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Most smart home manufacturers now dabble in more than one type of smart home device, and newly leaked images suggest that Ecobee has plans to add a security camera to its existing line-up of products. The leaked images were posted at Zatz Not Funny, but with no official comment from Ecobee yet, we'd take them with the usual grain or two or salt for now. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Wcb4kZ8azJHgZxpdBACnjG.jpg Ecobee camera leak (credit: Zatz Not Funny) That said, it would make sense for Ecobee to want to add a camera to go alongside the smart thermostat it's mostly known for, and the smart light switch it recently added to its product range. Home Wi-Fi is now a battlegroundFind alternatives for your smart home ecosystemOur thoughts on the Google Home HubAs for pricing, or a launch date, or any of the specs of the device, there's no word on any of that at the moment. Based on Ecobee's existing products, it seems likely that Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant integration would be included. Keeping up with the competitionWhat's certain is that the smart home space continues to get busier and more competitive, so Ecobee will be feeling the pressure to keep up with its competitors. Google has been pushing hard with its Google Home and Nest-branded products, and looks likely to add more devices in the near future, while Amazon recently bought the mesh networking outfit Eero. A lot of Ecobee's rivals in the smart thermostat space, including Nest and Hive, also have security cameras to their name, so Ecobee would be keeping pace with its main competitors at least – if a camera launch is on the cards. We'll have to wait and see if an Ecobee-made security camera appears to watch over your home, but for now the company is staying tight-lipped. Here's the best smart home tech we saw at CES 2019Via 9to5Mac http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/fu_cqNNabic

The 5G society is a place for innovators to thrive, and OPPO is positioned to ride the wave of this connectivity megatrend by harnessing its power to deliver an unprecedented user experience. There’s no doubt that 5G will be a game-changer. It’s poised to drive a connectivity revolution across the world, enabling the Internet of Everything, and reshaping the smartphone industry. With the integration of 5G with other frontier technologies, the connected world will move forward faster than ever before. Users will benefit from not only better speeds and lower latency, but from a new wave of innovative services that will only be made possible by 5G connectivity. OPPO has solidified its position at the forefront of 5G innovation by owning several firstsThe company introduced the first 5G video technology demonstration based on 3D structured light in May 2018. Took the lead in testing 5G signaling and data links based on commercially available mobile phones in August 2018. Running a 5G internet access base on wireless communication test set in October 2018. demonstrating Find X-based 5G sample at the China Mobile Global Partner Conference in December 2018. introducing the OPPO first 5G commercial mobile phone at the 2019 OPPO Innovation Event in February 2019. conducting the world’s first mobile live broadcast on a 5G network with an OPPO smartphone in February 2019.This year will see the introduction of 5G networks across the world, and OPPO will fulfill its commitment to launch the first 5G mobile phone products. Its first 5G smartphone, launched in February this year, solves several of the issues that have previously arisen in smartphone models across the board, including heating and power consumption. The result is a communication experience that deliver high speech, high reliability, and low delay. OPPO is working with several telecommunications carriers across the world and the region to deliver a seamless 5G experience to users, while speeding up the commercial process of 5G mobile phones. The introduction of 5G smartphones will see numerous enhancements over what currently exists, but particularly in those areas that rely no low latency and high connectivity speeds, such as voice and video over internet, gaming, and so on. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sEDKWbcjAa3ASGvGeno2rL.jpg Cloud gaming is set to take over with the introduction of 5GOPPO is already working with leading software developers to develop 5G cloud games. The intention is to launch blockbuster, AAA game experiences on mobile phones, which take full advantage of 5G technology’s key features – high throughput, and low delay. The 5G game cloud breaks goes above and beyond the limitations of current smartphone cloud computing performance, and, as demonstrated by OPPO at Mobile World Congress 2019, will take gaming one step beyond. In January 2019, OPPO established its Intelligent Mobile Devices Business Unit, with the aim of empowering the Internet of Things (IoT) by providing devices that have the capacity to serve as IoT portals. OPPO has built an open IoT platform to empower developers and partners to deliver more products and services, which will be complemented by Breeno, its artificial intelligence-powered virtual assistant. Breeno was introduced in China in December 2018, drawing upon the capabilities of machine learning, contextual perception, informed and smart responses to offer a seamless experience in human-device interaction. Having proven its position as a 5G pioneer, OPPO is leading the way into a seamlessly connected future for everyone, everywhere. Oppo will be releasing Reno in the UAE following launch in Chinahttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/tjDB6ZC5UXw

Forget MLS and the Premier League...soccer has gone home to Wembley Stadium this weekend for the FA Cup semi-finals and watching the games live in the US has never been easier thanks to ESPN+. We'll tell you all about how to live stream Watford vs Wolves today. Sunday's match - Watford vs Wolverhampton Wanderers - is looking very difficult to call. Both have performed beyond expectations in the 2018/19 season and will be desperate to make an unexpected FA Cup Final. Watford got the win earlier in the season 2-0 and will hope to replicate that here if captain and club legend Troy Deeney has anything to do with it. But Nuno Espirito Santo's Wolverhampton Wanderers have spent a lot of money and the reward of a Cup Final feels like a fitting way to conclude an astonishing break-out season. Saturday's game was Brighton vs Man City, which was really the formality we had suspected. Manchester City continue their pursuit of a historic quadruple (league title, FA Cup, Champions League and the already-won League Cup), with a 1-0 win at Wembley. Keep reading to see the best ways to get an FA Cup live stream between Watford vs Wolves. As you'll see, it's available via the ESPN+ subscription service (which comes with a 7-day free trial if you haven't tried it before). And we'll also tell you how to catch it even if you're not in the US this weekend. Want to watch college basketball, too? Here's how to get a March Madness live streamhttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VgyagGS9HpAEPUQtUJBfrg.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/x4WvmjGdnEUCFeqhMUrnWo.jpg How to watch Watford vs Wolves in the US for FREECheck out our guide to all the best sports streaming sitesLive stream FA Cup soccer from outside your countryIf you've been looking forward to watching this match-up but now find yourself abroad, you'll find that your coverage will be geo-blocked. Annoying for sure, but not the end of the road. You can try using a VPN to change your IP address to a US server and watch as if you were back at home. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ebGZgkd4qVX7mUuvz3WNkH.jpg http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/fdQ5KwOkuGI

Former professional footballers have said it's worse to lose a semi-final than get to the final and fail there. Sunday's FA Cup semi final is certainly a game neither team want to lose and you can get a Watford vs Wolves live stream to see who will triumph. They're within touching distance of the FA Cup Final against Man City, an achievement which would be the icing on the cake of either team's excellent season, but first the Premier League's 'best of the rest' (the clubs sit 8th and 7th in the league respectively) have to lock horns under the arch at the spiritual home of football, Wembley Stadium. Out of the two semi finals, this one is the hardest to call, with Watford and Wolverhampton Wanderers matching each other in the league. If Watford were to win this weekend, it would be their first FA Cup Final appearance since 1984, while Wolves haven't reached the final game of the competition since they won it in 1960. In short, a little bit of history will be made for one of the teams on Sunday. Below we're going to talk you through the best ways to watch the FA Cup semi-final action in the UK and the rest of the world so you can ensure you can easily live stream Watford vs Wolves. Discover all of the best sports streaming sites on the webhttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VgyagGS9HpAEPUQtUJBfrg.jpg Live stream Watford vs Wolves from outside your countryBT Sport has the rights in the UK. In the US? Then keep scrolling, as we have your viewing options below...spoiler alert, you'll need an ESPN+ subscription. And footy fans Down Under can also see who's broadcasting there. But if you're abroad for the game and find that you can't watch your home coverage online because it is geo-blocked, we have a handy alternative to allow you to watch as if you were back on your sofa. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/B9XNGCRYNHKJzN5zVfTMje.jpg How to live stream the FA Cup in the UK:http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/x4WvmjGdnEUCFeqhMUrnWo.jpg How to watch the FA Cup: live stream in the US for FREEhttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/D39crXd3gob7KPsE3LAFUo.jpg How live stream Wolves vs Watford in AustraliaWatford vs Wolves...who will win?The Hornets won the only meeting between the clubs so far this season, snatching a 2-0 victory at Wolves' Molineux Stadium back in October, but Wolves have excelled in the high-pressure games against the 'big six' and come into Sunday off the back of a rousing 2-1 win over Manchester United on Tuesday night. That said, Watford managed to register a thumping 4-1 victory the same evening against Fulham, so it's fair to say both teams will enter the Wembley tunnel brimming with confidence. As you settle down to watch the Watford vs Wolves live stream you'll want to keep your eye on the key players for each team. Watford will likely lean on influential leader and club captain Troy Deeney, who will lead the line and set the tone and tempo for his team mates. With flair players Maxi Pereyra and Gerard Deulofeu, Watford have the creativity and skill in midfield to trouble the Wolves defense, but they certainly won't have it all their own way. Wolves have a potent strike force with the free-scoring Raul Jimenez and Diogo Jota troubling the best teams in the country this season, and with Ruben Neves pulling the strings from midfield they'll fancy their chances against a Watford defense that hasn't always looked solid. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ebGZgkd4qVX7mUuvz3WNkH.jpg http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/P4TuK0ABtnI

