sincity

If you spend a lot of time playing the best PC games online, you’ve probably run into a huge lag spike at some point, but what if we told you that the best gaming routers could ensure your online gaming is never interrupted? Well, it’s true: the best gaming routers will prioritize network traffic for your games, thanks to a neat little trick called Quality of Service (or QoS), which will help make sure your gaming session isn’t interrupted by your roommate downloading games or watching Netflix. You’ll also want to keep an eye out for MU-MIMO, so that everyone in your home can get some gaming done without interrupting each other. Now, typically wired connections are the best way to go about gaming, and we’d have to agree. So, the best gaming routers should have a ton of wired Ethernet ports. But, even if it would be ideal to have all of your devices hardwired to your router, you don’t want your entire apartment or home covered with a criss-cross of errant wires. That’s why the best gaming routers will also feature the latest Wifi standards – currently Wi-Fi 5. Having multiple external antennae which you can move to boost signal is a bonus, too. Taking into consideration the needs of gamers, we here at TechRadar have gathered up all the best gaming routers 2019 has to offer. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/prUy6g9ejoxuef9yvJBwEU.jpg If you’re looking for the latest router technology but you still love that old school aesthetic, the TP-Link Archer C5400 v2 is right up your alley. This is a gaming router that blends enthusiast grade features and accessible setup into a package that’s appealing to pretty much anyone. And, when you add in the Alexa support, you have a router that can adapt to any situation, whether you’re focusing on winning the latest match in Apex Legends, or you have guests all connecting to your network. Read the full review: TP-Link Archer C5400 V2 http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/EY2VqpnmzPzUwCzuSBgx43.jpg The Asus RT-AC5300 is one of the best gaming routers – it comes with a variety of advanced features, making online and network gaming as lag and frustration free as possible. This includes an easy-to-use yet powerful interface, as well as comprehensive QoS settings. The spider-like design won’t be to everyone’s taste, but the eight antennae serve a purpose, as they can be used to direct your Wi-Fi signal throughout your home, giving this router an excellent range. Read the full review: Asus RT-AC86U http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eaV3kfiKqe8HZw8guGnRxS.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sBCQAGFnJYWu95LaczLpKE.jpg We already covered the TP-Link Archer C5400 v2 earlier, but the manufacturer slapped an ‘X’ at the end of this one, to signify the extreme boost in performance. It’s significantly more expensive, but this may be one of the highest-end gaming routers out there. With eight ethernet ports around the back, it’s perfect for hardwiring a wealth of gaming equipment. And, the MU-MIMO and Tri-band support mean that wireless connections are also top-notch. You’ll be able to top the leaderboards wherever you are in the house. Read the full review: TP-Link Archer C5400X http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XXiqfSk26AqxaWZpsLSs9X.jpg If you’re a hardcore gamer, it can be annoying when your roommates are always watching Netflix or downloading games of their own, so you’ll want to pick up something like the Netgear Nighthawk XR500. Not only will this elite gaming router provide an insane 2.2Gbps speed, but with MU-MIMO support and unique gaming features, like location based connection filtering and QoS, you can game all night without hitting a crippling lag spike. Just prepare for the high sticker price and make sure you can handle such a gamer aesthetic. Read the full review: Netgear Nighthawk Pro Gaming XR500 http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eaV3kfiKqe8HZw8guGnRxS.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qSNYeMzunJKT5RuxFkbicd.png The Asus RT-AC5300 is an excellent high-end gaming router that comes with a number of advanced features for making online and network gaming as lag and frustration free as possible. This includes an easy-to-use yet powerful interface, as well as comprehensive QoS settings. The spider-like design won't be to everyone's tastes, but the eight antennae serve a purpose, as they can be used to direct your Wi-Fi signal throughout your home, giving this router an excellent range. Read the full review: Asus RT-AC5300 Tri-band Gigabit Router http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eaV3kfiKqe8HZw8guGnRxS.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Y9AWBhifnEb2vUvAfUTwtk.jpg It might look like it’s getting ready to abduct a close friend or family member, but we promise the Zyxel Armor Z2 AC2600 isn’t as alien in function as in appearance. Rocking the latest MU-MIMO support, which improves speed when multiple devices are connected to the same network, this gaming router prides itself on its performance capabilities. Because it can handle a ton of devices, while prioritizing bandwidth depending on the needs of each device, it’s one of the best gaming routers you can buy today. Read the full review: Zyxel Armor Z2 AC2600 http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eaV3kfiKqe8HZw8guGnRxS.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/50918704526a6235e49618141f8a417d.jpg The Asus RT-AC88U is an expensive gaming router, but it justifies the price with insane 802.11 wireless performance. Rocking four antennas and NitroQAM tech, which pushes speeds even further, this gaming router enables wireless performance that can break the 1GB/sec limit. But, there’s a catch – you’ll need to pick up a NitroQAM wireless adapter, like the Asus PCE AC88, to see these fast speeds. But, with speeds like this, it’s easy to see why this is one of the best gaming routers out there. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eaV3kfiKqe8HZw8guGnRxS.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qPSsuiVAZKqCzLFGyw9fxc.jpg It might look like something from Battlestar Galactica – the old Battlestar Galactica – but, the D-Link DIR 885L/R is a dependable mid-range gaming router with great range and speed. If you’re looking for the best gaming router, you may want to give this one a chance – it has a good variety of port, and a nicely designed UI. It also features DD-WRT open-source firmware, which makes this router as flexible as it is powerful. We’ve also picked out the best best wifi extenders of 2018Bill Thomas has also contributed to this articlehttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/6R-9RyrXR_k

