Shenmue 3: release date, trailers and news

For many, the upcoming release of Shenmue 3 is a dream come true. It's been 18 years since the original release of Shenmue 2 on the Sega Dreamcast, and for ages, it looked like we would never see another instalation in the action-adventure series. 

But thanks to unrelenting and passionate fans, the persistence of director Yu Suzuki, and a successful Kickstarter, we're finally seeing Shenmue 3 release on November 19, 2019 (assuming it isn't delayed...again). 

Continuing on from its predecessor, Shenmue 3 will keep following the story of teenage martial artist Ryo Hazuki as he searches for his father's murderer in 1980's China, only to get caught up in dozens of mini-games, chores and side quests along the way.

Can't wait to catch up on Ryo Hazuki's latest exploits on modern consoles? Here's everything we know about Shenmue 3 so far.

[Update: A brand new Shenmue 3 trailer has been released at Gamescom 2019 giving us our best look at what to expect from the game yet. Read on to watch it for yourself.]

Cut to the chase

  • What is it? The third instalment in the Shenmue action-adventure series
  • What can I play it on? PS4 and PC (first on Epic Games Store)
  • When can I play it? November 19, 2019

Shenmue 3 trailers

The most recent trailer from Gamescom 2019, titled A Day in Shenmue, gives us our best idea yet of what we can expect from the game. It shows some elements that will be familiar to fans of the previous Shenmue games—ordering food and playing arcade games. There is, of course, some ass kicking in a training arena too.

The PC Gaming Show 2019 trailer
The trailer shown at the PC Gaming Show for Shenmue 3 revealed more information about what we can expect from playing the game. It appears that this version of the game will focus much more on martial arts combat than previous entries. Ryo seems to be studying under a new kung fu grandmaster to learn new martial arts skills at a new dojo.

You will use these arts to both defeat your enemies and save civilians in cinematic moments. This trailer also revealed that the game will launch first on PC through the Epic Games Store.

Check it out:

The Prophecy trailer
This recent Shenmue 3 trailer gave us a closer look at the game's story and finally revealed an ambitious release date of August 27, 2019. This has since been delayed a few more months to November 19, 2019.

Take a look:

Teaser trailer
The first teaser trailer for Shenmue 3 showed us small slice of an in-development build of the game, and gave us a sneak peek at the new look of the main characters, new characters, as well as the re-imagined Shenmue world. 

Check it out below:

Shenmue 3 news and features

Gamescom 2019

Though we're not expecting to hear much about Shenmue 3 at Gamescom 2019, it's possible we may see a new trailer during Opening Night Live as Koch Media/Deep Silver have been confirmed as some of the publishers making announcements.

PC trial

The PC trial for Shenmue 3 is coming to the Epic Games Store in the second half of September but it will only be accessible to Kickstarter and Slacker backers who pledged $100 or more when the game was raising funds for development. 

The demo will be around an hour long and will take place in the first area of the game, Bailu village. While it'll be possible to replay, it will eventually expire and the progress players make in the demo will not carry over to their final copy of the game.

A solid date and some finer details are yet to be nailed down but it's expected that these will be confirmed soon. 

System requirements

The Epic Games Store now has Shenmue 3 listed and along with that listing are the minimum and recommended system requirements for PC players. Better make sure you have 100GB of storage available! The download size for the PS4 version of the game is yet to be confirmed.

Minimum requirements:

  • Windows 7 64-bit or later
  • Intel core i5-4460 (3.40 GHz), Quad-core or better
  • 4GB RAM
  • Nvidia GeForce GTX 650 Ti or better
  • Direct X11
  • 100GB storage
  • Direct X9.0c compatible sound card

Recommended requirements:

  • Windows 10 64-bit
  • Intel core i7-7700 (3.60 GHz)
  • 16GB RAM
  • Nvidia GeForce GTX 1070
  • Direct X11
  • 100GB storage
  • Direct X9.0c compatible sound card

Kickstarter refunds

News that Shenmue 3 on PC would be an Epic Store exclusive for a year before making its way onto Steam brought some kickback from unhappy Kickstarter backers who felt that they were being strong-armed into playing a game from a storefront they don't wish to support. As a result, refunds were called for and it seems Epic is willing to honor, and fund, the refund requests. 

In a tweet CEO, Tim Sweeney, confirmed the policy in a show of good will towards players.

