Pie device. Here are our top recommendations. Best phones under $600http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MjZqcSB5jaboxfGwZBkgjm.jpg OnePlus 6 The OnePlus 6T is a cheap phone for some people, yet still too expensive for others. But we have to start somewhere, and a standout phone for under $600 is where we begin. The OnePlus 6T deserves a spot on this list simply because it features flagship-level specs (which are even better than some flagship phones, specifically in the 6GB and 8GB of RAM options) and a big screen north of six inches, with a price that falls south of every major flagship out there. Plus, the 6T offers something most other $1,000 smartphones don't: an in-screen fingerprint sensor. Innovation isn't reserved for the most expensive tier of the smartphone market. But if the $549 starting price of the OnePlus 6T is still a bit much, track down a OnePlus 6 (released earlier in 2018), which has nearly the same top-tier specs for perhaps even lower prices. Read the full review: OnePlus 6T http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/A8c6UCFTifpkiWLxPUQYSZ.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7aca9mYE5CvPYj2MBBzKP9.jpg You're never going to get a cheap iPhone if you opt for the newest models. But, if you dig a little deeper, you can get an older model at a good price. The iPhone 8 may have a dated design next to the iPhone X and 2018 iPhones – bigger bezels, fewer cameras – but it offers a strong price-to-performance value. The A11 Bionic chipset inside of the iPhone 8 is still plenty powerful for anything you'll throw at it, and Apple keeps legacy devices supported for a long time. So you'll be able to update the operating system to iOS 12 and probably even to iOS 13 and beyond. The rest of its specs aren't too shabby, with a 12MP rear camera, 7MP front-facing camera, 2GB of RAM and either 64GB or 256GB of storage. While the 1,821mAh battery isn't huge compared to flagships, it can change wirelessly. Read the full review: iPhone 8 http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/A8c6UCFTifpkiWLxPUQYSZ.jpg Best phones under $500http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/z7EU7n5ct4YonsBoXXTZBd.jpg Image credit: TechRadar If you're patient, Samsung's flagship Galaxy S devices have been getting some of the biggest and most consistent discounts after their release. The Galaxy S9 is no exception. The phone is only a little over a year old, and already you can find it for under $500. Better still, it's not going to feel too dated. You'll be able to run Android Pie and the Snapdragon 845 chipset with 4GB of RAM is still reasonably powerful. The reduced bezels around the display help it stay relatively trendy, while the high resolution display isn't likely to show signs of aging in the phone's lifetime. Add in an IP68 rating against water and dust, and it's a high value phone that you're not likely to have to replace because of a little accident at the pool. Read the full review: Samsung Galaxy S9 http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/A8c6UCFTifpkiWLxPUQYSZ.jpg If you look to the smartphone manufacturers that don't have incredible popularity, you can often find strong value options. That's the case with the Honor View 10. When it launched, it was offering strong performance from a Kirin 970 chipset that came paired with 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, which are higher specs than what the base Galaxy S9 included. The Honor View 10's design may not win over any who prize elegance with its a simple and dated style, but its aluminum sides and back are still a step above normal budget builds. Plus, it manages to be thinner than the iPhone XS and Galaxy S9 while still having strong battery life and including a 3.5mm headphone jack. The phone also has expandable storage using a microSD card if 128GB isn't enough. Read the full review: Honor View 10 http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/A8c6UCFTifpkiWLxPUQYSZ.jpg Best phones under $400http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WrTyK5sB9KU9XPjYKm8esg.jpg The Moto Z3 Play isn't an especially impressive smartphone, especially compared to the OnePlus 6T. With 4GB RAM, a less-powerful Snapdragon 636 chip, smaller battery and a slightly smaller screen, it's outdone by OnePlus' phone in almost every way. Almost – because the ace up Moto's sleeve are its signature MotoMods which snap to the back of its phones to add functionality. While some are far less useful (like the projector), others can be handy, like those adding big speakers or a lot more battery life. Still, the Moto Z3 Play starts at $349 now thanks to a price cut, and you can likely find other combos to sweeten the deal. Read the full review: Moto Z3 Play http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/A8c6UCFTifpkiWLxPUQYSZ.