With the Galaxy Note 20 launch just a week away, all eyes will be on what upgrades Samsung brings to the table. While the chipset might remain unchanged, there might be a silver lining. While Samsung flagship like the Note series and the S series are powered by Snapdragon chipsets in the US and European markets, they come with Exynos chipset in Asian markets such as India. It often tends to lose out on the performance front against Qualcomm Snapdragon counterparts. However, a new leak suggests some good news in this regard. Samsung Galaxy Note 20 release date, price, news and leaks Upcoming smartphones in India: Specs, launch date, price (Image credit: Samsung/WinFuture) According to a tweet by Anthony, a Youtuber, Samsung Galaxy Note 20 will continue to be powered by the Exynos 990 chipset, but with major improvements in terms of the performance and efficiency. These optimizations should bring it closer to the Snapdragon 865 series. He even suggested that it is almost li...
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SIM only deals: the best plans for Black Friday 2017
This year's best SIM only Black Friday deals so far:
It's time for a shiny new smartphone and you want to get the best value humanly possible. You'll have to find a few hundred quid up front for the handset (be sure to check our SIM free comparison chart) but box clever and you'll end up paying less over the next 24 months (see below). Plus, if you're a commitment-phobe, most SIM-only plans don't require you to sign up for two years like you would with a normal contract.
So you've come to the end of your phone contract? You basically have two options - grab a brand new mobile phone deal on one of the latest and greatest smartphones on the market. Or keep your beloved phone of the last two years and sign up for one of the cheap SIM only deals on this page.
A SIM only deal is a mobile phone plan that offers calls, texts and data in return for a monthly fee, but does not come bundled with a phone. Leaving the phone out of the equation gives you more flexibility (especially if you go for a 30-day rolling contract) or is ideal if you're eyeing up a new SIM-free phone.
If you take a sift through our handy price comparison tool above you'll see that 12-month prices start from a mere £4 per month for a basic plan, while you can also still bag Three's Mobile Choice Award winning 30GB for £17 deal. Whatever your needs, going SIM only is just the ticket if you're thinking to team one up with a brilliant Black Friday handset purchase.
And if you're still unsure whether SIM-only is the route for you, our expert advice will help you decide - our all knowing FAQ includes tips on switching your number, the networks that offer free gifts and answers to a host of other questions.
The best SIM only deals of the week are:We've run the figures and plucked out the very best sim only deals available this month. Whether you’re after the cheapest plan possible, want to dig out the best value big data SIM plan or just want an all-round great deal but don’t know how much to spend, you’ll find a recommendation just for you.
1. The absolute cheapest SIM only deal out there 2. The best 1GB+ SIM only deal 3. The best 2GB-4GB SIM only deal 4. The best 5GB-8GB SIM only deal 5. The best 10GB-16GB SIM only deal 6. The best 20GB-30GB SIM only deal 7. The best SIM only deal for unlimited data Check out today's best unlimited data SIM only deals 8. Best EE SIM only deal 9. Best Three SIM only deal 10. Best data only SIM deal
If you a) want to save some money; b) don't want to be tied into a lengthy contract; or c) both of the above, then SIM only is well worth considering. In fact, you're probably one of two people if your thoughts are indeed turning to SIM only:
You're coming to the end of your contract and your network is calling you a million times a day to get you to upgrade. Well if your phone is dying a death or you just fancy a change, head to our best mobile phones deal page to see what bargains are lurking, but otherwise going SIM only on your current phone is a no-brainer. You'll wind up paying much less than you are under contract, and you can stick to a rolling 30 day contract so that if your circumstances change, you can get out of the arrangement tout suite.It's time for a shiny new smartphone and you want to get the best value humanly possible. You'll have to find a few hundred quid up front for the handset (be sure to check our SIM free comparison chart) but box clever and you'll end up paying less over the next 24 months (see below). Plus, if you're a commitment-phobe, most SIM-only plans don't require you to sign up for two years like you would with a normal contract.
It can be. Teaming a SIM only plan with a standalone SIM-free handset could save you a few quid. It's usually the case when a flagship phone hits the market and contracts are made deliberately expensive. Take the Samsung Galaxy S8 as a prime example, where you could have saved over £100 over two years by splashing the £800-odd for the handset and slipping in a cheap SIM card.
Not all the savings you can make are as extravagant, and on big data it's frequently more cost effective to dive into a contract instead. But if you can afford to splash a few hundred pounds up front then the savings over the next couple of years could well be worth it - especially if you can bag a bargain on Black Friday 2017.
The times have passed since most phones were locked to a network and you had to pay a dodgy backstreet 'engineer' to unlock it. Nowadays, it's standard practice for networks to let you use whatever SIM you want in the phone as soon as you've paid up the original contract (or earlier if you pay them a fee) - and Three ships all its handsets unlocked from the outset.
The exception, alas, is Apple iPhones. They're generally sold locked to the original network that you purchase them with for the life of the handset. Very frustrating if you're looking for a tasty SIM only deal once your 24 month sentence is up.
The good news is that your iPhone (or any other mobile before the end of your contract) can be unlocked - the bad news is that most networks make you pay for the privilege. Insert a friend or family member's SIM into your phone to see whether it's already unlocked and, if it isn't, look for your network below to see how to cut ties with them:
EE Once six months have gone by on your contract, you can call EE on 0800 956 6000 and pay them £8.99 to unlock your phone. It says it will take around 10 days to complete. PAYG phones can be unlocked for free.O2 As long as you don't own a Samsung Galaxy S8 or S8 Plus (they can't be unlocked until you've paid off your contract), you can unlock any O2 phone - including iPhones - for free if you're on a pay monthly contract. PAYG customers have to pay £15.Three Fear not, all phones on Three are unlocked as standard. Shove whatever SIM you like in there, it will work a treat.Vodafone The red network doesn't quite get the same marks as Three, as your phone will be locked to them on arrival. But they have made unlocking handsets absolutely free within 10 days of your request.
There are three sizes of SIM card that you can get for your phone, and the one you need will depend on your handset. It's been a while since the traditional, so-called standard SIM (15x25mm) has genuinely been the staple in new phones. Instead, any phone you've bought within the last five or so years is much more likely to require a micro (12x15mm) or nano (8.8x12.3mm) SIM - the iPhone 5 was Apple's first mobile with a nano SIM, while Samsung began using the smallest size in its Galaxy S6.
Before you purchase your new SIM, double-check the manufacturer's website to see what size you require. And if you're simply not sure, most networks now simply send out a triple SIM, so you'll get one of each size.
Ever heard of PAC codes and wondered what a classic 80s arcade game had to do with telephone numbers? It actually stands for Porting Authorisation Code, and it's the set of digits that you need to grab from your old network to let you transfer over your existing mobile number. If you're on one of the major networks, you can see what phone number you can contact them on here:
EE 07953 966 250O2 0344 8090202Vodafone 03333 040 191Three 0333 300 3333ID 0333 003 7777GiffGaff 43431 from your handsetVirgin 0345 6000 789BT 0800 800 150Tesco 0345 301 4455Sky 03300 412 524Asda 0800 079 2732If you want to grab a bargain SIM only plan above, but it's on your existing network then your network won't release a PAC code and you'll be forced to take a new phone number.
At least you would have, if it wasn't for this clever (if convoluted) work-around. You have to order a free pay-as-you-go SIM from another network. Once you have it, you can tell your old network that you're moving and they'll give you that precious PAC code. Then, once your number is registered to the substitute network, simply get another PAC code from them. Take that to your old network, and they'll move your number to your new contract. Simple - kind of!
Unlike with a contract, there's a lot more flexibility available when it comes to how long your SIM only plan will last. Two year commitments are virtually unheard of, with the norm being either one year or rolling one month contracts for ultimate flexibility. You can often get better prices if you tie yourself in for 12 months, especially on larger data tariffs. But sticking to one month at a time means that you can effectively hand pick a new plan to suit you every 30 days or so.
