The Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus has been centre stage of the phone theatre for almost a month now and with its release came good news and bad news. The good news, we've already instilled it as our number one best smartphone in the world; the bad news, it's also one of the most expensive.
But before you sell off your car, kids or pets to get this new device, we have a solution to get it slightly cheaper - a TechRadar exclusive to make it that bit more affordable.
Pairing up with phone retailer Affordable Mobiles, you can knock an extra £30 off certain EE, 50GB data S10 Plus deals by using our code TR50. We've listed the best of these price cut deals down below so you can find the option that works best for you.
Samsung's latest and greatest, the S10 Plus is about as good as phones come right now - it's gone straight to the top of our best smartphone charts. The S10 Plus has a beautiful infinity-O display, in-screen fingerprint scanner, strong battery life and a powerful processor. But obviously with all of these features comes a big price, which is where these discount codes come into play.
Or if you still can't quite bring yourself to pay the prices of an S10 Plus, then Samsung Galaxy S10e deals could be a great alternative. Rocking many of the same features at a lower price, the S10e might be better for those on a budget.
Not convinced by this Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus offer? Check out our mobile phone deals page for all of best tariffs on every device.
If you regularly use music production software, you may have used traditional a MIDI controller like a MIDI keyboard. In short, this is a keyboard that connects to your laptop or computer, and when played, triggers sounds in your music production software (DAW) of choice.
To use a MIDI keyboard, you ideally need to have a basic knowledge of playing the piano – but what if you don’t? What if you prefer to sing your musical ideas out loud?
That’s where the Dubler Studio Kit comes in. Created by music technology startup Vochlea Music, the Dubler Studio Kit uses a mixture of AI-powered voice recognition software to turn your voice into a MIDI controller, allowing you to sing, beatbox, or talk into the microphone and hear your voice transformed into a synth or drum kit in real time.
The kit has just been launched as a Kickstarter project, and surpassed its £40,000 (around $52,000/AU$74,000) goal in less than an hour.
London based MC and producer Novelist tries out the Dubler Studio Kit. Image credit: Vochlea Music
How does it work?
The Dubler Studio Kit comprises two parts: the Dubler software, which is a “virtual MIDI instrument for Mac and PC that’s compatible with any DAW”, and the Dubler USB microphone, which has been custom-tuned to work with the software.
It uses AI voice recognition technology to pick up your voice and turn it into a MIDI controller, which in turn, can be used to trigger electronic sounds via a DAW like Logic Pro or Ableton.
Like any artificial intelligence software, it needs to be trained. Vochlea Music says that training the kit to recognize the inflections and tone of your voice takes “less than 60 seconds”, which means you can start creating music almost straight away.
Once you’ve trained the software and selected a MIDI instrument in your DAW, you can sing into the microphone and your voice will become the controller of your instrument of choice.
A new way of making music
Aside from potentially making music production more accessible to those who can’t use keyboards, the Dubler Studio Kit presents a new way of making music.
For example, you could beatbox a drum loop, which also adds an interesting performative element to live music production and sampling.
The same could be said for singing synth chords and melodies – as well as potentially creating an intriguing live performance, including the unique nuances and inflections of your voice adds a personal touch to MIDI instruments that are widely available and used by many different musicians.
It’s not all about chords and melodies however; Vochlea Music says that “using all the timbral qualities of the voice, Dubler Studio Kit allows musicians to trigger samples, control synths, manipulate filters and effects, track pitch, pitch-bend and control envelopes, velocity and MIDI mapping values simultaneously, based on the way [the musician] makes their uniques sounds.”
The Dubler Studio kit is also designed to let musicians have a bit of fun with the music-making process. In a press release, Vochlea Music’s CEO George Wright claims that the kit “unlocks musical expression, fuels creativity, and is generally a lot of fun”, and that it “speeds up the traditional music creation workflow”.
Image credit: Vochlea Music
What about amateur musicians?
While you may need a little musical background to use the Dubler Studio Kit (and perhaps the ability to hold a tune), you won’t need to be a keyboard virtuoso to create synth melodies, chord progressions and sonic effects.
The creation of a voice-enabled MIDI controller could be interpreted as part of a wider trend for accessible music creation technology, that democratizes the production process right from the point of building instruments to doing live performances.
Another good example of this democratization is the LittleBits Synth Kit. Aimed at both professional musicians and complete amateurs, this modular synthesizer allows kids and adults to “explore the science of sound, make sweet beats, and create instruments".
Once the domain of tech wizards, building synthesizers is now something anyone can do with the right kit.
LittleBits is a company well known for its STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and maths) products that encourage kids (and adults) to play while they learn – and it’s not the only one.
The Sphero Specdrums
Image credit: TechRadar
More recently, Sphero (creator of the BB8 Star Wars bot and the Bolt educational toy), released Specdrums, a pair of app-enabled rings that allow you to create music by tapping your fingertips on different colored surfaces.
Although Specdrums is primarily aimed at children, there’s no reason why professional and amateur musicians couldn’t use the rings to trigger their own pre-recorded samples and loops, making beat-making and music sampling easier than ever before.
Of course, these things cost money, and require a little time and patience to master. Perhaps the most democratizing aspect of accessible music making is the proliferation of music creation apps.
Apps like Groovebox, Auxy Studios, and GarageBand are working to demystify the music making process, creating an accessible (and usually inexpensive) entry point for anyone with a mobile device.
While the Dubler Studio Kit could well be the next big thing in the world of accessible music creation software/hardware, we will have to wait a little while before we find out. Vochlea Music says that Kickstarter backers will receive “fulfillment priority” when the first kits are delivered in mid-2019 – until then, you’d best start refining your vocal technique.
Russian authorities have ordered internet providers in the country to enforce a block against the encrypted email provider ProtonMail.
The state Federal Security Service, which was once the KGB, ordered the block after accusing the company and several other email providers of facilitating bomb threats after several anonymous bomb threats were sent to police in late January.
Overall, 26 different internet addresses were blocked by Russian authorities including several servers used to connect to the Tor network.
The country's internet providers were ordered to immediately implement the block through the use of a technique known as BG blackholing which tells a router to discard internet traffic instead of routing it to its destination.
ProtonMail block
While ProtonMail users in Russia are no longer able to send or receive email, the company's site still loads because two of its servers listed in the government's order were for its back-end mail delivery system while its front-end website runs on a different system.
ProtonMail's chief executive Andy Yen explained how the block works in an email to TechCrunch, saying:
“ProtonMail is not blocked in the normal way, it’s actually a bit more subtle. They are blocking access to ProtonMail mail servers. So Mail.ru — and most other Russian mail servers — for example, is no longer able to deliver email to ProtonMail, but a Russian user has no problem getting to their inbox.”
According to Yen, the block coincides with citizen protests against the Russian government's plans to restrict how information online flows in and out of the country through an internet kill switch. The Kremlin however has defended its plan which it claims is to protect the country's infrastructure in the event of a cyberattack.
Samsung has announced that its new range of QLED TVs will be available to preorder from March 13, and will go on general sale from March 27.
Samsung says the new TVs boast "pixel perfect contrast and captivating color in all conditions", and that they feature AI upscaling which upgrades HD content to the TV's native resolution, as previously seen in Samsung's 8K sets.
Every model in the new 2019 QLED range from Samsung features its 'Ultra Viewing Angle' technology, which manipulates the backlight for improved contrast and color accuracy even at tighter angles.
Not only is this necessity given the general trend for ever-growing screen sizes, but Samsung's own monstrously-sized 98-inch Q950 8K TV will likely rely on this to give a crips image, no matter your viewing angle.
Smart features
Although pricing is yet to be confirmed, we can assume the Q950 will be more expensive than Samsung's 85-inch 8K Q900R, which came out earlier in 2019 and costs $14,999 (roughly £11,600 / AU$21,000.)