If you use an iPhone or an iPad to beam Netflix to an Apple TV, you might have noticed the feature just stopped working. It's not a bug: Netflix has officially pulled AirPlay support on iOS devices. According to a statement given to MacRumors, the reason is that AirPlay is now available on multiple devices, and Netflix can't distinguish between them. "We want to make sure our members have a great Netflix experience on any device they use," Netflix says. "With AirPlay support rolling out to third-party devices, there isn't a way for us to distinguish between devices (what is an Apple TV vs. what isn't) or certify these experiences." AirPlay could be coming to Roku devicesSpielberg and Oprah head the Apple TV chargeThese are the best AirPlay speakers"Therefore, we have decided to discontinue Netflix AirPlay support to ensure our standard of quality for viewing is being met. Members can continue to access Netflix on the built-in app across Apple TV and other devices." Expanding AirPlay's reachAirPlay is indeed coming to TV sets from the likes of Vizio, Samsung and others, which Netflix apparently has an issue with. Support for the network streaming technology has been in the Netflix app for iOS since 2013. With Netflix continuing to support the Chromecast standard, and Netflix apps available on most of the devices you'd want to AirPlay content to anyway, there are workarounds – but it's frustrating for those people who preferred AirPlay. Of course the move comes after Apple announced its long-awaited push into television programming as well. Netflix has so far refused to integrate its apps with Apple's TV platform, though it offers separate apps for all the hardware devices Apple makes. We'll have to wait and see whether user demand is enough to get Netflix to restore AirPlay functionality or whether it's gone forever. For now though, you can't use AirPlay inside your Netflix app any more. Apple TV Plus vs Netflix: could Apple eclipse its biggest rival?http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/gZJYhaCG4AU

Smart rings have been in development for years. But only recently have a number of brands emerged that have created smart rings that look good, feel good and pack useful tech into such a tiny form factor. Put simply, a smart ring is a ring that’s got some kind of tech built into it, whether that’s an NFC chip or sensors, like an optical heart rate monitor or accelerometer. Most of them can also sync up to your smartphone via Bluetooth, enabling you to find out more about the data they’re collecting. However, just because a device is called a smart ring doesn’t mean it’s necessarily packed with tech. A number of different smart rings are currently on the market. Some smart rings track your sleep, activity, pulse rate and more, costing £270 ($352 / £497AUD) and beyond. Others have only an NFC chip on-board to unlock things and will only set you back £9.99 ($13 / $18AUD). http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/y2BGY6ViUPzEohzGJsiq9D.png The subtle design of the Motiv Ring means you can wear it 24/7. (Image Credit: Motiv Ring) Those that have been interested in wearable tech for some time will know that smart rings aren’t new, far from it. Over the past ten years, a number of companies and startups have emerged claiming to be creating smart rings that’ll revolutionize the way we work and play. However, many of those came up against funding issues, design problems and tech challenges. At one point it felt like no companies would be able to create a smart ring with useful tech inside it that also looked good, felt comfortable and didn’t cost lots. But over the past few years, a number of brands have proven smart rings aren’t only possible, but they might give smartwatches and other wrist-bound wearables a run for their money in the future. Let’s take a look at how smart rings are made, why they’re great and not-so-great, and which models we think you should try if you’re ready to put a ring on it, so to speak. How does smart ring tech work? Rewind to the earlier days of wearable technology and smart rings were considered just as exciting, and potentially life-changing, as smartwatches. A number of startups claimed to be making the ultimate smart ring, including Fin, Altruis, Smarty Ring, Nod, Mota’s Smart Ring and many more. A lot of these startups even secured funding and began creating smart ring prototypes. But fast-forward to the present day and there are more stories of failure than success. Many of the companies behind these bold ideas ran into a number of issues, including legal disputes. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cBoQJh65hAqnXZgEBmG3AD.jpg Not all smart rings track what you do – some just want to open a few doors. (Image credit: NFC Ring) But financial problems and legal challenges aside, it’s not hard to figure out why many smart rings never materialized: they’re difficult to make. Packing sensors, an NFC chip, Bluetooth capabilities, a battery and more into a small space that also looks and feels great is bound to lead to technical problems and a lot of compromises. In recent years tech has advanced to a point where ticking those boxes has proved to be possible. For the purpose of breaking down the construction of a smart ring, let’s take a look at the Oura Ring. It consists of four different sensors, an infrared optical pulse measurement to read your pulse, a 3D accelerometer to detect movement, a gyroscope to detect movement and balance and a body temperature sensor. It also has a battery on-board and a microcontroller. That tech is fitted between a titanium and diamond-like carbon coating (DLC) on the outside and a non-allergenic, non-metallic, seamless molding on the inside. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YNCWKXzk9tjEwQ9WzU7hFD.jpg It may look small, but the Oura Ring is packed with sensors, a battery and finished with a titanium and diamond-like carbon coating. (Image credit: Oura Ring) But not all smart rings are packed full of so much tech. The new OPN Ring from NFC Ring is made from hypoallergenic ceramic and contains an antenna and NFC chip, which can be used to unlock devices and digital door locks. As well as a lot of considerations going into the tech inside a smart ring, such a small form factor requires a lot of extra work when it comes to design. There are a lot of things to consider when it comes to smart rings that are less of a concern with other wearables, the main being sizing. When you buy a tracker from Fitbit or Garmin there are options to tighten straps, switch them out or buy your own. With a smart ring, things aren’t so simple. Not everyone’s fingers are the same size and once you’ve got a smart ring, you can’t adjust it yourself. The only option is to provide wannabe users with a sizing kit before they buy. This may sound annoying, but the experience we’ve had with both the Motiv and Oura sizing kits has been simple. You order a kit, try on a selection of plastic rings in different sizes and then go to the respective website and fill in the details. The key here is to wear the plastic demo rings for a day at a time because your fingers tend to swell throughout the day. It’s also important to try the ring on multiple fingers. Some people prefer to wear a smart ring on their middle finger or ring finger, whereas some people find they can only wear a smart ring on their index finger. Receiving a sizing kit before you make a purchase does add friction to the buying process. But it’s a necessary evil to make sure you get the right one, it works over time and you’re selecting it for the right finger. Why are smart rings good? It’s difficult to say why smart rings as a whole category are worthwhile because the different rings available right now do such different things. Some brands have really got it right when it comes to tracking. Both Motiv and Oura have created slim rings packed with sensors that don’t feel like pieces of technology but are able to track most of the same metrics as a device like the Fitbit Versa. Both Motiv and Oura shout about their sleep tracking smarts. They both do a great job and it’s really good to be able to wear a ring to track sleep. Most other sleep tracking devices need to be worn around your wrist and even the most comfortable of trackers can get annoying at night. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2jT9c3ctEyURbbSE5WGdFD.jpg The Oura Ring can do a lot, but it excels in sleep tracking. (Image credit: Oura Ring) We’re wary about claiming a piece of tech could make us all less reliant on tech, but there’s an argument that smart rings are useful because they enable us to switch off from screens. With a smart ring, you don’t need to check your phone, look at a smartwatch screen or see your step count rise every few minutes to get the benefits of tracking what you’re doing. Some may find this helps with digital detox-ing. Of course, others may find it does the exact opposite. Because smart rings don’t have a screen, they tend to need charging less frequently. For example, the Oura Ring lasts around five days on a single charge. This is good news for anyone who has been tempted by smartwatches but can’t bear the thought of having to charge them up every single night. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hWDFbAVSoxCTbRjt8VeLAD.jpg The Motiv Ring is wrapped in a titanium shell, which makes it light, durable and stylish. (Image credit: Motiv Ring) Despite the fact it’s difficult to get the design of a smart ring right, most of the rings we recommend have created devices that look simple and subtle (and dare we say stylish?), fit flush against your finger and have use hypo-allergenic materials. Advances in design mean most smart rings are comfortable, don’t get in the way and won’t irritate your skin. This is obviously a consideration for all wearables, but smart rings really are designed for 24/7 use, so they need to walk the walk. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RejqaitzGvMatPaKGXcZAD.jpg The app that accompanies the McLear Ring allows you to keep an eye on your spending. (Image credit: McLear Ring) If you’re interested in using a smart ring for contactless payments, then it’s easy to see the benefits. Even though we now have contactless cards and keyrings and smartwatches that can handle these kinds of payments, a way to pay on your finger seems to be the most frictionless answer. Although only currently available in the UK, the McLear Ring is a fuss-free payment ring that looks subtle and doesn’t need charging. It just handles payments, and it handles them well. What are the negatives of smart rings?Because there are lots of design challenges when it comes to making a capable smart ring, you pay a premium to own one. Especially those that can track all kinds of metrics. The Motiv Ring costs from $199.99 (£153 / $282.10AUD) and the Oura Ring costs from €314 (£270 / $352 / $497AUD). However, that’s not necessarily the case for simpler smart rings that do just one thing well. For example, the McLear contactless payment ring costs £129 ($168 / $237.45AUD) and rings in the NFC Ring range, which can unlock your phone, store data and open your door start at as little as £9.99 ($13 / $18.38AUD). http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YYKkER2ZjoKuioyWGKo2AD.jpg The ORII ring is a phone on your finger, allowing you to take and make calls and send and listen to messages. (Image credit: ORII) But the main drawback is they’re not for everyone. Although many people already wear rings, smart rings are a little bulkier than a simple wedding band. That means they’re bound to irritate some people when it comes to design. In terms of functionality, they’re not smartwatches. If you want continuous tracking while you go about your day, a smart ring might be for you. But if you’ve been toying with the idea of a smartwatch and want notifications, or to see stats in real-time without looking at your phone, or to have apps, a smart ring won’t suit you – and the prices are too high to take a risk right now. The same goes for your top priorities. If you’re interested in sleep, both the Oura and Motiv rings are fantastic sleep trackers. But although both also keep tabs on fitness too, they’re not as capable as a device built with fitness in mind, like Garmin’s sports watches or the Fitbit Ionic and Charge 3. It really all comes down to a matter of taste and what matters to you. Which smart rings do we recommend?http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/57Ai4wgv5MQUifz4VZbiFD.jpg You can use the McLear Ring to make secure payments anywhere that accepts contactless. (Image credit: McLear Ring) Due to many of the tech and design challenges involved in making smart rings, there aren’t currently a huge range to choose from. At least not as many as there are wrist-based trackers, smartwatches and fitness devices. Admittedly, there are quite a few available through Amazon that claim to have NFC smarts built-in, but we haven’t had chance to test many of these yet so we’re apprehensive about how useful they are. So with that in mind, where should you begin? If you’re looking for a smart ring that will track a range of metrics, and look good while you’re wearing it all day and night, two main brands emerge as the best in the space: the Oura Ring and the Motiv Ring. The Oura Ring is a high-end smart ring option that currently retails from €314 to €1049 (around £270 to £903 / $352 to $1178 / $497AUD to $1662AUD) depending on which model you go for. It’s packed with sensors that can track a whole host of metrics, including your activity, pulse, steps, sleep and body temperature. You can charge the Oura Ring by placing it on its accompanying plinth, which connects to a power source via USB. Once charged, it boasts a whole week of battery power. Design-wise, it looks fantastic for a piece of smart tech. It comes in silver, black and matte black finishes in three styles: one with a ridge on top (balance), one with a flat top (heritage) and one with five little diamonds on top (balance diamond). It’s 7.9mm wide and 2.55mm thick, weighing in between 4 and 6 grams depending on the model you opt for. It’s made from a titanium and diamond-like carbon coating (DLC) and has a non-allergenic molding on the inside to avoid irritation. Like many other smart rings that have emerged in recent years, the Oura Ring started life on Kickstarter where it raised a lot of money to turn the smart ring dreams into a fantastic little product. It’s already gained a huge following in tech circles and it made headlines in late 2018 when Prince Harry was spotted wearing one. Another smart ring favorite is the Motiv Ring, which costs $199.99 (£153 / $282.10AUD). Like the Oura Ring, the Motiv Ring looks really good. It’s had a few iterations over the past few years but the latest is its best yet: it’s subtle but stylish. It’s 8mm wide and comes in rose gold, slate grey and titanium finishes with a small black line across the top. It’s wrapped in a titanium shell and it’s waterproof to 50 meters / 5 ATMs. Tracking-wise, it’ll keep tabs on your activity, steps, sleep and offers continuous heart rate tracking. The company has also recently announced it’ll add a host of security features to new rings, which mean you can open accounts with gestures. It has a three day battery life and comes with a very neat little charging dock that’s super slim, can live on your keychain and slots into any USB port to juice the ring back up to full strength within 90 minutes. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kqWGsEtpk9AXKSWtbdX8CD.jpg The Motiv Ring is less than 0.1 inches thick – and it weighs less than a penny. (Image credit: Motiv Ring) But they aren’t the only players in the game. A number of smart rings have also been launched recently, many of which try to do one or two things really well rather than be all-singing, all-dancing trackers like the two above. The ORII Ring has been in development for some time and promises to be like a smartphone on your finger, allowing you to send messages, make calls and use a voice assistant from your finger. It’s hard to say whether this idea will catch on – or whether anyone really needs a smartphone on their finger. But it’s interesting to see another smart use case for a smart ring. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2fvc7PgQ7vKrBBQ6vWWqED.jpg ORII is a voice-powered ring, which claims to turn your hand into a smartphone. (Image credit: ORII) We’ve already mentioned the McLear Ring, £129 ($168 / $237.45AUD), which is a simple payment ring that looks subtle and doesn’t need charging. You can easily add your bank cards to it and an accompanying app lets you keep tabs on your spending. NFC Ring has a number of smart ring models for as little as £9.99 ($13 / $18AUD). The new OPN Ring from NFC Ring is made from hypoallergenic ceramic and contains an antenna and NFC chip, which can be used to unlock devices and digital door locks. It’s hard to predict how the smart ring space will progress in the future. We expect that now the tech and design is catching up with the demands of a small, functional smart ring that more brands will emerge – especially those that aim to provide niche uses. However, it could also be the case that the brands we consider best-in-class now, mostly the Oura Ring and the Motiv Ring, will continue to lead and leave the competition lagging behind considering they’re offering such great-looking and robust options. Not convinced by smart ring tech? Then stick with what you know and check out our selection of the best smartwatch 2019 instead. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/P0Qia6FMyAE

