Do your kids need an early night? Netflix has your back this New Year’s Eve

Instead of partying until the early hours, many of us will be spending New Year's Eve curled up in front of the TV this year, and this is especially true if you have young children at home.

If you're spending the evening with the kids, you might be worried about letting them stay up until midnight in case they are overtired the next day – or maybe you just want some time to yourself.  

Well, thanks to Netflix, you could get them to bed early after all. The streaming giant has released a number of kid-friendly New Year's Eve countdowns, which can be played at any time you want, fooling your children into thinking it's midnight. 

Netflix and chill (literally)

With 12 titles to choose from, you should be able to find a countdown that your kids will love this year. These include The Boss Baby: Back in Business, All Hail King Julien, Tales of Arcadia, Spirit Riding Free, Fuller House, Beat Bugs, Pinky Malinky, Super Monsters, Motown Magic, True and the Rainbow Kingdom, Larva Island, Skylanders Academy, Prince of Peoria, and Alexa & Katie.

Netflix released its first fake countdown for kids way back in 2014, with Madagascar's King Julien leading the festivities. Since then, they have taken off in popularity, with around five million members tuning in each year, according to the streaming platform.

So, if you're hoping for a tranquil end to the year, Netflix may just be exactly you need to see in the New Year with well-rested kids (and a bit of peace and quiet).

Via BGR

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13 weird and wonderful niche Linux distros of 2019

Note: Our weird and wonderful niche Linux distros roundup has been fully updated. This feature was first published in December 2011.

Fed up with the bog-standard Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora and so on? Looking for a distro that reflects your individuality? In this roundup we've discovered no less than 13 of the quirkiest and most useful distributions that Linux has to offer.

They include one distro which is geared towards those with an interest in crime scene investigation, and an OS which is so light it will run on a PC from the mid-80s.

Read on to find out more about each of these interesting distros. Before we begin, however, do note that not all of these operating systems are suitable for everyday use without extensive modification – so consider running them from a Live CD/USB or within a virtual machine, rather than installing them on a computer. 

  • Linux Format is the number one magazine to boost your knowledge on Linux, open source developments, distro releases and much more. Subscribe to the print or digital version of Linux Format here

It’s small, zippy and eminently loveable: for 16 years the bounder that is Puppy Linux has stolen Linux users' hearts with its cutesy graphics, inhumanly fast load times and simple interface.

The OS was originally created by Barry Kauler in 2003 and has since been nurtured by a number of developers. Each new version of Puppy is based on the most recent LTS (Long Term Support) release of Ubuntu. At the time of writing, this is Ubuntu 18.04 Bionic Beaver, hence the codename of version 8.0: Bionic Pup.

Puppy Linux is designed to load directly into your machine’s RAM from a live CD or USB. This makes the OS perfect for quick and dirty data retrieval from a corrupted system, as well as offering an easy way to bring life back to older machines, finding a use for them.

Indeed, Puppy can be installed on a wide variety of systems, with requirements so light that it supports hardware considered obsolete by modern standards. The ISO weighs in at 354MB total. As Puppy Linux loads directly into your RAM, you end up in a desktop environment which responds near-instantly to clicks and commands. 

Bionic Pup is also compatible with Ubuntu repositories which gives users access to a vast selection of software.

The classically educated reader might be able to guess that MuLinux is a small distro – the Greek letter 'mu' is the SI designation for one millionth. 

Mu was designed to be a minimal distro along the lines of Puppy or Damn Small Linux, but it's considerably more miniscule. The OS was developed to run from floppy disks, so only requires 20MB of hard disk space and 4MB of RAM. It will run on any machine with an Intel 80386 processor or later. This particular processor was released in 1985 so it’s safe to say that MuLinux can breathe life into ancient hardware.

Development of MuLinux was frozen in 2004. As mentioned, it was originally designed in such a way to allow the user to install and run a basic Unix-like shell from a single floppy disk, then install additional packages such as server tools from separate disks.

CAINE (which stands for Computer Aided INvestigative Environment) is aimed at users with an interest in crime scene investigation. It's an Italian flavor of Linux designed for forensic analysis and other types of police work.

CAINE includes a variety of CSI tools such as the Autopsy Forensic Browser, stenography tools and The Sleuth Kit. UFO (Ultimate Forensic Outflow) supports full, detailed recovery analysis such as browser history, password recovery, malware, log viewers and network analysis tools.

CAINE Linux is built around four objectives which include an interoperable environment that supports digital investigation, a user-friendly interface, and a semi-automated compilation of the final report. The ISO file weighs in at 3.8GB.

This is one that will appeal to the techies out there – the thing that marks GoboLinux out from the rest is its filesystem layout. Most Linux distributions use an archaic non-arrangement wherein an application's files are scattered around your hard drive in several different folders.

GoboLinux adopts a macOS-like approach (which Apple in turn took from RISC OS), and stores all files associated with an application in a single folder in '/Programs'. For instance, if you have a program named 'foo' all files pertaining to it would be stored in '/Programs/foo'. You can still install multiple versions of the same application if you wish, for example, for separate users on the system. This is managed by GoboLinux's file virtualization tool Runner.

The most current version of GoboLinux is 016.01, released in April 2017, but the project's Github page shows Gobo is in active development. The latest version includes a copy of one of the very first web browsers, NCSA Mosaic, for a bit of old-school net surfing. GoboLinux also now includes GoboNet, a lightweight and daemon-free network manager.