Preview
We got hands on time with Shenmue 3 during E3 2019 and, we have to say, it was a bit disappointing. While there are new features such as Ryo being able to train specific skills through balance or timing challenges, we found the game hasn't really aged well. Characters are stone-faced, combat is clunky and limited, while the game's graphics leave a lot to be desired. As fans of the original series, we were disappointed (but not all that surprised) to find Shenmue 3 is stuck in the past. 

Epic Store exclusivity
In an update to backers on Kickstarter, Ys Net has revealed that Shenmue 3 is going to be an Epic Store exclusive for awhile: 

"Development for Shenmue III has been moving forward using Unreal Engine and the support we have received from Epic has been excellent. But most importantly, in looking for the most enjoyable experience on PC, it was decided together with Deep Silver after much discussion that the Epic Games Store would be the best distribution platform option."

Sorry, Steam fans.   

Delays
Originally, we were due to get our hands on Shenmue 3 in December 2017 but, unsurprisingly, the release date was delayed into 2018. Publisher Deep Silver then announced the release window was once again being pushed back to 2019. It was finally revealed in August, 2018 that Shenmue 3 will release on August 27, 2019, and then delayed again until November 19, 2019. Better late than never, right?

Shenmue 3

Image credit: YS Net

Open-world
Speaking to GamesRadar, Suzuki said: “I decided to go all-in with making the world-building distinctive. There are a lot of open-world games out there, but I don’t believe many, if any, are quite like Shenmue.”

Mini games and QTE will return
It looks like mini games will be making a return – while new games will be added. A poll on the Shenmue 3 Kickstarter suggested the YS Net was trying to survey which were the favorites among fans. If you're a Lucky Hit fan then you'll be pleased to know that it seems to be returning – and apparently you can win special prizes from playing it and other mini games. 

In addition, Suzuki has confirmed quick time events will also be returning, so get your reflexes ready.

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Amazon 4K TV deal: the TCL 55-inch 4K Roku TV gets a $220 price cut

If you're looking for a mid-size 4K TV with premium features, then look no further than this fantastic deal from Amazon. You can get the top rated TCL 55-inch 4K Smart TV on sale at Amazon for $579.99. That's a $220 discount and the best price we've seen right now for this smart TV with Roku built in.

The TCL 55R617 features Dolby Vision HDR which delivers accurate colors and sharp contrasts for a powerful life-like picture. The 4K UHD TV has Roku TV built-in which allows you to stream thousands of movies and TV shows from the home screen of your TV. You can access Netflix, Hulu, Prime Video and even your gaming console without having to switch inputs on the TV. The Roku TV also features an enhanced remote that allows you to use your voice to find movie titles, change channels, and even switch inputs. 

This is an excellent price for a 4K 55-inch TV and only $30 more than the Black Friday price. We don't know how long Amazon will have the TCL Roku TV discounted, so you should take advantage of this deal before its gone.

If you're looking for a larger screen size with a slightly higher price tag, Amazon also has the TCL 65-Inch 4K Roku Smart TV on sale for $929.99. That's an excellent price for the screen size and features.

Shop more of best cheap TV deals and sale prices that are currently going on and read our review on the TCL 6-Series Roku TV.

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Hisense TV lineup 2019: the year of ULED television

What to make of Hisense? The Chinese manufacturer has long had a reputation for affordable TVs, speakers, and assorted home appliances – though its growth in the television space has shown there’s far more to the brand than simply budget tech.

With ultra-thin models, forays into 8K and projector-television hybrids (you heard me), Hisense is proving a force of innovation in a rapidly evolving market, one where manufacturers are having to compete with new form factors like Samsung’s modular screens or LG’s rollable OLEDs.

Add that to a host of superbly cheap televisions – like the well-reviewed Hisense A6200 – and you have a TV-maker competing on all fronts, with real value on premium picture technologies like UHD resolution and high dynamic range (HDR), even if you’re not necessarily seeing these features at their best.

To keep you up to date with Hisense’s latest sets, we’ve put together this guide to every 2019 Hisense TV coming this year. But if none of them catch your eye, don’t worry: we’ll be sure to update this list as more sets get announced in the coming months.

Hisense technically owns the Toshiba TV brand too – and has handled Sharp's license in the US, though Sharp is set to reclaim it before 2019 is out – though we’ll be focusing here on televisions flying the ‘Hisense’ flag.

