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...
TechRadar - All the latest technology news
You can now pick up an unlocked iPhone X deal for £959 at Argos
How to pick up an iPhone X deal for cheap – that’s the question on many a person’s mind right now. We’re reaching the sweet spot where the hype has died and the prices are starting to drop. In fact, Apple’s SIM-free iPhone X just dropped by £40 at Argos.
Since the iPhone X was released by Apple in November that wallet-destroying price has stuck at a cool £999 for the unlocked handset.
But Argos has just (finally) dropped the price of this cutting-edge phone by a generous £40. That means you can now pick up an unlocked iPhone X SIM-free for £959.
Buy the iPhone X in Space Grey for £959 at Argos
Buy the iPhone X in Silver for £959 at Argos
To be fair, the price has remained so high for good reason. This is Apple’s first smartphone to feature the new Face ID which unlocks the handset securely simply by holding it up. And that's not all.
The iPhone X is Apple’s most powerful handset for superfast use. And it all takes place within one hell of a screen - a 5.8-inch Super Retina HD screen, no less. The edge-to-edge display is Apple’s first OLED in an iPhone meaning better battery, superior colours and improved image quality.
See all of today's best iPhone X deals on contract iPhone 8 price dropOr if you fancy Apple’s newest handset but without all the bells and whistles of the iPhone X, you can opt for an iPhone 8 or iPhone 8 Plus and still get that £40 saving. That means Argos is now selling the iPhone 8 for £659 and the iPhone 8 Plus for £759 - although Amazon is currently flogging the latter for an astonishing £645.
Whichever handset you go for you’ll be able to pair it with a cheap SIM only deal so you don’t need to worry about being locked into a contract. That means, for example, a £14 per month plan from Three will get you 12GB of data with unlimited minutes and texts. Yup, it’s time to upgrade.
The best laptop 2018: our pick of the 15 best laptops you can buy this year
This list of the best laptops money can buy in 2018 will help you find the perfect notebook for your needs. From the best gaming laptops, to 2-in-1 devices and budget offerings, our best laptops list features a range of machines, meaning that you're sure to find your ideal laptop.
We've tested every laptop in this guide and picked only the most impressive machines, so we can give you our expert advice on what the best laptops of 2018 are, and we're constantly updating this list to make sure that the best new laptops are included.
Even though we're in February, 2018 already looks like a brilliant year for laptops, so now is the best time to buy a new machine. Our very own price comparison tool will also make sure you get the very best deals for these amazing laptops.
The best laptops of 2018:The Dell XPS 13 has been the top of our best laptops list for three years in a row, and the 2018 revision of Dell's flagship laptop continues that trend. This is a slimmer, more powerful version of the best laptop in the world, and it now comes with a stunning new 4K display and a gorgeous new color: Rose Gold on Alpine White model is on its way. It's more expensive than previous version of the XPS 13, but the 2018 edition makes up for it with powerful 8th generation Intel processors, ranging from i5 to i7, along with a nigh-bezel-less ‘Infinity Edge’ display, which fits a 13.3-inch screen into an 11-inch frame, the Dell XPS 13 really stands out from its competition. Not only that, but the port selection is equally on point. Compared to Apple’s exclusive USB-C approach, Dell’s flagship notebook impresses with – in addition to USB-C – USB 3.0 along with the elusive SD card slot. It’s no wonder the Dell XPS 13 continues to be the most popular WIndows laptop in the world. Yet it gets even better. You also get the choice of a super high-res or multi-touch screen as well as a breadth of options for storage and memory. Or you can save on cash and opt for more conservative specs.
Read the full review: Dell XPS 13
Behold the Asus ZenBook UX310UA, a laptop that sidesteps the lofty price of the Dell XPS 13 without compromising on performance. It doesn't quite look or feel as nice as the Dell above, and the battery life isn't as good, but you can still expect an all-aluminum frame and fantastic performance from a 7th-generation Kaby Lake processor – whether that’s of the i3 or i5 variety is entirely up to you. Additionally, you can choose between a full HD, 1080p display or a brilliant 3,200 x 1,800-pixel, QHD+ screen with 30% more pixels compared with Apple’s 13-inch Retina screens. No matter what model you go for, the Asus ZenBook UX310UA is one of the best laptops you can buy.
Read the full review: Asus Zenbook UX310UA
If you're after a cheap laptop that offers something a bit special, look no further than the Lenovo Yoga Book 2017. As with all Yoga devices, the screen folds flat so you can use it either as a tablet or a laptop. To add more versatility, Lenovo has now added the option to buy it with either Windows 10 or Android 6.0 onboard - which one you choose will depend how you're more likely to use the device. The screen on this thing defies the cheap asking price and the keyboard and capacitive touch-keyboard are both fantastic too. This is a great option if you want something cheap for basic computing tasks, for creating art using the built-in Wacom digitizer or a train device for watching movies. But for more heavy lifting you'd be better off choosing one of the options above as the Intel Atom CPU in this thing is great at saving power and making the battery last for ages but not so good at super speedy processing.
Read the full review: Lenovo Yoga Book
If you're after the latest and greatest laptop from Apple, we suggest you welcome the 13-inch Macbook Pro with Touch Bar. Despite Microsoft’s claims that its Surface Book 2 is twice as powerful as Apple’s flagship MacBook Pro, it’s also more expensive at the starting level. Of course, the headline feature is the Touch Bar – it's a thin OLED display at the top of the keyboard which can be used for any number of things, whether that be auto-suggesting words as you type or offering Touch ID so you can log in with just your fingerprint. If you're a massive fan of the Macbook Pro 2017, you'll be happy with this model but there are some serious reasons why you should consider one of the Windows alternatives. As we said before, it's not as powerful, the screen is lower-res versus the competition and isn't touchscreen friendly, plus the battery is a bit disappointing, too. So, if you're open to switching to a PC, definitely consider the XPS 13 as a more modern, cheaper alternative. But, if you're a steadfast Apple diehard, this is definitely the best laptop for you!
Read the full review: Apple Macbook with Touch Bar (2017)
Part of a new generation of Max-Q gaming laptops in 2017, the Asus ROG Zephyrus is both ridiculously powerful and astonishingly thin and light. Make no mistake, this thing is large compared to a Macbook Pro or Dell XPS 13, but compared to gaming laptops of the past this effort from Asus is something of a holy grail achievement. Your expectations of a 15-inch gaming laptop will never be the same after seeing the Zephyrus in action. It's expensive of course, but with powerful Core i7 CPU and GTX 1080 graphics it'll be easily powerful enough to play the best games for many years to come on the built-in 1080p screen. It's an ideal top-end desktop replacement that is, possibly for the first time ever, also extremely portable.
Read the full review: Asus ROG Zephyrus GX501
If you're after a new gaming laptop and you don't have the kind of money that you need for the Asus ROG Zephyrus GX501 above, the Dell Inspiron 15 7000 Gaming laptop is your best option. It comes in at well under half the price and offers absolutely fantastic value for money. The Nvidia GeForce GTX 1050Ti graphics chip is easily powerful enough to lubricate the best games on the built-in 1080p display while general performance in Windows is super slick thanks to the Core i5 CPU. If you're going to be moving around a bit, you'll be pleased to know that the battery life on this laptop is also superb - we got nearly 8 hours out of it while watching HD video. A gaming session with Tom Clancy's The Division on medium settings for two hours only dropped the battery to 66%. This is far better than similarly priced rivals. So in the reasonably-priced category, the Dell Inspiron 15 7000 is definitely the best laptop around at the moment.
Read the full review: Dell Inspiron 15 7000 Gaming
When it comes to the best Chromebook laptop, you have a choice between two stark alternatives. There's the premium Chromebook Pixel, which we list further down this page, and then there's the excellent Asus Chromebook Flip C302, which combines premium features in a much more affordable package. For many people, Chromebooks are excellent and affordable laptops that are perfect for students, and the Asus Chromebook Flip C302 is easily one of the best Chromebooks, and one of the best laptops, money can buy. It comes with an Intel Core processor, full 1080p display, touchscreen, backlit keyboard and USB-C port.
Read the full review: Asus Chromebook Flip
The Surface Book 2 (13.5-inch) is another new entry to our best laptop list, and it's worthy of its spot, as Microsoft has crafted one of the most powerful 2-in-1 laptops in the world. The Surface Book 2 has some powerful enough components to handle most day-to-day tasks, and even some light gaming and video editing if you go for a model with a dedicated graphics card. Brilliant build quality and excellent battery life makes this a wonderful device for using as either a laptop, or as a powerful Windows 10 tablet. It also comes in a 15-inch version, which is more powerful and with a larger screen, but it's currently not available outside of the US. If you're after a more affordable 2-in-1 device, then the Acer Switch 3, below, is well worth checking out.
Read the full review: Microsoft Surface Book 2 (13.5-inch)
If you want the Microsoft Surface Book 2 but you want to spend a lot less, the Acer Switch 3 2017 is definitely the your best option. It's designed around essentially the same concept as the Surface Book 2 and it's a less capable thanks to slightly lower power innards, but for most tasks it's a brilliant little machine. What's more, to add further value this 2-in-1 laptop/tablet comes with the keyboard upgrade which means no little extras to pay for. As usual it comes in several different versions, with USB Type-C, 8GB RAM, an IPS display and Intel Core i3 7100U CPU coming with the more expensive option.
Read the full review: Acer Switch 3
This year's iteration of the MacBook is another win for Apple, and it's once again won us over with a gorgeous design, excellent performance and best-in-class battery life. Apple has updated the processors with Intel's 7th-generation Kaby Lake range, which means you get improved performance and longer battery life without sacrificing the thin and light design that the MacBook is famous for. While the MacBook 2017 is not designed as a pure productivity machine, like the more powerful and versatile MacBook Pro above, or as a gaming machine like the Asus ROG Zephyrus GX501, it's still one of the best laptops in the world right now thanks to being a super slim and light MacBook that you can take anywhere without even noticing the weight, and being a powerful showcase for macOS High Sierra. If you're after a MacBook, this year's model is easily one of the best.
Read the full review: Apple MacBook
Designed for users hoping to avert the complicated nature of a Windows PC or Mac, Chromebooks have been a raging success in recent years as a result of their accessibility. The Google Pixelbook is no exception. Although it’s double the price of the average Chrome OS device and doesn’t come with a stylus as you might expect, the Pixelbook is built to withstand the future. It has a pair of Thunderbolt 3 USB-C ports for accessories and super fast file transfers, a hinge that flips inside out for watching movies on planes and – perhaps best of all – Android app support. Now, there are still some kinks to work out, but you can access the entire Google Play store on the Pixelbook, from playing Sonic the Hedgehog to watching videos in VLC. And, with a battery life of 7 hours and 40 minutes in our own testing, you can do so for a while without recharging. If you're after a cheaper Chromebook, the Asus Chromebook Flip (which is higher up this page) is an excellent choice.
