With so many shows and movies to choose from on Australia's major streaming services, it can often be difficult to find the best new stuff to entertain yourself with each week.
In an effort to make things easier, every Monday we'll be highlighting the best new shows and movies to watch on Aussie streaming platforms, covering the likes of Netflix, Disney Plus, Binge, Foxtel Now, Stan and Amazon Prime Video.
Below, you'll find a list of this week's highlights, separated by streaming service, with binge-worthy new shows sitting alongside some great big-budget new movie arrivals – and a couple of oddball left-of-field entries, just for some variety.
Thankfully, there's a nice selection of new shows and great movies landing on Australia's streaming services for watching Monday through Sunday. Here are our streaming picks for the week of March 1-7, 2021.
Disney Plus
WandaVision (TV series – series finale available 5/3/2021)
After all these years, last week's episode of WandaVision saw Wanda finally receive the title of Scarlet Witch from her new nemesis. Now, it's time to see what Wanda will do to get herself out of her current predicament. One thing's likely: we imagine this week's finale will have big consequences for the future of the MCU.
A sequel over thirty years in the making, Eddie Murphy's beloved comedy classic Coming to America is getting an official follow-up in the ingeniously titled Coming 2 America. Now King of Zamunda, Akeem (Murphy) discovers he has an estranged son in America and must go back to Queens, New York in order to find him. Of course, his trusted confidante, Semmi (Arsenio Hall), will also be along for the ride, much to his chagrin. Expect all your favourite characters from the original film to return, including the Barbershop guys and even Randy Watson and Sexual Chocolate!
Directed by the funny and talented Amy Poehler (Parks and Recreation), the new Netflix Original comedy Moxie sees a shy 16-year old girl anonymously publish a zine as a way to stick it to the sexist, toxic guys at her high school. The zine immediately picks up traction with her classmates, starting a school-wide revolution of sorts.
The Walking Dead (TV Series – Season 10C returns 1/3/2021)
After an extended break, The Walking Dead's 10th season returns today with the first of six new episodes. Picking up after the fall of Alpha (Samantha Morton) and the end of the Whisperers War, we find the survivors trying to put the pieces back together and rebuild.
Manhunt: Deadly Games(TV Series – season premieres 5/3/2021)
The latest season of Manhunt is once again inspired by true events, this time the story of Richard Jewell (Cameron Britton), a security officer who partly foils a bombing and then is immediately hung out to dry by the media who sell the narrative of a man who orchestrated the whole thing to pretend to be a hero.
Broadband users across the country can be broadly divided into three parts. One that has access to blazing-fast internet connections with almost 100% uptime and thanks to the competition, these fibre broadband connections are affordable as well. The second category is of the users who are stuck at a place with poor infrastructure or are of low interest to the service providers, hence these users may have broadband access but at abysmal speeds and exorbitant costs.
Then comes the category where there is no connectivity. Forget broadband, even being able to connect to the internet using your phone is a luxury.
A satellite-based internet system may not be of huge interest to the first category apart from the users who are facing troubled connectivity and for the rest, this can be life-changing. Starlink is one such company that plans to bring fast internet connectivity regardless of their physical locations.
With the help of over 12000 low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, Elon Musk’s Starlink will beam high speed, low latency internet across the globe. These satellites are being deployed in Earth’s orbit in a phased manner and will form an array around the Earth to relay internet connectivity from the ground-based stations.
These satellites will be interconnected with the help of lasers to offer seamless coverage across the globe.
Is Starlink feasible in India?
Starlink or any other satellite internet service can be of major help in a country like India. It can offer high-speed wireless connection in congested metro cities and tough terrains where installing wired connectivity is still a challenge.
From villages in the desert of Rajasthan to the hilly Himachal, forests in central India or the coastal regions, high-speed internet will not only help people to connect easily but can be a gamechanger when it comes to education, farming, transport, local commerce etc and can boost the economy.
Apart from metros and some tier 2 cities, a wired broadband connection is scarce. The high cost of setting up and maintaining infrastructure turns out to be the biggest roadblock for ISPs, hence an internet connection that doesn’t cost much is easy to set up and can offer seamless connectivity is a godsend in a country like India.
Additionally, offering connectivity in remote locations of the country will be in line with the federal government's “Digital India” dreams. Though, the government prefers local manufacturing and promotes local businesses under Vocal for Local, however, letting Elon Musk’s ambitious project connect rural India to the world could be a massive step in the direction to support innovation.
Starlink, like Tesla, has plans to offer its services in India. SpaceX has already written to the Indian government to the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) for facilitating approvals to use satellite technology for internet access in remote areas.
(Image credit: Future)
How can I sign-up for Starlink internet in India?
As of now Starlink is offering public beta connections and has over 10,000 users enrolled in the service across various countries like the US, UK, Canada, Mexico, and Australia etc.
Anyone can apply for a Starlink connection in India. Since it’s a beta phase, the connection is being rolled out in a phased manner. Its official website states that the service “is available to a limited number of users per coverage area at this time. Orders will be fulfilled on a first-come, first-served basis.”
You can enter your street address to check the availability. This availability date may depend on the area that you live in. In most cases that we’ve come across (including ours), the website mentions limited availability and probably 2022 is when you can expect the services in the country.
What is the cost of a Starlink subscription in India?
Starlink does not have any tie-ups with local payment services in India. Hence all the payments you make will be in US dollars. The payments can be made using a credit card, debit card as well as Apple Pay. The subscriptions charges are as below:
Upfront deposit - $99. This will be deducted from the monthly subscription fee once the connection is activated. This is a refundable deposit that will be refunded, in case, Starlink isn’t able to provide services in your area.
Monthly subscription fee - $99. This includes unlimited data access
Hardware cost - $499 + shipping. The Starlink kit includes an antenna similar to DTH antennas installed all around us, a router, a power supply, and a mount.
This Starlink kit is sent across when the company is able to offer connectivity services in your area. Apart from shipping, customs charges could be additional.
What kind of speed can I expect from Starlink in India?
The speeds offered by Starlink may vary initially depending on the satellite coverage. The website itself warns you to be ready for occasional no connectivity periods as well. Though this is subject to improve as SpaceX deploys more satellites into orbit.
As of now, users who’re a part of the beta test are reportedly getting download speeds of 100 Mbps (megabits per second) and upload speeds of 20 Mbps with latency is at or below 31 milliseconds.
While the current speeds may not be extremely impressive as in most cases wired broadband can offer way faster services, however, Starlink is currently offering internet with the help of one-twelfth of the planned satellites. Once fully deployed, according to the company’s claims, Starlink can offer up to 10Gbps download speeds.
