LG Gram 14 (2020) laptop -$1,046.99 at Amazon(roughly £828/AU$1,505) This incredibly light LG laptop from Amazon weighs less than 1Kg and is powered by a 10th Gen Intel Core processor. The LG Gram 14 also includes 8GB of RAM, a 256GB PCIe SSD and Intel Iris Plus graphics. If you're looking for a light laptop that still gets the job done, this might be the perfect fit.View Deal
On paper, the LG Gram 14 (2020) laptop might seem a bit of an oddity - although the Korean company is not exactly known for its PC business, it does release thin clients, all-in-one PCs and, of course, monitors.
The LG Gram range is known first and foremost for its ability to deliver a lot of hardware in an unbelievably light package.
Despite having a 14-inch inch display, the Gram 14 weighs less than 1kg while the 15-inch version pushes the scale up to 1.15kg, and the 17-inch version is jaw droppingly light at just 1.35kg.
Inside is a 10th generation Core i5 or Core i7 CPU with a minimum configuration of 8GB RAM and 256GB PCIe SSD (up to 16GB and 1TB SSD) and Iris Plus graphics, an industry-leading (at least in this category) battery size of 72WHr and twice the number of ports/slots compared to its nearest competitor, the XPS 13; it even packs a Gigabit Ethernet adaptor and supports Thunderbolt 3 - and its fingerprint reader is even integrated with the power button.
The LG Gram 14 laptop - which will appeal to a business audience - owes a lot of its properties to its magnesium alloy chassis; the lid flexes a bit but should be fine. What we didn’t like though was the glossy reflective full HD screen which works great for contrast but not exactly ideal in brightly lit environments.
And just because it is featherweight doesn’t mean that it is a pushover; it adheres to the stringent MIL-STD-810G certification which should make it more resistant than most laptops on the market.
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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Get a sneak peek at all the new iOS 14 features like widgets, App Clips and picture-in-picture by taking part in the public beta. Here's how to get iOS 14 on your iPhone now.
There's no shortage of drama in the UFC and MMA's eagerly anticipated arrival on Abu Dhabi's 'Fight Island' is a case in point. In the build-up to tonight's huge UFC 251 card, Brazilian title challenger Gilbert Burns tested positive for the coronavirus, resulting in a last-minute change to the welterweight clash that sees fan favorite Jorge Masvidal (above) get his long-awaited title shot. Get straight to action by following our guide. Here's how to live stream UFC 251 and watch Usman vs Masvidal online in the US with ESPN+ right now.
How to watch UFC 251 tonight
Tonight's UFC 251 action is taking place in Abu Dhabi on Yas Island - aka Fight Island. It's timed for US audiences, with the main card set to start at 10pm ET / 7pm PT. US readers wanting to cut to the chase need only know that ESPN+ is the place to watch the fight right now.
Prior to Usman vs Masvidal, the UFC 251 card serves up another juicy title fight in Volkanovski vs Holloway. The UFC Featherweight Championship bout is a re-match of the pair's battle at UFC 245, which saw Volkanovski win by unanimous decision - much to the chagrin of 28-year-old Hawaii native Holloway.
As well as featuring huge title fights, there's also interest in the card's unique staging. The first of four UFC events taking place on Abu Dhabi's Yas Island, in order to comply with local public health regulations, the arena is situated in a safety zone of ten square miles, with the complex also including access to amenities such as hotels, restaurants and a training cage on the beach.
Ready for some Octagon action? Let's get to it. Follow our guide for full details of how to watch UFC 251 and live stream Usman vs Masvidal online tonight with great value streaming service ESPN+.
Don't miss out - get aUFC live streamfor every Fight Night and PPV event
UFC 251 live stream: how to watch Usman vs Masvidal online in the US tonight
UFC fans in the US will likely know that ESPN+ has the rights to all of the biggest MMA fights around. That means it's your one and only place to watch UFC 251 tonight in the US, with that massive Usman vs Masvidal main event slated to start at around 10pm ET (7pm PT) .
Your options for watching the event depend on whether or not you have already dived in and bought a subscription to ESPN+. If you haven't, then the obvious way to go is with a UFC Bundle, costing you $84.98 - orders are already open. While that might sound like a lot, it's not just getting you the UFC 251 PPV, but you’ll get a year-long subscription to ESPN+ (that would normally cost $50 alone) - a savings of over 25% in total.