It’s hard to imagine a world without the best laptops – pretty much everyone needs one these days. However, for the best 13-inch laptops, there’s one core reason to choose them over any other – they’re the perfect size. 15-inch laptops are just too big, and if you get something less than 12-inches, you’ll be left squinting. The best 13-inch laptops, then, hit the sweet spot.-- they’re perfect for watching online videos, and even getting some work done. We still love the Dell XPS 13, but it’s not the only choice out there. We would totally understand if you prefer the new MacBook Air, or even the Huawei MateBook 13. Sure, the XPS is beautiful, but the other options are more than valid, too. The best 13-inch laptops all excel in different ways. Still, the best 13-inch laptop for you will ultimately depend on your individual needs. Do you just want a normal laptop, without any fancy bells and whistles? Or, do you want a 2-in-1 laptop that can morph into one of the best Windows tablets? Or maybe you want to skip Windows 10 entirely, and opt for one of the best Macs, backed up by macOS Mojave. No matter what your needs are, you’ll find a great laptop here, there are so many choices. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/g4Z6kKpACSX2SyWb47m6A7.jpg Image Credit: TechRadar It’s not often that we run into a 13-inch laptops that hits all the right boxes, without having to compromise on anything. And, the Huawei MateBook 13 does exactly that. Packed with the latest Intel Whiskey Lake processors and Nvidia MX150 graphics in a chassis that really should be too small to handle them, the Huawei MateBook 13 is a powerhouse that will fit in any travel bag. And, it’s affordable – what more could you ask for? Read the full review: Huawei MateBook 13 http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Gtv3PqL9JWPM9EfaFtmRCJ.jpg Image Credit: TechRadar The Dell XPS 13, while its changes over last year’s model are subtle, is still one of the best 13-inch laptops. On the high end, the 4K display offers a sharper picture across the board. But, even if you can’t afford the top end model, the gorgeous design, lengthy battery life and SD card slot aren’t going anywhere – plus, you’ve got a quad-core processor no matter what poison you pick. It’s going to be one of the best 13-inch laptops, no matter which configuration you go for. Read the full review: Dell XPS 13 http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8KzxonDxhQGBTCM4skQNPW.jpg Image Credit: TechRadar It’s not quite as powerful as the 15-inch version, but everything else about the Surface Book 2 13.5 inch makes for one of the best 13-inch laptops on the market. No matter if you’re a professional or a creative, the Surface Book 2 will dominate your workloads in style. What’s more, the dynamic fulcrum hinge is even better this time around, which only complements its robust quad-core processor. Plus, unlike many other 2-in-1 laptops, the keyboard is removable, which makes it a much more manageable tablet when the need arises. Read the full review: Microsoft Surface Book 2 http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XgLbRL6g5jy97c9irUPqpP.jpg Image Credit: TechRadar You may be expecting a gaming laptop, especially given Razer’s reputation, but the Razer Blade Stealth is one of the best 13-inch laptops you can buy today. It’s thin, light, and packed with the latest Ultrabook-class hardware – including dedicated MX150 graphics. The 8th-generation Intel Whiskey Lake Processor makes this laptop a force to be reckoned with. And, while it’s certainly expensive, the sheer style and build quality might be worth it. Read the full review: Razer Blade Stealth http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YCgUj7V7xzWfEF6G6Gt9ED.jpg Image Credit: TechRadar For anyone who prefers premium build quality over everything, the HP Spectre x360 contains everything you could ever ask for in a 2-in-1 without compromise. Weighing in at just 2.78 pounds and measuring just over half an inch thick, it’s as thin as it is light. Plus, with up to a 4K display and 8th-generation Intel processors, it’s one of the best ways to experience high-quality video streaming as well as 720p gaming on a hybrid. We didn’t even mention the plentitude of ports. You’ll get two USB-C Thunderbolt 3 ports on top of a USB 3.1 Type-A – so you shouldn’t need a ton of adapters. Read the full review: HP Spectre x360 http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KYReVvDGo3XfGaavbmr4em.jpg Image Credit: TechRadar If you’re looking for a thin, svelte and fast 13-inch laptop to haul around with you, and you don’t mind giving up some premium features, you’ll fall in love with the Asus ZenBook 13. Coming in at just half an inch thick and weighing just 2.5 pounds, this is the perfect laptop to carry when traveling. And, don’t think you have to give up on power with all this portability, either. The Asus ZenBook 13 features quad-core Intel processors, 8GB of RAM and a fast SSD. The only thing you’re missing here is USB-C, and while it’s a nice feature to have, it’s easy to look past in a laptop this stylish. Read the full review: Asus Zenbook 13 http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/APfYGvkC8C5C34KXFR4NVj.jpg Image Credit: TechRadar No one likes change, we get it. Still, the 15.6-inch frame of the Samsung Notebook 7 Spin we once knew will soon be erased from our memories forever, but the new 13.3-inch model doesn’t seem like an awful upgrade. It’s bounced two generations into the future in terms of processing power, and even though there are no discrete graphics – we’re happy to see a keyboard that can compete with some of the heavy hitters. It’s not going to blow your mind, yet as far as hybrid notebooks go, this one ain’t too shabby (plus it’s cheaper than a weaker MacBook Pro). Read the full review: Samsung Notebook 7 Spin This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the HP Spectre x360http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/opUFHmtqsmjMV4UZMyZaHg.jpg Image Credit: TechRadar The original Surface Laptop was already one of the best 13-inch laptops – it had a gorgeous screen, competent internals and fantastic build quality. It shouldn’t be surprising, then, that the sequel, the Surface Laptop 2, does everything better. YOu won’t find any radical changes, but the speedy 8th-generation CPUs, 8GB of RAM and, most importantly, the removal of Windows 10 S, all add up to make the Surface Laptop 2 one of the best 13-inch laptops out there. Read the full review: Surface Laptop 2 http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HEVn2dt6mnL27UakqhMyLM.jpg Image Credit: TechRadar As time goes on, 2-in-1 laptops are becoming more popular, and their manufacturers are improving them at a rapid pace. This is especially true for Lenovo – it’s been creating drop-dead beautiful convertibles for years, much like the Lenovo Yoga 920. This 13-inch laptop brings Thunderbolt 3 to the table, an improved webcam – and most importantly – an 8th-generation Intel Kaby Lake Refresh processor with every configuration. The fans get loud, but the Lenovo Yoga 920 is certainly among the best 13-inch laptops on the market. Read the full review: Lenovo Yoga 920 http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vQjd3wsENRV7c9sTvV9wL7.jpg Image Credit: TechRadar The MacBook Pro 2018 feels like the final form of Apple’s pro series laptop since its 2016 redesign. It keeps the thin and light design, but brings a wealth of improvements, both to the hardware within and, more importantly, Apple has vastly improved the Butterfly keyboard – making it quieter and more reliable. So, you no longer have to worry about it breaking cause a piece of dust appeared under the spacebar. So, if you need an ultra-portable workhorse running macOS Mojave and you can justify the cost, the 2018 MacBook Pro won’t let you down. Keep in mind, though, the model without the Touch Bar is still running last year’s hardware. Read the full review: MacBook Pro (13-inch Mid-2018) Want more choices? Check out our list of the best laptop 2019Bill Thomas, Joe Osborne and Gabe Carey have also contributed to this article http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/W9Ev5abW5WE

While the world was waiting for Samsung to announce its foldable phone, Xiaomi’s co-founder Lin Bin teased their own version of a foldable phone, a little over a month before Samsung’s official release. Since then, we have seen the Galaxy Fold and Huawei’s Mate X as the only two options when it comes to foldable phones. Early on Thursday, a new video featuring Xiaomi’s unnamed foldable phone was posted on Weibo. Video Credits: Youtube Xiaomishka Xiaomi's running the foldable phones raceXiaomi has not revealed any information about the possible features or specifications. Through the new video, we now know that the company will implement gestures based inputs which is how users will interact with the large tablet-sized display. Unlike the other two phones we have seen, both the sides on Xiaomi’s foldable curve inwards which is why the crease, if any, lie on the sides. The 10-second video shows little that’s new about the Xiaomi foldable. Interestingly, the user interface on the phone seems pretty optimized as it did not show any signs of frame drops or lags when it was folded in the video. We have a couple of reports that indicate that the Galaxy Fold has some issues re-rendering pages on Chrome when it is folded and unfolded. Even then, it is possible for Samsung to roll out software updates that will rectify the issues. It is expected that Xiaomi will launch its foldable phone at around the 1000-dollar mark which is half of what the Galaxy Fold and Mate X cost. If that comes to be true, Xiaomi would enter the race of foldable smartphones and their’s might be the most affordable option out there. Also Read: Here is everything we know about the Galaxy Fold from an early ownerhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/1e3e_hGSs6k

Bethesda dropped a mountain of information today regarding its upcoming shooter Wolfenstein: Youngblood, along with an absolutely glorious story trailer that shows off the game's co-operative focus and Nazi-killing action. First off, the latest entry in the Wolfenstein series now has an official release date in July 26, 2019, with the standard version of the game (which doesn't seem to be available outside of the US) priced at $29.99, and the Deluxe Edition priced at $39.99 (£34.99 / AU$69.95). Further stressing the importance of co-op in Youngblood, Bethesda also announced that the game's Deluxe Edition will come with a 'buddy pass' that will allow players' friends to join them without having to purchase their own copy (a similar feature was previously offered in EA's game A Way Out). Buddy passes may also be given out to multiple friends, however, only one person may play along with the game's owner at any given time. Wolfenstein: Youngblood will release on Steam despite Bethesda.netWolfenstein II review: superb in every senseBethesda announces Prey and Wolfenstein VR gamesMore deluxe detailsThe Deluxe Edition will also provide players with a cosmetic Cyborg Skin Pack, which has been "designed to give you that titanium Terminator look," as well as "a shiny new skin for the twins’ Power Suits, guns, combat knives and hatchets." Every pre-order of the game (either standard or deluxe) will also receive a Wolfenstein Legacy Pack, which contains a Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus jacket power suit, BJ’s US Army power suit, the Wolfenstein: Old Blood pipe, the Wolfenstein: Old Blood knife and a WW2 weapon skin set for all ranged weapons. Set in Nazi-occupied Paris during the 1980s, Wolfenstein: Youngblood sees our usual protagonist, BJ Blazkowicz, missing in action, leading his twin daughters, Jess and Soph Blazkowicz, to set off on a mission to find him. Thankfully, the girls take after their old man when it comes to violently dispatching Nazis. Wolfenstein: Youngblood will release on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch and PC. You can check out the game's blood-drenched, cuss-filled and Carpenter Brut-scored story trailer below. Doom Eternal to be the star of Bethesda E3 2019 press conferencehttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/5CHU_Ecj7Xk

