Techno

Sunday, July 5, 2020

Latest Tech News

Because Android is such a popular smartphone operating system, this list has a lot in common with our list of the best smartphones. This is a rundown of the best Android phones or ones that aren't an iPhone.

If you want to work out what the best Android phone to buy is based on your budget and needs then you’ve come to the right place. We’ve fully tested and reviewed all ten phones on this list and judged their displays, cameras, battery life and more to decide which we think is best.

Best smartphone: the top phones we've tested
Best affordable phones: head here if don't want to spend thousands

Compared to buying an iPhone, buying an Android phone can be a dizzying choice thanks to the huge array of different devices from different manufacturers. While there are mid-range and budget Android options, this list is our collection of the best Android phones overall, so they’re higher in price as they have the best current features like top cameras, displays and build quality.

This list collects all the big names, from Samsung and Huawei to the increasingly-prevalent Chinese manufacturers like OnePlus. There are loads of variations in screen size, processing power, camera capabilities and more, which does make finding the best Android phone for you pretty tough.

So here they are - the best Android phones money can buy today.

1. Samsung Galaxy S20 & S20 Plus

These are the very best Android phones

The best screen around

Excellent cameras

High price

Iterative improvements

The Samsung Galaxy S20 and Galaxy S20 Plus are – along with the Galaxy S20 Ultra – Samsung’s latest and greatest flagship phones, so it’s no wonder they top this list.

While the S20 Plus has a slight specs edge, thanks to a larger 6.7-inch screen, a bigger 4,500mAh battery, a fourth camera lens (for depth-sensing) and optionally more storage, they’re largely very similar phones, so they’re fit to share the top spot.

Both have a highly capable camera array, with 12MP standard, 12MP ultra-wide, and 64MP telephoto sensors, and both also have top-end power, thanks to a Snapdragon 865 or Exynos 990 chipset (depending on where in the world you are) and up to 12GB of RAM.

They also both have a stunning 1440 x 3200 display with a refresh rate of up to 120Hz. At the time of writing this is arguably the best screen you’ll find on any smartphone.

The design is premium too, and they’re both packed full of features, like reverse wireless charging, 5G, an in-screen fingerprint scanner, and water resistance. They might not quite be the very best at everything, but they’re certainly the best Android phones overall.

Read more: Samsung Galaxy S20 review

Read more: Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus review

2. Huawei P30 Pro

Huawei's best Android phone ever

Fantastic cameras

Eye-catching design

Display 'only' Full HD

EMUI getting better

The Huawei P30 Pro could be the best Android phone we've used when it comes to photography. Its 5x and 10x zoom capabilities are staggeringly good. It also performs fantastically well in low light.

For those who really want to get up close to their subject, the P30 Pro also offers a 50x digital zoom, and although quality is reduced it's still impressive.

You also get plenty of power under the hood, an in-display fingerprint scanner, premium design and wireless charging with the ability to wireless charge other devices from the back of the P30 Pro.

It's a top, top Android phone and only narrowly misses out on top spot due to the Galaxy S10 Plus' overall slicker and more rounded smartphone experience.

Read more: Huawei P30 Pro review

3. Samsung Galaxy Note 10 & Note 10 Plus

A top Android phone, and the best with a stylus

Best screen on a smartphone

Handy S Pen Stylus

Supremely expensive

Camera isn't the 'best'

The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus is the best that Samsung currently has to offer and is on top our list of the best Android phones, even with its huge price tag.

There's a lot to love in Samsung's Note phablet, from its beautiful 6.8-inch screen to the powerful selfie camera and the S Pen stylus which transforms your smartphone experience.

Sure, the cameras aren't as good as the Huawei P30 Pro, and the body leaves a bit to be desired with its huge frame and slippery design, but this is still a great smartphone if you can stomach the price.

Read more: Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus review

4. OnePlus 8 Pro

The most accomplished OnePlus ever, but also the priciest

One of the best displays around

5G and plenty of power

Most expensive OnePlus yet

Sizable rear camera bump

The OnePlus 8 Pro is the latest and greatest OnePlus handset, and it comes very close to challenging the best Samsung phones.

Its screen can rival them in fact – with its 120Hz refresh rate and crisp resolution, the OnePlus 8 Pro has one of the best displays you’ll find on a smartphone.

It also has a top-end Snapdragon 865 chipset, more RAM than you’ll know what to do with, and most of the other flagship bells and whistles, such as water resistance and wireless charging.