On top of being able to stream July's big event, a subscription to ESPN+ also opens up access to over 20 exclusive live UFC Fight Nights, alongside original content including Dana White’s Contender Series, UFC Destined, and Ariel & The Bad Guy, plus classic fights, replays, and there’s also the perk of fewer adverts.
What does a UFC fan get with their ESPN+ subscription?
Quite a lot, as it happens - On top of being able to stream July's big event, a subscription to ESPN+ opens up access to over 20 exclusive live UFC Fight Nights, alongside original content including Dana White’s Contender Series, UFC Destined, and Ariel & The Bad Guy, plus classic fights, replays, and there’s also the perk of fewer commercials.
UFC 251: full card and prelims
MAIN CARD Kamaru Usman (c) vs. Jorge Masvidal (UFC Welterweight Championship Title Fight)
Alexander Volkanovski (c) vs. Max Holloway (UFC Featherweight Championship Title Fight)
Petr Yan vs. José Aldo (UFC Bantamweight Championship Title Fight)
Jéssica Andrade vs. Rose Namajunas (Women's Strawweight)
Amanda Ribas vs. Paige VanZant (Women's Flyweight)
PRELIMS Volkan Oezdemir vs. Jiří Procházka (Light Heavyweight)
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos vs. Muslim Salikhov (Welterweight)
Makwan Amirkhani vs. Danny Henry (Featherweight)
Leonardo Santos vs. Roman Bogatov (Lightweight)
EARLY PRELIMS Marcin Tybura vs. Alexander Romanov (Heavyweight)
Raulian Paiva vs. Zhalgas Zhumagulov (Flyweight)
Karol Rosa vs. Vanessa Melo (Women's Bantamweight)
Davey Grant vs. Martin Day (Bantamweight)
UFC 251 card: title fights and highlights
At one point UFC 251's main event, the rematch between Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway places the featherweight title on the line. Having lost their previous title fight Holloway must somehow pick off the seemingly unstoppable Australian who has 18 straight wins to his name dating back to 2013.
The night's third title fight sees Jose Aldo, commonly regarded as the greatest featherweight in history, take on Petr Yan for the vacant bantamweight title.
UFC 251 live: who are Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal?
Having chalked up 11 straight victories in the UFC, Kamaru Usman is one of MMA's best grapplers and took the welterweight crown from Tyron Woodley last year. While the Nigerian Nightmare is known for his floor work, he can punch his way out of trouble when needed, and perfectly illustrated his fists as a means of attack during his dramatic final round stoppage over Colby Covington during the first defence of his title.
One of the most high-profile fighters currently plying a trade in UFC, Jorge Masvidal's world-class take down defence is equally renowned - and his striking style should provide a fascinating counterpoint to the champ's grappling. Currently third in the UFC welterweight rankings, many feel this title shot in long overdue for an experienced fighter who's also fought in the Bellator, Strikeforce, Shark Fights, and World Victory Road promotions.
The vastly experienced 35-year-old American fighter has never had a shot a UFC belt before, despite an impressive 35-13 overall record that has seen him notch TKO wins over Nate Diaz and Donald 'Cowboy' Cerrone - as well as earn the distinction of fastest knockout in UFC history. Five seconds was all it took for a Masvidal flying knee to KO Ben Askren at UFC 239.
Usman vs Masvidal odds: who's favorite to win at UFC 251 tonight?
Masvidal would likely have come into this clash as the underdog in normal circumstances, but his late inclusion means he's had just a week to prepare for the fight. As a result, the bookies are favoring Usman to successfully defend his title even more heavily than they might have done - and there are likely to be some tasty odds on a Masvidal win for those to fancy their chances.
Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal: latest fights
Masvidal last stepped into the Octagon back in November at UFC 244 in New York when he was awarded victory over Nate Diaz after doctor's stopped the fight in the third round due to a cut above his opponent's eye.
Usman will be defending his belt for the second time after defeating Colby Covington in brutal style at UFC 245 in December in a clash that set a new record for the latest finish ever in a UFC welterweight fight.
UFC is never short on drama and MMA's eagerly anticipated arrival on Abu Dhabi's 'Fight Island' is no exception today. In the build-up to tonight's huge UFC 251 card, Brazilian title challenger Gilbert Burns tested positive for the coronavirus, resulting in a last-minute change to the welterweight clash that sees #3 ranked Masvidal get his long-awaited title shot. Get straight to action by following our guide. Here's how to live stream UFC 251 and watch Usman vs Masvidal online from anywhere right now.