Because you can change your plan up more regularly than a normal, lengthier contract, it's less crucial to get this nailed from the start. But if you're thinking of grabbing a 12-monther or just put a personal pride on getting things right first time, then we'll help you pick out the sweet spot of data for you.
Firstly, check your phone to see how much data you've been using to date, and whether you have the tendency to use more than your current allowance every month. Then, if you're still unsure, check out our guidance:
0-1GB Tiny amounts of data on SIM only deals could be a blessing or a curse. If you're putting it in a rarely used phone that will scarcely be away from wi-fi then you're quids in. But if you end up with one because your head's turned by the incredible price, then you could end up paying more if you continually go over your allowance.2-3GB For anybody who needs data for little more than the occasional Google Maps route planning, 2GB and 3GB plans come cheap and give you much more freedom to check the football scores and scroll Facebook away from the wi-fi without danger.4-8GB If you can't leave the house without having a music streaming service like Spotify pouring into your ears, then it might be worth paying for some extra GBs of data.10-16GB This is a significant amount of data and some networks offer it for a very appetising price. Whether streaming music, downloading podcasts, watching social media videos, or all three is your thing - you should be covered.20-30GB Only smartphone junkies that need regular (and hefty) data fixes need bother with this avalanche of GBs. You'll be able to rinse Netflix, Spotify and online games without too much fear of topping out.Unlimited Maybe it's because you use remarkable amounts of data. Maybe it's because you simply don't want to keep checking how much data you've used every month. Whatever your reason to go unlimited, you have only two choices when it comes to network: Three or GiffGaff.
Call it practicality, call it greediness, call it what you want - it's human nature to want 'unlimited' anything if offered. But you should think genuinely about whether you really need it in a world where the likes of WhatsApp and Skype let you call and text for free over wi-fi or 4G. If you decide that a few thousand monthly minutes and texts should do you, then you could shave off some cash from your bill.
While EE, O2, Vodafone and Three are generally considered the major four networks for contract plans, when it comes to SIM only there are some other key players are well worth a look. See what we think of them below, and whether you'll get any free perks to help persuade you to sign up. Plus, we'll tell you about a couple of other SIM sellers that might be able to wrangle you an even better deal.
If you want fast and furious 4G, then your choice has to be an EE SIM only deal. Its speeds are around 50% faster than the other major networks, which is really noticeable if you like watching films or football on the move. And EE gives you three free months of BT Sport, as well as six months of Apple Music.
View all: EE SIM only deals
O2's best claim for your contract is with its Priority rewards - from cheap lunch deals and pre-order privileges on gig tickets, to ad-hoc discounts and competitions. Plus, they have 1000s of Wi-Fi hotspots in shops and cafes that you can connect to for free and save your precious data.
View all O2 SIM only deals
Vodafone seems to have been around since mobile phones were cumbersome bricks, but they remain a major player. Look out for a Red Entertainment tariff, which gives you your choice of a NOW TV Entertainment Pass, Spotify Premium or Sky Sports Mobile subscription.
View all Vodafone SIM only deals
Three is still the only network to offer unlimited data and it often features unbeatable deals on other big data plans - that makes them a natural choice of many a data hungry smartphone addict. But it's a bit shy on the free promotions stuff, and 4G coverage isn't as strong as the other networks.
View all 3 mobile SIM only deals
That familiar old stalwart of telecommunications BT is so-so when it comes to SIM only tariff prices. That's unless you're already a BT broadband customer, in which case you get some really favourable prices - a fiver less than the rest of the hoi polloi. Plus you get a BT Reward Card that can be spent anywhere that accepts Mastercard, the value of which depends on how much data you're in for.
Check below to see the current prices plans and what value Reward Card you can claim when you sign up. It's also worth noting that the 8GB and 20GB SIM only deals with BT also include free access to BT Sport on mobile.
For existing BT Broadband customers
(click the customer option at the top if the prices are more expensive)
12 months | 500MB data | Unlimited calls and texts - £6 per month at BT
12 months | 4GB data | Unlimited calls and texts | £10 BT Reward Card - £10 per month at BT
12 months | 8GB data | Unlimited calls and texts | £25 BT Reward Card - £15 per month at BT
12 months | 20GB data | Unlimited calls and texts | £40 BT Reward Card - £20 per month at BT
For non-BT Broadband customers:
12 months | 500MB data | Unlimited calls and texts - £11 per month at BT
12 months | 4GB data | Unlimited calls and texts | £10 BT Reward Card - £15 per month at BT
12 months | 8GB data | Unlimited calls and texts | £25 BT Reward Card - £20 per month at BT
12 months | 20GB data | Unlimited calls and texts | £40 BT Reward Card - £25 per month at BT
iD is a good option if bargain basement prices are what you covet most. This is a network run and owned by Carphone Warehouse - it piggybacks on the Three network. It's an excellent option if you want great value on a rolling monthly contract.
View all iD SIM only deals
GiffGaff is very hard to beat on price – if you want to grab a cheap SIM card deal, this could be your best option. You can't argue with £5 a month. The cheap deals don't give you much of an allowance to play with, but if you just want to keep your phone going and available to use for calls and texts with the occasional bit of internet use outside of your home WiFi, GiffGaff is a strong offering. Look out for the T&Cs though as some of the big data deals throttle the speed after a few gig.
View all giffgaff SIM only deals
Virgin Mobile has been going for a long time, and some of its SIM only deals are particularly attractive. They're all one-month rolling contracts, so you can stop paying at any time if you so wish, giving you flexibility if you want to change your plan or go for a phone-inclusive deal down the line. Prices start from as little as £9 a month.
View all Virgin Mobile SIM only deals
The UK's biggest supermarket has been known to offer competetive - if not stellar - SIM only deals, with low data prices starting around the £6 a month mark. Where it get's really interesting is if you download the Xtras app to an Android phone: you'll save £3 on your monthly bill, but you will have to see adverts every time you unlock your handset.
View all Tesco Mobile SIM only deals
TalkTalk is a telecoms company that also offers home phone, broadband and TV packages, so the best deals can be had if you sign up for more than one service. However, at the time of writing the cheapest deal is £3.95 per month for an admittedly measly 250MB of data. Better yet, for just £7.75 you can get 2.1GB.
View all TalkTalk SIM only deals
Plusnet might be more well known for its broadband deals, but it's also keen to push some very cheap 30-day SIM only deals. You don't have to be a Plusnet customer, although you could get double the data on some of these SIM only deals if you are. You don't have to worry about signal either as Plusnet uses EE's network that covers 99% of the UK. Plusnet's latest cheap SIM only deals start at just £4 a month, check them out via the link below.
View all Plusnet SIM only deals
Freedom Pop is trying something new - offering contracts for FREE. The catch being that you only pay if you do over the allowances of your bundle or opt for a larger deal. The prices for doing so vary, so be sure to take a look at the small print. It seems that they feature a different offer each week, but seeing as you can cancel at any time, they may be worth a look.
View all Freedom Pop SIM only deals
It's always worth checking out Mobiles.co.uk before settling on your SIM - its aggressive price cuts are often unmatched by anyone else. While the online retailer is known more for its handset contracts, it also offers a wide range of SIM only deals from all your favourite networks.
View: SIM only deals at Mobiles.co.uk
Carphone Warehouse doesn't just sell handset contracts. It also has a wide range of SIM only deals for Vodafone, O2, EE and ID. The online store is also known to include additional incentives such as half price fees for six months, free Beats by Dre headphones or Currys vouchers.
View all Carphone Warehouse SIM only deals
It's one of life's (many) little frustrations - you sign up with a network, get your SIM up and running and then discover that you get no coverage at all in your house. Well this little pain in the neck can be avoided by using the dedicated coverage checker that most networks provide. Enter your postcode and you'll see whether your address has 2G (calls, texts and email), 3G (the basics plus picture messaging and faster web browsing) and 4G (all the powers of 3G, plus faster downloads, online gaming and media streaming) coverage.