Its cameras arguably can’t quite match those of the very best phones – but they come close, and the price is the highest yet for a OnePlus phone – but still lower than some top-end handsets. All in all though, this is a stunning effort.

Read more: OnePlus 8 Pro review

Image Credit: TechRadar (Image credit: Huawei)

5. Huawei P40 Pro

Another top Huawei phone

Great camera

Powerful processor

No wireless charging

P30 Pro is superior

The Huawei P40 Pro is the best camera phone you can buy. it’s that simple. Recommending it does comes with its own set of caveats given the Huawei/Google situation though. That’s why despite its extensive list of stellar features, you definitely need to read our P40 Pro review before picking one up.

The P40 Pro’s Leica-branded imaging system is spearheaded by a brand new 50MP sensor, which uses RYYB (red yellow yellow blue) sub-pixel formation, like the 40MP P30 Pro before it. Huawei claims this makes its cameras better able to handle dark scenes like a champion, and we can attest to the fact the P40 Pro absolutely can.

The rest of the phone’s hardware is top-tier, it looks a treat and has plenty of power, so if (and only if) you’re comfortable with the Google-free software experience, the P40 Pro packs plenty to love.

Read more: Huawei P40 Pro review

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The best Ultrabooks are more than just status symbols. These thin and light laptops also deliver sheer performance on top of portability, long battery life and smart-looking aesthetic.

Excellent for professionals and creatives who want to stay mobile or are always on the move, the best Ultrabooks are powerful enough to get you through the more demanding tasks like photo editing and 3D design. That’s all thanks to the best processors and SSDs they boast under their svelte hood, allowing them to handle a hefty workload. And, they’ve got that battery life to match, so you won’t get caught out with a dying laptop and no outlet in sight.

We gathered all the best Ultrabooks on the market to make your search for the ideal one easier. We’ve tested and reviewed every single one ourselves, so you know you can count on whichever one you choose.

The best ultrabooks at a glance:

Dell XPS 15
HP Elite Dragonfly
Huawei Matebook 13
HP Spectre x360 (2020)
Microsoft Surface Laptop 3
Lenovo Yoga C930
Microsoft Surface Book 3

1. Dell XPS 15 (2020)

The ultimate laptop has arrived

CPU: 10th Gen Intel Core i5 – i7 | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics – NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650 Ti | RAM: 8GB – 64GB | Screen: 15.6" FHD+ (1920 x 1200) InfinityEdge Non-Touch Anti-Glare 500-Nit – 15.6" UHD+ (3840 x 2400) InfinityEdge Touch Anti-Reflective 500-Nit Display | Storage: 256GB – 2TB M.2 PCIe NVMe

Amazing speakers

Beautiful display

Comfy keyboard

GTX 1650 Ti is a little weak

The Dell XPS 15 might just be incredible enough to tempt hardcore Mac users. It’s easily the best Ultrabook in 2020, and in a lot of ways, the best laptop (period). Combining staggering power in a stylish thin and light chassis, this laptop doesn’t hold back when it comes to internals and features that improve your computing experience overall. Among those amazing features are a gorgeous bright display with 500 nits of brightness, an extremely comfortable keyboard, impressive speakers, and a terrific trackpad. We’re not saying that this laptop is perfect, but our coveted 5 out of 5 rating should speak for itself.

Read the full review: Dell XPS 15

2. HP Elite Dragonfly

The best Ultrabook for the traveling professional

CPU: 8th-generation Intel Core i5 – i7 | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620 | RAM: 8GB - 16GB | Screen: 13.3" diagonal Full HD touch display – Full HD touch Sure View display | Storage: 256 GB SSD

Impeccable design

Excellent battery life

Pretty expensive

If you’re a traveling professional, and you’re looking for the best of the best this 2020, then you will be hard-pressed to find anything that will rival the HP Elite Dragonfly. Garnering our coveted five-star rating, this laptop tops many of our lists this year, including the best Ultrabooks list. It’s no surprise, as it delivers a deadly combination of incredible features like a sublime keyboard and amazing speakers, raw power, portability, a beautiful design and a long battery life. Admittedly, it’s pricier than many of its competition; but if you’ve got the funds, it’s worth every penny.