If you like software freedom, you'll love GNewSense. The OS has had all non-free software removed, including binary 'blob' files in the kernel, so-named as they use proprietary code. Unfortunately, many of these blobs are drivers for wireless networking cards, so GNewSense may not work well with laptops. 

On the plus side, it has removed or renamed software that doesn't fit the Free Software Foundation's definition of freedom. The OS uses a modified version of Debian's IceWeasel browser, for instance, to avoid using the Firefox trademark. GNewSense doesn’t provide any links to non-free repositories, making it even more free than Debian.

After a three year hiatus, the latest version of GNewSense, codenamed Ucclia, was released in May 2016 and is based on Debian 7. It can be booted as a Live CD to help you check whether it supports your hardware.

Do you love Linux? Do you really love it? Because you're going to need to if you want to follow the Linux from Scratch program. Not (technically) a formal distro, LFS is more a set of tutorials and packages designed to help you set up your own completely bespoke Linux system. From scratch.

That means first creating a temporary system with which to compile the real thing, building your own partitions and file system, and installing every element of a functioning Linux system painstakingly by hand. Oh, and figuring out exactly why it isn't working.

The documentation comes in freely downloadable volumes, charmingly entitled 'Stable' for the latest release and 'Development' if you want to check out the version that creator Gerard Beekmans and his team are working on at this very moment. There's also a systemd version, which uses the latest in system initialisation techniques.

One of the easiest ways to get started is to read the freely downloadable LFS Book, which takes you through all the steps for constructing your own system. As of LFS version 8.0, the book has undergone a major rewrite with hundreds of new packages now available.

NixOS has grown from a simple research project in 2014 to a fully-fledged independent operating system, optimised for cutting-edge system configuration management. It qualifies as weird and wonderful due to the fact that the OS, kernel, and other system files are created using the integrated Nix package manager.

While Linux traditionally lumps packages together in various system folders such as /bin, Nix stores them in a single location (/nix/store).

The advantage of this is that all upgrades are 'atomic'. With traditional Linux distros, upgrading one package can cause others to break if they have shared dependency. Nix's crafty package segregation means that all updates and upgrades can be reversed. This makes for a very stable system.

Moebuntu is an upgrade for existing Ubuntu installations designed especially for fans of Manga and Anime, and it shows how the OS can be tweaked or fine-tuned to the extreme. There’s an automated setup tool which will apply the colourful desktop and icon themes – prepare yourself for some alarming hues of pink if you do so. There's also a suitably rosy dash icon as well as an array of wallpapers and Manga-style fonts.

As gaudy as this may appear, the advantage of Moebuntu is that it has kept pace with the times. The latest release supports Ubuntu 18.04 so unlike some of the other distros we've highlighted, you can enjoy a taste of the weird and wonderful while having an up-to-date OS.

  • You can install the Moebuntu desktop theme, icon packs, wallpaper and Dash icon by following the steps on the Moebuntu website

Having given the devil his due with Ubuntu Satanic Edition earlier in this article, it’s only fair that we let Christians rejoice about the version of Linux crafted just for them.

Ubuntu CE offers a non-denominational version of Linux for Christians, based on the standard Ubuntu builds. The latest version is built on Ubuntu 12.04 LTS (long term support). 

The stated aim of the project is to try to encourage more people within the Christian community to realise the power of Linux and switch to Ubuntu.

The latest release incorporates Xiphos, a bible study tool, as well as worship presentation software OpenLP and Quelea, which can be used to project bible verses, hymns and so on.

Ubuntu CE also includes the powerful 'Dansguardian' content filter providing advanced parental controls. The wallpaper has been thoughtfully chosen with Biblical quotes.

There still exists among our Windows-using cousins the risible idea that Linux isn't good enough to take over on the desktop – that the continued dominance of Microsoft on the desktop is inevitable, because Linux is not up to the job technically.

This can easily be refuted. All of the top 500 supercomputers in the world now run Linux. Also, the cleverest people on the planet – scientists searching for clues about the beginning of the universe – also use Scientific Linux at the CERN laboratories. 

This distro is a rebuild of Red Hat Enterprise Linux and is actively developed by people within CERN, Fermilab and ETHZ. Anyone can download and install it on their machine – you don't even need a PhD in theoretical physics.

Parted Magic is a Live distro that comes with all the tools you need to fix broken partitions. If something won't boot, this is what you use to fix it, and that goes for both Linux and Windows machines. It is most often used as a tool, although technically it is a Linux distribution in its own right. 

Parted Magic also allows for secure disk erasing (making sure that data is really nuked), benchmarking, and disk cloning among other features. As a troubleshooting aid, it's indispensable, but it will cost you $11 (around £8.70, AU$15.60) to download direct from the author's site. For an additional fee you can order it preinstalled on USB or DVD.

This distro is drastically out-of-date and about as niche as they come, but HML – or Hannah Montana Linux – is the perfect desktop for fans of Miley Cyrus’ heady Nickelodeon days. Enjoy a pink Hannah Montana-themed KDE desktop, featuring Tux with the double-life teenage singer's logo emblazoned on his belly. 

It also includes a custom Hannah Montana boot screen, theme, icon set and wallpapers. The website helpfully adds that it is not vulnerable to Windows viruses.