The Oxford vs Cambridge Boat Race may be a quintessentially British sporting event, but it brings worldwide attention to a couple of boats on the River Thames for one Sunday every year. Now it's back for another head-to-head between the two universities for 2019 and we'll make sure you're in the driving (or should that be rowing?) seat to stream Boat Race live coverage online regardless of where you are. The waters of the river Thames in London will once again see which university team has the rowing ability to take the title of varsity Boat Race winner. The rowing race takes place on a length of London's river Thames between Putney and Mortake. Last year saw 'Light Blues' Cambridge win both the men's and women's races against the 'Dark Blues' Oxford, the former by three lengths in a time of 17:51 and the latter by seven lengths in 19:06. Cambridge currently leads the overall event, which started in 1829, taking 83 victories over Oxford's 80. That excludes the 1877 race that ended as a dead heat, though those cheeky Dark Blues claimed it as a victory. While the Thames will be filled with rowing fans (as well as fans of standing-outside-pubs-on-the-river) you might want to catch it all from the comfort of home. Thankfully, that's an option. This year the races will all take place on the same day and you'll be able to watch the Boat Race live coverage on the good old BBC. If you're not in the UK then you might not be able to access the live stream. but this guide can help thanks to a few best VPN related tips and tricks. Football fan? Here's how to live stream Premier League action from anywherehttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/B9XNGCRYNHKJzN5zVfTMje.jpg How to watch Oxford vs Cambridge Boat Race for free: UK live streamIf you’re in the UK and you have a TV license, then the BBC will be broadcasting the 2019 Oxford vs Cambridge Boat Race free-to-air. That means you can catch the race on your TV by turning over the BBC One in time for the Boat Race coverage to kick off from 1.20pm BST. If you prefer to watch the event on your computer, smart TV or mobile device you can stream it on the BBC Sport website or via the BBC iPlayer app. We also heartily recommend TVPlayer.com, as a robust, legal streaming service that has all the Freeview channels in one place. Stream the 2019 Oxford vs Cambridge Boat Race from outside your countryIf you happen to be away from the UK don’t worry as you can watch the 2019 Oxford vs Cambridge Boat Race from anywhere in the world rather simply. Just download and install a VPN to change your IP address to one in the UK and head over to TVPlayer.com. From there you’ll have to sign up for a free account to stream the 2019 Oxford vs Cambridge Boat Race on your computer or from your favorite streaming devices. Here's how to stream Oxford vs Cambridge with a VPN in three easy strokes: US sports fan? Here are the best sports streaming sites for youhttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ebGZgkd4qVX7mUuvz3WNkH.jpg http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/qkXMSWBfxfI

Huawei recently revealed its new flagship Supercamera Phone series, the Huawei P30 Series. The HUAWEI P30 Pro is the company’s most advanced camera smartphones to date and include innovations that will set new bars in both photography and videography. One of Huawei’s core values is being consumer centric and placing users at the core of its innovation strategies in order to offer then the latest technologies and a better experience with every phone launched. With the P30 series, Huawei has proved that it listened to its user’s feedback when it comes to using Snapchat in the Middle East and has brought in changes that will bring an entirely optimized experience. Users will now be able to experience higher quality in both photos and videos complete with better resolution and improved video stabilization. This promises not only the best of Snapchat stories and posts, but also videos that are not blurry or hazy. With these new changes, Huawei’s new flagship series (Inc. Huawei P30 and Huawei P30 Pro) will offer a completely optimized Snapchat experience, ensuring that your make your Snapchat story, the way you it was meant to be. The optimization does not end there, as Huawei also confirmed the phone’s wide angle lens as feature for Snapchat coming soon for P30 series users. So if you are a frequent snapchatter, watch this space for more as we will keep you updated as to when is this is to be available ** **feature will be available with software update http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/KKeJokZgKnM

