sincity

Gone are the days of waiting for a printed bank account statement to drop through your letterbox, or making a visit to your local branch to move some money between accounts. We now have more control of our money than ever before. But that convenience could, for some, mean disorganisation, reckless spending, borrowing and debt. Applying poor money management techniques to your personal accounts is one thing, but doing the same to your small business funds could be disastrous. And while we can't help you to be sensible – that's on you – we have selected ten personal finance software solutions that can make a difference to the way you think and act with your capital. Take your pick of these services and use them to stay on top of your money. A good overview will help you control your spending, grow your balance, and ensure you've always got enough in reserve to keep the taxman happy. If you're looking to keep your business books with a bit more detail, check out our guide to the best accounts software. We've also chosen the best free software for small businessesWant 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/JjarWvJEyZZZ4pdys6jvY9.jpg Image Credit: Quicken Quicken is a long-established tool for managing personal accounts, and while its reputation was built on a desktop version, it's now available to run as an app on your mobile devices. Quicken offers a good range of financial reporting tools. These are set around a few different areas, namely budgeting, bills, accounts, and even investments. For budgeting, it offers you a chance to input your purchases and income so you can compare them both together to get a better idea of how much you are spending compared to how much you are earning. In terms of bills, you can also see which utlities and similar you are constantly paying out to, and see both the amounts to be paid and how much money you have left over. For accounting purposes you can even bring your banking and credit card bills together in one place so that you have a very clear idea indeed of how much you're paying out. This is especially handy as people easily underestimate how much regular small purchases can add to costs. For investments it also offers the ability to track these, whether as part of your savings, investment portfolio, or 401k pension plan. This means you have a clear idea of how much your savings and investments are worth, though it's fair to say you shouldn't panic about short-term fluctuations in the stock market. Altogether, Quicken brings together your budgeting, banking, and investment reporting into a single dashboard, which you can view from your desktop or even via your cell phone from the mobile app. Pricing starts at $29.99 a year for the Deluxe Plan which allows you to set a budget as well as savings goals. You can sign up for Quicken herehttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LSSTjehVThsFzNf7Z5R3zU.jpg Image Credit: Personal Capital Personal Capital's primary function is to track your investments, assets and savings, rather than specifically looking after your current accounts. Are your assets working for you? Are you on course for a comfortable retirement? What can you do to be better off? Plug everything in and you'll be able to see the big picture of your finances. Personal Capital offers specific advice and statistics based on your goals and your current standing, but access to human financial advisors is where the company makes its money. While anyone is welcome to use its website, you can only access advisory services if you have an account minimum of $250,000, and there's an annual fee (of between 0.49% and 0.89%) to pay if you want your assets – this is lower than most financial advice services. Overall, Personal Capital beings all your checkings and savings accounts, loans, mortgages, and 401k accounts into a single dashboard which can make it easier for you to manage your finances. You can sign up for Personal Capital herehttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/M7z3ceVQm6TfyAxzmzk93k.jpg Image Credit: Buxfer An online service that's not slathered in effects and colours, Buxfer does a good job of presenting your finances in a clean, professional manner. It cutely brags about the fact that it's currently helping its users manage almost two trillion dollars in funds, so it's got a solid user base behind it. You don't have to give Buxfer your exact banking details if you're uncomfortable doing so – you can opt for offline manual syncing with your bank account instead – but if you do trust it, there's a layer of high-level encryption to protect your data and the company is regularly audited. We like its budgeting tools best of all – the visual reporting is very strong, and the fact that it doesn't force you into predefined categories and instead allows you to tag expenditures however you see fit means Buxfer should fit nicely into most people's banking lives. The free version gets you five budgets, accounts and bill reminders, the Pilot version ($1.99 per month) adds on automatic tagging and bank syncing, the Plus version ($3.99 per month) gives you unlimited budgets, and the Pros version ($4.99 per month) includes online payments, advanced forecasts and more besides. You can sign up for Buxfer herehttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3h6moR2TaQjHcj4Y9ti5AJ.jpg Image Credit: YNAB Just in case you need to be told explicitly what to do, along comes YNAB - short for You Need A Budget. Because, hey, if you don't want to spend every single penny you have and more, you absolutely do need one. And perhaps you have more money than you thought? YNAB's primary mission, as you might expect, is to help you curb overspending and avoid living from paycheck to paycheck. Stick to the program, temper your spending appropriately, and eventually YNAB will see you spending last month's money rather than that which you've just earned. It's quick to install, supports the majority of transaction information downloadable from banks, and appropriately configures itself for personal or small business use by changing its monetary categories depending on your needs. If you get off track, YNAB – which is reasonably forgiving and understanding for a bit of software – will tell you what you need to do to get back to where you need to be. You'll have to make sacrifices, but if it's guidance you need, this sets itself apart from the likes of Quicken. You can sign up for YNAB herehttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yZA2DZwJKhnmmPmyMqN4GQ.jpg Image Credit: Fincity There are various philosophies of budgeting. One time-honoured technique is the envelope budgeting system: splitting your funds, as they arrive, into various envelopes marked for specific purposes, never dipping into an envelope to spend cash on anything other than its designated use. You don't need savings to start budgeting this way, just willpower and, er, envelopes. Without a whole host of bank accounts you're not going to be able to apply this technique effectively to digital money, but using Mvelopes is a good way to at least put a representation of your sectioned-off income in front of you. Designate an envelope for working capital or savings and you can grow your personal wealth or business funds surprisingly quickly. Anything you don't spend in an envelope stays there, giving you more to play with in your next pay cycle. There's no longer a free version of Mvelopes (although you can try it for free with a 30-day trial) but the basic plan for $4 (£3) a month should be adequate for most people, offering management of unlimited accounts and envelopes. It's intuitive to use, and there are mobile apps for Android and iOS, essential for taking a peek inside your envelopes when it comes time to pull any money out of them… You can sign up for Mvelopes herehttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/SXxQLhDhwDb82zaJYeeDBX.jpg Image Credit: Banktree Banktree is more than happy to support worldwide currencies, and in fact does a solid job if you're working simultaneously with more than one, offering balances in multiple currencies rather than rounding them off into a single total. It's also good for keeping track of everything, allowing you to scan receipts with its mobile app and import them later on. It's not the prettiest software around, and it's slightly more awkward to use than many of its more refined cousins, although Banktree does produce very neat reports which you can break down by time, or by payee. It may be worth experimenting with the free trial before you choose to invest in this one. You can sign up for Banktree herehttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bpdWQckJL69Z7jVXnyZGsh.jpg Image Credit: Money Dashboard This iOS/Android app doesn't try to reinvent the banking world or offer anything truly ground-breaking, but it is perhaps one of the most useful money management tools out there. Hook up every one of your UK bank and credit card accounts and you'll be able to see each of your balances in a single place with a single login. That in itself is enough for us to recommend it. But there's more – Money Dashboard will track your spending, offering you an overall pie chart depicting your spending on loans, consumables, transport and the like. There's an at-a-glance overall balance, showing exactly how much money you have available across all of your accounts, and you can compare this to the previous month's figure to show how well you've been managing your funds. That's a great motivator. It's super-safe, too: Money Dashboard locks down your login with an equivalent level of security to that of your bank, and it's completely read-only – your money isn't going anywhere. You can sign up for Money Dashboard herehttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eGCZYSifxMuVfdA2cxTTB3.jpg Image Credit: Moneydance Made primarily for Mac users (but also out on Windows and Linux), Moneydance is a desktop money management package with a very neat single-window interface. Load it up and you'll get an instant view of your finances, upcoming bills, recent expenses and more. Click an item in the left hand sidebar and the main content changes to reflect it. Its reporting features are quite strong if not spectacular to look at, and one of Moneydance's most useful sections is its account register. If you're old-school and once managed a cheque book, this operates on a very similar principle. There's also an iOS app for logging transactions on the go, which later syncs with the software on your desktop. Unfortunately for UK users, Moneydance doesn't support the connection protocols used by UK banks, so you'll need to download your transaction history manually to keep on top of it and revert to your bank's own app to move money around. US users, however, are well covered. You can sign up for Moneydance herehttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/1mfT0bzPEYk