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Sb5UMKkio4ryumZruDRxFL.jpg Image credit: TechRadar That's right, Nokia still has phones coming out. Things where dicey for a while there, but the company has been making a comeback recently, and its Nokia 7.1 handset offers a strong value. The Nokia 7.1 offers a big, bright screen with the notch we've seen on so many other smartphones in the past couple years. The display even supports HDR10 for superior contrast and colors. The Snapdragon 636 chipset isn't the most powerful, but will do for all but the most serious mobile gamers and power users. And, all of that is packed into an a aluminum and glass design the won't feel nearly as cheap as the phone is. Read our in-depth review: Nokia 7.1 http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/A8c6UCFTifpkiWLxPUQYSZ.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xp5n7mFNynSryS5hyrHXW4.jpg Image Credit: TechRadar When you're looking for a great budget smartphone, you should always see what Motorola is cooking up in its Moto G line. The family of smartphone almost always has something strong on offer, and the Moto G7 is no exception. The Moto G7 has a capable is not incredible Snapdragon 632 chipset with 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. And, it's fit into a modern looking chassis. The edges are aluminum, with glass on the front and back. The screen really brings the Moto G7 into modernity, with a big, 6.2-inch display that has just a small teardrop notch at the top akin to the OnePlus 6T. You also get a fingerprint scanner on the back, dual rear cameras, a headphone jack, and light water resistance. Read our in-depth review: Moto G7 http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/A8c6UCFTifpkiWLxPUQYSZ.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CTeJvHnGZbA34mzDrSnXZn.jpg Image credit: TechRadar If you like the sound of the Moto G7 but want to be sure you've got the battery life to make it through the day and then some, the Moto G7 Power is another strong option at a value-friendly price. The Moto G7 Power packs a 6.2-inch display into the body, though it has a big screen notch at the top. The resolution is lower than the standard Moto G7, but that can serve to keep the performance smoother and battery life longer. With a 5,000mAh battery, the Moto G7 Power is definitely a top option for budget shoppers looking for a smartphone that'll last all day without concern. It's not the most exciting phone, but it's also way cheaper than the most exciting phones – and you won't have to worry about buying an external battery pack. Read our in-depth review: Moto G7 Power review http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/A8c6UCFTifpkiWLxPUQYSZ.jpg Best phones under $200http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DXhCNDm5f2ZMQYgnQpHhgZ.jpg Image Credit: TechRadar If you want one of the Moto G7 phones but needed to go for an even lower price, the Moto G7 Play is a compelling option. It still has the Snapdragon 632 chipset powering the more expensive Moto G7 models, but it comes at a price well below the others. That said, it does come with only 2GB of RAM, which won't help much with heavy multitasking. Still, at a budget price, you're getting a screen that looks fairly modern with a notch at the top, even if it doesn't serve much purpose beyond a particular aesthetic. Even if the resolution is only HD Plus, it still musters a pixel density of 294ppi at 5.7 inches. Beyond that, you get a fingerprint scanner, a headphone jack, and USB-C for charging, though you'll have to buy a Motorola Turbo Charger yourself. Read our in-depth review: Moto G7 Play review http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/A8c6UCFTifpkiWLxPUQYSZ.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/de80630130daa597348d00f55120d32a.jpg iPhone SE Apple's last hurrah for the four-inch form factor is still one of our favorites, even if the company doesn't sell it directly anymore. The phone brings specs that put in on par with the iPhone 6S. The fact that you can usually get this smartphone for under $300 already makes it an absolute steal if you're a loyal iOS user, and we've seen it under $200. Sure, it doesn't come with all of the bells and whistles of a brand new iPhone XR or iPhone XS, but complete with the iOS 12 update that came to this (and many other) older iPhone models, it's made even faster than before. Plus, if you like being able to use your smartphone with one hand, no new iPhone is as ready for that. Read the full review: iPhone SE http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/A8c6UCFTifpkiWLxPUQYSZ.jpg Like saving money? These are the best cheap tablets aroundCameron Faulkner and David Lumb contributed to this list. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/hTgtawiB8Fs