Hisense 2019 TV technology

Hisense TV living room

Image Credit: Hisense

So what can you expect from Hisense? 

For all the bells and whistles listed here, Hisense is a budget brand. You may not be getting the same guarantee of hardware quality or snazzy design as with the likes of Panasonic or LG, but the features you do get are usually a decent cut below the competition.

Hisense’s main buzzword is ULED, or ‘ultra LED’. ULED TVs still have LCD-LED panels, but use a metallic quantum dot filter – like the kind found in Samsung’s QLED TVs – to enhance contrast and definition. Hisense also ensures its ULED sets throw in improved motion rates and local dimming (for precise brightness control), so you’re getting an all-round upgrade compared to the rest of its TV range.

Hisense is also the latest TV manufacturer to invest in OLED, the premium panel technology of the moment: after launching its first OLED TV in Australia last year, the Hisense O8B has now landed on UK and European shores.

There was chatter at this year’s CES 2019 expo about Hisense's new ULED XD display tech, which goes one better with a dual-layer panel (essentially a 4K color screen with an HD grayscale screen tucked behind it) to enhance local dimming and dynamic range – though we're yet to see any models announced with the new tech.

Hisense has also been carving out a laser TV range, which uses a triple-ray projector to get dazzling colors onto a TV screen, making use of the entire DCI-P3 color space. Do you need a TV and projector, rather than just the one? Maybe not. But for those who can afford it, the laser TV range offers something different.

In terms of smart TV platforms, Hisense uses a variety of UI – including the brilliant Roku TV – though it favors its own VIDAA platform for ULED-branded sets. Every ULED TV this year will feature version 3.0 of ViDAA, with full Alexa integration for voice commands, compatibility with Google Assistant devices, and automatic detection of other home devices like gaming console or 4K Blu-ray players connected through HDMI. Hisense also promises "boot time[s] nearly two times faster than Hisense 2018 models."

Hisense Sonic One (2019)

Hisense Sonic One TV

Image Credit: Hisense

Sometimes less is more. Hisense's Sonic One television is only 1.1 inches wide at its thickest point, without having to outsource its processing or speakers to an external system. That's thanks to a Piezoelectric speaker design that 'pumps sound from the panel' itself instead of through a traditional cone driver. No sizing or pricing yet announced, but expect it to cost a pretty penny.

Hisense TriChroma Laser TV

Hisense TriChroma Laser TV

Image Credit: Hisense

Is it a TV, a projector, or a hybrid of the two? Hisense’s TriChroma TV essentially projects with three colored lasers onto a blank TV screen, and covers the entire DCI-P3 color gamut. Expect some dazzling 4K HDR, though not either of the dynamic HDR10+ or Dolby Vision HDR formats, even for the very high price.

You can now nab the 100-inch model in the US for $9,995 (yup) on Amazon, with a built-in Harman Kardon audio system (there's a 120-inch model too). In the UK, it's an equivalent £10,999 at Richer Sounds, with JBL supplying the audio components instead.

Hisense OLED TV

Hisense O8B OLED TV

Image Credit: Hisense

Can Hisense compete with the big-name OLED sellers, like LG, Sony, or Panasonic?

We'll find out soon, as Hisense's first OLED TV has now made its way to UK and Europe. Previously retailing as the Series X in Australia, the H55O8BBUK should have the deep blacks and rich color gamut we've come to expect from OLED TVs, with Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision to boot.

Retailing at £1,599 (around $2,000 / AU$2,900), it's around the cost of last year's LG B8 OLED, and will be one of the cheapest ways to get an OLED panel in your home.

Hisense 2019 ULED TVs

Hisense U9F TV

Image Credit: Hisense

Hisense U9F Quantum Dot (2019): The Hisense 75U9F is a 75-inch Quantum Dot screen with Android TV, and over a thousand local dimming zones for keeping its 2,200 nits peak brightness in check. Specs-wise, that puts the U9F on par with Samsung's Q9FN QLED, which debuted in 2018 and became one of the best TVs of last year. 

The U9F launched in June, at a steep $3,499 (around £2,740, AU$4,999). Comes with Dolby Vision and built-in Google Assistant.

Hisense H9F TV

Image Credit: Hisense

Hisense H9F (available in 55 and 65-inch models): A more reasonably-priced version of the above, though only with 150 dimming zones and 1,000 nits peak brightness. The H9F is a 4K UHD set costing $699 (around £525 / AU$979) and $749 (around £656 / AU$1,049) respectively for the 55 and 65-inch models. Comes with Dolby Vision, too – but keep an eye out for our incoming review.