At its special March event, Apple announced Apple TV Plus, a new streaming service from the maker of the iPhone and iPad that, according to its CEO Tim Cook, "is unlike anything that's come before". The streaming service will offer exclusive shows, movies and documentaries from acclaimed filmmakers like JJ Abrams, Steven Spielberg and M. Night Shyamalan. The launch event also saw the announcement of an Apple credit card (Apple Card), a magazine and news subscription service called Apple News Plus, and a gaming streaming platform called Apple Arcade – but it was the TV Plus platform that drew the most interest. Here's the full list of the first Apple TV Plus showsThe service will include shows like Amazing Stories and The Morning Show, and stars like Reese Witherspoon, Steve Carell and Jason Momoa are signed up to be involved. There's even a Sesame Street spin-off show for the pre-school crowd called Helpsters. Unlike the basic package of Hulu, Apple TV Plus will be ad-free from the start, and will be available in 100-plus countries through a section of the Apple TV app. It will be available starting in autumn 2019 (September through November) on smart TVs, MacOS and iOS. Here's everything you need to know about Apple ArcadeAnd here's all the info on Apple News PlusCut to the chaseWhat is it? A rival streaming service that Apple will place its own content on, among other titles. When will it be released? Autumn 2019 (September through November) How much will it cost? That's still, irritatingly, to be confirmed. In addition to Apple TV Plus, Apple introduced Apple TV Channels, which combines cable subscription services and streaming services like Amazon Prime Video into the Apple TV app. (Unfortunately, however, Apple TV Channels doesn't incorporate Netflix.) Apple TV Channels will be incorporated into the Apple TV app on iOS starting in May, and on MacOS later in the year, but will sit outside Apple TV Plus' purview. So Apple TV Plus is like Netflix?So here's where things get a bit nebulous. On stage, Cook made it very clear that Apple TV Plus isn't Netflix – at least not yet. While the service will offer original content by the boatload, Apple TV Plus won't offer licensed content – syndicated shows like The Big Bang Theory, Mr. Robot or Seinfeld. For now, you'll still have to buy those shows a la carte through iTunes or via your terrestrial cable app in Apple TV Channels. There's also the question of availability. Cook named a number of major TV manufacturers who will offer the new Apple TV app in his keynote, but never came close to mentioning all the platforms where Netflix is available, like Android TV, PC desktops and laptops, and non-Apple tablets. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3tYR5GrUkM6gJ7SYQmdFzW.jpg How much will Apple TV Plus cost?That's another mystery, as Tim Cook ended the keynote without divulging how much Apple TV Plus will set you back every month. The chances are very good, however, that the service will cost something – as talent on this scale doesn't come cheap. The silver lining to Apple creating its own content, though, is that the service could be relatively cheap – only a few dollars / pounds per month. As we know from Netflix, licensing syndicated content isn't cheap, and those contracts eventually end and must either be renewed or dropped altogether. Apple TV Plus: the launch as it happenedWe live -blogged the whole Apple event, and if you're wondering how Apple brought to life this new TV Plus service, here are all the details: All times US Pacific Time (PDT) 11:46 - Oprah is off, Tim is back. Looks like we're wrapping up, which is great for my fingers. This is been a long one and I've needed the toilet for a long, long time. And yep - that's it. He's done. And with no hands on reviews to be done with the services, this seems like a much easier ride for your favorite TechRadar folk. Except for the fact we'll now be noodling away at the big news, features and analysis on what's just been announced. Apart from that. 11:43 - She's making one of the biggest book clubs on the planet, Oprah and the author streamed to every device and Apple Store. To connect everyone with books, is Oprah's dream. 11.41 - Oprah has joined forces with Apple - to create meaningful ways to initiate positive change. She has two documentaries in the works - Toxic Labor (talking about the scourge and toll of sexual harassment in the workplace), and an unnamed one that focuses on mental health and how scenarios that cause problems decimate life. She wants to replace stigma with compassion and honesty... lofty goals there. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zpc5FSX5iP5j2yLUC3xe5P.jpg 11.39 - Oprah just came on stage (possibly) clutching vouchers for cars. iPrah in the offing? She's talking about the way we all crave connections. How we want to be heard but also need to listen. If she announces the Airpower mat I'll be impressed. 11:37 - There's no word on pricing yet - that's a real shame. It's a huge part - but Tim says 'this is just a sneak peek' as he wanders back on stage. Wait, there's one more 'remarkable story teller'. 11:36 - Apple TV+ will come across all your Apple devices and smart TVs. It's an ad-free subscription service, on demand and coming this Fall with new additions every month, focusing on Apple Originals. 11:33 - Original shows and movies will be coming to the Apple+ platform. 'To brighten our day and make us think that anything is possible.' The message, again, is about quality. When will it be coming, and how much though? 11:29 - Sara Bareilles and JJ Abrams are on stage, talking about their new project: Little Voice, a romantic comedy about what's 'wonderful and transformative' about someone having to find their way through their voice. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/88XDLRdmbv53Uf9kH5DwVA.jpg Sara is having a sing of theme tune for us now. It's a nice time to try and rest the fingers and tidy up this blog... no, she's just finished! SING MORE DO AN ENCORE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE. Nope, it's too late. 11.26 - I'm watching Sesame Street for work. I never knew this day would come, but suddenly it's here. There's a new pre-school show called Helpsters, with a little muppet called Cody. And it's about coding! This is related to Apple's Swift Playgrounds, you just watch. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gt6tdLF4Bh6N86FbZoExXn.jpg 11.25 - There's a lot about worthy storytelling here. Apple has been making a big, big push about quality elements today, that there's some gravitas to everything that it's doing. AS I WRITE THAT BIG BIRD COMES ON STAGE. Thanks Apple. 11.24 - He's going to be pushing a program called Little America, with small stories from immigrants - and the directors are either immigrants or children of immigrants. 'We hope Little America will help people to understand there is no other, there is only us'. 11:20 - Kumail Nanjiani is on stage, the actor from Silicon Valley. He's just chatting about his life now, making some jokes. This is a very different Apple event, to be honest. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6nQzSEx6NbrvyNwJcDsu79.jpg 11.16 - Jason Momoa and Alfre Woodard are on stage to talk up the new programming where the world is blind after a virus wipes out sight and most of the human race, in 'See', a new show coming to Apple TV+. 11:15 - This trio will be the main characters in the show - the characters with which the issues are lensed. 'Shining a light on the fault lines in our society'. 11:14 - Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon are now on stage - they're doing 'The Morning Show' on Apple TV as well. An insiders view into the lives of the morning newscaster. An 'honest look' at the complex relationship between women and men. Steve Carrell just wandered late on stage. He's making jokes about not knowing whether it's his turn. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FykZeqje6TkGYgvNGRcXf5.jpg 11.11 - The video is over, the audience has gone crazy to Steven Spielberg to come on stage. He likes Apple, apparently. He's, once again, talking up how important storytelling is. Spielberg is going to be resurrecting 'Amazing Stories' for Apple TV. 11:08 - The video is still going on, the normal Apple 'enchanting' video, where the world of creativity, the wonder it presents, makes the viewer want to be part of it. To want to be involved in the Apple world. 11:07 - Actors are talking about how they 'imagine' what the character would be thinking when they embody them. Thanks for that. 11:06 - Spielberg is talking about how stories are so important. 'The best stories have come to me when I least expected them.' http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/aLG9RhdAC6hUznvspMUSVW.jpg 11:04 - The power of stories is important. 'Here at Apple we know incredible stories begin and end with the artists that create them'. We're going to meet some of them. This service is dedicated to 'the best stories ever told'. This sounds interesting... the 'art of great storytelling'. 11.03 - And here's the big news: Apple TV+. Everyone has lost their minds suddenly here. You also might need Apple TV+ if you want to watch Oprah's new book clubhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/tMyubu4wIec

You can watch the Apple ShowTime event from 10am PDT (5pm GMT, 1pm EST) - see how on our dedicated 'How to watch the Apple March event live' page. The latest Apple event - the one that's almost certain to see Tim Cook unveil a new streaming service from the Cupertino brand - is now merely hours away from beginning. Last week gave us a huge amount of new products from Apple; we saw the Airpods 2, the iMac 2019 and 2019's iPad Air and new iPad mini - all of which preceded the 'big event' this week. It was an interesting move from Apple, which usually would have certainly brought media down to see such a plethora of new hardware unveiled to the world. Instead, it seems the much-vaunted streaming service, along with a news and magazine subscription platform as Apple pushes more into the world of services. We're going to be bringing you all of the action as it's unveiled at Apple's Cupertino Steve Jobs Theater, complete with analysis and reaction on all the announcements as they happen. Keep refreshing the page below to get the latest morsels of juicy gossip. All times in US Pacific Time (PDT) http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eaV3kfiKqe8HZw8guGnRxS.jpg 10.18 - 'Nobody has ever made digital magazines as gorgeous as this'. Oh, there's more in there as well, with things like The Skim and Vulture being bundled as well. The LA Times is in there as well - if you're into that. Also there's the Wall Street Journal on offer as well, if you subscribe. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Tgdmh2JMVDUg4QTpCpfGLB.jpg 10.16 - We're seeing all the different ways we can use this now - you can tap on cover headlines to see what's happening in each issue. No need to leaf through looking for the feature and getting caught on perfume samples. You can open the same article on an iPad as well, with an adaptation to the new size of screen to show off the photography better. I mean, this is fine, but we're just looking at magazines on a tablet. This is hardly a new feature - let's see if the subscription model helps. We're back to Rog. 10.11 - We just saw a lovely video about why journalists are amazing. Yes indeed. Now it's Roger Rosner, VP of apps at Apple is on stage, telling us that Apple has 3,000 magazines in Apple News+... ... wait, no, he meant 300. That could throw off a lesser man, but not Roger. He's steamrollering along. Now we're looking at how the app looks differently. Apple News+ is definitely a subscription. There's a thing called 'Live Covers', which is a moving photo basically. Under the 'how is a phone different to a piece of paper?' move. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/A3UaTfMAAARZqEZXAXGYgK.jpg 10.08 - 'Magazines tell stories that bring a new perspective'... that's the reason Apple is launching News+. Bet this is going to have a cost associated with it, after what Tim said earlier. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BN33vsfbjAv7DfpxhuRK.jpg 10.07 - Apple is bringing magazines to Apple News - that's the first bit of news here today. Tim says he loves the news stand for that reason... so Apple is trying to munch it up. 10.06 - Now we're talking about Apple News. Tim reading out a quote about how Apple News is designed to look for quality content over clickbait headlines. 5 billion articles read each month - Apple News is now the number one news app, apparently. 10.03 - Talking about iCloud, Siri and Apple Maps. All the things that Apple does that isn't a bit of hardware. Apple Pay getting a nod too - Messages and FaceTime as well. Basically, Apple is saying 'we're all about things that aren't hardware, honest. Remember iBooks?' Tim is pointing out that some of them are paid for - 'We take the same approach at Apple with our services as our products: Easy to use, attention to detail and keep your information private and secure.' http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LCwNMbdiVM5eNhWZn3yRnE.jpg 10.02 - Even though this is all about the services side of Apple's systems, we're hearing how great and integrated the iPhone is. That's totally hardware, Tim. 10:01 - 'This is going to be a very different event' says Tim Cook. Oh no. 'We're creating a great set of services - and that's what today is all about'. 10:00 - And we're off! There's a fun 'TV intro style theme, a '70s vibe 'featuring' the top hardware from Apple. 'Written by Apple Pencil' 'Director of Photography #shotoniPhone' etc. 09:56 - Speculation that the AirPower wireless charging pad could finally be shown off today. Seems unlikely we'll get getting any hardware at this services event. 09:53 - Tim Cook is back, getting down wit' the emojis: 09:50 - Ten minutes awat now and there's Beats One pumping around. Things are starting to hot up. You know when the dulcet tones of Zane Lowe appear that a night of pure magic is in the offing. 09:43 - Just time for another recap of what we're expecting, what might happen and what probably won't be coming: Apple will almost certainly announce a new streaming service to take on Netflix - with a boatload of original content signed up too.News and Magazines subscriptions could well be combined with Apple Music to make it a more alluring platform to join. This could cost a little more than the basic Music subscription.An update to Apple Music in some way seems likely as this a show about Apple services in general - at the very least, something of an update on subscriber numbers.New hardware? Not this time. We've heard rumors of true wireless Beats headphones, but this would be a very odd time to launch them.09:37 - Apple execs are apparently wandering around outside at the moment, as the event is down to just minutes away. Tim Cook's done his traditional 'I CAN'T WAIT FOR THE EVENT' early morning Tweet. You just know that man gets up at a grown-up time of the morning, even on his days off, just to welcome the day and prepare his thoughts. 09:00 - We're an hour away now from the launch, and we've just had another look at the survey - apparently most of you are looking forward to Tim Cook officially announcing his name will be changing to Tim Apple, to conform with the will of the POTUS. (Apologies for the radio silence of the last hour - our site failed to save a few new updates. We're clear for the main event though, promise). Just a reminder of some key pages to keep an eye on: Apple streaming service - everything you need to knowHow to watch the Apple event todayApple could launch a gaming service today too 07:45 - Let's go back to the Apple job board on LinkedIn and see what else we can dig up - oooh, Apple Aperture. That must be the name of the camera division. Nope - there's nothing good in there. Let's head back to Caffe Apple... we've got a corker here: http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VHuBh2xxW2fYiU3gNtfJq8.png Going to go out on a limb and say that one's filled. 07:30 - It's now two and a half hours until the event kicks off, which means the buzz is likely beginning over in Cupertino. As you probably know, if Apple does go for a Netflix rival, it'll be big news. But make sure you cast your vote in our special poll above - when I asked our Home Tech Editor Gerald to put it together, I hoped he'd make it a little more interesting. 07:15 - OK, there's no Head of Pranks. But there is a 'Caffè Macs iCup Supply Specialist'. What's iCup? Glad you asked: "The Apple iCup service is specially designed to provide a fresh brew coffee to all Apple employees within their department. The iCup Supply Specialist is responsible for service and supply of this equipment and is also available on call during business hours of operation." So there you go. 07:10 - Did you know that Apple chucked out a fake live stream last night, where security guards wandered across the stage, Chris Evans (AKA Captain America) calling in and other 'secret tidbits' offered up. Oh Apple. You do love a bit of mischief. Thinking about it, that stunt would have cost a lot of time and multiple meetings within Cupertino. Does Apple have a Head of Pranks? To LinkedIn... 07:00 - It's the big day! If you're thinking that Monday is going to be another dull, hard slog into the working week, then think again. There's an Apple event and it's going to be the start of something new for the brand: a streaming service, of all things. Given it skipped a hardware unveiling event for iPads, computers and headphones, one has to assume that Apple is going go big on this one, as it ushers in a new era of services being more important than some devices. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/Nt-D0jIJaCk