Choosing the right camera can seem like a really grueling task. There are so many different models on the market – from the professional photographer to the everyday user who just wants to snap photos of their vacation. So if you’re trying to figure out which camera suits your needs, we’re here to take the guesswork out for you. We’ve combed through the best models on the market based on their individual features and grouped them up accordingly. Some may be great value for money, some may have great design, and some may just be a good pick for a specific shooting style. All these are cameras have been extensively tried and tested by ourselves, so if you want to know any more about any of them as well as check out sample images, just click the link to the full review. Along the way we'll explain some of the jargon and the differences between cameras, though if you need a bit more help deciding what kind of camera you need, you can get a lot more information from our special step-by-step guide: What camera should I buy? On the other hand, you may already have a clear idea of the kind of camera you want, in which case you could go straight to one of our more specific camera buying guides: Best compact cameraBest bridge cameraBest travel cameraBest waterproof cameraBest DSLRBest DSLR for beginnersBest full-frame DSLRCanon vs Nikon: which DSLR should you buy?Best CSC/mirrorless cameraMirrorless vs DSLR: 10 key differencesBest cheap camerasBest cameras for kidsBest 4K camerasBest action camerashttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nhhxtVqWJG3wmktuvhnp5E.jpg It may be expensive, but if you're looking for the best camera money can buy right now, then Nikon's fabulous D850 DSLR pretty much ticks every box. Packing in a brilliant 45.4MP full-frame sensor, image quality is stunning. But that's just half the story. Thanks to a sophisticated 153-point AF system and 9fps burst shooting speed, the D850 is just a home shooting action and wildlife as it is landscapes and portraits. The Nikon D850 is perhaps the most well-rounded camera we've ever tested. Read our in-depth Nikon D850 review http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/k8j746fYRTwotyRNHVrU4H.jpg Once, if you wanted a professional quality full frame camera it had to be a Nikon or Canon DSLR. Sony's growing range of mirrorless full-frame cameras offer a great alternative. With the Alpha A7R III, Sony has taken one of our favorite mirrorless cameras and bolstered the performance to make it one of the most complete and versatile cameras available today. With a brilliant full-frame 42.2MP sensor that's supported by and advanced AF system and 10fps burst shooting, you no longer have to sacrifice performance for resolution or vice versa. If that all looks a little expensive, then take a look at the Alpha A7 III - Sony's 'basic' full-frame mirrorless camera, but offers a brilliant blend of performance and image quality for the price. Read our in-depth Sony Alpha A7R III review http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pPo8nsaDjybqHYUnDSYXG6.jpg The update to the X-T1 may look similar at first glance, but there have been some huge improvements made to Fujifilm's follow-up flagship mirrorless camera. Perhaps the biggest update though is the autofocus. A huge leap forward compared with the system found in the X-T1, AF tracking of moving subjects is very snappy, while the level of sophistication and customisation is impressive. Add in 8 frames per second burst shooting, a clever double-hinged rear display, bright EVF, Fujifilm's excellent 24.3MP X Trans III CMOS sensor and plenty of body mounted controls and you're left with one of the best cameras available today. Read our in-depth Fujifilm X-T2 review http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Rm2TRW5pTVWTMJTKVUXxdC.jpg Nikon's D3400 builds on the brilliant D3300 and is our top pick when it comes to entry-level DSLRs. Sharing pretty much the same design and specification as its predecessor, the D3400 adds Nikon's SnapBridge bluetooth connectivity to transfer images directly to your smart device to make it that much easier to share images. The 24.2MP sensor resolves bags of detail, while the D3400 is also a very easy camera to live with. Its clever Guide Mode is a useful learning tool that gives real-time explanations of important features. There's no touchscreen, but otherwise, this is our favorite entry-level DSLR right now. Read our in-depth Nikon D3400 review http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QYHzzzTAp7H8AFFFKasR9G.jpg The X100F is a thing of beauty both to look and and to use, but it's not for everyone. It's a relatively large, retro-styled compact camera with a fixed focal length 35mm equivalent f/2.0 lens, and designed for photographers who hanker after the weighty feel and manual external controls of traditional 35mm film rangefinder cameras. It's a relatively specialised camera and most owners are likely to have other cameras too. It may be a touch pricey, but there's nothing quite like it – it's an exquisite camera to look at and to shoot with. Read our in-depth Fujifilm X100F review http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2mGhorQZc3uK8vNbYcKifE.jpg While the main specification of the OM-D E-M10 Mark III doesn't offer a huge upgrade from the Mark II, Olympus has refined and tweaked one of our favorite mirrorless cameras to make it an even more tempting proposition for new users and enthusiasts alike. Some will criticise the smaller Micro Four Thirds sensor format (roughly half the area of APS-C) but the effect on image quality is minor and it means that the lenses are as compact and lightweight as the camera itself. Sporting a 5-axis image stabilization system, decent electronic viewfinder, an impressive 8.6fps burst shooting speed and 4K video, it's no toy – the E-M10 Mark III is a properly powerful camera. Read our in-depth Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III review http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wF9usnqNA7L7rmZLpccAtL.jpg Similar in size to earlier TZ-series cameras, Panasonic however has managed to squeeze a much larger sensor into the TZ100. This enables the pixels to be about 2.4x bigger than they are in models like the TZ90, and this helps the TZ100 produce much higher quality images. The zoom lens isn't quite so extensive though, but you still get an electronic viewfinder that makes it easier to compose images in bright sunny conditions and in addition to 4K video recording, there's Panasonic's 4K Photo mode to help capture 8MP images of fleeting moments. It all adds up to be a powerful compact camera. Read our in-depth Panasonic Lumix TZ100 review http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MYRBLWubatgTsraszU7JiW.jpg One of the best entry-level DSLRs out there, the EOS 800D is an update to the 750D. The resolution stays the same, but it's a new design with an improved high ISO performance. The autofocus also gets a boost over the older model, now with a 45-point arrangement that's backed up by excellent live view AF system that's as quick as mirrorless rivals, while the newly designed graphical interface will certainly make this camera even more appealing to new users. The absence of 4K video and the quality of the exterior materials disappoint, but despite this the EOS 800D is a great entry into the world of DSLR photography. Read our in-depth Canon EOS 800D review http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5VzbKYFkuK8kS7tMQvkHHn.jpg Our final camera is a 'bridge' camera, a type of camera that we don't normally like very much because the ultra-zoom design forces the makers to use titchy 1/2.3-inch sensors the same size as those in point-and-shoot cameras. You get the look and feel of a DSLR, but you certainly don't get the image quality. But the Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 is different. It sacrifices a huge zoom range in favour of a much larger 1.0-inch sensor - a compromise most serious photographers will applaud. While the zoom tops out at 480mm equivalent, which is relatively short for a bridge camera, that's still plenty for all but the most extreme everyday use. We'd certainly sacrifice a little for of zoom range for better and faster optics. We love the FZ2000 because it delivers both image quality and zoom range, while also offering full manual and semi-manual controls, the ability to shoot raw files and 4K video. Read our in-depth Panasonic Lumix FZ2000 review http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DHDtNdoZHvi2hDvVrqkqkj.jpg The GoPro Hero6 Black is the best action camera you can buy. It's pricey compared to some of the competition, but it's got a wealth of features, including shooting 4K footage at up to 60fps, as well as super-slow-motion 1080p video at 240fps. The improved image stabilization system works at treat, as well as footage offering a wider dynamic range and better low-light performance compared to the Hero5 Black. That's not forgetting it's waterproof down to 10m, has a useful 2-inch touchscreen, while the updated app with QuikStories automatically transfers and edits your footage for you. If you want an action camera, you're not going to go wrong with the Hero6 Black. Read our in-depth GoPro Hero6 Black review What camera should I buy?Best compact cameraBest DSLRBest mirrorless cameraSensor sizes explained: what you need to knowhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/jNOWh2UKA-c

When it comes to searching for the best Android tablet, there are fewer options compared to a few years ago where Google's operating system was popping up on slates from almost every major manufacturer. The tablet market slowed down since, and those still producing Android tablets have reduced the frequency of launches, but that means quality has improved as new devices are no longer being rushed out. While the selection of new Android tablets isn't as large as it once was, and nowhere near as large as the selection of Android phones, there's still some great ones to choose from. Android is one of the main rivals to Apple's tablet range which includes the new iPad Pro 11 (2018), iPad Pro 12.9 (2018) and iPad (2018). Some Android tablets have 10-inch screens, others seven, some land somewhere in between and a handful even push the boundaries past 10 inches. There are also big differences in battery life, processing power, RAM and even the software each slate is running. And even once you know what specs you're after there are plenty of not so great options, so to help you avoid buying a dud we've put together this list of the best Android tablets around. They cover a range of options and we've included a rundown of the specs, the pros and the cons, so you can see at a glance what's right for you. However, if none of these taking your fancy you can always look towards new tablet launches in 2019. Amazon is likely to give its Fire tablet range another reboot, Samsung will continue to try and provide an Android answer to the iPad and a few surprising launches for other firms could spice up our best Android tablets list in the next 12 months. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/NZ4RsCP4nK7NKCwDrQsQmC.jpg The Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 is the best Android tablet available right now. It's not exactly cheap, but it comes packing a whole hosts of features to ensure you're getting plenty of bang for your buck. Unlike Apple's iPad Pro range, the Galaxy Tab S4 comes with Samsung's S Pen stylus included in the box, while under the hood you get the powerful Snapdragon 835 chipset alongside 6GB of RAM ensuring Android runs super-smoothly on screen. That's only half the story though. Pair the Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 with a keyboard and mouse and it'll transfer from Android into a desktop-like experience as it attempts to replace your laptop as well as your tablet. The desktop aspect of the tablet is limited for the time being, but we fully expect it to improve with future software updates. In short, the Galaxy Tab S4 is the most versatile Android tablet around. Read our Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 review http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dSJgnwfJEpkCPKtPg9XATo.jpg Samsung's Galaxy Tab S3 is our favorite Android tablet in the world right now. This tablet is the second best Android slate in the world thanks to a powerful processor and an excellent display that's prepped to show you HDR content. There's an S-Pen stylus in the box and you'll also have the option of buying a keyboard too, but that will cost quite a bit extra. The price of the Galaxy Tab S3 is high, but it's worth it when you look at all of the power and amazing features you'll get for that amount of money. Read our Samsung Galaxy Tab S3 review http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/i39XKF6ysy7LGTE2eAEzMZ.jpg Nope, that's not an iPad you can see just above. That's the Asus ZenPad 3S 10 - and it's our third favourite Android tablet you're able to buy right now. There's decent power inside this slate as well as a super bright and beautiful display to look at on the front. The battery life and build quality aren't the best on the market, but considering the lower price point than the Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 and Tab S3 above, we'd recommend picking this up if you're looking for something a touch cheaper. Read our Asus ZenPad 3S 10 review http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sXbbkF7ZUfBDXTe2FPRJz3.jpg The Amazon Fire HD 8 (2017) is among the best of the retail giant’s tablets, as while it’s in many ways lower end than the similar HD 10, the smaller screen is sharper as a result, and the price is lower. It also delivers surprisingly strong gaming performance, with a decent amount of power for the money. The speakers aren’t great and the cameras are awful, but tablets aren’t for taking photos and you can always use headphones. What you do get is solid if not spectacular performance, and tight integration with Amazon’s other services through Fire OS, all at a price that’s well below most of the non-Amazon branded competition. You should also note that if you already own the 2016 version of this tablet, it won't be worth upgrading to the 2017 version as the differences are very minimal. Read the full review: Amazon Fire HD 8 (2017) http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5fPJviL6WTDrLHt2jc8BsF.jpg The Lenovo Yoga Tab 3 Pro is packed full of media-focused features and sports a unique, distinctive design. There's a built in stand to take the heft off your hands, while the integrated projector means you can enjoy big screen entertainment away from your TV, though the screen is sharp enough that you won't always feel the need to use a projector anyway. All that tech does make it less portable than most tablets on this list and the UI could be better, but it's a fairly unique option. Read our Lenovo Yoga Tab 3 Pro review http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/iU6379uoUS8