Read the full review: Google Pixelbook
Some of the very best laptops in 2017 have been 2-in-1 devices, and Lenovo has added to that list with the excellent Lenovo Yoga 920. It features a wonderfully slim design, and its build quality is exceptional. The 360 degree hinge allows you to convert the laptop into a tablet-like device, making it flexible in all senses of the word. It's cheaper than the Surface Book 2, and while it doesn't offer quite the same quality when in tablet mode, it's an excellent device with plenty of power and bags of battery life. It's definitely a worthy alternative, and it's easily one of the best laptops we've seen this year.
Read the full review: Lenovo Yoga 920
While you may have been convinced that ‘budget Ultrabook’ was an oxymoron up until this point, the Acer has turned this common misconception on its head with the Swift 3. That’s because the company has taken the all-aluminum chassis of the Acer Swift 7 and stuffed some more affordable components inside for everyone to enjoy. It doesn’t run macOS, but the Acer Swift 3 does put the age-old MacBook Air to shame in about every other regard, including the nigh-unbeatable price tag. Of course, in the process of demolishing the competition, Acer did have to cut a few corners in order to keep the price so impressively low. So although you can’t expect much in the way of an Ultra HD display or quality onboard sound, the performance benchmarks alone give even the Surface Laptop a run for its money.
We've also had a glance of the upcoming 2018 edition of the Swift 7 at CES 2018, which comes with boosted graphics and processing specs. It could be a shoe-in for a place on this list when it launches later this year.
Read the full review: Acer Swift 3
If you're after a low cost Windows laptop that you can slip into a bag and carry around all day without noticing the weight, the Asus Transformer Mini T102HA is a fantastic device. Honestly it's not the fastest laptop in the world, so don't expect to do any video editing. But for simple every-day tasks it's more than adequate. What's more, it's similar to the other 2-in-1 laptops in this list in that it can become a tablet - you can choose whether or not to take the keyboard with you. And it comes as standard so you don't need to pay extra for it.
Read the full review: Asus Transformer Mini T102HA
If you love the look of the XPS 13 at the top of this list but need something a little bigger with more graphics power, the Dell XPS 15 2017 could be the best laptop for you. Packing the same InfinityEdge technology, the screen extends right to the edge of the machine which means it's as small as it's possible to make a 15-inch laptop in 2017. It's quite pricey though, depending on which version you get. The very top end version has a 4K colour-accurate display which makes it perfect for graphic design, and gaming performance is decent as long as you play at either a lower resolution or on medium settings.
Read the full review: Dell XPS 15
Which type of laptop is best for you?General laptops: Where the best cheap laptops are found, devices that focus more on practicality than style, portability or power. That’s not to say they can’t be fast, but you’ll typically find a non-Ultrabook clamshell laptop with an HD screen and spinning drive-based storage for less than $600 or £400.
Ultrabooks: Where you’ll find thin-and-light notebooks sporting SSD storage and display resolutions that exceed 1080p. Paired with powerful, albeit mobile-centric components and especially long battery life, the best Ultrabooks will cost a pretty penny – $700 or £500 to $2,000 or £1,800.
2-in-1 laptops: Where notebooks that double as tablets are located. The Surface Book 2 might be a ways off, but many of the best 2-in-1 laptops are available right now. Outfitted with both detachable and 360-degree rotating hinges, these hybrids are the most versatile way to experience Windows 10 (or Chrome OS) on a touchscreen.
Chromebooks: Where you’ll find the best Chromebooks running Chrome OS. These do much of what Windows and macOS can in the browser, focused on cloud storage over local, while recently getting Android app support for touchscreen models. They generally cost less than $300 or £200 and some can even withstand a slight tussle.
Gaming laptops: Need a laptop to play games (almost) just like a shiny desktop PC can? Then you’ll want one of the best gaming laptops. These machines generally cost from $800 or £600 to upwards of $3,000 or £2,800 and they’ll likely be the ones to take advantage of AMD’s laptop-grade Ryzen processors first.
Laptop-tablet hybrids: Designed from the tablet-first approach to laptop-tablet hybrids, the best Windows tablets pack beyond-HD touchscreens, sometimes with kickstands in their frames or provided via keyboard covers. These generally shine with a stylus, and range from the budget to the premium price ranges.
Teens are fleeing Facebook in record numbers
Facebook is going grey, losing its teen audience and gaining popularity among over-55s.
According to market research company eMarketer, 2018 will be the first year when less than half of internet users between the ages of 12 and 17 use Facebook at least once a month. Unlike in previous years, when the site managed to hang onto younger users via Instagram, it now seems to be losing serious ground to Snapchat.
eMarketer predicts that the number of US Facebook users under 12 (below the minimum age for registering on the site) will drop by 9.3% this year, while the number of users between 12 and 17, and 18 and 24 will decrease by 5.6% and 5.8% respectively.
Meanwhile, more over-55s are signing up, with half a million new users expected to join by the end of the year.
Snapped upThat might come as unwelcome news to Facebook, which had its sights set firmly on the next generation of users.
In December it launched Messenger Kids – a version of its instant messaging and video chat app designed specifically for kids too young for Facebook itself. Pre-teens can only use the app to communicate with people to a list created and approved by a parent, but once they reach 13 they’ll be familiar enough with the site to make their own account.
Facebook also offers to work with schools to bring online safety lessons into the classroom. This is a sensible move to help kids learn how to protect themselves, but also helps raise the site's profile among school kids.
Facebook is also pouring investment into new technologies like advanced AR and VR, including full-body tracking – tools that might be of less interest to older users.
Via the Guardian
Concerned about your kids' safety? See our guide to parental control software
Are Microsoft’s Surface devices starting to pose a real threat to MacBooks?
Microsoft has always been keen to promote its Surface range when it comes to comparisons with Apple’s MacBooks, for obvious reasons, but now it appears that users may be coming round to hold this opinion in some measure, as well – at least according to a new piece of research.
A survey of some 1,300 consumers in the US from Creative Strategies questioned folks about their PC preferences at home and work, and found that 72% of those who use one of Microsoft’s convertibles in the office wanted to use the hybrid all the time (i.e. when they’re at home as well).
The interesting point here is that when asked the same question about MacBooks, only 65% wished to use the notebook at home. Meaning Microsoft is edging out Apple in terms of overall popularity here.
Interestingly, Microsoft also held the lead when consumers were questioned about which machine they were ‘proud to be seen with’ in public, with Surface devices netting 77% compared to 62% for Apple.
Okay, so this is just a couple of specific questions picked from a single survey – highlighted by Microsoft here – but it’s a somewhat surprising and interesting result nonetheless.
It certainly points to Microsoft having had some success when it comes to pushing the Surface line, from the likes of PR efforts to convince folks that MacBooks are ‘disappointing’, to landing product placements of its hybrids in various TV shows and films (we’ve been noticing a lot more Surface devices lately, where there used to be only Apple logos not so long ago).
Power of productivityAccording to the survey, the main strengths of Surface devices are perceived to be in productivity, where the hybrids scored 8% higher when it came to ‘empowering users to be more productive’ compared to Apple’s laptops. The two brands were roughly equal when it came to empowering creativity.
The research also found that folks who are considering replacing their traditional notebook with a 2-in-1 machine favored the Surface Pro over Apple’s iPad Pro to the tune of 11%.
Lest we get too carried away with the Microsoft trumpeting, it should be noted that Creative Strategies also asked consumers who they viewed as the leading laptop brand – and in this case Apple was still a convincing winner with 46% of respondents. Microsoft’s Surface range was in second place some 20% behind.
Folks chose Apple simply because of the prevalence of its notebooks – they’re everywhere – and because Apple has always been the ‘most aspirational brand’.
Interestingly, when the respondents who chose the Surface were asked why they did so, 22% said it was because they felt Microsoft was the only rival that could compete with Apple.
The report concedes that Surface sales are obviously still a long way shy of the MacBook, and it concludes: “So, the moral of the study is that while overall sales might not ring any alarm bells for other PC manufacturers, Microsoft Surface quietly established itself as the most aspirational brand in the Windows ecosystem as well as the only brand able to compete with Apple.”
In fact, Surface sales have been rather up and down over the past year, and were flat in Microsoft’s most recent earnings report. But, given the apparent slow-but-sure turnaround in public perception of the Surface – despite last year’s PR problems which revolved around reliability – the company will doubtless be hoping for more upswing as 2018 unfolds.
Via MS Power User
One of Microsoft’s Surface models is on our list of best laptops
Free Amazon Echo with Virgin Media broadband and TV deals until Wednesday
You may have been thinking that being blessed with both Pancake Day and Valentine's Day on consecutive days already marked this week out as one of the best of the year so far. But Virgin Media is adding to the excitement by reintroducing its free Amazon Echo offer when you sign up for one of its broadband and TV deals.
Sign up before midnight on Wednesday February 14 and Virgin will throw in an Amazon Echo device with its following broadband and TV packages:
- Player Bundle with 50Mb broadband and 70+ TV channels
- Mix Bundle with 100Mb broadband and 150+ TV channels
- Full House Bundle with 100Mb broadband and 230+ TV channels (inc. BT Sport)
- VIP Bundle with 300Mb broadband and 260+ TV channels (inc. Sky Sports, Sky Cinema and BT Sport)
Grab the cheapest Virgin Player Bundle for £33 per month and the broadband plan will include a free Amazon Echo Dot (worth £49.99), while the other three options - starting at £45 per month for Mix - come with a full blown Amazon Echo smart home assistant and speaker (worth £89.99). And if you're not that bothered about the Echo, you can choose bill credit to the equivalent value instead.
Rather discuss your options over the phone? Then give 08000-492-102 a ring to speak to an adviser and order.
Virgin Media Full House broadband and TV bundle in full: Is Virgin fibre broadband available in my area?Around 60% of the UK households are now able to receive superfast Virgin broadband. It's easy to discover whether you're one of the lucky 3-in-5 - head to our dedicated Virgin broadband deals page (or the price comparison chart at the bottom of this page), enter your postcode where indicated at the top of the page and if deals show as available then you're laughing.
If no results are returned, then head to our best broadband deals page instead and do exactly the same thing to see whether you can get superfast fibre broadband with another provider, such as BT Infinity.
How do I claim my Amazon Echo?Virgin Media says that your Amazon Echo device will be dispatched automatically 28 days after your broadband is installed, but you won't be able to get your hands on it if you cancel prior to installation or before the end of Virgin's 14-day Customer Satisfaction Guarantee period.
If you decide to go for the £50 or £90 bill credit instead, this will be applied to your first bill or bills.
Existing Virgin Media broadband customersSorry, the Virgin website confirms that the offer is for new customers only. If you're already with Virgin and like the look of a smart home assistant, then you can use our dedicated best Amazon Echo deals page to find today's cheapest price.