One in four decision makers working for SMBs believe that Making Tax Digital (MTD) will have a positive impact on their business in the long term though some of those affected are still unprepared for next week's deadline. As of Monday 1 April, MTD for VAT (MTDfv) will come into force for VAT-registered businesses with VAT taxable turnover exceeding the £85,000 compulsory VAT registration threshold. This means that those businesses will need to keep records digitally and submit all future VAT returns using MTD-compatible software. According to a new survey from YouGov, 26 percent of 1,000 small and medium-sized business decision-makers believe that the process to move taxes onto a digital platform would be a good thing for their business with the next five years. Are businesses failing to look ahead when it comes to MTD for VAT?What are the unexpected benefits of Making Tax Digital?Busting common myths about Making Tax DigitalHowever, on the other hand, only 16 percent believe it will have a negative impact while almost half (46%) said it would make no difference. Making Tax DigitalOf the SMB businesses affected by MTDfv, more that one in ten (11%) said they were very or extremely unprepared for the new scheme to come into force. YouGov's survey also found that 15 percent of SMBs didn't know how prepared they are while 56 percent said they were fairly or extremely prepared. Tax Policy Expert with the Association of Accounting Technicians, Brian Palmer explained that there is still hope for businesses that are not yet prepared for MTD, saying: “While it’s clearly a concern at this late stage that some small businesses are totally unprepared for the first phase of MTD, there is still some time for them to prepare. The vast majority of those businesses affected by MTD for VAT won’t have to submit their first return until well after the end of the first quarter of the 2019-20 tax year, sometime around the end of July or even early August. This means that there is still the opportunity to sort a digital software provider, or speak with an accountant who can help you get on the right path.” We've also highlighted the best UK tax softwarehttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/64E-oyJRekI

Apple News+ is bringing magazines into the fold, according to Apple CEO Tim Cook at the company's keynote today. News and high-quality magazines are coming to the Apple News app. This builds on Apple News, which is already the No. 1 news app in the world, and Cook cited its features like hand-picked stories, saying "it's critical that it's trusted. "I love the feeling of being at the Newsstand," said Cook, mentioning that you're usually only able to buy one or two publications. Apple News+ changes up the limitation with an all-read-you-read plan. How Apple News+ worksThe basic version of the app will remain free, however, there'll be a News+ tab that consist of magazine like Rolling Stone, Popular Science, Traveler and Outside. Everything will be curated by Apple News editors and be personalized. News issues and featured articles will help you break out news content you'll want to read. It'll let you bypass cover stories to find articles deep inside a magazine. Apple promises this will be the best mobile magazine experience ever. This is breaking news http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/3GpXpX9251c

Death Stranding is proving to be one of gaming's biggest enigmas, with no one quite sure what the upcoming title from Kojima Productions is actually about – we're not even sure Hideo Kojima himself knows. But it seems we are creeping ever closer to details on Death Stranding, even if we're still not quite sure what it's actually about. Thanks to a tweet by Kojima, we now know the game has reached an important phase of development and is even capable of running on the PlayStation 4. Best PS4 games 2019: essential PlayStation 4 releasesBest Xbox One games 2019: essential Xbox One releasesPS5: All the games, specs, news, and rumors for Sony’s Playstation 5We'll probably still be waiting a whilehttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6BL9NK9aKg4ha2svfpQytB.jpg Image credit: Kojima Productions The following tweet by Kojima (roughly translated by MSPoweruser), explains that while Death Stranding is fairly far along in development, there's a lot of polishing to still be done. "Death Stranding is not yet in the debugging stage, but is currently having all the game elements and tools from different development systems combined into the game," Kojima writes. "It’s a process that involves connecting the parts, adding feeling, looking over the production, the specifications, looking out for trouble, taking things out and adding things in. "I’m playing the game on PlayStation 4 every day. It’s a critical phase." It doesn't exactly tell us much, but it does reveal that the game is far enough along in development to be playable on the PS4 and that Kojima is taking his sweet time making sure all the details are just right. Which is a good thing, but infuriating for those waiting for more information. Hopefully more information on Death Stranding will be revealed during Sony's State of Play conference later today. Read more: Most anticipated games: upcoming titles for PS4, Xbox One and Switchhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/ciA0PuIM6sY

All good things must come to an end eventually - hot Summer weather, the weekend, Vodafone's 100GB of data SIM only deal with tonnes of cashback. While we are yet to find out how to extend weekends or make England hot all year round, we can tell you that the SIM only deal joy doesn't have to end yet with three days still remaining to grab this tariff. Missed out on this Vodafone SIMO hype? Well let us catch you up on what you've missed. Currently providing the best SIM only offer on the market, Mobiles.co.uk is offering up a 100GB data Vodafone SIM for just £20. And that's before you even get to the massive levels of cashback. With two cashback choices available, Mobiles has options for everyone, knocking the cost down to either an effective £13 a month or £15.83 - one being cheaper but a bit more complicated, the other saving you less but giving you the benefit of ease. You can see both of these cashback offers below so you can choose the one that works for you. Or if you would rather avoid cashback all together or go for something a bit cheaper, check out our guide to the best SIM only deals. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VgyagGS9HpAEPUQtUJBfrg.jpg Vodafone SIM only deal - option 1 with £94 cashbackVodafone SIM only deal - option 2 with £60 cashback100GB data not enough for you? Maybe an unlimited data SIM only deal would be more what you're looking for.http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/8qMlEolitzk