If the rumors didn’t give it away months ago, Microsoft has officially announced the All-Digital Xbox One S - a new 4K HDR streaming-capable console that doesn’t use discs or physical media of any kind. The All-Digital Xbox One S will be available globally starting on May 7, 2019 for $249 (around £190, AU$349) and joins Microsoft’s Xbox One family of consoles, allowing it to play the same games as the slightly more expensive Xbox One S. In fact, based on the specs shared by Microsoft, you won’t be able to tell the difference between the two when they’re side-by-side. (Specs include a 1TB HDD, 8-cores, Custom Jaguar CPU @ 1.75GHz, Custom GPU @ 914 MHz, 12 CUs, 1.4 TFLOPS, 8 GB DDR3 @ 68 GB/s, 32MB ESRAM @ 218 GB/s.) To complement the system, Microsoft has also unveiled a new Xbox Game Pass Ultimate plan that combines both an Xbox Live Gold membership plus a membership to Xbox Game Pass for $14.99 per month, and will be available to all Xbox One owners. As before, you can still buy Xbox Game Pass separately for $9.99 and Xbox Live Gold for $9.99 per month, but this deal does save you 25%. The first bundle of the console that comes out on May 7 will include three games including Minecraft, Sea of Thieves and Forza Horizon 3... er, rather, the digital download codes for those games as, remember, there's no disc drive. These are the best Xbox One gameshttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/JT1M9o4nfL4

Apple and Qualcomm’s current legal clashes, including a blockbuster patent argument with literally billions of dollars on the line that just started its opening arguments, are all officially over. Both companies have signed an agreement to dismiss all ongoing litigation, renew licensing and chip supply contracts, and even secured a payment from Apple to Qualcomm, per a press release. Apple and Qualcomm have been fighting in court for years. The aforementioned patent case was the largest of several legal disagreements: Apple brought suit against Qualcomm in 2017 for $1 billion, alleging the latter was overcharging its licensing fees for mobile communication tech – and then Apple would have to pay Qualcomm again for its modem chips to stick in iPhones. In opening remarks, Apple lawyers characterized this by saying Qualcomm “double dips,” making $16.1 billion in chip sales and an additional $7.23 billion in licensing fees from Apple in the years 2010 to 2016, according to CNET. The trial ballooned into a $27 billion, five-week affair with Qualcomm wanting damages of its own for breach of contract. But now, that fight is over. Per the agreement, both companies have reached a “six-year license agreement” starting April 1, 2019, which includes a two-year option to extend, as well as a multiyear chipset supply agreement. End of current litigation...everywherePer the agreement, all global lawsuits between the companies have been dismissed. They had been engaged in legal battles in China, Germany and elsewhere. The companies have been exchanging legal challenges for years. Back in March, a separate trial was resolved in favor of Qualcomm, with a San Diego court slamming Apple with a $31 million fine for infringing on the chipmaker's patents. Until we hear more details, it's unclear which company compromised more to nail down their new agreement. But the way is cleared for Apple to pack iPhones with Qualcomm chips again in every region – and Qualcomm is one of the only producers of a modem chip that connects to 5G networks, a chip used in the Samsung Galaxy S10 5G... Perhaps Apple decided it would be easier to settle rather than depend on Intel's shaky promises or acquiesce to putting a Huawei 5G chip in the company's future phones? Here are all the 5G phones coming out in 2019http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/AJOghkq07TI

Summer is just around the corner, and if you're looking to get in shape, a fitness tracker can be the perfect companion to help you. Lucky for you, Amazon has the best-selling Fitbit Alta on sale for only $84.99. That's the best price we've found for the top-rated activity tracker. The Fitbit Alta is made for everyday wear, with an ultra-slim and lightweight design. The Alta tracks activities such as steps, distance, and other exercises, and will even give you friendly reminders to stretch your legs and start moving. The water-resistant Fitbit also tracks calories burned and records your sleep to provide you with helpful insights. Once you download the Fitbit app, you can track all of your activity on your smartphone or computer and follow progress you've made. You can also get personalized workout videos, and log your exercises to help you meet your fitness goals. The Alta has an impressive battery life of up to five days, and offers basic smartwatch features such as call, text and calendar notifications. If you want a fitness tracker that also offers heart rate monitoring, you might be interested in the Fitbit Alta HR. The Alta HR has all the features of the Fitbit Alta, but continuously tracks your heart rate, and has a slightly longer battery life. The Fitbit Charge 2 is more advanced than the Alta HR and not only monitors heart rate but also includes GPS technology and features a larger display screen. Both activity trackers are on sale at Amazon. Fitbit deals:If you're interested in other Fitbit discounts you can find the best cheap Fitbit sale prices and deals that are currently available. If you're interested in the Fitbit Versa we have the cheapest Fitbit Versa prices and deals that are going on. You can also learn more about the above fitness trackers by checking out our Fitbit Alta review, Fitbit Alta HR review and Fitbit Charge 2 review. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/6LKMMDz5aeQ