The best Samsung Galaxy S8 deals in February 2018
Our comparison chart below lists all the current cheapest prices of Samsung's brilliant 2017 flagship phone. Notwithstanding the release of the Galaxy Note 8 and iPhone X, the Samsung Galaxy S8 is still one of the most impressive phones ever released. Here you can find, filter and compare all of the best Samsung Galaxy S8 deals currently available in the UK.
You have to be pretty savvy if you want to grab the very cheapest S8 prices. Retailers such as Mobile Phones Direct and Carphone Warehouse-owned Mobiles.co.uk often throw in some absolute stonkers, but they're rarely around for long. And right now, prices are inevitably higher than they were over the sales period during the first few weeks of the year.
Underneath the comparison tool, you'll find our editors' selections for all of the best value S8 deals currently available from the major networks, EE, O2, Vodafone and Three. With the rumour mill beginning to whirl around the forthcoming Galaxy S9, we also have recommendations for the best value plans on the S8 in our view, whether you're after the cheapest deal available, loads of data or a good balance of both.
See also: Galaxy Note 8 deals | iPhone 8 deals | Mobile phone deals | SIM only deals | Samsung Galaxy S8 review
Filter and compare all of the Galaxy S8 deals available in the UK: Samsung's 'Unbox your tickets' offerUntil February 15, you can claim a pair of free gig or music festival tickets - including Katy Perry, Little Mix, Arcade Fire, Elbow, Steps and the London BST festival - when you buy a Samsung Galaxy S8 from selected retailers. Find out more about the offer by heading to TechRadar's news story on the 'Unbox your tickets' promotion.
Here we'll walk you through all of the best value Samsung Galaxy S8 deals currently available from EE, Vodafone, O2 and Three in the UK (if you're in the US or Australia, we can help you find the best Galaxy S8 deals for the US and the best Australian Samsung Galaxy S8 deals).
If you’re determined to get yourself a Samsung Galaxy S8, the most economical way of doing it is to buy the phone outright and pair it with a SIM only deal. The £689 RRP is certainly high, but it can still work out a little cheaper on average over the two years - especially now that some retailers are selling it for £100 less than that. Check out our page dedicated to the best unlocked SIM free Galaxy S8 prices.
With the Galaxy S8, Samsung is getting nearer and nearer to smartphone perfection. The bezel-less design is something a little bit special in an area of tech that can sometimes feel like it's standing still. There are advancements with the splendid screen and fantastic 12MP camera, too.
Read TechRadar's full Samsung Galaxy S8 review
Whatever your favoured network, however much data, calls and texts allowance you need, we've trawled the market to pick out our favourite Galaxy S8 deals below.
Fortnite vs PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds: which is the game for you?
[Update: Epic Games has laid out its plans for the next few months of Fortnite in a significant blog post, which might help you decide if this is a game you want to follow. First and most importantly, Epic promises that it's working hard on its back-end scalability to ensure that the recent server problems users have been facing won't continue. With this in hand, Epic will then be able to make a start on its future plans. Matchmaking will be changed in order to create matches with more balanced skill distribution across players and loading times from lobby to game will be reduced.
Short term plans include introducing an optional 60fps mode for consoles, which has been "tuned for each console to maximize frame rate while minimizing loss of visual quality“ PUBG is still restricted to 30fps, even on Xbox One X, though the developers are working on increasing this.
Epic also stated that it's aiming to improve and add new limited time modes.
Outside of game modes, there are also plans to add team communication outside of voice chat, new social features that will allow you to invite friends from Facebook to play, custom matches, and new items that aren't weapons and consumables but will “allow for exciting new ways to play”. It seems that Epic has a lot in the works for Fortnite, but it's the server improvements that are likely to stand the game in the best stead.]
Towards the end of 2017 it was abundantly clear that 'battle royale' was the game genre of the moment, with Fortnite Battle Royale and PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds being the most popular games in that genre.
Now that 2018 is well underway, we're only seeing the popularity and scope of both titles increase, but which game is best for you?
PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds was the first of the two games to be released, and it took the PC gaming and streaming worlds by storm. Its growth has been nothing short of astounding, and towards the end of 2017 it was boasting an Xbox One port and 3 million concurrent players.
Of course, any fan of battle royale games knows that you don't get to be alone for long, and PUBG's competition soon came along in the form of Epic Games' Fornite. With similar gameplay it's proven to be tough competition, and in the last month alone it's increased its playerbase by an incredible 10 million.
And so the battle royale of the battle royales continues.
On the surface, Fortnite and PUBG share many similarities but they have significant differences in content and style which make them feel notably different to play.
To help you decide which game is best for you right now, we've compared the different offerings of Fortnite and PUBG below. Which will be the last game standing?
PUBG and Fortnite are both battle royale games with similar mechanics, but when it comes to visuals they’re very distinct. Which one you find is better, however, is largely down to personal preference.
While PUBG goes for a gritty militarism that feels more realistic, Fortnite is much more colorful and cartoonish – kind of in the vein of titles like Overwatch. It’s really down to you which kind of world you prefer to play in.
First things first: PUBG's maps are larger than Fortnite’s.
But bigger doesn't always mean better, and there are positives and negatives to both games' maps.
Being so large, vehicles are required for traversal in PUBG, particularly if you're unlucky enough to land far from the safe zone. Unfortunately, using vehicles tends to draw the attention of other players, so if you're forced into using one, getting across a PUBG map can sometimes feel like a tense dash that'll leave you reaching for some deodorant.
Fornite’s smaller map means you have less space to play but it’s much easier to traverse ,and matches tend to be much shorter.
A big plus in PUBG's favor is that it offers two maps – Erangel and Miramar. The map you play in is random, but the variety here does keep things interesting and forces players to stay on their toes.
It’s worth noting, however, that Fortnite has recently received an update which adds five new locations to its map. These new locations range from underground mines to built-up cityscapes, and these force players to take different approaches to combat thanks to their different layouts.
Each game, then, takes a different approach to offering variety. While PUBG prefers to opt for large individual maps, Fortnite has decided to expand and improve its existing map. Fortnite's developers have, however, said that more maps will be added to the game, just “not right away”.
It’ll take some time to determine which game is taking the better approach. But at the moment it seems fair to say that that those looking for long-lasting tense matches with plenty of risk-taking on sprawling varied maps should opt for PUBG, while those looking for something a little more contained and faster-paced may prefer Fortnite’s single, densely-packed island.
GameplayBoth of these games are battle royales, and as a result they feel pretty similar in terms of gameplay and goal: do whatever it takes to survive as the map shrinks around you. Whether you like to play solo, with a friend, or with a group of your friends, both titles will give you this option.
But there are big differences, the first of these being weapons and items. In any battle royale game weapons and items are key, but Fortnite and PUBG take slightly different approaches to them.
Befitting of its gritty realistic visuals and large maps, PUBG has far more items and weapons than Fortnite. That’s not to say Fornite is short on weapons — there are a range to choose from, and Epic Games has stated that it'll be adding more in the future; in fact, only recently it added a minigun to the mix. But its system is less full, complex and deep than PUBG's and fans of serious shooters may find it less satisfying.
Another big difference between the games is that Fortnite includes construction elements – something which is probably much more achievable and workable thanks to the game’s contained map and shorter game times.
When the game map shrinks to the point where things are coming to a close, Fortnite players can use all of the construction items they’ve picked up over the course of the match to build structures which will afford them protection or vantage points. It is worth noting, though, that all cover in Fortnite can be destroyed.
In some ways this encourages players to face up to one another in the end and finish things. It’s hard to hide when you’re building something, especially on a small colorful game map, so finding other players and being found can be much faster. You could, of course, not build anything, but then you run the risk of being at a disadvantage if other players have gained the higher ground.
Because of its construction mechanic, Fortnite matches tend to be more direct in their closing moments, though not always.
In PUBG, when the map has shrunk down, players must use the world around them to move to higher ground or duck for cover. Generally, PUBG matches are much more tense and stressful affairs.
Because you can’t build your own vantage point or protection, you have to move to an advantageous position fast or you'll end up dead. And because you can’t use player-made structures to safely pin-point the locations of other players, the chances of someone hiding in an abandoned house waiting to ambush you are much higher.
This tends to mean PUBG players are far more cautious and matches can last far longer, while feeling far more intense in their final moments.
Which has more players?When you’re playing online multiplayer games, naturally you’re going to want to see a highly-populated lobby.
At a certain point, though, specific numbers are kind of pointless. As long as the game is popular, you’re going to encounter players to fight and run from. That’s where we’re at with PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds and Fortnite at the moment. No matter which game you go into, you’re going to find an active and large playerbase.
However, it’s perhaps worth noting how trends are swinging at the moment. Fortnite has recently seen an explosive growth. Between December 2017 and January 2018 it’s managed to gain another 10 million players, taking its playerbase to 40 million. In early February 2018, it emerged that the game has amassed 3.4 million concurrent users. There’s also been an upswing in the number of streamers turning to Fortnite and away from PUBG.
In December 2017, though, PUBG managed to hit 3 million concurrent users, and in January 2018 it emerged the Xbox One version of the game has more than 4 million users. You’ll understand, then, why we’re saying player numbers and popularity probably shouldn’t be the driving force behind any final decision you make.
Platforms
At the moment PUBG is available on PC and Xbox One while Fornite can be played on PC, Xbox One and PlayStation 4.
Performance seems to be fairly consistent across console and PC for Fornite (probably down, at least in part, to Fortnite’s larger budget and development team), PUBG has been criticized for its performance on Xbox One and the Xbox One X.
It should be noted, though, that patches are being issued to address this so the game’s console performance should improve over time. Whether or not PUBG will ever be ported to PlayStation 4 hasn’t been confirmed but it’s not an impossibility.
PC is a good option for either game, but those who prefer console gaming should almost certainly look to Fortnite first at the moment.
PriceIf you’re a complete battle royale novice, then you might be glad to know that Fortnite’s Battle Royale base game is free-to-play on all platforms, so it’s a good way to dip your toes into the genre.
Epic Games has taken a service approach to its title – the game is free-to-download and updates are frequent, with many of the changes being based on player feedback.
With the base game being free, there are, of course, options to pay. Players can buy season passes which give in-game rewards and offer cosmetic loot rewards to players who complete daily challenges.
The battle pass is really only worth the money if you're willing to plug some time into the game, as the more you play, the more rewards you unlock. However, it doesn't give any kind of advantage over other players as Epic Games has promised that no items that can be purchased will ever offer any competitive advantage.
PUBG can be purchased on Steam and on Xbox from £24.99/$29.99/AU $39.95.
On the surface Fornite and PUBG are very similar games. They’re both battle royales, they both allow you to play alone or with others, they both feature shrinking maps and the ultimate goal is to be the last player standing.
