sincity

After testing the feature for a while, Twitter is now rolling out its new integrated camera to both its Android and iOS mobile apps, allowing users a more immediate solution for taking shots or footage and directly tweeting them. For users who have received the update, swiping left from the main timeline screen in the Twitter app will now land you on a dedicated camera screen that allows you to take a photo, video or live broadcast, and overlay it with text, hashtags or a location. Twitter conversations get a redesign, and you can sign up to test themTwitter could add a ‘clarification’ feature rather than allowing tweet editsAre you the 'Original Tweeter'? Twitter tests new tag featureWhen posting from this new screen, the tweet will appear with an enlarged photo or thumbnail and display the related text below it; a first for Twitter. There currently isn’t an option to upload existing media, so this new tweet format will only be showing imagery or footage taken directly via the app – no doubt a bid to encourage posters to cover news and live events as they occur. While not all users have receive the updated feature but, according to Twitter’s own official tweet, it will be “rolling out to all of you over the next few days”. Twitter bug made private tweets public for yearshttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/MRwLTrpH85Y

There’s no need to panic, but nearly all of Facebook’s services are currently facing partial or complete outages, with thousands of users around the world affected, including some of us here at TechRadar. Facebook had to take to Twitter to tell its users it is aware of the global outage and is working to restore functionality. Anyone affected by Facebook’s outage is faced with an error message on the login page that reads, “Facebook is down for required maintenance right now but you should be able to get back on within a few minutes. In the meantime, read more about why you’re seeing this message. Thanks for your patience as we improve the site.” Facebook Messenger, while working perfectly fine for some, is down for others. We checked a few accounts here at TechRadar and found a mixed bag – some were fully functional on both desktop and mobile, while others were either working on desktop only, and some on mobile only. Instagram, too, is not loading for many users around the world, with notifications showing up stating “something went wrong” when trying to refresh the feed. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/miDrUqRKieJTm5dtgtrm2J.jpg Instagram on mobile | Image: TechRadar The apps aren’t completely down for everyone, though. Some users can, in fact, open the apps but many are complaining that they are unable to post anything, or even like other people’s posts. Although WhatsApp seems to be working for the most part, many users in India, Bangladesh, Paraguay and Argentina are unable to send photos via the app. The Verge has reported that some users are unable to make purchases through the Oculus Store or log into multiplayer games purchased for the Oculus. Not a DDoS attack, says FacebookAfter acknowledging there is an issue, Facebook also made it clear, via Twitter of course, that the company was not facing a DDoS attack. A distributed denial-of-service attack happens when someone is trying to interrupt the regular flow of traffic flowing through a network. This can happen when infrastructure is flooded with a staggering amount of traffic that can bring the system down on its knees. According to Downdetector – the website that shows realtime outages on different kinds of services around the world – the problem does seem widespread with most users facing complete shutdown of services. At one point, 47% of users were facing a total blackout, but at the time of writing that was down to 32%. Also at the time of writing, 34% of users were unable to log into Facebook services, while 33% were able to open Facebook but had no other functionality available to them. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2fjkT7fQh6nfVYA44K8xXF.png Outage at 11:48pm BST (Wed) / 6:48pm EST (Wed) / 9:48am AEDT (Thur) | Image: Downdetector How to delete Facebookhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/sndMlnmI5Ho

Best TV Buying Guide: settle in for TechRadar's round-up of the best TV sets you can get your hands on in 2019. Although it's still early days for 2019, we can already tell that this year will be one of the best for TVs. We caught our first glimpse of this year's futuristic flatscreens in early January at CES 2019 and walked away impressed with all the new tech Samsung, LG and Sony have cooked up for us later this year. The first of these new screens, the Samsung Q90, is already available now, and it's an early contender for TV of the year. While we expect LG to arrive with a vengeance with its lineup of 2019 OLED screens in the next month or two, if you want something right now, Samsung's the way to go. If you've got your mind made up to buy a Sony, Vizio or LG from last year, however, that's totally fine. Below you'll find our list of the best screens out right now, along with their key specs, while the second page will teach you more about what makes a TV tick and why those specs matter so much. "Should I buy a TV now or wait it out?"This is a question we get a lot. Like most technology (cough, iPhones) TVs are getting incrementally better all the time – which means, yes, if you wait a year - or even a few months - there will probably be a bigger, flashier TV out there for less money. But while doing so will certainly net you a larger screen at a better price, some of the best panels are already being manufactured today. While tomorrow's screens might be a bit larger, a bit brighter and a bit cheaper, today's screens are just as competent in their own right. We can say that with confidence knowing that most manufacturers have finally embraced the three most important standards in TVs: Ultra HD, Wide Color Gamut and HDR (HDR10 and Dolby Vision). If a TV you're looking at doesn't support at least one of these, you should probably look somewhere else. Not sure where to start? Here are the best TVs we tested this year. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/SuXH53V44cCYiNUJLFCfYV.jpg Image credit: Samsung Last year, the Samsung Q9FN was the TV to beat. It won plaudits galore for its features and image quality, not to mention its excellent, improved smart platform that came with Bixby support and Samsung SmartThings. However it wasn’t perfect and there were legitimate complaints about viewing angles and an over-aggressive local dimming system that crushed detail just above black. Samsung has clearly taken these criticisms to heart, and directly addressed them in the Q90. The new model has a visibly superior viewing angle that holds its own against an OLED TV, and the local dimming delivers deep blacks without losing shadow detail. To that end, the new Ultra Black Elite filter is nothing short of a revelation, rejecting ambient light in a way that just staggers belief. The Q90 is able to deliver images that can directly compete with an OLED, with natural colors, bright highlights, deep blacks, and well defined shadows. It can also surpass any OLED when it comes to HDR, with images that are often breathtaking in their detail and dynamic range. In fact our only real criticism would be that, unlike some of the competition, the Q90 doesn’t support Dolby Vision. However in all other respects the Samsung Q90 is an absolutely stellar TV that takes QLED to another level. Read the full review: Samsung Q90R QLED TV http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eaV3kfiKqe8HZw8guGnRxS.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/genG5X5meaJ5BZHWKTVMS8.jpg LG C8 OLED Series (2018) At the top of our list for 2018 is the LG C8 OLED – available in both 55 and 65-inch iterations. It's here because it combines an impressive picture, an extensive set of features, an attractive design and its unrivaled smart platform, to deliver one of the best TVs we have seen to date. It’s not as bright as an LCD TV but those deep blacks make a huge difference to the dynamic range of the image. It’s also capable of vibrant and gorgeous colors, not to mention an astounding level of detail with native 4K content. There are other OLEDs worth considering this year (see: Sony's A1E and A8F OLED or LG's own E8 and W8 OLED models) but we think the OLED C7 offers the best price-to-performance ratio of any TV under the sun in the year 2018. Read the full review: LG OLED C8 (OLED55C8, OLED65C8) http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eaV3kfiKqe8HZw8guGnRxS.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/S5LcwYDAADr54AS9SxJ2bG.jpg Samsung Q9FN QLED (2018) After an underwhelming debut, Samsung’s QLED technology really needed to bounce back in style in 2018. It didn't surprise us in the least, then, to discover Samsung threw the kitchen sink in with its new Q9FN QLED Series of TVs. As well as being even brighter and more colorful than last year’s equivalent model, Samsung's 2018 flagship screens use a completely different lighting system to combat its predecessor’s contrast problems: Full Array Local Dimming rather than edge-lit LED lighting. The FALD panel works in tandem with Samsung QLED Quantum Dots to produce a picture that's brighter and more colorful than near any we've seen come from the South Korean manufacturer. Do those features alone make Samsung Q9FN the best TV on the market? No, but throw in technology like HDR10+ and Q HDR EliteMax – what Samsung bills as its maximum High Dynamic Range experience that’s exclusive to the Q9FN – and there's very little doubt in our mind that this was Samsung's best TV ever until the Q90 came along. Read the full review: Samsung Q9FN QLED TV (65Q9FN) http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eaV3kfiKqe8HZw8guGnRxS.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZKWecPinVKKCZdtcnS3gzQ.jpg Samsung Q900R QLED TV With most people - *cough* content providers - only just getting to grips with 4K resolution, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Samsung had gone nuts by introducing the world’s first true 8K TV. And yet, while it's easy to be critical about the Samsung Q900R, it truly does usher in a new era of TV picture quality. Its native 8K pictures are incredible, looking just like the real world - only better. But even more crucially given the dearth of true 8K content for the foreseeable future, the 85Q900R makes all today’s lower resolution sources look better than they do anywhere else, too. Whether 8K delivers the same impact on smaller screens remains to be seen, but if you have a big enough room and budget, the 85Q900R is a vision of the future that’s actually spectacularly worth buying today. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eaV3kfiKqe8HZw8guGnRxS.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bs8tFd23RfSmxoq3HfPd5P.jpg Sony’s second-generation OLED flagship, the A9F, is coming at a good time – just as Samsung and LG have stepped up their games with the Samsung Q9FN QLEDand LG E8 OLED, Sony has fired back with a phenomenal OLED of its own. Even better than the A1E before it, the A9F is unquestionably Sony’s best OLED offering to date, and arguably a strong contender for high-end screen of the year. While we experienced some minor issues (notably Black level crushing on Dolby Vision, and that Netflix Calibrated mode), niggles are to be expected on a set as ambitious as this. If you can live with the slightly idiosyncratic design, and afford the asking price, it’s a glorious UHD display. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eaV3kfiKqe8HZw8guGnRxS.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/J5kgPJrAPFKHCTea6yRzd6.jpg LG E8 OLED Series (2018) Having potentially pushed the hardware capabilities of its current OLED screen technology as far as they can go, LG has for 2018 turned its attention to the software that drives these screens - and this shift in focus has yielded surprisingly impressive results, improving and even removing many of the residual niggles associated with 2017’s already in truth outstanding OLED sets. The OLED65E8 loses a bit of ground sonically from its predecessor, and there’s some stiff competition this year from Samsung’s new Q9FN flagship LCD TV, but all the growing legions of OLED fans will probably need to hear is that the OLED65E8 is comfortably the best OLED TV LG has ever made. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eaV3kfiKqe8HZw8guGnRxS.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/V4sk5ynjrYUH2t8ssKNvKi.jpg Samsung Q8FN QLED TV (2018) Although it’s clearly a step down from Samsung’s all-conquering Q9FN, the Q8FN is still a fantastic TV. Phenomenally bright, colorful and ultra sharp - it has all the right stuff for getting huge impact from today’s cutting edge picture sources. Worth calling attention to, this is a fantastic TV for HDR content as its direct lighting system manages to produce a whopping 2,100 measured nits of light from a 10% white HDR window. This sort of brightness is unparalleled for the TV’s price point, and ensures that it delivers the upper extremes of HDR’s extended brightness range with spectacular effectiveness and punch. So why isn't it higher on our list? If you watch the TV from an angle, color saturations reduce, and backlight blooming becomes much more noticeable. Also, Samsung’s Auto motion processing system is a bit over aggressive, causing too many distracting side effects for comfort. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/684e36528eca45e1971880b3630342db.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TRmjce2S2BVX4vN638ncVT.jpg Sony Bravia X900F Series (2018) OK, so you don't want (or can't afford) Sony's new A9F OLED or the fantastic-but-pricey Z9F. So what should you buy? Check out the X900F series. With superb 4K image clarity, powerful SDR-to-HDR remastering, and a smooth direct LED backlight, Sony is offering something very different with the X900F. We loved the consistency of its images, the eye-popping vibrancy of its wide color gamut panel and its easy-to-watch HDR – you get spectral highlights without accompanying eye fatigue. Given this set’s high-but-fair price point, any niggles we have are negligible. The X900F is highly recommended and deserved our Recommended award. Read the full review: Sony Bravia X900F (XBR-65X900F) review http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/684e36528eca45e1971880b3630342db.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GszcDKhvBuhLtPJm8C8rVj.jpg TCL 6-Series (R615, R617) (2018) If you had deep pockets and checkbook filled with blank checks, we’d tell you to reach deep and shell out for only the best TVs on the market - LG’s crazy-thin OLED W8 or Samsung’s ultra-bright Q9FN QLED (both featured on this list). But that’s not realistic. For the vast, vast majority of us, our budget to spend on a TV is limited to somewhere under $1,000 - and often less than that. To that end, it’s absolutely fair to say that the TCL 6-Series is the best TV you can possibly get in this price range. Its performance per dollar is unmatched and its picture quality - despite a few minor flaws - will truly impress you. Read the full review: TCL 6-Series (R615, R617) http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eaV3kfiKqe8HZw8guGnRxS.jpg http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UuVXiPDmsjAKkZa7KDy3QY.jpg If Samsung sold you on the idea of a quantum dot TV only to scare you away with their price, the Vizio P-Series Quantum is a good compromise. It’s a big, bold and affordable screen that supports most forms of HDR and has the ability to light up the room with its 2,000 nits of peak brightness. It might not be able to hit the inky black levels of OLED, and suffers from slow startup, but it is by far the best value quantum dot TV on the market. Read the full review: Vizio P-Series Quantum (PQ65-F1) Continue on to page two to read about what to look for when buying a TV! Want better audio? Check out our guide to the best soundbars available.Once you've decided on a panel, make sure you read our guide on how to set up your TV to make sure you're getting the most out of it. Are you looking for the best universal remote for your new home theater setup? What TV technology is best? Which is the best LCD TV? Which screen size is best for your living room? What's the difference between LCD and LED TVs? The answers aren't always obvious. In fact, buying a new TV can be stressful even for the tech-savvy - there are so many brands, so many features, so many screen sizes, colors, technologies and flavors to choose from. So which one is right for you, your family and your living space? In this guide, we'll walk you through everything you need to know about buying a new TV. What types of TV are there out there?There are a lot of different screen types out there, all working in different ways to produce the same results. Each technology has its own unique strengths and weaknesses so here are some basics to consider: LCD TV: CCFL A few years back, all LCD TVs were backlit by always-on, CCFL (cold cathode fluorescent) lamps. This ageing technology has been superseded by the superior LED method on more expensive sets, but is still standard on some cheaper models. LED TV: Direct LED These displays are backlit by an array of LEDs (light emitting diodes) directly behind the screen. This enables localised dimming – meaning immediately adjacent areas of brightness and darkness can be displayed more effectively – and greatly improves contrast. LED TVs are also more power efficient and capable of a wider colour gamut than CCFL sets. Because of the extreme cost of mounting these arrays of LEDs, cheaper TVs usually use Edge-Lit LED screens over Direct or Full-Array LED screens. LED TV: Edge LED With these TVs, LEDs of the backlight are mounted along the edges of the panel. This arrangement enables radically slender displays and offers superior contrast levels to CCFL, but can't achieve the same picture quality as directly lit LED sets. However, they do come in far cheaper which is why most LED TVs out there now use this technology. OLED TV The backlighting on OLED (organic light emitting diode) sets is achieved by passing an electric current through an emissive, electroluminescent film. This technique produces far better colours and higher contrast and also enables screens to be extremely thin and flexible. This is the holy grail display technology and LG, Sony, Philips and Panasonic have all adopted it in their flagship sets. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cf284689d233ed61a0fd0fafd497a084.jpg Quantum Dot Quantum Dot is Samsung's big play in the LED TV space. With it, the brand claims that it's able to produce more colorful pictures than LG and Sony while offering even brighter panels. LG's Super UHD TVs all use a variation of Quantum Dot called Nano Cell, and Hisense makes a number of Quantum Dot TVs for the US and China. Plasma TV Plasma has almost entirely been phased out at this point, but PDP (plasma display panel) TVs use glass panels containing millions of tiny cells filled with a mixture of inert gases. Electricity excites the gases, causing them to illuminate the pixels across the screen. Plasma, while arguably superior to LCD in terms of contrast and colour accuracy, is only viable on large (42in+) screens and has been dropped by all but a handful of manufacturers. You'll be lucky to find one on the shelves these days. Curved TV Some manufacturers are now making TVs that have slightly curved screens. But unlike old CRT TVs, the curve is inwards rather than outwards. The idea is that this makes every pixel equidistant from your eyes, delivering a more satisfying picture. However, there are drawbacks for this type of screen - the main one being that if you sit far enough to one side – more than 40 degrees or so – the curve clearly starts to affect the image's geometry, foreshortening content near to you and compressing the image's centre. What resolution tech should I go for?HD HD TVs come in two resolutions. Sets with the HD ready are required to be able to display a minimum 720p picture, and generally has a screen resolution of 1366 x 768 pixels. Meanwhile, Full HD TVs have a higher resolution of 1920 x 1080 pixels. It's highly advisable that you don't go for anything less than full HD in this day and age, and really you should be looking almost exclusively at 4K sets. Ultra HD and 4K The resolution of Ultra HD is exactly four times higher than full HD - 3840 x 2160. It means a far more detailed picture, with content requiring a lot more bandwidth and storage space. 4K TVs tend to be good at upscaling HD video to Ultra HD but there are currently a few options for watching native 4K content, but terrestrial broadcasters in the US have yet to adopt it as the new standard. Read more about 4K. HDR The next big thing in TVs, HDR produces astounding levels of visual fidelity and can be found in some of the latest Ultra HD TVs. HDR is a technology and a standard. Content needs to be mastered in HDR and you need an HDR TV to see it. What HDR offers however, is worth the extra steps to get it - you'll see increased contrast and more realistic colors, enhancing the image to a more cinematic level. What's the best smart TV platform around today?What else should I consider?Buying a flatscreen television is a major investment and one that you can't afford to take lightly. Just popping into the closest store and grabbing the first plasma or LCD you see won't get you the best deal, the screen that suits your needs, or the gear you require to make the most of your new purchase. Size matters People tend to pick the size of their flat TV based on the amount of space they have for it, this isn't necessarily wise. Flat TVs take up much less space than you might think, so your new TV may end up a foot or two further away from your viewing position, making the picture appear smaller. Also, with hi-def, you can have a bigger screen and the same viewing distance without worrying about seeing blemishes inherent to the source. A 4K TV's lack of noise means that the ideal distance to sit from the screen is three to four times the height of the TV. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/b38faa22e56530b73485680b76861b2c.jpg How to calculate the right size HD TV:The trick here is to ensure that your TV is big enough to fill your line of vision, but small enough to be sharp and clear. Remember, if you intend to only watch standard-definition sources, the bigger the screen gets, the worse the image will look. The ideal screen size can be calculated by multiplying the distance that you intend to sit away from it by 0.535 and then rounding this up to the nearest size. So, if you sit 80in away from your TV, the ideal size is 42-inch (80 x 0.535= 42.8). What features should I look out for?Features are too numerous to go into here, but here are some things you should consider. Photo viewing: If you have a digital camera, a TV that has a slot for memory cards or a USB socket for a card reader will let you view your photos onscreen. Here are some of the things we look for when we review a screen, so you should, too... Contrast: Bright whites shouldn't have any signs of green, pink or blue in them, while blacks should look solid and not washed out, grey, green or blue. Colours: Look at how bright and solid they are; how noiseless their edges are; how 'dotty' richly saturated areas are and how natural skin looks, especially in dim scenes. Fine detail: How much texture does the screen give? Does a tree look like a green lump, or can you see the individual leaves Edges: Check for ghosting, bright halos and jaggedness, especially around curves. Motion: Check moving objects and quick camera pans for smearing or blurring, trailing, jerkiness and fizzing dotty noise. Image artefacts: Look for blockiness, colour bands, grain, smearing, dot crawl: anything that looks like it's added by the TV picture processing or a weak TV tuner. Tinker with a TV's picture settings before making a final decision. Factory settings are rarely good for everyday viewing. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/15fab2698bc4e6a52e2a6190e547a5be.jpg What about sound?To provide the best audio to complement the pictures, your TV should be hooked up to a surround sound system, but this isn't always an option. So, here's what we listen for when testing a TV's speakers: Bass: Deep, rounded rumbles that don't cause the set to rattle or speakers to distort, cramp or overwhelm the rest of the sound; but that expand when needed. Vocals: Voices should sound open, rich and clear, not boxed in, nasal or thin. Trebles: Treble effects should sound clean, rounded and smooth in loud scenes and shouldn't dominate the soundstage. Soundstage width/depth: A good TV should throw the sound away from the TV, to the sides, forward and back, to give an extra dimension to what's on screen, without losing any coherence. How many HDMI sockets do I need?For a living room TV you should be looking for a minimum of 3 HDMI inputs. If you want to attach a set-top box as well as games consoles etc, those HDMI ports will fill up fast. Do I want to hang my TV on the wall?First off, you'll need to consult a construction expert to check that the wall in question is strong enough to support a flatscreen. Then find out if the set you want is designed to be wall-mounted and, if so, ask if the relevant bracket is included in the basic package or as an optional extra. Will I be connecting it to a home cinema?If the answer is no, you might want to think more carefully about your set's audio performance. Look for a screen that can go as loud as you'll need without distortion or cabinet rattle. Consider how dialogue sounds and how much low-end rumble the bass is capable of. Conversely, it's pointless paying out more cash for exceptional built-in speakers if you already have a decent home cinema system. Happy shopping! http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/wUDwIpjpSuA