Apple's long-awaited HomePod 2 smart speaker could sound even better than the original, if new patents granted to the tech company are anything to go by. Apple's patent for a 'Multi-listener stereo image array' describes a system where "multiple people can experience a stereo audio effect, regardless of where they are seated," according to Apple Insider. In layman's terms, the patent describes a system that uses multiple drivers and advanced sonic processing to send an audio signal to each person in the room – and each of them will hear the appropriate left and right channel, no matter where they are. It's Apple AirPods 2019 vs Samsung Galaxy BudsHeck, even Sony will use 3D audio in the PS5Speaking of, here's what we know about the PS5Now, you might wonder how the HomePod will know where you're standing in the room. For that, Apple has a second patent that it calls "System and method for dynamic control of audio playback based on the position of a listener." Again, sparing you the technical jargon, the patent describes a system that uses an imaging device (i.e. a camera or sensor of some sort) to see where people are located in the room as well as how they're sitting or standing. The idea, more or less, is that the next HomePod will be able to tell what you're doing – if you're lying down, walking closer to the speaker or walking out of the room completely – and change the sound by amplifying or reducing volume, or completely pausing the audio until you come back. Psycho-acoustics are really something, huh?If you're coming from the world of two-channel sound, this might all sound a bit... implausible. Or at least unlikely to ever be developed. But as crazy as this all sounds, there really are a number of companies working on 3D sound at the moment. Creative has its solution called Super XFI, and Sony has 360 Reality Audio that made its debut at CES 2019, not to mention Dolby Atmos and DTS:X that have been on the market for years. Now, all of these solutions work differently – Creative uses a software solution, Atmos uses upfiring speakers and 360 Sound is both an audio format and a technology. The main takeaway: not only is this possible for Apple, but other companies are already doing something similar. Will all these technologies finally give Apple's next HomePod the edge on the better-selling Amazon Echo and Google Home? We'll just have to wait to find out. Need a smart speaker ASAP? Here are the best smart speakers of 2019Nick Pino also contributed to this article http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/OKa4eL_9Wrg

The first details on the PS5 have just landed, and it has brought with it a confirmation that your current PlayStation VR headset will work with the next-gen console. Speaking to Wired, Mark Cerny (lead system architect at Sony working on the upcoming console) confirmed that all existing versions of the PlayStation VR will be compatible with the next-gen console. Whether there will be a new PlayStation VR 2 at launch is currently unclear. Cerny said, “I won't go into the details of our VR strategy today." PlayStation VR 2 release date, price, news, and rumorsWhile he didn't say that Sony won't be updating its virtual reality headset at the launch of the next-gen console, he was swift to clarify that it's worth buying an existing PSVR if you haven't already got one. He also said, "VR is very important to us and the current PSVR headset is compatible with the new console.” Backwards compatibilityGames for the PlayStation 4 are set to be backwards compatible with the PlayStation 5 too, so we can expect that you'll be able to switch your existing PSVR catalogue over to the next console. Other details revealed about the latest PlayStation console include 8K support, an internal SSD, as well as the news that the console won't be coming out this year. Cerny didn't reveal when we'll actually see the Sony PS5, but the company has begun seeding devkits to developers, so it's likely we'll hear more about it in the next year or so. Everything we've learnt about the PS5http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/dSf2nkrLYSI