We've provided links below to all the available coverage checkers on multiple networks. We'd advise not only checking coverage in your home, but also work, school, uni, favourite pubs and so on. Anywhere where you spend time on a regular basis really.
EE coverage checkerO2 coverage checkerVodafone coverage checker3 mobile coverage checkerBT mobile coverage checkeriD coverage checkerGiffGaff coverage checkerVirgin mobile coverage checkerTesco mobile coverage checkerTalkTalk coverage checkerPlusnet coverage checkerFreedom Pop coverage checker
If you buy a phone after visiting this page, TechRadar will be paid a small commission by the network or reseller you buy from. This money is paid by the site you buy from and thus does not affect the amount you pay for your phone contract. If you go direct to the site you buy from, you would pay the same amount.
While some sites out there will be paid larger fees for pushing people to specific deals that aren't necessarily the cheapest, TechRadar will always find you the absolute best value. Trust and integrity is important to us, so if you ever think we're not displaying the very best deals let us know.
The SIM only deals on this page are checked every day to make sure they're still available and up to date! If you're ready to go SIM only, then head back to the top of this page and use our tool to find the perfect plan...
How to get a good TV deal on Black Friday
If you've been thinking about gifting your eyes with a brand new TV, then the savings offered on Black Friday are well worth your time (that's our UK page, but you can grab some bargains from our Australian and US Black Friday 2017 deals pages as well).
Year after year, we've seen deep discounts on a wide range of TV sets as major retailers look to appeal to every budget and taste.
Some deals have already started and we've had a glimpse at some of those ahead and you'll be glad to know there are some pretty exciting upgrade opportunities in store. Whether you're looking for a new smart TV or a set that will finally let you watch Blue Planet 2 in all its 4K glory, you're likely to find something.
We don’t need a crystal ball to predict that your next TV will be a 4K UHD model, given that most screen makers have migrated lock, stock and barrel to 2160p panels. But there could still be deals on Full HD models that will pique your interest (more on this down the page).
That said, while it's easy to get excited by a cheap TV it's worth reading up on what separates a great deal from a dodgy discount.
How many HDMIs?Always read the small print before you flash the plastic. The first thing buyers should check is how many HDMI inputs a set offers. We reckon three is the minimum you should be willing to accept these days, unless you’re partnering with an AV receiver.
After that, double-check that the inputs are HDCP 2.2 compliant. If they’re not, you’ll have problems hooking up a UHD Blu-ray player, UHD set top box or 4K media player.
Of course, not all 4K sets are equal. Newer models will offer HDR support too. On lower priced screens, this will cover the basic (ie common) HDR10 standard. Don’t however expect any bargain priced HDR set to perform like your mate’s top-end telly. Low cost, edge-lit LCD HDR screens are usually no brighter than Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) models - typically 350 cd/m2 (or nits).
Network connectivity is a given on any 4K TV these days, although smart platforms vary dramatically between brands. They can be elegant (like LG’s webOS and Panasonic’s Firefox-based OS) or a little less so (Android TV). The streaming apps they offer also warrant close scrutiny before you buy.
Check out our guide to the best smart TVs for a rundown of how each OS performs To stream 4K or not to stream 4K...For example, while a Smart TV might be 4K, you should still check that the Netflix and Amazon Video apps actually support 4K streams. And what about streaming HDR? It’s common to find HDR capable Netflix clients on TVs, but HDR-enabled Amazon less so. 4K YouTube is even more unpredictable. Look for support for the YouTube VP9 codec on packaging or literature to be sure the YouTube implementation will support ultra HD content.
Don't let apps be a deal breaker, though. It’s easy enough to connect up a 4K media streamer, like the Amazon Fire TV box (also certain to get a Black Friday price cut) or Apple TV 4K.
There are various types of Black Friday TV deal to be had. Manufacturers negotiate to promote/push/dump stock at prices which can (infamously) lead to brawls in-store; they benefit from moving high volumes on screen sizes or models that have floundered. But there are also bargains to be had on last season models, or screens that simply need to be shifted to make way for direct replacements. It’s here the informed buyer can make big savings.
LG’s 2017 OLED range, those with a 7 suffix, are amongst the best TVs it’s ever made. But its 2016 OLEDs, the ‘6’ models, were pretty tasty too, and it’s worth looking out for Black Friday clearances on remaining stock.
The 65-inch OLED65E6 in particular is still an impressive TV. With its unfeasibly thin picture-on-glass design and Harman/Kardon soundbar, it’s definitely cutting edge. The set boasts four HDCP 2.2 compliant HDMIs, and a full complement of catch-up services, including BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, Netflix, Amazon and Now TV.
Image quality on this Ultra HD premium model is superb. It supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision, and if you still have a hankering for 3D there’s passive 3D support and Dual Play goggles for split-screen gaming.
It’s also worth looking out for savings on Sony’s KD-65ZD9 / XBR65X930E 4K HDR TV. This set may be into its second year now, and is almost certainly destined for replacement come CES 2018, but it remains one of the best performing HDR TVs we’ve ever seen, capable of superbly bright spectral highlights, profound black level and sensational colour depth.
Key to its prowess image is Sony’s radical Master Backlight Drive technology which employs controllable LEDs, able to glow at peak intensity with astonishing precision. The ZD9 also uses Sony’s top of the line image processor, the X1 Extreme, as seen on the highly rated A1 OLED model.
Bargain hunters are also advised to check if retailers are discounting Sony’s hybrid Full HD HDR sets. These come in four flavors, starting at just 32-inches. The WE75 is available in 43- and 49-inch screen sizes, boasts a smart aluminium bezel and wide color gamut Triluminos panel. Sitting beneath it are WE66 (49- and 40-inches), WE61 (32-inch only) and RE45 (40-inch, with no internet connectivity) models.
Samsung on the cheapExpect tempting price reductions on select Samsung 2017 models for Black Friday too, as these sets originally landed with pretty hefty tickets. Likely super savers will be the mid-range Q7 line, and the 6 Series.
Both 2160p ranges are HDR enabled, and have impressive specs. The QE55Q7F / QN55Q7FAM is the brand’s entry-level QLED model, and boasts high brightest HDR and a wide colour gamut.
It’s available in both flat and curved variants. The latter carries a significant price premium, but could well be a bargain buy on Black Friday. Like all Samsung top-end tellies, it uses a One Connect junction box, which offers easy access and the potential of an HDMI upgrade if you need it.
If a mainstream Samsung LED LCD fits the bill, watch for price cuts on the brand’s 6 Series models. Its MU6120/MU6300 4K ranges are HDR enabled and use Active Crystal Color/4K Color Drive technology to really make colors pop. Design wise they’re top notch too, with a thin bezel and stylized pedestal. Look for key reductions on the 40- to 50-inch screens.
Hot deal Hitachis (UK only)Finally, expect hot deals on Hitachi TVs. The brand distributes through UK-retailer Argos, which has a reputation for heavy discounts. Hitachi currently has 4K panels in 43-, 50-, 55- and 65-inch screens sizes. The big 65HL6T64U 65-incher looks particularly tempting. All come with Freeview Play, although they are not HDR-enabled, which, if you're picking up a smaller model, isn't really an issue anyway.
Happy bargain hunting!
How to get a good Xbox One deal this Black Friday
It's time to count up the pennies you've been saving since January – Black Friday is here and it's the largest online shopping day of the year. Gone are the days when this was just a post-Thanksgiving US holiday. Now, it's a multi-day event that spans several countries.
It's also a great opportunity to take a leap onto a new gaming platform and build up a gaming library, with many retailers offering large discounts on console bundles and individual games.
If you know someone that would love a console this Christmas, the Black Friday period is also a great time to pick one up for a reasonable price. If that person happens to be you, who said you can't treat yourself?