Update: Google has officially released the first Android Q beta for developers, but only for Pixel phones (as in, all generations of Pixel phones); enroll in the beta program here. Google's Android Q release date and features are what we're focusing on in 2019, even though the last update, Android 9 Pie, is still taking its time rolling out to smartphones after its launch last August. The upcoming version of the mobile operating system will also probably be known as Android 10, which would be the next major numerical milestone for Google to jump to. But after the first Android Q beta was officially released in mid-March, we at least settled on its official name. When will Android Q's full version come out for consumers? Which features are coming? What phones will support the next Android version? Right now, we're mostly answering these questions through historical data and leaks, and we'll know more concrete facts as Google IO 2019 approaches. Cut to the chaseWhat is Android Q? It's the next version of AndroidWhen can get you Android Q? UncertainHow much will Android Q cost? It will (assumedly) be a free updateAndroid Q release dateGoogle hasn't announced when Android Q will come out, and now that its first beta version has been released, we can put to rest outlandish theories that it wouldn't follow up Android P with the logical next letter. Like Android 9 Pie before it, Google officially announced Android Q in March, and released a beta build for developers on the same day. The full Android Q release may happen in early August if they follow precedent. As to when the typical consumer will get Android Q on their smartphone, well...that requires a bit more divination. Google will likely launch Android 10 in mid-August 2019, but going by historical OS update timings, it'll probably only be available on Google Pixel phones to start. The roll out to other Android phones will happen throughout 2019 and even into 2020 as various manufacturers add their own features and interfaces to the operating system. There's a chance you'll have to wait months after the initial Android Q release before you see the OS update on your device. That long rollout isn't guaranteed, though: Google's Project Treble has been working to make it easier for phonemakers to update to the latest version of Android (and do it faster). Part of that progress has lead Treble to invite more manufacturers to participate in the Android Q beta, one of the project's team leads revealed on a podcast. Android Q featuresWith the public reveal of the first Android Q developer beta, Google officially confirmed a chunk of features coming in the full update. It's unclear if they're all available in the first release or which will be added in a later beta, but at least we know some of what's coming. Of course, Google is keeping some of the fun new features close to the chest. Some of the more newsworthy ones will probably be revealed at Google IO 2019, while others will be unveiled with further beta versions. However, we may have a heads-up on which features to expect from Google's mobile operating update thanks to leaks. But first, here are features that Google confirmed in its Android Developers Blog post. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/oRAkjvPLUKjSCFtuwYiKHf.jpg Foldable supportThe big feature for 2019 is support for "foldables and innovative new screens," as the Android Developers Blog post put it. This is more a feature for developers, with back-end changes that will help make their apps ready for the big, folding screens of the top-tier phones. But at least we know Google's making sure Android is ready for them. System-wide dark modeAndroid Q's first big leak was by the site XDA Developers, which allegedly got a hold of a January 2019 build of the new OS and showed off what might be coming – including an all-system dark mode, which tech expert Owen Williams confirmed was in the first developer beta. Supposedly, you'll be able to toggle it on in Display Settings, and in the main interface, Settings and Files will turn a dark gray. Other parts like the Volume panel, Quick Settings and Notifications turn black to show up against the darker background. Developers will also get an option that seems to force apps without dark modes to switch to the nighttime-friendly color scheme. Privacy, privacy, privacyThe Android Developers Blog post announcing the developer beta confirmed a heavy emphasis on boosting privacy in Android Q. Users will have more control over app access to location info, shared files and repositories like Photos and Videos. Another helpful change: instead of apps automatically switching focus when they have an Activity in the background (like an alarm or call), appmakers and opt to send high-priority notifications first. These might be some of the most onerous changes for developers in Android Q, which is why, as the Android Developers Blog post reads: "We are bringing these changes to you early, so you can have as much time as possible to prepare." Developer tools for apps: system settings, connectivity, media and moreDevelopers will be able to show contextually-important system settings within their apps, which harnesses the 'Slices' feature that came in Android 9 Pie. So instead of having to navigate to Settings to switch on Airplane Mode or toggle Wi-Fi or Mobile Data on/off, say, you'll be able to do that right within your mobile browser. There are also tweaks to connectivity, including 'adaptive Wi-Fi' that enables high performance/low latency modes, which would be useful for things like online gaming or voice calls. Like all the depth and blur in Pixel camera software? In Android Q, apps can request depth data (JPEG + XMP metadata + depth and confidence map) to, say, offer "specialized blurs and bokeh options in your app," as the Android post suggests. "You can even use the data to create 3D images or support AR photography use-cases in the future." Android Q will also support more multimedia codecs: AV1 to let media providers stream high-quality video, Opus for audio encoding, and HDR10+ for high dynamic range video "on devices that support it" – like, say, the Samsung Galaxy S10 family. As for gaming, the Android Q beta enhances support for OpenGL along with bug fixes and more functionality. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2C8s2HAr9N6pU8acpftN2U.jpg More permissionsXDA's leak also revealed a revamp of permissions, from the general to specific. Users can look at a broad overview of which apps they've given permission for certain things – like, say, location or microphone access. There's a search function that lets you filter by permission item, allowing you to quickly see which apps you've given access to your camera, contacts, location and so on. You can also look at permissions each app has been granted and toggle them individually to set whether access is off, on, or only on while the app is open. Developer toolshttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JQ9ry58SXSKBzoyy8krWJ9.jpg There are plenty of new developer tools described by the XDA leak, but it's not clear how all of them will function. Freeform windows return, which lets you enable them after pressing and holding an app icon in the recent apps overview. On the other hand, XDA also found a feature called "Game Updates Package Preference" whose purpose is a bit of a mystery. Another, titled "force desktop mode," seems like it would push Android to an external display, Samsung DeX-style. Not all of the UI is finished, either, making some features – like screen recording – not totally comprehensible. Face ID-style authentication for logins and purchasesAnother dive into the developer build XDA Developers acquired revealed the OS might get a feature iOS users have bragged about for awhile: Face ID. The next version of Android might support phones packing the hardware to use facial scans for authentication. It's unclear just how it will work, or if it would combine sensor readings for a comprehensive scan of facial features. But we did get hints via error codes in one of the OS' APK, which variably tell the user to move the phone in different directions for the device to get a better look at their face. Other strings of code found by XDA are also promising, like one that blatantly informs users they can "Use your face to unlock your phone, authorize purchases, or sign in to apps." Whether phones will be able to use Face ID is another story: they need to have the hardware installed – whether that's sensors or the right specs – for the feature to work. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/h4ax4uNX5fPuwLJ4wDndjd.jpg Goodbye back button, hello (only to) gesture controlsWhile recent Android phones from different brands have tried to push their own gesture controls for years, the OS has always kept its static three-button navigation as an option. Those days might be at an end as that XDA preview build showed only gesture controls, per Tom's Guide. From the looks of it, users may only be able to use the navigation system present in the Google Pixel 3: a small pill at the bottom of the screen that you can swipe in the cardinal directions to get around. It's key to note that Android allows brands to develop their own navigation methods and systems to go along with their overlays, so it's very unlikely that this will be the only way to navigate. This build is also a bit out of date, so who knows if something as integral as OS movement would be finalized that far out. Anything else?There were a couple other additional Android 10 odds and ends from that XDA leak, including a pair of new accessibility settings. Both apply to how long notification messages stay up, and seemingly apply to different kinds of notifications. The first are for "messages that ask you to take action," while the other apparently refers to notifications that pop up with simple reminders. You can toggle these to stay up between 30 seconds and 2 minutes. That's all we've seen for now, but new details will surely come up in the coming beta versions, at Google IO 2019 in May and from any leaks in between. What's next for iPhone? Here's what we expect to see from iOS 13http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/oAFSCTblBMU

Two massive mobile adware and data stealing campaigns that already have over 250m global downloads have been discovered by Check Point Research. Both campaigns target smartphones running Android and exploit the mobile app development supply chain to infect devices and perform malicious actions. The first campaign has been dubbed SimBad because most of the infected apps are simulator games and so far this mobile adware campaign already has 147m downloads across 210 infected apps on the Google Play Store. Mobile malware attacks double in 2018Pre-installed malware discovered on Alcatel smartphonesMajor US papers hit by malware attackSimBad makes smartphones almost unusable as it displays countless ads outside of the affected app with no visible way to uninstall it. To make matters worse, the malicious apps hide their icons to prevent them from being uninstalled and SimBad can also generate pages for multiple platforms and open them in a browser to perform spear-phishing attacks on users. Operation SheepCheck Point Research also discovered a group of Android applications that have been harvesting users' contact information without their consent. The 12 different apps identified by the firm all use a data-scraping software development kit (SDK) and in total they have been downloaded 111m times. The data stealing campaign has been dubbed 'Operation Sheep' and it is the first to exploit the Man-in-the-Disk vulnerability revealed by Check Point Research in 2018. The SDK, called SWAnaytics, is integrated into seemingly innocent Android apps published on major Chinese app stores such as Tencent MyApp, Wandoujia, Huawei App Store and the Xiaomi App Store. After installation, SW Analytics silently uploads all of a user's contact list to servers controlled by Hangzhou Shun Wang Technologies. This means that the attackers behind the campaign could have theoretically collected the names and contact numbers of one-third of China's entire population. While Google was notified about SimBad and took action by removing the apps from the Play Store, Operation Sheep will likely be harder to stop because of how its creators used Android apps hosted on a number of Chinese app stores to steal user data. We've also highlighted the best antivirus to help keep you safe from the latest cyber threatshttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/wik5is7yHM0

After years of operating DirecTV, AT&T has finally gotten into the alternative TV market with DirecTV Now, a cord-cutting service that offers tons of channels for as little as $50 per month. It’s ironic, really, that DirecTV Now is being released by AT&T – a bread and butter cable company that said a few years ago that cord cutters would never control the market. But besides being somewhat a somewhat comical twist of fate, AT&T’s switcheroo does highlight one thing: the world’s turning to streaming, and even the big cable companies can no longer ignore that. Of course, DirecTV Now isn’t the only one on the market. Its main competition – YouTube TV, Sling TV, Hulu with Live TV and PlayStation Vue – are all already on the market and offer similar deals for a bit less per month. That's saying nothing of Apple's live TV streaming service that's expected to hit the web any day now, and Disney+, the nebulous service from one of the world's largest movie studios. So, which one’s best? And, more importantly, are any of them worth cutting the cord for? We’ll take a look at the differences between the big three cord-cutters a little later. But first, let’s talk about what exactly DirecTV Now has to offer. DirecTV Now bundlesBefore March of 2019, there were a total of four different bundles you can subscribe to with DirecTV Now that included the Live a Little, Just Right, Go Big and Gotta Have It! packages. Any subscriber who's currently enrolled in those packages will get to keep them, but AT&T says they'll cost more per month than they did before. That said, things all shifted around in March of this year when DirecTV Now announced two new packages, DirecTV Now Plus and DirecTV Now Max, that would step in to replace the older packages and start at new price of $50 per month. To that end, DirecTV Now Plus offers over 40 channels - including HBO, HBO Family and HBO Latino - for $50 per month. DirecTV Now Max ups the channel count to around 60 and will set you back $70 per month. In addition to the base packages, AT&T also offers Showtime, Starz and Cinemax as add-on packages for $11 extra each per month. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/v6yoEycprEP5xXwt5Bi2xc.jpg So what channels are included? You can find a complete list over at DirecTV Now's website and while we’re not going to list each and every channel here, we will tell you that most people will be fine with the base entry-level package that includes local channels and popular favorites like FX, TBS, TNT, CNN and Fox News. The next step up, called DirecTV Max, adds a few more movie channels like Cinemax, and adds some of the specialty sports networks like the SEC Network, Longhorn Network and MSG for $70 per month. For a full list of the channels you’ll get with each package, you can head here. Almost all of the channels allow you to watch TV live, while most of them also let you watch on demand, which is very helpful for those of us with busy schedules and a nice perk to anyone planning on supplementing this service with something like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video. Want to see what the service was like before the change? Here's what DirecTV Now used to offer: http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7XgWYvdE7CKEyE5CihjpHM.jpg DirecTV Now vs. Sling TV vs. PlayStation VueEnough about what DirecTV Now has to offer – what about how it compares to the competition? On one hand you’ve got Sling TV. It’s been around for a few years now, and has been growing with new channels every few months or so. On the other, PlayStation Vue is also a pretty serious contender, picking up DirecTV’s slack by offering CBS in a number of major cities. Here’s a rundown of which service is best and for what: The best service for the most channels For a full channel list for PlayStation Vue head here.For a full channel list for Sling TV, head here.Fora full channel list for DirecTV, head here.As mentioned, the base package for the new DirecTV offers a total of 40+ channels for $50 per month. Unfortunately, that’s not a great price, especially against the competition which almost all offer more for less. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9dce907dd54cc3bacdbe93c012ba16c6.jpg Here's what PlayStation Vue looks like PlayStation Vue has four tiered categories – Access ($40 per month, 45+ channels), Core ($45 per month, 60+ channels), Elite ($55 per month, 90+ channels) and Ultra ($75 per month, 90+ channels, plus HBO and Showtime). As you can see, the base package of PlayStation Vue is a good $5 more expensive than DirecTV with 15 channels less. Despite that, if you watch a lot of TV on CBS or CBS-owned channels, then PlayStation Vue is actually your only choice – neither Sling nor DirecTV offers CBS. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/emsUH6uCuc8xv8E9C2be4i.jpg Sling TV is a little different than DirecTV and PlayStation Vue – it offers two base packages, called “Orange” or “Blue.” Orange offers 30+ channels for $20 per month, Blue offers 40+ channels for $25, and Orange+Blue offers all of the channels between the two packages. On top of that, customers can pay $5 for add-on packages, such as “Sport Extra,” which offers a range of sports channels. Customers can also pay a little extra ($15 per month) for HBO. Conclusion: All things considered, if you get all the channels you need from Sling TV, then it’s worth choosing Sling over the others to save a few bucks, but if not, consider YouTube TV, Hulu with Live TV or PlayStation Vue instead. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eaV3kfiKqe8HZw8guGnRxS.jpg The best service for video quality Got a fancy new 4K TV? Unfortunately, none of the services on offer officially support 4K resolution just yet, although that’s only partly those services’ fault – TV channels have to make the switch to 4K first. All of the services offer streaming of 1080p, which is pretty good, however that resolution will downscale depending on your internet quality. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eaV3kfiKqe8HZw8guGnRxS.jpg The best service for compatible devices All of the services are billed as allowing customers to watch their favorite TV shows on all of their platforms. But will you truly be able to watch on every device you want to? DirecTV Now is compatible with a number of devices, but there are some gaping holes in that compatibility list. While the service works with the Amazon Fire TV and Fire TV Stick, it does not work with Roku – however it says Roku compatibility is coming in 2017. DirecTV is also compatible with Google Cast, Cast-enabled LeEco TVs, and the major internet browsers. Last but not least, you’ll be able to watch TV on your Android devices, and iOS is coming in 2017. Sling TV, on the other hand, is compatible with all of the major platforms. That includes iOS, Android, Amazon Fire, Apple TV, Roku, Android TV, LeEco TVs, and even Xbox One. Last but not least is PlayStation Vue, which is also compatible with pretty much all major devices. That includes iOS, Android, Apple TV, Roku, PlayStation, PS4, and most major internet browsers. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eaV3kfiKqe8HZw8guGnRxS.jpg The best service for multiple streams This one’s pretty straightforward – not all services let you watch on unlimited devices at the same time. DirecTV Now clearly loses this one, only allowing for 2 streams at a time. Interestingly enough, Sling offers a different number of streams depending on the package – Orange offers 1 and Blue offers 3. But it's PlayStation Vue that wins this category hands down, offering 5 concurrent streams at a time. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eaV3kfiKqe8HZw8guGnRxS.jpg Which one should you get? It depends! So which service is best? Well, it’s complicated. For those willing to deal with only streaming on two devices at a time and don't mind paying more, DirecTV is fine. Sling TV is better for those who only really need a few specific channels and want to save a few dollars, while PlayStation Vue is great for families who need multiple streams or those who watch a lot of CBS. Want to see what DirecTV Now is all about? Head on over to AT&T's website to sign up for a free 7-day trial. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/qdtZjOOzAiY