Got a great idea, service or product? Building a quality web store could help you sell it to the masses, and it's easier than you think. Even basic website hosting plans will often include core e-commerce functionality: templates for web stores, PayPal integration, easy installs for popular shopping carts. Ramping up to specialist e-commerce plans will get you powerful product catalogues, stock inventory and other business management tools, and support for more payment methods. While these products can be packed with features, even the high-end e-commerce plans are designed to be simple to use. Choose a layout, fill in forms to build your product catalogue and your store will start to take shape. There's still work to do – opening an account to take credit card payments, perhaps – but even web store novices will be able to figure it out as they go along. Prices are low, too, with one decent starter plan giving you three years hosting for £1.50 ($2.10) a month, or a total of £54 ($76) plus tax. If you're wondering about e-commerce but not quite sure whether it's right for you, this gives you a cheap and easy way to test your ideas. Whether you're a total e-commerce newbie or you're already running a busy web store, we've found five excellent hosting plans that could take your selling to the next level. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tdhbwMGhgmFm7Tx2reswdY.jpg If you're new to web selling, building your first store can seem complex and intimidating, but it doesn't always have to be that way. Website builder Wix comes with some gorgeous store templates which can be freely customized via its excellent editor. Site design takes a far more visual approach than most of the competition, so for example you can see designs and layouts before you drag them onto the page. Choose your preferred option and it's displayed with dummy product images, instantly giving you an idea of how the finished store will look. There's plenty of power here. Products can be physical or digital, they may be illustrated with images or videos, assigned custom options (colors, size), promoted with coupons, and you can set up your own shipping and tax rules to cope with tricky situations. Plus, with the introduction of Wix Turbo, your site will load much faster. Wix supports a wide range of payment methods. Exactly what's on offer depends on your location, but when we tested the service from the UK we were offered Square, Stripe, Moolah, Worldpay, Wirecard and PayPal. Whatever your choice, you'll pay the provider only: Wix doesn't charge any transaction fees. Your finished store still won't have as many features as the top e-commerce providers, but Wix is easy-to-use, the $16.50 (£12.50) a month price is fair, and it's a smart way for newbies to dip their toes in the web store waters. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/n49gzkadKuf9qFoLihmLxn.jpg Getting your first web store up and running is often an expensive business. Many providers offer little or no e-commerce functionality in their starter plans, and you'll often have to fork out for a high-end specialist plan before you can do anything useful. iPage is a rare exception where even the most basic hosting plan gives you more than enough to get started. A template-based website builder and free web store make it easy to design your shop, for instance. There's PayPal support for taking payments. You also get integration with your choice of shopping cart (AgoraCart, OpenCart, OSCommerce, PrestaShop, TomatoCart, Zen Cart), a free domain for the first year, and 24/7 phone (toll-free in the US and UK) and chat support to handle any urgent problems that might crop up. There are limits, too. The website builder only supports a maximum of six pages, for instance, and many customers will expect to be able to pay by credit card as well as PayPal. (You can do that, but you'll need to sort it out yourself.) Still, the introductory price is very low at $1.99 (£1.50) a month for up to 36 months, $7.99 (£6) on renewal. It could be worth buying just as a learning environment to experiment with the technology and see what you can do. And if you do go online, you shouldn't have to sell many products to make your hosting fees back. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PLJpoUGpVZhZmA3pXSyCki.jpg While many web hosts go to huge efforts to highlight e-commerce abilities, others barely mention them at all. SiteGround is a great example: there's no big "build your web store here" headline, and yet when you look at the details, even its most basic shared hosting plan has a lot of e-commerce power. A Weebly-based website builder is available to create your store, for instance. HTTP/2 enabled servers and Cloudflare CDN integration boost speeds, reducing the chance that customers will abandon the site. And when it's time to buy, free Let's Encrypt SSL certificates will give your customers confidence that their payment details are secure. SiteGround plans include the Softaculous installer, which enables speedy setup of big-name shopping cart and e-commerce tools including PrestaShop, WooCommerce and Magento. At the time of writing, the company quotes 99.996% uptime for the last 12 months, good news when you're running something as important as a web store. Although if you do hit trouble, 24/7 support and automatic daily backups should help you quickly recover the situation. The baseline Startup plan gives you all this for $3.95 (£3) a month for the initial term, rising to $11.95 (£9) on renewal. It has some limits – 10GB web space, a suggested maximum of 10,000 visits a month, support for hosting one website only – but these won't be an issue for many smaller stores, and there are more powerful plans available if you need them. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YxKp8qbbKGAfwCLiv3gjte.jpg 1&1 IONOS eCommerce Website Builder is a powerful tool which combines simple template-based web store design with professional features and functionality. High quality design templates help you get up to speed quickly. There aren't many, but they look good, and can easily be customized to suit your needs. 1&1 IONOS's baseline Essential account is a little underpowered, considering its price – $20 (£20 for UK page) a month ($1 or £1 per month for the first six months). You get support for unlimited items and there's an SSL certificate thrown in, but payment methods are limited to PayPal Express Checkout, cash on delivery, invoice and direct debit, and shipping support is self-organized only. The range improves significantly with the Business plan priced at $30 (£30 for UK) a month ($1 or £1 per month for the first three months). This adds further payment methods, including credit cards, Skrill, Ingenico and Stripe. There's optional integration with the excellent Shippo multi-carrier shipping system, and support for connecting your store to comparison sites including Idealo, Google Shopping and Shopping.com. The Pro plan takes your store to the next level by allowing you to sell on eBay and Amazon Marketplace. It's an unusual and welcome extra, but the price is relatively high at $500 (£50 for UK page) a month ($1 or £1 per month for the first three months). http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tVUxmyopgiPrpeMrEqEWY8.jpg Starter e-commerce hosting plans can do a lot for a very low price, but you'll often pay in terms of service quality. Websites based on shared hosting may be slow, or fail entirely, and support is often limited. This might not matter for tiny web stores, but if you're running a big business, it could be a major issue. Liquid Web's hosted WooCommerce plans are far more expensive, with prices starting at $249 (or £179) a month (at the moment of writing, you can get 28% off for the first two months), but it's easy to see why: they trample all over the underpowered baseline efforts of the competition. There is also a beginner plan for $39 a month ($28.08 a month for the first two months) which isn't as powerful, but worth checking out if you need a more "lightweight" option. Wide product support covers physical goods, digital downloads, virtual products (like online courses), for instance. There are no limits on the number of products you can sell, and you have many powerful ways to present them. The site doesn't just allow customers to choose product variations from a list, for example (color, size, design) – you can show them photos which match their selections. Store management tools are just as flexible. You can define your own custom order statuses and workflows, automatically offer customers related products, set promotions, create coupons, accept product reviews, manage inventory and more. Professional design features include hundreds of responsive themes and a drag-and-drop page builder for editing. Your site is hosted on scalable containers. These are isolated environments which aren't shared with other users, improving reliability. Even better, they don't limit you to some preset amount of system resources. The platform can detect when you're busy and dynamically add RAM and CPU cores as required. Premium touches include performance testing and a staging area to test site features before going live. Jilt's abandoned shopping cart recovery may help you regain lost customers, and support for Glew's analytics will deliver valuable information about your customers and orders. For busy stores, perhaps most important of all is Liquid Web's excellent support. The company isn't just available 24/7/365 to respond to problems: it monitors stores, often detecting and fixing hosting-related issues before you even realize anything is wrong. Put it all together and this is one very impressive range, with more than enough power to run the busiest of web stores. Go take a look. The importance of getting the best ecommerce web hostingToday, e-commerce has become a massively lucrative channel for retailers. However, the quality of the hosting services that many small businesses are using often leaves a lot to be desired. A recent report showed that one in three Britons have abandoned their online transactions because of poor website design and inefficient hosting. Research from hosting company 1&1's '2011 Digital High Street Audit' finds worryingly low levels of consumer satisfaction with the small business websites available to them. The risk to firms from providing a bad online experience is clear – 49% of consumers believe that a bad website makes a worse impact than a business having no website at all. This conclusion has led 37% to walk-away from companies completely, in favour of using a competitor. An additional 9% of Britons have found themselves reducing their spend with small companies as a direct result of being deterred by a poor company website. Oliver Mauss, CEO, 1&1 Internet said: "Research shows that keeping an ugly or badly functioning website online can comprise a risk to sales revenue. Consumers have ever higher expectations, and it is essential that every company website inspires confidence. Businesses that invest carefully in their web experience will see higher levels of customer spend, retention and referral". You might also want to check out our other website hosting buying guides: WordPressCloud hostingE-commerceDedicated serverSmall businessWindowsManagedGreenBusinessColocationEmail hostingResellersVPSSharedCheapWebsite buildersBest website hostingAlso check out the best website hosting serviceshttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/qoCZMgjJVd0

It seems Apex Legends will be getting another new character in the coming weeks. According to the Sony PlayStation Store listing for Apex Legends (spotted by Apex Legends Insider), another Legend and another weapon will be added to the battle royale game during Season One – which means we will see both added to the game within the next 12 weeks. "Two new characters will launch over the course of the season but in the meantime, look out for a new weapon set to launch as the season progresses," Sony's description reads. "Best of all, each new Legend and weapon will launch with a full set of cosmetics to unlock." In addition, "two new items will be introduced during the season that will offer something new and innovative to the strategic mix". Best free games: the top free games to download on PCApex Legends: essential beginner’s tipsBest PS4 games 2019: essential PlayStation 4 releasesWho is the new Apex Legend?http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7px3UCNcNNF3A7seYrqGRd.jpg This description by Sony essentially confirms rumors that a new Legend called Wattson will be added to the game. According to dataminer Shrugtal (via Apex Legends Insider), another seven Legends are planned for the battle royale. Although we don't know when they will launch, Wattson seems to be the most likely to land next, with Twitch streamer Shroud confirming he has play-tested both Wattson and the recently released Octane. We don't know much about Wattson yet, except that she is rumored to be the daughter of Apex’s lead electrical engineer. Which means Respawn may be planning to expand the game's lore aspect even further, creating a fully-fledged universe comparable to the likes of Overwatch. Respawn Entertainment has not yet confirmed if, or when, we will be seeing this new Legend added to the game. (Image credits: Respawn Entertainment/EA) Read more: Apex Legends: which is the best character for your playstylehttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/sjKXgnwDna4

It's perhaps the one of the most long-rumored launches in tech history, but an Apple streaming service for TV and movies is finally expected to land today (Monday, March 25). The "It's show time" keynote is expected to see an Apple branded Netflix rival emerge – and it could have Amazon Prime, Hulu, and Disney's upcoming streaming service Disney+ running scared. Though the streaming service will be the reveal we're most excited to see, with the hype bubbling to fever pitch there's plenty to suggest that Apple's TV and movie offering won't be the only thing we have to look forward to. Rumors point to the Cupertino-based company also launching an iOS game streaming service, or at least a gaming subscription play. And on top of that, it's also looking likely that Apple will reveal its long-gestating news offering – a complete media package that has been said to include paywalled websites, newspapers and magazines in one app deal. Plenty to rock the boat in the world of entertainment and media then – but can it truly rival the world's most popular on-demand platform, Netflix? And would Apple ever be committed to a gaming platform? Read on for everything we know about the event so far. Cut to the chaseWhat is it? A rival streaming service that Apple will place its own content on among other titles.When will it be released? It's expected to launch later today (March 25), although Variety reports that it won't be available to the public until later this year. How much will it cost? Nothing concrete as yet, but it could cost less than a Netflix subscription of $9 (£5.99 / AU$9.99).http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4U6wcUYiDzP4zCyuLWwo3M.png Image credit: Apple At this moment in time, nobody knows a huge amount about Apple's streaming service – but what we do know is that Netflix doesn't want anything to do with it, with its Chief Executive, Reed Hastings confirming that it Netflix has "chosen not to integrate with [Apple's] service." Apple's streaming service is likely to rely heavily on Apple's original content, which hasn't exactly been a roaring success in the past. However, with budgets reportedly exceeding $1 billion, Apple's latest foray into the world of content creation appears to be more ambitious than ever before. We've known of Apple's original content push for a while now; in 2018, the New York Times reported that Steven Spielberg is rebooting his 'Amazing Stories' anthology series from the 1980s, the producer behind 'Battlestar Galactica' is working on a new space drama, and the creator of Fox's 'Bob's Burgers' is making a new animated series. Other big Hollywood names are here, too. If the reports prove accurate, Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon will star in a series about a fictional morning TV show, while Academy Award-winner Octavia Spencer is set to star in drama 'Are You Sleeping?' With all these big names involved, we're expecting today's Apple event to be a star-studded affair, with Bloomberg saying that Apple has "invited Hollywood stars, including Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Garner and director JJ Abrams" along to the launch. Apple streaming service: how to watch the March 25 launch event livehttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wduqMBLnvNbBYvFynbSVQH.jpg Apple CEO Tim Cook (Image credit: TechRadar) Aside from original content, CNBC has reported that the new streaming service will also have a number of 'Channels.' These Channels will include options to access subscriptions to other services, which so far include Starz, CBS and Viacom, according to CNBC’s sources. HBO is also rumored to be one of these Channels. However, CNBC reported that HBO is not as far along in partnership discussions as these aforementioned networks, and it's unclear whether that will impact its availability on Apple's service. Will Apple's streaming service suffer without content from the likes of HBO and Netflix? Only time will tell, but Apple could have the edge if it creates a wider media offering and bundles in other formats like newspapers and magazines, which could be a very real possibility after the company's acquisition of Texture. The subscription price of Apple's new video streaming service is one of the biggest mysteries surrounding the launch, but some reports do claim it'll be cheaper than Netflix. Apple streaming service: release dateApple is expected to launch its long-awaited streaming service later today (March 25) at its launch event, hosted inside Cupertino’s Steve Jobs Theater. However, the new service may not be available to the public until later this year, according to a report by Variety, which says, "sources familiar with the plans say Apple’s video service will be targeted for a launch in summer or fall rather than the April timing that has been the subject of media speculation." Variety also reports that we will see "show clips of [Apple's] original series" at today's event, but that the shows themselves won't be released until later this year. The keynote promises to be a star-studded event, with Bloomberg saying that Apple has "invited Hollywood stars, including Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Garner and director JJ Abrams" along – names that have been associated with upcoming original Apple content. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sSXSWCRUAX4sPADwGq4zjS.jpg Image credit: TechRadar Apple streaming service: priceRight now, nobody knows how much Apple's streaming service will cost. There are rumors that it will cost less than a Netflix subscription – but which tier of Netflix subscription isn't clear. The cheapest Netflix subscription costs $9 (£5.99 / AU$9.99) per month, so an Apple streaming service subscription could cost less than that. Even if the rumors are true, we wouldn't expect Apple to significantly undercut Netflix, so we could be looking at a monthly cost of $8 (£4.99 / AU$8.99) for an Apple streaming service subscription at the very, very least - and more if it bundles in other services. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZDzbTGSGPv2VUqxnef2hNR.jpg Image credit: Apple Apple streaming service: what we want to see4K streaming It almost goes without saying that Apple's streaming service should have support for 4K playback, in line with other streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. With the arrival of the 4K-enabled Apple TV last year we'd be very surprised if Apple's streaming service didn't boast super-high resolution playback. Tiered subscription 4K streaming often goes hand in hand with a tiered subscription model; after all, if you don't have a 4K TV, you shouldn't have to pay for 4K content. We can envision the streaming service having multiple plans like Netflix does currently, which ranges from $9 (£5.99 / AU$9.99) per month for a Standard plan to $16 (£9.99 / AU$17.99) for its 4K Premium plan. Perks for Apple TV owners It would be great if those who have already bought into the Apple ecosystem with an Apple TV got the benefit of a free Apple streaming service subscription. While we don't think this scenario is particularly likely, it wouldn't be out of the realms of possibility if Apple included the streaming service within the Apple TV application that comes installed on every iOS and tvOS device. Bundled multimedia content Following Apple's acquisition of Texture, we are expecting to hear about an Apple News Magazines' on March 25. That service, previously dubbed 'the Netflix of magazines,' had bundled together magazines for one low monthly price. If Apple could offer newspapers and magazines alongside its new streaming service included in the cost of subscription, it could prove a big problem for rival Netflix. It would be impressive if Apple just offered all its services in one, like $20 (or £15 / AU$25) for everything including Apple Music, newspapers and magazines. The best streaming service 2019http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/p3bdwZ1xmFE

