Thursday, March 4, 2021

The best gaming documentaries to binge right now - CNET

Between Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and CBS All Access, there are some fascinating gaming stories that you should delve into.

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The 5 best TV shows to watch on Paramount Plus - CNET

The new streamer is the home of Star Trek and more.

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The 11 best TV shows on Apple TV Plus - CNET

Apple TV Plus actually has a ton of good shows, here are some of our favourites...

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Stimulus check update: How much money could you get? It may now change - CNET

With the third stimulus check sitting at $1,400 per person, how much could you qualify for? Our calculator will throw out an answer for you, based on new Senate numbers.

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Best VPN service of 2021 - CNET

Looking to maximize your security and anonymity online? Of course you are. A virtual private network can help.

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Latest Tech News

Almost a month ago, we reported that the upcoming iOS 14.5 update would let iPhone users change their default music app, permanently picking an alternative to Apple Music, but the tech giant has now confirmed that won't be the case.

Users trialling the beta version of the new operating system noticed that Siri would ask you which service you'd like to use when asking the assistant to play music. Speaking with TechCrunch, Apple has clarified that it doesn't consider this to be 'setting a default'.

Apple's iOS 14 brought about the ability to change your default web browser and email apps, so that any new links will be opened in your browser of choice, and likewise when composing new emails, but the same isn't true for music playing apps.

There isn't any option in the 'settings' menu that would allow you to select your default music player of choice, like there is with email and web browsers. The feature is more to do with Siri and its learning behaviors.

When asking the virtual assistant to play you a song, it will provide you with a list of installed apps to choose from and will learn from your choice. The same is true if you ask for a podcast or audiobook – Siri will ideally learn which apps you use for each purpose and integrate them more readily when you make requests of the assistant.

With that said, choosing your preference once won't be enough to change Siri's habits forever. Apple notes that the assistant may ask you the same question at some point in the future.

As per usual, users can still specify the app of their choice in the initial voice command – "Play Brian Eno on Spotify", for instance – but there’s currently no sign that we’re getting a true default option.

Major/minor

While the nuances of this feature may seem trivial, they represent a broader aversion to competing third-party companies that Apple holds.

Historically, Spotify and Apple have been duking it out over whether the Cupertino firm's exclusive behavior is, in fact, anti-competitive. Users signing up to Spotify via the App Store are inadvertently sending a portion of that subscription to Apple due to the tax the tech giant collects on services on its marketplace.

Spotify has claimed that this is an unfair use of the company's dominance in the tech field, considering the number of iPhone users that will opt to use the App Store for this.

With this in mind, it's likely that Apple's hesitance in allowing true 'default' settings for services that compete with Apple Music is at least somewhat to do with this ongoing feud.



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Six Dr. Seuss books pulled for 'hurtful and wrong' images - CNET

The titles, including And to Think That I Saw It on Mulberry Street and If I Ran The Zoo, feature stereotypical images of Asian and African people.

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Stimulus update: $1,400 checks could come with new income limits, tax tie-in - CNET

The Senate has just started work on the $1,400 stimulus checks and is already making changes. We've got answers to your questions on the new stimulus payment.

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Nintendo Switch Pro: Why 4K and a large OLED is a big deal video - CNET

It's been a while since there's been a new Switch and rumors are flying. Here's what we expect -- and want.

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NordVPN review: An encryption powerhouse with the biggest VPN bang for your buck - CNET

We recommend NordVPN for its continued efforts to improve security without falling behind on speed.

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Latest Tech News

Google’s Pixel phones are an affordable alternative to the eye-watering prices of other more recent smartphones, and Telstra has just cut the cost of these Android handsets even further.

You can now pick up the Google Pixel 4a 5G from Telstra for just AU$599 outright, so you’ll save AU$200 off its usual price tag of AU$799. If you’re looking for more premium features, the Pixel 5 is also discounted down to AU$849 outright, which is AU$150 off RRP.