Quality web hosting can be an expensive affair – but it doesn’t have to be. And while you can always fall back on free website hosting providers, there’s also a growing number of cheap web hosting providers that deliver honest, reliable performance and great value for money without breaking the bank. All bar one of the web hosting companies listed below will accommodate more than one website. So while cheap web hosting providers are great for starting your business, they might not be powerful and scalable enough to take it to the next level; which is where VPS and dedicated servers come into play. Note that some of the headline eye-catching prices (from free to just a few dollars/pounds per month) are often only for a limited period (usually the first year), and after that they can swiftly balloon, especially when you factor in the cost of the domain names bundled. If you plan to have a successful online business, it is important to think long-term and how the total cost of ownership (the cost of running your website over years) might impact your bottom line. So, without further ado, below is our hand-picked list of the best cheap hosting deals. Check out our list of the best web hosting providers and cheap VPS hosting deals http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eaV3kfiKqe8HZw8guGnRxS.jpg Below are the best cheap web hosting providers of 2019 http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JcYJydAVdZ5W5YmTjVPMRW.jpg HostGator Hatchling $31.68 for the first year when purchased for three years. Total cost of purchase is $95.04 HostGator is backed by EIG, one of the biggest web hosting companies, and its Hatchling plan is great for getting started. As with most of the offerings highlighted here, you can only run one website on this plan, but you don’t get a free domain name or free SSL. What you do get is unlimited disk space and bandwidth (but note that you won’t be able to use this space for storing files as this is against the terms and conditions), along with a $150 marketing budget (Google and Bing Ads credits). You also get 24/7 support, unlimited backups, subdomains, MySQL databases, email inboxes and FTP accounts. And finally, HostGator provides access to the popular cPanel control panel as well as its very own website builder (check our best website builder list). Every web hosting plan includes an industry-leading 45-day money-back guarantee alongside a 99.9% uptime guarantee. HostGator also provides free transfers for new accounts within 30 days of signup, and to newly upgraded accounts. Check out the cheap web hosting packages from HostGatorhttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YkzGRBQeR534kM2y4n8VwE.jpg GoDaddy Economy (US) $1 (there is a sale at the time of writing, usual price is $4.49) per month for the first year, renews at $7.99 per month (UK) £1 (there is a sale at the time of writing, usual price is £3.99) per month for the first year, renews at £5.99 per month plus VAT GoDaddy is the second of the triumvirate of ‘uber web hosting’ companies (the two others being EIG and 1&1) that we’ve listed in this buying guide. Its Economy package has to be one of the best on the market with GoDaddy flexing its (virtual) muscles to deliver exceptional value for money. As expected, you get a free domain name and oodles of storage (100GB) along with unlimited bandwidth, plus free Microsoft Office 365 Business Email for a year (a freebie worth $73 (£55)). Support is delivered 24/7 via a toll-free line and GoDaddy even guarantees 99.9% uptime for this service. Add in 1-click install functionality for more than 125 applications, DDoS protection, plus 1GB of MySQL database storage and you’ve bagged yourself a pretty solid offering. The only true limitation is the fact that you won’t be able to host more than one website, but that’s a common theme across the budget board. Check out the cheap web hosting packages from GoDaddyThose looking for GoDaddy hosting outside of the UK should check herehttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XH2GNecBGA9VEfEecX5mFT.jpg 1&1 Ionos Business (US) $12 for the first year, renews at $8 per month (UK) £12 for the first year, renews at £5 per month plus VAT Like many other premium web hosting companies, 1&1 IONOS offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. As part of one of the world’s largest web hosting firms, you’re in good company as this German-based host includes DDoS protection, geo-redundancy and the all-new HTTP/2 protocol as standard. Your website will have room to grow with a staggering 100GB storage, unlimited bandwidth, up to 2.5GB of system memory and up to 25 databases with 1GB SSD storage each. On top of that you also get a personal consultant, one free domain for a year (no .com or .net in the UK, though), daily backup, 25 email accounts, an SSL certificate and 24/7 customer service. Check out the cheap web hosting packages from 1&1Those looking for 1&1 hosting outside of the UK should check herehttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xUjZhcHiyeCJwVKfZuFjGj.jpg One.com $2.45 (£1.86) per month ($29.4 for a year), renews at the same price Let’s start with the downsides here: One.com is the only web hosting outfit here that charges a setup fee and has a short 15-day money-back guarantee. However, the price you see includes VAT (unlike most of its rivals). The fee is also very reasonable and you do get a lot for your money. We’re talking unlimited