Read the full review: HP Elite Dragonfly

3. Huawei Matebook 13

The Ultrabook to beat

CPU: 8th-generation Intel Core i5 – i7 | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620; Nvidia GeForce MX150 (optional) | RAM: 8GB | Screen: 13.3-inch 2K (2,560 x 1,440; touch) | Storage: 256GB – 512GB SSD

Excellent value

Discrete Nvidia graphics

Limited RAM

For a few years now, Huawei has been lurking in the shadows, ready to take on the best Ultrabooks, and its time has finally arrived. Like the Huawei MateBook X Pro before it, the Huawei Matebook 13 packs in a ton of powerful hardware into an attractive shell, while keeping the price low enough for anyone to afford. Plus, we have to mention those discrete graphics – it may be one of the smallest laptops out there to pack an MX150 GPU. It’s not hard to see why the Huawei Matebook 13 is one of the best Ultrabook right now.

Read the full review: Huawei MateBook 13

4. HP Spectre x360 (2020)

HP’s flagship 2-in-1 gets a 2020 refresh

CPU: 10th-generation Intel Core i5 – i7 | Graphics: Intel Iris Plus Graphics | RAM: 8GB – 16GB | Screen: 13.3" FHD (1920 x 1080) IPS BrightView micro-edge WLED-backlit multitouch – 13.3" diagonal 4K (3840 x 2160) UWVA BrightView micro-edge AMOLED multitouch | Storage: 256GB – 2TB SSD

Stylish and high-quality finish

Great all-around performance

Built-in security features are useful

Battery life takes a hit

Can run hot at times

HP’s beloved and highly praised 2-in-1 is back with a vengeance, this time with more powerful components like the 10th-generation Intel Core processors and Intel Iris Plus graphics. Of course, that impeccable 2-in-1 design and pristine gem-cut chassis are back, as are its security features and Bang & Olufsen speakers. That killer combination makes it, now more than ever, one of the best Ultrabooks out there. Is it a wonder that this is one of our favorite laptops of 2020? If you care about aesthetics as much as you do performance and overall quality, this is the laptop for you.

Read the full review: HP Spectre x360 (2020)

5. Surface Laptop 3

Longer-lasting than most

CPU: Quad-core 10th Gen Intel Core i5 – i7 | Graphics: Intel Iris Plus Graphics | RAM: 8GB – 32GB | Screen: 15” 2496 x 1664 PixelSense Touch Display | Storage: 128GB – 1TB

Excellent battery life

Exciting AMD flagship debut

Far too few ports

Lacking in power

With an impressive, reasonable price tag and some of the best battery life we’ve experienced in a 15-inch laptop, the Surface Laptop 3 certainly has a lot going for it. That also includes the fact that it’s got a great look and feel, as well as a weight that surprisingly light for a product its size. Performance-wise, it certainly knocks it out of the park. While it isn’t the most powerful 15-inch laptop out there, it has Intel’s 10th-generation chips and the Iris Plus graphics. That’s more than enough to make it one of the best Ultrabooks out there for 2020.

Read the full review: Surface Laptop 3

6. Lenovo Yoga C930

A 2-in-1 laptop experience with little to no compromise

CPU: 8th-generation Intel Core i5 – i7 | Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics 620 | RAM: up to 16 GB DDR4 | Screen: 13.9-inch FHD (1,920 x 1,080) – UHD (3,840 x 2,160) | Storage: up to 2 TB PCIe SSD

Strong build quality

Robust feature set

Excellent battery life

Weak graphics performance

Pricey upgrade options

The Lenovo Yoga C930 has quite a few of the makings of the best Ultrabook – from an absurd 14.5 hours of battery life and dual Thunderbolt-enabled USB-C ports to internal components that will easily handle those daily productivity tasks. That’s without even considering it’s a 2-in-1 that offers form versatility so you can squeeze in some light gaming and movie-watching once you’re done working. It has a few cherries on top as well, specifically the integrated self-charging stylus and the fab speaker system.

Read the full review: Lenovo Yoga C930

7. Microsoft Surface Book 3

An extremely premium piece of kit

CPU: 10th Gen Intel Core i5-1035G7 – i7-1065G7 | Graphics: Intel Iris Plus Graphics – NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1660 Ti with Max-Q Design | RAM: 8GB – 32GB 3733Mhz LPDDR4x | Screen: 13.5-inch 3000 x 2000 (267 PPI) – 15-inch 3240 x 2160 (260 PPI) PixelSense Display | Storage: 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB PCIe SSD

Beautiful design

Comfortable keyboard

Gorgeous screen

Weak U-series processor

Tiny trackpad

Lackluster speakers

In many ways, the Surface Book 3 is an example of just how far the best laptops have come in just a few short years. It has an extremely premium piece of kit – with one of the best displays we’ve used in a laptop, a keyboard that will put the MacBook Pro’s new Magic Keyboards to shame, and a hybrid design with a removable screen. At less than an inch thick, and only 12.3 x 9.14 inches for its 13-inch model and 13.5 x 9.87 inches for its 15-inch version, this is also among the best Ultrabooks 2020 has to offer. Unfortunately, it’s held back by a weaker processor (next to its rivals), lacklust speakers and a high price tag. Still, it’s an excellent portable, if you’ve got the money for it and don’t.