While we think buying outright is the better deal, you also have the option of snagging these smartphones at the same price on a Telstra plan. If you’re looking at the cheaper Pixel 4a 5G, the lowest price you’ll pay is AU$79.96 a month for a plan with 40GB of data.

Telstra’s cheapest plan doesn’t come with 5G access included though, so if you want those speeds with this 5G-ready phone, you’ll need to move up to the telco’s AU$65 Medium plan – but it’ll cost you slightly more at AU$89.96p/m.

If you want to step up to the Pixel 5, its most affordable plan will set you back AU$90.37 a month for 40GB of data. Again, this plan lacks 5G access, but it can be had for AU$100.37 a month on Telstra’s 80GB Medium plan.

Despite Google’s incredibly confusing naming conventions, the Pixel 4a 5G actually has much more in common with the Pixel 5 than it does with the original Pixel 4a – so you can essentially think of the Pixel 4a 5G as a ‘lite’ version of the Pixel 5.

Both of these handsets share the same dual rear cameras, the same chipset, and look quite similar in terms of design. There isn’t a whole lot that sets them apart, but the Pixel 5 comes in all-metal casing, while the 4a 5G has a plastic back and sides.

The Pixel 5 also has wireless charging and impressive all-day battery life according to our own testing, while the Pixel 4a 5G has a smaller battery and lacks wireless charging support.



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Latest Tech News

A new rumor claims that not only is there a successor to the mid-range OnePlus Nord – aptly called the OnePlus Nord 2 – but that it will launch without a Snapdragon chipset, opting instead for silicon from MediaTek.

Qualcomm’s Snapdragon chipsets have powered most leading Android phones over the years, especially those sold in the US and Europe, and in every OnePlus phone reaching all the way back to the 2014 OnePlus One and its Snapdragon 801. But the OnePlus Nord 2 will pack the MediaTek Dimensity 1200 chipset instead, sources told Android Central. They also claimed the phone will launch in Q2 2021, which could be as soon as next month.

The OnePlus Nord used a mid-to-upper tier 7nm Snapdragon 765G chipset, and the Nord 2’s 6nm Dimensity 1200 is purported to be an improvement. Both are octa-core silicon, but the latter is capable of higher sheer speeds: the Snapdragon 765G has a prime core at 2.3Ghz and performance core at 2.2Ghz (both Cortex-A76) with six efficiency cores at 1.8Ghz (Cortex-A55), while the Dimensity 1200’s prime core gets up to 3.0Ghz (Cortex A78), has three other A78 cores going up to 2.6Ghz, and four efficiency cores (Cortex A55) up to 2.0Ghz.

Whether that translates to better performance in every situation is up to speculation given other factors like RAM and OS integration, but it’s a big step for MediaTek to take in expanding into a previously Qualcomm Snapdragon-only brand. It also raises questions for the affordability of the Nord 2 – and whether the more powerful chipset will raise the price of the rumored affordable phone.

Next budget OnePlus generation

The real question might be what place the Nord 2 holds in the lineup of OnePlus phones. 2020 saw the launch of the OnePlus Nord N10 5G and the lower-spec Nord N100, both of which were lower-powered than the original OnePlus Nord. 

While we expected a OnePlus Nord SE to bridge the gap in offering more power then the N10 5G but at a better value than the Nord, we haven’t heard much about its release plans. Thus, we expect the Nord 2 to be the true mid-range inheritor – and the more affordable alternative to the upcoming OnePlus 9 – when it launches in the coming months, assuming this report is to be believed.



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Latest Tech News

Webcam deals

(Image credit: logitech)

Click on the links below to access the current live stocks of webcams at these popular retailers. 

US | Walmart | Amazon US | Logitech | Microsoft | B&H Photo | Newegg

UK | Argos | Amazon | Currys | CPC | Staples

Finding one of the best cheap webcams has become more difficult. On top of last year’s shortages, the demand for these devices has also increased due to the pandemic. So, not only is it harder to find stock, but any restocks also sell out quickly. And, that’s without mentioning the fact that webcam prices are also skyrocketing.