(Image credit: Future)
Should I apply for a Starlink subscription?
Since the service is already in its beta testing phase, it may soon go live for a wider audience. However, in India it may go live sometime next year, subject to regulatory approvals. That being said, you still can sign up for the beta program.
However, keep in mind the below points before paying the upfront fees:
No specific date mentioned for the services to go live
Currently, the speeds are limited. You may get faster internet speeds already on fiber in your area or may get it before Starlink goes live
The subscription charges are $99 per month that translates to Rs. 7000 approximately every month and compared to other ISPs in India, this is the costliest service at the moment.
It is ideal for places with no connectivity.
There could be periods of total blackout as mentioned above
It may not have any local support centre, at least initially
Its services are impacted by bad weather just like your DTH connection
Are there any Starlink competitors in India?
The idea of space on the internet is not new and Starlink is not the only company in its segment. India has Bharti-backed OneWeb with similar plans. It will launch over 640 satellites across 21 launches to offer satellite internet services across the globe. Like Starlink, even OneWeb is expected to start offering services in India in 2022.
Even Amazon’s Project Kuiper is one such service that could beam the internet directly from space and may use over 3,236 satellites. Project Kuiper is also expected to go live next year.
Also, worth mentioning is Google’s Project Loon, which was recently shut down but was working on similar principles. Though rather than using satellites, Google deployed balloons in the stratosphere to deliver wireless internet in remote areas of the world. This project was shut down recently because Google felt that it was not commercially viable. Even Facebook’s Aquila solar-powered internet plane that wanted to beam internet via laser was found impractical and was closed down prematurely.
Having said that, the space internet industry is hotting up. Apart from these multinational corporations, there are smaller companies that are planning to launch similar services, however, for a specific geo-location like a country-specific. We’re yet to hear any such announcements for India.
Aside, State-run BSNL in collaboration with Skylo is also looking to set up the world’s first satellite-based IoT network. This is aimed at offering connectivity to billions of sensors and machines in maritime, agriculture, railway, logistics, and the ones that help in disaster management. Though this may not offer satellite internet commercially, however, works on similar principles.
Oppo F19 Pro+ and Oppo F19 Pro will launch in India soon, a dedicated Amazon page reveals. The Oppo F19 series was first in the news back in December of 2018 but only now has been confirmed to launch in the country.
The full list of the 2021 Golden Globes winners. Netflix’s The Crown won four of its six nominations. Nomadland and Borat Subsequent Moviefilm are the best picture winners. Chadwick Boseman won posthumously. Netflix won 10 Golden Globes and Apple TV+ got its first.
Realme X9 Pro may feature a full-HD+ display with 90Hz refresh rate. It may sport a hole-punch design with the cutout placed on the top left corner of the screen. The leak reiterates that Realme X7 Pro may be powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 1200 SoC.
Spacewalking astronauts ventured out Sunday to install support frames for new, high-efficiency solar panels arriving at the International Space Station later this year.
Samsung Galaxy M12 India launch is India is set on March 11. The device will be launched as the successor to the Galaxy M11 in India. Ahead of the launch, the Amazon teaser has confirmed several specs of the upcoming Samsung Galaxy M12 in India. The product unveiling is set for 12 noon on March 11.
Last week, Mukul Sharma had tipped a few key features of the Samsung Galaxy M12 device and today, the same specs have been confirmed by Amazon. The Samsung Galaxy M12 is said to bring a big leap in terms of display, camera, and processor. Here is what the Galaxy M12 brings to the table.
For starters, the Samsung Galaxy M12 will come with a 6.5-inch Infinity-V display with a 90Hz screen refresh rate. This will be the first Samsung budget phone to offer a high refresh rate and the first in the M series as well. That said, Samsung might go back to the LCD panel as the teaser doesn’t mention AMOLED anywhere. Further, the phone will have a quad rear camera setup with a 48MP ISOCELL GM2 main lens followed by three other cameras. To the front, there is a dew-drop notch that houses the selfie camera.
In terms of battery, the Samsung Galaxy M12 will sport a 6,000mAh battery, which is an upgrade from the 5,000mAh on the Galaxy M11. As for the performance, the device will be powered by an 8nm Exynos chipset - the exact processor is not revealed yet. The fingerprint scanner will be embedded in the fingerprint scanner. While this is all we have as the confirmed specs, for now, the previous leaks give us more details on the Galaxy M12. Textures pattern back panel is also confirmed.
(Image credit: Amazon)
The handset is said to feature a 5MP wide-angle camera, a 2MP f/2.4 macro, and a 2MP f/2.4 depth sensor along with the 48MP main camera. It is expected to have an 8MP selfie camera. It is said to come with an HD+ resolution screen and up to 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage.
Samsung Galaxy M12 price
The Samsung Galaxy M12 Indian pricing is said to start under Rs 12,000 for the base variant according to leakster Mukul Sharma.
Star on Disney Plus has officially launched in New Zealand, bringing with it a wider range of movies in the process – including films which are strictly for grown ups.
For those of you who were already existing Disney Plus subscribers, that means you essentially get twice the content for only a minor increase in price, which is exceptional value.
Along with a huge selection of newly added TV shows, the arrival of Star to the Disney Plus streaming service brings with it a vast back catalogue of films from 20th Century Studios, which has a large number of classics in its lineup.
Best of all, many of the movies added have been made available to stream in 4K HDR, which is a nice bonus for those looking to revisit some greats from Fox's library.
For many '90s kids, there was no bigger cinematic event than the arrival of Independence Day, a science-fiction epic that put all of humanity up against some very hostile invading aliens. It was the movie that solidified Will Smith as a film star, and which doubled down on the charm exhibited by Jeff Goldblum only a few years after his turn in Jurassic Park. A grand-scale movie that's packed with charm and heart, Independence Day is blockbuster cinema at its most entertaining.
The Shape of Water
(Image credit: 20th Century Studios)
Fan-favourite filmmaker Guillermo del Toro (Pan's Labyrinth, Pacific Rim) achieved massive awards success with The Shape of Water, a film which went on to earn several Oscars, including Best Director and Best Picture. A fantasy-tinged romance, The Shape of Water follows a mute cleaner (Sally Hawkins) and her burgeoning relationship with an amphibious creature (Doug Jones) who's being held captive in the facility she works at. Despite its wild premise, The Shape of Water wears its heart on its sleeve, approaching the material with complete seriousness and conviction, which is what all great films should strive for.