bandwidth, 25GB storage, a single database, a website builder (single website), SSL certificate and unlimited email accounts. SSH, backup and restore features are optional. This web hosting company is based in Denmark and has more than 1.5 million active users. Check out the cheap web hosting packages from One.comhttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/n49gzkadKuf9qFoLihmLxn.jpg iPage (US) $23.88 for the first year when purchased for three years. Total cost of purchase is $71.64 (UK) £18 for the first year. Renews at £8.35 per month Like dozens of other web hosting providers, iPage is part of the big EIG family and uses the bargaining power of the organization to bring prices down. iPage has it all for such a small price: you get unlimited websites, disk space, bandwidth, MySQL databases and email accounts. As with other EIG members, you get Google and Bing advertising credits and 24/7 support. The money-back guarantee is an industry average 30-days and you don’t get domain privacy, website security or backup as standard. As a sweetener, iPage includes a domain name (for a year) plus free SiteLock security tools (although iPage doesn’t provide much detail as to what that actually includes). Check out the cheap web hosting packages from iPagehttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ujWdt9nDuRLSAbApwEptGe.jpg Tsohost Personal Cloud Web Hosting $45.60 (£35.04) a year when purchased for two years, renews at the same price Tsohost is owned by GoDaddy and operates solely in the UK. You get one domain name (free for the first year) and three websites with up to 100,000 page views, 15GB storage, unlimited bandwidth, hundred 200MB mailboxes, an SSL certificate and one basic migration package. You also get free daily site backups, plus a 30-day money-back guarantee. Tsohost uses Dell hardware and UK-based data centers. Our review found this outfit to be a “capable web host with some feature-packed, versatile and honestly priced plans”. We concluded that it was worth a look for beginners and experts alike, particularly if you need a UK provider. Check out the cheap web hosting packages from Tsohosthttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HipoXBPGRYWsHTEQfWMfTT.jpg 123 Reg Unlimited £8.99 ($11.40) per month for the first year, renews at £12.99 ($16.4) per month Another GoDaddy-owned web host, 123 Reg is a well-known provider in the UK. Its Unlimited package delivers an attractive hosting solution if you have ambitions to grow your website business fast. For £9 per month for the first year, you can host 10 websites, which is particularly impressive seeing as many of these cheap deals limit you to just one site, as we’ve seen. You also get three domain names (which are free for a year) plus you get unlimited web space, unlimited bandwidth, unlimited databases (up to 1GB each), a free SSL certificate, unlimited FTP accounts, website backup and restore, scheduled tasks, IP address blocking and website directory indexing plus a JavaScript generator and Linux apps (WordPress, Joomla, Drupal, Media Wiki and eCommerce). Sadly you only get one 5GB mailbox, which is poor compared to the competition, and the monthly cost of renewing the service after a year gets considerably more expensive. Check out the cheap web hosting packages from 123 RegYou might also want to check out our other website hosting buying guides: WordPressCloud hostingE-commerceDedicated serverSmall businessWindowsManagedGreenBusinessColocationEmail hostingResellersVPSSharedWebsite buildersBest website hostinghttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/n4Ci4NVYiZo

There’s a subtle feature in the 2019 Nissan Armada that is a sign of things to come in all cars. Known as Rear Door Alert (or RDA), the system monitors when a rear door is opened. If you open the door, then go for a drive, lock your car, and walk away without opening the door again, the Armada will honk at you as a reminder. It’s intended as an alert for those who may have a child or a pet in the back – especially important on hot summer days. I tested RDA in the Armada and it’s a little disconcerting at first. I had to think for a minute about why the car was honking at me, as though it had a mind of its own. Ironically, I’ve tested Nissan cars and crossovers with this feature in the past and never thought much about it – oh, the car is honking at me. I thought it was maybe letting me know the doors were really locked. After doing some research in the Armada, I found I could easily disable the feature. RDA is a very basic AI-powered routine. An I mean very basic – the AI keeps track of the fact that you (or someone else) opened a rear door. Then, when you leave the car and lock it, the AI reminds you again – it knows you opened the door, even if it was hours ago. On short trips, RDA was like a nanny – yes, thanks Nissan for letting me know. On longer trips, like the one I took for about 150 miles, the car still remembered I had my laptop bag in the back. What's