Consoles and console bundles turn up every year, and this is a particularly interesting year for Xbox fans.
Being the shiny new kid on the console block, the Xbox One X and its 4K capabilities is offering the perfect opportunity for Xbox One owners to upgrade. Black Friday is a great chance to offset the cost of the console by getting two or three of the games you'd most like thrown in alongside it for a significant discount.
Black Friday 2017 lands just over two weeks after the Xbox One X is released, on 24 November. If you want a pre-Christmas deal on Microsoft’s brand new console, this is the day to find it.
You’ll want to be careful about what sort of bundle you want before just jumping on the first bargain you find, though. By 24 November there will be three kinds of Xbox One.
There’s the original, the Xbox One S and the Xbox One X. Almost no retailers have the first-generation console still hanging around their shelves, but if you do find an original Xbox One deal, bear in mind bundled games probably aren’t worth that much these days.
FIFA 2016? Quantum Break? You’ll usually find those in a bargain bin of a second-hand game store. And the original Xbox One tech may look a little stale to some of you.
Also, beware of any unofficial retailer-designed bundles you see, regardless of the console included. These might be a great deal, or they may just be packages bulked up with older games or low-quality accessories that are not worth very much.
Make sure you’re not being tricked by searching for the included items online before buying. Or you can simply stick to “official” console bundles. Current Xbox One S bundles include games like Minecraft, Forza Horizon 3 and Middle Earth: Shadow of War.
They are deliberately designed to cater for different tastes, and we’re sure to see a few of them appear during Black Friday 2017.
We’ll be listing all the best console deals on the day itself, and the days before Black Friday, when deals start to pop-up. However, your best strategy is to decide what sort of Xbox One bundle you want, and then stick to it unless you find an unbeatable deal for something a little different.
Now let’s look a little closer at the tech behind the various Xbox One versions.
The features to look out forWhat kind of Xbox One should you buy? With three versions out there, this is a question to dwell on for a minute.
They can all play the same games, but there are big differences between the models. It's unlikely that we'll see many deals at all on the original Xbox One this year given that the console has now been discontinued, but to avoid buyer’s remorse, consider the parts it lacks.
It doesn’t support HDR, doesn’t upscale games to 4K resolution and doesn’t have an Ultra HD Blu-Ray drive. You get all of this in the Xbox One S that was released in August 2017 as well as a smaller, better-looking console case.
The Xbox One S isn’t a true 4K console, but it nudges towards that direction and if you're interested in upscaled 4K games and and a smaller casing you'll find that here. It's also the cheapest way to get a 4K UHD Blu-ray player at the moment.
Most Black Friday Xbox One deals will feature the One S, Microsoft’s “standard” games console.
It’s the Xbox One X we’re really hoping to see this year at Black Friday but as it's a very recent release, you can expect any hot X deals to sell out very quickly if they happen at all.
Microsoft’s big tagline for the Xbox One X is that it’s the “world’s most powerful console”. That’s fighting talk when Sony has already released the performance-obsessed PS4 Pro.
To put it into context, where the Xbox One S’s graphics hardware has 12 compute units, the Xbox One X has 40, and each one is faster than the S’s too.
This lets the Xbox One X play some games at full 4K resolution, rather than using tech tricks to get half-way there and fake the rest. It also has HDR support, and can play Ultra HD Blu-rays.
If you have a high quality, large 4K HDR TV, it’s worth spending the extra money on the Xbox One X. However, we have a suspicion that outside a very low-stock killer deal or two, the best price-drops will be for the Xbox One S.
PredictionsThere's no guarantees at this stage as to the specific deals that will be on offer, but we'd bet the house on their being a handful of Xbox deals knocking around towards the end of November. Here are some of the Xbox One bundles we may see around Black Friday 2017.
Xbox One S Forza Hot Wheels bundle
A recent Xbox One S bundle comes with Forza Horizon 3, one of our favorite racing games of recent years. Microsoft also tweaked the original Forza bundle, adding the Hot Wheels expansion.
To our eyes this kiddy-fies the bundle a little, but the Hot Wheels expansion is actually just an over-the-top track and car expansion pack that makes Forza Horizon 3 faster and more ridiculous than ever. It’s loads of fun. And you get the base Forza Horizon 3 game anyway.
The only stinger is that the Hot Wheels bundle comes with a 500GB hard drive, not a 1TB one.
Xbox One S Shadow of War bundle
The newest Xbox One S bundle comes with Middle Earth: Shadow of War. This is a Lord of the Rings game that has picked up some solid reviews since its launch on 10 October.
However, as it’s not a quite as powerful a system sales driver as the upcoming Assassin’s Creed Origins, we expect to see plenty of stock available and ready for a sweet Black Friday deal. This bundle is available with both 500GB and 1TB capacity Xbox One S consoles, to make sure you know what you’re buying.
Xbox One X with three games
We’ll probably see a few Xbox One X console-only deals floating around on Black Friday, but our money is on a bundle that has a few games attached. Right now these will have to be unofficial bundles as there are no official Xbox One X bundles.
This is not unusual, as bundles for ‘upgrade’ consoles tend to land a little later. However, it makes even more sense here, when the Xbox One X is for hardcore gamers, many of whom will already own an older Xbox and some games.
Similar deals have been spotted on pre-orders too. In the UK, for example, you could get an Xbox One X from Currys with Quantum Break, Forza Motorsport 5 and Halo 5: Guardians at the same price as a solo console. We hope to see some more aggressive Xbox One X bundle deals around Black Friday, though, as, bar Forza Motorsport 7, those games are getting on a bit.
Preowned Xbox One original bundleFor the real bargain hunter, you may even want to keep an eye out for a pre-owned original Xbox One. As this version of the console was discontinued more than a year before Black Friday 2017, it seems unlikely we’ll see many, if any, retailers selling the old dog in brand new packaging.
If you don’t mind using a pre-loved console, this is the cheapest way to get on-board with current-gen gaming. Just make sure the deal you buy comes with a full year’s warranty, and is a better deal than normal.
The best Black Friday deals 2017: how to get the best UK offers
Moto G5 - one of the world's best budget phones - is now cheaper than ever
The Moto G5 sat on its perch at the top of the best cheap phone list for a few months of this year, and despite dropping down to position three we still love it as a cheaper alternative to the big and expensive flagship phones.
It comes with a part-metal body, a vibrant HD display and a slick fingerprint scanner too, so if you're looking to buy a new affordable phone this will be a great one to pick up.
Originally it cost £170 from Motorola and a variety of third-party retailers, but ahead of Black Friday 2017 we've now seen the price drop as low as £129.95 from both Amazon and Argos.
You can see those deals below, but be warned that we expect stock to be limited so be sure to make your decision quickly.
Here's a selection of the best Moto G5 contract deals too
Exclusive broadband deal: the UK's cheapest internet, one year for only £140
Here it is – the cheapest way you can currently get the internet in the UK. If you begrudge spending a penny more than you have to for home broadband, then this is the deal for you. And it's exclusive to TechRadar readers.
For the next 10 days, you can sign up for this unprecedented low price for a year's worth of Origin broadband. Pay £139.99 upfront and get unlimited home internet for a year, with no bills to pay whatsoever. That's the equivalent of a mere £11.67 per month, which is over £7 a month cheaper than any other broadband deals right now – a massive £87 saving over the course of the year!
Keep reading for more information about this incredible exclusive offer for your new broadband package. And if the thought of splashing out all at once for your internet doesn't appeal, we have some pay monthly cheap broadband options that may suit you instead.
Discover the best Black Friday 2017 deals – from phones to games consoles The UK's cheapest broadband deal – a TechRadar exclusive: Other great Black Friday broadband deals: Click here to contrast and compare the best broadband deals around
Get up to 99% off Mailbird Pro this Black Friday
Mailbird Pro, our favorite premium email client, is available for as little as £0.39/$0.69 in a special deal for Black Friday and Cyber Monday.