There's no reason to use HML unless you're a diehard Hannah fan, but since it's based on Kubuntu using KDE 4.2, there are plenty of packages to install. You could even upgrade it to the latest version of Kubuntu by running the command 'sudo apt-get dist-upgrade' from the Linux Terminal. Alternatively, diehard Montana-fans can download the icons and/or theme pack and install it on top of their existing KDE install.

Zeroshell comes from Italy, and it’s a small Linux distro designed to run as a Live CD for servers or embedded devices such as routers. You can even install it onto a Raspberry Pi. 

It has no GUI but you can access and configure it from your web browser. Zeroshell is a lot more powerful than the average router's web interface allowing you to perform activities such as assigning IP addresses, DHCP provision and changing DNS settings. It can function as a proxy, VPN access point or a firewall, and can interface with any network appliance. 

Zeroshell is in active development: the latest version (3.9.3) was released in August 2019.

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Samsung reportedly working on Galaxy A50 and Galaxy M20 smartphones

Although the Samsung Galaxy A8s has yet to hit Indian markets, we can safely expect it to do so soon, given that the company brings all its offerings to the country, and moreover, its closest competitor, the Honor View20, is set to come to India in a short while. Meanwhile, the South Korean company is busy working on the launch of its upcoming flagship phones, the Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10+, which are expected to launch at or around the Mobile World Congress on Feb 25, 2019. And it appears that the company is also working on two other mid-tier phones, the Galaxy M20 and Galaxy A50.

The M20 is expected to launch before the S10, but it seems that the A50 will only go official after the Mobile World Congress 2019. Previous rumours that the A50 would pack a 5000mAh battery have now been denied; it seems it will pack a 4000mAh one instead.

Additionally, the Samsung Galaxy A50 will support more than one rear camera, and the primary one will have a 24MP sensor. The device will be powered by Samsung’s Exynos 7 9610 chipset, an octa-core processor with four Cortex-A73 cores and four A53s. There will reportedly be two storage variants of the A50- a 4GB/64GB version, and 4GB/128GB.

The A50 is expected to run Android 9 Pie out of the box, based on its own One UI. Judging by this information, the A50 will probably launch after the Galaxy S10 and S10+, since the yearly flagship phones are usually the first to launch with the latest software, and the Galaxy S10 series is said to run Android 9 Pie out of the box as well.

Further reports place an in-display fingerprint sensor on the A50, but it is said to be an optical sensor rather than the ultrasonic in-display fingerprint sensor expected in the S10.

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You can play a game from Black Mirror’s Bandersnatch episode on your laptop

Everyone is talking about the latest episode in the Black Mirror anthology series, Bandersnatch, and with good reason; set in 1984, the interactive instalment puts you in control of key decisions throughout the film, meaning you can choose how the episode plays outs.  

Released on Netflix on December 28, Bandersnatch is a natural evolution of Black Mirror's paranoid depictions of technology – as well as Netflix's growing interest in interactive media on its streaming platform, such as Minecraft: Story Mode. It follows budding games designer Stefan Butler as he pitches his choose-your-own-adventure game, Bandersnatch, to games company, Tuckersoft.

In typical Black Mirror fashion, no stone has been left unturned with the creation of a suitably retro-looking website for Tuckersoft, which features in the episode. Not only that, but you can play one of the games from the episode, called Nohzdyve with the help of an ZX Spectrum emulator.

A word of warning thought – it's best not to explore the site until you've watched the episode in case you inadvertently stumble across any spoilers.

A still from Black Mirror's Bandersnatch on Netflix.

How do I play Black Mirror's Nohzdyve game?

What's interesting about the Tuckersoft website, is that there are multiple versions of it out there for you to explore, mirroring the different possible outcomes of Bandersnatch itself (spoilers ahead). 

The regular version of the website, which was discovered via a QR code in the episode, advertises Tuckersoft's games lineup, including Nohzdyve. However, on a different version of the website, which can be accessed by removing the 'www.' prefix from the URL, it states that the game was never completed due to a "bleak turn of events".

Nohzdyve is a free falling game in which you need to avoid obstacles and collect eyeballs. To play the game, you'll need to head to the regular version of the website, and click on the download button to get the .tap file.

As it's a .tap file, the game can only be played using a ZX spectrum emulator like Speccy (for the uninitiated, the ZX Spectrum was an 8-bit personal home computer released in the UK in the early 80s). 

Right now, it doesn't look like the title game, Bandersnatch, is available to play anywhere – but with multiple possible realities, it's probably only a matter of time before it's discovered on a similarly obscure website somewhere.

Via TechCrunch

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10 smartphones launches to look out for in 2019

2018 was a great year for phones. We saw huge leaps in the power of computational photography, cheap phones that look and feel like they could pass for a model three times the price, and glass designs as far as the eye can see.

Will 2019 top it? Judging by what's coming, quite possibly.

Next year we'll get 5G phones, the first true folding screen model from one of the big names, still more CPU power. And, with any luck, even more progress in phone cameras.

Here are the launches you need to watch out for in 2019 that will bring these goodies.

  • The best smartphones of 2018: US | UK | AU | AE

Samsung Galaxy S10 and Galaxy S10 Plus

Samsung Galaxy S9

The Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus will be among the first flagships to launch in 2019

When? March 2019

Sure, by the end of 2019 we may end up recommending you buy a Galaxy Note 10 rather than the Galaxy S10. However, it's the Galaxy S10 we'll see first, and it will set the tone for Samsung's 2019 phones.