DirecTV Now will introduce two new plans this week called DirecTV Plus and DirecTV Max that will replace the service’s old plans. The new plans up the cost of the base service to $50 per month from $35 and – while AT&T will allow legacy subscribers to keep their old, poorly named plans – it says that all basic channel plans will experience a $10 per month price hike. Like Black Mirror Bandersnatch? Netflix has more interactive content comingThese are the best streaming services in 2019Don't forget about Disney's new service, Disney+Unfortunately, that's not all. In the same announcement, AT&T says that any subscriber paying for the $5 per month HBO add-on will now be charged $15 per month to get their Game of Thrones fix, while Starz and Cinemax viewers will see rate increases from $5 and $8 a month respectively, to $11 per month each. If there’s any sort of silver lining to the otherwise bleak news, it’s that DirecTV Plus, the new name for the entry-level package that includes 46 channels for $50 per month, and DirecTV Max that offers 59 channels for $70 per month, will both include HBO at no extra charge. Is DirecTV Now in trouble? Price hikes are usually required if the service has ambitious content development plans and requires additional funds to make that happen – as was the case with Netflix when it raised its prices at the end of last year. AT&T probably isn’t in the same situation as DirecTV Now doesn’t produce its own original content. Instead, a price hike is more likely to keep profits up after the streaming service lost 267,000 subscribers at the end of last year. Interestingly, when AT&T took over Time Warner the company told the Justice Department that the deal would “enable the merged company to reduce prices, offer innovative video products, and compete more effectively” against tech giants Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Netflix and Google. So much for that idea. Regardless, the price hike likely won’t help DirecTV Now gain new customers, as similar live TV streaming services like PlayStation Vue, Hulu with Live TV, Sling TV and YouTube TV all cost less per month... albeit none of them include HBO in the package. Want to unsubscribe to DirecTV Now? Apple's streaming-focused event is right around the cornerVia Variety http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/TCAgFjag-b4

After some early peeks at features from leaks, Google has released its Android Q developer beta, which you can use if you own any Pixel phone, from the latest Google Pixel 3 all the way back to the first Pixel and Pixel XL. This is the first Android Q beta of several before its full release, which will likely be in fall. As expected, it’s got a bunch of new features that will refine (and hopefully improve) the Android experience...but since this beta is for developers, a lot of the changes listed on the Android Developers Blog post explain all the new features and APIs for apps. Those interested can enroll here to get Android Q beta updates over-the-air, but only on their Pixel phones (at least for now). Features aimed at developers, not consumers just yetThis initial beta may not have all the fun new UI changes that will come in the eventual release, and more exciting features will likely be revealed at Google IO 2019 in May, as XDA Developers points out. Instead, this beta has developer-focused tools and options. Some of these are obvious, like compatibility features for foldable phones. Others are more nuanced quality-of-life refinements, like improved shortcuts to make sharing content between apps easier and faster. What's in the box?That said, there's a lot in this developer beta, so strap in. As rumors suggested, the Android team has refined privacy settings in Android Q, and we're starting to see some. Users will have more control over app access to location info, shared files and repositories like Photos and Videos. Another helpful change: instead of apps automatically switching focus when they have an Activity in the background (like an alarm or call), appmakers and opt to send high-priority notifications first. These might be some of the most onerous changes for developers in Android Q, which is why, as the Android Developers Blog post reads: "We are bringing these changes to you early, so you can have as much time as possible to prepare." Developers will also be able to show contextually-important system settings within their apps, which harnesses the 'Slices' feature that came in Android 9 Pie. So instead of having to navigate to Settings to switch on Airplane Mode or toggle Wi-Fi or Mobile Data on/off, say, you'll be able to do that right within your mobile browser. There are also tweaks to connectivity, including 'adaptive Wi-Fi' that enables high performance/low latency modes, which would be useful for things like online gaming or voice calls. Like all the depth and blur in Pixel camera software? In Android Q, apps can request depth data (JPEG + XMP metadata + depth and confidence map) to, say, offer "specialized blurs and bokeh options in your app," as the Android post suggests. "You can even use the data to create 3D images or support AR photography use-cases in the future." Android Q will also support more multimedia codecs: AV1 to let media providers stream high-quality video, Opus for audio encoding, and HDR10+ for high dynamic range video "on devices that support it" – like, say, the Samsung Galaxy S10 family. As for gaming, the Android Q beta enhances support for OpenGL along with bug fixes and more functionality. While you wait for Android Q, here are the best Android phones on the market nowhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/BsQ5jj5gzrQ

February was a brilliant month for broadband deals and March only continued to pump out the top-notch offers. And yet, throughout that whole time, nothing has managed to beat TalkTalk's brilliant fibre broadband bargain. Dropping the cheapest fibre broadband deal in the UK almost a month ago, TalkTalk has finally decided to bring the offer to an end tomorrow, giving the other ISPs out there a fighting chance when it comes to affordable internet. As sad as we are to see it go, it's not all bad news, there is still one more day to grab this offering. With monthly bills of £19.95, no upfront costs and some pretty fast average speeds of 36Mb, this is easily the best value fibre broadband deal out there. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VgyagGS9HpAEPUQtUJBfrg.jpg TalkTalk's unbeatable fibre broadband deal:What other broadband deals are out there in the UK?Looking for something a little bit different with your fibre broadband, faster speeds perhaps? Well don't worry, one look at our broadband deals hub shows that there are plenty of other options available. While TalkTalk holds the title of cheapest fibre broadband (but not for long), BT is still one of the best value out there. BT has a brilliant fibre deal running right now, which will be ending alongside TalkTalk tomorrow. Speeds averaging 50Mb, a £80 BT Reward card and a free gift worth up to £179, BT's current offer is one of its best. Or if you like the idea of cheap fibre but don't want to go with TalkTalk then Vodafone is still a great offer. For £21 a month (just £1.05 more a month than TalkTalk) you can get Vodafone's fibre broadband deal. Finally, if you've been eyeing up a broadband and TV deal, Virgin's Full House package is at its lowest price. For just £45 a month you can get over 230 channels including BT Sport and superfast speeds of 108Mb, 3x as fast as TalkTalk. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/apThNjWBYt4

A host of different services will now let you put a website online, quickly and easily, no coding skills required – but if you're looking for something to show off your talents as a musician then you need a more specific set of features. Primarily, a way of uploading and sharing your tunes in a simple and secure way, even if it's just snippets of songs rather than whole tracks or indeed albums. If you're a musician for hire then it can be useful to have some kind of booking system in place as well, or at least a contact form. On top of that, there are all the extras you might be interested in, like support for your own domain name or gallery pages to show just how many people came to your last gig. Here are our picks for the best website builder for musicians to create a presence online. We’ve also picked out the best website builder for photographershttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/d9aGLyFvZpQnr5drftYi36.jpg Bandzoogle You won't find too many website builder services aimed specifically at musicians, but Bandzoogle gleefully jumps in to provide a bespoke service specifically for bands and artists. While it lacks some of the polish of the big names, because it focuses on the musician niche in particular, it has everything you should need. That includes, of course, the ability to upload your own tracks and let visitors stream them from your website. You can get tracks organized into entire albums if you really want to go to town, or just share single tracks. And then, as well as that, you've got simple ways to post gig dates, blog updates, and so on. Whether you need to build a contact form or a video diary, Bandzoogle makes it easy, no coding required – you can really make a site that's as simple or as complex as you like, and the end result is something that looks like you hired a specialist. You've got over 100 themes to choose from, they're all straightforward to edit and tweak, and connecting up social accounts (including the likes of SoundCloud and Bandcamp) only takes a few clicks as well. As an added bonus, you can sell merchandise and tickets right through Bandzoogle as well. Sign up for Bandzoogle from $8.29 (about £6.30) per month, free trial availablehttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/S3oBv29vht8obVDrcUzN8D.jpg Wix Check out any list of website builders for any purpose and Wix is likely to feature on it, but not only does this service earn that high reputation, it also has some useful tools for musicians – not least the ability to upload your own tracks so visitors to your website can listen to them without any extra software or browser extensions. Platforms that you're probably already using, like Bandsintown and Songkick, can plug directly into your Wix site: you can set up integrations like these in just a few clicks. What's more, you can add on an e-commerce portal to your site, for the purposes of shifting albums, T-shirts, or whatever else you need to sell. Wix has a very solid selection of templates, with more than 500 to choose from, and if you delve into the music section you'll see there are options for solo artists, bands, DJs, producers, or anyone else connected to the industry. Have a click around these templates to see the kind of sites it's possible to create. After that you've got all the features Wix has become known for: a site editor that's a breeze to use whether or not you know what CSS stands for, custom domain name support, easy blogging and simple social media support, and a free tier that lets you work out whether Wix is for you before you part with any cash. Sign up for Wix for free or from £3/$3.50 a monthhttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LntooDYoYY63ARGSvmpDCL.jpg Music Glue Music Glue is a little different to the other website builder services we've featured here: it focuses first and foremost on the merchandise and ticketing aspects of the music business, and indeed powers the online stores for some of the biggest names in the industry. Its pricing system is unusual too, taking a 10% cut of whatever you sell rather than a flat fee. That does at least mean you won't be out of pocket if your online marketplace doesn't attract much attention to begin with. There are no additional fees for payment processing, and customers can rock up with debit or credit cards, or PayPal. Music Glue is less impressive on the website building side, although you do get the basics – a choice of themes for the site attached to your online shop, the option to bring over your own custom domain name, tools for tweaking the code and layout of your site, and so on. It's possible to plug in social media accounts and even set up a mailing list. If your priority is the mechanics of selling music and tickets to your audience, then Music Glue is a good bet, and has some very famous clients on its books, as we mentioned. If you don't really have anything to sell right now and want to spend more time fiddling with a site design and layout, then maybe look elsewhere. Sign up for Music Glue for free, with 10% commission on saleshttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/SMNbJA9DELNpbkG6ZmanSW.jpg Difymusic French site builder Difymusic isn't the most well-known service out there, and doesn't have the same breadth of tools and features as some of the big names – but where it really comes into its own is in getting your music online quickly and easily. If you'd rather just get your stuff up quickly with a few pictures and links, rather than spend ages choosing a theme and editing HTML, Difymusic could be for you. It relies on plug-ins – like Spotify or SoundCloud for getting your music up, for example – but it supports an awful lot of them, so you're bound to find something that works. If you want to sell merch and tickets, then you can pay to add that on your main site, with a one-time €9.99 setup fee (about £9 or $12) and then 5% commission based on sales, but the basics are free. Connect up your Facebook page and your YouTube channel and you're good to go in just a few minutes. Admittedly the choice of templates and editing options aren't very strong, but the designs you can play around with are decent enough, and certainly won't put anyone off your music. Difymusic lets you get started quickly, and scale up as required. Sign up for Difymusic for free, with add-ons extrahttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UQ2GpqKWQTjGd47RN9VQEd.jpg Tumblr Tumblr isn't a website builder in the conventional sense – it's more of a half blogging, half social media platform – but if you take a longer look at what Tumblr has to offer, it's actual very appealing for musicians. For one thing, it's completely free to use, plus it already attracts a busy community of creatives. You can post up to one 10MB MP3 file every day, as well as links, text posts, videos, photos and more. Those MP3s appear as streamable files for visitors to your site – they can listen to the tunes in their browser, no plug-ins or extra software required, so it's a great way of showcasing your talents without paying anything. If Tumblr was simply a blogging platform and that was it, we probably wouldn't recommend the service, but it also supports pages alongside your blog (for a gallery or a contact form), custom domain names (so you can pay extra for whatever URL name you like), and posting from mobile apps too. On top of all that there are a host of themes to choose from, some of which cost money, but many are free, and a lot of them would suit a musician's portfolio. If the theme isn't exactly to your liking, you can tweak it with the integrated options or your own CSS, and switching between themes whenever you like is simple, too. Sign up for Tumblr for free, with add-ons extraCheck out the best website hosting serviceshttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/k1Qp_9okF8o