However, on closer inspection they offer very different experiences and it depends entirely on player preference which one is better. Both have massive playerbases, so you could hardly call either of them bad. They simply have different appeals.
If you’re looking for colorful aesthetics, accessibility and fun on console then Fortnite is the one to choose. For those unfamiliar with the concept of battle royales it’s certainly a good initial option – not only is it free, it’s easier to get to grips with and its shorter matches make it a more casual experience.
PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds on the other hand is for those looking for something a little more serious. Its grittier visuals, longer match times, larger maps and more complex weapon and item system mean it’ll take more of your time to learn and play. For serious shooter fans who prefer realism and accuracy, PUBG takes the chicken dinner.
Whichever one you choose, just prepare yourself for a lot of stress and know that any victories will be hard-earned.
Don't go into PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds alone – take our handy tips and tricks guide with you
Best entry-level DSLRs in India: What to look for and which to buy in 2018
Companies would like you to believe that a smartphone camera can replace DSLRs. But let's be honest here, they can't. The small sensors and lenses are really no match for a full fledged DSLR, and anyone who wants to be a pro photographer in the future will need to learn how to handle these DSLRs.
To start with, what you need is an entry-level DSLR. It won't break the bank and it's perfect for training yourself with the myriad buttons, modes and photography techniques.
If you are thinking about a mirrorless camera, then you might want to read this: Mirrorless vs DSLR cameras: 10 key differences.
Or, if you're not sure what kind of camera you need at all, then read our easy-to-follow guide to camera types: What camera should I buy?
DSLR bundles
The key advantage of DSLRs is that you can customise your own kit. For example, you can use wide-angle and telephoto zoom lenses, a flashgun etc.
Canon and Nikon offer the largest collections of DSLR lenses, but Pentax and Sony also offer decent ones. On the other hand, brands like Sigma, Tamron and Tokina are selling quality lenses at reasonable prices.
Nikon's D3400 is an upgrade to this, but the D3300 is still our top pick. Why? Unless you want improved connectivity, the D3300 is identical to the D3400 and is just a bit cheaper.
The 24.2MP sensor produces good details and removes the anti-aliasing filter to maximise image sharpness. It's also easy to use and has a Guide Mode that explains features in real-time. Also, the collapsible 18-55mm lens is great when you're on the go.
It doesn't have a touchscreen display, but entry-level users may not care about that.
Read the full review: Nikon D3300
Canon almost always has a competitor for any Nikon camera on the market. The EOS Rebel T6i (Called the EOS 750D in India) may have just been superseded by the EOS Rebel T7i / 800D, but due to the fairly hefty price difference, the older model seems like a better choice.
Featuring a 24.2MP sensor that delivers stunning image quality, there's a solid auto-focus (AF) system, built-in Wi-Fi with near-field communication (NFC) pairing and a touch-sensitive screen that's a joy to use.
Read the full review: Canon EOS Rebel T6i / Canon EOS 750D
Nikon's D3400 is almost identical to the D3300 in terms of specifications, but adds Nikon's SnapBridge Bluetooth connectivity to transfer images directly to your smart device.
The D3400 is a very good entry-level DSLR, with a range of features that would appeal to new users. If you opt for this over the D3300, you won't be disappointed.
Read the full review: Nikon D3400
The D5600 is an upgrade to the D5500 and competes directly with Canon's EOS Rebel T7i/EOS 800D at the upper end of the entry-level DSLR market. Where Nikon's D3000-series cameras are designed as cost-effective introductory DSLRs, the D5000-series allows more creativity.
The D5600 sports a large 3.2-inch variable angle touchscreen, and while the live view focusing speed could be quicker, the 39-point auto-focus (AF) does an excellent job. There isn't much wrong with the D5600's 24.2MP sensor either, delivering excellent results, while the logical control layout of the D5600 makes it easy to use.
Read the full review: Nikon D5600
The EOS Rebel T7i (known as the EOS 800D outside) is an update to the EOS Rebel T6i / 750D. The resolution stays the same, but it's a new design with improved high ISO performance.
You get better auto-focus (AF) with the 45-point arrangement that's backed up by excellent live view AF, while the newly designed graphical interface will certainly make this camera even more appealing to new users.
The absence of 4K video and build quality are slightly disappointing, and the price may not agree with many. Until this drops (which it will), get the T6i/750D and buy a lens with the money you save.
Read the full review: Canon EOS Rebel T7i / Canon EOS 800D
The D5300 was around for little more than a year before the D5500 replaced it. It shares the same 24.2MP sensor with maximum ISO of 25,600, whilst the D5300's EXPEED 4 image processor and 39-point autofocus system have also been carried over to its replacement. Thus, in terms of image quality, it was excellent and stays excellent. If it ain't broke...
The D5300 doesn't sport fancy touchscreen controls, but you do get GPS instead. The D5300's 600-shot battery life has since been beaten by the D5500. But it'll still outlast a Canon T6i / 750D.
All in all, it may not be the latest entry-level DSLR, but the D5300 is still a smart buy.
Read the full review: Nikon D5300
Stick the EOS Rebel T5i/700D next to the T6i/750D and you'll struggle to tell them apart. The new camera inherits the T5i's excellent ergonomics and class-leading touch-sensitive screen. Even the good old button controls are more comprehensive than on Nikon's offerings, making the T5i intuitive to use, regardless of your ability.
However, the T5i's sensor can trace its roots back to the T2i released in 2010 and it's now outclassed in terms of noise suppression and dynamic range. The 9-point auto-focus (AF) system is dated and you don't get Wi-Fi connectivity.
The T5i's slashed price does make it tempting, but the T6i is a more future-proof choice. Now we've got the new EOS Rebel T7i/EOS 800D, expect to see this start to disappear from shop shelves soon.
Read the full review: Canon EOS Rebel T5i / Canon EOS 700D
Canon introduced the EOS 100D (EOS Rebel SL1 in the US) to compete with the influx of compact system cameras. It was the smallest DSLR available when it was introduced in March 2013. Now replaced by the EOS 200D (EOS Rebel SL2), it's slightly bulkier proportions make it feel more like a slightly pared-down Rebel T7i/800D rather than anything unique.
It's not a bad option for new users, but there are better-value alternatives available at the moment.
Read our in-depth Canon EOS Rebel SL2 review / Canon EOS 200D review
The EOS 1300D (also known as the EOS Rebel T6) uses the same sensor as the camera it replaces, the T5/1200D. But, it has a newer processing engine and this enables it to produce slightly better quality images.
In reality you're unlikely to be able to spot much difference at normal image viewing sizes, so it's not a real biggie.
Where the EOS Rebel T6 does score over the T5 is the connectivity department; its got Wi-Fi and near-field communication (NFC) technology built-in. This means you can transfer images to your smartphone for super-quick sharing.
You can also use your phone to control the camera remotely, which is ideal for taking group shots with you in the frame. The screen has also been upgraded from a 3-inch 460K dot unit to one with 920K dots, which makes images look much sharper.
Read the full review: Canon EOS Rebel T6 / Canon EOS 1300D
Pentax is renowned for producing DSLRs with maximum bang per buck, and the K-70 is no exception. Weatherproof DSLRs that are rain and dust resistant usually cost a packet, but the K-70 offers this protection at a reasonable price so that you can shoot in all conditions without ripping a hole in your pocket.
Just remember that you'll have to partner it with more expensive WR (weather resistant) lenses to get the full benefit. Regardless of the lens you use, the new hybrid live view auto-focus (AF) system – a first for Pentax – makes live view shooting an enjoyable and practical alternative to using the viewfinder.
Pentax's in-camera Shake Reduction system cuts camera shake and can even correct slightly skewed horizons. The only reason the K-70 isn't higher on our list is Pentax's relatively restricted lens range.
Read the full review: Pentax K-70
Also consider...
Carrying a Micro Four Thirds sensor, the OM-D E-M10 Mark III might not sound impressive to the buyers, but, the image quality it delivers is really good. Its 5-axis image stabilisation reduces camera shake which allows users to click blur-free high-quality images.
The camera comes with a continuous shooting speed of 8.6fps and can shoot 4k videos. You can also transfer the files easily to your smartphone with the help of in-built Wi-Fi connectivity. These abilities make the Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III a perfect alternative for an entry-level DSLR.
Read the full review: Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III
What camera should I buy?Best cameraBest DSLRBest full frame DSLRBest mirrorless camera
Nokia 2 gets a UK release date with a very low price
We knew the Nokia 2 was coming soon, but now we know exactly when and how much it will cost you - at least in the UK, where the phone is confirmed to be landing on February 26 for £99.
Set to be sold in Amazon, Argos, Carphone Warehouse, EE, John Lewis and Tesco, the Nokia 2 has a 4,100mAh battery that can supposedly last for two days between charges.
Whether it will live up to those claims remains to be seen, but it’s undeniably a big battery, given that the far larger and more expensive Samsung Galaxy S8 for example has just a 3,000mAh one, though it does have some competition in the low-cost space from the 5,000mAh Moto E4 Plus.
Correct specsAs you'd expect the battery is the only real standout spec of the Nokia 2, but the quad-core Snapdragon 212 chipset, 1GB of RAM, 5.0-inch 720p screen, 8MP rear camera and 5MP front-facing snapper aren't terrible for the price.
You also get a pure version of Android Nougat, with an update to Android Oreo already planned, plus a metal frame and a microSD card slot, though there’s only 8GB of built in storage and the back is plastic.
You’ll be able to grab the phone in black when it launches, but you might want to wait for our full review first, as in our hands-on review we noted sluggish performance, and it remains to be seen whether the battery life lives up to the hype.
Not convinced? Then check out the best cheap phones
Vodafone 4G Mini Mast delivers 200Mbps to rural areas
Vodafone has installed a ‘4G mini mast’ in Cornwall which it says will help speed up the deployment of superfast LTE networks in rural areas.
The mast is just eight metres high at its tallest point – half the size of a standard mast – and can be painted to blend in with its surroundings, meaning it also satisfies local environmental considerations. It also does not require a large cabinet to host power supply and electrical equipment.
Installation takes just six months, which is a third of the time it takes for a normal mast, something which should help operators rapidly expand their infrastructure to more rural areas.
Rural 4G coverageThe first location is Porthcurno, on the southern Cornish coast, which is in an area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and has struggled to achieve a consistent voice signal in the past. Residents can now access speeds of up to 200Mbps.
Vodafone believes the technology could be used to connect rural hotels, leisure and retail parks, and tourist attractions, incentivising customers to make a visit.
“We’re working hard to connect customers across the UK and our new mini mast will help provide 4G in places where other networks struggle to reach, while minimising the visual and environmental impact,” said Scott Petty, Vodafone CTO. “It forms part of our major investment in our network and services to provide our customers reliable coverage where they live, work and travel.”