Amazon may have entered the Australian smart speaker market a little late but the e-commerce giant is doing everything it can to make home automation simple and affordable for Aussie users. The Echo range of smart speakers are some of the most affordable options available to anyone looking for a new voice-activated audio system, but what if you already have a Bluetooth speaker you love or a home Hi-Fi system set up? That’s where the Amazon Echo Input comes in. It's a small (80mm across and 14mm tall) web-connected device designed to pair with your old-school stereo via either Bluetooth or a 3.5 mm audio cable. Once connected, you can call on Alexa to do everything an Echo speaker can straight from your existing ‘dumb’ speaker. Your old speaker doesn’t even need in-built microphones to hear your voice commands – the Echo Input is equipped with a four-microphone array, so you can call on Alexa from across the room. There’s also dual band (2.4 and 5GHz) Wi-Fi to maintain a consistent connection, and Amazon has been steadily improving Alexa’s skills in Australia. What makes the Echo Input an enticing choice is its affordability. Priced at just $55, it’s good value for money if you already have a great sounding speaker or home cinema receiver. The only caveat is that it currently doesn’t support Sonos speakers. Read more: All-new Amazon Echo Dot (3rd gen) reviewhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/5PMXRujSQ0U

Optus has dropped a cracking deal on Google's latest Pixel 3 handsets, although with savings this good you know it won't last for long. Until March 31, customers signing up to Optus' $69 Promo Plus plan will nab themselves 100GB of data along with a discounted Google Pixel 3 or Google Pixel 3 XL, in either 64GB or 128GB handset configurations. As per usual, Optus is also offering a host of included extras, like Optus Sport and National Geographic subscriptions at no extra cost, and free music and Mobile TV streaming via selected services that won't count towards your data cap. Get the Google Pixel 3Go big: Google Pixel 3 XLIf none of these plans particularly interest you – whether you're after even cheaper plans or something with even more oomph in the data department – check out our best Pixel 3 plans and prices in Australia, or our best Pixel 3 XL plans and prices for the bigger sibling. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/JoxfjE_Qx28

Apple has finally received clearance to bring its electrocardiogram (ECG) feature to Apple Watches in Europe. The feature has been available in the US since December 2018, following tests with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), but now moves to other parts of the world. The ECG capability will only be available on the Apple Watch 4, as that has the electrodes built into the Digital Crown and rear of the Watch. However, the capability to monitor for irregular heart rhythms, specifically atrial fibrillation (AF, chambers of the heart are beating out of sync, and can cause strokes) will be brought to all models. How does the Apple Watch fare on our list of the best smartwatches?Is the Apple Watch waterproof?And if you're thinking about buying one, how about a great Apple Watch deal?Heart of the matterThe AF Association estimates there are 1.5m people in the UK alone with AF, but 500,000 undiagnosed - which is where Apple is aiming this feature. However, most of those are of retirement age, which historically hasn't been a key demographic for buyers of the Apple Watch. If a user of the Apple Watch 4 does feel something untoward with their heartbeat, they can take a 30 second ECG test and the results will be stored in the Health app on the iPhone, which can then be shared with doctor via PDF. The feature will roll out as part of the WatchOS 5.2 update, which is now available. Already got your Apple Watch? Check out these top Apple Watch apps that are changing the lives of our readershttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/HPGR1IaUsRg

Since the tragic events at the white supremacist march in Charlottesville, Virginia, in 2017, Facebook has tried to weed out racist and hateful content. The social media giant banned posts relating to white supremacy, but controversially maintained that white nationalism and white separatism were different. Following discussions on content moderation at Facebook’s Content Standards Forum, that policy has now been revised, with Facebook implementing a carpet ban on posts and comments relating to white supremacy, nationalism or separatism. According to the new rules, explained in a Facebook Newsroom post, users searching for, or posting, content relating to hateful or racist rhetoric will be redirected to Life After Hate, a not-for-profit organization that helps individuals wean themselves away from violent far-right groups. No longer acceptableFacebook has admitted that it considered white nationalism to be an acceptable point of view. According to internal training documents obtained by Vice News’ Motherboard last year, phrases like “I am proud to be a white nationalist” was permissible on the social media platform, but calling oneself “a white supremacist” was banned. The documents, citing Wikipedia as sources, claimed white nationalism “doesn’t seem to be always associated with racism (at least not explicitly)” and that white nationalists “carefully avoid the term supremacy because it has negative connotations”. After facing backlash from academic experts for its content moderation policies, Facebook spent three months discussing the issue with anti-hate groups to conclude that white nationalism “cannot be meaningfully separated from white supremacy and organized hate groups”. “Going forward, while people will still be able to demonstrate pride in their ethnic heritage, we will not tolerate praise or support for white nationalism and separatism,” Facebook announced. This move has been praised by racial justice advocacy groups even though it was “long overdue”. The policy applies to both Facebook and Instagram and will go into effect next week. How to delete Facebookhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/ZiE-wbbYddk

The Samsung Galaxy Fold release date is less than a month from today, and there's an official video demoing the South Korean company's folding torture test. The 30-second YouTube video shows the first true foldable smartphone being folded and unfolded by machines, and no creases are in sight on the Infinity Flex Display. The Galaxy Fold can outlast 200,000 folds and unfolds, according to Samsung, which is enough for five years of heavy use – if folded 100 times a day. Why this video is so importantInterestingly, Samsung says that this folding test takes a week to complete and is 'overkill to some'. But the device's hinge does introduce new moving parts. In fact, durability has been the biggest hangup to the introduction to foldable phones, according to multiple industry sources we've talked to in the past. The Galaxy Fold promises to stay resilient. Has Samsung solved the biggest problem with foldable phones, or will that be the Huawei Mate X? We'll know on April 26. Apple AirPods 2019 hands-on reviewhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/UuzD4LilgBs

Bethesda has opened the next entry in The Elder Scrolls series – The Elder Scrolls: Blades – to Early Access with some players getting an email invitation to download the game today. In case you missed the game’s debut at E3, Blades is a mobile version of The Elder Scrolls games and offers real-time combat, dungeon exploration and even a new city-building mechanic. The game follows Bethesda’s success with the mobile (and later console) Fallout Shelter while still sticking true to the The Elder Scrolls series’ roots. According to the FAQ on Bethesda’s website, any progress made during Early Access will carry over to the main game, as will any in-game purchases you make. The Elder Scrolls: Blades will be available for free on iOS and Android in six languages starting on March 28 – at least, according to the App Store. That said, you can still sign up for Early Access on Bethesda’s website or via the Google Play Store to try and sneak in a day early. Want to know what the game is like? Don't miss our hands on preview of The Elder Scrolls Bladeshttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/5obPI_9yEo0

Welcome to our pick of the best DTP software in 2019. DTP (desktop publishing) software allows you to create attractive publications, such as newsletters, quickly and easily. The best DTP software offers you more layout, image and font tools than standard word processor software such as Microsoft Word, so you can make some really eye-catching designs. The DTP software on this list will give you options to edit and format text, graphics and will give you control over how your pages are laid out. The best DTP software will also come with a good selection of templates to help you get started and give you inspiration. Above all, the best DTP software will allow you to quickly and easily create professional-looking documents. In this list, we've ranked the best paid and free DTP software you can buy right now in 2019. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8mFxufuEWWxhgTw2CB5Q3b.jpg Image credit: Adobe If you're serious about making professional publications and marketing material, then you'll want the software that most professionals use: Adobe InDesign. This software is our pick for the best DTP software for professionals, and there's a reason why so many businesses use it. It is practically unrivalled when it comes to features, giving you all the tools you need to create traditional print media, as well as interactive digital media as well. If you buy it as part of Adobe's Creative Cloud, you'll also get access to Adobe Stock, giving you professional stock photos to help make your publications really stand out. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/71decca0e95683155484f5553457db41.jpg Image credit: TechRadar If you're after real desktop publishing power, free of charge, then nothing can compete with Scribus, and it's our pick for the best free DTP software. It's an open source application, which means it's completely free for anyone to use, and you don't need a licence to use it as a business. The program is packed with professional features - CMYK and spot colours, ICC colour management, direct editing of vector drawings, extensive PDF support and more - and provides everything you need to produce flyers, brochures, newspapers, books and more. All this power does take quite some time to master, though, and while the developers have tried to help (and there is plenty of documentation to point you in the right direction) you'll need to be patient: the sheer volume of features means there's still a significant learning curve. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eDTbJiEyFi76HpBG53k67e.jpg Image credit: Quark While Adobe InDesign is the undisputed champion when it comes to DTP software, it has stiff competition from one of its most popular alternatives: QuarkXPress. It comes with a huge amount of features to rival InDesign, and it's even compatible with InDesign files. Quark is serious about winning over Adobe's customers, and it's resulted in an excellent, fully-featured DTP application. It is especially impressive when it comes to typography, with OpenType controls, support for Colour Fonts in SVG, SBIX and COLR formats, and it will help you make some amazing looking publications. It's not quite as fully-featured as InDesign, but it comes very close. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kUnEesbjEBwuEFiSJPyWEE.jpg Image credit: Magix If you're a beginner when it comes to desktop publishing, then the software above may seem a little overwhelming at first. That's why Xara Page & Layout Designer 11 is our pick for the best DTP software for beginners. It doesn't throw a bewildering amount of features at you, and it has a straightforward, yet attractive, interface that is easy to get to grips with. Best of all, it's very affordable compared to InDesign and QuarkXPress, but that doesn't mean it's light on features. In fact, you'll find a great selection of tools that will help you create professional looking publications. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cY3oh9Fhzogyfg5qvfK9Jc.jpg Image credit: TechRadar Microsoft Publisher has been around for a long time now, and for many people it offers an easy way to get into desktop publishing. It's often a part of Microsoft Office packages – including Microsoft's Office 365 subscription service – so if you already have a Microsoft Office package, you may find you have Publisher already installed. It can also be bought and installed separately as Publisher 2019. Its interface will be familiar to anyone who has used Microsoft's other Office apps like Word and Excel, and it's easy for beginners to get to grips with. There's a decent collection of templates that will help you get going, and the results are good, though not quite as professional as InDesign. Still, it's a great – and affordable – DTP software package for beginners. Best Microsoft Office alternatives in 2019http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/sHIQ0n8JF9Q