After a shaky start, Google's Android Wear is now an increasingly mature platform thanks to the update to Android Wear 2.0 and a plethora of new watches running the software. Now Google has rebranded its smartwatch platform to Wear OS in an attempt to make its watches more palatable for those who own an iPhone, but we don't currently know what new features are planned for the latest iteration of the wearable operating system. Existing Android Wear watches have been updated to the new Wear OS software, so if you buy one of the devices on this list you'll likely find it will upgrade to the new branding when you're setting it up. We'll be referring to the devices in this list with Android Wear and Wear OS for the time being, but you'll soon notice us calling all of these watches by the latter name. Check out our list of the best smartwatches money can buyCheck out our collection of the best Android Wear appsBest Android Wear watch faces that you can download nowAsus isn't an obvious name to associate with Android Wear watches, though with the ZenWatch 3 it has more than earned in place. Launched at $229/£250 (around AU$340), though is now almost always a little cheaper, Asus' latest is one of your best bets, especially since it packs Android Wear 2.0. It has a great display, useful hardware buttons and good battery life. The styling might not be for everyone, but Asus did a commendable job designing a watch that looks more like a premium watch than a piece of lifeless technology. Read the Asus ZenWatch 3 review With the Huawei Watch, the Chinese behemoth was very definitely aiming at the top end of the market, although the price has dropped substantially since launch and the introduction of the Huawei Watch 2. The main strength is the screen - which is a 1.4-inch AMOLED display, running at 400 x 400 - one of the highest resolution watches available, ensuring PPI on par with the Apple Watch. Helpfully too, the screen is always on - it will dim after a few seconds of inactivity, but the time will still remain visible. Spec-wise, the watch is slightly less remarkable - with a 1.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 400 CPU, 512MB of RAM, 4GB of internal storage and a 300mAh battery it is roughly on a par with its top-end rivals. That said, the price is now a lot lower so it sits above the Huawei Watch 2 in this list. Read the Huawei Watch review One of Fossil's most recent watches, we really like the Q Venture despite the fact it is missing some of the key features you'd hope for on an Android Wear watch. The highlight here is the design that looks like your average high-end watch, but instead it's stealth packing all of the features we know and love on Android Wear 2.0. If you're looking for a fitness watch, this won't be it though as there's no heart rate monitor, GPS or even NFC. If you're instead after a watch with good battery life and an attractive design, you may be the perfect match for the Q Venture. Read the Fossil Q Venture review The Huawei Watch 2 is an attempt by the Chinese company to widen the use of Android Wear watches. Huawei has tried to include a variety of new features in its latest smartwatch and it's not entirely clear if it has succeeded with the Watch 2. We like the built-in GPS and NFC on the watch as well as the option to have a 4G model, but the Huawei Watch 2 can be sluggish and the screen is a little small for some. This may suit you though with an attractive design and a plethora of features, but the price is much higher than the original Huawei Watch which we currently have ranked above this one. Read the full Huawei Watch 2 review http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/e2ac0645269d60a56f68783bebc7fae8.jpg Fossil is a traditional watchmaker that has been trying to solve the problem of becoming a tech company, before tech companies can fully become watchmakers. That's why it came up with the Fossil Q Founder Android Wear watch. As Fossil's first smartwatch, the Q Founder features a combination of a brushed and polished metal face as well as a plastic back so it can charge wirelessly. While the screen is lower resolution than some competitors, it is barely noticeable. Perhaps the only annoyance on-screen is the so-called "flat tire" at the bottom, which means the screen isn't a perfect circle. This is to leave room for the ambient light sensor. So it certainly has the looks - and the innards are promising too with 1GB of RAM. But at the end of the day, this watch doesn't stand out like the ones above it in the list. Read the Fossil Q Founder review http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/z3xl8uMQnL8

We wait all year for March Madness and then, before you know it, we're down to the Final Four. And the first of the two games coming from Minneapolis is the number one ranked team Virginia going up against Auburn of Alabama. The great news is that watching March Madness is really easy from a number of outlets, and we can tell you how to get a Virginia vs Auburn live stream regardless of where in the world you are. With that number one ranking, there's no doubt that Virginia go in to this Final Four game - their first for over 30 years - as favorites. Virginia's buzzer-beating win against Purdue in the Elite Eight was too narrow a win by far, and they'll be hoping for a more comfortable passage to the Championship game here. Can the likes of Kyle Guy, Ty Jerome and De’Andre Hunter fire them there? But Auburn are pretty hot themselves right now, boasting an impressive winning streak and some three-point shooting that's hard to match. Just one problem...star man Chuma Okeke is still missing through injury. Can Auburn overcome his absence and reach its first ever Championship game? It doesn't matter who or where you are, as TechRadar has your guide to getting a Viginia vs Auburn March Madness live stream from absolutely anywhere. The only thing you have to worry about is the snacks! How to live stream Virginia vs Auburn from outside your countryIt's pretty easy to watch if you're in the US this Saturday night - scroll down and we'll tell you your myriad options for streaming March Madness Final Four 2019. But if you discover that your chosen broadcaster from your home country is geo-blocked then we can suggest a clever alternative (and no, it doesn’t involve finding some dodgy feed on Reddit). Using a VPN - or Virtual Private Network - you can change the IP address to one in a different state or country which does have the stream so that you can live stream March Madness 2019 from anywhere in the world. The process is very straightforward… http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/x4WvmjGdnEUCFeqhMUrnWo.jpg How to live stream March Madness 2019 in the USCBS is the place to watch Final Four action (as well as the National Championship game) on your TV. Nice and easy, assuming you have access to that station. If you'd sooner watch online then you can find the action on the NCAA’s own March Madness Live app. The app and accompanying website will show the games when you login using the credentials from your cable provider. Don’t want to pay for a premium cable subscription to watch March Madness? Don’t worry as there are a number of streaming services that give you access to CBS. To make things easier for you, we’ve listed some of the best TV streaming services below. And don't forget about our handy little VPN trick if you're outside the US when you try to watch and find that your preferred broadcaster's coverage is geo-blocked. Your options to live stream March Madness Final Four 2019 online One streaming service worth considering to watch this year's tournament is Sling TV. The company is currently running a promotion where new users can get 40% off its Sling Orange and Sling Blue packages for the first three months. Basically this means you can watch March Madness 2019 on Sling TV for as little as $15 per month during the tournament. Don't want Sling? Then these other options are worth a look, too. PlayStation Vue $44.99 per month - PlayStation Vue's basic Access package offers over 45 channels including ABC, TNT, ESPN and ESPN2. A 5-day trial to Playstation Vue is also available to help you get started. DIRECTV NOW $50 per month - DIRECTV NOW gives users all the channels needed to watch the NBA and loads of other sporting events. Use DIRECTV NOW’s 7-day trial to test out the platform for yourself. YouTubeTV $40 per month - YouTubeTV gives you access to TNT, ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC and ESPN. Hulu with Live TV $40 per month - Hulu with Live TV includes ABC, TNT, CBS, Fox, NBC and ESPN. See our guide to all the best sports streaming sites in the UShttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VgyagGS9HpAEPUQtUJBfrg.jpg Worldwide March Madness live stream with ESPN PlayerMarch Madness is a phenomenon that doesn't necessarily translate that well globally. But if you want to know what all the fuss is about or you're a US expat wanting to catch the college basketball, then ESPN Player has you covered. It's available in the UK, Europe, Middle East, Africa and parts of Asia and comes at a cost of £9.99/€11.99 for the next month (or £69.99/€79.99 for a whole year to get additional content from ESPN). That gets you live and on-demand coverage of every game from the 2019 March Madness, available on desktop and mobile devices. In the UK and not all that baffled by the popularity of university sport? Then the BT Sport ESPN channel is where you need to be for this one. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ebGZgkd4qVX7mUuvz3WNkH.jpg http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/D1xOGlg_mQs

Time to put down the form book (and, let's face it, the pins) - the 2019 Grand National is very nearly here! 40 runners and riders will be hoping to jump their way to victory in the world's most famous steeplchase trying at Aintree Racecourse with a £1,000,000 purse at stake. And we can tell you how to watch a 2019 Grand National live stream from anywhere in the world. All eyes are on last year's winner Tiger Roll, who is one of the hot favourites again going into the the Grand National weekend. The Irish thoroughbred is bidding to become the first racehorse since the mid-70s to win back-to-back Nationals. That's since...you guessed it, Red Rum. But others to look out for include Rathvinden, Anibale Fly and Vintage Clouds. Over 600 million people are expected to watch the race across 140 countries, on top of the 70,000 in attendance at Aintree on the day. The larger fences of The Grand National make for a more exciting steeplechase than most others throughout the year – this is where the horses and their jockeys really show their worth. Lookout for The Chair, Valentine’s Brook, Foinavon, Becher’s Brook and the Canal Turn as some of the famous challenges in the main event. This year’s race will be free-to-air in the UK on ITV. However, if you happen to be outside the country this weekend then keep reading as we’ll show you how to stream the Grand National 2019 from wherever you are in the world. Discover our pick of the very best sports streaming siteshttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/B9XNGCRYNHKJzN5zVfTMje.jpg How to watch the Grand National for free: UK streamIf you’re in the UK and you have a TV license, then ITV will be broadcasting the Grand National free-to-air starting at 5.15pm, with Ed Chamberlain as its presenter. If you prefer to watch the event on your computer you can stream it on ITV or on your mobile devices via the ITV player app. The other way to watch ITV online is to go via TVPlayer.com - we actually prefer this option as the stream tends to be better quality and more robust! It's also a faster site, more responsive and with all the Freeview channels in one place. It's still free, too. Stream the Grand National from outside your countryIf you don’t happen to be away from the UK don’t worry as you can watch the Grand National on ITV from anywhere in the world. Simply download and install a VPN to change your IP address to one in the UK and head over to ITV’s website or TVPlayer.com. From there you’ll have to sign up for a free account to stream the Grand National on your computer or from your favorite streaming devices. Here's how to stream the Grand National with a VPN: http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ebGZgkd4qVX7mUuvz3WNkH.jpg http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/VkK7lDVcq6E