Hisense Roku TV R8

Image Credit: Hisense

Roku TV R8 (available in 55 and 65-inch models): Could Hisense beat the TCL 6 Series Roku TV? Roku is a superb smart TV platform, and the Roku TV R8 from Hisense is the first time it’s been coupled with Hisense’s ULED panel technology. Available in late 2019, costing $600 (around £526 / AU$840) or $750 (around £656 / AU$1,049) for the 55 and 65-inch models. See out our Hisense Roku R7 review to see the previous model.

Hisense H8F TV

Image Credit: Hisense

Hisense H8F (available in 50, 65-inch models): Same panel technology as above, but with a more standard Android TV platform instead. You do however get Alexa compatibility and Google Assistant integration from the off. Now available in 50 inches for $400 (around £350 / AU$560), and 65 inches for $750 (around £656 / AU$1,049) .

Hisense 2019 UHD / HD TVs

Hisense TV 2019

Hisense H65 UHD TV (available in 50, 75 inches): A step down from ULED, without the quantum dot panel, wide color gamut, or local dimming. You do, however, get basic HDR support (HDR10), and a 50-inch 4K UHD display for only $349 (around £307 / AU$490), or a 75-inch display for $1,199 (around £1,053 / AU$1,683). Launching in late 2019.

Hisense H5 HD TV (available in 32, 40 inches): For those wanting something on the small side, the ultra-cheap H5 launches this coming May in 32 or 40-inch models, at $169 (around £148 / AU$237) and $249 (around £219 / AU$349) respectively. You're only getting 1080p Full HD, but you won't be spending much on it either.

Everything you need to know about the new TV launches of 2019:

The Philips TV range 2019: everything you need to know from OLED+ to ‘The One’

Sony TV lineup 2019: every Sony Bravia and Master Series set coming this year

LG TV catalog 2019: here’s every LG TV model coming this year

Samsung TV catalog 2019: here’s every new Samsung TV coming in 2019

Panansonic TV lineup 2019: all the OLED and LCD televisions coming this year

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IBM’s Watson can show you the fastest, easiest way to travel in cities

Finding the best way to get around a busy city is no easy task. Unless you know the place like the back of your hand, choosing between cars, public transport, bike and even scooter shares can be a daunting prospect – but IBM's Watson might be able to help.

At MWC 2019, Seat and IBM announced Mobility Advisor, which uses Watson artificial intelligence (AI) to work out the best way to reach your destination – whether it's a train, ride-hailing service or an electric scooter.

The tool's suggestions will take into account traffic reports, weather forecasts, and any events happening in the city that day, so you won't get caught in the rain riding a hire bike, or reach a train station at the same time as a crowd of sports fans.

Mobility Advisor is currently in development, and is intended to run as a mobile app on 4G and 5G networks. Over time, it will learn your preferences and make personalized recommendations based on the way you like to travel.

Seat Minimó

Seat Minimó concept vehicle. Image credit: Seat

Seat also used MWC to unveil Minimó: a fully electric vehicle that's designed to help take the pressure off congested streets.

Minimó's design is part car, part motorcycle – keeping passengers under cover, but small and nimble enough to navigate crowded city centers.

Life in the smart lane

Mobility Advisor isn't Watson's first time Watson has hit the road: at CES 2019 in January, IBM demonstrated an autonomous shuttle with the AI 'super assistant' doing the driving.

The shuttle had level-four automation, with no steering wheel, brake pedal or accelerator. instead, guests were invited to try getting from A to B within a small test space using voice controls.

Passengers were also able to ask simple questions about the weather, but future versions of the system might allow time-pressed city-dwellers to pick Watson's brain for much more advanced queries and get some serious work done while the AI handles the navigation and maneuvering.

MWC (Mobile World Congress) is the world's largest showcase for the mobile industry, stuffed full of the newest phones, tablets, wearables and more. TechRadar is reporting live from Barcelona all week to bring you the very latest from the show floor. Head to our dedicated MWC 2019 hub to see all the new releases, along with TechRadar's world-class analysis and buying advice about your next phone.     

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Surface Pro 6 and Surface Laptop 2 deals see up to £200 discounts

Microsoft has slashed prices across its entire range of Surface Pro 6 and Surface Laptop 2 portables, with most of them – save for the entry-level machines – receiving a hefty £200 discount.