Everyone will receive a discount of at least 50%, and you can ‘gamble’ for a better deal by sharing it on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ or LinkedIn – up to a maximum of 99% off the usual price. You have four chances to spin the wheels and get a better random discount.
Click here to save up to 99% on Mailbird Pro
Not only does Mailbird Pro let you connect an unlimited number of accounts and collate your messages in a unified inbox, it also links to just about every social network and chat service you can name.
The offer applies to Mailbird Pro Lifetime only.
The best Black Friday deals 2017Mailbird Pro review
PlayStation Store has started its Black Friday sale in the UK
The double discount sale may have just finished on the UK PlayStation Store but we’re already seeing Black Friday bargains.
The offers got off to a modest start on the online store itself, with PlayStation offering a 20% discount on all of its gaming-themed mugs.
Whether you or a friend is a fan of PlayStation itself, Horizon: Zero Dawn, Destiny or Assassin’s Creed you’ll find a mug that proves it. It’s Crash Bandicoot fans that are likely to be the most pleased though – who doesn’t want to drink their morning coffee from a Nitro or TNT crate?
Play the gameIf you’re looking for something a little less ‘stocking-filler’, there are already some excellent Black Friday offers on hardware bundles from participating retailers.
At the moment you can still pick up a PlayStation VR bundle that was announced last week. For just £249.99 you’ll be able to pick up a full PSVR starter pack with either Skyrim VR or GT Sport.
Thinking about forking out for 4K? Then there’s a PS4 Pro with FIFA 18 and Call of Duty: WW2 for £299.99.
It’s worth considering the 25% discount on a 12 month PlayStation Plus membership, too, not just because being a PlayStation Plus member will get you early access to the sale on November 21 and 22 ahead of its official November 23 start.
Early bird benefitsThat's right, PlayStation Plus members can already get discounts on games in the sale. There are some very new titles on offer here with discounts that range from 25% to 60%.
Some stand outs include GT Sport, The Evil Within 2 and Horizon Zero Dawn all for £24.99 down from £49.99, the new Assassin's Creed Origins for £38.49 down from £54.99 and Grand Theft Auto 5 for just £21.99 down from £54.99.
Don't forget to keep an eye on our best PlayStation bundles for hardware offers that shouldn't be missed.
The PlayStation Store Black Friday sale will open to everyone on November 23 and run through until November 27.
Start building up your wishlist with our picks of the best PS4 games
Dell reveals its early Black Friday sale, with 15% savings on a range of products
Dell has revealed that it is slashing 15% off the price of a number of laptops in its early Black Friday sale, which is running now and ends just before midnight on November 22.
These deals are for a select number of products, and all you need to do is enter the code EARLYBIRD15 at the checkout for some impressive savings.
This is pretty exciting, as last year Dell was offering 7% off its products during Black Friday, so this early sale bodes well for what Dell has planned for the big day itself.
Early birdsAs we mentioned above, all these deals expire just before midnight on November 22, so if you’re on the lookout for a new laptop, you could bag yourself a bargain before Black Friday even rolls around.
If you do miss out on these deals, don’t worry as we have a feeling Dell will be lining up some pretty amazing offers on the day itself, so keep an eye on our Black Friday 2017 deals page.
Make sure you check out our list of the best laptops as well, there’s a number of Dell devices included
The best broadband deals for Black Friday 2017
This year's best Black Friday broadband deals so far:
Broadband deals
Finding the best broadband internet deals is no easy task - there are so many options. Do you need superfast fibre broadband? Should you go for a cheap broadband only deal for less than £20 per month, or add TV and phone plans to your internet package? And is it worth hanging on until Black Friday to see if better deals emerge then?
We're here to help you make that decision. Pop in your postcode above and we'll give you a list of the lowest priced home broadband deals available in your area. With the latest offers from BT broadband, Sky, Virgin Media and TalkTalk all included, our widget will filter down the best broadband deals in the UK today.
Below, you'll find TechRadar's handpicked favourite deals for fibre (if you can get it), broadband and TV packages and broadband only plans. Keep scrolling down and you'll find our advice on what else you should consider when buying broadband - from the speed you'll need, to whether getting fibre broadband is a must for your household.
See also: BT Broadband and Infinity deals | Virgin Media broadband deals | Sky broadband deals | Fibre broadband deals | Broadband and TV deals | Broadband only deals
Superfast fibre broadband may sound appetising, but it may not be necessary for your home - especially if you want to cut costs. It could be worth considering slower, cheaper ADSL instead.
Broadband speeds are represented in megabits per second, or Mb. Crudely speaking, the more Mbs, the faster the broadband speed. But remember that the advertised speed is the maximum and doesn't necessarily represent the actual speed you'll end up getting. That varies depending where you live.
0-25Mb This entry-level broadband speed is transmitted via an ADSL connection to your nearest BT exchange. The equivalent to around 2.1MB per second, It should be fast enough for small households where only one or two people are using the internet at once. Be aware that if you stream TV, you may experience the odd interruption.
25-50Mb Where Virgin led the way, the rest followed. Now every big provider offers rapid fibre broadband. This is the sweet spot between fast speeds and good value and just the ticket for a family household where four or five members are all streaming, downloading and surfing at once.
50+Mb If you stream 4K TV or have loads of people trying to use your broadband connection at once, then it may be worth shelling out for the extra speed. It may cost you more, but you're pretty much guaranteed lag-free use - plus, the providers often sweeten the deal with added extras and rewards.
There's one very easy way to find out...scroll to the top of this page and input your postcode. We'll tell you straight away whether you can get fast fibre broadband.
Roughly speaking, 90% of UK homes now have the option of connecting to fibre broadband. But if you have your heart on Virgin Media fibre plans, it's more like around 60%.
Most broadband providers lock you in for at least 12 months, with one year plans being by far the most common. That said, perhaps taking their cue from mobile phone contracts, we are now seeing some providers experimenting with longer plans, with 18 month contracts rearing their heads.
On the opposite side of the spectrum, some providers now offer short term rolling contracts. Virgin Media, for example, have 30 day plans for commitment-phobes. The downside is you'll be expected to play a larger setup fee.
When your contract comes to an end, be prepared for your monthly tariff to be hiked - especially if you were lucky enough to get a great introductory offer at the outset.
Usually. Sometimes known as 'setup', 'upfront' or 'activation' fees, most of the major broadband providers ask for at least some payment when you kick off your contract. The amount usually depends on what level of package you go for, but it will likely be somewhere between £10 and £60. Only TalkTalk bucks the trend - they've scrapped their activation fee completely, while other brands run frequent promotions where they temporarily scrap their upfront cost.
There may be other added extras, too, however. If you take a broadband and TV package, you might be charged for the TV set-top box. And some, including BT and EE, charge delivery for the router.
If you still use a home landline to make and receive calls, you're in luck - many broadband plans don't just feature a landline, but they actually include it in your monthly price.
You will have to start paying more though when you have a personalised call plan. You'll see your standard monthly bill begin to escalate when you start adding unlimited evening, daytime or international calls to the mix.
OnePlus 5T is on sale today - here's how you can get it
We love the OnePlus 5T – we gave it four and a half stars out of five citing its premium look, Face unlock and top-end power as big highlights of the phone.
It's not the perfect device as it's missing the latest Android software and doesn't have a super high resolution display, but we still love it and if you want to buy the OnePlus 5T then today is your chance.
UK network O2 already has deals up with the cheapest being £79.99 upfront and £35 a month, which comes with unlimited calls and texts as well as 4GB of data too.
It's expected the OnePlus 5T will start appearing from US carriers in the next couple of hours too. OnePlus will also be selling the phone SIM free on its official website and through a variety of third-party retailers, but we've yet to see any of those deals pop up.
Have you read our full review of the OnePlus 5T?