2018 was a big year for consumer privacy as the Cambridge Analytica and Facebook data privacy hearings helped shed further light on the issue. Added to this was the fact that app location tracking and privacy bugs were found in widely-used apps such as Apple's FaceTime. Smartphones could arguably be the greatest spying device ever created with a camera, microphone and a location tracker all in one place and carried everywhere a user goes. While nation-states have targeted smartphones for traditional spying, it has also become a lucrative way to collect consumer's personal information. TechRadar Pro spoke with Symantec's Director of Product Management for Security Response, Kevin Haley to learn more about the firm's latest report and how businesses and consumers can better protect their privacy online. Smart homes at greater security risk than everSix ways to stay safe when buying smart techSmart home security: 10 hacks to protect your home from hackershttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Z8TJKSfeaYUvZY89B7kX5n.jpg Image Credit: Shutterstock http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pf9bzNs3hHRgAcgDQTPPa3.jpg Image Credit: Shutterstock http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Uo2jVKqeYtMmBTZ3ZqFKwT.jpg Image Credit: Pixabay We've also highlighted the best antivirus to protect your systems from the latest cyber threatshttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/9SA0EnrjZVI

For the longest time, the best graphics cards have been an all-out war between Nvidia vs AMD. However, there have been rumors floating around for a while now that Intel is building a team of GPU talent to jump in on the action. In a marketplace where graphics cards are more expensive than ever, with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 and AMD Radeon VII costing significantly more than their last-generation equivalents, we’re ready for a third party to jump into this war and spice up the market. If Intel approaches the GPU space targeting the same audience it does with its processors – trying to dominate the high-end, it could finally give Nvidia some real competition and force them to drive prices down. Still, we don’t know what these new graphics cards are going to look like, or when we’re going to see them. We don’t even know if they’ll ever actually exist. But, that doesn’t mean we can’t do a bit of speculation. There has been enough movement out there on the Intel GPU front to pull all the information together and try to create a kind of wish list for what we’d like to see out of Intel’s GPUs. So, keep this page bookmarked, as we’ll keep it updated with any and all information that comes our way. Cut to the chaseWhat is it? Intel’s rumored line of graphics cardsWhen is it out? Sometime in 2020What will it cost? No one knows yetIntel graphics cards release dateIntel graphics cards seem set for release sometime in 2020 and that’s the only thing we can be sure about. The chipmaker itself has stated that it’s on track to release graphics cards in 2020 at least twice. We’re not sure of a much more accurate date beyond that, unfortunately. We’re hoping it’ll come sooner at the start of 2020. So, at GDC 2019, Intel showed off some renders of its future graphics cards. We still don’t know what kind of technology is going to be behind these cards, but it seems like Intel is on track for that 2020 release date. Coupled with Intel’s new graphics tuning software, it seems like Intel is going to slowly release GPU information over the next year. Of course, we could get radio silence until CES 2019, but we don’t think it’s going to play out like that. Either way, we don’t know the exact release date for Intel’s graphics card until the company wants us to (or until the release date gets leaked, as is likely to happen). http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Je4u7oZ8gwNYEPbRumTprZ.jpg Image Credit: Intel Intel graphics cards priceIntel’s pricing for its graphics cards is ultimately going to boil down to what segment of the consumer market it plans to capitalize on it. We’re sure that there will be professional and datacenter GPUs that cost thousands of dollars, but we’re more interested in consumer or gaming graphics cards. If Intel decides to compete with AMD, we could see it start out with mid-range cards priced around $300 (about £230, AU$420) that give the Radeon RX 5xx series a run for its money. This could be compelling because Nvidia doesn’t have any current-generation cards in this range, and who knows what the GTX 2060 is going to cost. What we think is more likely, though, is that Intel will target the high-end and enthusiast market first — similar to what it’s doing with Coffee Lake Refresh. We could see Intel go all-in, trying to compete with the Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Ti or the RTX 2080, undercutting them by a couple hundred bucks and succeeding. Especially if it’s able to pack in enough traditional GPU power — we doubt that Intel will be able to compete with Nvidia Turing’s more unique ray tracing and Tensor Core-powered AI features. At the end of the day, we don’t know what Intel is doing here, but we’re excited nonetheless. We’ll be keeping our ears to the ground on this one, waiting until more information starts surfacing — so stay tuned. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KCaPSHSRjH58DFx3qiuE3F.jpg Image Credit: TechRadar Intel graphics cards specsUsually, this is the part of the story where we dive into past releases and try to suss out what the future products are going to look like. But, we can’t really do that this time around – it’s been almost two decades since Intel has released a discrete GPU, and that didn’t end so well for team blue. So, instead, we’re going to dive into some speculation based on Intel’s teaser video and a bit of what’s going on in the scene these GPUs will be entering. In Intel’s teaser, wherein it claims to ‘set your graphics free’ – whatever that means – Intel reminds us that it not only created the first GPU capable of handling 4K Netflix, but also the first fully DirectX 12 compliant GPU and a gaming PC that’s ‘as thin as a phone’. And, with these claims, and considering the talent it’s poached, like ex-AMD graphics guru Raja Koduri, it looks like Intel is going to try and push the envelope a bit. Whether that means it’ll support fancy rendering techniques like Nvidia is with the RTX cards, we don’t know, but Nvidia could certainly use some competition at the high-end, and we might see Intel make a run for it. Intel is taking some notes from its competition, too. At GDC 2019, Intel launched the new Intel Graphics Command Center, which is the Blue Team’s equivalent to something like Nvidia’s GeForce Experience. This isn’t especially helpful right now, as integrated graphics aren’t the best for playing games, but it does mean that once Intel graphics cards do release, they’ll feature one-click game optimization. At the end of the day, there are only a couple things we need to see in these new GPUs, they need to be capable of 4K gaming, and they need to be priced competitively. If Intel is able to hit these two marks, we could see Intel competing in the bloodthirsty GPU marketplace. But, we won’t know until Intel is ready to share. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/9aTZTqNeo_k

When NASA's 2020 Mars rover lands on the red planet, it will release an unusual piece of cargo: a miniature helicopter specially built for the Martian skies. The space agency announced its plan to send an autonomous aircraft to Mars last year, and has now unveiled the design for the tiny vehicle. Building a helicopter that can survive the harsh environment of Mars is no mean feat; it has to be able to fly in the planet's thin atmosphere and survive temperatures of -75C at night (or lower away from the equator). Are we getting closer to finding 'Planet Nine'?Buzz Aldrin on how you'll 'get your ass to Mars'Tour the moon in this stunning 4K videoThe final design features a body the size of a softball (roughly 3.5 inches in diameter), and weighs just under 4lb. It has two sets of rotor blades, which are four feet long tip-to-tip, and will spin at 2,400rpm. That's twice as fast as helicopter rotors on Earth. It also features a solar array for recharging its batteries, which will power its flight and keep it warm overnight. Test flights“Flying a heavier-than-air vehicle within Mars’ thin atmosphere has never been done before, and we’re excited our aeronautics experts could help with this important space mission” said Susan Gorton, NASA’s manager for the Revolutionary Vertical Lift Technology (RVLT) project. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UkbBaXVNw2Y82Y6wBifxQG.gif Image credit: NASA/JPL-CalTech The miniature chopper's main purpose is simply to prove that remote-operated flight on Mars is possible, and NASA plans to send it on five missions, each a little further than the last. While it flies, it will capture photos using a camera similar to one you'd find on a smartphone. If it works as planned, future missions to Mars could deploy more tiny aircraft, which would allow researchers to explore further beyond the reach of the landers they arrived on. Via Discover http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WeAzGVGa9HsyWbpcPmS5Ph.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9zi85AT8tURH5C2fwZs996.jpg Welcome to TechRadar's Space Week – a celebration of space exploration, throughout our solar system and beyond. Visit our Space Week hub to stay up to date with all the latest news and features. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/TO82ihozyhY