UFC 251: Usman vs Masvidal time
Tonight's UFC 251 action is taking place in Abu Dhabi on Yas Island - aka Fight Island. It's being timed for US audiences, with the main card set to start at 10pm ET / 7pm PT, following prelims from 8pm ET / 5pm PT. That means the UFC 251 start time in the UK is 3am BST for Usman vs Masvidal (1am for the prelims). It's not a PPV event in the UK like it is almost everywhere else. Grab a BT Sport Monthly Pass to watch if you don't already have the channel.
Prior to Usman vs Masvidal, the UFC 251 card boasts another juicy title fight in Volkanovski vs Holloway. The UFC Featherweight Championship bout is a re-match of the pair's battle at UFC 245, which saw Volkanovski win by unanimous decision - much to the chagrin of 28-year-old Hawaii native Holloway.
As well as featuring huge title fights, there's also interest in the card's unique staging. The first of four UFC events taking place on Abu Dhabi's Yas Island, in order to comply with local public health regulations, the arena is situated in a safety zone of ten square miles, with the complex also including access to amenities such as hotels, restaurants and a training cage on the beach.
Ready for some Octagon action? Let's get to it. Follow our guide for full details of how to watch UFC 251 and live stream Usman vs Masvidal online tonight, no matter where you are in the world.
Ultimate guide: get aUFC live streamfor every Fight Night and PPV event
How to watch UFC 251 from outside your country
UFC fans wanting to watch Usman vs Masvidal and live stream UFC 251 may find they run into trouble if they're abroad. This is because geo-blocking restrictions are likely to prevent you from accessing your usual streaming service if you're not in its country of origin - but there is a solution.
It comes in the form of a VPN - a handy piece of software that helps you get around digital borders and regain access to the services you normally use and pay for at home. But which one is right for you?
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.
Those are just some of the reasons it's the best all-round Virtual Private Network for streaming events like UFC 251 live from abroad. Another is the fact that it comes with a 30-day money back guarantee and 3-months FREE, so you can see if it's right for you with no strings attached.
Once you've registered and 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 as easy as that. View Deal
How to watch UFC 251: UK time and Usman vs Masvidal live stream
In the UK and Ireland, BT Sport has the exclusive broadcast rights to UFC events - including UFC 251: Usman vs Masvidal. And the great news for subscribers is that tonight's card is being shown on BT Sport 1 at no extra cost - so unlike most other countries, you won't have to splash out a hefty PPV fee to watch.
Coverage of the prelims begins at 1am BST early on Sunday morning, and the main UFC 251 card is set to start at 3am. Subscribers can stream all the action online via the broadcaster's website or app.
And as you've no doubt heard, BT now offers the option of watching BT Sport without locking yourself into a lengthy contract by way of its £25 Monthly Pass.
This not only gets you access to tonight's full event for less than half of what it costs to buy as a PPV elsewhere, but will also cover all forthcoming UFC events. It's also got a handful of Premier League matches and exclusive coverage of the Champions League when that returns, so grab a great value BT Sport Monthly Pass today.
If you're from the UK but happen to away from home right now, you can still live stream your usual UFC coverage from abroad - but you'll need a VPN to relocate your IP back to the UK as per our guide above.
UFC 251 live: stream Usman vs Masvidal and watch online in Canada tonight
In Canada, the fight is scheduled to be a PPV event, with most major cable providers now offering the fight for purchase - Shaw Direct, for instance, has it for CA$64.99 right now. You can find a full list of Canadian providers of the fight here.
The UFC 251 time the same as in the US, so 10pm ET/7pm PT.
Anyone out of the country can still get the same UFC coverage they would in the Great White North - but you'll want a VPN as per our guide above.
How to watch UFC 251: live stream Usman vs Masvidal in Australia right now
For anyone over in Australia, the place to head for UFC 251 is Foxtel Main Event. Orders are now open, with the action set to get underway in Australia on Sunday, July 12 from 12pm AEST.
However, you'll also be able to watch selected parts of the UFC 251 card for much less via over-the-top streaming service Kayo Sports, which offers a FREE 14-day trial . It's also home to every AFL and NRL match Down Under, plus European soccer action from La Liga, Serie A and more.