The new models also come with HDR10+, while all but the entry level QLED models will be making use of Direct Full Array tech, allowing for greater control over contrast levels.
A dedicated iTunes app is also coming to Samsung’s 2019 smart screens too, along with AirPlay 2 support. As well as that, an updated version of Samsung’s Bixby AI assistant will sit alongside Google Assistant and Alexa voice controls, letting you give vocal commands to your screen.
Aside from the Q950, Samsung is also releasing the Q90, Q85, Q80, and Q60 models, which range from 43-inches to an enormous 82-inches in size.
Like the Q950, pricing for these models are still to be confirmed by Samsung, but should be released on March 13.
Apple releases its upgrade to the 9.7-inch iPad around March each year, so we’re expecting the iPad (2019), successor to the iPad (2017) and iPad (2018), very soon.
While we’ve heard plenty about the upcoming iPhone 11, we haven’t heard anywhere near as many leaks and rumors about what to expect from the iPad (2019), despite it likely landing soon – but that doesn’t mean we’re clueless as to what the device will bring.
We expect to hear some official information soon, but in the meantime we’ve collected all the convincing leaks and rumors about the slate, as well as taking an educated guess about it based on previous Apple tablets. You’ll find all of that below, along with a wish list of what we want from the iPad 9.7 (2019).
Cut to the chase
What is it? The iPad (2019) is Apple’s next entry-level tablet
When is it out? It will possibly launch by the end of March 2019
What will it cost? Probably the same as the iPad (2018), which retails for $329 (£319, AU$469)
iPad (2019) price and release date
We’ve heard reports that Apple is planning to refresh the entry-level iPad range in “early 2019” alongside the iPad Mini 5, and the last two in the series were both released in March of the previous two years, so we’re hoping to see the iPad (2019) launched before the end of March 2019.
The entry-level iPad range doesn’t vary much in price, with both the 2017 and 2018 iPads launching for $329 / £319 / AU$469. We don’t expect the iPad (2019) to cost much more than this. In fact, it will probably cost exactly that, judging by Apple’s track record in keeping the prices at the same level.
Image credit: TechRadar
iPad (2019) leaks, rumors and news
According to one of the few leaks we’ve seen, the iPad (2019) may retain a pair of beloved features of the iPad (2018): a 3.5mm headphone jack and Touch ID, two things Apple cut from the iPad Pro 11 and iPhone XS range. The iPad (2018) didn’t look a whole lot different from the iPad (2017) either, so Apple is clearly reluctant to change a tried-and-true design.
While this would mean it may not have as much cutting-edge tech as Apple’s phones or the latest iPad Pro, that makes sense since the basic iPads are entry-level devices, with a lower price tag.
The same leak does note that the screen might grow to 10 inches or even 10.2 inches, though it also lists the traditional 9.7-inch dimension as a possibility too, so we’re not sure what to expect on that front.
So far that’s the only leak we’ve seen for the iPad (2019), although with its potentially imminent release, we’re hoping to see a few more leaks soon. We’ll keep this page updated with all the latest leaks, rumors and news as it emerges.
Image credit: TechRadar
What we'd like to see
While the entry-level iPad range doesn’t change a whole lot between iterations, there are always features we’d like to see added and improved in the iPad (2019), such as the following things.
1. A better variety of colors
We’re used to seeing phones and tablets in a range of boring colors, but with the iPhone XR’s selection of funky shades, Apple proved that its lower-end products could also have bright designs.
Offering the iPad (2019) in a range of colors wouldn’t exactly revolutionize the tablet world, but it would be a great way to add a little fun to the device’s design – red and blue iPads would look far more interesting than black and silver.
Image credit: TechRadar
2. An improved camera setup
If you want a device for photography you’re probably going to buy a phone, like the iPhone XS with its 12MP dual-lens loadout. But a camera on a tablet still has a range of uses, including video chat and document scanning, so we’d like to see a better snapper on the iPad (2019).
The 2017 and 2018 basic iPads both have 8MP rear and 1.2MP front-facing cameras, but we found we use the selfie cams a lot more than the main sensor, so this is the camera we’d hope to see improved – perhaps Apple could upgrade it so it’s in line with the rear snapper, or swap the two around.
A better front camera would also be useful if Apple decided to bring Face ID to the iPad (2019), although we're not expecting that.
3. Support for newer Apple Pencil 2
One of the biggest improvements the iPad (2018) saw over the 2017 model was support for the Apple Pencil, a tool that made art and note-taking easy – two of the things we do most on tablets. But the newer Apple Pencil 2 is only compatible with new iPad Pros like the iPad Pro 12.9 (2018).
The Apple Pencil 2 brings with it a range of improvements over the original, such as magnetic locking to the side of the device and gesture controls to easily change the function, and we want to be able to use it with the iPad (2019).
The audience for the Apple Pencil 2 on the iPad (2019) could be slightly limited, given the Pencil’s $129 / £119 / AU$199 price point is more than a third of what we’re expecting the tablet will cost, but it’s a valuable tool for people who use their iPad for art.
Image credit: TechRadar
4. Improved speakers
While the stereo speakers on the entry-level iPads are perfectly acceptable, they aren’t fantastic, with a limited maximum volume and perhaps a little less bass than we’d like.
If Apple upgraded the speakers then the iPad (2019) could be an amazing multimedia device, ideal for use as a portable cinema, gaming console or music player without headphones, as well as being more useful as a music editing suite.
5. Higher screen quality
The iPad (2017) and iPad (2018) have LCD displays that are perfectly acceptable for all the tasks you’d need them for. But with the iPhone XR’s superior Liquid Retina LCD tech Apple has shown it can create beautiful screens at a low cost, and we’d like to see the iPad (2019) make the step up too. A move to AMOLED would be even better, but likely too costly.
In any case, an improved display will make the iPad (2019) better for a range of functions, from watching movies and playing games to art and design – and we’d be disappointed if Apple stuck with the same basic LCD display for three years in a row.
The number of phishing attacks that took place in 2018 more than doubled from the previous year, new research has revealed.
The latest Spam and phishing in 2018 report from Kaspersky Lab claims that the company's anti-phishing system prevented over 482m attempts to visit fraudulent pages last year, highlighting a significant surge in their use and popularity by cybercriminals.
Phishing is one of the most flexible types of 'social engineering' attack since it can be disguised in many ways and used for a number of different purposes. To create a phishing page, all one has to do is create a replica of a popular or trusted site and trick users into entering their personal information.
The consequences of such an attack can range from a loss of money all the way to the compromise of an entire corporate network. Phishing attacks that use malicious links or attachments are often used as an initial infection vector for targeted attacks on organizations.
Rise of phishing
The rapid growth of phishing attacks in 2018 is part of a long running trend with both 2017 and 2016 experiencing increases of 15 percent on the previous year though last year's figures mark a new peak.
The financial sector was hit especially hard and over 44 percent of all phishing attacks detected by Kaspersky Lab were aimed at banks, payment systems and online shops.
The country with the most users attacked by phishing is still Brazil with 28 percent of all attacked users. Portugal on the other hand moved from seventh place a year ago to second last year with 23 percent of users while Australia moved from second to third with 21 percent of those affected.
Security researcher at Kaspersky Lab, Tatyana Scherbakova explained how cybercriminals leveraged special events taking place around the world to launch attacks on users, saying:
“The rise in the number of phishing attacks could be influenced by the increased efficiency of social engineering methods used for enticing users to visit fraudulent pages. 2018 was marked by the active exploitation of new schemes and tricks, such as scam-notifications, along with the perfection of old ones, for instance the traditional scams around Black Friday or national holidays. All in all, scammers are becoming better at taking advantage of important occasions happening around the world, like the FIFA world football championship.”