The best VPNs for Netflix in 2017
One of the main reasons why VPNs are so popular is because of their ability to unblock geo-restricted access. In other words, they let you access content that you wouldn’t otherwise be able to reach due to your location, such as getting the US Netflix service in the UK (with all its extra content). Some countries block Netflix completely, of course – for example, China – and again, you can use one of the best VPNs to get around this.
Bear in mind, though, that accessing content which shouldn’t be available in your region is something Netflix doesn’t want you to do. Indeed, it is expressly forbidden in Netflix’s terms and conditions of usage, and there’s a constant battle between the streaming service and VPNs which are circumventing its restrictions. Naturally, you travel down the avenue of VPN content unblocking entirely at your own risk…
How to choose the best VPN for NetflixAs mentioned, there’s an ongoing game of cat-and-mouse between VPNs and Netflix in terms of beating its region restrictions. As a result, there’s a much smaller pool of VPN providers to choose from in this particular arena. However, while your options may be more limited than usual, there are still a few things to look out for.
Download speeds and server coverage should be your top priorities. Video streaming is an intensive activity, and you’ll need nippy performance levels to avoid suffering at the hands of stuttering footage, particularly when watching HD content (or indeed 4K). Having plenty of servers on offer will mean you’ll be more likely to be able to find that vital fast connection, as well (generally speaking).
Check out the best VPN services of 2017 to get the best VPN deals on the marketPrivacy and security are important whatever you’re using a VPN for, of course, with a ‘no logs’ policy and good encryption being definite must-haves. Support for mobile devices, and hopefully native clients for iOS/Android, will obviously be handy for watching flicks on the move.
And another good idea is to plump for a service with a money-back guarantee – that will be useful if things change suddenly, as they can with Netflix, and the particular VPN you’ve gone for ends up getting the cold shoulder from the streaming service. At least if you can get a refund, you won’t have wasted money (and obviously enough, the longer the duration of the money-back guarantee, the better).
Bearing all that in mind, let’s look at the five best VPN services for watching Netflix.
Known for its security-first approach, NordVPN is our best all-round VPN for using Netflix. The service offers fast performance, and in testing it barely affected our download speeds compared to our non-VPN rates.
Besides the United States, NordVPN currently supports Netflix in France, Netherlands, India, Germany (mobile devices and routers only), and the UK (at the time of writing). Further benefits of the service include super-strong 2048-bit encryption, DNS leak protection, and an extensive choice of servers. The company has a no-logs policy regarding the user’s online activity, although the privacy policy doesn’t make it clear whether session logging takes place.
There's a free 3-day trial (hidden away here), and the service comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. With the monthly billing being quite expensive, the 2-year plan offers the best value for money, if you can make that commitment. The packages available are:
[$11.95 a month] 1-month[$7.00 a month] 6-months - $42[$5.75 a month] 1-year - $69[$3.29 a month] 2-years - $79
This British Virgin Islands-based provider offers good download speeds and a great mobile VPN experience, with some high-quality native clients for iOS, Android and even BlackBerry. ExpressVPN currently supports Netflix in the US, UK and Canada.
It also supports up to three devices – which can be either PCs, tablets or phones – and doesn’t log traffic or browsing data. On the security front it boasts 256-bit encryption over OpenVPN, L2TP – IPSEC, PPTP, and SSTP protocols.
ExpressVPN falls down a little, however, when it comes to value for money. The service is a bit more expensive than many rivals, but that said, a reassuring 30-day money-back guarantee is available (even if there isn’t a free trial). ExpressVPN offers three price plans, with the 12-month plan providing the best savings. The packages available are:
[$12.95 a month] 1-month[$9.99 a month] 6-months - $59.95[$6.66 a month] 15-months [3 free months] - $99.95
At the moment, VyprVPN only works for gaining access to Netflix US, but the company says Netflix might work in other countries as well (although when we spoke to the support team, they didn’t make it clear which countries, unfortunately – so you’ll just have to hope for the best outside of the US).
The service offers excellent speeds, particularly when it comes to download rates, which is obviously great for streaming. And efforts on the security front are also commendable, with multiple protocols supported including OpenVPN, L2TP/IPsec, PPTP and Chameleon (VyprVPN’s own tailored solution). There’s a NAT Firewall for additional security, too. Privacy-wise, there is some logging with this provider: connection times and IP addresses are recorded, which won’t be ideal for everyone.
There is a free 3-day trial if you want to test the service, and that’s useful since there are no refunds given under any circumstances. The company offers two price plans with monthly and annual billing. The monthly option is somewhat pricier than most other services, so your best bet is the Premium plan which offers the most bang for your buck (and includes five simultaneous connections, the Chameleon protocol and more).
The packages available are:
Basic: $9.95 monthly or $5.00 per month billed annuallyPremium: $12.95 monthly or $6.67 per month billed annually
StrongVPN’s strong point (ahem) is its security, which includes broad protocol support (PPTP, L2TP, SSTP, OpenVPN and IPSec), 2048-bit encryption and the company's own StrongDNS service, which protects the user from DNS leaks.
The service is simple and based on the essentials. It boasts solid server coverage, support for all the major platforms – Windows, Mac, iOS and Android – with manual setup guides for the rest. In our testing, performance proved to be fast, actually improving our download speeds on long-distance tests, meaning swift and reliable connections to Netflix in different countries such as the US, UK, Canada, Japan, Netherlands, Germany, France, and Spain.
StrongVPN offer 24/7 live support which is a nice touch. The service however doesn’t have much variety when it comes to pricing plans – there are only three available with a short 5-day money-back guarantee (and StrongDNS service). Going monthly is expensive, but if you sign up for the full year, it’s more reasonably priced. The packages available are:
[$10.00 a month] 1-month[$8.00 a month] 3-months - $24[$5.83 a month] 12-months - $69.99
While Hotspot Shield doesn’t have a great deal of server locations to choose from, the service makes up for it with excellent performance. Both upload and download speeds were marginally higher than our normal rates when we tested the VPN, which is obviously fantastic for streaming.
On the downside, the client offers very little in terms of configuration. However, this VPN’s privacy policy is a favourable one, stating that any data which has been recorded is deleted upon ending the VPN session.
The service does offer a free plan, but this comes with certain limitations in terms of server selection, bandwidth and so on. For smooth streaming sessions, you’ll have to pony up some cash for the relatively expensive subscription plans. Unless you’re prepared to commit to the ‘Lifetime’ offering – which could work out extremely cheap in the long run – the 1-year plan is the best value. The packages available are:
[$17.19 a month] 1-month[$11.90 a month] 6-months - $71.40[$7.93 a month] 1-year - $95.16Lifetime - $158.83
The best BT Sport deals and packages on Black Friday 2017
Looking for a clear answer on the best way to bag a cheap BT Sport deal? If you're here, chances are you been asking yourself how much is BT Sport going to cost? Can I get BT Sport on Sky or Virgin Media instead? You've asked and we're here to answer.
The official BT Black Friday deals are now live and that means some long awaited discounts, not just on broadband deals, but BT Sport deals too. The short version? If you're going with BT you're going to be able to get BT Sports for free again.
On this page we'll tell you about the best offers direct from BT (for new and existing customers) and also how to get a BT Sport package if you already have Sky TV or Virgin Media. With so many options available from each provider, we've simplified the listings as much as possible so you can weigh up the best option for you without the pushy up-selling you'd get in stores, shopping center booths or on the phone. Alternatively, if you'd prefer a bit of Sky Sports, we've also extensively covered the latest various Sky TV deals available.
What's on BT Sport?The BT Sport Pack includes BT Sport 1, BT Sport 2, BT Sport 3, BT Sport ESPN and Box Nation. Across these channels you'll find every Champions League match live, so no more asking the pub landlord to swap over to the match you actually want to watch and upsetting those Man United supporting Southerners. There's also a selection of Premier League matches every week.