iTunes has had a long and occasionally illustrious history as the media player of choice for many on Mac and PC, but the digital landscape looks a lot different today than it did when iTunes first appeared in 2001. Now there are hints it could be about to be broken up. Noted Apple developer Steve Troughton-Smith says he has evidence that standalone Music and Podcasts apps are on the way for macOS, as Apple looks to push more mobile-like apps to its desktop platform. That would mean the breakup of iTunes, at least on the Mac, into separate components for music, podcasts and video. Remember Apple has been busy revamping its TV app on mobile, which could soon be the new home for iTunes movies and shows on desktop computers too. Apple Music now works on Amazon speakersHomePod prices are getting cutiTunes is heading to Samsung TVsEven Troughton-Smith himself says to treat the rumors with a "grain of salt", but the move makes a lot of sense for Apple – iTunes has its uses but is now one of the most bloated and old-fashioned applications in the Apple line-up. Apple Music on the upMeanwhile, Apple Music continues to attract a big chunk of subscribers, thanks very much. A report in the Wall Street Journal quotes insider sources saying that the service now has more paid subscribers in the US than Spotify. It's still behind Spotify in the global market, but is apparently growing faster – at a rate of 2.6-3 percent a month compared with 1.5-2 percent a month for Spotify. That's good news for Apple and it might make the company think seriously about porting over more of its apps for Android. At the moment, Apple Music is the only fully developed app made by Apple available on the Google Play Store. If Apple is planning a shift in its media programs for macOS, we should hear more about it at the annual software-focused WWDC event for developers that Apple runs – this year it starts on June 3. 3 reasons why I'm sold on the Apple Card to replace my 'dumb' credit cardVia AppleInsider http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/E9tcM-FX-GI

Say what you like about the magic of the FA Cup (or the lack thereof these days), but when teams get to the last four, they have their eyes entirely on the prize. Brighton and Manchester City may be at opposite ends of the league table, but anything can happen in the cup...right? The great news is that this semi-final is on free-to-air TV in the UK and we'll tell you how to get a Brighton vs Man City live stream wherever you are. It's no surprise that City go in to this encounter as hot favourites. A quick look at their team-sheet (and how much the club has spent on players) should tell you everything you have to know. Aguero. Kompany. De Bruyne. Sterling. Sane. Silva squared. And with Pep Guardiola calling the shots from the bench, there aren't many games that the blue side of Manchester go into as second favourites. But then with a tough Premier League title race and talk of quadruples being bandied around, will this be the moment they let their guards slip. Chris Hughton - a two-time FA Cup winner as a player himself - will certainly hope so, as manager of Brighton and Hove Albion. His side has slipped into relegation danger in the Premier and a boost in the FA Cup here may be what the club needs. They just have to pull off a minor miracle first, with the likes of Glenn Murray, Shane Duffy and Anthony Knockaert all needing to be at their very best. This is an FA Cup semi-final not to be missed. Below we're going to talk you through the best ways to watch the action in the UK and the rest of the world so you can ensure you can easily live stream Brighton vs Man City. Discover all of the best sports streaming sites on the webhttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VgyagGS9HpAEPUQtUJBfrg.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/B9XNGCRYNHKJzN5zVfTMje.jpg How to live stream the FA Cup in the UK for free:Live stream Brighton vs Man City from outside your countryIn the US? Then keep scrolling, as we have your viewing options below...spoiler alert, you'll need an ESPN+ subscription. And footy fans Down Under can also see who's broadcasting there. But if you're abroad for the game and find that you can't watch your home coverage online because it is geo-blocked, we have a handy alternative to allow you to watch as if you were back on your sofa. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/x4WvmjGdnEUCFeqhMUrnWo.jpg How to watch the FA Cup: live stream in the US for FREEhttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/D39crXd3gob7KPsE3LAFUo.jpg How live stream Man City vs Brighton in Australiahttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ebGZgkd4qVX7mUuvz3WNkH.jpg http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/U0Nfby2a4XY

Forget MLS and the Premier League...soccer has gone home to Wembley Stadium this weekend for the FA Cup semi-finals and watching the games live in the US has never been easier thanks to ESPN+. We'll tell you all about how to live stream Brighton vs Man City today. So what will this festival of 'football' be serving up this weekend? Today's game is Brighton vs Man City, which should be a formality if the form books are anything to go by. All logic suggests that Manchester City will win with ease as they pursue a historic quadruple (league title, FA Cup, Champions League and the already-won League Cup), with a superstar line-up including Sergio 'Kun' Aguero, Raheem Sterling and Kevin De Bruyne. While Sunday's match - Watford vs Wolves - is looking a lot more difficult to call. Both have performed beyond expectations in the 2018/19 season and will be desperate to make an unexpected FA Cup Final. Watford got the win earlier in the season 2-0 and will hope to replicate that here if captain and club legend Troy Deeney has anything to do with it. But Nuno Espirito Santo's Wolverhampton Wanderers have spent a lot of money and the reward of a Cup Final feels like a fitting way to conclude an astonishing break-out season. Keep reading to see the best ways to get an FA Cup live stream between Man City vs Brighton and then Watford vs Wolves. As you'll see, they're both available via the ESPN+ subscription service (which comes with a 7-day free trial if you haven't tried it before). And we'll also tell you how to catch it even if you're not in the US this weekend. Want to watch college basketball, too? Here's how to get a March Madness live streamhttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VgyagGS9HpAEPUQtUJBfrg.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/x4WvmjGdnEUCFeqhMUrnWo.jpg How to watch Brighton vs Man City in the US for FREECheck out our guide to all the best sports streaming sitesLive stream FA Cup soccer from outside your countryIf you've been looking forward to watching this match-up but now find yourself abroad, you'll find that your coverage will be geo-blocked. Annoying for sure, but not the end of the road. For starters, if you happen to be in the UK, then you can watch the whole thing free on TV on the BBC or online at BBC iPlayer. Nice and easy, assuming you're happy with the UK commentary. Anywhere else? No worries, as you can try using a VPN to change your IP address to a US server and watch as if you were back at home. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ebGZgkd4qVX7mUuvz3WNkH.jpg http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/cf-OcnGbj10

Look, if you're going to leak a smartphone ahead of its official launch, you may as well do it properly – and the Pixel 3a has briefly appeared on the actual public Google Store before being yanked from view again. If you had any doubts that Google was planning a mid-range version of its top-end flagship, that should dispel them. Sites including Android Police as well as users on Reddit managed to nab some screenshots before the listing disappeared again. The preemptively published links didn't actually go anywhere before they got pulled, so we don't have any pictures or any other details to share from the Google Store just yet. The Pixel 3a could arrive in purpleOur verdict on the Google Pixel 3The Pixel 4 gets a name-checkThere's more though: 9to5Google reports that a fabric case for the Pixel 3a and a Nest Hub Max were also revealed by the store's temporary redesign. It would also appear that the Google Home Hub is getting rebranded to the Google Nest Hub. Screens and specsThat's not even the only Google Pixel 3a leak we've got to update you on. The Google Play Console, which is software made available to developers to submit apps, has also mentioned the Pixel 3a and the Pixel 3a XL. As well as flagging up a release in the middle of the year, the hidden code includes a specs list: 4GB of RAM, and displays running at 1080 x 2160 pixels and 1080 x 2220 pixels respectively. According to 9to5Google, the Pixel 3a will feature a 5.6-inch screen, while the Pixel 3a XL will rock a 6-inch display. Both should arrive running the Snapdragon 670 processor, with a single-lens 12-megapixel camera on the back. So there you have it: the Pixel 3a and Pixel 3a XL look likely to launch in the very near future, and definitely before the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL. We'll have to wait and see if Google can fit in any more leaks before the official reveal. Is a cheaper Pixel 3 incoming as Pixel 2 disappears?http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/gVn0ACUGOgc