Read the full review: Microsoft Surface Book 3

Bill Thomas and Gabe Carey have also contributed to this article

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Latest Tech News

The Galaxy Note series is one of the most prolific flagship launches of the second half of the year. According to a new leak, the next Unpacked event by Samsung will take place on August 5.

Amid a global crisis, earlier reports stated that Samsung is on schedule to unveil its next range of products, including the Galaxy Note 20 series. For the second Unpacked event of 2020, the Tab S7, a new pair of TWS, and an upgraded foldable are also expected to be announced.

August 5, TheNextGalaxyJuly 5, 2020

Ice Universe, a reliable Samsung leakster took to Twitter to share the information. According to him, the event is scheduled for August 5. This is expected to be the first-ever major launch from the Korean giant that will be an online-only affair. Historically too, Samsung has unveiled its Note series flagships in early August, adding substance to the leak. Besides, this isn’t the first time we’re hearing August 5 as the launch date. It will be the first of many high-profile launches expected in this quarter.

For 2020, two variants of the Samsung Galaxy Note 20 are expected, with a regular and a Plus/Ultra variant. The bigger variant should bring a QHD+ panel while the smaller one might be limited to FHD+. The refresh rate will be 120Hz, but it’s unclear if it can be toggled in tandem with the highest resolution. It is also said to be a return to a flat display too.

The cameras are said to take a page from the S20 series, with a 108MP primary shooter, followed by an ultra-wide and a telephoto lens. The Note 20 Ultra might add a ToF depth sensor to the mix. The primary camera is said to implement an upgraded sensor that addresses the autofocus issues that marred the first one.

The stage is likely to be shared with the Samsung Galaxy Tab S7 and the Galaxy “Beans” true wireless earphones with ANC. We might also get a refreshed Galaxy Z Flip with 5G capabilities. However, the Fold 2 might be not be unveiled for another month.

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Latest Tech News

Sony's next generation gaming console PS5 could arrive in India almost simultaneously with its scheduled global launch or within a very short time after that. Both Amazon India and close rival Flipkart have opened up sign-ups where fans can get notified when this next-gen console becomes available for pre-order.

These pages showcase the two console variants, one with a disk drive and another without. It also indicates a set of accessories that will be available and showscases the two variants - a PS5 with disk drive and a PS5 Digital Edition that comes without the disk drive.

PS5 price and pre-orders: what we know
PS5 vs Xbox Series X: how do the consoles compare?
PS5 vs PS4 Pro: is it worth the upgrade?

While the PS5 landing page on Amazon India notify-me page carries a bit more details about the games, the page on Flipkart provides details of the product and its accessories, indicating that all four of them, viz., the camera, the headset, the charging dock and the media remote would be available for sale in the country.

Sony has not revealed the launch date or the price points though there have been leaks late last month suggesting that the PS5 could release on November 20 and that the Digital Edition would cost Euro 399 (approximately Rs.33,500) while the standard edition would be more expensive at Euros 499 (about Rs.42,000).

The big buzz around PS5

The PS5, which marks the ninth generation of the gaming console, generated lots of interest during the digital launch last month. The twin-tone white design of the console with black accents and blue lighting gave it a futuristic look compared to the Xbox Series X that appeared to retain features from the earlier generation, thus appearing quite tame in comparison.

Even the accessories created lots of buzz as the media remote, the Pulse 3d wireless headset, the DualSense charging station and the brand new HD camera appears to add the chutzpah to the PS5, though experts argued that all of these additions could burn a larger hole in the pockets of those seeking to buy the console.

Four additional games confirmed

Meanwhile, Sony had also confirmed four additional games on the PS5. In a post on the US PlayStation Blog, head of PlayStation indies Shuhei Yoshida announced the company’s new promotion, which hopes to spotlight and support the best indie games published on PS4 and PS5. A new indie title will also be released on PS Now every month moving forward, starting with Hello Neighbor.

Sony has officially confirmed that the PS5 will release globally "in time for Holiday 2020", so likely some time between October and December 2020 - putting it in direct competition with the Xbox Series X, which is releasing in the same window.