Unfortunately, these days, webcams have become an inevitable part of our daily lives. Having the ability to connect with people via video calls and record yourself during those calls have become essential as our lives – both professional and personal – move to online spaces. And, that’s why we've put together a list of the best cheap webcams that are still available today.

These webcams might not come with some of the advanced features more expensive webcams boast such as multi-mic arrays, 4K resolutions and auto-pan and tilt. However, they also don’t compromise on image quality without being a drain on your wallet. If you're working from home thanks to a video conferencing solution, you probably don't want to spend a huge amount on a webcam anyway. 

For the best cheap webcams, you've come to the right place. It’s hard to find an affordable one in stock right now, but with our help, you should be able to have one shipped directly to your home soon. If you are after more powerful and feature-rich devices, however, we’ve also got our best webcams guide, which covers webcams of all different prices. 

Microsoft LifeCam HD-3000

1. Microsoft LifeCam HD-3000

Cheap, cheerful and ideal for Skype

Resolution: 720p | Features: Colour correction, noise cancelling

Cheap
Cheerful
720p only

The Microsoft LifeCam Studio our pick for the best cheap webcam. Aimed at pro users with large displays, it features a familiar configuration of 1080p recording and 720p live video calling. It rotates 360 degrees, and can be mounted on a tripod with autofocus. The wideband mic delivers crystal clear audio, and Microsoft’s TrueColor system will shift the exposure dynamically to keep you well lit, making it a great choice for business conferencing and presentations.

Microsoft LifeCam Studio

2. Microsoft LifeCam Studio

A pro camera for pro people

Resolution: 1080p | Features: Colour correction, hi-fi microphone, Skype

Wide field of view
Wideband mic for better sound
Expensive
Really designed for corporate types

It isn’t the most attractive webcam, but the LifeCam Studio isn’t really designed to be attractive. Instead, it’s made for business conferencing and presentations, with its 1080p recording, 720p live video calling and wideband mic to deliver crystal clear sound. This is a serious peripheral – one that requires a powerful PC for max settings – but that doesn’t mean it’s lacking bells and whistles. For instance, it comes with 360-degree rotating capabilities and Microsoft’s TrueColor system, which will shift the exposure dynamically to keep you well lit.

Read the full review: Microsoft LifeCam Studio

(Image credit: Logitech)

3. Logitech HD Webcam C310

A brilliant budget webcam from Logitech

Resolution: 720p | Features: Adjustablestand

Great value
Easy to use
Basic

Logitech makes brilliant webcams, and the Logitech HD Webcam C310 is a fantastic budget offering, that offers very good image quality for the price. Resolution is just 720p, but for most people that won't be an issue. In fact, if you have an internet connection that struggles with high definition videos, then this is actually a bonus.

Logitech C922 Pro Stream

(Image credit: Logitech)

4. Logitech C922 Pro Stream

It's game on for Logitech's newest webcam

Resolution: 1080p | Features: Background removal, Low-light correction, 720p/60fps video while streaming, Stereo audio, autofocus, auto light correction

Great low-light capabilities
Background removal feature
Supports 720p/60fps streaming
Same design as the C920
No RealSense capabilities

The Logitech G922 Pro Stream features the same classy design as its predecessor, the C920, but it’s especially interesting for gamers this time around. The C922 still boasts excellent 1080p video quality, great for hosting video calls, and its automatic low-light correction makes it a fantastic cam for streaming with the lights off. It also supports background removal, making it ideal for budding YouTubers.



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Wednesday, March 3, 2021

Latest Gadgets News

Realme GT 5G will launch in China today at 2pm CST Asia (11:30am IST) through a livestream. The phone will be powered by the Snapdragon 888 SoC and come with LPDDR5 RAM with UFS 3.1 storage.

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WandaVision's line about 'grief' was a portal to everything bad about the internet - CNET

Commentary: It was a line powerful enough to send the internet into a doom spiral.

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Heat Domes and Surging Grid Demand Threaten US Power Grids with Blackouts

A new report shows a sharp increase in peak electricity demand, leading to blackout concerns in multiple states. Here's how experts say ...