We've also highlighted the best antivirus to help protect your systems from the latest cyber threats
The Samsung Galaxy S10 and iPhone XS ranges include cutting-edge devices, but these phones also come at monumental prices, which is why Samsung and Apple have released 'budget' alternatives in the form of the Galaxy S10e and iPhone XR.
While they're slight downgrades from the other devices in their respective ranges, they're still great phones – but with many differences to each other, so which is best for you?
We've pitted this two lightweight flagships head to head to to run you through all the key similarities and differences and ultimately give you the answer you need.
The Samsung Galaxy S10e and iPhone XR prices are likely why most people will be considering either device, as both have the best parts of their larger siblings, but with a price tag that isn't (quite) as high.
The Samsung Galaxy S10e costs $749 / £669 / AU$1,199, which will get you 6GB of RAM and 128GB of internal memory. It only comes in one size currently, so you won’t have any dilemma in choosing which size to go for.
The iPhone XR meanwhile starts at $749 / £749 / AU$1,229 – so it’s the the same price as the Galaxy S10e in the US, but more expensive in other regions. This price tag will get you only 3GB of RAM and 64GB of memory, so its specs are down from the Galaxy S10e.
If you want that extra internal memory you’re in luck as there are larger sizes available. You can get a 128GB or 256GB version of the iPhone XR for $799 / £799 / AU$1,299 or $899 / £899 / AU$1,479 respectively.
Galaxy S10e vs iPhone XR: design and display
Neither the Samsung Galaxy S10e nor the iPhone XR look a whole lot different from other phones in their ranges, but there are still some interesting features on both.
The Samsung Galaxy S10e distinguishes itself from its siblings with its size – at 142.2 x 69.9 x 7.9mm, and with a 5.8-inch display, it’s a petite device in comparison. The iPhone XR is a little bit bigger, at 150.9 x 75.7 x 8.3mm and boasting a 6.1-inch display.
It’s worth pointing out that while the Galaxy S10e is a smaller variation of the Samsung Galaxy S10, the iPhone XR is in fact bigger than the iPhone XS. In that sense the XR feels a lot more like a 'flagship' device instead of an affordable variant, while the Galaxy S10e is recognizably smaller and cheaper.
Regarding the display, the Samsung Galaxy S10e has a 1080 x 2280 AMOLED display with very little bezel and no notch. Instead, there’s a punch-hole cut into the screen for the front-facing camera.
The iPhone XR on the other hand uses an 828 x 1792 LCD display with a large notch housing the front-facing camera. So the Galaxy S10e has a higher resolution screen and an arguably more modern design.
But style is subjective and in our iPhone XR review we generally praised its screen, so we’d recommend testing both out before you decide on which you prefer.
One important distinction between the two is the ports – while the Galaxy S10e has a USB-C connector and a 3.5mm headphone jack, the iPhone XR only has a Lightning port, so you’ll need to buy an adapter to connect your headphones if they’re wired.
Elsewhere, the two phones are similar, with glass backs, metal frames and potentially colorful finishes.
Samsung Galaxy S10e vs iPhone XR: cameras
The Samsung Galaxy S10e has two rear cameras – a 12MP main sensor with a variable aperture, and a 16MP super-wide f/2.2 camera, whereas the iPhone XR has a single 12MP f/1.8 wide-angle snapper.
On the front the former has a 10MP f/1.9 camera whereas the latter has a 7MP f/2.2 TrueTone lens. For both it seems that the Galaxy S10e outranks the iPhone XR, but there’s more to photography than the lenses.
For example, the Galaxy S10 series comes with a range of ‘scene optimizers’, which uses AI to recognize a subject and automatically tweak the settings to perfectly match the picture you’re trying to take.
This means your cat won’t be lit in the same way as your sushi, and a wide scenic shot will have different contrast to a selfie in a dark bar. So responsibility for a great picture largely falls to the phone, not you.
The iPhone XR has a similar function, called Smart HDR. With this, the camera will take multiple pictures before and after you press the shutter, and the device will combine them all to create a great composite shot.
That also means if the lighting suddenly changes, or your selfie participant accidentally sneezes, you’ll be able to wind through the pictures taken and find the perfect one.
Samsung Galaxy S10e vs iPhone XR: battery
Battery would seem an easy thing to compare – the Samsung Galaxy S10e has a 3,100mAh battery and the iPhone XR has a 2,942mAh one, which is a small but potentially important difference.
In practice though, we’ve found that the iPhone XR will comfortably last a day of moderate use, as well as outlasting most other iPhone models. So its life is above average. Keep an eye out for our full Samsung Galaxy S10e review to see how that phone holds up.
Image credit: TechRadar
In any case, both devices have their own features to help you prolong their battery life, or recharge easily. The iPhone XR has Apple’s A12 Bionic chipset, which is optimized to carry out tasks while minimizing battery drain, while both phones support wireless charging, so you’ve got more ways to power them back up.
The S10e also supports reverse wireless charging, which lets you use the phone to charge other compatible devices, including iPhones, but it’s not the speediest way to juice up your gadgets.
Galaxy S10e vs iPhone XR: specs and features
The Samsung Galaxy S10e typically comes with 6GB of RAM and that’s paired with either a Snapdragon 855 or Exynos 9820 chipset, depending on where you are in the world. Both of those are top-end, octa-core chipsets. A model with 8GB of RAM has also been announced, but that’s not currently widely available.
The iPhone XR is similarly high-end though, as it uses Apple’s top-end A12 Bionic chipset. That’s paired with a smaller 3GB of RAM, but Apple’s flagships usually have less RAM than rivals and it never holds them back. In other words then, neither phone is lacking power.
Image credit: TechRadar
One of the biggest differences you’ll notice when using the Samsung Galaxy S10e or iPhone XR is the operating system – the Galaxy S10e runs Android 9 Pie, while the iPhone XR runs iOS 12.
You may have your preference on operating systems, but in practice there’s little functional difference between them – you can download and run most of the same apps, and the phone home screen looks similar.
The main differences are small features that one operating system has and the other doesn’t, like Screen Time on iOS 12, which tells you how much you’re using your phone - though even then Android has a similar feature dubbed Digital Wellbeing.
Samsung Galaxy S10e vs iPhone XR: verdict
There’s a lot to like about both the Samsung Galaxy S10e and the iPhone XR, especially when you consider the price and features of each compared to their costly siblings.
The iPhone XR is the larger device, both in terms of design and display, and its operating system iOS 12 has many passionate fans, so it may be the best phone for you if you’re looking for an affordable device that could disguise itself as a flagship.
On the other hand, the Samsung Galaxy S10e seems like a slightly more budget device, and wears this label with pride. It’s cheaper and smaller than the iPhone XR, but still comes with a more versatile camera array and a bigger battery.
Destiny 2 may have released two years ago, but Activision's online-multiplayer shooter is still going strong with regular updates breathing fresh life into the title.
But maybe you missed the hype train when it went hurtling through the station and don't quite know what all the fuss is about Destiny 2 (or even where to start)?
If that's the case then don't worry, we've created a one stop shop for all of your Destiny 2 questions and the latest Destiny 2 updates.
Make sure you take some time to check out our definitive Destiny 2 review to get an idea of whether or not this is the game for you. Convinced it is? Then you might be interested in our tips and tricks for getting started. Whether you're completely new to the Destiny universe or just need to brush up on all that jargon, this guide will ease you in.
Cut to the chase
What is it? The highly-anticipated follow up to MMO shooter Destiny
When it is out? Now
What can I play it on? PS4, Xbox One and PC
Destiny 2 developers: Bungie and High Moon Studios
Destiny 2 publisher: Activision Blizzard
Destiny 2 FAQ: quick questions answered
Is Destiny 2 free? No - however it was free on Battle.net during November, 2018 for a limited time. Currently Destiny 2 is priced at £6.40/$9.97 from Amazon.