Deadpool
(Image credit: 20th Century Studios)
Disney Plus has long been the streaming home of Marvel, but the service's roster of popular Marvel characters has always suffered from one major omission: Deadpool. Of course, the 'Merc with a Mouth' didn't quite fit with Disney's family friendly image, but that all changes with the arrival of Star, meaning Deadpool can finally join the rest of Marvel's lineup without any censoring whatsoever. Pretty f---ing good news if you ask us.
Deadpool 2
(Image credit: 20th Century Studios)
Loved Deadpool? Well, why not keep the party going with Deadpool 2? It's a film that ups the ante in terms of scope and action, bringing in fan favourite characters from the X-Men universe such as Cable (Josh Brolin) and Domino (Zazie Beetz) to fill out its super-powered roster. As violent and profane as its predecessor, Deadpool 2 is a great follow-up that sets up even bigger things in the future.
Die Hard
(Image credit: 20th Century Studios)
There are countless Christmas movies to stream on Disney Plus, but thanks to the arrival of Star, we now have access to arguably the greatest Christmas movie of all: Die Hard. John McClane (Bruce Willis) is a New York cop who arrives in Los Angeles to attend his estranged wife's work Christmas party. Unfortunately, the party attracts a number of uninvited guests who proceed to take the entire building hostage. Now, it's up to McClane to save his wife and stop the terrorists.
Patton
(Image credit: 20th Century Studios)
One of the great war films of all time, Patton has arrived on Disney Plus Star in glorious 4K HDR. Based on true events, the film stars the late, great George C. Scott, who would win an Oscar for his performance as the titular general (Scott famously refused to accept the award, stating he did not believe in competition with other actors). The film would also go on to win six other Academy Awards, including Best Director and Best Picture. If you haven't seen Patton, now's the time to fill that gap in your cinematic knowledge.
Logan
(Image credit: 20th Century Studios)
Another grown-up Marvel effort, Logan arrives on Disney Plus Star alongside Deadpool to showcase a grittier, more violent side to the superhero genre. Logan acts as a swansong for Hugh Jackman's portrayal of Wolverine, the tortured mutant known for his ability to instantly heal and the metal claws that shoot out of his knuckles whenever he or his friends are threatened. In his final outing, Logan is tasked with protecting a young girl (Dafne Keen), who shares his exact abilities, from people who want to capture and exploit her powers.
Alien
(Image credit: 20 Century Studios)
Director Ridley Scott's sci-fi horror masterpiece Alien arrives on Disney Plus sporting a glorious 4K remaster which enhances the film's spectacular art design and creature effects. In the coldness of space, the merchant vessel Nostromo receives a distress signal which they are forced to investigate. Once there, a crew member is attacked by an alien creature. Despite the protestations of acting senior office Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver), the crew member is allowed back on board the Nostromo, unwittingly bringing an implanted alien in with him.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
(Image credit: 20th Century Studios)
While many consider Dawn of the Planet of the Apes to be the superior film, its predecessor Rise of the Planet of the Apes is arguably the more important entry in the series, setting the bar when it comes to the character development of computer-generated characters. In Rise, we get to witness the complete transformation of Caesar (Andy Serkis), who goes from happy chimp to ape revolutionary in a way that plays out like a Shakespearean tragedy. The film also boasts the most standout moment in the new Apes trilogy, in which Caesar speaks for the first time – truly the stuff of movie magic.
Bots on major social media websites have been hyping GameStop and other "meme stocks," although the extent to which they influenced prices was unclear.
A Soyuz rocket blasted off from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan on Sunday carrying Russia's first satellite for monitoring the Arctic's climate, the Roscosmos space agency said.
If you're the type who believes you can never have too much smartphone storage, you might be happy to hear that Apple may be planning on releasing an iPhone 13 model with up to 1TB of storage, as reported by 9to5Mac.
The claim is based on a new report from the investment firm Wedbush Securities, which notes a supply chain check that suggests the Cupertino company's next-generation iPhone will offer a 1TB storage for the first time.
At present, Apple's iPhone 12 Pro and iPhone 12 Pro Max models offer up 512GB of storage, and both are already quite expensive – we can only imagine how much an iPhone 13 Pro model with 1TB will end up costing.
This isn't the first time that an iPhone 13 with 1TB of storage has been mooted – the YouTube channel Front Page Tech made the same claim back in January.
In terms of iOS devices, Apple has offered a 1TB version of its iPad Pro since 2018, so it's entirely plausible that the company will eventually offer the same amount of storage on the iPhone.
Of course, we won't know for sure until Apple officially announces its new handsets later in the year. Thankfully, it seems that iPhone 13 is still tipped to be launching in September 2021 as normal.
Online genealogy company MyHeritage has a new tool that can help bring your family history to... life. Sort of.
Deep Nostalgia is a new AI-powered tool that can animate still photos of people by adding simple effects like smiles, nods and blinks. It can add movement to any old photograph, and is free to try, as long as you create an account with MyHeritage.
After uploading a photograph of a loved one, it's processed through the AI which adds a set of animations based on facial expressions of MyHeritage employees. The result – available in 10-20 seconds – is presented to you in the form of a very short video clip or gif.
A company called MyHeritage is now offering a new service, Called Deep Nostalgia, that can animate people in old photos creating a short video that looks like it was recorded while they posed and prepped for the portrait [read more: https://t.co/TvjAQdSf9A] pic.twitter.com/5Mn3YLgi6WFebruary 27, 2021
The AI has been licensed from Israeli company D-ID (which stands for 'de-identification') and is currently only capable of animating people's faces. Even multiple faces in a single photograph can be brought to life.
Whether the idea of bringing dead relatives to life is brilliant or creepy is, perhaps for you to decide. Even MyHeritage admits this can be polarizing.
"Some people love the Deep Nostalgia feature and consider it magical," MyHeritage states in the FAQ section on its Deep Nostalgia page, "while others find it creepy and dislike it. Indeed, the results can be controversial and it's hard to stay indifferent to this technology."
Deep Nostalgia went viral on Twitter over the weekend, with people keen on bringing the deceased loved ones to life. Some, however, took it a step further and tried it on photographs of historical statues... with some interesting results.
Here's Alexander the Great pic.twitter.com/djbnzszFM0February 28, 2021
If you'd like to try this out for yourself, head to the Deep Nostalgia website and set up a free account. You can upload up to five photos for free, but any more will require you to get a paid account. If you already have a Complete subscription with MyHeritage, you can use the service at no additional cost and upload unlimited photographs.
If you're worried about privacy, MyHeritage says it doesn't share photos with third parties and, as mentioned on the Deep Nostalgia's homepage, "photos uploaded without completing signup are automatically deleted to protect your privacy".