Recent years have not been kind to Apple's MacBook keyboards, so much so that the company has apologized for them once again in comments to the Wall Street Journal (WSJ). Apple made its MacBook laptops slimmer with a low-profile 'Butterfly' mechanism for keyboards as far back as 2015, but there were issues with key presses not registering and keys getting stuck, and the second generation of the mechanism seemed to make matters worse. As problems persist in Apple's third generation MacBook keyboards, another company spokesperson has publicly addressed the issues. The spokesperson said to the WSJ that the company is "aware that a small number of users are having issues with their third-generation butterfly keyboard," and that the company is sorry. But, the spokesperson also said, "the vast majority of Mac notebook customers are having a positive experience with the new keyboard." Issue after issueAfter Apple introduced the low-profile Butterfly mechanism for its MacBook keyboards in 2015, there was no shortage of reports on issues with them. The issues were enough that California filed a class action lawsuit against Apple, alleging that the company knew of the issues and released the products anyway. The third generation of these Butterfly keyboards tried to solve the earlier issues with a membrane to keep out debris. But, as perhaps may not surprise anyone at this point, problems with the butterfly keyboards persist. YouTuber Lewis Hilsenteger of the demonstrated the issue on a 2018 MacBook Air. And our own sister site LaptopMag has seen Butterfly keyboard issues as well.Fortunately, for anyone suffering from an issue with the third-generation Butterfly keyboards, Apple's warranty should still cover your machine. Unfortunately, it doesn't sound like the problems are going away soon. Via LaptopMag http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/Dpp3G1Zz1gs

School isn’t cheap. Books, tuition, accommodation and even food can add up. But, you shouldn’t have to spend thousands of dollars on the best laptops for students. In fact, student laptops will be budget-minded devices that have great style and plenty of power, but they’ll do it without charging an arm and a leg. However, when you’re buying textbooks and ramen, saving up for a shiny new laptop can be quite hard. So, the best student laptops will put value above having the best processors and graphics cards. You won’t be limited to Windows 10, either – the best Chromebooks are some of the best laptops for college students, as you can get all your work done while saving hundreds of dollars. School can get stressful, trust us, we know – but that’s why you should make sure you only have the best student laptops. No one wants the added stress of running around campus with a dying laptop – especially when you’re in the middle of a project. So, we gathered up some of the best laptops for students, because no one should be limited to some old clunker just to get some work done. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/g4Z6kKpACSX2SyWb47m6A7.jpg Here at TechRadar, we love it when a laptop can perfectly balance price and performance without any compromises, and the Huawei MateBook 13 comes closer to hitting that perfect balance than anything in 2019 so far. Thin, light, quick and affordable, this beautiful 13-inch Ultrabook will let you get all your work done in style, without dragging down on your wallet. The battery life is a little weak, but that’s a worthy sacrifice to make here – just carry the charger around with you. Read the full review: Huawei MateBook 13 http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jKY6CRwVGTyKXsrbAgoC58.jpg Once in a while, we’ll get our hands on a laptop that completely flips the script – the Huawei Matebook X Pro is one such laptop. Not only does it feature powerful, modern components like 8th-generation Kaby Lake R processors and 16GB of RAM, it’s also beautiful – incorporating all the latest trends in Ultrabook design. What’s more impressive, it manages to do all this while being much more affordable than the competition. This is what makes it one of the best laptops for students – you’re not going to get a more powerful laptop for less cash than the MateBook X Pro – at least until the MateBook X Pro 2019 gets here. Read the full review: Huawei Matebook X Pro Australian readers, the Matebook X Pro has finally been officially released Down Under, but this Australian stock is only being sold via the Microsoft Store at present... and that limited availability means both models on offer (priced at $1,899 and $2,599) keep quickly selling out. If there's none available at the above link, we'd suggest checking back in one to two weeks.http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eaV3kfiKqe8HZw8guGnRxS.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ffcF8UYZWgfEKUzQEMJqhm.jpg Dell’s flagship laptop has always placed among the best laptops – for college students, professionals and even casual, everyday users. But, the Dell XPS 13 2019 brings back the entry-level option, making it more affordable for college students again. And, Dell managed to fix our biggest issue with the XPS lineup – the webcam. The manufacturer has moved the webcam up to the top of the display, where it belongs, so your friends and colleagues don’t have to stare up your nose when you’re in a video call. Read the full review: Dell XPS 13 http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eaV3kfiKqe8HZw8guGnRxS.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zLAnEBQNgwtkfL65RNtzFg.jpg While the first Surface Laptop was already one of the best student laptops, it was held back by sub-par performance, a lack of ports and Windows 10 in S Mode. With the Surface Laptop 2, however, everything is better – except for the ports. It’s packed with 8th-generation Kaby Lake Refresh processors, full-fat Windows 10 Home and a black color option. We wish it had even a single USB-C port, but that doesn’t change the fact that you’ll be able to get all your work done in style with this laptop. Read the full review: Surface Laptop 2 http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eaV3kfiKqe8HZw8guGnRxS.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pjyDo7hLwToHVewGiRXXTi.jpg The way we look at it, the best laptop for college students will strive to hit a golden balance between price and performance, without looking like you pulled it out of your dad’s study. The Microsoft Surface Go, then, isn’t just one of the best Windows tablets, but it’s one of the best laptops for college students, period. Don't’ be fooled by the low power components, either – Microsoft has engineered this 2-in-1 to be able to keep up with your schoolwork without breaking a sweat. You can’t do much better than the Surface Go, especially if you’re on a budget. Read the full review: Microsoft Surface Go http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eaV3kfiKqe8HZw8guGnRxS.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bConBvTE28yrUpDQ8WEtte.jpg Dell’s XPS lineup has been among the best laptops for college students for years now, and the new XPS 15 is no different. Taking the approach of ‘if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’, not much has changed year over year – but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. What you’re getting here is a reliable Ultrabook with enough horsepower to carry you through all of your coursework without costing an arm and a leg. While the entry level is perfectly fine for most people, you can configure this thing with up to a Core i9 CPU and 32GB of RAM, transforming the Dell XPS 15 into a killer media editing workstation. We just wish Dell would move that webcam. Read the full review: Dell XPS 15 http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eaV3kfiKqe8HZw8guGnRxS.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Jh9pK6YZEcn8QEhSPecmHF.jpg The Microsoft Surface lineup has built a reputation for itself for being among the best Windows devices out there – gorgeous touch screens, incredible performance and long battery life. The Surface Pro 6 continues this tradition, even if it doesn’t bring anything new to the table. What you’re getting here is a speedy Windows tablet that can effortlessly turn into a laptop through the Surface Type Cover. You can get your work done and then effortlessly transition into break time. Read the full review: Surface Pro 6 http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eaV3kfiKqe8HZw8guGnRxS.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/EQ2VarxUfBYYgvtYj9WCQf.jpg College gets expensive – you can’t avoid it. That’s why the best laptops for college students will offer awesome performance at a decent price, much like the Lenovo Flex 14. At under a four-digit price, there’s something to be said about getting an Ultrabook that can handle anything the semester throws at you – and the Lenovo Flex 14 looks good to boot. You won’t find a better laptop at a lower price. Read the full review: Lenovo Flex 6 14 http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eaV3kfiKqe8HZw8guGnRxS.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/i282cNE53mJcz9jqs9G7H9.jpg We were left waiting for Apple to renew the MacBook Air for years, as it languished with a 5th-generation Intel Core processor and an out of date, low-resolution display. Thankfully, those days are over. Apple has ushered the MacBook Air into the modern age, with 8th-generation fanless processors, a thinner and lighter design, and perhaps most importantly – a Retina display. No more do you have to compromise on modern features if you want an “affordable Mac”, and that makes the MacBook Air one of the best laptops for college students. Read the full review: MacBook Air http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eaV3kfiKqe8HZw8guGnRxS.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eaV3kfiKqe8HZw8guGnRxS.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/v95HifWh2VU9e9WJ2zGGf.jpg If you’re not too concerned with cash, and you’re a macOS addict (we get it), the 2018 MacBook Pro is the most powerful MacBook that’s ever existed. With its impressive hexa-core processors, and up to a whopping 32GB of memory, this cupertino workstation will get you through whatever you throw at it. It also includes the much-improved third generation Butterfly keyboard that will not only be less distracting to the students around you, but will be less prone to failure if some dust comes within 10 feet. Read the full review: MacBook Pro 15-inch (2018) http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eaV3kfiKqe8HZw8guGnRxS.jpg Want more choices? Check out our list of the best laptop 2019Images Credit: TechRadarBill Thomas and Gabe Carey have also contributed to this article. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/yIVtZ9W8BFo