If you've got an Android phone and you're on the hunt for a smartwatch, you're in the right place. Below we've ranked all the greatest pieces of techy wristwear that will connect to your Android handset. This isn't a list of the best Wear OS watches or the best smartwatches overall. Instead this list is specifically for devices that will connect to your Android phone, which means there's a selection of Samsung watches sporting Tizen as well as Fitbit and Wear OS options. Below we'll talk you through the best options for your wrist, but if you're looking for more choices we have a full selection of guides that may sort you out just below. Not limited to an Android phone? Try our best smartwatch rankingDon't want to spend much? Try best cheap smartwatchSpecifically want Google's software? Try best Wear OS smartwatchLike Tizen software? Try best Samsung smartwatchWhy not try a health band? Our best fitness tracker list will helpEvery watch in our ranking here has been tested to the limit through our review process, and we've put this list together with consideration for the features each watch offers as well as the design, display, fitness potential, price and more. Want the best smartwatch to connect to your Android phone? That's the Samsung Galaxy Watch, which the company released in the second half of 2018. This comes running Tizen software, but it works well with Android devices and gives you lots of apps to choose from. It's a great choice for tracking your fitness, but it also sports top-end specs and a premium design that's suitable for everyday wear. Perhaps our favorite feature is the rotating bezel that allows you to cycle through menus and apps with ease. You've got the choice of 46mm or 42mm sizes, which means it should suit most wrist sizes - and if you opt for the smaller model it's a bit cheaper too. Read the full Samsung Galaxy Watch review This is the first watch - of many - in this list that comes with Wear OS software on board. It's the Fossil Sport, and it's arguably one of the first watches from the company that can keep pace with the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Watch and Apple Watch. It's lightweight, so it's comfortable for a variety of exercises, and it's built with fitness in mind with GPS and an accurate heart rate monitor included. Despite its sporty focus the design still feels premium, and it's one of the most powerful devices on this list as it comes with the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon Wear 3100 chipset inside. That's not in a lot of other Wear OS watches yet, and we found it noticeably slicker than some other choices. Read the full Fossil Sport review Fitbit hasn't been making smartwatches for very long, but the company has got it right with its second model. It's called the Fitbit Versa, and it may not be the most impressive overall smartwatch but it's good for those who want to improve their fitness. It's light, small and connects with your Android phone simply and easily. We particularly like the accurate heart rate sensor and its overall fitness focus with lots of workout modes packed in. If you're looking for a smartwatch that can run lots of apps for messaging and a variety of other features, this probably isn't it. But if you want something that can track all your fitness stats while looking good on your wrist, the Fitbit Versa may be for you. Bear in mind that there's also now the Fitbit Versa Lite. It's missing features like Fitbit Pay and a few of the workouts, but if you want a cheaper device and like the look here, the Versa Lite may be the watch for you. Read the full Fitbit Versa review Now it's time for one of the cheapest devices on this list, and it comes from Chinese manufacturer Mobvoi. The TicWatch E2 isn't a huge improvement on the first-gen watch, but it offers some fantastic features considering its price. We really like the two-day battery life and the fact you can get all of the features of Wear OS on a watch for this low a price. It's quite an impressive feat, and that's why it ranks so highly in our best Android watch list. There's no NFC (so no Google Pay) but we can forgive that at this price, especially as you do get GPS and a heart rate monitor. Read the full TicWatch E2 review Want a unique Wear OS experience? The TicWatch Pro isn't as cheap as the device above, but it comes with two displays. That doesn't mean there's one on the top and one on the bit that sits on your wrist. Instead, one is a see-through display that allows you to have a low-battery mode that keeps the essential features running even when you're almost out of charge. Then on top of that there's a normal Wear OS screen, for when you're able to turn on all of the features and charge it up every couple of days. It won't be to everyone's taste, but the TicWatch Pro is a premium device with a more affordable price tag than a lot of the other choices you'll find on the market right now. Read the full TicWatch Pro review The TicWatch S2 is very similar to the E2 further up in this list, but this comes with a slightly more rugged design that you may prefer. It costs slightly more though, so if you're not a huge fan of the design we'd recommend opting for TicWatch E2 instead. If you do like it and you're willing to spend a bit extra, you'll get some decent specs and features here, including a 1.39-inch 400 x 400 display, a heart rate monitor and GPS. Read the full TicWatch S2 review Then there's the Fitbit Ionic. It's both bigger and more expensive than the Fitbit Versa above, but the big benefit is it comes with GPS onboard. That makes this the best running watch from Fitbit, and you've got all of the benefits of a Fitbit device ready and waiting. You can download a variety of apps and watch faces to this device, but be warned that it won't be a huge selection like you'd get on a Wear OS or Tizen smartwatch. Instead, this is much more fitness-focused and if that's what you're looking for this won't be a terrible choice for you. That said, if you want a fitness device and aren't bothered about GPS then the Fitbit Versa is a cheaper alternative with many of the same features. Read the full Fitbit Ionic review The Misfit Vapor 2 is the second attempt from the fitness-focused brand at creating a smartwatch. Unlike a lot of other health watches, this comes with the benefits of Wear OS software. It has an attractive and premium look, so you won't be embarrassed to wear this on a night out, but it's also suitable for you to go running with or on a cycle using the built-in GPS. Plus it comes with NFC, so you can make contactless payments. It does use the older Snapdragon 2100 chipset, so it will be slower than the Fossil Sport above, but if you prefer the look of the Vapor 2 you won't be missing out on much by choosing it. Read the full Misfit Vapor 2 review Photo illustration: TechRadar; Fitbit, Samsung, Fossil http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/4G03ZmmZx0o

We're constantly looking out for the very best mobile phone deals and while usually phones may drop by a few quid here and there or get a data boost, every so often we dig out an absolute gem of a deal. Our most recent find - a Google Pixel 3 deal that's nearer the range of budget smartphone than flagship. Now costing just £24 a month and £40 upfront, we can't help but feel excited at the prospect of owning this camera champion at such an affordable price. Costing £123 less over the two years than buying the device out right, this is the definition of a great deal. Ready to up your camera game and get one of the best phones on the market at a low price? You can see this deal in full below. Or you can compare this deal's prowess against the other best in the world on our mobile phone deals guide. This brilliant Google Pixel 3 deal in full:Compare this deal to the best of Samsung phone deals and iPhone deals on our dedicated guides.Why choose a Google Pixel 3?Despite coming out in 2018, the Google Pixel 3 still holds the best camera in a smartphone to date. Considering this is one of the biggest factors phones are trying to top each other on today this is a pretty big deal. Along with this top camera, the Google Pixel is also filled with Google smarts, a strong processor and powerful front facing speakers. At this price you won't find a better smartphone. Read our full Google Pixel 3 review here http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/IypnW6Bh4CE

When we stumbled across this brand new Huawei P30 deal we had to double check the price...and then triple check it, because there was just no way it could be this cheap. But after some head scratching and gasps we can say for certain that this Huawei P30 offer is irresistibly affordable. How cheap exactly? Well let us lay it out for you. It comes in at a total spend lower than the device's own SIM-free price, cheaper than the best Samsung Galaxy S9 deal, Apple's iPhone 8 deals and cheaper than a OnePlus 6T deal, a phone with the key selling point of being affordable. What we're trying to say is that this high-end 2019 phone is somehow cheaper than three phones that came out in 2017 and 2018 and have fallen in price. Now you can understand our head scratching. Enough praise, how much does this deal cost? Well with the aid of our exclusive voucher code 10OFF you will only have to pay £65 upfront and £26 a month, with a data cap of 5GB (click here to get it) - see, we told you it was good! So if this offer has got you excited to own a Huawei P30 deal (and we really can't see how it hasn't) then scroll down to see this contract in full. You can compare it against the best offers out there on our mobile phone deals page but spoiler alert...it's hard to beat. Check out the prices on the bigger, better brother - Huawei P30 Pro dealsThis fantastic Huawei P30 deal in full: How good is the Huawei P30?Now we can understand the worry, this phone has just come out and it's this cheap, how good can it really be? Let us calm the worries by answering that question - this is a seriously impressive phone. With a triple camera set up, featuring a ridiculous 40MP camera Huawei has aced the photography aspect of this phone. Pairing this with a hefty 3650mAh battery and powerful processor means you don't even have to worry about how this phones doing internally. So it's well worth the SIM-free P30 price of £699 - and certainly the £689 broken down over two years as explained above. Read TechRadar's Huawei P30 review here Decided Huawei isn't for you? Check out the best of Samsung phone deals or iPhone deals or if you want to see the rest of Huawei's range: Huawei phone dealshttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/crzqjWRtb-c

As part of a pilot program, Google has added a new sponsored content section to some Android TV devices, the company confirmed in a statement to XDA Developers. That reaffirms an earlier report of some users noticing advertisements appearing on their Android TV-based Sony X900F TVs, though a statement from an Nvidia representative denies that the ads are appearing on Shield TVs – which implies that the problem might just be contained to Sony smart TVs. Don't miss our round-up of the Best TVs in 2019We also have a complete guide to Sony's 2019 TV lineupAs well as a guide to every OLED TV coming in 2019If the update has been deployed to your device, you’ll notice a new 'Sponsored Content' row on the home screen in between your recommended content. Unlike other channels on Android TV, those who have the update claim the sponsored row cannot be customized in any way, nor can it be removed in the typical way – requiring those users to disable the Android TV Core Services app and manually restart the system. That said, while no one likes seeing advertisements spring up in a place where there were none before, what’s particularly frustrating is the way in which Google stealthily deployed the update and in the lengths some users have needed to go through to remove them. Another victim of the advertising age Placing advertisements – or, as Google calls it, Sponsored Content – is a touchy subject for TV and home entertainment enthusiasts. Both TiVo and Roku caught flak when they introduced advertisements to their respective devices, and Vizio was fined $2.2 million for its deceptive ad practices in 2017. To its credit, Sony has already deployed an FAQ about the new sponsored content section on its TVs answering questions like “What determines which apps will appear in the Sponsored channel?” and “Can I add or remove the apps in the Sponsored channel?” (The answers to those are: Google determines this content, and no, they can’t be removed.) What Sony makes apparent in the post is that this is very clearly a Google mandate – Sony may use Google’s smart TV platform but it’s not in charge of these ads. So why is this happening? According to Google, “Android TV is committed to optimizing and personalizing the entertainment experience at home. As we explore new opportunities to engage the user community, we’re running a pilot program to surface sponsored content on the Android TV home screen.” ...Which, if you ask us, sounds like a really polite way of saying "we're putting ads on your TV". These are the best smart TVs in 2019http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/YwDAglULj-Q

If you're interested in picking up an Apple Watch, now is a great time to find excellent deals on older models. Walmart has the Apple Watch Series 3 on sale at for $299. That's an $80 discount and the best price we've seen for the Series 3 Apple smartwatch. The Apple Watch 3 is a health-focused smartwatch and offers features such as heart rate monitoring, calorie tracking and GPS technology. The watch can also track popular workouts such as yoga, cycling, running, and swimming. The smartwatch is waterproof has an impressive battery life of up to 18 hours. The series 3 also includes the basic smartwatch features such as the ability to stream music, send messages and make calls. This particular model includes GPS and LTE connectivity, so you can get internet and phone connectivity even your iPhone is far away. This deal from Amazon includes the 38mm model Apple Watch and comes with a silver aluminum case and a white or black sport band. The Apple Watch 4 currently retails for right under $400, which makes the $299 price tag on this deal so attractive. We aren't sure how long Amazon will have the watch on sale so make sure to take advantage of this excellent discount while you can. Find more Apple watch deals with the best cheap Apple Watch prices and deals that are currently available. Interested in other smart watches? We also have the best cheap Fitbit sale prices and deals that are happening now. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/KqGv72BZJgY