With the Surface Pro 6, the entry-level model has been reduced by £95 as the following deal highlights.

Every model above that entry-level hybrid is £200 off, so if you’re looking at keeping the same spec but doubling the SSD to 256GB, the price is dropped from £1,149 to £949.

That said, you are paying the best part of £200 more for an extra 128GB of storage compared to the basic model, and bear in mind you can always supplement your storage with a hefty microSD card, onto which you can whack the likes of media files and so forth.

Surface Laptop 2

The entry-level Surface Laptop 2 has also seen a hefty discount applied to the tune of £180.

Furthermore, just as with the Surface Pro 6, all the variants above this basic model of the Surface Laptop 2 have been knocked down by £200.

These are some compelling bargains, then, although note that in the case of the Surface Pro 6, you’re only getting the tablet itself here, so you’ll have to purchase the Type Cover keyboard separately (or wait for a bundle deal which roll around from time to time – there was a particularly good one last Black Friday, for example).

Via Expert Reviews

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Watch Game of Thrones online: how to stream season 8 or catch up from anywhere

After a long, cold two year wait, Game of Thrones is finally back. With season 8 dropping this week we're now struggling to hold in our excitement. Spoilers, trailers and theories are all culminating to give us a hint of what to see and we're here to tell you how to watch Game of Thrones online.

If you're here to pre-plan how to watch season 8 of Game of Thrones then we applaud your tenacity when it comes to the land of Westeros. On the other hand if you're here to see how to watch old episodes, well...you really don't have long left. 

With six new episodes and a total of almost seven hours of viewing to be consumed, the 8th and final season is one not to miss. Rumours are now suggesting the biggest battle in the history of TV and film, so you just know this is going to be big.

So with the show airing this weekend, this is the place to be for all your how to watch Game of Thrones online know-how. We've tracked down the locations to watch the old episodes and new, no matter where you live - you can find them all down bellow. 

Game of Thrones Season 8 trailer - prepare for what is to come

The staff behind Game of Thrones are notorious for not letting spoilers leak - so instead we must gain all of our hints from trailers. The plus side is that when it comes to promotional content, they are not holding back. A few trailers on and we know a fair bit about what to expect.

Arriving on April 14, scroll down to see how to watch Game of Thrones online in your country or watch the trailer above to get yourself excited for whats to come. 

Watch Game of Thrones online: stream from outside your country

Want to watch Game of Thrones online in the US, UK, Canada, Australia or New Zealand? We've found all of your best options and listed them below.

But, if you find yourself in the unfortunate circumstances where you've booked a holiday over the release of Game of Thrones, then things get a bit more difficult. For those unlucky fans, all hope isn't lost yet. You will find that watching Game of Thrones won't be an option thanks to geo-blocking. This means that broadcasters do tend to try and stop you from watching in other countries, putting up some virtual roadblocks.

But, thanks to a little bit of working around, there is still a way to catch all the episodes while you're away. By using a VPN, you will still be able to catch up on the show by changing your IP address to a location back where you live, allowing you to watch it all (assuming that doesn't breach any TS&Cs, of course).

watch game of thrones online

Watch Game of Thrones online in the USA

Rather go for something with a little less commitment? You can also watch GoT on these streaming services:

- Google Play - $2.99 an episode / $19.99 per season
- iTunes - £19.99 per season
- Amazon Prime - $3.99 per episode / $19.99 per season

Watch Game of Thrones online in Canada

Planning on buying not streaming? Canadian fans can buy episodes from either iTunes or go through Google Play

Watch Game of Thrones online in the UK

Don't want to commit to a subscription with Sky or NowTV? You can also download all of the episodes on Amazon Prime, Google Play and iTunes.

got watch online

Watch Game of Thrones online in Australia

If streaming sounds a bit too much for you then maybe consider buying the episodes instead? You can also watch the show on Google Play and through iTunes 

Watch Game of Thrones online in New Zealand

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GoPro takes wraps off limited-edition ‘Dusk White’ Hero7 Black

Love the idea of GoPro's Hero7 Black but not so keen on how it looks? Well, as of March 3 you'll have the choice of grabbing the company's flagship action camera in a limited-edition fresh Dusk White finish.

The Hero7 Black is currently one of the best action cameras you can buy, with superb HyperSmooth stabilization and TimeWarp recording features heading an impressive set of specs.