Virgin Media Business has announced new mobile data plans that allow small and medium-sized businesses to buy in bulk to save money and make data sharing easier. The system works by allowing a company to buy all its data allowance at once and then spreading that across as many SIMs as it needs. Each SIM, in a phone, tablet, smartwatch, car or whatever, can then have its allowance capped. If one employee then finds that they need more data, then more can be allotted to them from the pool of data available with changes possible monthly. See also: The best business smartphones of 2019Smaller business can pay £25 per month to get 10GB of data spread across two SIMs. Or for larger businesses 100GB and 10 SIMs will be set at £125 per month. There are lots of options with up to 1,000GB of data available per month. You can see all the plans by heading to Virgin Business website. Should anyone go over the data allowance there is a cap of just £1 for 1GB meaning there shouldn't be any instances of being stuck without data. That should keep any extra charges to a minimum, too. Rob Orr, Executive Director - Commercial & Marketing, Virgin Media Business, said: “By bringing together the data businesses need, the handsets staff want and the flexibility to automatically share that data as needed, our mobile data sharer plan is making it easier than ever for businesses to keep connected on the go.” Read more: What about broadband? See our best business broadband dealsLooking for your own phone? Check out today's best mobile phone dealsStay on top of your books with the best accountancy software for businesshttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/51Rhv6ATQDo

Reliance Jio has been testing its fiber to the home (FTTH) service, GigaFiber since quite some time now. With this service, Reliance aims to disrupt the broadband market in India with affordable Internet prices. In a bid to further strengthen its role as a telecom operator, Jio is trialing a new Triple Play plan which is an all-inclusive plan offering Internet, TV and unlimited calling facility. According to a report by TelecomTalk, Reliance has rolled out the Triple Play plan to its employees. The plan comes with 100GB of data, Jio Home TV subscription, unlimited voice calling and access to Jio Apps. With this plan, users will have to pay just one bill for Internet, TV and calling facilities. The benefits of the plan are valid for 28 days. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Sr8LVdQKfz4xCBiwrKEEsQ.jpg Image Credit: TelecomTalk Interestingly, the report shares a screengrab of the details about the plan. In it, Jio Home TV has been mentioned distinctly which is the first time we have confirmed proof of Jio’s IPTV service. It was previously called Jio GigaTV but now we have substantial proof that it will, in fact, be marketed as Jio Home TV when it launches. Apart from the Triple Play plan, Jio is offering its usual plan which carries 100GB of data at 100Mbps and is valid for 30 days. In addition, subscribers of the plan also get 1000GB bonus data. There is no official word on the launch date of Jio GigaFiber or Jio Home TV but the report mentions that the telecom operator is preparing for a Ready for Sale (RFS) rollout soon. Also Read: Here is everything we know about the Galaxy Fold from an early ownerhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/IgTkJMrzZ4Y

When it comes to choosing which network to go for with your new mobile phone deal, it is hard not to think of EE. With its superfast 4G speeds, award winning service and tonnes of incentives, an EE phone deal is a tempting offer. And it just got even more tempting thanks to a massive price cut across a range of EE offers. Popular mobile phone retailers such as Mobiles.co.uk and Mobile Phones Direct have jumped in on these cuts, offering some of the best prices we've seen on top devices. Whether you're looking for an iPhone XR, Samsung Galaxy S10e or the Google Pixel 3, there are bargain EE phone deals for you. We've picked out the best of these tariffs and listed them down below. Some are listed with voucher codes to drop the prices to the impressive new lows and others are already slashed to their discounted amounts. Like the look of the new flagship Huawei? These are the best P30 Pro dealsThese EE phone deals in full:See all of today's best UK mobile phone dealsThe best deals on these devices no matter the network:http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/ofJtUecq5zY

If you're interested in picking up an Apple Watch, now is a great time to find excellent deals on older models. Right now you can get the Apple Watch Series 3 on sale at Amazon for only $199. That's an $80 discount and the best price we've seen for the smartwatch. The Apple Watch 3 is a health-focused smartwatch and offers features such as tracking your heart rate, activities, and calories burned. 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 deal from Amazon includes the 38mm model Apple Watch and comes with a silver aluminum case and a white sport band. The Apple Watch 4 currently retails for right under $400, which makes the $199 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 stellar discount while you can. If you're interested in an Apple Watch that offers a cellular plan, Walmart as the series 3 on sale for $339. 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/f9qywAs42og

Along with the Huawei P30 and P30 Pro, the Chinese firm introduced a number of additional devices during its March 26 launch event in Paris, France, and its pair of smart glasses was a surprise "one more thing" announcement. These glasses (or smart eyewear, as Huawei refers to them), are made in partnership with Korean fashion brand Gentle Monsters. While 'smart' is in the name, don't expect anything on the level of Google Glass, as these glasses are simply equipped with a speaker and microphone. Huawei smart eyewear release date and priceHuawei's smart eyewear release date is set for July 2019, but there's currently no word on how much they'll cost. The tech inside seems simpler than the camera-toting Snap Spectacles, so we're hoping Huawei's specs come in comfortably cheaper. DesignThe idea of Huawei smart eyewear are they're glasses first and smart second, which means they look and feel like an ordinary pair of glasses. In fact, the front frame that holds the lenses is non-smart, just like any other pair of glasses, with all the technology found in the side arms. There are no buttons, ports or visible sensors, which further aids their 'ordinary pair of glasses' aesthetic - and that's a good thing. Instead, you just tap the side of the glasses to answer calls or trigger Google Assistant (via a Bluetooth connection from your phone). We tried a dummy pair at the P30 launch event and they felt just like a regular pair of glasses. With a built-in microphone and speakers, these glasses serve the purpose of a Bluetooth headset without making you look dorky. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/L9Nrc6mx52nijCVxCzhyDS.jpg Image Credit: TechRadar We can see how this could be useful for people that already wear glasses - if you like the look of them - to have an integrated headset. There are a few varieties of frames with different styles and you can also purchase them as sunglasses. That said the handful of samples that were available to try on were all pretty large, and those with smaller faces may feel like the glasses swamp them a little. The glasses come with an IP67 dust and water resistant rating, which means they'll survive a rain shower if you're caught out. You'll get a charging case with the glasses (similar to Snap Specs), allowing you to juice up your eyewear, and the case itself can either be wireless charged or plugged in via a USB-C port. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PTWxX8y3nYEPThsVvQPyF7.jpg Image Credit: Huawei Listen upWhen it comes to the tech that makes these glasses 'smart', you may be a little disappointed to find there's no tiny display or integrated camera. Instead, you get a charging module, multiple antennas, dual mics, a chipset, a speaker and a battery packed into the arms of the glasses. It would be interesting to see how they hold up in noisy environments, as Huawei is claiming that the tech is present for such scenarios with beam-forming and AI noise reduction coming to your aid. We can't comment on how good they sound because the units at the demo area were dummies that couldn't be powered on. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Tuwv4xwgM5LAkXX599uMVD.jpg Image Credit: Huawei Early thoughtsFuture version of these glasses will probably add more tech but their sole function at the moment is recording or listening to audio. The glasses do look good and feel good and we’re looking forward to testing them out once they’re released later this year. Does this mark the start of a bigger push by Huawei into the smart eyewear arena? According to Huawei's VP of Global Product Marketing, Clement Wong, "never say never" - so you might want to watch this space. Snapchat Spectacles 3 could be the smart specs we've been waiting forhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/q2UL1yzob4s