The big feature here is the follow-up to the notch. Instead of a lip on the top, screens will look as though they've been attacked with a hole punch. While you may be able to make fingerprint scanners that sit behind screens, standard camera sensors aren't designed to deal with that hurdle. That hole is needed.

It looks a bit odd at first glance. But hopefully once your eyes have adjusted it'll stop looking like someone has stolen a tiny portion of your OLED.

Nokia 9

HMD Global could push the camera game to new levels on smartphones with five lenses.

When? Feb/March 2019

HMD Global has released some great, affordable phones in 2018 but we didn't really see a true flagship from the company this year but that is expected to change next year with the Nokia 9.

Expected to be the first phone with FIVE cameras on the back, the Nokia 9 could push mobile photography to new levels. Nokia championed phone cameras with its PureView technology back in the day and we won't be surprised to see it come back with a bang.

Other than the insane camera setup, the Nokia 9 is also expected to feature and in-screen fingerprint sensor and an 18:8 screen with no notch or punch holes.

Huawei P30 Pro

Huawei P30 Pro

The Huawei P20 Pro was great, but we want even more from the P30 Pro

When? March/April 2019

If you're not impressed by Huawei's phones these days, you should be. After the amazing P20 Pro and Mate 20 Pro in 2018, the Huawei P30 Pro is right near the top of our 'most wanted of 2019' list. 

The big question is where Huawei can go next with its camera technology. Early reports suggest it will use a 38-megapixel main camera sensor, the Sony IMX607. However, it will be tough to improve the already-great low-light image quality of the P20 Pro.

From a user experience point of view, though, perhaps speed rather than a drastic image quality change is what Huawei wants. The P20 Pro can take up to 6-7 seconds to shoot a low-light photo. If it can bring that down to a second or two, the P30 Pro will be even more fun to use.

Motorola Moto G7 and G7 Plus

Moto G6

The Moto G6 is one of the best budget phone of 2018, so the Moto G7 will have its work cut out

When? March/April 2019

We're in the recommendations game. As much as we love new and exciting tech, telling you which phone, laptop, speaker or graphics card to buy is perhaps our most important job. And that's why the Moto G7 and Moto G7 Plus are so important.

Motorola's G-series phones may not be the flashiest around, but each year since 2013 they've offered some of the best value choices for those after a phone that works well and doesn't cost too much.

The Moto G7 is expected to have a small teardrop notch, to fit more display onto its front, and have at least two cameras on its back.

Honor 11

Honor 11

Bringing flagship features to more affordable prices

When? May 2019

Honor has been on a roll with flagship phones such as the Honor Magic 2 and the Honor View 20 already announced. These phones feature high-end specs and are on the higher side of pricing as well.

But Honor is known to bring high-end features at competitive prices and thus, we are excited what comes to Honor 11 (or Honor 20, whatever the company decides to call it.)

Expect some of the features from the current Honor flagships to trickle down to the Honor 11 such as a teardrop notch or a punch hole display along with upgraded cameras- all wrapped up in a package that oozes premium.

Samsung Galaxy X

Samsung Galaxy X

The foldable Samsung Galaxy X could be the most exciting phone of the year

When? Mid-2019, TBC

The top candidate for strangest phone of 2019 is an easy one to call. It's the Samsung Galaxy X, the foldable phone rumored for half a decade. And it is almost here.

A prototype version of what is presumed to be this foldable monster was seen in 2018 at the Samsung Developer Conference. 

It's effectively a vehicle for Samsung's Infinity Flex display technology, the OLED panel and folding mechanism and makes such a futuristic-looking design possible. OK, so it's "2002-era futuristic", but we still want to give it a try.

You effectively get a phone-shaped handset with a screen on the outside that can open up to reveal a tablet-size display. It's one way to let a phone take on the serious jobs you might otherwise use a laptop for. One snag: it's likely to be hugely expensive, enough to make the Galaxy S10 look cheap.

OnePlus 7

OnePlus 6T

The OnePlus 6T added an in-display fingerprint scanner and a smaller notch

When? Before end of May 2019

OnePlus thrives on "leaks" and teasers rather than carefully keeping them to a tight pre-release schedule. And we already know the next OnePlus phone, which may be called the OnePlus 7, will have 5G mobile internet.

It will make it one of the first to offer 5G mobile internet. And unless you live in a country with some of the best mobile network infrastructure in the world, it also likely means that extra speed won't be meaningful for a while.

Still, shiny new things still shine. OnePlus let this tease out at Qualcomm's Snapdragon conference in December 2018, suggesting the phone will use the Snapdragon 855 CPU. You can expect existing OnePlus goodies too, like an in-screen fingerprint scanner and, probably, largely glass build.

The one snag is the price. OnePlus has suggested the 5G version of the OnePlus 7 will be $300 more than the norm, so let's hope there's a 4G version for us mere mortals too.

iPhone 11 and 11 Max

iPhone XS

The iPhone XS and XS Max were incremental upgrades, so we're hoping for big things from the iPhone 11

When? September

As ever, it'll be months before we see anything vaguely reliable leaked about the next iPhone. Apple likes to keep its surprises fresh for the big day, and that big day isn't until (most likely) September.