And any aussies abroad can still stream the same UFC coverage they would at home, simply by using a VPN and following the instructions above.
UFC 251: watch a Usman vs Masvidal live stream in New Zealand
Fans based in New Zealand are able to catch this much anticipated match-up over on Sky Arena, which is taking bookings. Similar to most other TV platforms, UFC 251 is a pay-per-view and costs $39.95 for access to the main card (prelims aren't included).
The UFC 251 start time in New Zealand is set for 2pm local time on Sunday, July 12.
UFC 251 live stream: watch Usman vs Masvidal and today's full card online
UFC fans in the US will likely know that ESPN+ has the rights to all of the biggest MMA fights around. That means it's your one and only place to watch UFC 251 tonight in the US, with that massive Usman vs Masvidal main event slated to start at around 10pm ET (7pm PT) .
Your options for watching the event depend on whether or not you have already dived in and bought a subscription to ESPN+. If you haven't, then the obvious way to go is with a UFC Bundle, costing you $84.98 - orders are already open. While that might sound like a lot, it's not just getting you the UFC 251 PPV, but you’ll get a year-long subscription to ESPN+ (that would normally cost $50 alone) - a savings of over 25% in total.
On top of being able to stream this July's event, a subscription to ESPN+ also opens up access to over 20 exclusive live UFC Fight Nights, alongside original content including Dana White’s Contender Series, UFC Destined, and Ariel & The Bad Guy, plus classic fights, replays, and there’s also the perk of fewer adverts.
UFC 251 full card for tonight's Fight Island event
MAIN CARD Kamaru Usman (c) vs. Jorge Masvidal (UFC Welterweight Championship Title Fight)
Alexander Volkanovski (c) vs. Max Holloway (UFC Featherweight Championship Title Fight)
Petr Yan vs. José Aldo (UFC Bantamweight Championship Title Fight)
Jéssica Andrade vs. Rose Namajunas (Women's Strawweight)
Amanda Ribas vs. Paige VanZant (Women's Flyweight)
PRELIMS Volkan Oezdemir vs. Jiří Procházka (Light Heavyweight)
Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos vs. Muslim Salikhov (Welterweight)
Makwan Amirkhani vs. Danny Henry (Featherweight)
Leonardo Santos vs. Roman Bogatov (Lightweight)
UFC 251 card: title fights and highlights
At one point UFC 251's main event, the rematch between Alexander Volkanovski and Max Holloway places the featherweight title on the line. Having lost their previous title fight Holloway must somehow pick off the seemingly unstoppable Australian who has 18 straight wins to his name dating back to 2013.
The night's third title fight sees Jose Aldo, commonly regarded as the greatest featherweight in history, take on Petr Yan for the vacant bantamweight title.
UFC 251 live: who are Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal?
Having chalked up 11 straight victories in the UFC, Kamaru Usman is one of MMA's best grapplers and took the welterweight crown from Tyron Woodley last year. While the Nigerian Nightmare is known for his floor work, he can punch his way out of trouble when needed, and perfectly illustrated his fists as a means of attack during his dramatic final round stoppage over Colby Covington during the first defence of his title.
One of the most high-profile fighters currently plying a trade in UFC, Jorge Masvidal's world-class take down defence is equally renowned - and his striking style should provide a fascinating counterpoint to the champ's grappling. Currently third in the UFC welterweight rankings, many feel this title shot in long overdue for an experienced fighter who's also fought in the Bellator, Strikeforce, Shark Fights, and World Victory Road promotions.
The vastly experienced 35-year-old American fighter has never had a shot a UFC belt before, despite an impressive 35-13 overall record that has seen him notch TKO wins over Nate Diaz and Donald 'Cowboy' Cerrone - as well as earn the distinction of fastest knockout in UFC history. Five seconds was all it took for a Masvidal flying knee to KO Ben Askren at UFC 239.
Usman vs Masvidal odds: who is the favourite to win at UFC 251?
Masvidal would likely have come into this clash as the underdog in normal circumstances, but his late inclusion means he's had just a week to prepare for the fight. As a result, the bookies are favoring Usman to successfully defend his title even more heavily than they might have done - and there are likely to be some tasty odds on a Masvidal win for those to fancy their chances.