EE has committed to delivering 4G to 95 percent of the UK landmass by 2020, but all four UK mobile operators are investing to expand coverage. There have however been complaints that planning laws have made it difficult and expensive to install infrastructure and one mast builder withdrew from a village because authorities couldn’t decide what colour the mast should be.
Innovations such as drones, balloons, and now mini-masts will help bring faster mobile speeds to areas starved of connectivity.
“This new mast offers the opportunity to reduce the visual impact of phone masts, whilst addressing people's desire for improved connectivity,” added Derek Thomas, MP for West Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
Check out our list of the best broadband deals in February 2018
The 12 best full-frame DSLRs available in India
Full-frame DSLRs used to be the preserve of professional photographers, but as the costs have dropped and lower-cost models have started to appear, many serious amateurs and enthusiasts can now enjoy the benefits of full-frame photography.
This allows for larger photosites (pixels to you and I) on the sensor, delivering better light gathering capabilities, which in turn means better image quality - especially at higher sensitivities.
We should also mention full-frame mirrorless cameras. These aren't DSLRs strictly, but the Sony A7 series cameras like the brilliant Alpha A7R II and now the Leica SL are muscling in on the full-frame DSLR market, and are particularly interesting for those who also need to shoot video.
To find out more, read this: Mirrorless vs DSLR cameras: 10 key differences.
Or to get an idea of what kind of DSLR you can get at different price points, try this: Best DSLR.
In the meantime, here are the best full-frame DSLRs you can buy right now:
The latest addition to this list is the newly launched Nikon D850 full-frame camera.
The camera is aimed at photographers involved in nature, events, fashion and wedding photography and its wide ISO range of 64 to 25600 allows them to shoot continuously in different lighting conditions.
Nikon’s EXPEED 5 image processor sits at the heart of the camera, which promises to offer uncompromised performance across still and video shooting.
It comes with 45.7 MP BSI CMOS sensor that promises to keep a balance of high-speed and impressive resolution when combined with up to 9-fps continuous shooting mode.
The LiveView focusing speeds could be better and the SnapBridge connectivity is nothing to write home about, but this camera still manages to outshine the rest.
Read the full review: Nikon D850
Canon recently added Canon EOS 6D Mark II to its full-frame DSLR lineup in India. The camera comes with 26.2MP full frame CMOS sensor which works well in low-light conditions.
One thing that might disappoint some users is the absence of 4K capability. But, to cover this up, the camera has a 4K Time-Lapse function which fuses the images to create a 4K video.
The EOS 6D Mark II also features Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology which gives more precise focus tracking while using either ‘Live View’ or ‘Video’ mode.
Read the full review: Canon EOS 6D Mark II
Canon's EOS 5D series of cameras has a rich heritage – the original EOS 5D bought full-frame photography to the masses, while the Mark II unleashed Full HD video capture for the first time on a DSLR, starting a whole new genre of DSLR movie-making.
That's not forgetting the Mark III, which perhaps, was not as groundbreaking as the two models before it, became a firm favourite among photographers.
The 5D Mark IV pretty much tweaks and improves on everything the Mark III had to offer. This includes a brilliant new 30.4MP sensor that delivers pin-sharp results and an advanced 61-point AF system that's incredibly sophisticated. It even has pro-spec performance, 4K video and some very polished handling.
Put this all together, along with a host of other features and it all combines to make the EOS 5D Mark IV one of the best DSLRs we've seen.
Read the full review: Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
It might be getting a bit old now (it was launched back in the summer of 2014), but the Nikon D810 is still one of the best DSLRs around. Not to mention that it manages to give the EOS 5D Mark IV a good run for its money.
Images from Nikon's 36.3 megapixel monster are bursting with detail, while its 1200-shot battery life puts the 50.6MP EOS 5DS in the shade.
We're also fans of the D810's clarity micro-contrast adjustment with its video-friendly 'flat mode' for maximum dynamic range. The 51-point AF system copes well with tricky focusing situations, mainly because both the AF and metering systems are taken from the now ex-range-topping Nikon D4S.
Excellent handling and relatively modest dimensions further ensure that the D810 doesn't disappoint.
Read the full review: Nikon D810
With 50.6 million effective pixels, the Canon EOS 5DS is by far the highest resolution full-frame DSLR on the market today.
The same goes for the 5DS R, which is identical to the 5DS, but features an anti-aliasing cancellation filter over the sensor to help resolve a little more detail should you need it.
Pixel-packed sensors can be compromised, but not here. Image quality is superb, as you'd expect, with fantastic detail, well controlled noise and good dynamic range. This makes it the ideal choice for the landscape or studio photographer.
The EOS 5DS is now the benchmark for full-frame image quality, but it's not quite perfect. There's no Wi-Fi or 4K video recording, and huge image file sizes necessitate decent memory cards and a fast computer.
Read the full review: Canon EOS 5DS
Can't quite stretch to one of our top options? Then the Nikon D750 should be at the top of your list.
The D750 still packs a cracking 24.3MP sensor and is as weatherproof as the D810, yet it's roughly 25% cheaper. Compared to its baby brother, the D610, the D750 has a superior 51-point AF system, as well as more advanced metering and video capabilities.
That's not forgetting the wider sensitivity range, useful tilting screen and Wi-Fi connectivity.
Its continuous shooting speed of 6.5fps isn't quite as fast as some may have hoped for, but on the whole the Nikon D750 is a well-rounded, well-priced choice for enthusiast photographers.
Read the full review: Nikon D750
The D5 is Nikon's latest flagship DSLR, and it certainly doesn't disappoint. 20.8 megapixels might seem a bit stingy, but it means the D5 can shoot at 12fps continuous shooting, while the extended ISO range of ISO 3,280,000 has never been seen before in a camera.
The autofocus system - with a coverage of 173 auto-focus (AF) points (99 of which are cross-type), the sophistication and speed of the AF is staggering.
However, the ability to shoot 4K video is restricted to three minutes but putting that aside, the D5 is a phenomenal camera that's used by professionals the world over.
Read the full review: Nikon D5
Choosing between the EOS-1D X Mark II and Nikon D5 will most likely depend on which manufacturer you're already tied to with your lens system, but the two cameras are otherwise pretty closely matched.
With the EOS-1D X Mark II, Canon has created a very powerful and versatile camera that's a great choice for professional sport and news photographers thanks to a blistering 14fps burst shooting.
It doesn't have the outrageous sensitivity range of the Nikon D5, but it's very capable in low light, delivering excellent images within its standard sensitivity range.
Read the full review: Canon EOS-1D X Mark II
Sony has made some significant changes from the original A99 for this latest iteration, and the result is a camera that should satisfy a broad range of users.
The high-resolution 42.2MP sensor at the camera’s heart is the A99 II’s greatest asset, while 4K video quality is also very good. At the same time the camera maintains much of what we loved about the A99, with excellent handing and the benefits of the SLT system presenting very real advantages over more traditional DSLRs.
The arrival of the mirrorless Alpha A9 though takes the shine off a little.
Read the full review: Sony Alpha A99 II
It may have been replaced by the Mark IV, but the Mark III is still a great choice for those after a feature-packed, full-frame DSLR. If you don't need the extra pixels, then the 22.3MP sensor won't disappoint, delivering excellent results through the ISO range. Just make sure you shoot raw to get the best results.
The auto-focus (AF) performance is very good too, with the 61-point AF system at home shooting a range of subjects. This is backed-up with a decent all-round performance and polished handling, while it's also incredibly well made, with a durable metal finish.
The arrival of the Mark IV means it's in its most competitively priced option ever.
Read the full review: Canon EOS 5D Mark III
The K-1 from Pentax offers a rugged build and a full-frame sensor at a relatively affordable price. It's not cheap, but it compares favourably with the likes of the Nikon D810, Canon 5D Mark III and Sony Alpha 7R II.
Pentax's Pixel Shift Technology is clever, and it's great that the company has managed to produce a mode that can be used when the camera is hand-held, although the impact is subtle.
Less of an all-rounder than the 5D Mark III, the K-1 makes an excellent camera for landscape, still life and portrait photography, or any genre that doesn't require fast auto-focus and which benefits from a high pixel count for detail resolution.
Read the full review: Pentax K-1
The D750 is good value, but the D610 gets you into the world of full-frame photography for even less. Much lesser, in fact, than some of Nikon's APS-C DSLRS.
It's only an incremental upgrade over the preceding D600, but it addresses that camera's issues and boasts top-notch image and build quality. Although its pixel count is the same as the cheaper APS-C D7200, the increased sensor size results in greater dynamic range and less image noise.
Full-frame is the name of the game, so extra features like Wi-Fi or a tilting screen are absent, but the 39-point AF system is reliable and the 6fps continuous shooting speed respectable.
The D610 is slightly overshadowed by the newer D750, but it's still an decent camera. It's getting on a little bit though and is due for an upgrade soon.
Read the full review: Nikon D610
Also consider...
Launched in November 2017, the Sony Alpha A7R III is an upgraded version of the A7R II which came in 2015.
It comes with 42.2-megapixel BSI CMOS sensor and BIONZ X image processor which promises to increase the processing speed up to 1.8 times faster than its predecessor.
In addition to this, the camera can shoot up to 10fps. If Nikon thought it was going to have things all its own way with the D850, it should think again. For now, the Alpha A7R III is not only the most well-rounded mirrorless camera you can buy, but one of the best cameras out there.
Read the full review: Sony Alpha A7R III
What camera should I buy?Best DSLRBest entry-level DSLR
The best Samsung Galaxy Note 8 deals in February 2018
Let's get this out of the way immediately: the Samsung Galaxy Note 8 is never going to be your go-to option if you're on a tight budget. It's a Goliath of a smartphone, both in terms of sheer size and internal power. It's got the screen size and specification smarts to be a competitor to the much lauded iPhone X and that doesn't come cheap.
Finally some order has been restored on Galaxy Note 8 deals however. The period directly after January sales season was giving us some cause for concern and we were finding it difficult to truly recommend that people purchase it. But now some of the bargains are back from a mix of networks and retailers.
It might seem a tad unfair, but we can't not mention the Galaxy Note 7 debacle when talking about its successor. Samsung's 2016 aborted project due to overheating and fire risks means that we've had to wait two years for a fully functioning Note-branded phablet from the South Korean tech behemoth. But we can now move forward from that chapter in tech history - the Note 8 is well and truly here!
See also: Galaxy S8 deals | iPhone X deals | Best mobile phone deals | Galaxy Note 8 SIM free / Unlocked | SIM only deals | Samsung Galaxy Note 8 review
Samsung's 'Unbox your tickets' offerUntil February 15, you can claim a pair of free gig or music festival tickets - including Katy Perry, Little Mix, Arcade Fire, Elbow, Steps and the London BST festival - when you buy a Samsung Galaxy Note 8 from selected retailers. Find out more about the offer by heading to TechRadar's news story on the 'Unbox your tickets' promotion.