Today's the day – Apple is expected to launch its long-awaited streaming service later today (Monday, March 25) at its keynote event, in a move that could create a serious rival for the likes of Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and Disney's upcoming streaming service Disney+. The tech giant recently sent out invitations for the event with the suggestive title "It's show time", which further fueled rumors that the currently unnamed streaming service will launch later today. Not only that; its rumored that Apple will also be launching a newspaper and magazine subscription service, and perhaps even an iOS game streaming service, making it a huge day for the San Cupertino company, So, all eyes are on Apple today – but can it truly rival the world's most popular on-demand platform, Netflix? Read on for everything we know about the streaming service so far. Cut to the chaseWhat is it? A rival streaming service that Apple will place its own content on among other titles.When will it be released? It's expected to launch on March 25, although Variety reports that it won't be available to the public until later this year. How much will it cost? Nothing concrete as yet, but it could cost less than a Netflix subscription of $9 (£5.99 / AU$9.99).http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4U6wcUYiDzP4zCyuLWwo3M.png Image credit: Apple At this moment in time, nobody knows a huge amount about Apple's streaming service – but what we do know is that Netflix doesn't want anything to do with it, with its Chief Executive, Reed Hastings confirming that it Netflix has "chosen not to integrate with [Apple's] service." Apple's streaming service is likely to rely heavily on Apple's original content, which hasn't exactly been a roaring success in the past. However, with budgets reportedly exceeding $1 billion, Apple's latest foray into the world of content creation appears to be more ambitious than ever before. We've known of Apple's original content push for a while now; in 2018, the New York Times reported that Steven Spielberg is rebooting his 'Amazing Stories' anthology series from the 1980s, the producer behind 'Battlestar Galactica' is working on a new space drama, and the creator of Fox's 'Bob's Burgers' is making a new animated series. Other big Hollywood names are here, too. If the reports prove accurate, Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon will star in a series about a fictional morning TV show, while Academy Award-winner Octavia Spencer is set to star in drama 'Are You Sleeping?' With all these big names involved, we're expecting today's Apple event to be a star-studded affair, with Bloomberg saying that Apple has "invited Hollywood stars, including Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Garner and director JJ Abrams" along to the launch. Apple streaming service: how to watch the March 25 launch event livehttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wduqMBLnvNbBYvFynbSVQH.jpg Apple CEO Tim Cook (Image credit: TechRadar) Aside from original content, CNBC has reported that the new streaming service will also have a number of 'Channels.' These Channels will include options to access subscriptions to other services, which so far include Starz, CBS and Viacom, according to CNBC’s sources. HBO is also rumored to be one of these Channels. However, CNBC reported that HBO is not as far along in partnership discussions as these aforementioned networks, and it's unclear whether that will impact its availability on Apple's service. Will Apple's streaming service suffer without content from the likes of HBO and Netflix? Only time will tell, but Apple could have the edge if it creates a wider media offering and bundles in other formats like newspapers and magazines, which could be a very real possibility after the company's acquisition of Texture. The subscription price of Apple's new video streaming service is one of the biggest mysteries surrounding the launch, but some reports do claim it'll be cheaper than Netflix. Apple streaming service: release dateApple is expected to launch its long-awaited streaming service later today (March 25) at its launch event, hosted inside Cupertino’s Steve Jobs Theater. However, the new service may not be available to the public until later this year, according to a report by Variety, which says, "sources familiar with the plans say Apple’s video service will be targeted for a launch in summer or fall rather than the April timing that has been the subject of media speculation." Variety also reports that we will see "show clips of [Apple's] original series" at today's event, but that the shows themselves won't be released until later this year. The keynote promises to be a star-studded event, with Bloomberg saying that Apple has "invited Hollywood stars, including Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Garner and director JJ Abrams" along – names that have been associated with upcoming original Apple content. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sSXSWCRUAX4sPADwGq4zjS.jpg Image credit: TechRadar Apple streaming service: priceRight now, nobody knows how much Apple's streaming service will cost. There are rumors that it will cost less than a Netflix subscription – but which tier of Netflix subscription isn't clear. The cheapest Netflix subscription costs $9 (£5.99 / AU$9.99) per month, so an Apple streaming service subscription could cost less than that. Even if the rumors are true, we wouldn't expect Apple to significantly undercut Netflix, so we could be looking at a monthly cost of $8 (£4.99 / AU$8.99) for an Apple streaming service subscription at the very, very least - and more if it bundles in other services. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZDzbTGSGPv2VUqxnef2hNR.jpg Image credit: Apple Apple streaming service: what we want to see4K streaming It almost goes without saying that Apple's streaming service should have support for 4K playback, in line with other streaming platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. With the arrival of the 4K-enabled Apple TV last year we'd be very surprised if Apple's streaming service didn't boast super-high resolution playback. Tiered subscription 4K streaming often goes hand in hand with a tiered subscription model; after all, if you don't have a 4K TV, you shouldn't have to pay for 4K content. We can envision the streaming service having multiple plans like Netflix does currently, which ranges from $9 (£5.99 / AU$9.99) per month for a Standard plan to $16 (£9.99 / AU$17.99) for its 4K Premium plan. Perks for Apple TV owners It would be great if those who have already bought into the Apple ecosystem with an Apple TV got the benefit of a free Apple streaming service subscription. While we don't think this scenario is particularly likely, it wouldn't be out of the realms of possibility if Apple included the streaming service within the Apple TV application that comes installed on every iOS and tvOS device. Bundled multimedia content Following Apple's acquisition of Texture, we are expecting to hear about an Apple News Magazines' on March 25. That service, previously dubbed 'the Netflix of magazines,' had bundled together magazines for one low monthly price. If Apple could offer newspapers and magazines alongside its new streaming service included in the cost of subscription, it could prove a big problem for rival Netflix. It would be impressive if Apple just offered all its services in one, like $20 (or £15 / AU$25) for everything including Apple Music, newspapers and magazines. The best streaming service 2019http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/6nhE9VUg8Eg

Gaming on a laptop used to be a pleasure reserved for the rich few who could afford the combination of portability and power, but now we live in a world where this notion is fully achievable for many. As a result you can get stunning 4K graphics for gaming on the go, or a capable mobile gaming rig on a budget that leaves you the cash to splash out on more games. The key is to work out exactly what you need from your gaming laptop so that you can spend your money most wisely to get the perfect laptop partner for you. Is portability key? Battery life what you need from sessions? Then there are specific gaming elements: speed, graphical performance and display quality are all key. Since you're potentially on the move with this rig, you probably want decent looks too. So, with all that in mind, we've dipped into the important areas you need to consider when buying a gaming laptop and have even laid out a few choice AO.com-flavoured options for you to pick from. Graphical performancehttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/F4WXNGtgeLrDX3zVfAVuG7.jpg Image credit: MSI The reason many savvy gamers go for a PC over a console is the freedom it offers when it comes to graphics. You have the option to pick the level of quality you game at, allowing you to find the perfect balance between high resolution and smooth gaming. You can often also upgrade your machine in the future, allowing you to change with the times as new, more graphically-intense games arrive. Plus, with the top-end machines you even have VR-ready power, meaning you can pop a headset on and get truly lost in your gaming worlds. Newer gaming laptops offer SSD storage for speed alongside a classic HDD for extra space, along with huge amounts of RAM and top-end processors. They even cram in top-end graphics cards from the likes of Nvidia, like this MSI GT75 Titan 8SG. It hosts the top-end Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 GPU with 8GB of memory, along with a 17.3-inch screen, 8th gen Intel Core i7 processor, 32GB of DDR4 RAM, 1TB hard drive with 256GB SSD and cool boosting tech. It's not cheap but you'll be hard pressed to find any game that can slow this wonder machine down. Or stay on budget and opt for the HP Omen that still gets you a 6GB Nvidia GeForce GTX 1060 GPU along with 8GB of DDR4 RAM, 1TB and 256 GB SSD, 8th Gen Intel Core i7 and 17.3-inch display. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MPBA3fVD2kVJ2iQhM2UB3V.jpg Image credit: HP High performance powerGaming power is great but many need a machine that can function as a 'normal' laptop day to day. That means it needs to have a decent processor at its heart with a healthy portion of RAM. Lots of options come with SSD storage for the best speeds and battery efficiency. There are also plenty of 8th gen Intel Core i7 laptops which promise excellent multi-tasking without leaning too heavily on the battery. If you want the power of high–end gaming graphics as well as top overall performance, then the Razer Blade 15 which features the Nvidia GeForce GTX 1080 with 8GB of RAM, is a great options that's also VR capable. The 32GB of RAM and 512GB SSD probably help there too. You also get a 7th-gen Intel core i7 quad core processor and a lightweight and thin build for use anywhere you need to go. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jiH3udV6N4gunRd834nEn3.jpg Image credit: Razer Incredible looksOne of the great things about gaming laptops is that the companies that make them know gamers want something that looks cool. That might not mean a super slender build with metal and glass – as that can hinder cooling and performance. Instead light can act as a useful agent of awesome when it comes to looks. Backlit keyboards are more important when it comes to gaming than in many other situations. Hitting the right key, while gaming in the dark, for the most immersive experience, can be the difference between (virtual) life or death. Getting that blend between being clear to see but not too bright that it distracts from the game is what gaming laptops excel at. Screen lighting is also an important factor in creating the most immersive gaming experience. That's why a lot of gaming laptops come with useful presets which let the display work best for the game you're playing. The Razer Blade Stealth 13.3 offers excellent lighting combined with great specs thanks to an 8th gen Intel Core i7, 16GB of RAM, 512GB SSD and RGB lit keyboard. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/Evtb3iFapC4