Kamaru Usman and Jorge Masvidal: latest fights
Masvidal last stepped into the Octagon back in November at UFC 244 in New York when he was awarded victory over Nate Diaz after doctor's stopped the fight in the third round due to a cut above his opponent's eye.
Usman will be defending his belt for the second time after defeating Colby Covington in brutal style at UFC 245 in December in a clash that set a new record for the latest finish ever in a UFC welterweight fight.
While this week's Canon EOS R6 and EOS R5 launch was an exciting one for camera fans, it was less thrilling for our bank accounts – whichever way you spin it, these are expensive cameras.
The R6's body-only price is $2,499 / £2,499 / AU$4,499, while the R5 is a stratospheric $3,899 / £4,199 / AU$6,899. Of course, brand new full-frame cameras have always been pricey. The Canon EOS 5D Mark IV, for example, arrived for $3,499 / £3,599 / AU$5,060 in 2016. But these aren't normal times.
Unless you're the majority shareholder in a hand sanitizer company, it's likely that some financial belt-tightening will be required this year – and that doesn't leave much room for splashing out on a new camera, let alone some accompanying RF glass.
(Image credit: Future)
But there's a potential upside to these sleek, shiny supercars driving onto the camera forecourt. Today's less powerful, but still very capable, EOS R mirrorless cameras should start see their prices (particularly in the second-hand market) dip, as owners flock to new models like squirrels to a sack of acorns.
And with such great value available elsewhere, new affordable full-frame models – something of a growth area, if rumors about the Nikon Z5 and Sony A5 are correct – will need to be very competitively priced, with speculation suggesting the latter could even arrive for under $1,000.
The knock-on effects of the EOS R6 and EOS R5 could give photographers some unprecedented bargains and second-hand steals. With a little patience, this year should turn out to be a great one for anyone looking to switch to a new full-frame camera.
Of course, it's always worth backing up to ask the broader question – do you really need a new full-frame camera like the Canon EOS R6?
The fact that manufacturers are falling over themselves to launch full-frame powerhouses, which have the same size sensor as a frame of traditional 35mm film, could suggest that they're in some way 'better' than alternatives with APS-C sensors, like the Fujifilm X-T4. But that's not always the case.
This image was shot on a full-frame camera (like the Canon EOS R6) at 16mm. The yellow rectangle shows how much would be cropped with the same lens on an APS-C camera.(Image credit: Future)
The 'cropped' viewpoint of APS-C and Micro Four Thirds cameras can, for example, be a boon for wildlife and sports photography, as it lets you get the same angle of view with a smaller lens. For example, a 70-200mm lens on a full-frame camera becomes a 105-300mm lens on an APS-C model, which is ideal for wildlife snapping.
Instead, it's fair to say that the full-frame boom, which will likely see the Canon EOS R6 soon followed by the Nikon Z5 and Sony A7S III, is partly being driven by fear of the smartphone. We recently saw Olympus leave its Micro Four Thirds cameras to fend for themselves in smartphone-infested waters, while the likes of Canon and Nikon have long seen full-frame mirrorless as the safest vessel for their R&D.
(Image credit: Future)
This has knock-on effects for anyone who's looking to buy a camera in 2020. Because investing in a camera means buying into a system that will hopefully stick around for years or even decades – and the most likely ones to do that are relatively new mirrorless mounts like the Canon RF, Nikon Z and Sony E-Mount.
The good thing about expensive flagships like the Canon EOS R6 and Canon EOS R5 is that they tend to make these new systems more affordable for everyone else. And this will likely turn out to be true for both cameras and lenses.
Bargain hunting
For example, the Canon EOS R – the camera that the EOS R6 and EOS R5 are heavily based on – is rumored to be dropping in price to $1,499 (around £1,185 / AU$2,185, without tax) by the end of September.
While the EOS R isn't without its limitations (for example, there's only has one card slot and no AF joystick), it did launch for $2,299 / £2,349 / AU$3,250 in September 2018, making it a good option for those looking to start a future-proofed RF lens collection.
Offering even better value is the Canon EOS RP, which is currently cheaper than many APS-C cameras or even compacts like the Sony RX100 Mark VII.
The arrival of the Canon EOS R6 (third from right) could mean that earlier RF-mount models like the Canon EOS R (second from right) and EOS RP (left) could become even more affordable ways to get into the RF system.(Image credit: Future)
How closely related is the rumored Canon EOS R price drop to the arrival of the Canon EOS R6? That's up for debate. But what's more certain is that many current EOS R owners will soon be looking to sell in order to upgrade to Canon's latest model. And that will mean even better second-hand prices for some powerful full-frame mirrorless cameras that use the same mount as the EOS R6.