Welcome to our pick of the best graphic design software of 2019. In this guide you'll find the best software that will help you complete your graphic design work. Although a lot of the software in this list is currently 2018 versions, it doesn't mean they are outdated, and as soon as the 2019 editions are released, we'll update this guide. The problem that designers face every day is that of unending revision. Perhaps something needs adding, removing, recolouring or de-emphasising. The permutations on how a piece of artwork can be subtly different are as infinite as the reasons for altering it. Recreating physical artwork with minor differences is time-consuming and costly, whereas in the digital realm it can be quick, cheap and repeatable. Using a graphics design application means colours and elements can be changed, removed or redesigned rapidly without a complete rework. That allows for the expansion of design options, providing wider variation and additional time that can be allocated to the creative process rather than being consumed by the practicalities of making artwork. We’ve collated a list of the best graphic design tools that can be used by professionals to produce new designs rapidly, or the less experienced to produce something workable. We've also highlighted the best free software for graphic designershttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GtCCtWBMyQhDqSwHiuD8kD.jpg Affinity Designer As a replacement for DrawPlus X8, Affinity Designer isn’t a rehash and was built from the ground up over a five-year development project by Serif. Specifically aimed at professional designers and how they work, this software can handle a very wide scope of design tasks, including web, branding, concept art, typography and even repeating patterns, as you might need on ceramics, wallpaper or soft furnishings. Inherent cloud functionality also makes it a good option for teams of designers working towards a common goal. And all this functionality can be yours for a very modest £48.99 ($49.99) per seat on Windows PC or Apple Mac. You can download Affinity Designer herehttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DR2TVukaRSdhAJX8sEquy7.jpg Adobe Illustrator CC Essentially, Adobe Illustrator is the vector version of Photoshop, and the two share many common tools and functions to aid designers who use both. However, if you want to design graphics that are can be rescaled from a postage stamp to a giant billboard, then Illustrator is certainly the tool of choice. There was a time when you could buy Adobe Illustrator outright, but Adobe now only offers this product on the Creative Cloud (CC) suite, and it isn’t cheap. There is a Student version, with a 65% discount, but a business customer will be paying £19.97 ($19.99) per month to have single seat access to this application. It might have a powerful feature set, regular updates and be available for both Apple Mac and Windows PC, but the cost is prohibitive for occasional users. You can sign up for Adobe Illustrator CC herehttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/G7QvtwEa2jTm2yt6CbQEGP.jpg CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2018 CorelDRAW was most designer’s first ever serious Windows application, and many still have great affection for it today. However, this isn’t a cheap tool as you must spend £599.99 ($792) on the CorelDRAW Graphics Suite 2018 to get CorelDRAW, even if you only want that specific tool. That makes it one of the most expensive per seat solutions, even making Adobe’s subscription costs look affordable. What you get for the money is a massively powerful suite that can work with both vectors and bitmaps in a seamless design workflow. It’s remarkable in terms of the feature set and how relatively easy it is to learn. You can download CorelDraw Graphics Suite 2018 herehttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/M6ZAiVsi8VvPX8kwEGeS7j.jpg Gravit Designer Due to the complexity of vector illustrations, most software for creating them is locally installed, but Gravit Designer has online options too. The cloud-based version that runs from any browser and can automatically save to the online storage or locally. Alternatively, on Windows PC, Apple Mac, Linux and Chrome OS, there are installable releases that can better utilise the computer hardware. Our experience is that the online version can get slow with complex designs, but the locally installed versions cope much better. Whatever platform you use it on, the application is free, so there isn’t any excuse for not giving it a try. There are plenty of impressive examples designers have created using Gravit Designer that prove it can be very effective at some jobs. You can download Gravit Designer herehttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/baG9xYgLaYQLT8fk2aXR8B.jpg Inkscape Most business people shy away from free software for often valid reasons, but Inkscape is certainly worth looking at before you commit to buying CorelDRAW or an Adobe CC subscription. It’s a vector design tool that offers broad file support, extensive text manipulation and both Bezier and Spiro curve types. It also has an extension model that allows new features to be easily installed, and there are some amazing ones available. The only reservations we have are that even on a powerful PC it can be slow at times when a complicated process involves rendering. As a GPL licensed app, along with Windows, Linux and Apple Mac versions, you can also download the source code and compile it for whatever version of Linux you use. For a complete analysis of Inkscape check out our full review. You can download Inkscape herehttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jUJQLEgwqLzwgLySYbdV2P.jpg Sketch Rather than the scatter-gun approach of other applications, the creators of Sketch built a tool to address a relatively narrow requirement. Sketch is focused on screen design, specifically creating the icons and interface elements for websites and applications. And, as the software is exclusively available for the Apple Mac, mostly designers working on iPhone, iPad and macOS applications are going to find it useful. That said, it can be used more generally, but its strength is creating slick user interfaces. Regrettably, Sketch is available only on a subscription model that costs $99 (£75.60) per year, although updates are released very regularly. You can sign up for Sketch herehttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tDBvQ5KzHrHvDrSKUDbaQe.jpg Xara Designer Pro X The company behind Xara started out on the Atari ST and Acorn Archimedes computers in the 1980s, before focusing its efforts on the PC when Windows came along. Its latest version, Xara Designer Pro X, is a comprehensive design tool that can work with both bitmaps and vectors with equal aplomb. That means it can handle DTP (desktop publishing), graphic design, illustration and photo manipulation tasks in a single tool. For those wanting to mock something up rapidly, a license gives you access to over a million archive photos and illustrations to incorporate, along with hundreds of template layouts and thousands of design elements. The price is £199 ($299), and a cut-down version called Xara Photo & Graphic Designer is available that costs just £49.99 ($59.99). And Pro X can be found even cheaper on Steam. You can download Xara Designer Pro X herehttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/5JddU7mIEIE

Welcome to our list of the best workstations of 2019. These are the very best, most powerful, workstation machines that can power your business. These days, the best workstations are around the same size as normal PCs, and offer high quality designs, without sacrificing pure power and performance. Some, such as the iMac Pro and the Surface Studio, are slimline all-in-one PCs that offer brilliant performance whilst not taking up loads of room in your office. The best workstations can handle any application you throw at it, and they are useful tools for designers, engineers, financial analysts and researchers running more demanding applications, like rendering complex graphics, financial analysis and computations and digital content creation We've rounded up 10 of what we consider to be the best workstations currently on the market - in no particular order - from the main vendors. From small form factor models to powerhouses, from all-in-ones to one for all, there's bound to be one for you if you're in the market. At the bottom of this page you'll also find our list of the best online shops for buying workstations - so purchasing the perfect workstation for your business has never been easier! There are even a few amazing options that come in laptop form. Check out our best mobile workstations guide.http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Fa2SzZQpWGFACRCZQKHcrj.jpg Acer does a good line in workstations, and most of them are pretty affordable. The Acer Veriton X2640G SFF isn’t the most powerful of workstations, but it will do the trick if you need a dependable machine for most day-to-day tasks. There’s nothing particularly flashy about this workstation – but sometimes that’s just what you need. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FFNkUjGDRu9skCkkTJjQKD.jpg This excellent all-in-one workstation from Dell comes with an imposing 27-inch 4K Ultra HD touchscreen display, as well as a set of six speakers. That makes for the ideal workstation for photographers, video editors and music producers. The Dell XPS 27 performs admirably against industry-standard graphics-based benchmarks, no doubt thanks to the pacey 3.6GHz Intel Core i7-7700 processor under the casing. And this premium machine also gets premium peripheries in the form of a sleek and stylish wireless mouse and keyboard. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/af4b0ce213d0c51355c015eaa10ec3df.jpg An upgrade to the Mac Pro is imminent so you might want to hold on. But when it comes to the quintessential workstation, nothing comes near to this monolith. How Apple has been able to pack so much firepower into such a small volume almost defies the laws of physics. The current model, though, is well past its prime. It packs a 3-year old Intel Ivy-Bridge Xeon processor with up to 64GB DDR3 ECC RAM and 1TB storage (no RAID option though). Its two AMD FirePro D500 GPUs are likely to be the weakest link in the system, however, and even the top of the range model doesn't meet the minimum requirements to run the HTC Vive or Oculus Rift VR platform. It's also far more expensive than a comparable Windows-based workstation. Read the full review: Apple Mac Pro http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6Q7WdkKeC996rTyNHojuiX.jpg The Apple iMac Pro is the most powerful PC that Apple has ever made, so if you love the design of Apple's devices, while using its software, then the iMac Pro is an excellent workstation. Its all-in-one form factor gives you plenty of space on your desk, but it is very expensive, which turn some people off. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/seuAhSx5VLCKkEUG3mMc6g.jpg Microsoft has produced a brilliant all-in-one workstation that rival's Apple's iMacs for power and desirability. If you're wedded to the Windows 10 ecosystem, then this is a great alternative to the iMac Pro. Versatile and forward-thinking, Microsoft’s all-in-one puts the iMac to shame by introducing an all-in-one that can not only replace your lingering desktop tower, but your Cintiq as well. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cjXQAw5knbHtVFuKMeEN5Y.jpg The Mac mini 2018 has finally been refreshed with modern hardware, bring Apple’s tiniest Mac into the modern age. This thing is filled to the brim with 8th-generation desktop processors, a ton of RAM and some of the fastest SSDs we’ve seen – all while keeping the same beloved form factor. OK, while it's not as powerful as the other workstations on this list, it has a few tricks up its sleeve which makes this worth considering. First, you can add an external graphics card to the Mac mini for added graphical prowess. You can also chain several Mac minis together and offload tasks onto each machine, making it an expandable – and incredibly versatile – workstation. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ba9fff8025ddfc942592ee1300b4ed5b.jpg This is HP's entry level workstation and one which is very keenly priced with a very compact form factor (about 11L). It's hard to believe that the Z240 has an Intel Core i7-6700 CPU with 8GB of RAM and a 1TB hard disk drive. There's even an optical drive. The company's engineers have managed to deliver a system that weighs less than 6Kg and somehow has 20 (yes, 20) connectors and expansion slots (not all of them empty of course). It even has four DIMM slots to take full advantage of dual-channel technology. As for the rest of the HP workstation family, this one comes with the Remote Graphics Software as well as a three-year onsite warranty bundled. The only major compromise is the fact that it will only take low profile graphics cards. HP also offers the option to buy the workstation for as little as £16 per month excluding VAT. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/b220e66efbe9e3d1d25c13cbe4e31fcc.jpg The small form factor market is attracting more manufacturers as they are vying to shed the bulky and wieldy image of the traditional workstation. Few, if any, however, can pride themselves on designing and manufacturing their products in the same area. Fujitsu can – take the J550. It can take a Xeon E3 CPU, a full-size professional graphics card, 64GB of RAM, offering up to 13.5TB storage and nearly 20 ports and expansion slots including quite a few legacy ones. Fujitsu is also the only company to offer a three-year warranty (either onsite or bring-in) across the EMEIA region, which spans across the whole of Europe, into Africa and stretches as far as India. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/WWFNcxG3aHA

Welcome to our pick of the best PCs for photo editing in 2019. The desktop PCs on this page have been carefully picked for professional photographers (or a keen hobbyists) that are looking for powerful machines that can handle Photoshop and other photo editing applications. The best PCs for photo editing offer enough power to edit high resolution photos, which means they'll usually come with a dedicated graphics card. If you're only working with still images (and not using the PC for video editing as well), then you won't need a monster rig, but you'll certainly be after something that comes with a mid-range or higher graphics card. Having enough RAM is also an important consideration, especially if you want to have a number of programs and images open at once. We'd recommend a minimum of 8GB for the best PC for photo editing. You'll also want a high capacity hard drive for storing your photos on, we'd recommend 1TB or higher. If you'd like something a bit more portable, then make sure you check out our pick of the best laptops for photographers and photo editing. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Lt7PMxpJsiHp5F6Cgr25ve.jpg The new Mac mini was a long time coming, but it was well worth the wait, as Apple has packed it with some brilliant modern components, including the latest 6-core processors from Intel, along with support for up to 64GB RAM and loads of storage as well, all in that small and stylish body we've come to love. It's perfectly powerful enough for photo editing, and small enough for photographers to carry around with them. The only disappointment is that it does not come with discrete graphics, but Intel's integrated UHD Graphics 630 aren't too shabby, and you can also plug in an external hard drive for extra graphical oomph. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dK3ysPRTY8iCCcmgwo2DQb.jpg The Lenovo ThinkCentre M900 is an excellent desktop PC for photo editing, as it combines speed and power with an excellent build quality and reliability which is essential for PCs used for heavy duty image manipulation. Best of all, the Lenovo ThinkCentre M900 comes in a range of configurations, with the top-end model boasting a huge amount of power. This flexibility lets you build a Lenovo ThinkCentre M900 that suits your needs, and there's plenty of room to upgrade and expand this desktop in the future. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/y65aoZRX7aYtHFmbgmNkTg.jpg If you’re looking for an incredibly powerful, yet stylishly designed, all-in-one PC that’s not made by Apple, then Microsoft’s brilliant Surface Studio will be for you. It comes at a price, but for build quality and performance, you’ll not want to look any further, especially if you work with photo editing applications. Microsoft's all-in-one PC fits comfortably on a desk, and it's built-in screen makes your photos look fantastic, even before you've edited them. As it run Windows 10 you get a huge range of comparible photo editing apps as well. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/er8t2g9xhogzPXPffJDbkU.jpg If you're a professional photographer and digital creative, then the iMac Pro is one of the best PCs money can buy. This is a seriously powerful all-in-one that was released last year with cutting edge tech, and a choice of powerful Intel Xeon W processors, bags of RAM and hefty graphical processing power. All of this in an iconic Apple design. If you have the budget for it, the iMac Pro is one of the best PCs for photo editing money can buy. However, for some people, you may find it has a level of power that you do not require, so read on for more modest (and affordable) PCs for photo editing. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Sndq2zY8UQcvUiSfZTPJW3.jpg Dell offers some exceptional PCs for work and photo editing, and the Dell XPS Tower Edition is a brilliant example, showcasing excellent build quality with a suite of powerful components. Inside you’ll find your choice of the latest in GPU tech (essential for heavy duty photo and video editing), in addition to a blazing-fast 7th generation Intel CPU and a spacious hard drive and/or SSD. The Special Edition is only available in the US, but our readers in the UK and Australia will still be able to buy the regular Dell XPS Tower and beef it up to the same level through Dell’s configuration page. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Bpjf7dZnAQX7rX4hSqijJ6.jpg If the iMac Pro above is too expensive (and offers a level of performance that you simply don't need) but you want an Apple all-in-one, then the standard iMac is more than capable of helping you with your photo editing. While the iMac 2017 doesn’t feature a touchscreen or an adjustable stand, the option for a 4K P3 wide color gamut display means it will accurately display your photos, while the 7th-generation Kaby Lake desktop processor make the 21.5-inch iMac not only beautiful, but powerful as well. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/1acf84356dd61f6a97dd1943d17f0f06.jpg Though at first you might confuse it for a fabric-woven Mac Pro refresh, the HP Pavilion Wave is anything but. This compact Windows machine packs in 6th-generation Intel Core processors and optional discrete AMD graphics with a uniquely integrated Bang & Olufsen speaker. Wrapped in a handsome fabric exterior, this is the perfect PC to have on the desk. If you love listening to music while you edit your photos, then this is a brilliant – and stylish – PC to consider. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FgaHSoZSpRphAgJWJidyL6.jpg If you’re looking for a great desktop experience for photo editing, but don’t have a lot of space, look no further than the Intel Hades Canyon NUC. In this tiny bare-bones PC, you have an insanely powerful 8th-generation Intel Core i7 processor, and discrete-class Radeon graphics – once you throw in some RAM and storage, you've got a small and easily portable PC that can handle photo editing with ease. If you often travel around and want a powerful and dependable PC for photo editing, then this is definitely worth considering. Best computer 2018: the best PCs we've testedhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/I3lFMvmygdM

If you're sat in front of your PC all day for work, then finding the best business monitor for your needs is essential. Getting the right monitor means you can work comfortably, with bright, clear colors and high resolutions. Plus, if you work in the creative industry where color and image accuracy is paramount, such as photography or video editing, then you'll need a monitor that supports a variety of industry standards. Choosing the best business monitor doesn’t just mean getting one that doesn’t flicker. There’s also the productivity aspect, too. Large display sizes and high resolutions will give you more workspace – and ultra-wide aspect ratios are a dream come true for productivity, though all this comes at a price. The price is also something you should think about – especially if you’re looking to fill an entire office. We went ahead and listed some of the best business monitors we could find, and each of them comes with their own specific strengths, which may make them more useful for some audiences than others. Here's our list of the best monitors of 2019http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/djJYF62UV9S5JZtK6QSDqc.jpg The Dell UltraSharp UP3218K is the best business monitor we've ever tried, however it won't be for everyone. The huge 32-inch screen and 8K resolution makes it perfect for photographers and video editors, and the amount of screen real estate that high resolution offers makes it an excellent productivity tool. The screen is professionally calibrated so it looks amazing out of the box, but be warned: this is a very expensive monitor. Depending on your business, this will either be a brilliant buy, or an expensive folly. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MJBi6WtMFCDCLGaQXA8jtB.jpg The AOC PDS241 Porsche Design is a gorgeously designed monitor that would brighten up any desk it was placed on. It has an excellent price tag, which means you could realistically fill an office with these excellent screens. Ports are limited to just a HDMI input, but for general office work, this should be fine. Most importantly, the image quality is excellent, making this an ideal addition to a modern office. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tcZUCf9VsS8QtetqFcQs3B.jpg If you're a design professional looking for a monitor that provides you accurate colors, a range of features, professional calibration and a decent price, then the BenQ PD3200U is definitely worth considering. At 32-inches this is a large screen, but it means the UHD resolution of 3,840 x 2,160 doesn't make things too difficult to see or use. It has a no-nonsense design, plenty of features, such as a dark room mode and a mode that makes using CAD programmes easier to view, and the price is also very tempting. If you have a desk big enough to hold it, the BenQ PD3200U could be the best business monitor for you. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xaD2Cn4TSBt6mPtYSTQZWR.jpg If you're looking for an excellent productivity monitor that offers you huge amounts of space to work on, without having to resort to multiple monitors, then you'll want an ultra-wide monitor. The Philips Brilliance 499P9H takes ultra-wide to an extreme, offering a huge 32:9 aspect ratio over 49-inches of screen. It gives you a huge desktop to work on, which makes it an excellent choice for people who work with multiple apps open at once. It's a huge monitor that won't fit on everyone's desk, but it can actually save you space, as it means you don't have to have multiple monitors all hooked up to your PC at once. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/d899da46bf736ba90583edb4b998f9f6.jpg When you think about a monitor, you don't just consider the screen, but also the cables and stand. In terms of the latter, the MB169B Plus is different – it is a portable USB-powered monitor which means that you can power it using a single USB 3.0 cable. It stands out thanks to a smart case that is an adjustable stand and a protective sleeve at the same time. With a full HD resolution and a 15.6-inch screen size, it will prove to be an invaluable accessory for those looking for extra real estate to work when away from their desks, or a presentation monitor for a small team. Bear in mind that you should be able to add a few to your PC should you wish. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/476514039b70dd5ad570e335561b67ce.jpg BenQ offers the most affordable full HD monitor with an HDMI connector and it doesn't look that bad. The company embraced the Bauhaus "less is more" philosophy to deliver "a celebration of minimalist" lifestyle. Those are their words, not ours. It has some standout features though; one that reduces flicker (PWM technology) and a low blue light mode which may help with headaches and sleeping disorders. The stand design gives it a more expensive feel and its three ports (including two HDMI ones) are worthy of a mention, as is the two-year warranty and the VESA wall mounting option. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9053a1b193b19fc8ca96dad7a30a26a7.jpg To tackle spreadsheets without having to squint, a large screen is recommended and this Acer monitor will give you acres of space (nearly twice that of the ViewSonic monitor) for not a lot of money. It has a low response time, a VESA bracket, three ports including a DVI one and a three-year warranty. As expected it comes with a number of Acer features like the glare-reducing ComfyView and the Adaptive Contrast Management which modifies contrast in real-time. The stand and the bezel could do with some improvement but overall, it is a keenly priced monitor that will provide businesses with plenty of display area without an enormous outlay. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/a5436e9ce1605c2419bbe0bc835ce2bb.jpg Widescreen monitors have become mainstream, thanks to a gradual decrease in their prices, allowing businesses to fully embrace the concept of having a monitor that is far wider than it is high. The common perception is that gamers are the only ones to benefit from this. In truth even creative professionals and spreadsheet crunchers will appreciate the form factor. With a 21:9 aspect ratio, this affordable LG monitor can display 2560 x 1080 pixels on its 25-inch display. It offers splendid colour reproduction – thanks to the AH-IPS panel – and some cool features like Picture-in-Picture. Uniquely at this price, it offers two HDMI 2.0 ports but no other legacy ports. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ff399772773dcf195953a55c3b8ab490.jpg This 4K monitor from AOC can display more than 8 million pixels at 60Hz, and is proof that ultra-high resolution displays are coming down in price while gaining some very useful features. This one for example comes with AMD's Freesync technology which reduces tearing. It also has a 1ms response time, 60Hz refresh rate and can even do Picture-in-Picture thanks to its four ports (including a DisplayPort and an HDMI 2.0 one). Sadly, it doesn't come with any VESA mount but at least its design and factory certified calibration make up for this. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/69a1c3f12976a28cbe610044ae5272ec.jpg This monitor is almost as expensive as the Dell 5K model but can only display a third of the pixels. Why would anyone buy it? Gamers, or professionals looking for an immersive experience (e.g. when developing VR solutions) might well consider doing so because they'll appreciate the curvature of this Acer monitor as well as its aspect ratio. Get a pair of them and you will cover a jaw-dropping panoramic 160-degree arc. There's plenty of connection options as well (HDMI, MHL and DisplayPort) as well as Freesync, a very thin frame, a USB hub, VESA mount and a pair of speakers. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/2168msYLt7E