there?Not that the Armada knows it’s a laptop. Similar SUVs from Chevy use a rear seat detection system as well, but a sensor can detect movement in the back and remind you to check for occupants. In the future, cars will be able to detect the type of object in the back. Some Volvo cars, for example, know the difference between a person and a larger animal crossing on a highway based on how the sensor scans the road and detects the size. This is where things get interesting. Future AI routines will keep track of much more complex activities than opening a car door and use sensors much more powerful than the one in the Volvo. For example, AI will eventually know what we’re doing and why. A sensors might detect the size of occupants, noting over a period of time that we always bring one of the kids to soccer practice at the same time every day. A reminder could pop up -- in the car or on our phones – reminding us about practice, even though we don’t have that set as a reminder anywhere. As far as leaving things behind, AI could monitor the size of objects but also whether they emit a heat signature. Eventually, cars will know if there is a pet inside based on sensors that detect movement, a heartbeat, and pet size. What else could an AI detect? From a safety standpoint, I could see an AI tracking who is in the car and deploying airbags in the event of a crash based on their size and occupant seating position. An AI could monitor where we drive and suggest routes that match our own personal taste (say, one that is more scenic). Essentially, an AI would monitor everything about how we drive, where we go, and where we park. If this sounds creepy, welcome to the age of artificial intelligence. (At least we know we can turn off the RDA feature anytime.) The advantages, though, will be that the AI remembers everything about the car and how we drive as a safety precaution – not to annoy us. On The Road is TechRadar's regular look at the futuristic tech in today's hottest cars. John Brandon, a journalist who's been writing about cars for 12 years, puts a new car and its cutting-edge tech through the paces every week. One goal: To find out which new technologies will lead us to fully driverless cars. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/wp4HjAwlqvo

The starting point of the vehicle development process is occupant safety. Shifting responsibility from driver to carmaker to prevent accidents has a major impact on the development process. Carmakers will have to prove the thoroughness of their development processes when people get injured or killed by wrong manoeuvres from autonomously driven vehicles. This implies automated driving systems will have to react in a safe manner to all possible traffic scenarios under any possible weather and road conditions. The technology enabling this is complex. It requires an integrated system of systems, with mechanical, electrical and software components. For an optimised design, these components cannot be treated as separate artefacts. Software and hardware need to be developed in sync to achieve required hardware costs and system performance. A key variable in automated driving systems is sensor configuration. New sensors are being introduced at a rapid pace and more advanced sensor fusion algorithms are being developed. There is an infinite number of possible compositions to generate a 360-degree image of the environment around the vehicle, supported by different sensor types, quantities and positions on the vehicle. Sensors are typically a significant cost factor in vehicles, making configuration selection a potential market differentiator. Debunking the myths of driverless carsWe need rigorous 5G testing before we get in the driverless carDriverless car companies need to get their maps in shapePotentially the biggest challenge, however, is the confidence the vehicle will perform to its specifications. Not only during the development stages, but in real traffic with occupants and for many years. This requires a validation and verification process that allows for performance testing in a large number of circumstances. The process should be able to be repeated for different car evolutions over time, allowing performance comparisons for design exploration purposes. Finally, design decisions and verification results during the vehicle development process need to be traceable. To optimise the vehicle development process, supporting integrated hardware and software development with instant optimization capabilities for sensor configurations and with a highly automated and repeatable validation and verification process is necessary. It is only scalable for mass production if the requirements, the system and simulation architectures, the models and the performance validation results are managed carefully. This would make it possible to continuously improve the product, respond to liability claims and limit redundant work by maximizing re-use of digital data. System on chip The time when automotive