Up until now though it's only been available in its trademark Black finish, with the Hero7 Silver and White options being essentially cut-down versions positioned at lower price points.

Now, you can get the all the goodness of the Black option in a pearly white casing, which appears to be just as waterproof and rugged as the Black version.

The Hero7 Black was released last year, alongside Hero7 Silver and Hero7 White versions. Image Credit: TechRadar

The new model retains the same dual-screen setup as the Hero7 Black, with a 2-inch touchscreen dominating the back and a small status LCD on the front. It's capable of 4K60p recording and 30fps burst shooting from its 12MP sensor, and the feature set is rounded out with Live Streaming, Voice Control and 240p capture in Full HD for 8x slow-motion playback.

The revamped model will be joined by a special-edition neon yellow sleeve and lanyard, created in partnership with MotoGP racing driver Valentino Rossi. The sleeve is finished with Rossi's race number (46), but if yellow isn't quite your hue you can opt for one of the existing blue, white, red, black and pink options. 

GoPro hasn't clarified exactly how limited the Dusk White edition will be, but it's set to go on sale on March 3 at the same $399.99 RRP as the original model. The sleeve and lanyard, meanwhile, will be priced at $19.99 in the US. We'll update this page with UK and Australian pricing once we have it.

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Best camera 2019: 10 of the best cameras you can buy right now

What's the best camera you can buy right now? Okay, we admit it – it's an impossible question to answer, but we'll do our best to make sure you end up buying the right camera for you. 

You see, the best camera for a pro photographer is a million miles away from the best camera for an adventure sports nut. Likewise, a novice shooter just making their first steps in photography doesn't need all the most up-to-date tech that a pro might, more an easy-to-use camera that will help them to grow in confidence.

But if you just want to know what we think are the top ten cameras that are available right now – regardless of user level or price point – keep on reading.

What we've done is pick out what we think are the standout cameras in their fields, so you'll find everything here from cheap and cheerful compact cameras to advanced full-frame DSLRs. 

This means that while some have some mouthwatering features and performance, others make the grade because they're amazing value for what they offer or because they are just brilliant at the job they've been designed for.

Regardless of their target audience, we've put each one and their rivals to the test to be sure they're the best options right now – and you can read our full reviews on each model through the link after each description. 

Along the way we'll explain some of the jargon and the differences between cameras, though if you need a bit more help deciding what kind of camera you need, you can get a lot more information from our special step-by-step guide: What camera should I buy?

On the other hand, you may already have a clear idea of the kind of camera you want, in which case you could go straight to one of our more specific camera buying guides at the bottom of the page. Otherwise, read on to find out our picks of the best cameras available right now.

Best cameras in 2019

Best camera: Nikon Z6

Our top mirrorless camera until recently was the brilliant Alpha A7 III from Sony, but the arrival of Nikon's new Z6 means it now just misses out, though it's very close. Nikon has been late to the full-frame mirrorless party, but the wait's been worth it. Launching alongside the 45.7MP Z7, the Z6 is hard to beat for the price and offers a stunning blend of features and performance that makes its a brilliant choice for the enthusiast photographer or pro looking for a second body. The 24.5MP full-frame sensor is excellent, while the 273-point AF system (while not quite as sophisticated as the 693-point AF in the A7 III) and 12fps burst shooting should mean you'll never miss another shot. Handling is polished too, while the large and bright electronic viewfinder is a joy to use. Excellent.

Fujifilm has made a habit of squishing the best bits from its senior X-series models into cheaper offerings once some time has passed, and the X-T30 is the latest such model. With so much from the pricier X-T3 inside a more compact body – including the same sensor and processing engine, and largely the same AF system and video capabilities – you really can't argue with what you're getting for the money. No other mirrorless camera at this level can touch it right now, and while the more senior X-T3 holds a number of advantages, the X-T30's small size, feature set and price point makes it that little bit stronger overall.

Best camera: Nikon D850

It may be expensive, but if you're looking for the best DSLR money can buy right now, then Nikon's fabulous D850 DSLR pretty much ticks every box. Packing in a brilliant 45.4MP full-frame sensor, image quality is simply stunning. But that's just half the story. Thanks to a sophisticated 153-point AF system and 9fps burst shooting speed, the D850 is and incredibly versatile piece of kit, just a home shooting action and wildlife as it is landscapes and portraits. The arrival of the Z6 and Z7 might overshadow the D850, but this is still a brilliant camera. 