Apple has released its newer model AirPods, which means Apple's first generation AirPods are getting a rare price cut. Right now at Walmart you can find the previous model Apple AirPods on sale for $147. That's a $12 discount and the best price we've seen for the truly wireless Apple earbuds. Apple's top-rated AirPods are one of the best wireless earbuds on the market and its price reflects that. The earbuds are ready to use as soon as you take them out of the case and will automatically pair with your Apple devices. The earbuds can sense when they're in your ear, and your music or podcast will pause as soon as you take them out. Apple's AirPods feature quality sound despite its size and offer an impressive five hours of battery life. The biggest difference between the original version and the 2019 Apple AirPods is faster pairing and its charging case. The charging case on the newer model offers a further 20 hours of battery life and can be charged wirelessly using a charging mat or a lightning connector. Faster pairing on the 2019 model is due to the improved connectivity because of Apple’s new H1 headphone chip. If you aren't impressed with either improvements, then it's best to stick with the original AirPods which are $50 cheaper than the newer model. While a $12 discount might not seem like a lot, Apple AirPods are rarely discounted, and when they are, they tend to sell out. We aren't sure how long Walmart will have the earbuds on sale, so if you're interested then you better act fast. Apple AirPods deal:See more Apple AirPod deals with the cheapest AirPod prices, sales and deals that are currently going on. Interested in other wireless headphones? We also have the best cheap wireless headphone deals and sales. Learn more about Apple's wireless earbuds with our Apple AirPods review. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/kXxUJIg0BCM

It was once said that the Royal Albert Hall was “the only place a composer could be sure of hearing his piece twice”. The legendary music venue’s sound has never quite matched its looks; that iconic domed roof and amphitheater-style design has ensured that any music played in the Hall has always suffered from a terrible echo – which is why a record-breaking speaker system was needed to finally give the Royal Albert Hall a sound quality fit for royalty. Costing over £2 million, the speaker installation took 693 days, and uses 15,291 meters of cable and 465 individual speakers, making it the world’s largest single-room speaker installation. We had the chance to see the new system at a special demo in the famous Hall, where we were treated to everything from a live string quartet to the chest-thumping bass of Daft Punk. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RUagtvS78oyShJXj9e7Ppg.jpg The Queen's box at the Royal Albert Hall (Image credit: Royal Albert Hall) More than a monumentIf you’re a music or history buff, there are few experiences more breathtaking than walking into the main arena of London’s Royal Albert Hall; opened in 1871 by Queen Victoria in memory of her husband Prince Albert, it has hosted everyone from Albert Einstein to the Beatles. Even if you aren’t aware of the 148 year-old building’s rich history, the imposing 20,000 ft dome, looming Grand Organ, and intricate, velvet-curtained boxes make it a sight to behold – which is why ensuring the Hall’s survival with the new sound system was so important to those who care for it. “This investment is about more than just updating the sound system,'' says Craig Hassall, Chief Executive of the Royal Albert Hall, “it’s about future-proofing the building as we approach our 150th anniversary in 2021, so that it is fit for another 150 years.” Could a new sound system really ensure the survival of the Royal Albert Hall? After all, it will always be a site of historical importance whether it sounds good or not – but to Hassall, neglecting its facilities as a music venue, is tantamount to forgetting why the Hall was originally built: “to promote the arts and sciences”, as per Prince Albert’s vision. “It’s not a museum or a mausoleum, or a monument; we’re a venueâ€Paul Hassall, Chief Executive of the RAH “It’s not a museum or a mausoleum, or a monument; we’re a venue” he told us, before we were invited into one of the boxes on the ground floor to listen to a live string quartet reciting popular classical songs. As they played, the sound engineer turned the system on and off so we could hear the difference in audio quality. At this level of the Hall, the change was subtle, but noticeable; rather than coming from the stage, it felt as though the music was coming from all directions, making the experience feel more immersive and intense. Part of that multi-directional sound is thanks to the inclusion of front and rear speakers in all 144 boxes in the venue. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JaznikzGzU5YG2sVaWXf8X.jpg Seven circle delay arrays now hang from the ceiling (Image credit: Royal Albert Hall) A huge undertakingNot only is the speaker system big, it’s also meant to be very clever. Created by D&B Audiotechnik, the system was designed especially for the Albert Hall using the latest 3D modeling and simulation techniques – a crucial step considering the acoustic challenges posed by the unique geometry of the Hall. Steve Jones, who works in Education and Application Support at D&B Audiotechnik told us that the team had to be very careful not to disrupt the design of the Hall, so much so that speakers inside the boxes were colored exactly to match the shade of the walls inside. It’s not just about color-matching though; as a Grade I listed building, the team had to be extremely careful when installing the new system so as not to damage the Hall’s unique design. Jones remarked that he was “still astounded” that Heritage England gave them permission to carry out the work; after all, drilling holes into one of the UK’s most-loved buildings comes with its fair share of risk – what if the team damaged something beyond repair? http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RmGRwf4pdFr5izozZpJSPZ.gif The acoustic mapping of the Hall (Image credit: Royal Albert Hall) Those risks appear to have paid off. After spending some time in the box, we ascended another few levels up to the Rausing Circle, and then finally to the standing room-only Gallery – where the echo had been the most noticeable in the past. As Jones says, the Gallery is “the one bit of the Hall that creates the most reverb”. Up there, as the speakers blared out Daft Punk, the difference was most noticeable. There was no echo, only immersive, full-bodied sound, with warm bassy timbres and crisp, detailed vocals. Every ‘opening’ in the Gallery now has its own speaker suspended from the ceiling, pumping music directly to the audience standing below, as well as seven enormous circle delay arrays hanging from the domed ceiling. Jones told us that, as well as reducing echo, the new system also “democratizes” the listening experience, explaining that “audiences can now expect a level of audio quality and consistency across all seats, which [has] never before been achievable”. So, whether you’re stood on the ground floor, high up in the Gallery, or even sitting in the Queen’s box (although you’ll need a title for that last one), every note, lyric, or word you hear should sound clear and precise. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HmkfLYRC3AjHy9UpzS3bsF.jpg Image credit: Royal Albert Hall Looking to the futureOf course, there’s little point in installing a state-of-the-art sound system if artists won’t use it; it’s not at all uncommon for musicians to tour with their own equipment, trusting in what’s been tried and tested. As the string quartet launched into a lively rendition of Mozart’s Eine Kleine Nachtmusik, Ollie Jeffrey, Head of Production and Technical at the Royal Albert Hall, told us that getting the artists, comedians, and orchestras that play at the Hall on board was one of the easiest things they had to do. He said that the take-up has been “incredible”, with “96% of artists between September and December using the new system” – a testament to how well it works, and how much more convenient it is for artists. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/abdYMMCrpyYaGXMeoVktTg.jpg The iconic acoustic 'mushrooms' were installed in 1969 (Image credit: Royal Albert Hall) Before the new system was installed, the Royal Albert Hall hadn’t seen a major upgrade since the fixture of the “iconic acoustic mushrooms” to the ceiling in 1969 – also designed to reduce the Hall’s echo issues. Will we be waiting another 50 years for the next audio upgrade? Apparently not, according to Jeffrey, who told us that the system will be worked on and updated regularly. Although he wouldn’t be drawn on specifics, Jeffrey told us that the Royal Albert Hall was ‘continuing to look’ into the latest audio tech, including systems that support “immersive sound”. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hYS7h5eGTtuni3CRSYc6GX.jpg Manchester's Bridgewater Hall (Image credit: The Bridgewater Hall) While he didn’t reveal which kind of immersive sound this could be, immersive sound includes technology like object-based surround sound Dolby Atmos or the cinema sound codec DTS:X. “We are a world-class venue so we should have world-class technology - the journey isn’t over” Jeffrey tell us. Does this mean the new system isn’t quite world class yet? The Royal Albert Hall will likely never achieve the sonic perfection of modern concert halls like Manchester’s Bridgewater Hall or the Philharmonie de Paris – the sound there is something that started at construction, with every angle, beam, and surface calculated with scientific precision to completely deaden sound and eliminate unwanted echo. The Royal Albert Hall, thanks to its unique geometry, will probably never achieve total perfection – but that’s a big part of its charm. And thanks to its new sound system, it’s closer than ever before. Best stereo speakers: the best bookshelf, Hi-Fi, and floor speakers in 2019http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/0u-hzag73Ys

A leaked slide suggests Acer is about to release some gaming laptops which run with GeForce GTX 1660 Ti and GTX 1650 mobile graphics cards. This is, of course, further potential evidence that a GeForce GTX 1650 exists in the first place, as the GPU hasn’t yet been confirmed by Nvidia – unlike the GTX 1660 Ti, which has, of course, already been released (although there’s no mobile version yet). However, there have already been several leaks regarding the allegedly incoming 1650, which will be the lowest-end Turing offering – and this certainly backs up those leaks (assuming the slide in question isn’t some kind of elaborate fake). AMD Vega II better step up with some affordable models soonHere’s all the latest news on Nvidia’s Turing graphics cardsWe pick out the best processors of 2019The slide (highlighted by Videocardz) is purported to be from an Acer presentation, and it shows the core specs of a few Nitro gaming notebooks, including the fact that they run with Intel’s 9th-gen Coffee Lake H series processors, and GPU options that include the GTX 1660 Ti, GTX 1650, and GTX 1050 (the latter being a previous-generation GPU). http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iCKXBN5NrLuMYiDX7TUhHT.jpg ITHome initially spotted the slide, although has since taken it down, with Videocardz subsequently highlighting its existence (Image credit: ITHome/Videocardz) Benchmarks aplentyWe've previously seen a leaked 3DMark benchmark allegedly from a notebook running the mobile spin on the GTX 1650, and a purported Final Fantasy XV benchmark for the desktop version of the GPU, which showed it was faster than AMD’s Radeon RX 570. The GTX 1650 is expected to have a base clock of 1,395MHz, with 4GB of GDDR5 video memory, again according to the rumor mill. We're expecting to see this GPU released at some point in April, with speculation pointing to April 22 as a potential launch date. As for the incoming Acer laptops, these apparently include 15-inch and 17-inch Nitro models which will have super-slim (7mm – at least down the sides) bezels, as well as an option on a display with a 144Hz refresh rate (and a Full HD resolution). These are the best graphics cards of 2019Via Hexus http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/b0O0jitQ77s