Does Destiny 2 require a subscription? Not exactly. On PC, after paying the upfront charge for the game you can play via Activison's Battle.net client for free. However, if you are playing Destiny 2 on PS4 or Xbox One, then you will need a PS Plus or Xbox Live Gold subscription to take part in some online activities such as Raids.
How many expansions for Destiny 2 are there? There are currently three expansions for Destiny 2: Curse of Osiris, Warmind, and Forsaken.
What's new in Destiny 2
The most recent seasonal update for Destiny 2 is Season of the Drifter, which is live now.
Season of the Drifter is Destiny 2’s second Annual Pass season and sixth season overall - running from March to May 2019.
This content update adds a Gambit Prime (a new high-octane evolution of classic Gambit), The Reckoning ritual activity, Gambit private matches, Exotic quests, new story content, quests, lore and hidden pursuits, and new triumphs and medals.
Destiny 2 DLC
Expansion III: Forsaken
Destiny 2: Forsaken sees your Guardian setting out to avenge the death of a beloved character (no spoilers) and wreak revenge on the one who killed them. Along your way, you will face the new Scorn enemies (undead versions of the Fallen), new PvE and PvP locations/maps, new gears and weapons and a new raid.
If you're just jumping into Destiny 2 at this point then purchasing the Destiny 2: Forsaken Legendary Collection is probably a good shout, as it includes the Destiny 2 core game, as well as all the expansions to date.
Expansion II: Warmind
Destiny 2: Warmind continues your Guardian's journey with a new story based around Ana Bray, a Guardian long thought lost. Bray is searcing for a connection to her past, leading her to the glaciers of Mars .
"As Golden Age warsats begin slamming into the ice, the glaciers begin to thaw, revealing the core of the Warmind Rasputin – and an ancient Hive army bent on its destruction. Now free, the Hive swarm in service to their god Xol. Help Ana discover her past and destroy the Hive’s gargantuan worm-god before it is too late."
New features for Warmind include a new raid, weapons, armor, gear, ritual activity, relic weapon, strikes, and much more (including Mars as a destination).
Expansion I: The Curse Of Osiris
Destiny 2: The Curse of the Osiris expansion takes the player to the planet Mercury where they'll be tasked with getting Osiris' help to defeat a Vex plot and according to a listing they'll continue their "Guardian's journey with all-new story missions and adventures."
In the game players "journey through time and space to learn the secrets of Osiris, avert a dark future, and rebuild the ties between the legendary Warlock and his greatest student - Ikora Rey.“
This DLC also includes new story missions, themes weapons, armor and gear, new cooperative activities, new competitive multiplayer arenas and more.
Destiny 2 Alexa skill
Destiny 2 players can use the Ghost Skill to control their in-game guide and companion through their Amazon Alexa-enabled device.
For example, when playing the game it's possible to say "Alexa, ask Ghost to" and request anything from information on which of your friends are online, what you should pursue next in the game, or find out more about the in-game world. Conveniently, this takes away the need to click through menus for certain actions and has the potential to streamline gameplay.
Voiced by Nolan North the skill is available to download for free from the Alexa app now.
Like many industries, retail is rapidly evolving as it capitalises on the disruption digitalisation has brought to the market. Whether a new entrant that has rapidly scaled, an established enterprise adapting to the new order, or a local stalwart using digital technologies to expand internationally, there are significant growth opportunities to be had. This is reflected in the results from our Data Literacy Index, where 94 percent of respondents from commercial industries (retail and wholesale) were confident both their industry and business were going in the right direction.
That might seem at odds with the retail landscape at a local level, with the acceleration of store closures in malls and on high streets. But according to Deloitte’s Global Powers of Retailing 2019, international retail is on the up, with revenue increasing for 83 percent of the world’s 250 largest retailers.
There are a huge number of factors that contribute to retail performance, from national economic health to energy prices. Yet what’s interesting to see is that in that top 250, three of the top four fastest growing businesses were exclusively Chinese-founded e-commerce operations, while Amazon leapt up to fourth overall and Walmart occupied the top spot.
Better use of data accelerates success
Why is that interesting? Because they are all prime examples of proper use of data in retail. Amazon is seen by many as the leader when it comes to using data in retail – its algorithms, suggestions and ability to introduce new features before its customers even know they want them are all evidence of what might be considered an extremely data literate business. It’s similar for those fastest growing businesses too – as e-commerce organisations, data is at the heart of everything they do.
Where does Walmart fit in to this? Right at the beginning – Walmart was the trailblazer, right back in the 1980s when it came to understand how data would help it optimise its operations and perform more effectively. It’s little wonder that it is the world’s largest retail company – as the first shop to introduce data warehousing, it has been capturing every transaction across every store in the USA for years.
It’s apparent that most large retailers and wholesalers have woken up to the value of data – 95 percent of them say data is important to their business, with 89 percent believing data literacy is important to the industry. They’re also conscious of the importance of having the right skills in place – 86 percent say their employees’ data know-how facilitates the ability to make critical decisions, with training being a huge part of that.
The gap between knowing and doing
There’s a difference, however, between knowing you need to do something and being able to do it. Despite almost universal acceptance of the power of data and the need for data literacy, the retail industry was found to be the second-worst performing industry in the Data Literacy Index.
Indeed, a significant proportion of the commercial leaders surveyed for the report don’t appear to be doing much to ensure they have the right skills in place. Just over a fifth say they provide data literacy training to employees. This does not compare well when looked at alongside financial services (47 percent), services (49 percent) and heavy industries (32 percent).
This has significant implications for talent acquisition and retainment: if data-literate workers know that they are more likely to be able to put their skills to good use and get paid well for it in other industries, why would they entertain a retail career? There are exceptions – UK retailer Marks & Spencer launched the world’s first retail data academy for employees in 2018 – but the fact remains that without investing in improving data literacy, retailers are going to struggle to get true value out of their data goldmines.
The key to unlocking the next wave of retail innovation
What does that mean? If employees cannot understand data, they cannot use it to make better decisions – no matter what their seniority. On the shop floor, for example, as a customer, there’s few things more frustrating than a sales assistant not knowing if an item is in stock or when it will next be available. If those employees have access to data, and the ability to know what it is telling them, then that experience is greatly improved.
It can also support better management of stores. Take cosmetic firm Lush: in the UK, its shop managers have access to data which shows them sales, stock levels and freshness, enabling them to make decisions to drive individual store performance. It could be grouping in closer proximity products that sell well together, or more short-term, rather than longer, promotions. By giving its employees access to key data, Lush is empowering its staff to make the decisions they see fit to increase profitability and reduce wastage. They have seen an incredible response, with 70% of staff accessing the platform every day to review sales and stocks and to manage performance. This resulted in £1 million of savings in lost stock in the first two years of having the data available to staff.
There’s also a huge opportunity around the use of data-drive technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, in back-office operations. A classic example is forecasting – something that clothing retailers have always struggled with. By deploying AI, retailers have the potential to be able to rapidly process relevant data and determine the best forecast. However, it must then be the responsibility of the team to read, analyse and question AI-determined decisions to confirm that it’s the right trajectory for the company.
The big opportunity for retailers
The world is powered by data and the potential for companies that harness it is massive. The Data Literacy Index found that firms with higher levels of data literacy have a greater enterprise value of between 3-5 percent. For the survey respondents, this represented $320-$534 million of the total market value of each business.
Amazon has officially closed its deal to purchase wireless mesh router maker Eero for an undisclosed sum, the two companies announced today. In the same motion, both companies promise to keep user network data private, and that Eero will be run autonomously within Amazon.
Speaking with The Verge in advance of the deal announcement, Amazon SVP of devices and services Dave Limp said, “we’re not changing a word” of Eero’s privacy policy.
If you remember, Amazon announced its purchase of Eero in early February. Since that announcement, worries of privacy have cropped up throughout social media.
Eero CEO Nick Weaver doubled down on this pro-privacy stance with both The Verge and in a blog post published to coincide with the purchase announcement.