electronic control units (ECUs) are off-the-shelf components is about to end. The high compute loads and stringent requirements for low-energy consumption, combined with the specific environmental conditions, make it inevitable that specific chips will be developed for autonomous driving applications. This drives the need for the automotive industry to work much closer with the chip makers and have parallel product development processes with multiple interdependencies. Long development cycles and the high cost of chip wafers put a stress on this relationship. However, Mentor, a Siemens business, supports the chip development process with virtual and emulated representations of early stage chip design. This enables integrated design exploration and early stage validation and verification of future system performances with realistic compute performances. Furthermore, Mentor simulation solutions can be used to optimise the thermal and durability performance of chips and systems. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/s4hTfB9LCQd5JfiPVuFcSC.jpg Image Credit: Ford AD compute platform The autonomous platform covers the control system hardware configuration. The system boundaries are the sensors on the vehicle and the actuator outputs at the vehicle’s communication bus. It is a complex assembly of electronics and wiring that requires optimised calculation time, energy consumption, thermal performance, electromagnetic capability (EMC) and multiple other attributes. Functionally, the autonomous platform translates an environment with all kind of actors into electric signals at the system outputs that make the car follow the anticipated trajectory. Although currently automated driving solutions like adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assist and auto- mated parking systems are typically delivered as a combined product of sensors and processors, there is a strong expectation the car of the future will have a centralized architecture for a combined array of functions. A set of sensors around the vehicle will be used to build a 360-degree representation of the environment of the vehicle that can be used for all automated driving functions. A central processor unit will run sensor fusion algorithms on raw sensor data and generate an object list of the vehicle’s surroundings. Determining the ultimate product To produce autonomous driving cars in large quantities, it is not feasible to add additional resources to the current vehicle development teams and simply enlarge the toolchain with additional software solutions. The requirements for energy efficiency, comfort, drivability and durability will not be reduced. In fact, they might become more difficult with occupants doing things other than driving. Automated driving and connecting to larger networks also factors into this dilemma. Balancing the factors that influence vehicle performance in often conflicting domains is optimally done in an integrated process and toolchain. This is a key for developing shared, autonomous mobility. Matthieu Worm, Programme Lead Autonomous Driving at Siemens PLM Robin Van der Made, Product Manager at TASS Also check out the best free cloud apps for businesshttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/Q50oHOKzFY8

Microsoft's exclusive Forza racing series has alternated between its track-based Motorsport and open-world Horizon entries each year with great success, but now the publisher is ready to take the brand into the free-to-play arena with Forza Street, available from today (April 16) on Windows 10. It will make its way to iOS and Android devices later in the year. Forza Horizon 4 review: rolling hills and changing seasonsForza Motorsport 7 review: fifth gear style, first gear substanceMicrosoft’s Project xCloud will let you play proper Forza on your phoneAlthough Forza Street was announced by Turn 10 Studios today, the game is actually a rebranding of the existing title Miami Street, which was released by Microsoft almost a year ago and has now been significantly updated to include a refreshed narrative, upgraded car parts, faster boot-ups, new animations, languages and an audio polishing. Unlike previous Forza titles, Forza Street does not require you to steer your car to victory. Instead, gameplay is timing-based and involves clicking the left mouse button or pressing the space bar to accelerate, and letting go to slow down around corners. Boosts can be earned depending on how well you time your gas-pressing, and winning races earns you a constant stream or credits and car unlocks. Of course, being a F2P title there are also microtransactions if you just can't wait to unlock your dream car. While the game's mechanics are incredibly simple, it must be said that Forza Street's bite-sized gameplay is quite addictive, making it ideal for mobile play. You can grab Forza Street now from the Microsoft Store. The best free-to-play Steam games 2019http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/GStIeDj9AOU