Of course, it might be tempting to look at the even lower prices of full-frame DSLRs like the Canon EOS 6D Mark II. But unless you already have existing EF glass, the more future-proofed option is likely to go for RF mount options like the Canon EOS R or Canon EOS RP.
(Image credit: Future)
Another promising development from the Canon EOS R6 launch was the arrival of some better-value RF lenses. For the non-professional shooters out there, the Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM ($599 / £650, around AU$1,180) looks a solid new option for macros and portraits.
And then there's that pair of slightly eccentric, but well-priced, ultra-telephotos: the Canon RF 600mm f/11 IS STM ($699 / £750, around AU$1,360) and RF 800mm f/11 IS STM ($899 / £980 (around AU$1,775).
Granted, the f/11 apertures of these wildlife and sports lenses might have been designed with the high ISO performance of the Canon EOS R6 and EOS R5 in mind. But it's great to see more RF lens options for hobbyist photographers.
While it's true that early adopters of shiny new releases like the Canon EOS R6 have always helped subsidize tech for the rest of us, this is particularly the case with today's full-frame cameras.
The competition between Canon, Nikon, Sony and Panasonic is white-hot, and full-frame is becoming increasingly popular among hobbyist photographers. This is partly due to traditional advantages, like full-frame's ability to offer higher resolution, wider dynamic range and shallower depth of field.
(Image credit: Canon)
But it's also because, just like the latest smartphones, today's powerful processors are removing some of full-frame's traditional limitations, like burst shooting speeds, video resolution and body size.
The final barrier is price. With new models like the Canon EOS R6 putting extra pressure on more affordable full-frame cameras, and encouraging the growth of an RF lens system with more widespread appeal, it could soon become a great year to switch to full-frame mirrorless. Even if you don't start with the very latest cameras.
Realme 6i seems to debut in India alongside the Realme C11 — on Tuesday, July 14. While Realme hasn’t yet provided any details about the Realme 6i, Flipkart on Friday briefly showed off the launch details of the new Realme phone through its mobile app.
Amazon is launching a new fleet of bigger, boxier trucks like those favoured by rival package carriers United Parcel Service and FedEx, as it fights to fix widespread pandemic-fueled delivery delays that sent customers into the arms of competitors like Walmart.
Looking for the best Roblox games you can play right now? Then you've landed on the right page. Even though it’s best known as a gaming platform for children and teenagers, Roblox is also a game creation tool that allows users to design their own games without needing to write complex code.
Roblox games are developed with a programming language called Lua, one of the easiest scripting languages to pick up. That’s also why the platform is bursting at the seams with a sheer variety of free-to-play games - from RPGs to Battle Royales.
It’s worth noting that while Roblox games can be played without spending a single cent, some do feature microtransactions, where you can exchange real money for Robux, a premium currency. These allow players to unlock anything from cosmetic changes, to unique in-game items and power-ups.
With that in mind, let's take a look at our roundup of the best Roblox games you can play now.
Best PS4 games: the most essential PlayStation 4 releases
Can’t cook in real life? That’s okay, you can live your dream of becoming a successful restaurateur by running your very own virtual five-star eatery. In My Restaurant!, you’ll be juggling multiple roles: a waiter, a cook, and a budding entrepreneur. But don’t worry about being overwhelmed; hire additional hands to help you out, and outfit your restaurant with a variety of kitchen appliances and luxurious furniture so your business can run like clockwork. You can even expand the restaurant to as high as eight stories, transforming your eatery from a humble cafe into the billion-dollar business other players can only drool at.
Much like the beloved Rollercoaster Tycoon series, Theme Park Tycoon 2 lets you construct and manage an amusement park, setting you on a path towards infinite riches. From adrenaline-pumping thrill rides to relaxing fares of carousels and teacups, customize your park with these attractions, all while spending your profits on sprucing up the place with trees, fences and furniture. While Theme Park Tycoon 2 doesn’t allow you to build the wacky twists, turns and dips of a rollercoaster that Rollercoaster Tycoon is so known for, there is plenty more to hold your attention in this Roblox version.