The specs and games

The PS5 is powered by an eight-core AMD Zen 2 CPU and a custom AMD RDNA 2-based GPU. It comes with custom AMD chips that are capable of providing 10.28 teraflops and 825GB of SSD storage and 5.5GB of processing performance. Additionally, the console supports 4K graphics with a refresh rate of 120Hz that promises a seamless gaming experience.

The Amazon Prime page also lists out the mix of both first and third-party games that the PS5 would bring with it. This includes Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Horizon II: Forbidden West and Gran Turismo, Resident Evil Village, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla and Hitman 3, among others.

PS5 games list: every PlayStation 5 exclusive and cross-gen game announced so far

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Latest Tech News

We talk to other people every day. Now we talk to our phones and smart speakers dotted around our home. So the natural progression of course would be to talk to our cars. We’ve seen Mercedes-Benz’s MBUX system before while driving the A250, and it returns in full force in the 2020 Mercedes-Benz GLC 300.

Aside from swift voice commands, the GLC 300 packs other great tech for safer driving on the road, as well as plenty of creature comforts that offer a superb driving experience. It’s certainly priced to match the amount of tech crammed in here, but know that if you do buy the GLC 300, you’re investing in some substantial amount of tech.

WE DROVE

Mercedes-Benz GLC 300

Engine: 1.9-litre 4-cylinder petrol
Power output: 190kW/258hp
Max speed: 240 km/h
0-100km/h: 6.2 seconds
Price: from $69,900

The interior leather finish in our Premium+ model is sadly not the best for Dubai’s sweltering summers, but it does look fantastic. It feels like you’re stepping into a car from the future, ready to drive you to your destination while you flex your Sudoku muscles.

One of the eye-catching features of the cabin is the digital instrument panel, featuring a crisp 10.5” screen with a 1920x720 resolution. Come day or night, it’s always easy to read whatever is on screen, and there are a number of options to cycle through just the information that’s useful to you as a driver.

A second screen sits squarely in the middle of the dashboard, offering navigation, audio controls, climate information, and the various settings related to the car. It also supports Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, though we found that while using Android Auto, it doesn’t utilize the entire screen, but is cropped to fill in only a part of it. More tech comes in the form of a hidden wireless charging pad for your phone, as well as USB-C ports hidden in the center armrest and at the back.

Elsewhere, the GLC 300 flexes more style with adjustable ambient lighting around the cabin, a gorgeous, panoramic sliding sunroof, and plenty of space for rear passengers as well as for cargo in the back.

On the outside you’ll spot improved changes such as new LED lights and revamped front and rear bumpers. Our review model featured a red metallic finish, which on the road really stands out from the crowd. Only when you get behind the wheel of the GLC 300 do you really understand what all the fuss is about.

Driving the GLC 300 is a whole other experience, and there’s a lot to take in. Firstly, cabin noise is at a bare minimum here – if you’re coasting along the highway you’ll get the faintest bit of wind noise from the side mirrors, but otherwise you can barely hear the low rumble of the engine.

Pickup is also excellent when you need to overtake someone, with the engine quickly (and quietly) roaring to life to give you that needed speed boost. Handling is also very responsive, and taking sharp turns or roundabouts don’t make you feel like you’re being flung around in your seat.

There’s an exhaustive list of safety and driving aids as well, including lane assist, 360-degree camera, and blind spot assist when changing lanes. It all comes together to ensure that no matter what comes in front or behind your vehicle, you’re always aware and kept safe.

We found it at times to be a little too precautious, with the sensors warning us of objects that were nowhere in front of us, so there’s a bit of tweaking to do in the settings to adjust their sensitivity. The different driving modes also adjust the car’s handling accordingly – use ECO for the best fuel mileage, Comfort for long-distance driving, and Sport for when you really want to zip around the roads.

The tech dazzling continues with Mercedes-Benz’s MBUX system, which offers nearly complete control of the car using just your voice. A simple ‘Hey Mercedes’ automatically kicks the voice assistant into gear, while simultaneously muting the music and even lowering the AC fan speed so your voice can be clearly heard. You can easily dial contacts, ask for directions, adjust the cabin temperature, and even inquire about weather reports for other cities.

It’s a much more connected system that offers more control of your car than what’s on your smartphone. Accuracy was almost always on point, and over time the system will get better at recognizing your commands the more you use it. The future dream of course would be to sit in your car and say ‘drive me to work’, but we’ll keep that as a pipe dream for now.