There’s no denying the monolithic success of Fortnite Battle Royale. Like a phoenix rising from the ashes, the mode once considered ancillary to Save the World – Fortnite’s co-op-centric horde mode that pitted players against waves of zombies – eclipsed it in no time at all.
In the years since, Fortnite has surpassed other battle royale giants like PUBG to become the undisputed leader in terms of player numbers, revenue and in-game events. It's a shame, then, that its crossover events with other franchises feel woefully tacked on.
In the long term, Epic Games' commitment to guest character inclusion in Fortnite usually ends up being a total misrepresentation of whoever’s in the spotlight at the time. Usually, these boil down to a character skin or two and a brief marketing window, nothing that will shake up Fortnite's status quo.
Fortnite admittedly did a fantastic job integrating Marvel and DC characters(Image credit: Epic Games)
Fortnite’s history with crossover content dates back almost three years at this point. Its first big collaboration was with Marvel to promote Avengers: Infinity War. In this event, a player lucky enough to find the iconic Infinity Gauntlet could transform into Thanos, the primary villain of the latter Avengers movies.
It was an interesting way for Epic to test the waters on future crossover events. The event was only available for a limited time, and it provided a unique, somewhat refreshing spin on the Fortnite formula in the form of a powerful and player-controlled threat on the map.
Fortnite continued to work with Marvel, offering skins of beloved characters like Iron Man, Captain America and Captain Marvel to name but a few, and these represented perhaps the peak of Fortnite’s crossover potential, as Chapter 2: Season 4 implemented a swathe of map changes alongside unique Marvel-themed items and powers.
It got more interesting when Epic Games went on to throw DC characters into the mix. Aquaman, Batman, The Flash et al are able to join the fray alongside or against Marvel’s best, technically making Fortnite the first official Marvel vs. DC crossover game. There is a problem with that, though, as I’ll get into later.
Things only grew increasingly puzzling from there. Fortnite began to pepper in crossovers and obtainable guest character skins from a plethora of different franchises in the following years. Many felt right at home on Fortnite’s chaotic, ever-changing island map, including Marvel’s own Deadpool, whose manic fourth-wall-breaking charm fit effortlessly into the game’s mayhem.
Others still felt incredibly bizarre. Additions like NFL players, God of War’s Kratos and Street Fighter’s Ryu and Chun-Li all feel remarkably out of place wielding weapons largely based on real-world guns.
V-Buck where it's due
Super Smash Bros. remains the undisputed king of the crossover(Image credit: Nibellion (Twitter))
I have to admit that if I was a child watching all this crossover chaos unfold, I would be beside myself with joy. Fortnite has intentionally marketed itself as a giant interactive toy box with its scattershot approach to crossovers. There’s something undeniably appealing about watching Stranger Things’ Hopper mow down The Joker with a minigun.
"Smash...shows how a developer can elevate a game by handling guest content with care. These games speak to something bigger than the individual characters - they are representing what makes those franchises so special and why people love them to this day."
Yet therein lies the issue – these lovable characters barely do anything that is distinctly associated with them. They act like any other outfit you can obtain in Fortnite, albeit originating from recognizable third-party brands. Some are graced with unique emotes at least, such as Chun-Li’s Lightning Kick and She-Hulk’s transformation. Nevertheless, I can’t see these guest appearances as anything other than a cynical cash grab.
For the sake of comparison, let’s look at another game that heavily features guest characters as paid downloadable content, that being Super Smash Bros. Ultimate. What does Smash do right that Fortnite doesn’t? Well, the key is in how these characters are represented.
Since Super Smash Bros. Brawl on the Wii, the series has had a steady focus on the inclusion of characters outside of Nintendo’s purview. Brawl kicked off the insanity in 2008 with Sonic the Hedgehog and Metal Gear’s Solid Snake.
2018’s Super Smash Bros. Ultimate exploded in terms of guest content. Since that game’s launch, characters like Joker from Persona 5, Steve from Minecraft and Final Fantasy VII’s infamous villain Sephiroth all made playable appearances.
Each of these characters is celebrated in Smash with painstaking attention to detail. Each features moves and abilities recognizable from their games of origin, and they’re always paired with a stage showcasing the game or series they’re from, alongside a suite of music tracks.
Smash, alongside other crossover-happy games like SoulCalibur 6 and Tekken 7 shows how a developer can elevate a game by handling guest content with care. These games speak to something bigger than the individual characters – they are representing what makes those franchises so special and why people love them to this day.
Meanwhile, Fortnite’s approach to guest characters smacks of throwing wads of cash at whatever’s popular at the moment. Given Fortnite’s insane success, Epic certainly has the financial power to do this. Sadly, the game time and again chooses a flavor-of-the-month junk food approach, just because it can.
Quantity over quality
Fortnite is capable of good crossovers, but it needs to try harder(Image credit: Epic)
I want to see Epic do better with its guest inclusions in Fortnite. It has the resources and manpower to be able to do so. I don’t want to play as Master Chief because “oh, hey, that’s Master Chief. I like Master Chief.” I want to play as him because I love Halo as a whole and want to be reminded of what makes that series so good in the first place. If I’m playing as Master Chief, I want movement to feel swift but decidedly heavy. I want to hear those shields pop when I’m low on health, ringing out that iconic warning klaxon.
"Fortnite could really benefit from featuring less crossovers with more content in each one. How cool would it be if Chun-Li could perform her iconic Lightning Kick attack to knock down structures in place of the familiar pickaxe?"
A 'less is more' approach could work wonders here. Fortnite could really benefit from featuring less crossovers with more content in each one. How cool would it be if Chun-Li could perform her iconic Lightning Kick attack to knock down structures in place of the familiar pickaxe?
How about a Halo themed event period where we can see the iconic ring on the horizon, with Covenant ships frequently flying over the island for an extra layer of fan immersion? To its credit, the actual Halo event did feature a recreation of the classic Blood Gulch map, but it was locked behind Fortnite’s Creative Mode and wasn’t hugely substantial.
If they’d have thrown in event-specific items and weapons like Overshields and Halo’s iconic arsenal, paired with that goosebump-inducing main theme, you’ve got a winner of a collab in my book.
The problem here, of course, is that Fortnite is a very different game compared to the likes of Super Smash Bros. Fortnite operates as a live service – a game that is being constantly updated with new content.
The quick turnover of Fortnite’s Battle Pass system leaves more substantial events with little room in the spotlight. Instead of giving crossover content more room to breathe, Fortnite is trapped in the perpetual live service cycle, ready to swap out content based on whatever the zeitgeist is.
As such, I’ve grown so very tired of Fortnite’s approach to crossover content, even when it’s representing characters and series I actually love. The bitesize nature of these inclusions feel like they come and go in a flash with little fanfare. That’s the exact opposite of what guest characters are supposed to achieve.