For information about adding your event to this list and featured listing opportunities please contact mike.moore@futurenet.com. Love it or loathe it, events and conferences are often where wheelers and dealers in the world of technology meet to decide on the future of the industry. Ironically, technology itself has accelerate the demise of some massive tech events (like CeBit) but the result is that the remaining ones are more focused, alive and bustling than ever before. TechRadar Pro and ITProPortal have joined forces with the tech B2B PR industry to curate a list of national and international technology events, conferences and happenings. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nv4PdbFngjaUyJutNjbTkh.jpg Smart Home ExpoMarch 26th & 27th March, Birmingham Smart Home Expo is the UK's ultimate event for the smart technologies revolutionising the way we live, featuring 150 seminars by the industry’s greatest minds, 200 world-class suppliers, interactive panel debates, networking opportunities, exclusive show offers, and much more. Why attend? From smart lights that help with energy saving, to smart assistants that control homes via simple voice commands; Smart Home Expo is not only the place where you can find a plethora of solutions on offer, but also where you’ll learn how to best utilise them, redefining what it means to feel at home. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nv4PdbFngjaUyJutNjbTkh.jpg INDUSTRY EuropeApril 16th & 17th, Dublin Building world-class software products is hard. At INDUSTRY you will see how others manage product in different environments, from fast-paced startups to complex large enterprises. Why attend? Over 3 days, 400 attendees from over 30 countries will learn from renowned product leaders and share the latest methods, tools, and frameworks that they use to build, launch and scale world-class software products. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nv4PdbFngjaUyJutNjbTkh.jpg Blockchain Expo GlobalApril 25th-26th, London The world’s largest blockchain conference and exhibition focuses on the future of enterprise technology. The event showcases two days of top-level content from leading brands, embracing and developing cutting edge blockchain technologies. Why attend? The agenda will present a series of expert keynotes, interactive panel discussions and solution-based case studies, all exploring the key industries that are set to be disrupted the most by this new technology. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nv4PdbFngjaUyJutNjbTkh.jpg AccountexMay 1st-2nd, London Now in its eighth year, over two days visitors to Accountex will have the opportunity to gain insights from over 250 top exhibitors and immerse themselves in accounting expertise with a programme of over 250 keynotes and seminars delivered by leading industry experts. Why attend? Following a record-breaking attendance of almost 8,000 visitors at last year’s show, Accountex will be taking it up a level for 2019 with 10% more floor space, giving exhibiting companies even more room to showcase their latest accounting innovations. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nv4PdbFngjaUyJutNjbTkh.jpg Open Source Data ConferenceMay 14th-15th, Berlin Innovative strategies, forward-looking developments and new perspectives in dealing with complex data centers are the topics of OSDC. Why attend? The international conference is especially adapted to experienced administrators and architects. Get in touch with international OS-experts. Benefit from their comprehensive experience, learn about the current developments and gain the latest know-how for your daily practice. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nv4PdbFngjaUyJutNjbTkh.jpg Digital Transformation LondonMay 15th-16th, London The 2019 Digital Transformation Conference will be tackling the challenges of successful transformation head on and will feature a diverse set of tracks and streams to cover the entire digital ecosystem including People & Culture, Digital Workplace, Customer Experience, Emerging Technology & Trends, Digital Product Innovation & Digital Delivery. Why attend? The Digital Transformation Conference brings together leaders spearheading digital initiatives in their organisations to offer insights, education and case studies on what can be a confusing environment. Viva TechnologyMay 16th - 18th, Paris VivaTech is the world’s rendezvous for startups and leaders to celebrate innovation. It’s a gathering of the world’s brightest minds, talents, and products. Why attend? From top speakers and exhibitions to open innovation and live experiences, VivaTech is a celebration of today’s innovations and tomorrow’s possibilities for everyone who believes in the power of technology to transform business and society. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nv4PdbFngjaUyJutNjbTkh.jpg The AI Summit London 2019June 12th-13th, London The AI Summit, the flagship event for London Tech Week 2019, offers all the answers and more, giving you the knowledge, tools and experience you need to change the face of your business for the good. Why attend? Engage with world leading organisations, hear from the brightest minds and gleam exclusive insights into pioneering AI projects from all corners of industry, like never before. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nv4PdbFngjaUyJutNjbTkh.jpg Gitex 2019October 6th-10th, 2019 Join attendees from 120+ countries and global media outlets in unpacking the big conversations and latest solutions around AI, blockchain, robotics, cloud and other mega trends. Why attend? GITEX takes you on a multi-sensory experience of Future Urbanism across 21 halls with 4,000 exhibitors across 24 sectors. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nv4PdbFngjaUyJutNjbTkh.jpg Big Data LDN 2019November 13th-14th, London Big Data LDN is a free to attend conference and exhibition where delegates discuss the big questions and share ideas with forward-thinking peers and leading members of the Data community. Hear from 130 expert speakers in 8 technical and business-led conference tracks, including real world use-cases and discuss your business requirements with 100 leading technology vendors and consultants. Why attend? Big Data LDN (London) will host leading, global data and analytics experts, ready to arm you with the tools to deliver your most effective data-driven strategy. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/tUiaaOtCfyg

This season's Champions League future for Bayern Munich and Liverpool all rests on tonight's game. The two could not be split in the first leg of the last-16 Champions League tie - nor could either team score. They go in to tonight's match tied at 0-0, and with this guide you can live stream Bayern Munich vs Liverpool no matter where you are in the world. They're two of the biggest clubs in world football and both will be sensing a big chance to go all the way in the Champions League this season. There are some tempting teams in the quarter-final draw (Porto anyone?), and so getting through tonight's tie could spell the start of a very interesting opportunity. Liverpool's famous free-scoring front three of Salah, Firmino and Mané couldn't break down the Bayern defence when the sides met three weeks ago. Not for the lack of chances - they had 15 shots on goal in total, while goalkeeper Alisson didn't have to deal with a single attempt on target. But that's not to suggest that Bayern don't have some awesome threats of their own, and the previously missing David Alaba and Kingsley Coman will rejoin Lewandowski to try and come up with the crucial goals. It's poised to be a fascinating second leg of the Champions League last 16 knockouts, so make sure you follow the instructions below for how to live stream Bayern Munich vs Liverpool from wherever you are in the world. See how to live stream every single Champions League game this seasonhttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VgyagGS9HpAEPUQtUJBfrg.jpg Use a VPN to watch Champions League football outside your countryIf you're away from your country but are desperate to get around geo-blocking from your home broadcaster, don't sweat. Thanks to the tools provided to you by a VPN service, you can tune in no matter where you are in the world. And best of all, it's really easy to do. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/B9XNGCRYNHKJzN5zVfTMje.jpg Stream the Liverpool game live in the UK http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/x4WvmjGdnEUCFeqhMUrnWo.jpg How to watch Bayern Munich vs Liverpool: live stream in UShttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jgvvohCEmS99W9XuRfJMSo.jpg How to live stream Champions League football in Canadahttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/D39crXd3gob7KPsE3LAFUo.jpg How to live stream Liverpool vs Bayern Munich in the Champions League: Australiahttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kZWNrTtXZs7Ep2c7452KSo.jpg How to watch Champions League football in New Zealandhttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WWQ7UGT97CVJAVBcELPxRQ.jpg How to live stream the UEFA Champions League football in Indiahttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ebGZgkd4qVX7mUuvz3WNkH.jpg http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/kKRcaoRoor0

March Madness is now less than a week away, and that means you can find big discounts on top-selling TVs from online retailers. Amazon is currently running a sale on 4K TV deals for the big tournament. For a limited time, you can save up to $500 on big-screen 4K TVs from top brands such as Sony and LG. You can get the Sony 55-inch 4K TV on sale for $598. That's the best price we've seen for this top-rated 4K TV with smart capabilities. Watching the game on the Sony KD55X750F will make you feel like your there in-person with an ultra HD picture that features 4K X-Reality PRO that delivers stunning accuracy and brilliant colors and contrasts. The Sony KD55X750F works with Amazon Alexa and the Google Assistant so you can use your voice to control your TV. The Android TV also has the Google Assistant built-in so you can use your TV as a hub to control your compatible smart home devices and use the remote to ask Google questions. Shop the rest of Amazon's 4K TV deals below and make sure to take advantage of these limited-time discounts while you can. Shop more of best cheap TV deals and sale prices that are currently going on and read our buying guide on the Best TVs in 2019 and which big screen TVs are really worth buying. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/mzR99SMAFXM

The Fitbit Charge 3 is one of the company’s more premium fitness trackers, but if you’ve still got money to spare there are plenty of bands and accessories to augment it with. Not all of them are any good though, which is why we've created this guide, highlighting some of the best across a range of styles and budgets. These are products that we haven't had in our test labs, but based on our experts' opinion and knowledge of the most reputable brands around, we think these are worth looking at. Our selections, ranked from cheapest to most expensive, take into account online reviews, brand reputation, product capability or unique features to help you pick through the maze of choices available to you. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/phLeMbQ4XQP5Qd9aULsDSZ.jpg Image credit: Kmasic You might not think of your Fitbit Charge 3 as something that particularly needs protecting, but it’s not immune to scratches, especially if you’re prone to waving it around during workouts, so you might want to consider a case. Fortunately, you won’t have to spend much to get one. The Kmasic Protective Case is a simple, transparent piece of TPU that wraps around the screen and sides of your Charge 3, keeping the most vulnerable parts safe from harm. You can still connect the charger with the cover on, and while the screen covering is always transparent (other than an optional pattern), you do have some color choices for the sides. Or you can keep those transparent too, so it’s not obvious that there’s anything shielding your tracker. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yNtTpt65beaHZ2ZQi2ADUZ.jpg Image credit: Cavn There are a few different official Fitbit Charge 3 strap options, but there’s no Milanese loop. Thankfully, third parties such as Cavn have filled the gap. This is a stainless steel band, so it’s a bit classier than the sports ones that most people will be using, yet it’s not overly expensive. It has a quick release mechanism and Cavn promises that it’s flexible, breathable and durable. That said, it probably won’t be your first choice for a workout or a swim, but it could be a great option if you want to class your tracker up a bit outside of the gym. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MxicjcBF3mAQdtjNnaHbRZ.jpg Image credit: Goseth This Goseth band is both a silicone sport strap and a protective bumper case for your Charge 3. It makes the tracker somewhat chunkier and arguably uglier than without the case, but it keeps it safe from damage, and with a strap included too it’s undeniably good value for money. It’s water and sweat proof, so a great option for workouts and adventures. This probably isn’t a strap you’ll want to use all the time, but it could be handy to have available any time you think your Fitbit Charge 3 might take a beating. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KPhM7BzNZiRCkUcRe5z5TZ.jpg Image credit: Cavn Want to class up your charging game? Then you could do a lot worse than this Cavn Fitbit Charge 3 Dock. It’s made of aluminum, so it looks good, and it angles your Fitbit Charge 3 so you can display it and easily see the screen while it’s charging. It also includes thoughtful features such as overcurrent and short circuit protection, anti-slip mats to keep the charger in place, and a cushioned part where you attach your Fitbit, to avoid damaging it. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5weMM6ZHtPiDZiszEw2jNY.jpg Image credit: Aresh While Fitbit itself sells a number of straps for the Charge 3, oddly none of them are metal. Perhaps that’s because metal isn’t typically a great material to work out in – which is one of the downsides of this third-party strap from Aresh, but if you want to class up your tracker it’s a great choice. It looks smart, is made from stainless steel, and has an adjustable length, so one size essentially fits all. It’s also cheaper than you might expect a metal strap to be and it leaves your Fitbit looking much better suited to the office or an evening out. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cHETTiCKmuE67gorRDbWNY.jpg Image credit: Fitbit One of the more unusual Fitbit Charge 3 band options comes from Fitbit itself, as the company offers this woven alternative to the typical silicone, leather and metal choices. Being woven it’s comfortable and casual, but it’s also stylish enough to wear just about anywhere and is sure to turn heads. The only real downside to this is that – being an official accessory – it’s also rather expensive, but it could be a worthwhile investment if you see yourself using this strap every day. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yCJQXjBvm66FbbapRduYPZ.jpg Image credit: Fitbit / Horween If you want a truly premium band to replace the one that your Fitbit Charge 3 comes with, you probably won’t do better than this Horween Leather Band. Exclusive to the Fitbit store, this is anything but cheap. However, the leather band and its aluminum buckle look great. They’re not water or sweat proof, so this isn’t one to work out in, but it would be ideal for when you want to look smarter. Looking for a different Fitbit?The best Fitbit Versa bandsThe best Fitbit Ionic bandsThe best Fitbit Blaze bandsThe best Fitbit Charge 2 bandsThe best Fitbit Alta and Alta HR bandshttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/NQhX2FXwDto