“If anything, we’re just going to strengthen our commitment to both privacy and security,” Weaver told The Verge. “We’ve got some pretty clear privacy principles that we’ve used for developing all of our products, that are the really the underpinnings of everything. Those aren’t going to change.”
If you have to make all these promises up front…
The fact that the first issue Eero and Amazon have to get in front of with this acquisition is privacy isn’t the best look for either party to this deal.
Amazon’s purchase comes at a time when companies like itself and Google are under more scrutiny than ever regarding how far they’re allowed into our private lives via their various devices and services.
Inversely, this deal couldn’t be better timed for Amazon’s smart home ambitions, with the need for powerful and expandable Wi-Fi technology to support a web of connected devices in the home that will only grow in number.
Weaver, meanwhile, claims to respect the severity of this decision: “People are inviting us into their homes,” Weaver said to The Verge. “I take that really seriously.”
This sentiment is echoed in his blog post, and much more detailed in exactly how Eero will continue to commit itself to user privacy. Will it be enough to convince existing Eero users to stick around much less assuage new customers? We’ll see whether Amazon’s honking $100 discount on Eero systems in the US will help with that.
UK Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) Lycamobile has been ordered to refund customers who were overcharged for roaming within the EU after new rules came into effect in June 2017.
Since then, mobile operators across Europe have been forbidden from levying additional charges on consumers for using their device in or to contact another person within an EU member state.
However, regulator Ofcom found that Lycamobile customers with a prepaid bundle had to use or purchase additional credit to roam within the EU. There should have been no requirement to do so.
Meanwhile, the MVNO was also found to have set its ‘fair use’ policy below the minimum standard instructed by the EU regulations.
Ofcom has ordered Lycamobile to become compliant with the regulations by ensuring that pre-paid bundles can be used for roaming within the EU and that data roaming limits are set at or above the minimum level.
The regulator has said Lycamobile must also identify and refund customers who had to purchase additional pay-as-you-go credit because of its incompliant policy.
Lycamobile offers pay-as-you-go SIM cards in 22 countries, targeting customers that want to make affordable international calls on their mobiles. In the UK, its services are powered by O2’s network, with the two companies agreeing a long-term MVNO agreement back in 2015.
TechRadar Pro has contacted Lycamobile for comment.
Staying conscious and alert while experiencing high G-forces is hard enough. Flying a plane at the same time is quite another, and for fast jet pilots, it’s a matter of life and death.
That’s why the Royal Air Force (RAF) has invested in a new high-G training facility, with a virtual cockpit that can go from 1G to 9G in one second – and can reach 12G for unmanned trials.
TechRadar visited the High-G Training and Test Facility at Cranwell in Lincolnshire to learn more about its state-of-the-art technology, and how it’s helping get the next generation of fast jet pilots ready for the air.
Handling high Gs
High-G training saves lives by helping pilots learn how to avoid G-force induced loss of consciousness (G-LOC). This happens when blood drains from the pilot’s head, causing them to black out, and is believed to be the cause of a tragic accident at the 2015 Shoreham Airshow, where a pilot crashed into a road while performing a loop manoeuvre.
Overseen by an RAF doctor, pilots at the facility can safely practice a technique called G-straining, which involves tensing the muscles in the legs and core to prevent blood pooling in the lower body, and performing controlled breathing to maintain consciousness.
The centrifuge has an onset rate of 8G per second. Image credit: TechRadar
David Bolsolver, former wing commander of the Red Arrows (the RAF’s aerobatics team), is the facility’s training manager. He explains that until now, the RAF has carried out G-force training using a centrifuge in Farnborough that first came into service in 1955. It worked well, but was a much simpler device and doesn’t meet the latest standards for training pilots to fly modern fast jets.
“In the old Farnborough simulation, you just sat there in a seat and you’d have nothing to do, because you’d just be sat there being tossed around,” Bolsover said.
“Here, the whole idea is you will fly the aeroplane type while you’re doing the G. You can teach anybody to G-strain if they’re just sat there doing nothing else. You then need the distraction of flying an aeroplane, because you’ve got to make that G-strain automatic, and that’s what this training’s for.”
The new simulator can also reach high G-forces much more quickly than its predecessor. The old device has an onset rate of 1G per second, meaning it takes nine seconds to get up to 9G. Current NATO regulations state that simulators should have an onset rate of 3G per second. The new centrifuge can reach 8G per second – the same onset rate pilots will experience in a Typhoon fighter jet.
Taking control
The Cranwell facility cost £44 million (about $57 million, AU$81 million), and features a gondola attached to a seven-meter arm, driven by 20-tonne gearbox and drive capable of delivering over 4,000 horsepower.
The interior of the gondola can be fitted with three different cockpits – a Hawk T2, a Typhoon, and an F-35 Lightning – so pilots can get used to the specific control layout they’ll be using in the air.
“Everything’s generally flown by the pilot,” says Bolsover. “No pre-programmed runs – but we can do those for trials where we need consistency.
The gondola can be fitted with three different cockpits. Image credit: TechRadar
The simulation itself uses a database provided by the Ministry of Defence, and is based around RAF Valley – a Royal Air Force base in Wales. Pilots can ‘chase’ another plane, or fly through a series of virtual gates (think Pilotwings), and each flight produces a unique G-force profile.
Unlike the old Farnborough simulator, the Cranfield device has roll and pitch bearings on the gondola, so the pilot also experiences forces that aren’t just vertically down through their body.
Despite its complexity, the new facility was built surprisingly quickly – possibly in response to the 2015 Shoreham crash. It’s a partnership between aerospace company Thales, the RAF and the Ministry of Defence. Austrian company AMST provided the centrifuge itself, and construction company Galliford Try handled the building work.
Pilots are equipped with two sick bags, which go into pockets on the front of specially designed trousers that inflate to keep blood from pooling in the legs. Image credit: TechRadar
Bolsolver explains that the facility began as an empty site in January 2017, and the building was ready by September/October time. AMST began installing the device in January 2018, and had it up and running in May. The facility was fully cleared to operate by the RAF in October, and officially opened in February 2019.
As well as Bolsover and the doctor, the facility’s team includes a general manager, two pilot instructors who facilitate the simulation, four engineers who monitor the centrifuge and perform day-to-day maintenance, and two safety equippers who are responsible for the pilots’ gear.
This equipment includes specially designed trousers that inflate to put pressure on the legs to keep blood from pooling, and add between one and two G of resistance. They also feature two large pockets for sick-bags – which the equippers say are often necessary.
Going for a spin
One of the pilots training during our visit (making 9G look surprisingly easy and definitely not reaching for those pockets) is Flight Lieutenant Nathan Shawyer, who currently flies Tornado, and is converting across to Typhoon. He says the biggest difference between the two is the G-force involved.
“That's the reason why I'm here – just to get that sort of awareness and get trained up ready for it,” he says. “This is a really good facility to be able to do that early, without having to actually do it for real and the aircraft yeah. Just working on that straining manoeuvre and the breathing techniques try and hold yourself awake.
It's hoped that other NATO nations will soon begin sending their pilots for training at Cranwell. Image credit: TechRadar
“With Tornado we only pull about four or five G, so the G training for me up until now hasn't really been a massive part of my flying, but it will be with Typhoon, and hence the reason we brought it up to 9G today – to prove that we can do it and test the kit.”
Shawyer says the G protection, which inflates all the way from the feet to the chest, makes the forces a lot more manageable.
“The training here is very good in terms of getting the system right,” he says. “There are some differences, so in the training system here you're being rotated around, and it’s that centrifugal force that’s administering the G, so that means that when you're rolling in and rolling out of these manoeuvres you’re speeding up slowing down, you do get a rolling, tumbling sensation now that in the aircraft you don't get because it's just a snap to the G and then roll straight out again. There are some subtle differences, but short of actually sending you up in the jet, this is the next best thing."