While I’ll always remember Super Smash Bros. Ultimate as the game that let me beat up Sephiroth with Terry Bogard in front of a Minecraft village, I’m worried that Fortnite’s legacy will be buried in a veritable heap of forgettable crossovers that the game could have done so much more with.
Fortnite mobile: how to get Fortnite on Android, and why you can't on iPhone
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While many people will be perfectly happy using Office 365 and Google Workspace products for all their word processing and spreadsheet needs, others will prefer something a little less...proprietary.
There are a couple of significant benefits of opting for an open source alternative to Office; the products are almost always free and often benefit from continual improvement from a large network of committed developers.
We caught up with Italo Vignoli of The Document Foundation, which oversees popular open source productivity software suite LibreOffice, to hear more about the project and where it is headed in the future.
What is The Document Foundation? Does it only support the development of LibreOffice or does it have a wider mandate?
The Document Foundation was announced at the same time of the LibreOffice fork, as the home of the LibreOffice community. All activities are focused on the LibreOffice community, but are not limited to the development of the FOSS office suite.
There are other major projects, such as the participation in the ODF (Open Document Format) Technical Committee for the advancement of the only ISO standard file format for true interoperability, the development of import/export filters for legacy and current proprietary file formats at the Document Liberation Project, the participation in advocacy groups for FOSS in public administrations (in Asia, Europe and Central/South America) and the support of native language communities (LibreOffice is released in 119 different language version, more than any other software worldwide).
Could you explain the reasons that led to suffixing release post v7.1 as "Community"?
The sustainability of FOSS projects doesn't happen by magic, especially if software is widely deployed in enterprise environments such as LibreOffice. We launched the LibreOffice project back in 2010, based on the following sustainability concept: individuals would support back-office and development of features that are not targeted to enterprise deployments with donations; volunteers would contribute their time to develop their own features and to contribute to other activities such as localization, quality assurance, documentation, design and marketing. Enterprises, meanwhile, would support the development of mainstream features through the purchase of LTS versions or the direct engagement of developers from ecosystem partners, who are firmly committed in merging all features in a timely manner on the master branch at The Document Foundation (TDF), for the reciprocal benefit of all individual and enterprise users.
As a result, we would have had a "vanilla" version released by TDF and supported solely by volunteers (who can provide assistance to individual users, according to their own schedule), and an enterprise version with LTS (Long Term Support) from professionals, backed by SLAs (Service Level Agreements).
This has worked for a while, but over time the number of enterprises supporting the project has shrunk, and as a consequence the number of new features has also shrunk. At the moment, we estimate than less than 10% of LibreOffice enterprise users are supporting the project by "giving back" through ecosystem partners, as they deploy the vanilla version from TDF and ask for support to volunteers. As we do want to stay loyal to the FOSS nature of LibreOffice, and avoid a dual licensed open core software (where the enterprise LTS version has more features than the free version, but is released under a proprietary license), we have added the "community" label to encourage enterprises to seriously consider deploying the version optimized for their needs.
Of course, a simple label is not enough, so we will develop and engage in communication activities focused on educating enterprises about supporting FOSS projects effectively and responsibly. FOSS has become pervasive, and enterprises should consider that focusing on the zero cost of the software can seriously harm projects they are now relying on as strategic assets of their infrastructure, because it is short-sighted, as you save a lot today by not paying a dime, but you have to spend a lot tomorrow if the project is not able to self sustain, and you have to switch back to a proprietary solution with a huge price tag attached.
For people who aren’t aware, could you give us a 20,000 foot view of the LibreOffice ecosystem, including how you engage with the ecosystem partners?
The LibreOffice ecosystem is large and diverse; there are volunteers, both individuals and native language communities (i.e. individuals organized in groups based on their language, plus their geographical locations if the language is spread over different continents).
There are companies focused on LibreOffice development and other companies focused on building added value around LibreOffice, e.g. by providing services, consultancy and support. There are FOSS organizations such as FSF, FSFE, GNOME and KDE, and large corporations like Google, who are backing the LibreOffice project as they support our philosophy. Organizations are usually represented inside the TDF Advisory Board, which is meeting on a quarterly basis to discuss the progress of activities.
Most of the engagement, though, happens spontaneously on the typical tools of FOSS projects such as mailing lists and various chatrooms on several messengers. This is something which happens only inside open source projects, where meritocracy wins over bureaucracy.
One of the most interesting aspects of the project for many is LibreOffice Online. However, getting the office suite to run inside a web browser isn’t a priority for the project. Why is that, and will the stance change with the WebAssembly port finally approaching production quality?
A cloud solution based on the LibreOffice Technology has been available for several years from Collabora, which are the main code contributors of the Online branch, and is called Collabora Online. The WebAssembly port by allotropia will provide a different approach to getting LibreOffice into the browser. Both are based on the same platform for personal productivity called LibreOffice Technology, which offers unparalleled advantages over the technical puzzle of other office suites, which use a different engine and a different file structure for desktop, mobile and cloud.
The fact that a cloud solution based on LibreOffice is not released by TDF is a detail, and cannot be seen as a lack of interest from the project. Rather the contrary - deploying a cloud office suite is not a trivial task, as you have to associate a secure sign-on solution and a cloud environment for file storage and access rights, and as such needs the resources of a professional service provider. At the moment this product is available from our commercial ecosystem, and this is perfectly in line with the spirit of the project.
What are some of the interesting ongoing developments that you’re particularly looking forward to landing in LibreOffice?
LibreOffice has a large feature set, which is comparable to proprietary solutions and is larger than in many other office suites. In addition, LibreOffice has a stronger focus on interoperability than any other office suite, including Microsoft Office. So, in a time where sharing digital content is more important than specific features, the development focus will be on compatibility with proprietary file formats.
More broadly speaking, what are the priorities for the project in the near future?
In addition to improving the overall quality and interoperability of LibreOffice, the project has priorities which are typical of FOSS projects, such as increasing the number of language versions, and advocating the adoption of the Open Document Format (ODF) and LibreOffice by governments and large organizations.
We put many popular cold-brew coffee makers through their paces to find out which is best. On the list are models from Oxo, Takeya, Filtron, Espro and others.
The Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 , the rumored successor to Ring's top-of-the-range Video Doorbell Pro, was officially confirmed this week. The mains-powered doorbell is available to pre-order now, and will go on sale on March 31 in the US and the UK, and on April 1 in Australia.