Despite a worldwide increase in cybercrime, new research from Outpost24 has revealed that almost one in ten (nine percent) organizations say their IT security budget is actually decreasing year over year. The study, which was carried out during this year's RSA Conference, also found that 26 percent of organizations said their IT security budget is staying the same year over year despite the fact that 62 percent of respondents stating they do not know or do not believe that all of their organization's digital assets are comprehensively secured. When asked what makes their organization least prepared for cyberattacks, 31 percent said they did not have enough time to keep on top of threats targeting their business while 21 percent said it was not having the in house knowledge and expertise to remediate and triage any vulnerabilities found. Half of organizations lack the security talent needed to remain secureTackling cybercrime with a culture of securityMicrosoft: The future of security is AISurprisingly 13 percent of those surveyed felt they did not have enough c-level buy-in to support security while 26 percent said they didn't' believe their c-level executives and board members had a good enough understanding of the security threats targeting their organization. IT securityOutpost24 also asked respondents about the frequency of security assessments on their network, cloud infrastructure, their end points, web applications, data and their users. The firm found that seven percent never run assessments on their web applications, users, end points or data while 13 percent said they never run assessments on their cloud infrastructure. Thankfully though, a majority of those surveyed said they carry out continuous monitoring across their technology stack. VP of Outpost24, Bob Egner explained that cybersecurity has grown beyond being just the concern of an organization's IT department, saying: “The findings from our study highlight that there is a wide gap between security teams and budget holders which is putting organisations at risk. With the average cost of data breaches exceeding $3.8 million, cybersecurity is very much a c-level and board member issue. Board members and c-level executives should have a comprehensive understanding of their organisation’s security posture and the attacks targeting them, they should then take this data and allocate budgets accordingly, before their business is disrupted or reputation is damaged.” We've also highlighted the best antivirus to help protect your organization from the latest cyber threatshttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/XUy7R8Kle9w

The reputation of some east Asian computer OEMs may be hurting this week after news of Asus laptops' vulnerability to hackers comes so close to news that Huawei, too, had a serious security flaw in its flagship MateBook line of laptops. ZDNet reports that the Huawei PC Manager driver utility software that comes on MateBook laptops was vulnerable in a way that could allow attackers to gain escalated privileges in the computer. Successful attackers would be fully able to compromise a laptop. Don't worry, it's already been patchedA Huawei report on the issue says, "The attacker can tricking a user to install and run a malicious application to exploit this vulnerability. Successful exploitation may cause the attacker to execute malicious code and read/write memory. " The PCManager versions that were vulnerable are all those before version 9.0.1.66 internationally and 9.0.1.70 in China. While the news of this flaw may just be making the rounds now, Microsoft caught the flaw through a new kernel sensor built into the Windows 10 Version 1809 update that came out last year. And, Huawei has fixed the flaw as of January. If you own a Huawei laptop released in 2018 or before, be sure to completely update your machine as soon as possible – assuming you haven't since before January. See our review of the latest MateBook X Prohttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/WCWUuevUHQ8

Customer experience has been steadily evolving over the past decade, as new technologies come online and businesses try to provide a better service to customers in the most efficient way possible. AI has been seen as pivotal in this journey, driving more intelligent call handling and streamlining processes through automation. To discuss this issue further, TechRadar Pro spoke to Craig Palmer, Director of Customer Experience Transformation EMEA from Verizon in our latest Q&A to find out how AI is impacting the modern contact centre environment and to identify what the core benefits and potential pitfalls are. Is privacy the new customer experience grail?Transforming customer experience through techDavid vs. Goliath: How SMBs can create a competitive edge with customer experiencehttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LrstCAnun6N69BxwmEtn4k.jpg Image Credit: iStockPhoto http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/44BNsr3TkxdMqprNHLWhYF.jpg Image Credit: Shutterstock http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pNcsnN3Fm9CSEGfA9NG26h.jpg Image Credit: Pexels We've also highlighted the best AI platforms for businesshttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/Oc9XllLDMEY

Reports suggest that dark mode is finally coming to WhatsApp. The Facebook-owned messaging platform has reportedly been spotted running in the dark mode on the latest beta version 2.19.82. Facebook Messenger already has a dark mode, and now it appears that the company is working on bringing the feature to WhatsApp as well. According to WABetaInfo, WhatsApp recently submitted its new update featuring dark mode to its Google Play Beta Program. The report shows the latest screenshots of the WhatsApp beta app, version number 2.19.82. The images reveal the new dark mode spread across all the primary settings panel of the app; however, the dark mode across the chats UI hasn’t yet been revealed. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/raHMT4MUKm3fWQEQ3iNf8K.jpg Image credit- WABetaInfo Dark mode reduces the full display pixel utilization of the app, especially for AMOLED and OLED smartphones, and thus helps reduce battery consumption. Many apps like Twitter, Reddit, Telegram and Facebook's Messenger already have the feature; the report suggests dark mode on WhatsApp is still under development. The official rollout is still not known. Huawei P30 series product page goes live on Amazon ahead of India Apart from dark mode, the latest WhatsApp beta version also includes showcasing audio file names that are being shared or forwarded within the conversations. Further, fingerprint authentication is also seen. WhatsApp has also been working on showcasing the number of times an individual message has been forwarded, which is expected to be useful in tackling the spread of fake news via the platform. Huawei P30 Pro hands-on Gmail Inbox app to shut on April 2ndhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/GBAWODgnOug