The roll call of current spurious suggestions about what the iPhone 11 will be like include a pop-up camera module, a TouchBar display on its side and an iPad Pro-like stylus. 

We don't believe a word of it, but we're happy to be proved wrong.

Google Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL

Google Pixel 3

The Pixel 3 and Pixel 3 XL have some of the best cameras on a phone - how will the Pixel 4 improve?

When? October

It's too early for any major Pixel 4 leaks. But some references to 2019's upcoming 'first-party' Android have already appeared. Product codenames were spotted in the ARCore developer kit. This is what developers use to make Android AR apps.

"Bonito and Sargo" may be the behind-the-scenes names for the Pixel 4 and Pixel 4 XL. This also suggests they may have next-generation augmented reality abilities. 

Such a feature would work in Google's favor, as it may well mean they have something rivals around at the same time lack. Also, here's to hoping that Google finally, officially releases the Pixel series in the Middle East.

Huawei Mate 30 Pro

The Mate 20 Pro turned out to the best phone in 2018- can Huawei follow it up next year with the Mate 30?

When? October

Huawei has had one hell of a year in 2018 with the P20 Pro and the Mate 20 Pro which are easily the best phones of this year. The Mate 20 Pro really pushed the boundaries of what phones are capable of and thus a lot will be riding on the Mate 30 Pro when it's released late next year.

It's too soon to tell, and we'll be honest, we really have no idea what Huawei will bring with the Mate 30 Pro considering the current model already has all the bells and whistles that phones will be rocking in 2019, but it is Huawei's flagship product so expect the unexpected.

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Secure and easy authentication will become a business advantage in 2019

At RSA’s 2004 security conference, Bill Gates predicted, “There is no doubt that over time, people are going to rely less and less on passwords,” adding that passwords “just don’t meet the challenge for anything you really want to secure.” 

A pertinent truth that is often forgotten when discussing the importance of authentication is that passwords should have been removed from the equation a long time ago. However, many companies do not see why they should protect their users by moving away from passwords; they do not see customer security as a sales point nor a part of their business practice. Meanwhile, regulators see strong authentication as a business to business practice and not as a ‘must have’ in the consumer market.

As a result of a shift in awareness, regulations, and motivation in 2018 alone, we have more evidence than ever to believe this change will finally be implemented in the coming year, with many companies standing to benefit from its advantages. 

Shift in awareness

There was an endless cycle of credential related breaches in 2018, from HSBC to Twitter and most notably Facebook, which resulted in an increase in both business and consumer awareness for weak single factor authentication. 

Shift in regulations

With regulatory officials like HIPPA and PCI-DSS supporting multi-factor authentication and its three factor types: something you know, something you have and something you are, this mode of verification is here to stay.  

Shift in liability

With the implementation of The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) this year, the liability has shifted from the end user to the data handler and data processor, leaving the company legally liable for any breach of customer privacy and information. This change in liability hits organizations where it hurts – profits – giving them an incentive to provide better authentication processes to employees and customers alike.

These shifts have been predicted, however in the last few months we have seen an interesting shift in the least expected place: the US government. Sen. Richard Blumenthal tweeted that “we must set clear customer data protection standards for all companies — whether they’re hotel chains, online retailers, or big tech — and severe penalties for those who fall short.”

The public, regulators, and government are each aware of the dangers of passwords. In 2019 we will start to see companies which already utilize multi-factor authentication, present it as a unique sales value. Companies that don’t already use it will begin to support multi-factor authentication and use their newfound security to attract customers. 

User experience and cost are two other components we believe will also soon adapt. An attractive business model is to offer a less expensive option for identity security that is both easier and more secure. According to Gartner’s 2018 Market Guide for User Authentication:

“By 2022, 60% of large and global enterprises, and 90% of midsize enterprises (MSEs), will implement passwordless methods in more than 50% of use cases, which is an increase from fewer than 5% today.”

Passwordless authentication is more secure, requires less maintenance (password resets, employee downtime) and the overall experience is simpler and easier, creating a superior user experience and a higher conversion of sales. Although over a decade too early, Bill Gates got it right in 2004 as we will see the masses move away from passwords in 2019.    

Raz Rafaeli, CEO and Co-founder of Secret Double Octopus 

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The best Netflix series in the UK (September 2019): fantastic Netflix shows to binge

Netflix has more than 140 million subscribers last time we checked. Which means if you've ditched regular TV and you're getting your fix online, you're certainly not alone.

The streaming platform has been working hard to make sure it's full of a diverse range of TV shows, from exclusive series created by the Netflix studios through to classic shows and must-watch boxsets from other channels.

UPDATE: It's been a fantastic few months for great new Netflix TV shows, some of our favourites have been Top Boy, Dark Crystal: age of resistance and GLOW, but there's so much more to choose from – and plenty more on the way. 

This week we welcome in The Politician, the latest from Ryan Murphy (of Glee and American Horror Story fame) and Brad Falchuk, as well as the fourth and final season of super-popular TV series The Good Place

Although Netflix offers a huge number of TV shows, including old classic sitcoms and soaps, the site's own Netflix Originals, produced in-house, have birthed the likes of Bojack Horseman, Orange is the New Black, and the brilliantly quirky Russian Doll – which has just been renewed for a second season!

Sadly, Rick and Morty season 4 won't be coming to Netflix when its released in November – instead it will be available to watch on Channel 4.