You must be somebody after our own heart. Always looking to see how you can trim a few pounds off your new favourite gadget. As you probably know, you can now pick up cheap SIM only deals for as little as £4 a month, which could make it worth buying a SIM and handset separately.
Well the Galaxy Note 8's RRP is £869. Even if you get the cheapest SIM card (usually around £4 a month for 500MB data), that would still cost almost £1,000 over the two years. You're probably better cranking up the upfront cost in our price comparison chart above, imposing a low maximum for monthlies and finding a cheaper deal in the long run.
To get the best price on your new SIM free Galaxy, you can head to our cheapest unlocked Note 8 deals page.
Wondering what all the fuss is about? Well the fervour for the Note 8 is probably doubled due to the fact that the Note 7 was pulled from shelves soon after release. But it doesn't take more than one look at the Note 8 to see that it justifies the hype.
The huge 6.3-inch ‘Infinity Display,’ is gorgeous to look at, the 6GB RAM innards go like a train and there are two best-in-class rear cameras. It's expensive, but we think the Note 8 is worth it.
Read TechRadar's full Samsung Galaxy Note 8 review
Now let's break down the best Samsung Galaxy Note 8 deals by network...
The best iPhone SE deals in February 2018
It finally seems to have happened. iPhone SE deal prices may finally have bottomed out. After the fanfare that met Apple's 2016 launch of a budget handset, iPhone SE prices have fallen steadily since. But after a few months of plateaued contract plans, we reckon that the SE is now as cheap as it ever will be.
There are are now plenty of tariffs going for less than £20 per month. That's fantastic value, but we're sorry to say that our favourite epic cashback offer bringing the effective monthly price down to £14 has now finally been withdrawn.
The tech world rejoiced when the iPhone SE was released. Finally a new Apple phone that doesn't require you to remortgage your house - unlike the iPhone X! It looks and feels exactly the same as the iPhone 5S. But instead of sporting two-year-old hardware it's fully up to date, with a super-fast CPU and graphics, and the 12MP iSight camera straight out of the iPhone 6S.
If cheap iPhone SE deals are what you seek, then you've definitely come to the right place. Use TechRadar's comparison chart to easily find the ideal plan, or scroll down further to find our pick of the best SE deals on the market.
More options: iPhone 8 deals | iPhone 7 deals | iPhone 6S deals | iPhone deals | Best mobile phone deals | iPhone SE review
Best iPhone SE deals across all UK networks:Lower down the page you'll be able to read about all of the best iPhone SE deals on a model-by-model and network-by-network basis. But first of all here are the best deals so you can instantly see what the best offers are from O2, Three and Vodafone, with EE deals currently leading the pack.
Launched back in March 2016, the 'Special Edition' iPhone SE was a rare example of Apple dropping its entry-level price to allow bargain-hunters a piece of the iPhone pie. It reduced the screen size from the iPhone 6, but kitted it out with the same camera as the iPhone 6S. In short, it's a premium smartphone with a lower price tag – and we like that!
Read TechRadar's full iPhone SE review
Now let's break down the best iPhone SE deals by network...
Kingdom Hearts 3: release date, news and rumors
[Update: Just as we hoped, D23 Japan brought the Kingdom Hearts 3 goods over the weekend with not just a trailer, but the reveal of a brand new world: Monsters Inc. Unfortunately, there's still no solid release date other than 2018 but a new trailer and some theme music should keep us going. Scroll down to watch the trailer for yourself and see the Monsters Inc world, as well as further glimpses of the Toy story and Tangled worlds. Mike, Sully and Boo all make appearances, and Mike can even be weaponized, apparently.]
It’s been almost 12 years since Kingdom Hearts 2 was released, but the demand for Kingdom Hearts 3 has not faltered. In that 12 years way may have gone through one and a half new console generations and played many spin off titles, but the mainline Kingdom Hearts story has remained in the back of our minds.
Confirmed by Square Enix in 2013 with an announcement, Kingdom Hearts 3 will continue the story of Sora, Donald and Goofy.
After the initial confirmation and announcement trailer in 201,3 we then got a teaser trailer and some tantalizing details at E3 in 2014 and even more news and a gameplay trailer at E3 2015. Since then news has been fairly thin on the ground but we’ve collected all of the latest news and rumors right here for your perusal.
Cut to the chase What is it? The long-anticipated third mainline title in Square Enix's action roleplaying crossover series, Kingdom Hearts.When can I play it? 2018What can I play it on? PS4 and Xbox One TrailersThere are now six Kingdom Hearts 3 trailers you need to watch if you really want to consider yourself a Keyblade hype master.
The latest comes from Disney's D23 Expo in Japan. At four minutes long, this new trailer gives fans a look at the brand new Monsters Inc World, starring Boo, Mike and Sully.
D23 is the place for Kingdom Hearts trailers, as prior to the Japan event we were treated to another trailer announcing a brand new Toy Story world.
Not long before this at E3 2017 we got the chance to see another gameplay trailer which showed off footage from the game's Hercules level.
The second most recent trailer for the game was released at JumpFesta in 2016. The trailer gave an insight into how the game’s combat will work as well as a glimpse at special abilities and the impact the game’s environment will have on fighting.
Prior to this there was another and much more full trailer released at E3 in 2015. In this gameplay trailer fans got a look at what appears to be a new location – the exterior of Rapunzel’s tower from the film Tangled.
A much shorter trailer was revealed at E3 in 2014, setting the stage for the game's main story.
And of course we can't forget the announcement trailer from all the way back in 2013. There have been lots of trailer haven't there?
Release dateAt D23 in July 2017, it was announced in a fifth trailer that the game would be released in 2018. Though there was no more solid date than this provided it gives fans a window to look forward to.
In an interview at D23, the game's director Tetsuya Nomura explained what had taken so long to get the game to this point (bearing in mind Kingdom Hearts 2 was released 12 years ago and 3 was announced all the way back in 2013).
Nomura said that "it hurts" to hear accusations that he's taking too long, particularly as just after the game's first year of development the decision to change to Unreal Engine 4 was made over his head. This change, though inevitable, caused extensive delays which weren't helped by timing and resourcing challenges within Square Enix.
"It's kind of out of my hands" he said.
It's now 2018 and we don't have any more information on the game's release date. We're hoping that might be cleared up at the next D23 event, taking place in Japan in February.
News and featuresStory
Kingdom Hearts 3 will see players once more take up the role of Sora as he travels with his closest friends Donald and Goofy across a variety of world themed around and populated by a host of famous Disney and Final Fantasy characters.
Game director Tetsuya Nomura has confirmed that the game’s story will start straight after the ending of Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance.
This means that the game will follow our trio in their pursuit of the Seven Guardians of Light to prepare for their final showdown against Master Xehanort. All the while, King Mickey and Riku will continue their hunt for the remaining Keyblade wielders.
Does all of this sound like complete gobbledygook to you? Not to worry, if you’d like to catch up on all of the essential story you can do so on PlayStation 4 by playing Kingdom Hearts 1.5 + 2.5 Remix and Kingdom Hearts 2.8 Final Chapter Prologue.
Not sure you’ve got the time for playing through all of that? Then you could watch the below summary of the franchise timeline created by Game Trailers. It’s still almost an hour long but it’ll do the job.
New visuals
Kingdom Hearts 3 will adopt a slightly visual style to previous games in the franchise, aiming for more of a brush-like look than photo realism. In an interview with Famitsu (via Kotaku) Tetsuya Nomura was very open about the decision to take a new visual approach, stating that this new direction was an attempt to “Express Disney's 2D brushwork in 3D.”
Nomura said this was a look they’d wanted since the first game but “At the time, the [PlayStation 2] didn't have the processing power to allow us to freely adjust the lighting.”
The new PlayStation 4 hardware, however, is much more capable and Nomura said it’s possible to get “a real feeling of evolution by just making the standard graphics into HD.” Nomura admitted that it’s a fairly “drastic change” but added that he sees it as “a rich evolution of everything we've shown you up to now.”
Gameplay
It looks like the action RPG gameplay won’t change too much from previous titles in the franchise, most likely drawing from and improving on that of Kingdom Hearts 2 and perhaps integrating particularly successful elements from the handheld titles.
It’s been confirmed, though, that Sora will be much more mobile in combat, able to wall run, jump on enemies, and largely take greater advantage of the game’s much larger environments.
Back in 2013, Nomura said that the combat in Kingdom Hearts 3 will be “pretty frantic”, with NPCs able to join in the three-person party fights as well as “more intricate” enemy AI.
A couple of interesting new combat features that have been confirmed include Attraction Flow and Keyblade Transformations.
Attraction Flow attacks are new super moves that will apparently be triggered under certain though unconfirmed battle conditions. These powerful moves based on the Flowmotion moves from Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance are inspired by some of the biggest rides at the Disney theme parks such as the Teacups, Pirate Ship and Thunder Mountain Railroad.
Keyblade Transformations are fairly self explanatory and will allow Sora’s Keyblade weapons to transform in battle with different effects.
According to Nomura, Keyblade Transformations will only be unlocked when all missions from one of the game’s worlds are unlocked, with each individual world offering its own unique transformation.
For example, it was spotted by KH Insider that an Olympus Keyblade was able to cast Zeus’ lightning as well as transform into a Pegasus-drawn chariot.
New worlds
Disney’s been busy in the years since Kingdom Hearts 2 was first released so as you’d expect, there are going to be a few new worlds to play in. Thus far the Kingdom of Corona from Tangled, an as yet untitled world from Big Hero 6, Mount Olympus from Hercules, Twilight Town Mysterious Tower, Toy Story and Monsters inc. worlds have been confirmed as new additions.
In a recent interview with Famitsu, Nomura lessened the excitement of a brand new Toy Story world slightly by revealing that there will be fewer Disney worlds in this game than in Kingdom Hearts 2.
Kingdom Hearts 2 had 12 worlds in total and thus far we have 7 worlds confirmed for the third game. With Nomura stating that all of the worlds that will feature in the game will be revealed before its release we can expect a few more to be revealed over the next year. How many of these will be brand new worlds and how many will be repeats from previous games is unclear.
At the very least, Nomura has promised that even though there will be fewer worlds, they'll be much more dense. We have to admit, not every Kingdom Hearts world holds an equal place in our own hearts so we'll happily take quality over quantity.
Though Disney has also acquired Marvel and LucasFilm, it’s unlikely their franchises will appear in Kingdom Hearts due to a variety of other license agreement barriers, with Nomura cautioning that “the other associated companies under Disney [are] not something that is as simple as us consulting with Disney Interactive. So, unfortunately, the lineup is kind of considered as different.”
Another playable character?
A report in Official PlayStation UK (scanned by KHInsider) suggests that Kingdom Hearts 3 may feature a playable Riku alongside Sora.