On the surface, Ring’s newest flagship smart doorbell looks just like its predecessor, the Ring Video Doorbell Pro, but Ring has teased several under-the-hood tweaks that, it says, makes it the brand’s most advanced wired video doorbell to date. As you’d expect then, the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 is also the company’s most expensive video doorbell, priced at $249.99 / £219 / AU$399.99.
We've picked out some things that we love about the new Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2, as well as a couple of features that we were disappointed not to see in Ring’s top-of-the-range wired doorbell.
Can't wait for the Video Doorbell Pro 2 to arrive? Then check out the best prices for Ring doorbells below
Better resolution
The biggest improvement to arrive on the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 is the boost to resolution: video is now recorded at 1526 x 1536 as opposed to the Full HD footage of the Ring Video Doorbell Pro. This puts Ring’s latest wired doorbell on an equal footing with its rival, the Arlo Video Doorbell, and means that video will be more crisp, with details clearly visible.
Head-to-toe view
Another positive change with the new model is that, thanks to a 150-degree square field of view, you can now see the full length of anyone on your doorstep, including any packages on the floor by their feet, enabling you to keep track of your deliveries more easily.
(Image credit: Ring)
Fewer unwanted motion alerts
In a first for Ring, the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 includes a radar that can be used to set ‘virtual’ thresholds, so the doorbell only starts recording and pushes out motion alerts if an object or person has crossed that threshold. According to Ring, this should reduce the number of false-positive – a person walking past your property, for example – activity alerts. The radar is also used in the new ‘Birds Eye View’ feature, which provides an aerial map of the exact path the object or person took to provide a better understanding of what triggered the activity alert.
More choice in faceplates
Unlike the Ring Video Doorbell Pro, which was supplied with four shades of faceplate in the box, the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 only comes with one, silver-colored unit. However, once the latter has been set up, you’ll be issued a voucher that can be exchanged for another faceplate free of charge. There are 16 colors to choose from including red, green and purple, so you can make your video doorbell look as striking or as discreet as you like.
(Image credit: Ring)
Alexa Greetings
In the US, the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 will support the Alexa Greetings feature, which enables Amazon's voice assistant to ‘answer’ the door and take a message if you’re unable to do so yourself. The feature has already been introduced on the Ring Video Doorbell Pro, and is one of three 'Smart Responses’ being rolled out, although not all are available on all models. However, there's no word over whether Alexa Greetings and the other Smart Responses will be made available in regions outside the US.
Lack of full colour night vision
Ring says the new Video Doorbell Pro 2 will come with color night vision. When pressed, the company wouldn’t go into any detail about the feature but did state it would work in a similar way to the existing Ring Video Doorbell Pro. This means it isn’t full-color night vision; instead, it’s colorized night vision, where simulated-color is applied to areas of ambient light in the video. At present, none of the best video doorbells feature full-color night vision, and including the feature would have been a good way for Ring to stand out from the crowd.
Facial recognition
Google’s rival to the Ring Video Doorbell Pro comes with facial recognition. Nest Hello captures every face that approaches the door, allowing you to tag those belonging to your family and friends. The next time they arrive or leave, you’ll receive a notification stating who it is – which can offer great peace of mind, particularly if you have children that are traveling to and from school alone. We love this feature, and considering the Ring Video Doorbell Pro 2 is priced at a similar level as the Nest Hello, we think it would have been a good way to compete with its rival.
Available to members of the company’s early access program, the new Transform option can be sampled via the Microsoft Word web client, under the File > Transform menu.
When selected, the feature will prompt the user to pick out a visual style to apply to the presentation, before generating a preview in PowerPoint and dropping the presentation file into OneDrive.
While the Transform facility is still undergoing early access testing, Microsoft expects the feature to roll out to all users in the near future.
The company did not respond immediately to our request for clarification over whether the feature will be extended to desktop clients as well.
Turn your Word document into a PowerPoint presentation
While the prospect of automating the painstaking presentation building process is an enticing one, the Transform feature is currently limited in a number of respects.
For now, the feature only works with English language documents and, even then, only when using certain web browsers. The now defunct Internet Explorer is not supported, perhaps predictably, but the Transform feature is also incompatible with Apple’s Safari, the second largest browser in the world.
The feature is also limited to text resources only and will leave behind any multimedia content present in the source document.
“We only support text content for the transformation to presentation, other media content is not currently available. You can add your own media to the presentation after you have transformed your Word document,” explained Mohit Anand, who works on PowerPoint at Microsoft.
The company has conceded that the quality of converted presentations may be a little patchy at first, but claims the Transform feature will eventually be able to distinguish effectively between different document sections and migrate over any accompanying images, videos, fonts and more.
If you want an affordable Amazon ereader you look to the entry-level Amazon Kindle line; if you something a little fancier, the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite is there for you, and if you want the cream of the crop the Amazon Kindle Oasis is your bet.
We last saw an Amazon Kindle Oasis ereader launched in July 2019, so it's about time a new version of the premium book replacement came out, as the company typically takes two years between its ereaders.
Therefore, a mid-2021 release date for the next Kindle ereader sounds plausible, though by no means definite, as we've been waiting even longer for new Kindle and Paperwhite devices.
We haven't heard any news or leaks about a new Amazon Kindle Oasis for 2021 - not yet, at least - but until then, we've come up with a wishlist of what we want to see. We'll also collect all information when we do receive it, and list it below, so you can see all there is to know.
As the top-end model of Amazon's three Kindle ereader lines, the Oasis costs a lot - its feature set needs to match, with enough features to knock your socks off, otherwise it'd seem like a waste of cash.
How much will it cost? Around $249.99 / £229.99 / AU$399
New Amazon Kindle Oasis (2021) release date and price
The previous three Amazon Kindle Oasis devices came out in 2016, 2017 and 2019, so it would seem they're released every year or two - that would make it likely a 2021 release date is on the cards for the fourth-generation version.
Saying that, we didn't see any Kindles launched in 2020, despite a new Paperwhite being long-overdue. It could seem, then, that the Covid-19 pandemic has affected production, but that's just speculation - either way, don't be surprised if there's no new Oasis this year.
In terms of price, the Amazon Kindle Oasis devices are always pricey - the last one started at $249.99 / £229.99 / AU$399 for 8GB storage and went up to $279.99 / £259.99 / AU$449 if you wanted 32GB worth of books - if you wanted 4G connectivity to download books on the go, you'd fork over a lofty $349.99 / £319.99 / AU$559.
Unless there's a huge new feature, we'd expect the Amazon Kindle Oasis would got a similar amount.
Here are all the changes and new features we want the Amazon Kindle Oasis (2021) to have. And no, a USB-C port won't be on this list, because that's not something we want to see -it's something we expect to see.