That being said, there's still all sorts of big-hitters and cult hits competing for your eyeballs, with TV shows being added and removed from Netflix on almost a daily basis. 

The streaming platform will need to keep up its winning streak of great TV content, with rising subscription prices and fierce competition from the likes of Disney Plus, and Apple TV Plus when they launch later in the year.

We've put together this guide to the best Netflix shows that you can watch in the UK right now – and so you can keep up-to-date with Netflix's busy release schedule, which we'll be updating you on once a week. You can check out the box to the right for the best Netflix shows by category – comedy, drama, sci-fi, Netflix Originals, and the like – or read on below for what's coming and going on the service.

If you're more of an Amazon Prime fan, and there's a lot to love about this Netflix rival at the moment, then you can see all the best Amazon Prime TV shows in our separate guide.

A still from When They See Us, a new TV show on Netflix UK

When They See Us has been the most watched show on the platform – of all time. Image Credit: Netflix

New Netflix TV shows

There's a great selection of new shows to watch on Netflix right now. 

The highly-anticipated prequel to Jim Henson's 1982 film The Dark Crystal is here. It's a 10-part series called The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance and it follows the earlier story of Thra. 

If fantasy isn't your thing, check out the first season of Sacha Baron Cohen's new series The Spy. Cohen stars as real-life Mossad agent Eli Cohen, who successfully went undercover in Syria in the early 1960s.

One of our top picks of the year so far is When They See Us, the hard-hitting new drama miniseries from Ava DuVernay, which is a powerful look at systemic racism in the US featuring some exceptional performances. In fact, since its release earlier this month, the show has become the most popular series Netflix has ever featured on the platform – in short, it's a must-watch. 

Netflix has also welcomed the third and final season of Jessica Jones, the season season of Dark (a German language Netflix Original series), the third season of Stranger Things – which could just be the best yet – and the final season of Orange is the New Black.

And if you just can't get enough of Stranger Things star David Harbour, you'll be happy to hear he's released a mockumentary on Netflix called Frankenstein's Monster's Monster: Frankenstein. From the trailer (below), you'll see it's a funny spoof, with great acting from Harbour. 

What's coming soon to Netflix?

For Netflix TV shows, there's a lot to look forward to later in the year too. 

We're delighted that Netflix's Emmy award-winning series The Crown, will return for a third season on November 17. The hugely popular historical drama returns with a new cast, with recent Oscar winner Olivia Colman taking over from Claire Foy in the lead role.

More details have also been revealed about The Witcher TV show. The Netflix adaptation of The Witcher game and book will be released before the end of 2019, the company has now confirmed.

Neil Gaiman fans will be happy to hear that it looks like Netflix and Warner have agreed on a deal to bring Gaiman's fantastical Sandman horror stories to life. Early reports suggest there will be 10 episodes based on the award-winning comic books and Gaiman himself will be co-writing at least one of the episodes. Get ready to enter The Dreaming!

Here's some of the brilliant Netflix UK shows you can expect in 2019:

  • The Crown - November 17, 2019
  • The Witcher - late 2019
  • Bojack Horseman, New Season - Date Unknown
  • Lucifer, New Season - Date Unknown
  • Sex Education, New Season - Date Unknown
  • Ozark, New Season - Date Unknown
  • Umbrella Academy, New Season - Date Unknown
  • For more, read our round up of the best upcoming TV shows and movies on Netflix

A press image for Stranger Things 3

Image Credit: Netflix

Netflix UK FAQ: quick questions answered

How much does Netflix cost in the UK? There are a few different plans you can choose from in the UK, depending on whether you want to watch in SD, HD, or Ultra HD (4K) – dependent on the strength of your internet – and how many separate devices you want to watch on.

Basic– £5.99 per month – With the cheapest membership option, you can watch one one screen at a time in Standard Definition, and download videos to one mobile device. 

Standard – £7.99 per month – This membership allows you to watch in HD on two screens at a time and download videos to two mobile devices.

Premium – £9.99 per month – The most expensive subscription allows you to watch in HD and Ultra HD on four screens at a time, and download videos to four mobile devices. 

How can I get a free Netflix account? Netflix offers new customers a free month of the service as a trial period – simply choose a membership type and payment plan and your first month will be free.

At the end of this period, if you choose to continue watching Netflix, you'll be charged one "low monthly fee" regardless of how much you used the service and on how many devices you watched videos on. 

Netflix will send you a reminder towards the end of your trial period – if you want to cancel your membership, you can do so at any time during this period and you won't be charged. 

Can I watch live TV on Netflix? No – you can only watch films and TV series from Netflix's rather extensive library. If you want to watch live TV in the UK, you can try services like Sky's Now TV, BBC iPlayer, or ITV Hub.

Is Amazon Prime better than Netflix? The answer to that question really depends on the shows and movies you want to watch. Check out our roundup of the best Amazon Prime Video TV Shows for an idea of what you can watch on Amazon Prime. You can also read our Amazon Prime review for more information on what the service offers.

Do you get Netflix free with Sky Q? Netflix can be accessed on a Sky Q box, but it doesn't come for free – you'll still need to sign in with a paid-for Netflix subscription. However, if you opt for Sky's Ultimate on Demand package, it will integrate Netflix billing with your Sky bill, while reducing its cost and unlocking Netflix recommendations within the Sky Q interface. If you're paying for both services, it's well worth combining them in this way as a result.