Pilots wear suits designed to relieve some of the effects of high G-forces. Image credit: TechRadar
He's been for some passenger flights in the back of a Typhoon to experience it, and expects to go up himself in a month’s time.
“There’s about a month of ground school, and some simulators packed in there to learn all the systems with Typhoon,” he says. “Clearly it's a massively different cockpit and training setup from the Tornado, which I'm used to, so that'll take some time to get used to, and after about a month or so I should be up in the air.”
Cranwell is the only facility of its kind with an F-35 cockpit, and it’s hoped that other NATO nations will soon begin using it as well, keeping pilots safer around the world.
The best wireless earbuds of 2020 make listening to music on-the-go super convenient – and sound great to boot. Whether you're commuting, heading to the gym, or relaxing poolside on a sunny day, the right pair of earphones will stay put and bring you great quality sound.
You'd be forgiven for thinking wireless earbuds aren't as good as the best headphones – that's because a few short years ago, Bluetooth wasn't the best way listen to your favorite music.
Luckily, times have changed. Thanks to improvements in wireless transmission standards, such as aptX and innovations in battery technology, wireless earbuds are quickly becoming the most popular way to listen to music, and many of the best earbuds feature wireless connectivity.
With so much choice out there, it can be hard to make the right buying decision; we're even expecting more models to come soon, including the AirPods Pro Lite. That's why we've put together this handy guide to the best wireless earbuds you can find today.
Looking to cut the cord completely? Scroll down for our top AirPod-alternatives or head to our dedicated guide to the best true wireless earbuds you can buy in 2020.
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The NuForce BE Sport4 wireless earbuds are that rare find: earbuds that are good for basically all situations, whether you're looking to take them out on a run or just wear them around town.
They're ideal for exercise, although any urbanite will also find their lightweight functionality and impressive sound isolation highly appealing. If you want proof that wireless headphones can now compete with the best of them, look no further.
The Bowers & Wilkins PI3 are the first neckband headphones for the company, and they're a great start. Well-designed, comfy, and simple to use, they sound really good, too.
Thanks to dual drivers, these buds sound fantastic, with crisp highs, lively mids, and plenty of powerful bass. Look past the fairly unremarkable battery life and limited features, and you'll be mostly very impressed by what these offer.
If the most important aspect of wireless earphones for you is the audio quality, these wireless earbuds from Sennheiser could be a fantastic choice.
With a lively, bass-heavy presentation, and a comfortable fit, the Sennheiser CX Sport wireless earphones can really bolster your workout through sound quality alone.
They have a battery life of six hours, which means they'll last you all day, whether you're wearing them on your commute or taking them out for a jog.
OnePlus is most known for its “flagship killer” phones like the OnePlus 7 and OnePlus 7 Pro,, but the company also makes headphones – the best example of which are the company’s excellent Bullets Wireless 2, which offer an incredible value in the neck-bud headphone category.
In terms of audio quality, they boast a lively sonic presentation and an accurate-feeling soundstage, although bass-heads may want to look elsewhere for headphones that pack a bassier punch.
They're comfortable to wear too, but it's just a shame that they don't have a waterproof rating and the inline remote is so fiddly, because otherwise they could make a decent pair of running headphones.
They may be $30 more expensive than their predecessors, but the improved battery life and sound quality makes up for that; it also makes it worth upgrading if you have the originals and are due a new pair of wireless earbuds.
The SoundMagic E11BTs are an extremely capable pair of wireless in-ear earphones, and given their low price, it really is difficult to fault them – the audio quality is fantastic and they look very elegant.
They're comfortable to wear thanks to ergonomically designed eartips and a flat neckband that won’t irritate you while running or working out – and with an IPX4 rating, they should withstand sweaty sessions.
The Jaybird Tarah Pro headphones are wireless sport headphones for the endurance runners, athletes and fitness nuts out there. With a neck cable to keep the earbuds together, they aren’t quite ‘true wireless’, but will be practical for those concerned about dropping and losing a costly earbud in the heat of a race or training session.
As the first in Jaybird’s new ‘Pro’ range of earbuds and aimed at offering higher quality audio and materials, the Tarah Pro will suit anyone not willing to sacrifice audio quality in harsher outdoor conditions or indoor workouts and who don't mind spending a bit more to get a premium product.
Now committed to a yearly refresh of the popular mid-range model, the Jaybird X4 manage to outdo both the previous Jaybird X2 and Jaybird X3 wireless Bluetooth earphones, with an upgraded IPX7 water-resistance rating. Whether you're sweating buckets or running doggedly through the rain, the X4 will be able to cope with it.
The Jaybird X4s also manage to keep the series' surprisingly good sound. These earphones are certainly fitness first, but that doesn't mean the other things people look for in a pair of earphones – you know, like music – have fallen by the wayside.
Jaybird's excellent app also provides easy EQ customization as well as the ability to make your own sound profile, with various ear tip sizes to boot. A great all round choice for runner who don't want to skimp on sound – or be wary of the weather.
Alternatively if you're after an even more premium experience, the Jaybird Tarah Pro earbuds offer higher-quality audio and materials for a somewhat higher $159 £139 / AU$229 price tag.
Although we're still big fans of the Jaybird X4 headphones, take a look at the Jaybird Vista true headphones further down the list – they're our top pick if you're in the market for a pair of true wireless earbuds.
Beats haven't always gotten the best rap when it comes to audio performance, but the Beats X is trying to set the record straight. The Beats X hence make up for their slightly bassy, confined sound with a rock solid connection and a pairing process that, on iOS devices at least, is as painless as it's possible to be.
If you’re shopping for a no-fuss pair of earbuds that charge in 5 minutes, work well with iOS and don’t mind spending a little extra money on them, the Beats X are for you.
Life is full of compromises, and it's no different with the Bose QuietControl 30. On the positive side you get a level of noise cancellation that comes close to what's offered by the brand's over-ear headphones, but the concession here is on sound fidelity, which just isn’t on the same level as that of other in-ear or over-ear headphones we’ve tested.
There's also that neckband which adds an unfortunate level of bulk to what should otherwise be a slimline pair of headphones.
The PowerBeats 3 running headphones are yet another pair of Beats headphones that aim to keep your tunes pumping all day long – and while we're expecting the Powerbeats 4 to launch this year, the 2016 Powerbeats 3 are still worth considering.
They may come with the high price that is a signature of the Beats and Apple brands, but they offer a lot, especially for Apple iPhone users.
With a 12-hour battery life and a quick charge function that can add an hour of battery life in a few minutes, the PowerBeats 3 should rarely run out of juice in the middle of your commute, or your workout. They’re also ready for all the sweat from your brow, and can even handle a run in the rain.
While they may not top some of the other wireless headphones on this list for features, the PowerBeats 3 headphones will truly shine for major Apple lovers. They feature Apple’s W1 chip, which makes the Bluetooth pairing process with multiple iCloud-linked devices incredibly easy in addition to boosting wireless range.
Considering it's still rare to get noise-cancellation in wired earbuds at all, the fact that Sony has managed to pack it into a pair that are not only wireless, but true wireless is very impressive indeed.
The Sony WF-1000X manage to offer a level of noise-cancellation that's very good for a pair of earbuds – it won't offer the same isolation as a pair of over-ear cans, but if you're after a sleek form factor then the compromise is well worth it.
There may be a few minor problems with these wireless earbuds, but we think Sony has knocked the ball out of the park with the WF-1000XM3; not only are these hands down the best-looking True Wireless headphones out there, but they combine serious noise cancelling tech with fist-pumping musicality.
Cambridge Audio is known for its high-end audio equipment, but until now, hasn’t ventured into the world of true wireless earbuds. Enter the Cambridge Audio Melomania 1s: with an outstanding 45 hours of battery life, they combine the brand’s award-winning engineering with the convenience of truly wireless listening.