Think of the cloud as a serviced apartment: your business’s fully-managed home on the internet. While the cloud provider is responsible for everything from the underlying architecture to physical security, accessibility and maintenance, the tenant is responsible for their own possessions – in this case, the applications and the data within them. Similar to our homes, our clouds can quickly become cluttered and complex as we add more items over the years, making everyday management increasingly unwieldy and expensive. Like the cupboard under the stairs full of defunct devices and outdated documents, the cloud can become a graveyard for once-useful resources that are no longer adding value. But to extend the metaphor, you can’t make better use of your space if you don’t know what you have, and which items should be thrown away. In the same way, you can’t optimise your cloud if you don’t understand its components and which parts of the business they serve. Every cloud needs constant attention to maximise usability and performance. This is why it’s so important that items are clearly labelled so we know what resources are kept where, and why they’re there. In other words, you have to understand your cloud landscape before you can optimise it. That’s where tagging comes in. Looking into the future: 2019 in the cloudThe true value of a cloud-native policyGoogle launches hybrid cloud betaTagging provides visibility over your cloud spend and usage and represents the all-important first step in taking full control over your enterprise’s cloud. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8KyQTpRGfAJ86XhCPZLMVb.jpg Image Credit: Shutterstock Making sense of your cloudYou can think of tags as labels, or metadata, that you assign to the resources in your cloud environment to help you identify them from different perspectives, such as who owns an asset or when it was created. This enables you to sort, report and analyse these assets in whatever way you wish. However, some thought is required up-front to ensure your tagging strategy meets your specific requirements. So, how can you get started on a tagging strategy that will ensure all your resources are fully labelled and identifiable? The first step is to conduct a thorough appraisal of your business needs to ensure that you fully understand what information about your IT estate the organisation requires to function efficiently. What insights would benefit the business, making it easier to align your cloud to use cases? This can’t be a top-down process: you need to involve every stakeholder across the business – from finance to operations, engineering to human resources – to ensure that your tagging strategy meets all your requirements. The last thing you want is a business department to lose sight of critical resources they need to get the job done, so it’s important that everyone is involved. Remember, you don’t have to tackle tagging all at once. Start with around three or five classifications for your cloud assets. These should support specific aims such as improving the visibility of your resources, clarifying ownership, or identifying the costs associated with that asset: for example, you could tag by business unit, product or service, owner and role. Categorise your tagsThere’s plenty of time to expand these tag classifications later, but it’s important first to establish a naming convention to avoid confusion or double-tagging. We recommend that you split your tags into four discrete categories – Technical, Business, Automation & Security – and then prefix your tags to clearly identify which category they relate to: for example, ‘tech:Version’ or ‘bus:Customer’. Whatever categories you choose, make sure they are used consistently. If you have only a small number of resources, then you could manage tagging through a spreadsheet, although this will quickly become impossible to manage as your business and its cloud assets grow. This is where a good cloud service management platform can make all the difference, by not only helping you label and keep track of your assets, but also providing you with detailed analytics and reports – along with real-time recommendations on how to optimise your use of cloud resources. The benefits of cloud optimisationTagging is just one way of helping your business improve its cloud infrastructure, however. To ensure you’re getting the most out of your cloud, and that it continues to be a value-add rather than a cost-centre across its lifetime, you should look to implement an ongoing cloud optimisation programme. Too many companies fall into the habit of treating cloud as a static installation. In actual fact, it should be an iterative, constantly-evolving asset, growing and changing as your business does. The process of optimisation tunes your environment to suit the specific capacity, cost and availability requirements of your individual workload. It should be a continuous cycle that starts with measurement and monitoring aided by tagging, before rightsizing to ensure that the provisioned capacity meets your needs (and doesn’t over-fulfil them). Where possible you should give some consideration to your application architecture, autoscaling to meet demand as it occurs is a much more efficient use of cloud technology – and finally pricing to ensure you’re paying the right price for the resources you need, upfront reservations should be a consideration at this stage. Finally, it should look at storage to ensure you match your needs to the cloud vendor’s capabilities – there are often more cost effective ways to store infrequently accessed data. To ensure your system is up to date, formal optimisation reviews should occur in roughly six-monthly cycles to ensure the workload is re-tuned in line with technical advancements and upgrades to your cloud architecture. Optimisation reviews should also evaluate updated regulatory and compliance requirements against enhanced cloud features and upgrades. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fGg4bZc7hJZmLgaXi2VTWU.jpg Image Credit: Pixabay A cloud optimisation programme can also help you ensure that the performance of your workloads is optimised, including their scalability, accessibility and resilience, whilst reducing costs, and can help you to take advantage of the newest capabilities offered by cloud providers like AWS, Google and Azure. The bottom line is that an effective cloud optimisation programme should be a complimentary combination of different processes, from workload management to tag management. A thorough approach is the best way to eliminate inefficiencies in your infrastructure and ensure that your cloud’s growth is a benefit, not a hindrance. To take the ‘serviced apartment’ metaphor outside, it’s like gardening – yes, you look for the best ways to make sure your plants grow and thrive, but you also need to prune them back regularly to stop them from taking over your garden. There’s never a bad time to get your house (or your garden) in order, and the same goes for your cloud. The more you understand about your company’s cloud, the more value you can bring through optimisation. Realising the benefits of cloud computing isn’t a given; it’s the product of thoughtful management. Get tagging today to stop sprawl, save money, and ensure you’re getting the most business value out of your cloud. Jeremy Chaplin, Cloud Optimisation Consultant at KCOM We've also highlighted the best cloud computing serviceshttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/OzHHOL0lIMA

In October 2016 DNS provider Dyn was hit by a major DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attack by an army of IoT devices which had been hacked specially for the purpose. Over 14,000 domains using Dyn's services were overwhlemed and became unreachable including big names like Amazon, HBO, and PayPal. According to research by Cloudflare the average cost of infrastructure failure to businesses is $100,000 (£75,000) per hour. How then can you make sure that your organization doesn't fall victim to this kind of attack. In this guide you'll discover major infrastructure providers who have the necessary digital muscle to protect against attacks designed to flood your network capacity. You'll also discover which providers can offer protection against more sophisticated application (layer 7) attacks, which can be carried out without a huge number of hacked computers (sometimes known as a botnet). We've also highlighted the best web hosting services of 2019http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Zt9bYZqsASDLD4twSPrKWT.jpg Project Shield Project Shield is the creation of Jigsaw, an offshoot Google's parent company Alphabet. Development began several years ago under George Conard in the wake of attacks on election monitoring and human rights related websites in the Ukraine. Project Shield is able to filter potential malicious traffic by acting as a reverse proxy which sits between a website and the internet at large, filtering connection requests. If a connection seems to be from a legitimate visitor Project Shield permits the connection request. If a connection request is determined to be bad e.g. multiple connection attempts from the same IP address, then it is blocked. This system makes Project Shield extremely easy to implement simply by changing your servers DNS settings. Any power users reading may wonder how filtering traffic via a proxy will work with SSL. Fortunately, Jigsaw has thought of this and has put together a comprehensive tutorial to make sure secure connections to your site work seamlessly. Several other tutorials are also available in the support section. Currently Project Shield is only available for media, election monitoring and human rights related websites. The primary focus is also on small under resourced websites which cannot afford expensive hosting solutions to protect themselves for DDoS. If your organization doesn't match these requirements you may have to consider an alternative solution such as Cloudflare. You can sign up for Project Shield herehttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XivRw7A2UxZoEnZBiEaBTo.jpg Cloudflare Anyone who has used the Internet in the last few years will be familiar with Cloudflare as many major websites make use of its protection. Although Cloudflare is based in the US it maintains a 165 data centers around the world: an infrastructure to rival Google's. This maximizes your sites chances of staying online. Every Cloudflare user can choose to activate the 'I'm under attack' mode which can protect against even the most sophisticated of DoS attacks by presenting a Javascript challenge. As a matter of routine Cloudflare also acts as a reverse proxy sitting between visitors and your site host to filter traffic in much the same way as Jigsaw's Project Shield. Visitors making connection requests have to run a gauntlet of sophisticated filters including site reputation, whether their IP has been Blacklisted and if the HTTP header seems suspicious. HTTP requests are finger printed to protect against known Botnets. As an industry giant, Cloudflare can easily leverage its position by sharing intel across the 7+ million websites it manages. Cloudflare offers a free basic package which includes unmetered DDoS mitigation. For those who are willing to pay for a Cloudflare business subscription (prices start at $200 or £149 a month), more advanced protection is available such as custom SSL certificate uploads. You can sign up for Cloudflare herehttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XE8cW6g4hnC7zrHX9tDsAP.jpg AWS Shield AWS Shield protection is provided by the good people of Amazon web services. The 'Standard' tier is available to all AWS customers at no extra charge. This is ideal as many small businesses choose to host their websites with Amazon. AWS Shield Standard is available to all customers at no extra charge. It protects against more typical network (layer 3) and transport (layer 4) attacks when used Amazon's Cloud Front and Route 53 services. This should put off all but the most determined hackers. However, your bandwidth e.g. 15Gbp/s will still be limited by the size of you Amazon instance making it feasible for hackers to carry out a DoS attack if they have sufficient resources. Worse still you remain responsible for paying for the extra traffic to your instance. To mitigate this Amazon also offers AWS Shield Advanced. A Subscription include DDoS cost protection, which can save you from a huge spike in your monthly usage bill if you are the victim of an attack. AWS Shield Advanced can also deploy your ACL's (Access Control Lists) to the border of the AWS network itself giving you protection against even the largest of attacks. Advanced Subscribers also benefit from a round the clock DRT (DDoS response team) as well as detailed metrics on any attacks on your instances. The piece of mind afforded by AWS Shield Advanced is expensive however. You must be willing to subscribe for a minimum of one year for a price of $3,000 (£2,200) a month. This is in addition to data transfer usage costs which you can cover on a 'pay as you go' basis. You can sign up for AWS Shield herehttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PgM3cAm2LF8DVdBZdkdGef.jpg Microsoft Azure Like Amazon, Microsoft offers the option to rent service space via their service Azure. All members benefit from basic DDoS protection. Features include always on traffic monitoring and real time mitigation of network (layer 3) attacks for any public IP addresses you use. This is the very same type of protection afforded to Microsoft's own online services and the entire resources of Azure's network can be used to absorb DDoS attacks. For organisations in need of more sophisticated protection Azure also offers a 'Standard' tier. This has been widely praised for being very easy to enable, requiring just a few clicks of your mouse. Crucially Azure does not require you to make any changes to your apps although the standard tier does offer protection against application (layer 7) DDoS attacks via the app gateway web app firewall. Azure monitor can show you real time metrics if an attack does take place. These are retained for 30 days and can be exported for further study if you wish. Azure constantly checks web traffic to your resources. If these exceed a pre-defined threshold, DDoS mitigation is automatically launched. This includes inspecting packets to make sure they aren't malformed or spoofed as well as using rate limiting. Standard protection is currently $2,944 (£2,204) per month plus data charges for up to 100 resources. Protection applies equally to all resources. In other words you cannot tailor DDoS mitigation for individual ones. You can sign up for Microsoft Azure herehttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zVLJBaYEwELkQxpsjSPxSG.jpg Verisign DDoS Protection Update: Verisign's security services are transferred to Neustar, but the features and functionality mentioned in the review stayed relatively the same. Verisign is almost as old as the Internet itself. Since 1995 it has grown from a simple Certificate Authority to a major player in the Network Services industry. Verisign DDoS protection operates in the Cloud. Users can choose to redirect connection attempts with a simple change of their DNS (Domain Name Server) settings. Traffic is sent to Verisign for checking to prevent network attacks. Verisign analysis all traffic thoroughly before redirecting. As Verisign operates two of the thirteen global route name servers it should come as no surprise that the organization also maintains several dedicated DDoS "scrubbing centers". These analyze traffic and filter out bad connection requests. The combined infrastructure runs to almost 2TB/s and can block even the most overwhelming DDoS attacks. This is largely achieved via Athena, Verisign's threat mitigation platform. Athena is broadly divided into three elements. The 'Shield' filters network (layer 3) and transport (layer 4) attacks via DPI (Deep Packet Inspection), blacklists & whitelists and site reputation management. The Athena 'proxy' inspects HTTP headers for bad traffic during initial connection attempts. The 'proxy' and 'shield' are supported by Athena's 'load balancer' which helps to prevent application (layer 7) attacks. The customer portal displays detailed reports on traffic and allows you to configure your threat management, for example by creating connection blacklists. For users who are reluctant to deploy everything to the Cloud, Verisign also offers OpenHybrid which can be installed onsite. You can sign up for Verisign DDoS Protection hereImage Credit: Wikimedia Commons (Antoine Lamielle) http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/HRGvldNt77o

Buying a pre-built gaming PC is a great option for those that just want to get on with gaming. But building your own is a hugely rewarding experience. Not only can you spec it out however you like, and customise the look too, but you can even save yourself a few quid in the process. Building a PC can seem like a daunting prospect, especially if you attempted such a thing in the ‘90s. But nowadays it’s a straightforward process. The first step is to decide what you want to use the computer for and then pick out the parts. It’s a good idea to research each component by reading independent reviews, ensuring that you pick the right one for the task at hand. There’s no point in buying a 16-core processor if all you want to do is play a few esports games. CPU, GPU, SSD, MemoryThe core parts of a gaming PC that affect performance are the CPU (Central Processing Unit), motherboard, memory, storage and graphics card. In order to build something that powers on and functions, however, you also need a case, a power supply, hard drive and (since Linux gaming is still in its infancy) a copy of Microsoft Windows. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kpkRRQXznuYbVRRNbGumEd.jpg The CPU (like the Intel Core i9-9900K) is a good place to start (Image Credit: TechRadar) Depending on the CPU you buy, you may also need an aftermarket cooler to fix to the processor. For the most part, prioritise the graphics card. This has the biggest effect on how high you can turn up the settings in a game and the frame rate. That said, it’s also important to buy complementary components. For example, pairing an expensive graphics card with a budget processor means you won’t get the performance out of your graphics card. The CPU simply won’t be fast enough to send the GPU the data it needs to work efficiently. If you're thinking of building a PC for streaming, then you'll want to consider a processor that has multiple cores and threads to help handle multiple tasks at once, as you'll be playing games and recording your gameplay at the same time. Check CompatibilityCompatibility can catch newcomers out. The motherboard is the trickiest part. Check that the motherboard you’ve chosen supports the features you need and the CPU, memory and storage you’d like to use. Even correctly matching the socket type of the CPU with that of the motherboard doesn’t guarantee compatibility. Consult the manufacturer website to ensure the CPU is fully supported. But will it fit?There’s also the physical size of the motherboard and other components to consider. Motherboards and cases come in different sizes. The most common motherboard size is ATX, followed by Micro-ATX and Mini-ITX. You need to ensure that the motherboard size is supported in the case specifications. If you’re planning on using an all-in-one liquid cooler with a large radiator or a tall tower CPU cooler for better temperatures and overclocking, you also need to make sure there’s enough clearance inside the case. http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/o47sinNr3dEBiwTGiq7t9k.jpg RAM is an essential component for your PC (Image credit: Corsair) Again, manufacturer websites and independent reviews are a good source of information. From there, it’s a case of picking out memory (don’t settle for anything less than 8GB) and storage. Since games are so large these days, you need at least a 500GB drive. While it’s more expensive, a solid state drive (SSD) is recommended since it makes such a difference to responsiveness. If you’re strapped for cash, pair a small SSD with a large mechanical hard drive. It's worth itNo matter which parts you choose, your first build will take a few hours. But it’s so satisfying pressing the power button for the first time and watching it come to life. There are lots of great guides online that take you through the process step-by-step. Our How to build a PC guide is a great place to start. Find out more about how Intel is powering the next generation of PC gaming. http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/64JW_7XlBJk

Manx Telecom has recommended shareholders accept a takeover offer from Basalt Investment partners following a year in which revenues rose by three percent. The Isle of Man-based telco, which operates landline, broadband and mobile services, said “robust” performance across its core divisions and its Vannin Ventures international growth unit, led to the increase from £78.5 million to £81.5 million. Meanwhile, operating profits rose by 0.6 per cent to £17.5 million. CK Hutchison and Telefonica team upWhat is 5G? Everything you need to know Relish rebrands as Three broadbandManx Telecom"2018 was another year of robust performance for Manx Telecom,” said Garry Lamb, Manx Telecom CEO. “Thanks to the hard work of our people, our on-island telecoms business has remained stable – with a solid performance in Fixed Line, Broadband and Data Services, and growth in Mobile – while our international growth business, Vannin Ventures, has seen growth in Global Solutions. “We remain positive in the outlook for the Group due to the solid underlying revenue, EBITDA and cash flow performance during the year, and are continuing to explore potential growth opportunities with the aim of identifying new products and services for a global audience.” Manx Telecom started life out as a BT-subsidiary in 1985 before being spun off as part of O2 in 2001. During that period, the Isle of Man was used as a testbed for new network services and products, such as 3G. Telefonica acquired the entire of O2 in 2005 and sold Manx Telecom to private equity firms in 2010 before the company floated on the stock exchange in 2014. Its strong performance has attracted interest from investors once again. Basalt has bid £225 million in cash for Manx Telecom, an offer that works out at 215p per share – an offer that has been “unanimously” accepted. "Since its IPO in 2014, Manx has performed well and delivered consistent returns for its shareholders through resilient earnings, strong cash generation and a growing dividend,” said Kevin Walsh, Chairman of Manx Telecom. “Basalt's cash offer recognises the quality of the business, the management team and the employees and provides certainty to shareholders. After careful consideration and negotiation the Board concluded that it would unanimously recommend the offer as being in the best interests of shareholders, employees and other stakeholders." Here are the best mobile phone deals for March 2019http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/GpF_a27HYaQ