As with previous cars, the GLC 300 supports the ‘Mercedes me connect app’, which offers in-depth information about your vehicle at any time. You can use the app to quickly schedule a service appointment, or even remotely start your car’s engine or lock the doors. It’s a fun add-on that expands the utility of your vehicle, but isn’t essential if you don’t want to use it.

There’s a lot to enjoy with the GLC 300, both in terms of its driving and the amount of tech it has to offer. It offers plenty of safety features that will appeal to anyone who wants to stay extra-alert on the road, and for families it makes an excellent road trip companion.

The GLC 300 pricing starts at $69,900 for the Premium Line and $74,550 for the Premium+ Line. Our review car is priced at $76,750.

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Saturday, July 4, 2020

Latest Gadgets News

A rocket from small-satellite launch firm Rocket Lab failed to reach orbit minutes after a successful liftoff from New Zealand on Saturday, the company said, losing its payload of seven small satellites it had intended to carry to space.

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Hamilton on Disney Plus a heartwarming cross between play and TV movie - CNET

Review: The film version of the Broadway hit isn't exactly like going to the theater, but still delivers a theatrical thrill.

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Latest Tech News

Dell Inspiron 15 3000 Laptop - $440.99
This 4th of July, get your hands on the cheapest AMD Ryzen 5 laptop on the market - available at 10% off this weekend. Despite the low price, this machine packs 8GB of DDR4 memory, a 256GB PCIe SSD and a 15.6-inch full HD display.View Deal

At $440.99 from Dell direct, the Inspiron 15 3000 is the cheapest Ryzen 5 laptop currently on the market for this 4th of July (and you should be able to get an additional 10% discount using the coupon code SAVE10 this weekend).

You won't find a better AMD laptop deal anywhere at the moment, and the Ryzen 5-powered model (albeit the older 2500U with integrated Vega 8 GPU) is well worth it.

Despite the price, this is a quad-core machine that packs 8GB of DDR4 memory (dual channel) and a 256GB PCIe SSD. We love the fact it has a 15.6-inch full HD display and Qualcomm-based 802.11ac Wi-Fi.

These are the best business laptops on the market
Check out our list of the best rugged laptops
We've built a list of the best business tablets right now

Ryzen 5 deal

There’s no optical drive (as is usually the case with laptops of this size), which also means the device has a lightweight feel, weighing in at less than 5 lbs. There's also a card reader, three USB ports (including a USB 2.0, an anachronistic addition), HDMI, an Ethernet port and an audio jack.

We would have appreciated an upgrade path to Windows 10 Pro, but at least you get a 12-month subscription to McAfee LiveSafe antivirus and Cyberlink's ubiquitous MediaSuite Essentials to sweeten the deal.

A unique selling point compared to the competition is the presence of Dell's Mobile Connect, which essentially mirrors your Android or iOS smartphone to your laptop, allowing you to make calls, send texts and use apps seamlessly.

Check out our list of the best rugged tablets on the market

Bear in mind

If you've managed to get your hands on a cheaper product with equivalent specifications, in stock and brand new, let us know and we'll tip our hat to you.

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Latest Gadgets News

OnePlus TV models in the newly announced U series and Y series will be going on sale today at 12pm (noon) via Amazon. This will be the first sale of the two TV series and it will include the OnePlus TV 55U1 – a 55-inch 4K TV in the U series, OnePlus TV 32Y1 – a 32-inch HD TV, and the OnePlus TV 43Y1 – a 43-inch full-HD TV in the Y series.

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Latest Tech News

Virgin is a brand which is rarely that affordable when it comes to broadband deals. But right now, it has one of the best (and cheapest) fibre plans currently on the market.

For the price of just £24 a month, Virgin will land you with speeds averaging 108Mb - roughly double what most fibre broadband deals will get you at this price point. And on top of that Virgin isn't charging set up costs here.

Then topping it off, this 12 month contract is also throwing in a £50 Amazon voucher when you sign up. With Amazon Prime Day just around the corner, that is a pretty tempting incentive.

You can find out more about this Virgin broadband deal below:

Broadband and TV deals: go all out on a package

Virgin broadband deals:

Virgin M100 Fibre Broadband | 12 months | 108Mb average speed | £24 per month | FREE activation + £50 voucher
This latest offer from Virgin is pretty fantastic. It offers speeds averaging 108Mb at a price of just £24 a month. There's nothing to pay upfront and on top of the excellent speeds and pricing combo, Virgin is also throwing in a £50 Amazon.co.uk voucher on top.
View Deal

Is Virgin fibre broadband available in my area?