For those of us that aren’t naturally gifted athletes, playing our favourite sports in VR can be the closest we get to imitating professional-level football, rugby, or cricket players. Like the FIFA, NFL, or golfing video games on modern PS4 and Xbox One consoles, VR sports experiences offer an avenue to sporting achievements – that don’t involve getting up at the crack of dawn for gruelling interval training. But the spatial element in virtual reality, and the way it’s increasingly able to track the motion, speed, and location of our limbs, could make VR a useful training and diagnostics tool for professional users as well as casual gamers. Or at least, that’s the idea. A number of developers are bridging the capabilities of VR with the needs of top-tier sports teams – including the likes of Manchester United FC and Ulster Rugby Club – in order to bring a more precise methodology to analyzing player performance. To see what all the fuss was about, I tried a number of sporting demos in the HTC Vive Pro headset, using its motion tracking technology to recreate football and rugby training sessions in VR – and discern whether it could actually improve my (or anyone’s) sporting performance. Curious about the hardware? Check out our HTC Vive Pro reviewFantasy footballI spent the most time in a football training simulation developed in the Unity gaming engine – a VR training tool called Rezzil used by Manchester United and Italian club Juventus, and developed by MIHIEPA. Slipping on the HTC Vive Pro, with custom-made shin-guards and wrist-straps to track the movement of our arms and legs, I got to work in a number of testing scenarios to gauge how utterly hopeless I was at this ‘beautiful game’. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nkwEesNNBqdxvTgKtupoy4.jpg I spent around 15 minutes working up a – very mild – sweat, trying out a few different levels that comprised of hitting color-coded footballs with the correct foot, hitting moving targets on a timer, and tracking how many other players were around me on the pitch. I was restricted to a small box, roughly 2 x 2 meters, to prevent me knocking into anything, but that space was more than enough for receiving, stopping, and kicking away the footballs repeatedly thrown my way. (No headers, sadly.) Once I was done shooting and booting, I found the Rezzil software had used a number of different metrics to measure my performance: accuracy (goals versus misses), reaction time (speed of decisions), composure (consistency of accuracy), and technical (use of both feet). Unsurprisingly, I barely scraped 30% for accuracy, and earned a depressing 15% for technical skill. I also managed a 85% score for reaction time, which was surprisingly not far below what some professional athletes scored. However, that last stat may say more about my console gaming reflexes than any quick thinking on the pitch. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/E44eHCn4zZs5x9YuVH95y4.jpg Either way, I certainly left feeling like more of an athlete than when I arrived. And being able to judge my own performance with four decisive metrics meant I could track even a miniscule improvement if I came back in the future – after some practice, of course. Strength in numbersIn our talks with Rezzil developers, it became increasingly clear that the scope of the data produced from a simulation is far beyond what you’d get from a single coach watching from the sidelines. Observers could watch my VR training sessions from a variety of angles, with the precise tools to vary the direction, speed, and even spin on a football coming my way. If I was a goalkeeper, I’m told, I’d be able to practise with “perfect service every time”, without the variables of playing on a real pitch in less predictable conditions. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5Pr9PyafhoyBxtVH7QkZw4.jpg I also spoke to Professor Cathy Craig, the CEO of INCISIV Sport – a sports analytics company that creates VR training simulations for the likes of Ulster Rugby and Cricket Ireland. She says she was inspired by the rise of motion-based gaming technologies emerging over the last decade – the Nintendo Wii, PlayStation Move, and the like – and how she realized “movement was becoming a controller” in itself. While VR can’t fully imitate experience on a real-life pitch, there’s also something to be said for low-intensity training in a virtual environment, which allows players to focus on specific skills, or work around minor injuries, without having to put their body through a harrowing workout. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/aKgchVeWZb4pcABpCpcfw4.jpg “A lot of the physical therapists like it, because you’re getting the reps without the physical effort involved. And you normally need eight players [to recreate a sports match], but this you can do on your own.” Kathy makes a comparison with airline pilots, who have to train extensively in a simulator before they’re trusted in a real cockpit, where one mistake could do frightening damage to the vehicle or the pilot themselves. VR allows those working in high-risk environments – whether pilots, athletes, or otherwise – to hone their technical skill in a “psychologically [and physically] safe environment”. It’s a precaution that hits home for me, as someone who’s had their fair share of running injuries in the midst of intense long-distance training, and had to spend months plodding by on a treadmill before venturing back into the outdoors. It may be a while yet before the average gamer can learn to play like Messi in their living room, but as a support and analysis tool, and one that can teach and train skills in a safe environment, it’s likely VR will only become more crucial for professional teams looking to gain any advantage they can over the competition – without overworking their players in the process. All image credits: HTC Best VR headsets 2019: how to best experience VRThe best VR movies to watch right nowhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/KpB50It492w

The deadline for Making Tax Digital is fast approaching and for businesses who are still getting to grips with the changes they need to make, the process can seem daunting. Put simply, from April 1, businesses above the VAT threshold of £85,000 need to keep digital records and submit their returns using HMRC compatible software. Although 30,000 businesses have already signed up, many have further work to do. So, why the fuss? And what benefits will this initial disruption to the way people work have? Here’s how you can use the new government requirements as a positive catalyst for change. Coming to terms with Making Tax DigitalBusting common myths about Making Tax DigitalXero - it’s time for accountancy to break out of the dark agesThe motivation you need to undergo digital transformationIf you feel as though you’re behind the curve, and you’ve put off updating the technologies you use, now is the time to change. Making Tax Digital will transform the way you work, making you faster and more efficient, which will bring huge benefits, including more accurate recording of figures with less room for error. Cash flow is the beating heart of any company, so getting this right will enable you to keep growing, hit targets and feel truly confident about your future. And, having adopted changes to the way you manage your finances, why stop there? Taking steps to make your tax digital will invariably increase your confidence to push for digital transformation across the board. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MwyYEmev294caHw4tsoy5k.jpg Image Credit: Pixabay A chance to review working practicesAre you outsourcing your accounts or are you managing your finances in-house? Many people choose to take advantage of the expertise external companies can provide. This takes the pressure off filing tax returns and allows you to concentrate on other areas, such as sales and marketing. If you have an accountancy firm, then relax, as they will have everything covered. However, Making Tax Digital, also gives you the option to consider bringing your finances in-house. Having someone on the team internally, who can advise on business decisions, can add strategic value – and, thanks to new software systems, this option is so much more viable than before. By implementing new technology, it’s possible to cut down on employee workload so that you need less manpower to complete the same tasks as before. A stepping stone to exponential growth Research predicts that maxing tax digital could lead to increased profits of £1.6 billion in London and £6.9 billion across the UK. Why? Because when cashflow is managed efficiently, companies get paid faster and have access to capital for growth. A recent survey of over 150 accountancy firms shows that the way we record our finances as a nation desperately needs updating. An alarming 16 per cent of accountants recorded clients who still keep their receipts in a shoebox! In fact, only 35 per cent of businesses are using software to manage profit and loss, with others relying on manual records and computer spreadsheets. Doing business with a boss who is using outdated processes can be hard work. So, it looks like these changes could be good for the economy as a whole, leading to a ‘snowball effect’ where one person’s good fortune benefits another. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UaFuUvFHD33sqtSyfAuvPh.jpg Image Credit: Shutterstock An opportunity to switch to cloud softwareTo comply with Making Tax Digital, you need software that allows you to submit VAT returns, as well as keeping records of your sales and purchases. So, when you’re looking for software compliant with HMRC, it’s worth considering cloud technology. Not all models are the same, but to put it simply, cloud computing stores everything – from servers and databases to analytics – on the internet. Without the need for expensive hardware, this model keeps your costs low and offers a flexible approach with the option to scale up and down as your business needs change. With this in mind, it’s no surprise that Deloitte research shows small and medium businesses using cloud services as their main function grow 26 per cent faster than those who don’t. In fact, 69 per cent of companies contacted for the survey said they planned to increase their use of cloud technology. You’ll benefit from tax on the go – access anywhere, anytime Keeping digital records has so many advantages. With all your records in one place, you won’t have to submit information you’ve already given HMRC in the past, and most importantly, they can process your figures in real-time. You won’t have to wait to the end of the year to find out how much you owe, helping you to balance your books accurately. Going paperless means that employees don’t have to be in the office to view your finances, and with an estimated 1.5 million remote workers in the UK, this is a shift to fit in with modern working practices. Finally, if you want to avoid sitting in a phone queue, thanks to Making Tax Digital, you have an alternative – interacting digitally with HMRC through web chat and secure messaging. Tim Hooper, Head of Sales and Marketing for Xledger We've also highlighted the best UK tax softwarehttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/7eiENS9jpSQ

The Google Chromebook started as an idea from Google to create its own operating system, one that meant faster and better performing laptops without the high charges. Since then, lots of manufacturers have got involved creating their own Chromebooks which are now so powerful, battery efficient and good looking that they're a truly viable laptop – only you don't have to pay the usual laptop prices. However, they're not laptops as you know them, with cloud-based storage and Google-only apps, which might sound constrictive, but actually has lots of benefits. Since Chromebooks are all about portability and performance, they are a great way to get work done on the go. They often have battery lives which can keep going all day, or at least the 10 hours most normal humans can manage in one go, without needing a charge. Thanks to Chrome OS running the show, software is efficient and cloud based, which means all your files, apps and settings are easily accessible no matter where you are in the world. It also makes for ease of jumping between devices and sharing files with others, without physically moving data around. Read on to find our pick of some of the most versatile Chromebooks money can buy, with models that will suit all kinds of needs – and which can be picked up at AO.com. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QbouPrBVkf9GmtmxFsuLuL.jpg The Acer CB3-431 has a monster battery life (Image Credit: Acer) Battery performanceGenerally the battery life on a Chromebook is excellent, as the hardware is all built around a specific operating system. That means the memory is always used efficiently and the battery is only pushed when absolutely needed. As a result you can generally expect a good 10-hour battery performance, but there are exceptions to that. The Acer CB3-431 offers a stunning 14-hour battery life on a single charge. That should mean all-day use without the worry of carrying around a charging block. And that's with a well proportioned 14-inch display running with clear brightness day or night. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DLH5MjCciHK6ysEdfsAyoP.jpg The Lenovo C330 can convert into a tablet (Image Credit: Lenovo) Tablet skillsJust because you've decided to go for a Chromebook doesn't mean you've turned your back on 2-in-1 laptop-tablet combination devices. Chromebooks can do that too. The Lenovo C330, for example, features a fantastic hinge that allows it to fold the screen over so the unit can be held like a tablet where the 11.6-inch LCD display lets you touch interact with your device just like a tablet. Or, use the device in folded mode to have the screen stand up, ideal for presentations or just to watch a movie at the right angle. Superb synchronicityOne of the really superb features that Chrome OS offers to Chromebooks is the ability to work or play in the cloud. Thanks to Google apps like Docs, Gmail, Sheets and plenty more besides, you have all your changes immediately uploaded and saved in Google's cloud. Technically that makes your files more secure than leaving them on a single solid state drive. Another feature that online filing offers is super simple sharing. You can add other Google users to a document to live edit, or share a link to let someone else read or edit at their leisure, even if they don't use Google. Your YouTube viewing can be enhanced with recommendations for you, which applies even when you jump from phone to smart TV to Chromebook. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/q7aGaN7mFyULzVyy88AiZZ.jpg The HP 14-db0000na is a beautifully-designed Chromebook (Image Credit: HP) Design excellenceDespite the fantastic prices on Chromebooks, that saving doesn't mean losing out on design and build quality. In fact some of the Chromebooks available on AO.com are better looking than many laptops. Since Chromebooks are super portable it makes sense to look good when out and about. The Asus C423 is ideal for this as it offers a beautiful silver metallic finish to the body while the keyboard and display bezels sit defined in opposition, in jet black. This looks very much like a certain other tech brand that is famed for its design know-how, yet at a far, far more affordable price. Or, you could go for the Ink Blue HP 14-db0000na that delivers classic styling and a solid form factor that will leave you reassured all is safe even when thrown in a bag between meetings. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/GkKMlvYSAE8

The nominations are in - and now the finalists for the 2019 Power 50 can be revealed. Part of the Mobile Industry Awards 2019 powered by TechRadar Pro, the Mobile Power 50 highlights the most important and influential figures in the UK mobile industry during the past year. The finalists for the 2019 Mobile Power 50 are listed below, and the voting is open NOW - so pick the person you think has really made a difference this year. (Please note: these names are ranked A- Z by first name and not the final rankings.) http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nbyYYcfE9paraAeW38eqUf.jpg Nominate your choice for the 2019 Mobile Power 50 winner here! The winner, recognised with the Mobile Power 50 Person of the Year award at the Mobile Industry Awards on June 6th, is selected following in-depth interviews with key senior figures across the industry, from operators and retailers, to manufacturers and distributors. It rewards those individuals who inspire their businesses with their values, but also have influence beyond existing roles, serving as inspiration to the rest of the trade. To make the Mobile Power 50 list, an executive needs to be bold in their leadership and vision, and have exceeded expectations in the different categories we have chosen. Mobile Power 50 Person of the Year - Previous Winners 2018: Marc Allera, CEO, EE and BT Consumer2017: David Dyson, CEO Three UK2016: Sebastian James, Group CEO, Dixons Carphone2015: Sebastian James, Group CEO, Dixons Carphone2014: Andrew Harrison, CEO, Carphone Warehouse2013: Olaf Swantee, CEO, EE2012: Simon Stanford, VP of UK & Ireland telecommunications and networks division, Samsung UK2011: Guy Laurence, CEO, Vodafone UK2010: Tom Alexander, CEO, Everything Everywhere2009: Andrew Harrison, CEO, Carphone Warehouse2008: Kevin Russell, CEO, Three UKFor more information on the Mobile Power 50, or to get more involved in the Mobile Industry Awards 2019, visit the awards site here. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/ZW0hjl7eFwY