Mind Maps (sometimes known as brainstorms) can be a great way to sort through dozens of ideas or tasks and help your plans take shape. While this previously meant using reams of paper, index cards and string, creating mind maps can now be done with only your mouse and keyboard. In this guide, you'll explore the very best mind mapping software available for download today. Some of these programs are suitable for students who simply want to order their ideas before writing an assignment. Other mind map applications are geared towards writers who want to storyboard written works. Certain tools are aimed at companies launching major projects and have extra features such as the ability to export and collaborate on mind maps with others. All of these programs offer either a free tier or trial, allowing you to test drive the software before you buy. Take some time to explore these and find the one that is right for you. We've also highlighted the best productivity appsWant your company or services to be added to this buyer’s guide? Please email your request to desire.athow@futurenet.com with the URL of the buying guide in the subject line. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6vixcEXKez8cCHn6ZKoJj6.jpg Image Credit: Literature and Latte Scapple enjoys the distinction of being developed by writers for writers. The group 'Literature and Latte' was formed in 2006 with the sole purpose of offering writers a simple way to develop their skills. The result has been one of the best-known mind map tools on the market today. On first launch, Scapple invites users to double click anywhere on the blank canvas to create a note. You can repeat this process as many times as you wish to offload your initial 'brain dump'. Scapple also supports importing text files, PDF's and even images. You can then work out how to link various ideas together. Scapple has been particularly praised for being easy to master compared to other mind map software due its small number of mind map tools. This does mean however that more advanced features such as embedding audio & video aren't supported. Although the program itself is lightweight, Scapple won't burden your purse too heavily. There's a 30-day free trial, which only counts down those days on which you actually use the software. After this a standard license costs $14.99 per platform. Educational licenses are $12.99 each. You can sign up for Scapple herehttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/L4yj626kD8EUUkDDURhWHa.jpg Image Credit: Mindomo Mindomo was originally released in March 2014. The stated aim of its developers is to create, "useful, easy to use and beautiful software". While beauty is subjective, most users will be delighted to find that the free version of the software supports creation of up to 3 mind maps, which is include all basic features. 'Premium' users enjoy a range of extra features denied to the free tier such as syncing projects such as iOS/Android, audio and video emdedding and backing up to cloud-based services like Dropbox. Mindomo also allows paid subscribers to export mind maps in a variety of formats including images (PNG), Adobe PDF (PDF), plain text (TXT) and Microsoft Powerpoint (PPTX). The program can also import data from a number of file formats. If you need to collaborate on a project, 'Professional' subscriptions support 1 user and up to 5 guests. All Mindomo paid subscriptions support password protection of mind maps to make sure only you and your team can see them. Premium subscriptions are $42 per user for 6 months, which include 1GB storage quota. Professional subscriptions cost $105 and offer a generous 5GB quota. While these advanced features are acknowledged by the online community, Mindomo has come under criticism for its bare bones interface which offers little guidance to new users. You can sign up for Mindomo herehttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JSKfnpNoBeVzJKUrk9jmc9.jpg Image Credit: Bubbl.us Bubbl.us is a cloud-based mind map service and can be accessed from virtually any internet compatible device. Its existence is thanks to a flash of inspiration by project founder 'Levon'. While at college, he was leafing through a copy of David Allen's Getting Things Done and discovered a chapter on brainstorming. Levon started doing this on pen and paper but later teamed up with fellow programmer 'Kirill' to begin development of Bubbl.us. The beauty of Bubbl.us lies in its simplicity: the service is designed for mind mapping only, doing away with any redundant features. As it's cloud-based there's also no software to download. Users can get started right away and the project website claims that these include millions of musicians, artists, writers, teachers and people with dyslexia. Like Mindomo, Bubbl.us offers a free tier which supports up to 3 mind maps with basic features. The Premium tier costs $4.91 per month per user, if paid annually, and allows for real-time collaboration as well as revision history. There's also a 30-day free trial to try out more advanced features. Online reviews of Bubbl.us praise the fact that it's online and cross-platform, making very popular with students and teachers. Some reviewers have complained about lag problems when using Bubbl.us from mobile devices as well as difficulties with moving several bubbles at once. You can sign up for Bubbl.us herehttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8MhYtvMHtrtAwCrQ2mGzUS.jpg Image Credit: Corel MindManager stands on the shoulders of giants having been acquired by software giant Corel (of CorelDRAW fame) in 2015. It is designed primarily for business users and has been adopted by big names like Proctor and Gamble. As an enterprise-focused program MindManager is capable of integrating with Microsoft Office and indeed the overall interface will be very familiar to Word and PowerPoint users, right down to the built-in text editor and spreadsheet program. Users are introduced to this gradually, as on first launch MindManager only displays a virtual whiteboard from where you can easily add ideas, then drag them into place. Maps are accessible via an easy to use dashboard. The general look and feel is extremely professional, meaning the finished map would be suitable for all purposes, from notes for a book to a presentation at a board meeting. This professional pedigree doesn't come cheap. The Windows version of MindManager costs a heavy $327 per license, though the Mac version is around half the price. The Mac version which has fewer features is only $209. Whichever version you choose there's a 30-day free trial to check if you and/or your team are comfortable with the interface. This is especially important if any users are unfamiliar with Microsoft Office. You can sign up for MindManager herehttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kMJzYtvzyZM8ceYF9n99gK.jpg Image Credit: XMind XMind is the flagship product of Hing Kong based X Mind Ltd. It was originally released in November 2008 and the project website now claims over 1 million users. Like MindManager, XMind seems to be more focused on enterprise level solutions. The 'Idea Factory' is a great place to start listing items and there's even a useful built-in countdown timer to help regulate your mind mapping sessions. The free version of XMind supports basic creation of mind maps but there's no option to export your work to a different format such as PDF. XMind 8 Pro costs $129 per license. The dedicated brainstorming module allows you to group items and concepts, as well as create links between them. Business users can also make use of the presentation mode which can display maps as slides, as well as list tasks in chart form e.g. in 'tree format'. X Mind has been singled out for praise online for its clear focus on business users, as well as its minimalist interface which allows for easy mind map creation through a series of templates. Other respectable features include 'XMind cloud' which can sync your mind maps across devices and 'day and night' mode which dims the screen to protect your eyes. You can sign up for XMind hereOther mind map software to considerWe've only featured five of the best mind mapping software solutions above, but there are plenty more to consider. Here we'll list a number of others worth considering. And as we mentioned that Scapple at the start, which was built for writers, we're going to open with what is the most popular dedicated writing platform: Scrivener may be thought of more as an author's toolkit, but at its heart it is built on the concept of mind mapping concepts into a document of work. While this may have been built for a single writer to develop a novel, there's no reason why it can't be used for any other type of project. The way it allows you to bring notes together and organize them around a central document can seem a little daunting at first, but once you get the hang of it it's difficult not to imagine working on a project without it. Coggle is all about flow charts, connecting ideas and concepts together. It's a simple app that's easy to use, as all that's require is for you to put down and join together ideas and the connections between them. You can then export your work as an image file or PDF as required. A handy feature is that the software continually autosaves so it's easy to roll back to an early version. Even better, the software is free to download. WiseMapping is a web-based app which means you should have no problem with cross-platform compatibility. It can also be used collaboratively, and your finished mind map can be shared easily, including to online blogs. There's a free version available for individuals, but you can download a copy to your own company servers if you want to use it for business. Either way, it's free to use. IdeaFlip is another web-app that runs in your browser, so it shouldn't matter which operating system you use, whether on desktop of mobile. It's a more developed collaborative platform than some of the others, and has both team and management features built in. Also unlike some of the others listed here, it's not free, with monthly plans costing between $9-$16, depending on how many users and features you want. LucidChart is also focused on collaborative flowcharts for business users, and is probably best described as a diagramming app more than anything. This means that it is good for more than just mind mapping but also project flows. The flexibility built into the program means it has a large corporate following and boasts a number of Fortune 500 companies as clients. Even still, it's not that expensive to use, with plans starting at just $4.95 per user per month. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/AgFLmxAo6NA

Huawei's latest phones on the block, the P30 and P30 Pro are headed to India after the series was announced at an event in Paris this week. A post on Facebook which takes us to the product page of P30 on Amazon India where interested users can register for the latest updates about the launch. Earlier, the company had also confirmed that the Mate X will also be making its way to India sometime later this year. As for the pricing, there's no official word, however, we know that the P30 is priced at 799 EUR in Europe which roughly translates to Rs 62,000. Similarly, the P30 Pro starts at 999 EUR (~Rs 77,500) for the 128GB model, 1,099 EUR (~Rs 85,200) for the 256GB variant and 1,249 EUR (~Rs 96,900) for the 512GB storage option. Also Read: Hands on: Huawei P30 review Huawei P30 and P30 Pro specificationsHuawei P30 features a 6.1-inch Full HD+ (2340 x 1080 pixels) OLED screen and due to the u-shaped notch design, it has a 19.5:9 aspect ratio. It is powered by Kirin 980 chipset with octa-core CPU and is backed by 6GB RAM and 128GB storage. The storage can be expanded by up to 256GB as the phone has a hybrid-SIM slot. The P30 sports a 40MP wide-angle camera along with a 16MP ultra-wide snapper and an 8MP telephoto lens. The three cameras on the back are optimized by Leica optics. There is a 32MP camera on the front for selfies. It has an in-display fingerprint sensor and a 3,650mAh battery which supports fast charging. The P30 Pro has a bigger 6.47-inch OLED panel with Full HD+ resolution and it is powered by Kirin 980 processor. It will be offered with 8GB of RAM and 128GB/256GB/512GB storage options. It also has a 40MP primary camera accompanied by a 20MP ultra-wide snapper and an 8MP telephoto lens. In addition, there is a fourth camera in the form of a Time-of-Flight sensor which will assist in depth sensing. The phone has a 4,200mAh battery which supports 40W fast charging and 15W fast wireless charging. Also Read: Hands on: Huawei P30 Pro review http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/aLNp5jzLEDc