BT Sport is also the only place to enjoy Ashes cricket this year as BT has nabbed the exclusive rights to broadcast it this winter. Elsewhere on BT Sport you can enjoy the Rugby Aviva Premiership, UFC, NBA, Moto GP and much more. Sound good? Then let's check out the latest BT Sport packages.
BT Sport deals are available as an add-on to a BT TV package and also as an extra to BT broadband. Let's have have a look at all the options and how much they'll cost you each month. Prices direct from BT rather than going through third parties like Sky and Virgin Media are the cheapest options available.
BT Sport deals if you're not a BT customer yetIf you already get your TV or broadband from Sky or Virgin and your contract isn't up for a while, you can skip this section and scroll down to the heading 'How much is BT Sport on Sky?' or 'How to get BT Sport on Virgin Media.'
I'm already an existing BT customerIf you already have BT broadband or a BT TV deal, good news. You can get BT Sport for less than anyone else on Sky or Virgin, maybe even for free. Take a look at the latest options for current BT customers below.
Rather than put up a wall between their customers, BT and Sky have reached an agreement allowing existing Sky customers access to BT Sport too. That means they'll have the most comprehensive sports coverage in the UK. Sky customers will have to set this up through BT though rather than Sky.
The options are simple though and BT's website will walk you through the steps, We've included links below and we'll talk you through the various options and how much they cost too.
You don't have to go with BT broadband to get BT Sport. BT is keen to let its rivals pay them to let you in on the action too. New Virgin broadband customers can take advantage of Virgin's superfast fibre broadband and enjoy BT Sport.
There are a few Virgin broadband with BT Sport packages to choose from, sadly they don't include the cheapest Virgin deals. On the plus side you're getting the shiny HD versions of the BT Sports channels in all of them. There are three main deals to choose from, although as you're going through the transaction you might be offered extras or modest upgrades along the way.
Pick up a Nikon D750 for just £1,469 and save over £330
You can get your hands on Nikon's brilliant full-frame D750 for just £1,469 from Amazon while stocks last.
It's normally priced at £1,799.99, so that's a very healthy saving of £330.99 – a decent wedge of cash to put towards another piece of camera kit like a lens or flashgun.
The D750 features a brilliant 24.3MP full-frame sensor, is equipped with a excellent 51-point AF system, and can shoot at a continuous 6.5fps. Handling is great, while the useful tilting screen and Wi-Fi connectivity make it a very well-rounded camera that's a great choice for enthusiast photographers.
It may be getting a little old, but at this price, the D750 is a great buy. All you have to do is follow the link below:
Click here to save over £330 on a Nikon D750Don't hang around though as stock is very low!
The best Black Friday deals 2017The best full-frame DSLRs you can buy right now
Uber wants the driverless car experience to be sick bag-free
When we no longer have to drive our own cars, we’ll all become passengers with very different expectations of what we want from our vehicles.
The companies invested in selling autonomous experiences to consumers will have to re-focus on the passive passenger rather than the active driver. Uber is a company that’s already making a start on this.
If a recent patent is anything to go by, one of the first things Uber is trying to improve on is instances of motion sickness.
Often motion sickness is caused when there’s a disconnect between what we see and what we feel. It’s common on fast-moving rollercoasters, in VR games and when reading in vehicles.
Smooth sailingAs time-rich passengers we’ll likely find ourselves occupied with other activities in our cars which, combined with the potentially more jerky movements of AI drivers, could result in increased instances of in-car sickness.
Called the Sensory Simulation System, Uber’s proposed solution will try to trick the body by creating movements in-car that more closely resemble what your eyes see by using a combination of movement, air and light.
Using data from a set of self-driving “eyes”, the car would move motorized seats, target pressurized air flow or adjust the in-car lighting to mimic what’s happening outside the car, theoretically keeping motion sickness at bay.
Looking into systems such as this makes a lot of sense for Uber, considering the company has made it clear it’s fully invested in self-driving cars by purchasing a fleet of 24,000 self-driving vehicles from Volvo.
Of course, given that this is a patent it’s far from certain whether we’ll ever see the Sensory Simulation System appear in any of Uber’s cars. What’s clear, however, is that car manufacturers are going to have to start thinking differently about in-car technologies and experiences when drivers are no longer needed.
Self-driving cars will be a key focus in the next UK budget Via Mashable
Samsung could be readying a 2-in-1 Chromebook with a detachable screen
Apparently Samsung is preparing a 2-in-1 Chromebook, probably for release next year, at least according to word on the laptop grapevine.
The fact that a detachable Chromebook is in the works was actually spotted by Chrome Unboxed back in September, with the device, codenamed Nautilus, being referenced in the Chromium repository. Scant details turned up, though, and all that was revealed about the device is that it’s a detachable hybrid with a Kaby Lake processor.
However, now the tech site has found a name which is linked to the device in the repository: Jongpil Jung. Who just happens to be a senior engineer at Samsung, hence the speculation that this Nautilus hybrid is from Samsung.
Chrome Unboxed explains that: “Now, in most cases, a name wouldn’t be a common denominator for pinning down a manufacturer but Mr. Jung’s work has been solely isolated to Samsung’s devices up unto this point and I have no reason to believe that has changed.”
Pro plusJung previously worked on the Samsung Chromebook Pro – which we loved in our review – and that’s a convertible (pictured above) with a 360-degree hinge, so the screen can be folded right back to be used as a tablet.
But the alleged new device will be a detachable, meaning the display can be completely detached from the keyboard base, which offers one clear advantage: it’s a nice thin slate, as opposed to a thicker tablet with the keyboard folded underneath it.
All this is good news for those who might want to use their Chromebook for Android apps.
We probably won’t see this detachable Chromebook pop up anytime soon, of course, given that it’s still very much a work in progress, but it should be out at some point next year, hopefully. Fingers crossed that’s the case, because it will provide an even more flexible hybrid option for those who use Chromebooks.
Speaking of flexibility, just last week we heard about a new trick which is set to boost the powers of touchscreen Chromebooks when it comes to multitasking with apps in tablet mode.
One Chromebook makes it onto our best laptops list
Foldable Samsung Galaxy X may have just been listed by Samsung
It’s common knowledge that Samsung is working on a foldable phone currently known as the Galaxy X, and has been for years, but there’s now evidence that it could be about to land, as a phone with a model number linked to the Galaxy X has its own support page on Samsung’s site.
That model number is ‘SM-G888N0’ and this isn’t the first time it’s appeared, as it’s also recently been spotted in a filing from the Korean National Radio Research Agency (NRRA), and at the Bluetooth Special Interest Group.
But this is the first time it’s been posted by Samsung itself, and all this activity, coupled with the fact that it has its own support page, albeit a currently empty one, suggests the phone could be launching very soon.
It could be anythingThe bigger question is whether this is actually the Samsung Galaxy X, as the model number only seems to be linked to Samsung’s foldable phone on the basis that it’s not related to any existing range.
So it may well be a more conventional handset, but Samsung doesn’t often launch new ranges of phones, and there is other evidence that we might see the Galaxy X soon, most notably a comment from Samsung’s mobile boss, who said the company aims to launch a folding phone in 2018.
In which case it’s possible that the phone will be launched at CES 2018 in January, in order to keep it out the way of the Samsung Galaxy S9, which is likely to land a couple of months later.
But if the SM-G888N0 really is the Samsung Galaxy X we wouldn’t count on being able to buy it even when it does launch, as the ‘N0’ in the name suggests the phone is headed to South Korea, and that may well be the only place it launches, as Samsung probably won’t want to commit to a global launch for such an untested idea.
Apple might also be working on a folding phoneVia Forbes and LetsGoDigital
The best Samsung Galaxy Tab deals on Black Friday 2017
Welcome to the net's collection of all the best Samsung Galaxy Tab deals! On this page you'll find the best deals currently available for all models of Samsung Galaxy Tab, whether it's the latest and greatest Galaxy Tab Pro, the Tab S line, all the way up to the older Galaxy Tab 3.