Best Netflix Original series  

Some of the best Netflix series worth watching today are ones the streaming site has produced itself – often with stellar results. There's been a lot of money pumped into creating original content, even if Netflix may get a bit pickier about what it funds going forward.

While many of the Netflix Original shows out there were committed to the dustbin of viewing habits pretty quickly, these ones are definitely worth your attention.

The Politician Netflix

Image Credit: Netflix

The Politician

The Politician is the latest series from Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan. If those names sound familiar, it's because they're some of the brains behind big TV shows, American Horror Story and Glee.

The Politician has a fantastic cast, including Gwyneth Paltrow, Ben Platt and Jessica Lange. It's about a young wannabe politician called Platt Payton Hobart and all the different political races he takes part in. Expect what the creators are best at, sharp writing, great stories and dark comedy. 

Seasons on Netflix: 1

An image from the Netflix series Top Boy

Image Credit: Netflix

Top Boy

Top Boy is a gritty story of two drug dealers in East London. If the name sounds familiar, it's because it's the third season of the series, which was cancelled by Channel 4 a whole six years ago. According to stats, it's already one of the top-watched shows on Netflix in the UK – it took time, but we're grateful it finally made it back to our screens. 

Season on Netflix: 1

Dark Crystal Netflix TV Series

Image Credit: Netflix

The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance

The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance is a fantasy adventure that's a joint production between Netflix and The Jim Henson Company. It's a prequel to Jim Henson's classic 1982 movie The Dark Crystal. There are ten episodes, which show us what was going on in the magical world of Thra before the original film began. It's colourful, beautiful and full of puppet mastery.

Season on Netflix: 1

The Spy on Netflix

Image Credit: Netflix

The Spy

You may be used to watching Sacha Baron Cohen in comedy roles, but he truly shines in this English-language French spy thriller. The miniseries is about the life of one of Israel's top Mossad spies, Eli Cohen, in Syria. It's based on a book, but inspired by real life events.

Seasons on Netflix: 1

A still from When They See Us, a new TV show on Netflix UK

Image Credit: Netflix

When They See Us

Created by Ava DuVernay for Netflix, this hard-hitting drama follows the story of five teens - four African American men and one Hispanic - who were accused of attacking and raping a woman in New York in 1989. It's a gut-wrenching story that shines a light on the systemic racism in the US.

Just a few weeks after its release, this show has garnered a lot of media attention, as well as a lot of viewers. Netflix has revealed it's actually the most popular series that's ever been featured on the platform to date. In other words, it's a must-watch.

Season on Netflix: 1

best Netflix series

Image credit: Netflix

Russian Doll

Orange Is The New Black's Natasha Lyonne stars in this dark comedy as Nadia, who keeps dying and reliving her 36th birthday party in a surreal time loop – much like Groundhog Day. 

With it's cynical and witty examination of living and dying, Russian Doll switches rapidly between laugh-out-loud hilarity and devastating sadness – it's a must-watch. In June 2019, Netflix announced it would be renewing Russian Doll for a second season - more details to come soon.

Seasons on Netflix: 1 

best Netflix series

Image credit: Netflix

Maniac

A bizarre new sci-fi series based on a Norwegian TV show of the same name. It's about Annie and Owen, played by Emma Stone and Jonah Hill, two troubled strangers who are brought together during some strange pharmaceutical trials. Dr. James K. Mantleray claims that a new series of pills he's created can solve all kinds of mental illness and heartbreak, but there's something much deeper and more sinister going on too. 

Seasons on Netflix: 1

best Netflix series

Image credit: Netflix

Bojack Horseman

Yes, Bojack Horseman is hilarious. Yes, it’s the best thing Will Arnett has done since Arrested Development. And, yes, it should be the next thing you watch if you are into anthropomorphic comedy about a once great TV star who has fallen on hard times. It’s all of that but it’s also a pretty accurate portrayal of depression and should be celebrated as such.

For those who are worried it may be too dark for them, fear not - there's loads of slapstick humor, word play, and stunning animation to keep everything balanced.

Seasons on Netflix: 5

best Netflix series

Image credit: Netflix

The Crown

Is The Crown Netflix's crowning glory? It could be, as a sumptuous look at one of the world's most famous families: the Royal family. Charting the early years of the relationship between the Queen (Claire Foy) and Prince Philip  (former Doctor Who Matt Smith), the show was written by Peter Morgan and, at £100 million, is one of the most expensive TV series ever made. Which means there's enough pomp and ceremony to keep those pining for a Downton Abbey replacement happy.

The second season is now on Netflix and is a nice improvement on the first series - it's also the last that stars the current cast, with Olivia Coleman and Helena Bonham Carter slated to appear as the Queen and Princess Margaret respectively in the next couple on seasons.

Seasons on Netflix: 2

best Netflix series

Image credit: Netflix

Orange is the New Black

Orange Is The New Black is back for its sixth season and is a show that consistently one of the best to watch, with its superb tale of life in a women's prison. 

It's so popular that it is now the most watched series on Netflix - although the makers have announced that the show's next season will be its last.

The show has returned for its seventh final season and things are looking pretty bleak for the inmates of Litchfield Penitentiary – as well as for those who are on the outside. While the comedy is still there, it's slathered with a fair bit of drama and darkness.