Here are so many applications for noise cancelling headphones that after a point you have to wonder why nobody thought of making them sooner. Sometimes it's the incessant chatter of your co-worker, sometimes it's the construction in the plot next door, and sometimes it's just people, in general. Enter noise-cancelling headphones, which remove the sound of everything around you, so you can listen to your music at a lower (and safer) volume. There are large variations in how well this effect is achieved, but even at their worse these headphones are still much better than a traditional pair of headphones in terms of keeping outside sound at bay. The top picks for the best noise-cancelling headphones include devices that not only effectively eliminate the most amount of background noise, but also make your music sound pretty good in the process. That said, sometimes the effect isn't completely perfect. They're less effective at cancelling out higher-pitched noises, but most of the high-end sets excel at dealing with low, consistent noises like the hum of a train or plane. Check out our guide to the best headphones overall.How to buy noise-cancelling headphonesSo what do you want to look for when looking for a pair of the best noise-cancelling headphones? Look for anything with the words "active noise-cancellation technology" on it. You see, when it comes to noise-cancelling headphones, there are two types to look out for: active and passive. Passive means that when the headphones are pressed against your head and the sound is cut out in the process of closing your ears off to the world outside. It's not high-tech, it's just isolation. Lots of headphones claim that this is some sort of advanced technique, but it's nothing more than a few layers of foam trying their darndest to keep sound out. Active noise cancellation, on the other hand, involves some pretty interesting processes to cancel sound out. Along with the padding which passively blocks sound, microphones planted in the ear wells of headphones actively analyse the ambient noise level and reflect sound waves back into your ear that work to zap the outside noise. The goal is to hear nothing but the music, or whatever it is you're listening to. Active noise cancelling headphones are more effective at what they do. The downside is that this noise cancellation requires batteries in order to function, so you'll have to keep them charged if you want to keep the noises of the outside world at bay. Now that you know all that, you're ready to choose a set. Let's take a look at the best noise-cancelling headphones available, starting with a list of our top 10. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uNvzJmvxwUxxKKEgyBxXha.jpg Sony just updated its WH-1000XM3 wireless noise cancellation headphones with multiple microphones and a USB Type-C port. While these may seem to be minor tweaks, they do affect the overall listening experience. There are some design changes as well with the addition of copper accents. The headphones are powered by Sony's own QN1 chipset which just sets the next benchmark for audio quality. Read the full review: Sony WH-1000XM3 Wireless Headphones review http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fVN76QX2NUj5SwddXuQmW9.jpg Sony WH-1000XM2 The Sony WH-1000XM2 are a great pair of wireless headphones which offer excellent audio quality to the listeners. If battery life is one of the major factors that concerns you then fear not, the Sony WH-1000XM2 come with a powerful battery which can serve your needs for up to 30 hours. Yes, you heard it right. 30 hours of continuous playback time. Apart from this, you will also get to experience hands-free calling which can be easily controlled using the touch panel given on the sides of the headphones. Read the full review: Sony WH-1000XM2 http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/255d481c3f2bfd636fd653107e6949c3.jpg Philips Fidelio NC1 http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hRNacv5qCcbdJahS62uzF6.jpg Coming in at the number two spot is the Bose QuietComfort 35 II - a nearly identical product to the already-excellent Bose QuietComfort 35 but updated for 2018 with Google Assistant. This means you still get the class-leading noise cancellation Bose is known for, good sound quality and incredible comfort, plus a convenient assistant to answer any inquiries you might have while traveling. Taken as a whole, the Bose QC35 II NC is an excellent headphone for travelers and commuters. Bose has found a good balance of features that will satisfy most mainstream listeners. While we don't love them as much as the better-sounding Sony WH-1000XM2, they're still top of the class for noise cancellation. Read the full review: Bose QuietComfort 35 II http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/e5gMLgK4J46kN43ycpFQX.jpg The PXC 550's greatest strength is their sound. Other wireless noise-cancelling headphones might offer a better user interface or better noise-cancellation technology, but ultimately none of the above match up to the sound quality of these Sennheisers. However, that said, there are a couple of irritations that prevent us from being able to fully and unreservedly recommend them, such as unresponsive touch controls. These annoyances aren't quite deal-breakers, but there are definitely other noise-cancelling headphones out there that don't suffer from the same issues. Read the full review: Sennheiser PXC 550 Philips presents an elegant noise-cancelling solution with its NC1. These on-ear headphones aren't wireless, but that's hardly a reason to knock them off. In the same price range as the Bose QuietComfort 25, the NC1s' are a more compact set that's high on comfort and battery life, making them perfect for the traveler on-the-go. You get a lot for your money in this set. The box comes with the headphones, a hard case for storage and the headphones have a rechargeable battery that provides noise cancellation for close to 30 hours. The headphones come with a replaceable cable that's tangle proof. The only thing to be aware of is that there may be some noise leakage to the people around you and that could prove to be an annoyance. But best of all, the sound performance is extremely well-balanced and warm. Read the full review: Philips Fidelio NC1 http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/badf6c37d6345b2e38e590036d443f43.jpg Bose QuietComfort 35 They're a little more expensive then the Philips NC1, but the Bose QC35 headphones offer wireless connectivity, so you can be free from cabling as well as background noise. They're also a much better sounding pair of headphones than Bose's previous (wired) attempt, the Bose QC25s, and their battery life is long enough for all but the longest of flights. They also come with a cable in case you want to use them with a device that doesn't support Bluetooth. The QC35s sit firmly at the premium end of the spectrum, but if you want the best noise-cancelling headphones available right now at any price then there are few out there that can compete. Read the full review: Bose QuietComfort 35 http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/042de4edf0666d3f338b0a2dcfb3ed85.jpg Bose QuietComfort 25 If you want the same level of excellent noise-cancellation as the Bose QC35s but want to save a bit of money, consider the last-generation QC25s. The biggest sacrifice you'll be making is wireless, but in our opinion the QC35s are also the much better sounding pair of headphones. Nevertheless, the QC25s represent a great mid-range pick. You're getting a finely-tuned set of headphones that provide over 35 hours of very good noise-cancelling performance with one AAA battery. Read the full review: Bose QuietComfort 25 http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8oMpQQEUKRAvorJda4JXQD.jpg Bowers and Wilkins PX wireless Bowers and Wilkins may not be the most popular name when it comes to headphones, but their devices don't fail to impress. They do their job of delivering decent sound quality but also come packed with extra features. For instance, they're capable of turning on or off on their own depending on whether on you're wearing them. You won't have to switch them out any time soon either, since they come with a USB type-C charging port. Coming back to the audio, it's decent but it's not perfect. It doesn't exhibit the same depth that's seen in flagship models from Bose or Sony. But, they're definitely worth a listen and their features make them a tempting purchase. Read the full review: Bowers and Wilkins PX Wireless http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4a8yHQheRW4QHr4ynDW6r.jpg AKG N60NC Wireless Wireless headphones aren't always the cheapest pair to but, but the AKG N60NC do a pretty decent job of offering a mid-range product that's on level with premium models. The combination of great sound quality, longer than average battery life and noise-cancellation that actually works, the AKG N60NC gives you bang for your buck. The main hang up with this pair of headphones is the fact that it comes with a 2.5mm jack serving as a charging point as well as the link for a wired connection. In either case, a 3.5mm jack and a USB type-C port would've been preferred. Read the full review: AKG N60NC Wireless http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/i5pwSqVXP4f4fD2P6broTQ.jpg Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC The Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC provide a great audio experience to the users. In addition to this, they can also become your ideal travelling partner. Weighing 238g, the headphones are easy to carry and light, compared to their rivals. Despite stiff competition in this category, these headphones hold their own thanks to their pocket-friendly price tag. These headphones aren't the best in appearance with the aluminium finish looking flimsy but that's also the primary reason that they're so lightweight. The bass isn't very strong and the fall in music quality is noticeable when the NoiseGuard mode is on. But then again, this isn't unusual for headphones using NoiseGuard. It's effective and does what it's supposed to do. These headphones compare well with others and are optimal for frequent travelers. Read the full review: Sennheiser HD 4.50 BTNC We're constantly reviewing new noise-cancelling headphones, but let us know on Twitter if there is a set that you'd like us to take a look at. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/I4InNbO6pf0