Approximately 60% of UK households can get superfast Virgin broadband. It's quite simple to find out if you're included in this percentage - head over to our dedicated Virgin broadband deals page, enter your postcode where indicated (at the top of the page) and if the deals show as available then you're good to go.

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 Fibre broadband.

Existing Virgin Media broadband customers

Sorry, the Virgin website states that these limited-time offers are for new customers only. However, there's no harm in trying to get a slice of the pie, so if you're already a Virgin broadband customer we suggest you get in touch with customer services before trying to place an order.

Read more:

4G home broadband: see the best temporary internet solutions
Amazon Prime Day: prepare for the upcoming saving event
Mobile phone deals: considering a new phone contract?

Today's best broadband deals:

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Latest Gadgets News

PlayStation 5 teaser page has gone live on Amazon and Flipkart in India with a “Late 2020” release date. The pages show off the two console variants, one with the disk drive and one without, along with a set of accessories that will also be available for purchase in India.

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Latest Gadgets News

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on Friday shared a recent image of the mysterious moon of Mars, Phobos, as captured by the Mars Orbiter Mission also known as Mangalyaan.

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Reddit bans r/The_Donald, iPhone may face launch delays video - CNET

This week's major tech headlines include Reddit banning the controversial subreddit r/The_Donald, Apple's iPhone facing potential launch delays and both Facebook and Instagram initiating a push for people to wear masks.

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Latest Tech News

Rumors abound that Apple is considering not including a power adapter or earbuds in the box with the iPhone 12 models – to save on electronic waste and to save money – and we've now come across another hint that this is going to be the case.

Based on tweets posted by users, Apple is currently surveying some of its customers about what they've done with the power adapters they've already got – which may give an indication about which way the company is thinking.

The survey apparently sent to existing iPhone owners asks if they're still using the USB charging block, or if they've lost it, or if they've given it to a friend or family member to use instead. There's also an option to indicate that the charger is no longer working well.

Updates on the OnePlus Nord launch
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This isn't confirmation that Apple is ditching the bundled charging adapter of course, but it does at least appear to be on the table. So far the strongest indication that the iPhone 12 won't come with the standard accessories has been an analyst prediction.

An Apple rumor a day

According to TF Securities analyst Ming-chi Kuo, Apple wants to offset the cost of adding 5G to its handsets by not including a power adapter or indeed earbuds in the box, though they will be available to buy separately if you need them.

To be fair to Apple there is an eco-friendly angle here too: at this stage the majority of people who are going to buy an iPhone probably already have the accessories they need from previous handsets. And more compact packaging means less waste.

We'll find out for sure later in the year when the iPhone 12 finally breaks cover – though it looks as though the regular schedule of a September announcement could be under threat, with the global pandemic that we're all living through.

We're expecting a total of four iPhone 12 phones to be unveiled eventually, with 5G available on all of them, and a variety of screen sizes to pick from. Inside sources suggest the iPhone 12 models will be taking a few design cues from the iPad Pro tablets.

What can the iPhone SE (2020) tell us about the iPhone 12?

Via 9to5Mac

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Latest Tech News

Movie theaters are beginning to reopen. Despite plenty of public disagreement over when entertainment venues should be opening their doors, seats are being prepped, projector lamps are being struck and the smell of popcorn is filling the foyers once again.

The likes of Odeon and Vue cinema chains are the first in the UK, with the former open as of July 4 and latter sticking to a July 10 date, while competitor Cineworld (and AMC in the US) are pushing their openings back as far as July 31, amid uncertainty over audience members’ safety and their willingness to come back to movie theaters already.

It’s a brand new world for the industry to adapt to, as many countries attempt to return to normality after passing the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic. The fallout the cinema industry faces delves far beyond the simple plan of getting bums in seats and instead extends into many other facets that will no doubt have long lasting ripple effects for years to come.

Simply watching a film is only one element of the movie-going experience, and this new world will be very different for patrons.

With the green light given in many countries for cinemas to open once again, many chains have come forward with opening dates and their plans on how to ensure guests feel safe in the auditorium environment. In the UK, Showcase Cinemas released a video on its social media channels, giving an in-depth look into the precautions the company will be taking. Hand sanitiser stations are located throughout, protective screens have been installed at till points and cleaning procedures have changed with staff using an antiviral spray to disinfect each screen after use.

Other chains have similar plans, but many have omitted the necessary need for face masks. In the US, AMC Theatres stated that guests won’t be required to wear face masks for entry. The decision unsurprisingly met vocal opposition, and the company swiftly amended their initial statement to announce that face masks were mandatory.