IDC in conjunction with Capgemini, recently published an analysis of the modern CISO. The analysis is a combination of retrospection, current state of play and the future. With over thirty years of experience and having lived through much of what the report would cover, the approach was with a keen level of interest. Would the report match what many of us have experienced? For many years the attitude of the cybersecurity profession reminded me of the old Cold War nickname for Andrei Gromyko, “Mr. Nyet”, ("Mr. No"). Some in our profession were viewed as business blockers and not enablers. The engagement level with the business was low. There was also a tendency to stay safely in our silo, emerging only to correct a problem and then reverting back to our domain. Having witnessed these many times in my own career, I decided early on our philosophy should be, “My job is not to say, “No”, my job is to figure out how to say, “Yes”. Through the years, our profession has matured and changed into one that is viewed today as, “a driver of competitive advantage or differentiation” and “an enabler of business efficiency”, as the study suggests. Interestingly, when discussing the importance and perception of cybersecurity to the business, both CISOs and business executives’ views were within 1.5% on all subjects. Why is information security important to the business? Interestingly, two highest responses to the question were, “vital to the competitiveness of the products/services offered by the company” and as a, “protector of the interests of the customer”. We are no longer selling cybersecurity to executives based on asset and brand protection but selling it on business benefit. Should your business have a Chief Information Security Officer?Digital transformation is putting security at riskMicrosoft: The future of security is AIHow the role of CISO has transformedIn my first CISO role, which was for a mid-market heath insurance company in the US, the first near term goal I established was the formation of a board level Risk Committee. The chair of that committee was the General Council and a member of the Board. This gave business risk and cybersecurity the exposure that was needed. The survey concluded that over 60% of organisations have the CISO attending key board and or executive management meetings, along with over 90% of the CISOs having medium to high influence on board and management decisions. This clearly shows the CISO position has moved into a higher visibility position. As we have seen, this has come through a noticeable transformation in perception and approach. The CISO is no longer viewed as a business blocker but as an agent of change. This has brought about a seed change from the siloed approach to engagement with the whole of the business, including the board. CISOs are now leading as entrepreneurs and innovators focusing on making the business more effective and efficient, not just security operations. What is the next step for CISOs? Many modern businesses are concentrating on reaping the benefits of digital transformation. Unfortunately, less than a quarter of business executives see information security as a proactive enabler of digital transformation. CISOs agree, with less than a third of them regarding information security as a proactive enabler of digital transformation. CISOs must visibly participate in the transformation of business with active engagement in such areas as Cloud, IOT, Mobility, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning and Blockchain. CISOs have earned a seat at the table, but they must continue to earn that place by becoming a role model for operational change. They must look for additional avenues to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of their company’s through outsourcing non-strategic elements, removing obsolete technology, making security business-as-usual, and automation and orchestration opportunities. The CISOs position has come far, the only question is where does that journey end? CEO? Richard R. Starnes, Chief Security Strategist at Capgemini We've also highlighted the best business accessories to help your organization stay productivehttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/wKSNOHQplns

It looks like Netflix is betting big on the future of interactive content, according to a presentation by a company executive. Netflix made waves with the release of Bandersnatch, an interactive movie from the creators of Black Mirror that allowed viewers to 'choose their own adventure', making choices throughout the film that influenced the direction and length of the narrative. According to Netflix's VP of Product, Todd Yellin, there's a lot more of that to come. Do we need Netflix on Nintendo Switch?Check out the best streaming servicesOr just the best movies on Netflix right nowYellin gave a keynote at this year's FICCI-Frames, the massive entertainment conference hosted in Mumbai, India each year. Calling Bandersnatch a "huge hit" for the platform, Yellin hinted at future projects in a similar vein that would give audiences control over how interactive content turned out – and it won't all be dystopian sci-fi. "It won’t necessarily be science fiction, or it won’t necessarily be dark. It could be a wacky comedy," Yellin revealed. "It could be a romance, where the audience gets to choose – should she go out with him or him.” What's interesting is the projected timeline Yellin gave for more interactive content arriving on the Netflix platform, saying viewers could expect more titles "over the next year or two". Given that Bandersnatch took two years of development, it's likely a number of new interactive projects are already underway. People pleaserNetflix is still undeniably the frontrunner among the competing streaming services, but with stiff competition from the likes of Amazon and Hulu, the incoming Disney+ streaming service, and Apple's rumored Netflix rival on the way, it faces a challenge to maintain that position. But if Netflix is able to push the boundaries of the content on its service, all while remaining a hub for a wide range of traditional drama, comedy, thriller, anime and the like, it may be that we see Netflix remain the default choice for online streaming for many years to come. Everything you need to know about Disney+Via Variety http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/i99tFH0hvew