If you're after the super new Galaxy Tab S3, you're in luck, as we've added the latest deals. We'll walk you through various older models too so you can work out which one is best for you and then we'll help you find the best deal.
There's no better time to be shopping for a tablet either, as Black Friday deals are in full swing and we'll be keeping this page updated with all the best Samsung Galaxy Tab deals as the sale period progresses.
If you're looking for a wider variety of manufacturers, make sure you check out our cheap tablets page.
Here are the best Samsung Galaxy Tab deals on Black Friday 2017...
Samsung's newest tablet has the likes of the iPad Pro and Surface Pro in its sites and could be a contender, especially if you're a fan of the Android ecosystem. With a new glass back, it's clearly been taking style tips from the gorgeous Galaxy S7 lineup and the new Super AMOLED screen supports HDR - a tablet first.
Read our full review: Samsung Galaxy Tab S3
Samsung's latest flagship Android tablet is a real stunner
With a stunning AMOLED screen to match any of Samsung's latest smartphones, this 9.7-inch Android tablet is one of the absolute best out there. It's the thinnest tablet in the world - thinner even than the iPad Air 2 - and is also super lightweight but very powerful.
Read our full review: Samsung Galaxy Tab S2
The best value large Galaxy Tab screen
If you're looking for one of the larger Samsung Galaxy Tab screens, but don't want to spend too much money, the Galaxy Tab A 10.1 strikes a fine balance of size, performance and cost.
The 8-inch and possibly more sensible version of Samsung's best tablet
With the same specs as the 9.7-inch model above, the Tab S2 8-inch is smaller, cheaper and probably the better option. Android works a lot better on this size screen and the low price of this model makes it a really great buy.
Read our full review: Samsung Galaxy Tab S2
The 8.4-inch version of Samsung's best Galaxy Tab
The Samsung Galaxy Tab S is a year older than the S2 and also comes in two sizes - 8.4-inch and then the slightly bigger and more expensive 10.5-inch. If you want one of the best Android tablet on the market, one of these two devices will do you proud because it's not a lot slower than the latest model but does have much better battery life. Whether it be the stunningly good screen or the powerful internals, this is an amazing tablet. Here are the best Galaxy Tab S 8.4 deals currently available...
Read our full review: Samsung Galaxy Tab S
The 10.5-inch version of Samsung's most highly specc'd Android tablet
There's a lot to be said for the 8.4-inch version above - it could well be the absolutely perfect size for a touchscreen tablet. But if you want something a little bigger, the Tab S 10.5 is simply superb. It's got all the same features as the tablet above but features a bigger screen. If you want an iPad-beating tablet running Android, this is the one. Here are the best Samsung Galaxy Tab S 10.5 deals...
Read our full review: Samsung Galaxy Tab S
This incredibly big tablet is also incredibly good
If you're looking for a super-sized tablet your options are fairly limited, yet Samsung offers up two with the Samsung Galaxy Tab Pro 12.2 being joined by the incredibly similar Note Pro 12.2. The battery life on the Galaxy Tab Pro 12.2 is rather impressive. With light to medium use you should be able to get two days usage from one charge, which is a massive plus for those on the move who do not necessarily have access to a power point throughout their working day.
It's a few years old now but good at the right price
If you want a budget tablet you could do worse than the 7-inch Galaxy Tab 3. It's by no means the most feature packed Galaxy Tab around, and even when it was new it wasn't the best, but prices make everything relative and this is a very cheap option!
Tesla has now made a power bank for your phone - but don't expect innovation
Innovative car brand Tesla may be stealing headlines with the Model 3 and Roadster models, but you can now charge up your phone with the car company's tech from within your pocket too.
It's called Powerbank and comes with 3350mAh capacity, which isn't very big compared to a lot of other portable chargers on the market. It comes with microUSB and Lightning cables connected directly into the charger as well as an integrated USB.
Given that Tesla as a company is known for its innovations in the world of electric energy, we would expect its power bank offering to be experimental too, but at the moment it looks more like a memento for Tesla fans rather than a must-have power bank.
Paying for the brandWe've yet to see it in the flesh, but the design seems compact, slim and should slide into your bag without weighing you down, but it's expensive for a portable charger.
It's $45 in the US - that's about £35/AU$60. Compared to a lot of other portable chargers on the market that's expensive, especially for such a relatively small capacity battery pack.
If you don't care about the Tesla branding, we'd recommend checking out the best power banks list we've put together that shows you some of the greatest portable chargers you can buy right now.
Tesla Model 3 release date, news and features
Toyota’s new T-HR3 robot is basically a symbiotic humanoid helper-bot
Toyota has created a humanoid robot that is controlled by directly mimicking the movements of a human sat in a seat called the Master Maneuvering System.
Not only do you strap your arms into braces with sensors on every joint, giving you total control of the T-HR3’s arms, but you also have sensors on your feet allowing you to control walking forwards and sideways by lifting and placing your feet.
Need to know where your robot is going? No problem, because a camera feed from the T-HR3’s face feeds directly into a VR headset that you’re wearing so you can ‘see’ as the robot sees.
Remote control robots in spaceNow, if that wasn’t cool enough, the reason that Toyota has created the T-HR3 is even cooler. It’s planning for the robot to be useful “in a variety of settings, such as the home, medical facilities, construction sites, disaster-stricken areas and even outer space.”
Space robots. Space. Robots. That you can potentially control from earth. We’re not over excited. You’re over excited.
But seriously, having a robot like the T-HR3 that has independent motors for each individual joint in its arms and hands that can go into areas that humans can’t could save many lives. If you want to see how synchronized the movements are, check out the video from Toyota below.
T-HR3 is the third generation humanoid robot, created by Toyota’s Partner Robot Division and while previous iterations have shown off their dexterity by playing musical instruments, it looks like this third generation could potentially have real-world applications.
If you want to see the T-HR3 in real life, it’ll be featured at the International Robot Exhibition 2017 in Tokyo from November 29 through December 2.
Want to enjoy some synchronized robot dancing? This video features more dancing robots than you've ever seen in your lifeFrom Toyota
Via Engadget
Amazon now delivers SIM cards at your doorstep
E-commerce portal Amazon India continues to expand its operations in India. After partnering with several smartphone companies to sell their devices as Amazon exclusive in India, the e-commerce giant has now partnered with telecom operators in the country.
Amazon India has partnered with three telecom operators- While Airtel and Vodafone will provide postpaid SIM cards, users will be able to get international SIM cards from Lycamobile. Airtel and Vodafone are offering various tariff plans for users to choose from. Lycamobile on the other hand, is offering country based plans.
Best deals and offers on Xiaomi phones in India Airtel and Vodafone plansIndia’s largest telecom operator, Airtel is offering four postpaid plans with monthly tariff of Rs. 499, Rs. 799, Rs. 1,199 and Rs. 1,599. Vodafone is offering plans with monthly tariff of Rs. 499, Rs. 699, Rs. 999, Rs. 1,699, Rs. 1,999 and Rs. 2,999. To purchase an Airtel postpaid SIM, you will have to pay a security deposit of Rs. 200 and for Vodafone, the deposit is of Rs. 15 only.
Lycamobile international SIMsLycamobile is offering international SIM cards for countries such as USA, UK, Italy, Australia, Hong Kong, Europe, Belgium, Austria and Portugal for now. The plans begin from Rs. 1,000 and they go as high as Rs. 4,850.
How to order a SIM card Go to Amazon.in and select the operator and plan you want. You will receive the SIM card in 24 hours and the operator's executive will collect all your documents. After verification, your SIM card will be activated in 24 hours.Amazon is offering 15% cashback up to Rs 300 on a minimum purchase or Rs 500. The best Apple iPhone X deals in India
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