Hunting for hidden treasures within the depths and crevices of a clear blue lake has never felt so relaxing. Other than uncovering the mysteries behind the lake, much of Scuba Diving at Quill Lake’s appeal lies in exploration, and discovering secret caverns and other hidden areas to scour for rare artifacts, and trading these for gold. Some places, however, would require you to upgrade your gear before accessing them; for instance, you’ll have to put on a hazmat suit for traversing through toxic waters, and air tanks to explore underwater caves, since coming up to the surface for air would be challenging.
While many of the best Roblox games take heavy inspiration from gaming’s most popular titles, that doesn’t make them any less enjoyable. Dungeon Quest is one such example, adopting the best features from dungeon crawlers like Path of Exile and Diablo, and letting players marinate in the addictive loop of the hack-and-loot experience. Embark on solo journeys against droves of enemies and hoard all the loot for yourself. Or team up with a group of like-minded adventurers to raid dungeons, uncover better treasure, and upgrade your equipment. With enough experience points, you can also invest these into stats, which improve your hit points, melee damage and spells.
Zombie Stories is a Call-of-Duty-style first-person shooter that has you fending off waves of zombies, armed with an (ever handy) rifle - and it’s even complete with voice-acting, too. Offering an arsenal of weapons, this Roblox shooter comes with a variety of game modes, including a story mode and an arcade mode. The latter lets you choose from four different classes, ranging from scout to medic, pitting you against rampaging zombies overrunning your base. As you chalk up experience, you can also earn cash to unlock more equipment. The game is currently in beta, with the developer promising more content updates and bug fixes, but it’s still a robust shooter experience.
Flee the Facility offers one of the more heart-palpitating experiences on this list. Working together in teams, the goal is exactly as stated on the box: flee the facility. You have to work with other players- the survivors - to unlock the exit to the facility by hacking into computers littered across the building. Meanwhile, one player is the game’s designated Beast, who will attempt to capture survivors by knocking them out and dragging them into a cryogenic chamber. There’s no greater fear than entering a room and seeing the Beast grinning - and racing towards you - with a massive hammer in hand.
There really isn’t much to do in Vibe Station other than to, well, vibe with other players - and this lack of clearly defined goals distinguishes it from other Roblox games. You’re first transported into an underground train station in a neon-soaked, cyberpunk version of Japan. Here you can lounge about and chat with other players, while listening to a playlist of ambient, electronic music. Featuring a staggering list of 47 unique sitting animations - players can balance atop or lay across public benches - as well as easter eggs hidden across the game’s three levels, Vibe Station is one of the best Roblox games to unwind in after a long day.
Leap, hack and slash your way to victory in Be a Parkour Ninja, a twitchy, fast-paced title that lets you wield a katana or a great sword against other Roblox players, as you strive to become the last person standing. What’s so exhilarating about this Battle Royale game is the ability to nimbly scale up towering buildings and dive towards unsuspecting opponents. The game also lets you know how you fare against other players by assigning you a score, offering a great incentive to replay and hone your combat skills.
Like most tower defense games, the premise of Tower Defense Simulator is straightforward: prevent enemies from encroaching your base by setting up defenses along the path. But in typical Roblox fashion, you can collaborate with other players to stem the tide of enemies. Beginning with two basic units - snipers and scouts - you can purchase more towers as you earn coins from winning rounds across various maps. However, these upgrades are essential as enemies become increasingly stealthy. There is also a versus mode, where players can compete against each other, either solo or in teams.
Leaks are suggesting both Apple and Samsung are preparing to sell smartphones - such as the rumored iPhone 12 and Samsung Galaxy S30 - that don’t come with a charging block or cable in the box.
Instead, these companies are likely to ask you to buy a separate charger or use your existing tech that you already have in your home. This has proved divisive, as with any manufacturer losing a key part of their tech, but I believe this is the right thing to do.
In my opinion, it's far past the time manufacturers took on more responsibility for the waste that comes from the average person purchasing new technology, and dropping the unnecessary accessories in the box is a bigger step toward curving e-waste than you may expect.
The story so far
According to trusted analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, the iPhone 12 won’t have those EarPods headphones - the cheap, wired headset you get for free - or a charger in the box when it lands later in the year.
A further report - soon after this iPhone 12 rumor - has suggested Samsung is deliberating on whether to follow suit in 2021 with some of its smartphones. Neither of these reports suggested exact models, or whether it'd be for all devices.