It's strong, it's flexible, and it's now been here for a while. It spent a long time being refined and developed in the labs, but graphene has been on the market for a couple of years now... and it's having an impact. The first wave of graphene-based products are being used in the world of smartphones, wearables, batteries, virtual reality, sports equipment, super-capacitors and supercars... and that's just the beginning. Graphene is a material that some believe has been coerced from abandoned space ships, left on Earth by extraterrestrials years ago. While that's a little unlikely, the power of this super-thin, strong, conductive and all-round amazing material is deserving of such a conspiracy. It has been over 60 years coming as scientists and manufacturers alike have struggled to harness the power of this awesome material, but it's closing in on revolutionizing so many things we're using day to day. We've recently updated this page with 10 more ways that graphene is about to change your life. That said, a number of these new advances are still in the prototype stage, rather than being on sale. Want to know why? Check out our feature, why is graphene taking so long? Graphene cooling in the Huawei Mate 20 Xhttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/EbpUe4ZC56bcF7DXoBnsCX.jpg The Huawei Mate 20 X has a graphene layer in its ‘super cool system’. Image credit: Huawei The nascent graphene industry has long wondered why big tech firms haven't regularly commercialized its ‘wonder material’, so the inclusion of it in the Huawei Mate 20 X is pretty big news. However, details of how graphene is used in this 7.2-inch phone's ‘super cool system’ are scant. All we know is that a film of graphene (which is brilliant at dissipating heat thanks to its structure) is used in conjunction with a vapor chamber to keep the Mate 20 X cool even while the CPU and GPU are being pushed to their limit. That’s something that could happen a lot, since its massive screen, 7nm Kirin 980 chipset, 6GB of RAM and 5,000mAh battery make the Huawei Mate 20 X a phone that’s likely to be used for intensive gaming. Graphene nano-electronicshttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kCinbYvfBWShBuWKMtg6zY.jpg A team of researchers from Denmark is researching graphene nanoelectronics. Image credit: Carl Otto Moesgaard Ultra-thin and 2D, graphene conducts electrical current like nothing else, which in theory should mean much faster and more energy-efficient forms of electronics. What has been holding it back is the band-gap problem; how to engineer a graphene transistor that reliably switches on and off. Researchers at DTU Physics in Denmark have come up with a new nanolithography-powered 'sandwich' technique that gets graphene to nanoscale dimensions without ruining its electrical properties. “The fact that we can tailor electronic properties of graphene is a big step towards creating new electronics with extremely small dimensions,” says researcher Peter Bøggild. Graphene 'fitness patch'http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ESLdebLwxjodsURrFsT9zY.jpg This fitness patch measures heart rate, hydration and breathing rate. Image credit: ICFO Since it is flexible and extremely sensitive to changes in heat and light, graphene has a big future in wearable devices. This 'transdermal fitness patch' from the ICFO in Barcelona does everything your Fitbit can do, and more, but in the form of a stick-on patch. It measures heart rate, hydration and breathing rate with improved accuracy and less power consumption than current fitness bands, and conforms to any surface. This is sadly still just a prototype right now, but the ICFO believes that it could easily connect to your smartphone and give you alerts when you're a little bit dehydrated... because we're so busy looking at our phones that we've forgotten to note when we're thirsty. Graphene contactless cardshttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/aGnUuKYZNdfh3m7T9zQLMX.jpg Graphene NFC antennas could make plastic cards history. Image credit: CNR Single-use plastic is not the future, but in the present it's everywhere. Hotel key cards (and contactless bank cards) are presently made of plastic with an NFC antenna inside that uses rare metals. However, if you make that NFC antenna out of graphene – a material which is nothing more than carbon, which is plentiful on planet Earth – and print it on recycled paper using graphene ink, that means a lot less waste. As well as electronic keys aimed at hotels that are being shown-off by Italy's CNR, the same tech could also mean sustainably produced boarding passes, concert wristbands, train tickets and much more… with NFC embedded inside as a bonus. Graphene cementhttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tVPWLX5vHX89PqvCbTgjdY.jpg Graphene cement means no need for electricity cables. Image credit: Italcementi How about a house without (expensive) copper and wires? One of the most popular displays at Mobile World Congress 2019's Graphene Pavilion was Italcementi's 'conductive cement'. The graphene inside makes it conductive, so there's no need for electricity cables to be tunneled into the walls. But there's another, hidden, use: cooling. In hot countries, a wall that easily dissipates heat will automatically make the house cooler without the need for expensive air-con. Graphene-infused cement could also mean integrated conductive strips of graphene around the home for lighting and in-floor heating. MediaDevil Artisanphonics CB-01 Nanene earphoneshttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/b88una4bpWqTYbwwjFnB2X.jpg Graphene gives you better bass. Image credit: MediaDevil / Versarien If you want an earful of graphene, you can get that right now for a low price. On sale from London-based MediaDevil are the Nanene 'enhanced audio' earphones, which are built by Versarien. The diaphragm membrane in each earphone is made with graphene, so it's much thinner yet has the same strength and durability as a regular membrane. However, because it's flexible it can be controlled better, allowing for enhanced treble and bass. They're iOS and Android-compatible. Graphene board gameshttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ii4mp4dSEPkK54iJZ8tiY5.jpg Graphene makes any surface touch-sensitive and able to light-up. Image credit: Novalia / University of Cambridge How about a game of Monopoly… with lights? Using electroluminescent inks that makes light thanks to graphene, Novalia and the University of Cambridge have come up with a demonstration board game called 'Homeward Bound' that has integrated touchpanels, dice that light up, and 'chance' cards that are multilingual. It's not going on sale, but it highlights the fact graphene inks can be printed on cardboard, wood, paper (or anything) to create smart surfaces. Graphene gas detectors and 'air sniffers'http://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YYhoH8SfVE5sGz4E6h6auY.jpg Electroluminescent inks can sense moisture and gases. Image credit: ICN2 Graphene-based electroluminescent inks have been shown by the ICN2 (the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology) to work as gas detectors. The ICN2’s prototype is a screen-printed electroluminescent display that can sense everything from humidity levels to toxic gases such as carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide or nitric oxide. When the graphene sensor inside responds to changes in the air composition, it becomes conductive, and a light comes on that varies in intensity according to how much gas is detected. The University of Tartu in Estonia has also created the Graphene Air Sniffer (GAS), which has graphene-based miniature sensors that can detect very low levels of pollutants in the air. Graphene 'supercaps' for phoneshttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8TgZLKjjky4tJtKs58c4FX.jpg Supercaps can charge and discharge at a very high speed. Image credit: Thales/M-SOLV Since graphene conducts electricity so perfectly, it can be used to create ultrafast charging batteries that can handle currents at rates that are dozens of times higher than lithium batteries. Supercapacitors or 'supercaps' are storage devices that can charge and discharge at a very high speed, and the addition of graphene has been worked on for five years by aerospace giant Thales and M-SOLV. A new spray coating technique has allowed researchers to increase the power of supercapacitors by five times. Expect products to be launched in late 2019. Graphene intelligent clotheshttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eMago5YDczExexxbEuHc2Z.jpg Expect more and more graphene-powered e-textiles. Image credit: VTT Think the wearables era means Fitbits and the Apple Watch 4? If those bulky devices are the first wave of wearables, perhaps the second will be 'smart wear' powered by graphene. Since graphene inks can be printed onto flexible surfaces, such as plastic sheets, paper and fabrics, it's possible to make graphene-based, electrically conductive clothes such as this Touch Interface T-Shirt from the VTT Technical Research Center of Finland. Working as capacitive touch-sensitive electrodes, the printed graphene circuit is inside the t-shirt and the buttons are on the outside. Paired with a phone or TV over Bluetooth, it means you could answer your phone by tapping your clothes. It could also enable soldiers, firefighters, skiers and other sportspeople to answer their phone on the go, as well as making it easier for elderly people who need to contact the emergency services. UV-tracking graphene patchhttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/dHWC4t7goNNmDCKXTERBMh.jpg This graphene patch measures UV light on skin. Image credit: Jamie Carter UV-protective clothing that lets through a fraction of the sun's harmful rays to your skin is now common, but what if your clothes could actually tell you when your skin has had enough UV radiation? That's the idea behind this ultra-thin and flexible sensor. "You stick it directly on your skin, or to your swimming shorts, or it could be integrated into clothes," says Professor Frank Koppens from ICFO (The Institute of Photonic Sciences), Barcelona. "It measures the UV index and sends an alarm to your phone when you need to get out of the sun." Currently in the process of being miniaturized, in the future this patch will be even smaller, and be completely transparent. Smart insole monitoring for athleteshttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TpU7mgZJo8potzpXUXpc5h.jpg Graphene foam in an insole responds to variations in pressure. Image credit: Jamie Carter Graphene is also making great strides in smart footwear. Real-time pressure-sensing socks and insoles aren't new, but mostly such products have just a few pressure sensors built into them. This prototype has well over 100. Able to measure exactly where your feet is striking the sole, lightweight graphene-embedded foam responds to variations in pressure – and at exacting milligram level. "I can get a qualitative number on how much every point of my foot is exerting on the sole, and present mapping of shoe pressure, all within a smartphone app," says Yarjan Abdul Samad from the Cambridge Graphene Center at the University of Cambridge. Cool graphene shoeshttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/un7Vmjzg2ew4RLAwVF9MQh.jpg Graphene shoes banish hot, smelly feet. Image credit: Jamie Carter Graphene boasts excellent heat conductivity, so where better to put it than in a hot, stinky place? In this prototype of a graphene shoe developed by the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, BeDimensional and Tuscan shoemaker Fadel, graphene flakes are added to polyurethane. The end result is a shoe that dissipates 50% more heat than when the shoe is made just with polyurethane. This is a great way to understand the value of graphene in the manufacturing process; it's usually an addition to, rather than a replacement for, existing materials. Even more astounding is that these graphene shoes are just 1% graphene. The world's most efficient solar cellhttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/m4CPi9xxYQEVPkiPMwZ7Ah.jpg Graphene has been used to make the most efficient solar cell yet. Image credit: Graphene Flagship Could graphene help us capture solar energy more efficiently? The early signs are good, with the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia using graphene to create large solar cells from perovskite (inorganic crystals). “The graphene is used to increase the efficiency, and to increase the stability of the solar cell,” said Beatriz Martín-García from the IIT, who told TechRadar that although it doesn't last as long as a solar cell made from silicon, the graphene-infused version is already four times cheaper to manufacture. That's just as important a factor in graphene's potential impact as its 'magical' qualities. Graphene brain-computer interfaceshttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ouKDEWuRpm4nrV7uDWwNDh.jpg Flexible graphene circuits can be laid over the human brain. Image credit: Valdek Laur (EU2017EE) / Graphene Flagship Graphene's flexibility means it can be used in brain implants that record and stimulate brain signals on the surface of the brain. "Graphene is enabling a new generation of less-invasive neural implants," says Professor Dr. Jose A Garrido, ICREA Research Professor at ICN2. "It can be easily integrated into flexible substrates, it has a very high signal-to-noise ratio so retains a very high quality electrical signal, and it also minimizes the use of cables." Garrido's work at the ICN2 Speech Centre Stimulation and BrainCom is focusing on providing a communication path to patients with severe speech disabilities (such as strokes and motor neuron disease) by mapping the region of the brain correlated to pronouncing speech. Graphene cryo-cooler compressor for 5Ghttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2wJGF9GbmLBwGaC2JqTTSh.jpg Graphene layers enable this compact base station for 5G. Image credit: Jamie Carter Mobile antennas and receivers need more and more cooling the higher the data throughput, or else they overheat. So the massive increase in data throughput required in 5G base stations is something of a conundrum for the telecoms industry. Cue this miniaturized cooling pump to take electronic systems down to cryogenic temperatures. "We have developed a small compressor based on graphene that's about a tenth of the size of what can be done with other materials," explains Lars Lundgren at APR Technologies AB, Sweden. With no moving parts and with graphene in every other layer, it generates the pressure needed to cool down base stations to about to -150 degrees Celsius, the 5G signal stays stable. Ericsson and Nokia are involved. Graphene infection-detectorshttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yAgx2jk56ng3fGdas2hypg.jpg Graphene is being used to analyze blood samples in 10 minutes. Image credit: Jamie Carter First reported in March 2014, the Ebola epidemic in West Africa killed over 11,000 people in Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Mali and the US. So how do we stop the next one? Graphene photodetectors, that's how. The problem during an outbreak is that blood tests take days, and people in places like airports and city centers need to be tested immediately. Created by the KTH Royal Institute of Technology in Sweden to work with a tiny drop of blood, this sensing platform is based on silicon photonics and graphene photodetectors that find specific molecular pairs in the infrared spectrum. It essentially identifies the molecular fingerprint of a specific disease. That's something that can already be done in labs, but graphene makes it mobile, and really low-cost because it uses the same silicon chip production processes already used for smartphone chips. The detector attaches to a smartphone and confirms whether someone has a disease within 10 minutes. Graphene earphoneshttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qdPpUFkLwNhUZAVXwTR4Dh.jpg Xiaomi's Mi Pro HD earphones contain graphene. Image credit: Xiaomi Although graphene was discovered at the University of Manchester, research into its potential uses has gone global, with science labs in China filing more patents than any other country. So it's perhaps no surprise that one of China's leading consumer electronic brands is among the first to embrace graphene in its products. Xiaomi's Mi Pro HD earphones are just its latest product to feature graphene, though it's unclear of its exact role. All Xiaomi will say is that it contains a '25-step process' graphene dual-diaphragm 'to retain the rich details and to keep the low notes mellow'. The graphene diaphragm is 'more ductile under high frequencies, producing sounds that are rich, sharp, and crystal clear' and 'conducts 100% of the electrical signals passed through them'. Xiaomi also sells the A10 Ultra-thin PMA Graphene Smart Therapy Belt, which uses graphene-infused fabric. Graphene planeshttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fkSPjn5Q5LkiczVSwAD8hg.jpg In aviation, weight is everything, and that means huge fuel costs. Most passenger airlines carry enough fuel not only to support the weight of the aircraft and passengers, but also the weight of the fuel itself. So it's no surprise that people like Sir Richard Branson think that all aircraft will be constructed from super-light graphene within a decade. Much lighter and much stronger than the carbon fibre composites presently used, graphene has been attracting the attentions of Airbus, which is a member of the Graphene Flagship research group, and held a symposium on graphene innovations last year. Graphene phone caseshttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fMT44K3vD5etPZ6m7L6UNh.jpg NanoCase uses graphene to dissipate heat. Image credit: NanoCase Smartphone cases with built-in batteries for that extra top up just haven't caught on, but the problem of quickly draining phone batteries persists, particularly for power-users. Cue NanoCase for the iPhone X, the iPhone 8/8 Plus, and the iPhone 7/7 Plus, which contains a graphene panel that dissipate excess heat inside the phone quickly. Doing so extends the battery life of a phone by up to 20%, claim NanoCase's makers. However, it's only going to help you if you're the kind phone user who intensively uses their phone so much that it gets hot. Gamers, take note. Super-thin graphene Kindleshttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sqNJH8B5KbGHieSP93HLvZ.jpg Image credit: Jamie Carter At MWC 2017, FlexEnable showed-off a full color, graphene-based mechanical pixel system for low-power displays and e-ink displays – that’s a paper-thin Kindle-like device to you and me. The big breakthrough for the e-ink screen is using printed graphene instead of brittle titanium oxide. “We try to replace some of the metal conductors with printed graphene to make the devices more flexible,” says Dr. Rouzet Agaiby at FlexEnable, whose plastic electronics still tend to include some (non-flexible) silicon. “A Kindle is only thick because it’s on glass.” Graphene carshttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7wn8afH7PyE2RJmioMdQuZ.jpg Image credit: Jamie Carter It’s all very well having an electric car, but only if it accelerates as quickly as its petrol counterparts. That means they need to be super-light. So how about we replace glass and metal with plastics, carbon fiber... or graphene? Cue a limited-edition supercar starting at £130,000 (around $163,000/AU$215,000) from British manufacturer Briggs Motor Company, whose structural components include graphene, so are lighter and stronger than carbon fiber composite, and therefore much more energy-efficient. Another way of using graphene to increase acceleration is super-capacitors containing graphene for energy recovery; its super-conductive properties create a super-efficient KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System). Skeleton Technologies has shown exactly that using curved graphene, which saves on fuel consumption (or reduces electricity use). Wearable ticketshttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5294f18bd5d61dec00dbcd06cb05cb8e.jpg Image credit: Jamie Carter Printed electronics are the next big thing, and graphene is at the forefront. Costing just a few pennies each are paper wristbands or tickets, which have graphene ink printed onto them. In a recent demo, the proximity of a graphene RFID tag to a reader caused a picture to be taken of the wearer or holder. "This could be used in closed environments such as airports for monitoring passengers boarding a high security flight, or on the London Underground to track which entrances and exits passengers take just by tracking their ticket," says Dr Thanasis Georgiou, VP, Graphene Security Ltd., Photon Science Institute, University of Manchester. "Products in supermarkets could have [graphene-based] RFID technology on them so you could know in real-time where products are." As well as making shop-lifting much harder, and perhaps even getting rid of the checkout altogether, a connected Internet of Things-like system would be able to see instantly when stocks of specific products are running low. Robotic graphene handshttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/v7snDpyofyEXzfvTfSGduZ.jpg Image credit: Jamie Carter How about a totally wearable prosthetic hand like Luke Skywalker wears in The Empire Strikes Back? Graphene inks have been used by the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT) to make the Prosthetic IIT-NAIL Hand, which uses graphene ink on paper as the electrodes, replacing titanium. Doing so gets rid not only of titanium and all cables taking biomedical electrical signals from muscles to the hand, but it means the control system can have direct contact with the stump. The Prosthetic IIT-NAIL Hand is flexible, more comfortable and cheaper to make than existing techniques. Graphene to cure blindnesshttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/eXgrFMc3dPjqCtvAKQ7JDa.jpg Image credit: ICN2 It conducts, it’s flexible, and it’s safe when used against flesh. Cue a graphene contact lens – officially an ‘electronic retinal prostheses’ – that helps patients that have lost their sight but still have a functional optic nerve. The brainchild of Jose Antonio Garrido, director of the Group of Advanced Electronic Materials and Devices at ICN2, graphene is used to effectively detect and translate more light into electrical signals, increasing the resolution of images perceived by the patient's brain. It’s still under development. A battery that charges in minuteshttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Nd6oF4sdC3tjrny3r4yn9a.jpg What if you could charge your phone in five minutes? That’s the thinking behind the Zap & Go charger, which takes full advantage of graphene’s conductive prowess to fully charge in five minutes, though the prototype is only a 750mAh battery. It's due to launch later in 2017. Meanwhile, the Watt Laboratory (under Huawei's Central Research Institute) also recently used graphene to allow lithium ion batteries to run at temperatures of 60°C, roughly 10°C hotter than standard batteries, thereby prolonging the lifespan of the power pack. It also held a charge for twice as long. Read more about Huawei's battery breakthroughGraphene e-tattoos and fitness trackershttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kRhix8nR2mczsEXKWA2iQa.jpg Image credit: Jamie Carter Soon, Fitbit, Jawbone, Misfit and other fitness 'wristables' are going to look clunky – and dumb. Graphene promises not only much thinner (even paper-thin) wristbands, but they'll have integrated graphene light sensors and circuitry that bring extra functionality just by using light. Wearables that measure your activity and heart rate are everywhere, but they’re bulky, and their one-trick function is becoming boring. Cue graphene-enabled health patches for patients in hospitals, for sports, and for everyone else. “Wellness sensing in the future will be something like a disposable e-tattoo, which has graphene that senses vital signs like heart rate, oxygen saturation, and skin temperature, breathing rate and even UV light exposure when you’re at the beach,” says Stijn Goossens, Postdoctoral research engineer, Nano-optoelectronics, Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO) in Barcelona. “With oxygen saturation alone you can predict if someone is getting the flu,” he says, adding that even the digital circuits are one-atom thin, including a Bluetooth chip. Enabled by a flexible and transparent graphene-based sensing platform, the key advantage is that a power-hungry LCD screen isn’t needed. And that means it can be super-thin. Graphene pixels for wearableshttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GQEDkzEY4sYQDykmuFxn5a.jpg Image credit: TU Delft/Graphenea Who needs silicon? Researchers from TU Delft and Spain's Graphenea have found a new way to create mechanical pixels using tiny balloon-like structures. Each pixel is a two-atom thick graphene membrane 13 micrometers wide, and although they don't emit light, they are visible in sunlight so could suit e-books and smartwatches. Oh, and they're full color; thanks to interference between light waves reflected from the bottom of the cavity and the membrane on top, which can be controlled using pressure. The researchers are now working to control the color of the membranes electrically. Graphene for scanning your Shirazhttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/y7vcZZVsotmfJQEEyufqCa.jpg Image credit: ICN2 It’s very easy to get drunk on the possibilities of graphene, and it doesn’t get easier than with the ICN2’s graphene quantum dots printed on paper that can detect certain contaminants. It means the ICN2’s patented sensor, when placed in a phone, exploits the optical properties of graphene quantum dots to detect the presence of pesticides in wine, water, or anything else. “Light comes from the graphene quantum dots, interacts with the compounds, and you see changes in the light’s color,” says Professor Dr. Arben Merkoçi, director of the Nanobioelectronics and Biosensors Group at the ICN2. “All it uses is paper, a smartphone, and graphene.” It could have uses in hospitals, or anywhere you don’t believe the booze. Graphene scanners for smartphoneshttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YBoT5fUuPiQFRKfeLYGLHa.jpg Image credit: Jamie Carter Graphene can also be used to make super-thin, super-sensitive image sensors that can detect invisible infra-red light. Cue spectral applications to differentiate between different organic materials, with a quick photo revealing exactly how ripe fruit is, or whether baby milk is toxin-free; all from a smartphone. “Our prototype is built on graphene and CMOS integration that can sense both visible and infra-red light,” says Goossens at the ICFO. “In the near future we can produce them in very high quantity at very low cost for smartphones.” Graphene sensors for 3D camerashttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/29f3774cbaecebd4292ad6220459396d.jpg Image credit: Stephen Alvery, Michigan Engineering If you've read up on graphene, you may have heard optimistic reports of a graphene camera that's 1000x more sensitive to light than the ones we have today, conjuring visions of pixel-perfect night shots. While you won't want to get your hopes up for that just yet, a more recent project from the University of Michigan deserves a closer look. It's a DSLR-size camera that uses multiple translucent graphene sensors to create a 3D map of a scene, so that you can pick your focus point after taking a shot. This is a graphene alternative to the 'light field' Lytro Illum, but where the graphene camera uses multiple sensor layers, the Illum needs an array of hundreds of thousands of micro lenses to create its images. "Graphene detectors can offer very high sensitivity, so you don't really sacrifice the clarity by making them transparent," says associate professor of electrical engineering and computer science Zhaohui Zhong. The tech could be slimmed down to fit into a phone. Night vision for self-driving carshttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/t8exY3nHJLJYgWoCvstkNa.jpg Image credit: ICFO The ability to see in the infrared – effectively night vision – means that same graphene CMOS camera can be used as part of a self-driving car’s automatic brake system, specifically in bad weather. “Now they use visible cameras, but in dense fog they’re useless,” says Goossens of this collision avoidance tech. Autonomous cars will also probably use LIDAR sensors to constantly scan the area around them, but it’s a relatively slow technology. At Mobile World Congress 2017 in Barcelona, the ICFO had a Scalextric-style track with two VW camper vans buzzing around, with the following vehicle stopping in its tracks as soon as the front vehicle braked in a ‘fog box’. More useful windowshttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9bd2d5950804ed8fb5881adb9b3d5484.jpg Image credit: Jamie Carter Graphene's transparent appearance and super low-power means it can be used in some unexpected places. Since it's got super-low power consumption and it's highly sensitive, the tech could be used in inert materials such as windows. "The light sensors can be embedded in anything, so you could think about putting it in windows or other places where there's no power, such as packaging," says Goossens. "In a window in a building it could detect whether it's night or day for your curtains to open or close automatically." It's also the first step along the way to windows managing to harvest energy during the day and illuminating during the night - while still being transparent. However, a more short-term killer app is probably as a hands-free system in a car. "You would need four sensors to detect a directionality, so in a car window it could detect motion sensing – you could change the track on a CD just by waving your hand," says Goossens. The advantage over existing tech is that graphene can be completely transparent – the entire window could be full of sensors. 3D-printed graphene droneshttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/EpL8QhRnuGwdZeXSpa4CNa.jpg Image credit: Jamie Carter Drones run out of battery quickly, and their propellers break when they’re landed badly. Cue a drone with 3D-printed graphene composites in its propellers that’s both super-strong and super-light, so more battery-efficient. “Printing with graphene is very easy, but when you start combining it with other polymers and materials, that’s when it gets complicated,” says Charlotte Powell at the University of Manchester’s National Graphene Institute. Nevertheless, the goal of this project with the University of Central Lancashire is to make all parts of the drone with graphene, including more graphene composites in the body and even a graphene-based battery pack and graphene spectral sensors. Graphene motorcycle helmethttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tfasYbQkLjjFE6BWzVrG5a.jpg Image credit: Jamie Carter They’re hard, they’re hot, and they’re heavy, but helmets have already had the graphene treatment. Developed by Italy’s Momodesign and the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT), this first-ever graphene-infused carbon fiber helmet capitalizes on the material’s thin, strong and conductive, flexible and light characteristics to create a helmet that absorbs and dissipates impact better than your average helmet. It also disperses heat more efficiently, so it’s cooler. Flexible graphene Wi-Fi receivershttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/c4SVrYijztrhueTX9gmh9a.jpg Image credit: Jamie Carter Hardware is dead; the future of phones is flex-ware – and that means graphene making everything curved, bendable and flexible. Oh, and the data super-fast, too. The first Wi-Fi receiver based on graphene, from AMO together with RWTH Aachen University, has 24 Wi-Fi receivers on pieces of plastic and glass, but its makers claim it can work on fabric, paper, glass or plastic, and deal in Bluetooth, 4G and even 5G. Prototypes are working at 2.45Ghz and 5.8Ghz and the creators have circuits that work at up to 90Ghz, which covers the 5G standard. This is printed electronics, which graphene is very much at the forefront of; expect to see RFID tags printed on paper using graphene ink that act as a ticket for concerts and at airports, and even as a method of payment at events and on transport networks. Making water safehttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/0283bfe4ffaa69dba9a75da735f3ffff.jpg Image credit: Directa Plus Water, soil and air purification is also possible with graphene. One of these products – Grafysorber from Directa Plus – is super-absorbent, and ideal for oil spills. “One gram of Grafysorber is able to absorb up to 90 grams of oil,” says Laura Rizzi, R&D manager at Directa Plus. The mobile Grafysorber Decontamination Unit contains a plasma machine to produce the wonder material on-site, which is even able to return contaminated water to safe levels for drinking. “Normally you have to use a biological or chemical process to treat contaminated water, but Grafysorber is completely chemical-free,” says Rizzi. It’s also been suggested that the same properties could be used as water membranes that could sieve pure water straight from a contaminated, muddy puddle. Graphene gloveshttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/e80b69d14f27ede3f2c9f2bb7bcb65c3.jpg Image credit: Jamie Carter It’s not often said, but virtual reality is not very convincing. It needs movement sensors to become so, and what better than a pair of super-responsive gloves that are sensitive to tiny changes in motion and temperature? “Graphene flakes printed in very thin layers are very sensitive to strain,” says Dr Darryl Cotton, Senior Researcher, Nanotechnology, Nokia Research Center in Cambridge. “We’ve also put reduced graphene oxide into a temperature sensor.” The end result is a glove that, for now, sets-off surface-mounted LEDs, but they’re so thin and flexible that they could be used to make virtual reality environments responsive to tiny movements in fingers. Graphene miniature speakershttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bVTKhg4uoaTSvfFg73fcvZ.jpg Image credit: KAIST College of Engineering Regular audio speakers are very physical things. They use drivers that move back and forwards very quickly, exciting the air to create sound waves. Back in 2013, the University of California at Berkeley made an earphone with a graphene driver, but the material has also been used to create a completely different kind of speaker. A recent article in the ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces journal outlines a thermo-acoustic speaker made using graphene. It's lab-bound right now, but it could be a fit for mobile devices, as it doesn't require the kind of speaker cavity normal dynamic driver speakers need. The way in which it works may sound odd though. A suspension of graphene flakes is freeze-dried to produce an aerogel – an ultra-porous graphene-based structure, a bit like a rigid sponge. This gel is then rapidly heated and cooled to cause air movement similar to that of a normal speaker cone. We're yet to see how much battery drain a thermo-acoustic speaker would cause, and how much discernible heat it might produce – but if it makes a tablet sound more like a mini surround sound system, we're in. Graphene bikeshttp://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tpH8WkifRLnZgu9aG5pRAa.jpg Image credit: Dassi In July 2016, Dassi unveiled the first graphene bike frame. As graphene's strength relative to its weight is so high, graphene should make ultra-rigid, extremely light bike frames a cinch to design. The Dassi frame is still predominantly a carbon fiber frame, with some layers of graphene reinforcement at its core, but graphene itself makes up only around one percent of the frame. At this stage it's a proof of concept, particularly as the frame is around the same weight as a top-end all-carbon one, at 750g. However, Dassi claims the weight will eventually be reduced to "500g unpainted". Graphene can also be woven into carbon fiber; Rice University successfully reinforced carbon fiber with graphene flakes in 2013, and a company called Zyvex already makes a carbon fiber graphene composite called Arovex. Vittoria Industries is using graphene in its top of the range Corsa tyres, as well as in its carbon wheels. "We are using graphene-nanoplatelets in the resin, which we impregnate into the carbon fiber," says Giulio Cesareo, CEO of Directa Plus, which supplies the graphene. The end products are lighter, stronger, and more flexible, with extra thermal conductivity in tyres meaning better stiffness and grip. Graphene: the miracle material explainedhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/techradar/digital-home/~4/GZAC9lWe2h8