“The latest game in the Disney-meets-Final-Fantasy mash up series is split between two perspectives of best buds Sora and Riku. You will meet a host of new characters whose help you’ll need to stop the evil Master Xehanort from bringing about another Keyblade war. Familiar faces and places return, but there are new worlds to visit inspired by Toy Story, Fantasia and Tangled.”
These aren't details that have been confirmed by Square Enix about the game yet, so we're sticking them strictly in the rumor category for now. It could very well be that the information has been mixed up with the similarly named Kingdom Hearts 3D, released on PS4 in 2016. This game had a playable Riku as well as a Fantasia-themed world.
It may be, however, that the information is accurate. Game director, Nomura, did tell IGN in July 2017 that the team was considering putting another playable character into the game. He just didn't state that it was Riku.
Regardless, we're hoping to see some more Kingdom Hearts 3 information (perhaps even a release date) at the D23 in Japan, taking place in February 2018.
Nintendo Switch?
In a recent interview Square Enix CEO Yosuke Matsuda told Nikkei (via MyNintendo) that the company is focusing on bringing more of its current and future titles to Nintendo’s new console, the Nintendo Switch.
Though Matsuda makes no direct reference to bringing Kingdom Hearts 3 to the Switch, it does suggest that if such a move is feasible and the hardware limitations aren’t too great, Square Enix will make it happen.
Excited about Star Wars Battlefront 2? We have all the latest news and rumors
Microsoft patent could improve the iPhone X's notch
The iPhone X is a very stylish phone, but it's safe to say not everyone is a fan of the notch at the top of the screen. While it's probably not going anywhere for the iPhone XI it's possible that phone – or other handsets – could at least have a smaller notch with all the same tech packed in.
That's thanks to a newly published Microsoft patent, spotted by MSPowerUser, which details a hybrid imaging sensor that could use an infrared filter to combine a standard camera with an infrared camera, letting both operate using a single sensor.
Both of those things are used by the iPhone X's Face ID system, but they currently require two separate sensors, both of which need to be packed into the notch, so by combining the two the notch could potentially be made smaller.
Microsoft might be part way to solving the notch problem. Credit: WIPO
Plenty of potentialThat would both make it stand out less and also allow for more screen, allowing additional status information to be packed in – for example there'd perhaps be space for a battery percentage, rather than just a battery bar.
Shrinking a notch isn't the only benefit of the tech either, as Microsoft also noted that separating the sensors can lead to parallax issues when combining the data they capture, so this could help avoid that.
Before you get too excited it's worth remembering that this is a Microsoft patent, so it may never get used in an Apple product – if it gets used at all, since patents often don't, but it could benefit other devices, such as the Surface Phone, if such a thing ever launches, or Microsoft's Surface tablet and laptop range.
And if combining the cameras is possible then Apple may well be working on a similar system which could get used in future iPhones.
The iPhone XI might not be much of an upgrade
13 weird and wonderful niche Linux distros of 2018
Note: Our weird and wonderful niche Linux distros roundup has been fully updated. This feature was first published in December 2011.
Fed up with the bog-standard Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora and so on? Looking for a distro that reflects your individuality? In this roundup we've discovered no less than 13 of the quirkiest and most useful distributions that Linux has to offer.
They include one distro which is the official, sanctioned OS of North Korea, no less, along with a Satanic Edition of Ubuntu (there's also a Christian version to balance things out), and also a distro which is so light it will run on a PC from the mid-80s.
Read on to find out more about each of these interesting distros. Before we begin, however, do note that not all of these operating systems are suitable for everyday use without extensive modification – so consider running them from a Live CD/USB or within a virtual machine, rather than installing them on a computer.
10 of the best Linux distros for privacy fiends and security buffs5 of the most popular Linux gaming distros10 best Linux distros: which one is right for you?What's the best Linux distro for beginners?How to choose the best Linux distro for laptops Linux Format is the number one magazine to boost your knowledge on Linux, open source developments, distro releases and much more. Subscribe to the print or digital version of Linux Format hereThe ‘hermit kingdom’ that is the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) is one of the most isolated countries in the world. The internet is strictly censored (indeed, most North Koreans have never even heard of it) and access to computers is patchy.
Unwilling to rely solely on operating systems developed by the imperialist US, supreme leader Kim Jong-Il sanctioned the development of an official OS of North Korea named Red Star, which is based on Linux and uses North Korean terminology and spelling.
Red Star fully lives up to the Orwellian reputation of the DPRK. It is closed source and has a feature which watermarks any media files copied to external drives with the hard drive’s serial number. This is most likely because North Korean dissidents often swap banned films using a 'sneakernet' of USB sticks. Red Star also has a supposed 'virus scanner' which can automatically delete censored files. The root user is disabled by default, meaning you don't have full control over your system.
For this reason, you should only run Red Star inside a virtual machine. See our guide on how to do this here.
Development of Red Star has continued under the auspices of supreme commander Kim Jong Un. Version 3.0 was released back in 2014 and uses the KDE desktop environment, bearing a strong resemblance to macOS. It works quite well but is preconfigured to only use North Korea's intranet by default, so can't access the web at large, except for a few pages on the Mozilla website.
As the OS is based on Linux, skilled users can tinker with the language and DNS settings to use it in English with internet access. There's also a server-only version (4.0) used by the DPRK's official airline Air Koryo which can connect directly to the internet, but it's not available for general download.
The default web browser Naenara (meaning ‘My Country’) is a modified version of Firefox 3.5. We searched for 'democracy' in the default search engine, but nothing came up.
As a final reminder: if you want to give this a whirl, don’t install the OS on actual hardware, but rather inside a virtual machine.
Download Red Star OS hereThe classically educated reader might be able to guess that MuLinux is a small distro – the Greek letter 'mu' is the SI designation for one millionth.
Mu was designed to be a minimal distro along the lines of Puppy or Damn Small Linux, but it's considerably more miniscule. The OS was developed to run from floppy disks, so only requires 20MB of hard disk space and 4MB of RAM. It will run on any machine with an Intel 80386 processor or later. This particular processor was released in 1985 so it’s safe to say that MuLinux can breathe life into ancient hardware.
Development of MuLinux was frozen in 2004. As mentioned, it was originally designed in such a way to allow the user to install and run a basic Unix-like shell from a single floppy disk, then install additional packages such as server tools from separate disks.
Download the base floppy disk and packages for MuLinux hereThis self-described 'Linux for the Damned' enjoys the notoriety of being banned from the popular Linux OS database Distrowatch. Version 666.9 (we promise we're not making this up) is based on the rather dated Ubuntu 10.10. Like regular Ubuntu, the Satanic Edition is fond of alliterative names for new versions including Lucifer's Legions and Jesus' Jugular.
The dark themes, fiery wallpaper, and Gnome 2 desktop along with various custom sound effects and death metal music combine to make for an OS which Dante himself would be proud of. The website promises to ‘keep your PC looking evil, even when you're not using it’.
Although development on this Linux tribute to the Dark One seems to have halted, you can still boot Ubuntu SE from a Live medium – or as the developers prefer to call it an ‘undead’ CD.
Download Ubuntu Satanic Edition hereThis is one that will appeal to the techies out there – the thing that marks GoboLinux out from the rest is its filesystem layout. Most Linux distributions use an archaic non-arrangement wherein an application's files are scattered around your hard drive in several different folders.
GoboLinux adopts an OS X-like approach (which Apple in turn took from RISC OS), and stores all files associated with an application in a single folder in '/Programs'. For instance, if you have a program named 'foo' all files pertaining to it would be stored in '/Programs/foo'. You can still install multiple versions of the same application if you wish, for example, for separate users on the system. This is managed by GoboLinux's file virtualization tool Runner.
The most current version of GoboLinux is 016.01, released in April 2017, but the project's Github page shows Gobo is in active development. The latest version includes a copy of one of the very first web browsers, NCSA Mosaic, for a bit of old-school net surfing. GoboLinux also now includes GoboNet, a lightweight and daemon-free network manager.
Download GoboLinux hereIf you like software freedom, you'll love GNewSense. The OS has had all non-free software removed, including binary 'blob' files in the kernel, so-named as they use proprietary code. Unfortunately, many of these blobs are drivers for wireless networking cards, so GNewSense may not work well with laptops.
On the plus side, it has removed or renamed software that doesn't fit the Free Software Foundation's definition of freedom. The OS uses a modified version of Debian's IceWeasel browser, for instance, to avoid using the Firefox trademark. GNewSense doesn’t provide any links to non-free repositories, making it even more free than Debian.
After a three year hiatus, the latest version of GNewSense, codenamed Ucclia, was released in May 2016 and is based on Debian 7. It can be booted as a Live CD to help you check whether it supports your hardware.
Download GNewSense hereDo you love Linux? Do you really love it? Because you're going to need to if you want to follow the Linux from Scratch program. Not (technically) a formal distro, LFS is more a set of tutorials and packages designed to help you set up your own completely bespoke Linux system. From scratch.
That means first creating a temporary system with which to compile the real thing, building your own partitions and file system, and installing every element of a functioning Linux system painstakingly by hand. Oh, and figuring out exactly why it isn't working.
The documentation comes in freely downloadable volumes, charmingly entitled 'Stable' for the latest release and 'Development' if you want to check out the version that creator Gerard Beekmans and his team are working on at this very moment. There's also a systemd version, which uses the latest in system initialisation techniques.
One of the easiest ways to get started is to read the freely downloadable LFS Book, which takes you through all the steps for constructing your own system. As of LFS version 8.0, the book has undergone a major rewrite with hundreds of new packages now available.
Download Linux from Scratch hereYellow Dog was released in the late 90s for Apple computers using the PowerPC chip architecture, and found its niche among people who wanted an even more different way to think differently. All was good, but then Apple abandoned PowerPC in favour of Intel chips, which it's still using today.
This left Yellow Dog out in the cold, but after a change of ownership it reinvented itself as an OS for high-performance multicore computing – most notably as the OS used on PlayStation 3s hooked up to form cheap supercomputing grids known as 'clusters'. It's based on Red Hat Linux.
Download Yellow Dog hereMoebuntu is an upgrade for existing Ubuntu installations designed especially for fans of Manga and Anime, and it shows how the OS can be tweaked or fine-tuned to the extreme. There’s an automated setup tool which will apply the colourful desktop and icon themes – prepare yourself for some alarming hues of pink if you do so. There's also a suitably rosy dash icon as well as an array of wallpapers and Manga-style fonts.
As gaudy as this may appear, the advantage of Moebuntu is that it has kept pace with the times. The latest release supports Ubuntu 17.04 so unlike some of the other distros we've highlighted, you can enjoy a taste of the weird and wonderful while having an up-to-date OS.
You can install the Moebuntu desktop theme, icon packs, wallpaper and Dash icon by following the steps on the Moebuntu websiteHaving given the devil his due with Ubuntu Satanic Edition earlier in this article, it’s only fair that we let Christians rejoice about the version of Linux crafted just for them.