Best camera: Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark III

While the main specification of the OM-D E-M10 Mark III doesn't offer a huge upgrade from the Mark II, Olympus has refined and tweaked one of our favorite mirrorless cameras to make it an even more tempting proposition for new users and enthusiasts alike. Some will criticise the smaller Micro Four Thirds sensor format (roughly half the area of APS-C) but the effect on image quality is minor and it means that the lenses are as compact and lightweight as the camera itself. Sporting a 5-axis image stabilization system, decent electronic viewfinder, an impressive 8.6fps burst shooting speed and 4K video, it's no toy – the E-M10 Mark III is a properly powerful camera. If you can wait a little be longer, then Fujifilm's X-T30 looks like it might be the camera to dislodge the E-M10 Mark III. However, we won't know until we've fully tested it. 

Best camera: Canon EOS Rebel SL2 / EOS 200D

Canon recently updated the EOS Rebel SL2, also known as the EOS 200D, with the EOS Rebel SL3 / EOS 250D, but we're sticking with the former for now. While the newer model does add a few extra niceties – 4K video recording and a new processor, for example – the bones are pretty much the same, so you may as well go for the older model and put the cash you save towards a nice lens. The EOS Rebel SL2 offers everything the first-time user needs to get started, such as a great 24.2MP sensor, a fluid AF system when shooting live view and videos, and an easy-to-understand interface. It also works with an endless assortment of lenses and accessories and that touchscreen is a joy to use too. 

Best camera: Sony A7 III

We love the A7 III. The original A7 and A7 II showed Sony was moving in the right direction and making all the right noises, but it's this third iteration that has particularly stood out in the mid-range mirrorless market. The core of the camera – namely a 24MP full-frame sensor, 4K video, sensor-based image stabilisation, 10fps burst shooting and a 693-point hybrid AF system – is strong enough, but with two card slots and a 710-shot battery life on top of that, you're getting excellent value for money as well as top performance. We have some reservations with the viewfinder and weather-sealing, but this is still one of the most versatile cameras around right now, mirrorless or otherwise.

Best camera: Panasonic Lumix ZS200 / TZ200

The Panasonic Lumix ZS200 (known as the Lumix TZ200 outside the US) is the best travel zoom camera right now. This is thanks in part to the camera using a large 1.0-inch sized sensor that enables the pixels to be about 2.4x bigger than they are in models like the Lumix ZS70 / TZ90, and this helps the ZS200 produce much higher quality images. The zoom isn't quite as broad as some though, but the 15x zoom should be more than enough for most shooting situations, while there's a built-in electronic viewfinder that makes it easier to compose images in sunny conditions. Add 4K video recording, along with Panasonic's 4K Photo mode to help capture 8MP images of fleeting moments, and you've got a very capable travel companion. If you're looking for even more performance – and you have deeper pockets – check out Sony's brilliant Cyber-shot RX100 VI.

Best camera: Panasonic Lumix GH5S

While it can shoot stills quite happily (although at a pretty limited 10.2MP resolution), the Lumix GH5S should be seen first and foremost as a video camera – if you want to do both you've got the Lumix GH5 to fill that brief, thanks to it's 20.3MP sensor and built-in image stabilization system. The GH5S's breadth of video features is incredibly impressive, including the ability to shoot cinematic 4K footage at up to 60fps. If you want to shoot professional-quality footage without remortgaging your house to buy a pro video camera, you won't find a better video-focused camera right now. 

Best camera: Olympus Tough TG-5

The Tough TG-5 from Olympus is built to survive pretty much anything you could throw at it, literally. Waterproof down to depths of 15m, don't mistake it for being merely an underwater camera; being waterproof is also useful for hikers, bikers, kayakers, and skiers. In fact, any outdoor pursuit is game for the TG-5, which is crushproof to 100kg and drop-proof from 2.1m. It can even be used in temperatures as low as -10°C. Add in raw file support and this makes image quality that bit better than its predecessor, while it can shoot 4K video at 30p or high speed footage at 120p in Full HD. The company has recently updated its line with a TG-6 successor, although the specs seem very similar and we've not had the chance to give it a full workout yet – so we're sticking with the TG-5 for now.