If this proves true, it means your phone won't come packaged with accessories. Why? Because it's very likely you already have what you need.
According to statistics provided by the European Parliament, the world generates 50 million metric tonnes of e-waste every year. That's everything from your broken kit to companies replacing your work laptop.
The e-waste isn't worth it
Now, let's look specifically at chargers. Exact figures are difficult to come by, but the International Telecommunications Union said in 2016 that it believes "one million tons of external power supplies are manufactured each year".
That's four years ago now, and it's likely to be a similar figure if not higher in 2020 considering almost every new gadget you buy is likely to come with a charging brick included in the box.
The maths here isn't exact, but I make that around 2% of all e-waste could be from chargers alone. There aren't exact figures on how many chargers are used with their new products, but it's very likely you're replacing your existing charger when you get this brick out of the box to use with your new smartphone or other gadget.
Is that older charger being recycled? The Environmental Protection Agency claimed that only 15 to 20 percent of of e-waste in the United States is recycled. Figures may differ around the rest of the world, but it's a difficult statistic to find.
If you need a new charger, you deserve one
I'm not saying you don't need a new charger. If you have an older one, you've broken your existing charger or you just want to ensure you're getting the best charging experience, I believe you're owed a charger from your manufacturer.
Is the charger in the box the best option for you? More often than not, manufacturers don't offer you the best option by default.
Take, for example, the iPhone 11. It's capable of up to 18W fast-charging, but the charger you’re getting in the box is just capable of 5W charging. You’ll need to buy a third-party (or Apple’s specifically designed charger) separately to be able to make the most of that speedy feature.
If you choose to do that - and many don’t even realize that’s an option - you’re then getting a standard 5W charger in the box that you’re very unlikely to use. That - plus your existing iPhone charger - probably means you've got three chargers now, and you're only going to be using one.
The iPhone 11 Pro and iPhone 11 Pro Max include a fast-charger in the box, but if you own one of those devices and upgrade in 2020 you’re then going to be owning two chargers as well.
It's a similar case for Android manufacturers too where you won't always get the top-end charger in the box and you'll need to spend on a separate brick to be able to get that.
Discouraging people may help
Could ensuring you think about whether you need a new charger help?
In England, the government brought in a plastic carrier bag charge in October 2015 for larger stores. It was thought it would discourage you from using the widely used plastic carrier bag and instead bring your own way of carrying your items.
Carrier bags cost 5 pence (around 10 cents in the US) but it was still affordable for those who forgot their bags or wanted to opt for the plastic option.
According to the UK government's own figures, the seven main supermarket retailers saw a drop of 83% in plastic bag use after the charge was brought in.
Could a similar idea work for phone chargers? Making you think, "do I really need a new phone charger" may be something that ensures some customers sit back and consider whether it's really necessary.
Many will be disappointed to have to buy a new phone charger, but it would make sense if Apple and Samsung still offered a charger along with your purchase for free but make sure you have to opt in to get one.
We don't know how manufacturers would implement the lack of a charger in the box, but it may be it's brought in as an option that is still free when you buy a new device but you'll have to request it rather than getting one by default.
That would crack down on e-waste, but it also wouldn't increase the cost of buying a new phone for anyone who does genuinely need a new one.
Plus, remember portless is coming
A portless concept device from Chinese manufacturer Oppo(Image credit: Future)
The other thing to remember is that phones are likely to go portless in the near future.
That’ll mean you’ll have to use wireless charging to be able to charge up your device, and there won’t be an option for a headphone through a Lightning cable.
Whether you think that’s a good idea is an entirely different question, but that may be why Apple and Samsung see phasing out physical chargers as a possibility now.
You may only have a few more years where you need a physical charging cable and brick anyway.
No-one knows exactly what will happen in the next few years, but I'm certain that dropping the charger in the box with your next-gen smartphone is set to be better for the environment even if it isn't better for your bank account.
LinkedIn was sued by a New York-based iPhone user on Friday for allegedly reading and diverting users' sensitive content from Apple's Universal Clipboard application.
Facebook and Instagram on Friday said they are banning content that promotes "conversion therapy," which is based on the unfounded notion that gays can change their sexual orientation through psychological or spiritual intervention.
Twitter chief executive Jack Dorsey has said he will donate $3 million to a group of US mayors to experiment with the creation of universal basic income.