1. A color screen
By the sounds of things, color e-ink screens are the next 'thing', with TCL confirmed to be working on an ereader that's not monochromatic but colored, and it's very likely Amazon is at least working on such technology too.
While a color display wouldn't be something we'd like to see in the Kindle or Kindle Paperwhite lines - such technology would likely bump the prices of those higher than would befit an entry-level or mid-range device - but it'd work on an Oasis device, which cost quite a bit more.
A color ereader would let you read magazines and comic books exactly how they appear, not in a gloomy black-and-white, and since Amazon Prime Reading and Kindle Unlimted both give you access to lots of both, it'd let you make the most of your Kindle.
2. Improved internet connection
(Image credit: Future)
Amazon Kindle ereaders only connect to the slower 2.4GHz internet bandwidth, not the faster 5GHz - since not everyone uses the former anymore, it can result in some people being unable to connect their Kindles to the web.
We'd like to see the Kindle Oasis compatible with our 5GHz Wi-Fi so we can actually download books onto it without faff. Kindles can often have trouble connecting to hotspotted smartphones too, an issue we'd like to see fixed in the future.
3. A redesigned library layout
Currently on Amazon Kindle devices, seeing a list of your owned (or downloaded) books can be a little annoying. The Kindle home page doesn't show you many, giving you just a small glimpse at your library, with the rest of the page being a storefront with new and recommended books.
If you head over to your library, you won't just see a list of your books but everything you've downloaded from the Kindle store, and things you've downloaded onto your device yourself, with only six entries per page. Sure, you can use the filter options, but they're a touch unintuitive - for example, you can filter by 'Read' or 'Unread', but there's no option for part-read books, and they're sent to the 'Unread' section.
We'd like to see the Amazon Kindle library re-organized into a more easy-to-navigate way, perhaps with some customization (like variable amounts of books listed) so people can arrange it in a way that's logical to them. Oh, and this should go without saying, but the page navigation buttons should let you scroll through pages of the library, not throw you to a different menu.
4. A lower price
(Image credit: TechRadar)
If you winced when you saw the previous Amazon Kindle Oasis price in the section above, you're not alone - in our full review we found that it was an accomplished ereader, but not one which totally justified its high price.
We'd like to see a lower price, people can spend less on the device and more on their books. An exception to this would be made if new features justified the higher price, of course - that color e-ink screen won't come cheap, after all.
5. An improved handle design
Perhaps the most distinctive feature of the Amazon Kindle Oasis is its 'ridge-style' design - one half protrudes from the other, to make a natural hand-hold, where the center of mass is snugly in whichever hand you're holding the thing with.
Well, in theory this is how it works, but in our full Kindle Oasis (2019) review we noted 'the ridge wasn’t quite thick enough to offer a comfortable hold' - we found it a little challenging to use the thing as intended. It's a good idea, but needs refining.
We'd like to see the next Kindle Oasis redesign this handle, so it's a little thicker, and perhaps feels a little more natural to hold.
Putting an end to robocalls isn't something that's going to happen overnight, but there are steps you can take to silence those annoying, and sometimes dangerous, calls.
The iPhone 12 Pro and 2020 iPad Pro have a new sensor that adds depth scanning for better photos, but the future points to AR glasses and more. We've been testing it.
Microsoft has confirmed its latest update, Windows 10 version 21H1. Here's what we're expecting, and why it could set the stage for a major Windows 10 shift.
The House voted Friday night to approve the next stimulus bill. Here are the current qualifications for the third check -- plus requirements for the second payment, if you're still waiting for it.
The 2021 Golden Globes are taking place on Monday, 6.30am IST, to honour some of the best movies and television shows of the year. Unlike previous editions, this year’s ceremony — the 78th Golden Globes Awards — will be held virtually.
Three super middleweight title belts are on the line at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami tonight as one of the biggest draws in the entire sport, Canelo Alvarez, takes to the ring with both his world championships and legendary reputation on the line. Read on as we explain how to watch a Canelo vs Avni Yildirim live stream, the time of the Alvarez fight, and much more. No time to spare? Almost everywhere, all you need is a great value DAZN subscription - which is as little as £2 a month in some places and offers a free trial in others.
It's a treat for fight fans to be able to see a star as big as Canelo get back into the ring so soon after his last fight, which saw him claim a thoroughly deserved unanimous decision win over Britain's Callum Smith. Even rarer is the fact that the fight is available on DAZN, an over-the-top sports streaming service, rather than being an ultra-expensive PPV affair like many big fights.
Many pundits have this one down as a warm-up affair for Canelo ahead of a rumored blockbuster bout against Billy Joe Saunders later in the year - but the 30-year-old Alvarez insists he isn't underestimating his 29-year-old Turkish opponent, who boasts an impressive 21-2 record but hasn't fought competitively for two years.
It's nothing compared to Canelo's 54-1-2 record, though, which spans four weight classes and sees his lone defeat come against most people's pound-for-pound GOAT, Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Is tonight's fight going to be as straightforward as many seem to think, or could we have one of the biggest upsets of all-time just around the corner? Follow our guide below for all the details you need to get a Canelo Alvarez vs Avni Yildirim live stream on DAZN - all the cheapest and even free ways to watch the Canelo fight online are right here.
Can I watch a free Canelo vs Yildirim live stream?
Yes, in a way - but only in certain countries where a DAZN free trial is on offer.
Boxing fans in Canada are among those in luck, as while it costs 20 bucks in the Great White North for the service monthly, you can get a FREE trial of DAZN in Canada. It's one of the only countries, along with Switzerland, we're aware of where the service offers a trial on the house.
If that isn't you, don't worry, as DAZN is dirt cheap all over the world!
And the cheapest of the cheap sees DAZN UK available for just £1.99 a month! It's also equally cheap to watch Canelo Alvarez vs Avni Yildirim in Australia or New Zealand, where DAZN is currently being offered for the introductory discount price of just $2.99 a month, compared to the steeper DAZN US price of $19.99 a month.
The fight is also available to watch on PPV through North American cable providers for $49.99, which is a much more expensive alternative (though DAZN will gift you an access code for four months of 'free' access by way to compensation if you opt for this route.
Canelo vs Avni Yildirim live stream: how to watch the fight online with DAZN from anywhere now
Streaming service DAZN (pronounced 'Da Zone') has the rights to show the Canelo vs Yildirim fight in over 200 countries, including, the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
Coverage of the main card starts at 7pm ET/ 4pm PT in the US and Canada, 12am GMT in the UK, and 11am AEDT in Australia on the streaming service.