The RX10 III is the third bridge-style superzoom in the popular RX10 line, and while it's had some of its sheen rubbed off by the newer RX10 IV, we reckon the great spec sheet and lower price of the RX10 III makes more sense. Thanks to its large, high-quality 1-inch sensor and image-stabilized 24-600mm-equivalent zoom lens, it's one of the best DSLR alternatives for those that need a massive focal range, although excellent 4K video capabilities and 14fps burst shooting show it to be more than capable when faced with moving subjects too. Too expensive? The previous RX10 II is still available (although its lens has a more modest 24-200mm scope), and Panasonic's competitively priced FZ1000 is another stellar option.  

Our main reservation with the Sony RX100 IV when it first launched was its high price, but now that some time has passed it's dropped down to a much more sensible level. And while it's still far from the cheapest compact around, you get bags for the money. No other manufacturer can match the camera for its combination of a 1in sensor, 4K video recording, excellent pop-up EVF and 16fps burst mode, while the further pleasures of a tilting LCD screen, wireless connectivity and the option to shoot at up 960fps for slow-motion output on top of all that to make it even more fun to shoot with. If you can live without the 4K video option and you're happy with 10fps burst shooting, you may also want to check out the slightly cheaper RX100 III. 

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BT hires 1,600 apprentices ahead of EE 5G launch

BT is recruiting more than 1,600 apprentices and graduates as it rolls out its ultrafast broadband and 5G networks.

The roles will be created in multiple parts of BT’s business, including engineering, customer service, TV production and cybersecurity.

The company is “steadfast” in its belief in apprenticeships, arguing they ensure its workforce is skilled and prepared for future developments. To this end, one in five of the roles will be based at BT’s R&D Labs at Adastral Park in Suffolk.

BT apprentices

Combined with the recent expansion of Openreach’s own recruitment drive for 3,000 apprentice engineers, the BT Group has more than 6,000 learners.

“We’re proud to be a leading employer of apprentices and graduates in the UK, investing in training thousands of people to give them the digital skills they’ll need to prosper,” said Alison Wilcox, HR director at the BT Group.

“Through our apprenticeship and graduate programmes, we are able to attract people from all walks of life, allowing us to bring in new perspectives and develop a highly skilled, committed workforce. I look forward to welcoming the new recruits who are joining BT at such an exciting time.”

Openreach is currently rolling out ultrafast broadband across the UK using a combination of G,Fast, which speeds up copper connections, and fibre to the premise (FTTP). The aim is to reach 10 million homes and businesses by the mid-2020s.

Meanwhile, EE is planning to launch 5G later this year. The new network will be available in the busiest parts of 16 cities with upgrades taking place at 1,500 sites.

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These new SIM only deals from iD are the best around for low data points

Recently, we've been absolutely inundated with big data SIM only deals. Between Three's unbeatable unlimited data option, Smarty's commitment-free AYCE offer or Vodafone's massive 100GB tariff - we've been spoilt for choice (find out more from our news story). The one thing we haven't really had is a brilliant, cheap SIMO offer...until now. 

iD Mobile - Carphone Warehouse's very own network - has released a set of SIM only deals at an incredibly affordable price. iD has added 50% of extra data on each of its SIM plans, elevating its already favourable pricing to a position of market-leading excellence.

Our standout pick from these offerings is a 4.5GB of data SIMO for just £8 per month. No other network or retailer can beat that price for a data limit that will suit the large majority of smartphone users in the UK.

You can see all of the best picks from iD below or, if you're having second thoughts and feel like you would rather go for all out on a SIMO, then take a look at our unlimited SIM only deals page.

The standout iD SIM only deal

iD SIM only deals: the best of the rest

4.5GB not sound like quite enough data for you? Do your podcast downloading habits and Google Map navigating surpass that amount? Well iD's 50% extra offer extends to higher data points, too. You may find that one of these three tariffs is a better fit for you:

iD | 12 month contract | 7.5GB data | 500 minutes | Unlimited texts | £10pm

iD | 12 month contract | 9GB data | Unlimited minutes and texts | £12.50pm

iD | 12 month contract | 12GB data | Unlimited minutes and texts | £15pm

What is iD Mobile?

iD Mobile is a sub-section of Carphone Warehouse so you can rest assured that it is a trustworthy source for your new phone deal. It piggybacks off the Three network's coverage, so pretty good for most parts of the UK. And you can use roaming in 50 destinations around the world.

  • You can check out the competition by heading to our dedicated SIM only deals guide
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