If you're looking to buy a new Garmin running watch, you may find it worth waiting for a while - new rumors suggest the company is readying a Forerunner 245 Music. It's expected to be a follow up to the Garmin Forerunner 235, which is one of the company's more affordable watches that is still capable of tracking lots of running metrics. A new photo shared by Gadgets and Wearables shows what we expect to be a press image of the watch, which looks similar to the Forerunner 645 without a metal bezel. Our ranking for the best smartwatchesWhy not try best fitness tracker?Or Samsung's Galaxy Watch ActiveThe rumors suggest there will be two models of the new Forerunner 245. One of those will feature music integration, while the other won't and will likely be cheaper because of it. While we don't currently know the exact specs for the music-toting variant, we'd expect a similar affair to the Garmin Forerunner 645 Music with storage for up to 500 songs as well as Spotify and Deezer integration. You can see the photo of the watch below, but it doesn't share all that much information on the new spec of the watch. The photo itself doesn't tell us all that much about the watch apart from that it will look similar to the Forerunner 645 and Forerunner 235. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BGsgovaGnKbwdRhJP7igvX.jpg Image Credit: Gadgets and Wearables The source of the image suggests it'll have the same dimensions as the Forerunner 645 (that's 42.5 x 42.5 x 13.5 mm) as well as similar battery life. If that's the case, you should find it lasts for around a week with day to day usage and up to 5 hours when using GPS. The Firstbeat metrics you'll be tracking with this device are expected to be wider than on previous generations of the watch, but we don't currently know what exact stats it'll be able to monitor. All of this is rumored for now, but with the Forerunner 245 Music passing FCC certification last week we'd expect to hear more about it from Garmin in the next couple of months. Our full list of the best Garmin watchesVia Gadgets and Wearables http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/YsKPnPuvNEE

Some more details have been spilled about Microsoft’s new version of the Edge browser, built on Chromium (the same engine as Google’s Chrome browser) – and an apparent full (preview) build of Chromium-based Edge has been leaked online. Let’s deal with the latter leak first, which (as spotted by Neowin) comes from the PCBeta forum (via Aggiornamenti Lumia). You can download the setup EXE from the linked Chinese forum, but we have to point out – you do so very much at your own risk, with this being a source we wouldn’t be at all confident about ourselves. A safer route is to consider the aforementioned spilled details, and these come from The Verge, which got an early look at the new browser thanks to an ‘anonymous’ source. And apparently, the revamped Edge already looks slick, feels polished, and performs speedily when surfing the web. Anyone will be able to test Microsoft’s new Edge browserFormer Edge intern hints Google made changes to mess with Microsoft’s browserHow to fix Google ChromeMany features from the original Edge browser remain, although overall, the new effort is a mix of Chrome and Edge, as you might expect. After all, Microsoft needs to make it seem different enough to persuade folks to give it another chance, and it will inevitably have Chrome influences. However, the developers are implementing animations and visual touches to ensure that the Chromium-powered Edge will feel like a Windows browser, which is obviously vital for Microsoft to do, as well. Another area of importance is extensions – which add extra bits of functionality to the browser – and we’ve already heard that the new version of Edge will have a plentiful library of add-ons, as Microsoft calls them, thanks to the Microsoft Edge Insider Addons web page which popped up recently. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eGTdLV3dqXMgEPfN2cEkNJ.jpg Installing third-party extensions from Chrome is a snap, apparently (Image Credit: The Verge) The Verge further observes that as well as those extensions, you can flip a switch in settings to let you install Chrome extensions straight from Google’s web store – the tech site tested out a number of these, and they already work just as they do in Chrome. Microsoft had confirmed support for Chrome extensions late last year, but it’s obviously good news to see the actual realization of this feature, and the fact that it’s already easy-to-use, and apparently working well, even in an early version of the new browser. On an overall level, this means folks will have plenty of choice for their add-ons, with Microsoft determined not to fail on this front like the initial incarnation of Edge (which famously didn’t carry support for extensions when it first launched, and this crucial feature took a long time to arrive – and even when it did, numbers were very thin on the ground). Syncing feelingSync support is also incoming for extensions, although that isn’t live yet, and apparently won’t be available straightaway, but in the ‘coming months’. For now, the only thing you can sync across your devices is favorites. So, in short, it seems that Edge v2 is shaping up very nicely, and could well be a viable alternative for those who want a Chrome-like browser, but would prefer their strings attached by Microsoft rather than Google. Certainly, more choice in the browser world won’t hurt – although there are those who argue that Microsoft switching Edge to Chromium is further playing into the hands of Google effectively monopolizing the web in the overall big picture. So arguably we might have less choice in some respects, but the point is we have more viable options – because the problem with Edge as a standalone product was that it simply wasn’t reliable enough as an everyday browser, and suffered some compatibility bugbears (because everyone builds their sites primarily for Chrome, as it’s by far the most popular browser out there). Here’s our pick of the best web browsers of 2019http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/pam4dbaAup8

Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice has only just released and there are a number of mods available for the Steam version that makes it a more enjoyable game to play. One of the mods available, which was created by ‘jackfuste’, a member of the Widescreen Gaming Forum (WSGF), allows you to unlock the framerate of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice. While the game is locked at 60 frames per second, with the mod installed, you can play the game at higher frame rates for a smoother experience. Our pick of the best PC gaming headsetsBest free games: the top free games to download on PCThe best Steam alternatives for PC gamersThere’s also a mod that lets you change the field of view, which will allow the game to run on ultra-wide monitors with 21:9 aspect ratios. To add the mods to the game, you’ll need to have the Steam version of Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice and use the Sekiro Mod Engine for easy installation. Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice is already proving to be a hit with both critics and gamers, and these new mods show why the PC remains such a good platform for gaming, as dedicated fans can create mods to help improve the games they love. 40 best PC games 2019: the must-play titles you don’t want to misshttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/eEMSQxJ5R2k

WhatsApp is testing a new feature that highlights messages as "frequently forwarded" if they have been shared five or more times. The new beta for Android is part of WhatsApp's ongoing campaign to limit the spread of misinformation on the popular messaging app, having limited the number of times you can forward a message earlier this year. The Facebook-owned company has been criticized in the past for creating a breeding ground for rumors and 'fake news' to spread rapidly among users, and was even associated with a spate of mob-violence and killings in India. How do I download WhatsApp?How to send GIFs in WhatsAppThe best encrypted messaging apps for AndroidSlowing the spread of rumorsThe new feature is currently limited to messages that you send, so you won't see a "frequently forwarded" tag on messages you receive. Before sending a message, you'll also be able to see the exact number of times it has been forwarded previously by going to the 'Message Info' section. WhatsApp hasn't confirmed whether the beta will be officially released, or whether it's expected to come to iOS users. If it does, it could be an effective way of slowing the spread of viral content on the platform when used in conjunction with WhatsApp's message forwarding limit. You can now only forward a message to five different users on WhatsAppVia Engadget http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/JmtixE8xSzk

It looks like PlayStation is ending the sale of game download codes in physical stores. Long-time Twitter leaker Wario64 has released a memo sent by PlayStation to GameStop stores worldwide, stating that "Sony will no longer provide full game digital download codes to [any] retailers" from April 1. While games with a physical disc release will still be offered in-store, digital only games will now only be available for sale through the PSN store itself, accessed directly via your PlayStation console. Streaming games? Check out our PlayStation Now reviewGoogle Stadia: everything you need to knowSony PS4 reviewStores will still, however, be able to sell general top-up codes for adding credit to PSN accounts. The memo specifies that the move only affects Sony game releases, and has no effect on the policy of Microsoft or Nintendo, who have yet to make a similar announcement. Long live the e-storeFor as long as games have been sold digitally, physical stores like the UK's Game, and the US's Gamestop, Walmart and the like have offered in-store purchases of digital titles – effectively selling players a one-use code they can then use to download. While the process of getting the game on your console in this way is a bit inefficient, some people still like to browse in a bricks-and-mortar store, and may be more likely to buy something they can physically hold – even if there isn't a real disc or cartridge inside it. That's before considering them as surprise gifting options. While this move is likely not to prove too disruptive in the short-term – the memo, at least, suggests removing the titles should only take "one hour to complete" – but it's a further blow to physical stores, which are feeling more redundant the more our collective purchasing habits move online. What we thought of Google Stadia, the new streaming platform for gameshttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/lOJlRTTLCu8

It's been one of the great gaming successes of Nintendo's storied career, so it should come as no surprise that the house of Mario is allegedly working on new Nintendo Switch consoles. But, rather than being a straight-up Nintendo Switch 2, a Wall Street Journal report suggests that Nintendo is working on two individual variants that, rather than making the current Nintendo Switch obsolete, would put it in the middle of a range growing to suit all budgets. Should you buy a Nintendo Switch console?Tetris 99 and the best free Nintendo Switch gamesBest Nintendo Switch games: things to play when the new machines landBudget vs premiumAccording the publication's sources, the first of these new devices will be aimed at budget gamers, and will see the Switch presented in a more traditional handheld-first format. It'll replace removable Joy-Cons with fixed ones, and ditch their HD Rumble feature in order to bring costs down, making it presumably more difficult to play in the docked mode with a TV without the purchase of a separate controller. The second new version of the Nintendo Switch, going by the rumor, is a little harder to pin down, but would be a premium version of the console with "enhanced features targeted at avid videogamers." That's not to suggest it would be aiming for 4K or HDR visuals, but would more likely have features and services baked in that would accommodate the modern obsession with streaming to platforms like Twitch. With your average console lifecycle floating around the five or six year mark, an announcement this summer to be followed by a winter release would see Nintendo on par for a mid-generation console refresh. It's far from unusual for Nintendo – everything from the Gameboy to the Wii to the 3DS received multiple updated across their life spans. This seems like a reasonable bet, and the Switch is one cow Nintendo will be keen to squeeze the Lon Lon milk out of. Best Nintendo Switch accessories: make the most of your hybrid consolehttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/4YzdXiYPJCk