For a pair of true wireless earbuds, the sound quality offered by the Cambridge Audio Melomania 1s is sensational. In fact, it rivals some of the best over-ear headphones, which is all but unheard of for buds of this size.
They may not have the noise cancelation technology offered by the Sony WF-1000XM3 Wireless Earbuds, but they are $100 (around £80) cheaper – and have a superior battery life.
They certainly outperform the Apple AirPods, in all respects apart from the lack of wireless charging case. This is a small price to pay for that exceptional audio quality, though, and we think they represent much better value for money, too.
You may not have heard of up-and-coming audio brand Lypertek yet, but expect to hear a lot from it soon – its Lypertek Tevi true wireless earbuds are among the best we’ve tried, especially given the low price tag.
With USB-C charging, a well-balanced sound, lengthy battery life, and waterproofing, it ticks every box you could ask for, from what are basically a pair of budget buds. The Lypertek Tevi, surprisingly, might just blow you away, punching well above their weight and rivaling buds from some of the biggest audio brands on the planet.
With their stellar sound and build quality, long-lasting battery life and what may be one of the coolest cases we've ever seen, we'd argue that the Klipsch T5s are of the best models on the market right now..
Of course, you're buying a Klipsch product because it features the signature Klipsch sound, which is warm, detailed, and never harsh. Acoustic music is lush and detailed, and the detail extends to the highs as well, allowing the headphones to sing in the higher registers without ever being sibilant.
Battery life is rated at 8 hours per charge with the case giving an additional 24 hours – that means these true wireless in-ear headphones will last you for a long haul flight, no problem.
The Jabra Elite 75t improve upon their predecessors, the Jabra Elite 65t, in just about every way – except for tonal balance.
The headphones and charging case are much smaller, battery life makes an immense jump, catching up to the competition, and the customization features we enjoyed in the 65t remain.
While they don't have the best sound quality and they lacks active noise cancellation, neither stops the Jabre Elite 75t from being a solid pair of true wireless headphones to use, especially if you make frequent calls with your your headphones on. I
Apple has launched its new true wireless earbuds, bringing active noise cancellation, a (finally) much better fit, and an improved design, in a bid to lure more iPhone users into the true wireless fold.
However, at $249 / £249 / AU$399, they’re pretty pricey too, and as such can’t be called the very best wireless headphones out there.
That said, if you’re an iPhone user looking for some well-fitting earbuds with strong sound quality, you could do a lot worse than the new AirPods - the redesign means they’re far less likely to fall out, and the additional microphones provide strong noise-canceling (particularly when commuting), as well as a useful Transparency mode, which really does let the outside world in.
The sound quality of the AirPods Pro has certainly improved since the previous iteration – there’s a notable emphasis on vocals and bass, meaning these earbuds are better for pop fans than those that enjoy a more natural presentation that lends itself to classical music or more orchestral sounds.
The new PowerBeats Pro true wireless Beats headphones aren't exactly the earbuds analysts have been predicting, sure, but they are something special – they’re supremely comfortable, sound decent and seem to never, ever fall out.
That said, they are – in our opinion – Apple’s best true wireless earbuds to date thanks to small additions like the pressure-reducing micro-laser barometric venting hole, their longer battery life and their superior sound quality. If we had to choose between wearing these and the AirPods around the house or office, these are what we’d wear.
With the TWS50, SoundMAGIC has hit the price/performance sweet-spot, thanks to these true wireless earbuds' fantastic price, comfortable design, great sound, and support for Bluetooth 5.0.
They offer a wide, spacious soundstage, with a good, well balanced presentation, alongside a decent battery life and comfy fit – in short, if you're looking for some cheap AirPod-alternatives, the SoundMAGIC TWS50 are well worth a look.
Sennheiser enters the race with its Momentum True Wireless earbuds. An extension of its reputable Momentum range, these cordless buds offer Sennheiser's trademark high-fidelity audio in a gorgeously sleek package.
You only get four hours of charge in the earbuds, but the carry case will be able to charge them two times over on top of that, giving you 12 hours in total when on the go.
The main thing holding these back is the price: at £259 / $299 (about AU$400) they're almost double the cost of the Apple AirPods. You do get a range of touch-based controls to stop you reaching for your phone every time you want to skip or pause a track, but the act of prodding things in your ear could be more comfortable – while the volume control is oddly imprecise.
Overall though, Sennheiser's first true wireless earbuds combine style and sound like few others.
Let’s get one thing out of the way – the B&O Beoplay E8 are some of the best-looking and most expensive wireless earphones you can buy at $350 / £300 (around AU$570).
Audio quality is undeniably excellent, and you can tweak the sound to your liking using the accompanying Beoplay app on Android and iOS.
Even without tinkering around with ToneTouch, the E8 2.0s sounds crisp and clear, with punchy bass frequencies. So, the Bang & Olufsen E8 2.0 truly wireless earphones look great and sound great, although the touch-sensitive buttons are a little too sensitive at times, and there's no active noise cancellation.
However, it's hard to not find these earphones appealing, and if you want your true wireless earbuds to look as good as they sound, they could be the perfect model for you.
With a promising battery life and well-managed bass enhancement over Audio-Technica’s usual neutral sound, the Audio-Technica ATH-CKS5TW true wireless earbuds have a lot going for them.
They've one of the most complete and well-rounded sound profiles we've seen from true-wireless earbuds, and that's despite the claimed bass enhancement. It's a very enjoyable sound that they make.
However, they are let down a bit by their fit – mileage will vary of course depending on your preferred bud style and the size of your ears, but all will find the fiddly case fit will annoy over time. Still, the quality audio here may be a worthy trade-off.
Wireless earbuds – the focus of this guide – have existed for a while now, basically since Bluetooth was invented. Though battery-powered and not physically connected to your phone, they have a cord connecting both buds – and sometimes a band around the neck too.
True wireless earbuds have no cord whatsoever. While wireless allows us to wear headphones a few feet away from our music players, True Wireless cuts the cord between the earbuds, giving us true freedom. If you're looking to go full wireless, we also have a round-up of the best true wireless headphones, but you'll find our top picks here, too.
Wireless headphones are traditional over-ear or on-ear headphones without the wire – the two earcups are connected by a headband. Check out the best wireless headphones for more.
Today marks 30 years since Tim Berners-Lee published a proposal (which can still be read online) to convince CERN’s management to adopt a global hypertext system, initially titled “Mesh” and later referred to at the “World Wide Web”.
Berners-Lee’s proposal laid the foundations for the internet as we know it, which 30 years later is such an integral part of our lives that it can be all too easy to take it for granted, and too difficult to think of how we ever coped without it.
While Berners-Lee’s proposal in March 1989 is considered by many as the birth of the internet, it wasn’t until later that people could actually use it. In 1990 Berners-Lee created the first ever web browser – called the WorldWideWeb (which was later renamed Nexus, as Berners-Lee isn’t renowned for sticking with one name for too long).
The WorldWideWeb browser is quite different from the modern web browser you’re using to read this (such as Firefox, Chrome or – for some strange reason – Internet Explorer. If you’re still using Internet Explorer, please stop).
However, it’s also remarkable that there are a number of similarities between the first browser and early internet compared to today’s web. Links connecting you to other pages are present and correct, though there is a noticeable absence of cat pictures (or any images).
The first ever web browser (Image credit: CERN)
If you’d like to experience what it was like to browse the internet 30 years ago with the WorldWideWeb browser, then CERN has a working emulation you can try. It’s fiddly and a bit bland, but there’s a simplicity and innocence to it as well. There’s also no annoying pop up adverts.
Since then, the internet has evolved beyond anything its creator could have imagined, bringing some of the best – and worst – additions to our daily lives. To celebrate, let’s look back at how the internet changed our world, warts and all.