“This announcement prompted an intense and immediate outcry from our customers, and it is clear from this response that we (AMC Theatres) did not go far enough on the usage of masks,” the company said in a revised statement. “At AMC Theatres, we think it is absolutely crucial that we listen to our guests. Accordingly, and with the full support of our scientific advisors, we are reversing course and are changing our guest mask policy.”

New movies: what you can watch when theaters reopen

Masking indecision

It’s this sort of mixed messaging that’s going to temper with audience expectations of a safe experience. The industry needs to come together and devise one concise message for the public and create an element of trust between the two parties.

It’s worth homing in on the day-to-day realities of cinemas reopening, too. Guest management can be difficult at the best of times – and as someone who has worked within the industry in a management position for over five years, there’s only so much that can be done from a staff perspective. Everyone’s more than likely had one cinema experience that’s been ruined by someone on their phone, a fight between other guests or a disturbance from other members of the audience. In a post-COVID world, these issues are only going to become more prevalent – and harder to solve.

How do you begin to tackle a guest concern about another audience member coughing throughout the film? While defusing situations is one of the skills staff are required to learn in order to maintain a relaxed and efficient trip to the cinemas, these new and challenging situations will require new solutions.

iPhone face unlock with mask — Masks will be mandatory at first, but how long will cinemas hold firm? (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Will the pull of blockbuster films be enough?

There also has to be content that viewers will want to leave their safety bubble to see. This summer hopes to bring movies such as Tenet and Mulan as heavy hitters to reignite the industry – both of which have now faced another delay till mid-August.

Showing older films at a discounted price is going to be the case for the first few weeks. Titles such as The Shawshank Redemption, The Dark Knight and Despicable Me will be given a new lease of life in the attempts to drag in an audience. The question remains whether older titles have the pulling power to bring in guests, especially with the sudden rise in drive-in cinemas offering a completely unique experience for cinematic classics.

Both AMC and the UK based chain Cineworld have both been quick to act on this fact and have since delayed its opening to July 31, to open when films with demand intend to be released. “In line with recent changes to upcoming film release dates, we have made the decision to move our re-opening date,” Cineworld announced on their website. “with the on-going pandemic, this new date remains subject to final confirmation.”

With both distributors and cinema chains playing chicken on who will stick to a date first, any release dates going forward are essentially placeholders. The unease of both parties will spark not only confusion to the public, but constant doubt on whether now is the right time. The ability to sustain a market with older titles is a gamble at best and if cinemas fail to hit attendance with such features, certain chains could end up in further crisis.

If cinemas fail to bring an audience then two options will arise. To close until new releases finally commit to a date or draw back on resources for the time being. This could include reduced staff, even shorter opening hours and a smaller selection of films. All of these pose threats with less staff not being able to clean efficiently, shorter opening hours having stricter film times and a smaller slate of films failing to bring in those that feel they are ready to go back.

Disney's live-action Mulan is one movie cinemas are hoping will pull in audiences (Image credit: Disney)

Home safe home

Lockdown has forced many to stay in their homes and undoubtedly utilise many streaming services and rentals, which certain distributors have capitalized on. Universal’s decision to follow a streaming model even after cinemas reopen has ruffled a few feathers with chains such as AMC, who are now refusing to show the company’s titles in the future. In a letter directed to the distributor the company stated that “effectively immediately AMC will no longer play any Universal movies in any of our theaters in the United States, Europe or the Middle East.” Realistically, cinemas doing this will no doubt shoot themselves in the foot as they inevitably force viewers to stay in the comfort of their homes to watch big-name films.

With the economic repercussions of lockdown facing many, renting a film for an entire family is going to be far more sustainable than a cinema trip with inflated prices. Showing older films for a discounted price is a great tactic to attempt to restart the industry, but once the big blockbusters eventually hit screens such as Tenet and Mulan, ticket prices will almost certainly shoot up to recoup costs. The question is whether audience members will feel secure placing a price on the risk of their health, or sacrifice the big screen experience for a safer (and cheaper) evening?

How cinemas will operate in a year or even a month is uncertain and it’s going to be an experiment of trial and error to get the formula right. Both guests and staff will have numerous concerns about the revival of cinemas and it’s up to the industry to come together to conjure a solution. With mixed messaging on face masks, and partnerships squandered between distributors, the industry is in a maelstrom of turmoil – and it needs to come together collectively to find a solution or risk losing an audience permanently.

Don't feel safe going out? Build your own home cinema setup instead

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