The headline act is expected to start around 11pm ET / 8pm PT on Saturday night in the US, 4am GMT in the UK on Sunday morning and 3pm AEDT in Australia on Sunday afternoon - though this of course depends on how long the earlier fights last.
A DAZN contract in the US will set you back $19.99 per month, or $99.99 for the year. Big cable providers including Comcast, Charter, Cox, Optimum, Verizon, DirecTV and ATT are also offering the fight on PPV for $49.99, but that's a far more expensive option.
DAZN Canada is priced similarly at $19.99 per month, however a 12-month subscription comes in at $150. It's one of the few places that offers a FREE DAZN trial, though
And a DAZN subscription is currently dirt-cheap in the UK, Australia and New Zealand.
In the UK, it's priced at an ultra-affordable £1.99 a month, while it's available for a discount initial price of $2.99 a month in both Australia and New Zealand.
Out of the country? DAZN subscribers who find themselves abroad for the fight will find they can access their accunt just like they would at home - wherever you are in the world, all you need is the help of a good VPN.
However, those looking to subscribe to DAZN for the first time may find the service manages to effectively block certain VPNs at the point of creating an account. VPNs most notably encounter obstacles starting from scratch with DAZN Canada, though in other places like the US our general sports VPN recommendation was working fine in 2021.
And if you've already got an account, a VPN should work wherever you are to help you regain access to pre-existing subscriptions.
How to watch Canelo vs Yildirim if you're away from your country
If you're abroad and discover that your usual coverage is geo-blocked, then the only alternative that we know is to use a VPN to dial in to a country that is showing the fight - though note the caveats above.
The software is perfect for this as it allows you to change your IP address and appear to be in a completely different location - and all through a safe, encrypted connection. Here's how to get started.
Use a VPN to live stream Canelo Alvarez vs Avni Yildirim anywhere
ExpressVPN is the world's top VPN
We've tested all of the major VPN services and we rate ExpressVPN as the absolute best. It's compatible with loads of devices including iOS, Android, Amazon Fire Stick, PlayStation, Apple TV and such, and we found it secure, speedy and simple-to-use.
Once you've downloaded the software, just follow the prompts to install it then select the location you want to relocate your IP address to - it really is that easy.
Remember, there are loads of benefits to using a VPN beyond just helping you regain access to streaming services and content from abroad. One of the biggest is security: by using encrypted tunnels, VPNs give you a robust first-line of defense against cybercriminals and government snooping. This makes everyday tasks like online shopping and banking much safer, and many people choose to use one for that reason alone.
What is DAZN? All you need to know
Pronounced 'Da Zone', DAZN is a sports-centric streaming service that launched in 2016 and is now available in over 200 countries all around the world including the US, Canada, UK, Australia and New Zealand.
Its offering varies by region, but as an idea, it owns the rights to the Premier League, Champions League, NFL, cricket, snooker, rugby union and more in Canada - one of its original and biggest markets.
It's also seeking to challenge the pay-per-view boxing hierarchy, and is landing an increasing number of coups.
The price of DAZN also varies depending on where you are in the world but is generally competitive - in newer markets like the UK, an introductory offer is still running that has it available for just £1.99 a month, while in more established markets like Canada it costs CAD$20 a month. It also offers a FREE trial in some areas and works with pretty much any modern device imaginable.
It's a great all-round offering, with the only real drawback being that it doesn't play overly nice with VPNs in all territories. As we've said, Canadians abroad will find they can't sign up for DAZN even with the help of a Virtual Private Network - though existing account holders (with or without a subscription) will find they can access the service fine.
It's not universally the case, either, as our latest testing reveals DAZN US is accessibleusing a VPN across the board.
Canelo vs Yildirim time and date
The Canelo Alvarez vs Avni Yildirim fight takes place on Saturday, February 27 at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.
The night's main card is set to get underway at 8pm ET/5pm PT in the US and 1am GMT / 12pm AEDT / 2pm NZDT in the UK, Australia and New Zealand.
Ring walks for the main event are roughly expected to be as follows.
Canelo vs Yildirim ring walk times
Alvarez vs Yildirim time (US and Canada): 11pm ET / 8pm PT / 10pm CT
Alvarez vs Yildirim time (UK): 4am GMT (Sunday, February 28)
Alvarez vs Yildirim time (mainland Europe): 5am CET (Sunday, February 28)
Alvarez vs Yildirim time (Australia): 3pm AEDT (Sunday, February 28)
Alvarez vs Yildirim time (New Zealand): 5pm NZDT (Sunday, February 28)
(Image credit: Steve Marcus/Getty Images)
Who is Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez?
Arguably the biggest star in boxing right now, Canelo notched up a fearsome record of 44-2 with 12 KO at amateur level, before making his debut as a professional in October 2005. Six years later he would claim the vacant world junior middleweight title against Matthew Hatton.
Over the course of a 57-fight pro career, Canelo has held world belts in four weight divisions, with 36 of his wins coming via knockout.
Alvarez has just one defeat to his name - a loss to Floyd Mayweather back in 2013 - but he nevertheless put that disappointment behind him to establish a well-earned current reputation as the world's best pound-for-pound boxer.
This fight marks Alvarez's first fight since defeating Callum Smith by unanimous decision in December 2020, a feat that saw him claim the WBC and WBA Super Middleweight belts.
Who is Avni Yildirim?
A year younger than his opponent but vastly less experienced, Avni Yildirim has 23 professional fights under his belt and boasts a 21-2 record, with 12 of those victories coming by knockout.
The second of his two defeats had more than a touch of misfortune about it, with an accidental headbutt in the 10th round of his thrilling fight against Anthony Dirrell handing his opponent the win by technical decision.
That was in February 2019, and Yildirim hasn't fought since then.
Canelo Alvarez vs Avni Yildirim: full card for Saturday's fight
Alongside the mouth-watering main event, there's also a strong supporting card that features a WBC World Flyweight title clash between the exciting Julio Cesar Martinez and challenger McWilliams Arroyo.
There's also a heavyweight contest to look forward to, pitting Zhang Zhilei against Jerry Forrest, who returns to the ring for the first time since testing positive for a banned substance in the aftermath of his defeat to Carlos Takam last July.
Canelo vs Yildirim undercard
Julio Cesar Martinez vs McWilliams Arroyo (WBC Flyweight Title)
Zhang Zhilei vs Jerry Forrest (Heavyweight)
Diego Pacheco vs Rodolfo Gomez Jr. (Super Middleweight)
Alexis Espino vs Ashton Sykes (Super Middleweight)
Marc Castro vs Lester Brown (Junior Lightweight)
Aaron Aponte vs Harry Gigliotti (Junior Welterweight)
Alexis Molina vs TBA (Featherweight)
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