Ubuntu CE offers a non-denominational version of Linux for Christians, based on the standard Ubuntu builds. The latest version is built on Ubuntu 12.04 LTS (long term support).
The stated aim of the project is to try to encourage more people within the Christian community to realise the power of Linux and switch to Ubuntu.
The latest release incorporates Xiphos, a bible study tool, as well as worship presentation software OpenLP and Quelea, which can be used to project bible verses, hymns and so on.
Ubuntu CE also includes the powerful 'Dansguardian' content filter providing advanced parental controls. The wallpaper has been thoughtfully chosen with Biblical quotes.
Download Ubuntu Christian Edition hereThere still exists among our Windows-using cousins the risible idea that Linux isn't good enough to take over on the desktop – that the continued dominance of Microsoft on the desktop is inevitable, because Linux is not up to the job technically.
This can easily be refuted. All of the top 500 supercomputers in the world now run Linux. Also, the cleverest people on the planet – scientists searching for clues about the beginning of the universe – also use Scientific Linux at the CERN laboratories.
This distro is a rebuild of Red Hat Enterprise Linux and is actively developed by people within CERN, Fermilab and ETHZ. Anyone can download and install it on their machine – you don't even need a PhD in theoretical physics.
Download Scientific Linux hereParted Magic is a Live distro that comes with all the tools you need to fix broken partitions. If something won't boot, this is what you use to fix it, and that goes for both Linux and Windows machines. It is most often used as a tool, although technically it is a Linux distribution in its own right.
Parted Magic also allows for secure disk erasing (making sure that data is really nuked), benchmarking, and disk cloning among other features. As a troubleshooting aid, it's indispensable, but it will cost you $11 (around £8, AU$14) to download direct from the author's site. For an additional fee you can order it preinstalled on USB or DVD.
Download Parted Magic hereThis distro is drastically out-of-date and about as niche as they come, but HML – or Hannah Montana Linux – is the perfect desktop for fans of Miley Cyrus’ heady Nickelodeon days. Enjoy a pink Hannah Montana-themed KDE desktop, featuring Tux with the double-life teenage singer's logo emblazoned on his belly.
It also includes a custom Hannah Montana boot screen, theme, icon set and wallpapers. The website helpfully adds that it is not vulnerable to Windows viruses.
There's no reason to use HML unless you're a diehard Hannah fan, but since it's based on Kubuntu using KDE 4.2, there are plenty of packages to install. You could even upgrade it to the latest version of Kubuntu by running the command 'sudo apt-get dist-upgrade' from the Linux Terminal. Alternatively, diehard Montana-fans can download the icons and/or theme pack and install it on top of their existing KDE install.
Download HML hereZeroshell comes from Italy, and it’s a small Linux distro designed to run as a Live CD for servers or embedded devices such as routers. You can even install it onto a Raspberry Pi.
It has no GUI but you can access and configure it from your web browser. Zeroshell is a lot more powerful than the average router's web interface allowing you to perform activities such as assigning IP addresses, DHCP provision and changing DNS settings. It can function as a proxy, VPN access point or a firewall, and can interface with any network appliance.
Zeroshell is in active development: the latest version (3.8.2) was released in December 2017.
Download Zeroshell Linux here
You could soon try out new features of Windows 10 apps without being a Windows Insider
It appears that Microsoft may be planning to allow Windows 10 users to test preview versions of the operating system’s core apps without having to sign up to be a Windows Insider.
In other words, folks running the normal (retail) version of Windows 10 will be able to play around with standalone preview versions of these apps, and test out their new features, without having to sign up and install the preview build of Windows 10.
At least that’s the word from Thurrott.com, which spotted that there is a new preview program available for the Camera, Photos, Alarm & Clock, Feedback Hub, Tips, and some other integrated Windows 10 apps.
Users can apply to test these pieces of software on a per-app basis, although there may be limited numbers of testers taken on board.
Testing the testersAt this point, it’s not clear exactly how the ‘Windows App Previews’ scheme will work, or even if it will happen. Thurrott.com says that Microsoft is testing this idea out at the moment.
Brandon LeBlanc, senior program manager on the Windows Insider team, confirmed that the change is designed to facilitate the testing of app updates on retail builds of Windows, as well as preview builds.
This certainly seems like a sensible enough move in terms of getting more testers on board – those who don’t want to go the full hog of installing a preview build of Windows 10 for whatever reason – for certain core apps.
The other advantage is that Microsoft will be getting feedback from people who specifically want to test out a particular app, which might prove useful. But nothing is certain at this point, and as ever, we’ll just have to wait and see if Microsoft actually goes ahead and implements this new app testing program.
You might have seen that late last week, Microsoft released a new Windows 10 preview build that includes various enhancements on the gaming and security fronts, as well as improved HDR video playback.
Via Neowin
Some of the best laptops of 2018 run Windows 10
The best iPhone 8 deals in February 2018
Black Friday and the January sales were a heady and exciting time for folk looking to pick up an iPhone 8 deal. Prices dropped so far that they were pretty much undercutting the iPhone X by almost half! If you wanted one of the latest iPhones without paying silly money, then the iPhone 8 was the Apple handset to go for.
The bargain basement iPhone 8 prices have, of course, now come to an end.. Maybe we'll see another drop when the Samsung Galaxy S9 is announced at the end of February, but for now you'll find the cheapest deals here. You can save yourself lots of money by using TechRadar's price comparison tool on this very page, and the iPhone 8 is still waaaaaay more affordable than the X.
To make it even easier, we've picked out specific recommendations further down the page so you can easily locate the most attractive deals at different data points, networks and budgets.
See also: iPhone X deals | iPhone 8 Plus deals | iPhone 8 SIM free / Unlocked | Samsung Galaxy S8 deals | Best mobile phone deals
Save £10 on the upfront cost of any iPhone 8 deal at Mobiles.co.uk by using the voucher code 10OFF at the checkout! Filter and compare all of the iPhone 8 deals available in the UK:When the iPhone 8 hit the shelves, we were doing everything possible to prepare people that they were going to have to spend big to get the 2017 Apple iPhone. But as you'll see, you can already get this brilliant iPhone for less than £1000 over the two years and there are some fantastic deals to be snapped up...
The SIM-free price of the new iPhone 8 is £699. That's £100 more than the iPhone 7 cost when it launched in the UK 12 months ago, so while this is not the iPhone X, nor is it what you'd call a cheap alternative. To get the phone on a 24 month contract you'll obviously have to pay a fair whack more than that, so depending on which tariff suits you best you may or may not be better off buying SIM free with a SIM only deal.
Don't expect a revolution with the iPhone 8. It's essentially a tweaked iPhone 7 with a few enhancements and one or two upgrades. For that reason we wouldn't particularly recommend this phone to anyone with an iPhone 7 - but for those with older phones this could make a timely upgrade if the price of the iPhone X makes you want to weep.
Read TechRadar's full iPhone 8 review
Now let's break down the best iPhone 8 deals by network...
Exclusive mobile phone deal: free power bank when you buy from Direct Mobiles
The deals team here at TechRadar love a freebie, and we reckon you probably do too. That's why we've worked with smartphone retailer Direct Mobiles to bring an exclusive free gift to TechRadar readers with all of its mobile phone deals.
Grab a new contract plan or upgrade from Direct Mobiles for the next couple of months and enter the voucher code TECHPOWER where indicated at the checkout. 14 days after connection, Direct Mobiles will send out a power bank worth £14.99.
Direct Mobiles already has some of the best priced tariffs in town on flagship phones such as the iPhone 8 and Samsung Galaxy S8, so the free phone charger is a welcome added bonus. It has a 3,000mAh capacity, so should be good for at least a full charge or two on most handsets. And because it's only 10cm in length and around 70g, it's ideal for slipping in your bag or car glovebox for emergencies.
You can look through our comparison chart below to see the best deals that Direct Mobiles has to offer across a range of handsets. And if you'd sooner speak to somebody on the phone about your purchase, then give 0203-869-4251 a call to speak to an advisor. The offer isn't available on SIM only deals, however.
Check out today's best mobile phone dealsWell the short answer is yes - we wouldn't recommend deals from a retailer if you couldn't.
In fact, Direct Mobiles has a TrustPilot rating of 'Excellent' and was given an award for Best Customer Experience from EE in 2017. Trading for more than 20 years, it's also an approved Apple and Samsung retailer.
The best iPhone X deals in February 2018
If you're looking to buy the iPhone X, it probably needs no introduction. You already know that it's the ridiculously big, ridiculously powerful smartphone that Apple launched to mark the 10th anniversary of the iPhone. You're well aware that it's the most innovative iPhone in years. And it hasn't escaped your notice that iPhone X deals cost a small fortune.
That's where TechRadar can help. Whether you're in the market to buy the iPhone X SIM-free upfront or spread your payments over a two year contract plan, we'll tell you the very cheapest prices you can currently get it for. We've trawled the UK's most popular retailers and networks for the most affordable options, with tariffs from the likes of EE, O2, Three and Vodafone. No matter how much data you need, what colour you want and what budget you can afford, you'll find the perfect deal for you in our comparison chart below.
If you'd sooner just cut to the chase, we've got handpicked recommended tariffs further down the page. And if you come to the conclusion that the iPhone X is still just too expensive, then be sure to head to our best mobile phone deals page for the greatest deals on alternatives from Samsung, Sony, Huawei and more.
See also: iPhone 8 deals | iPhone 8 Plus deals | iPhone X SIM free / Unlocked | Samsung Galaxy Note 8 deals | Best mobile phone deals
Filter and compare all of the iPhone X deals available in the UK: TechRadar exclusive: the best ever iPhone X deal The best iPhone X deals in the UK today:
We think that the iPhone X is the most important iPhone launched since...well the first one! After years of incremental upgrades, Apple has pulled out all the stops for its 10th anniversary smartphone. Face ID lets you unlock your phone just by looking at it, the stunning 5.8-inch Super Retina HD display does away with the bezel almost entirely, there's wireless charging, and that's before we even get to Animojis!
Read TechRadar's full iPhone X review
Now let's break down the best iPhone X deals by network...
Samsung Note 20 Tmobile Unlock All Models Supported.
ReplyDeleteSamsung N986U Sprint Unlock
Unlock All Samsung phones within a few minutes. All Samsung Note 20 Remote Unlock Service to unlock Tmobile Verizon Sprint Carrier locked.
Samsung Note 20 Unlock Code Service with Samsung n986B Unlock Codes
thnks
ReplyDeleteM2M is driven by IoT and is the method in which two ‘things’ navigate information between them. This permits us to computerize nearly any handle and kill the requirement for human interaction. M2M is being utilized in nearly every industry in arrange to move forward the precision and efficiency of a business.
ReplyDelete