Social media isn't for everyone (Image credit: Future Publishing)
Bringing people together
There’s also growing unease over the spread of fake and sensationalist news on social media websites. With many people getting their news from social media, rather than traditional sources, the internet has changed the way people learn about the world around them.
Perhaps the internet’s biggest achievement (or failing, if you’re feeling particularly antisocial after being subjected to yet another Facebook rant from a not distant-enough relative) has been its ability to bring people together from across the world.
Berners-Lee’s original proposal concerned itself with providing a linked information system for people to exchange data remotely. The internet then evolved to allow companies – and then individuals – to create their own websites and publish their thoughts, opinions and cat pictures for the rest of the world to see.
By 1993 the number of websites reached 600, with around 2 million computers connected to the internet. However, the internet had to wait until 2008 for the most important website ever to arrive: TechRadar. We joke, of course. The most important website is the Space Jam website.
In its 30th year, the internet is now home to over 1.6 billion websites. Only around 200 million of those websites are active, and even less than that are worth visiting. Quite a few of them have photos of naked people (or so we’ve been told).
However, while many people used their personal websites to shout their opinions into the voice, the beauty of the internet is that it allowed people to communicate back and forth. From early news groups that allowed people to discuss all kinds of topics, to message boards, chat rooms and instant messaging apps like ICQ and MSN Messenger, the history of the internet is a history of people from all around the world chatting to each other.
Online discourse can often devolve into fights. (Image credit: Future Publishing)
The conversations (and arguments) may not always be civil, but it’s a remarkable achievement to bring people together no matter where they are in the world, even if we mainly use it to complain about TV shows.
The 2000s also saw the rise in social media networks with Friends Reunited and MySpace, which then made way for Facebook and Twitter.
Facebook in particular, with an incredible 2.32 billion monthly active users, has made a huge impact on most of our lives. For the most part this has been popular, as it has allowed us to keep in contact with friends and family around the world.
However, concerns over the amount of data we provide Facebook (and other social networks) and what they do with it, have been growing in recent years, with a number of high profile scandals tarnishing Facebook’s reputation.
There is a limitless amount of free content online (Image credit: Future Publishing)
24 hours of entertainment
In many ways you could argue that the internet has banished boredom. With pretty much an unlimited amount of content pouring off our screens and into our eyes, it’s no wonder that many of us remain glued to our internet-connected devices.
From text and images, to movies, music and games, the internet has transformed how we consume media and entertainment.
In 2005 a video sharing website known as YouTube was launched, and it has since become one of the most popular websites in the world. Around 5 billion videos are uploaded to YouTube every minute, which means you’ll never run out of things to watch.
YouTube, and sites like it, have meant that you don’t need to be a professional to make a video and gain an audience. Anyone with a camera and a YouTube account can broadcast themselves to the world. While this has brought fame to talented and entertaining people who might never had a chance in traditional TV, it’s come at a cost, with YouTube awash with poorly made, strange and sometimes damaging material.
The company is constantly looking at ways to improve its moderation and how its algorithms suggest content to its audience, but if your children are hooked on YouTube (and it’s likely these day they are), make sure you know what they are watching.
Paid-for on demand media services such as Netflix and Spotify have also changed the way we consume media. No longer do family crowd around a single TV and fight over the remote control, now each member has their own screen and their own account to do with as they wish.
Sure, it’s stopped a lot of arguments over what to watch, but it does feel like we’re losing something in the process.
The internet has changed the way we shop (Image credit: Future Publishing)
More ways to buy – and more ways to sell us things
One of the biggest ways the internet has changed our lives is how we shop – and how companies advertise to us. If you walk down a high street these days, you may see a number of closed shops, and many people blame the internet.
Buying online is quick, easy and convenient. You don’t need to drive to a shop to have a look around. With many online stores not having to pay for physical shops, it also means they can offer products at a cheaper price than traditional bricks and mortar stores.
The rise of internet shopping culminated with the launch of Amazon in 1995, when Jeff Bezos sold his first book out of his garage. Since then, Amazon has grown from an online book store to selling almost any item you can think of (including groceries), and Bezos has become the world’s richest person.
Amazon’s wide selection of products and cheap prices have been great for consumers, but there have been controversies as well. As well as many people attributing the death of the high street to Amazon, other people have argued that its working conditions are poor. With so many customers buying products around the world, the company has been accused of making its workers work too hard, with not enough breaks.
Today’s internet is also noticeable for the sheer number of adverts it shows you. Companies are eager to flog their goods to internet denizens, and they have got increasingly smart in how they target you. If you’ve ever searched for a product, or visited a particular site, you may notice that the adverts certain websites show you change depending on what you’re after.
While this can be useful – after all, it’s great seeing an advert for something you’re looking for – it again raises privacy concerns about what kind of data these companies are storing (and sharing) about you.
Our homes are getting smarter thanks to the internet (Image credit: Shutterstock )
The internet of things and rise of the smart home
When Tim Berners-Lee designed the World Wide Web at CERN on his NeXTcube PC 30 years ago, he couldn’t possibly imagine the sheer breadth of devices his creation would be available on in 2019.
Back then, the internet was only for computers, but these days the internet is literally everywhere. Thanks to the growing ‘internet of things’, we’re seeing an influx of devices that are internet connected. From smart TVs that can pull from the internet’s almost infinite collection of videos, to smart fridges that let you know when you’re running low on certain foods, our homes are getting ever smarter.
On the whole this is another positive impact of the internet. Smart thermostats like the Nest Learning Thermostat let us tweak the temperatures of our home while we’re away, so it’s nice and cosy when we get in, or saving energy while we’re away, while the combination of Philips Hue smart lights and an Amazon Echo can let us turn on the lights in our homes with a simple spoken voice command.
This amazing world of smart devices has made our lives both easier – and more complicated. It’s led to some of us forgetting how to use a normal light switch. And, if you ever have trouble with your internet connection, you may find yourself stuck in a nightmarish scenario where your oven refuses to cook, while Alexa laughs to herself manically in the corner.
Actual footage of an idiot trying to use a light switch (Image credit: TechRadar)
So, 30 years on from Tim Berners-Lee’s proposal for the World Wide Web, the internet has evolved beyond what anyone could have imagined. As Berners-Lee’s proposal stated: “The hope would be to allow a pool of information to develop which could grow and evolve with the organisation and the projects it describes.”
Now, 30 years on, it’s safe to say that the internet has grown and evolved, and it continues to change our lives every day, for the better – and the worse. We can only imagine what the next 30 years will bring. It will probably involve cat pictures, though.
When it comes to plus-sized phones, everything is bigger - screen size, battery, processor and especially price. Phablet devices such as the Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus and iPhone XS Max now require you to take out a small loan to afford them, but there is one plus sized device that seems to have skipped this trend - the OnePlus 6T.
Coming from a lesser known manufacturer, OnePlus 6T deals are often overlooked. But it is actually somehow both one of the best flagship devices right now and one of the cheapest. With an all-day battery life, powerful rear camera, super quick charging and a processor to match, this is a high-end phone with a low-end price tag.
Below we've listed our picks for the best contracts on the OnePlus 6T right now, ranging from the cheapest price to our favourite big data package. But if you find yourself wanting something a bit different, try our mobile phone deals page for all your options.
The best OnePlus 6T deals right now:
Not wanting to get tied into a contract? Buying a OnePlus 6T handset SIM-free is really affordable, too. You can currently get it brand new from Amazon or John Lewis for just £499.
Compare that to the £1,099 iPhone XS Max or £899 Samsung Galaxy S10 Plus, and you can see where the sweet savings stand with the 6T.
What's so good about the OnePlus 6T?
The OnePlus 6T manages to combine a host of top-line specs into a very affordable package. A stylish design, all day battery life and a powerful rear camera, this phone really is feature packed. You don't get a 3.5mm headphone jack or wireless charging but for this price, you really won't be missing these features.