Seasons on Netflix: 7

best Netflix series

Image credit: Netflix

GLOW

The long-awaited third season of the female wrestling comedy GLOW is finally here. The Gorgeous Ladies Of Wrestling have returned and this time they’ve been commissioned for a full series of their trashy, hot-pink, hairspray-fuelled wrestling show led by their coked-up director (played by Marc Maron). 

Sound familiar? Well, this season there's a big difference: they've moved to VEGAS, baby!

The fantastic third season could potentially even outshine the first two for its refreshing female-fronted cast and writers, and its brilliant balancing act between empowerment and exploitation. It’s a must-watch.

Seasons on Netflix: 3

Best drama series on Netflix

best Netflix series

Image credit: Sony Pictures Television

Breaking Bad

Breaking Bad is must-watch TV and one of the reasons Netflix has risen to the popularity it has. Before Breaking Bad, Netflix was seen as a fairly decent streaming service. After it got the rights to show the final season of Breaking Bad in the UK, Netflix propelled itself to superstardom. Not bad for a show that’s ostensibly about a high-school teacher with cancer who goes on to sell meth to pay for his hospital bills. 

It goes without saying, if you haven’t yet spent time with Walter White and Jesse - do so now! But, be warned, the show is as addictive as the stuff Walter is peddling. 

Seasons on Netflix: 5

best Netflix series

Image credit: BBC

Sherlock

This contemporary BBC remake of the Arthur Conan Doyle classic is dark, funny, and intricately written, and it's brought Victorian sleuth Sherlock Holmes bang up to date for the modern age. 

With stellar performances from Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman as Holmes and Dr Watson respectively, this BBC adaptation is an absolute must-watch. Storylines packed with intrigue and nail-biting tension are offset by moments of genuine humor, so even the scaredy-cats in the family will find something to love about this series.

Seasons on Netflix: 4

best Netflix series

Image credit: Channel 4 / Clerkenwell Films

The End of the F***ing World

Adapted from the comic book of the same name (mins the ***), The End Of The F***ing World is f***ing brilliant. It tells the tale of two teenagers on a journey; both are loners on the run but one of them just happens to be a bit of a psychopath. It's funny, but brutal TV. It's British and co-funded by Channel 4 and there's a fantastic edge to everything in it - and it's perfectly bite-sized, too at just under 20 minutes an episode. It's so good, it's destined to get a second season. The first ends so perfectly, though, it's actually a real shame that this will happen.

Seasons on Netflix: 1 (and it needs to stay that way)

best Netflix series

Image credit: Lionsgate Television

Mad Men

On the face of it, Mad Men is about advertising execs - lead by the ever-conflicted Don Draper - in the Sixties but it's much much more. Each episode lingers, taking time to tell its tale, but it's worth the wait. Superb television that you can get caught up in.

Seasons on Netflix: 7

Best comedy series on Netflix

That's right: Netflix has become a brilliant hub for the funnies. Whether that's Netflix's range of stand-up specials, or the TV comedies below, there are few streaming sites as sure to get a laugh out of you.

A still from the NEtflix TV show Easy

Image Credit: Netflix 

Easy

All three seasons of Easy are now available on Netflix. It's a US comedy set in Chicago  all about love, relationships and sex. There are some characters that crop up again as protagonists, but sometimes they're background characters in other stories. We like that comedian and WTF podcast creator Marc Maron is making an appearance in the third season.

Seasons on Netflix: 3

best Netflix series

Image credit: Netflix

Sex Education

This British comedy series sees socially awkward sixth-former Otis (who lives with his sex therapist mother) team up with the smart and rebellious Maeve, to create a sex clinic for the school's sexually frustrated students.

It's equally funny as it is heartfelt, and offers a frank and uncensored view of teen sexuality and the social quagmire that is sixth-form education. 

Don't be put off by the Americanisation of this high school comedy that's apparently set in a seemingly quaint British village – the temporal and physical ambiguity is what gives this fantastic series part of its charm. 

Seasons on Netflix: 1

best Netflix series

Image credit: NBC / Fremulon

The Good Place

New season just added

Comedy is in a good place right now and, funnily enough, The Good Place is a perfect example of that. Starring Ted Danson and Kristen Bell, this off-the-wall comedy focuses on a recently deceased woman who is sent to a heaven-like utopia called the Good Place completely by accident. In order to stay there she goes to any lengths to hide what a terrible person she was when living. 

Season 1 and 2 have already aired in the UK through Netflix, with new season 3 episodes being added each week in line with their US release. The fourth season is expected to land later in 2019, which unfortunately will be the last.

A great cast, clever writing and an original concept make this a must-watch.

Seasons on Netflix: 4

best Netflix series

Image credit: Objective Productions / Channel 4

Peep Show

All nine seasons of Peep Show are now on Netflix - and if you haven't seen the show, then you are in for a treat. Charting the rather mundane lives of two flatmates Jez (Robert Webb) and Mark (David Mitchell), the show is a wry look at adults trying and failing to be adults. 

All shot in first person - hence the name - Peep Show doesn't shirk from sex, drugs and political incorrectness but it does it all in such a brilliantly British way, that you don't mind at all when you are watching some of the most awkward TV moments, including one of the characters serving up a dead dog for dinner. 

Don't ask, just watch.

Seasons on Netflix: 9

best Netflix series

Image credit: FX

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia

Initially made on a shoe-string budget, It's Always Sunny In Philadelphia first season had a cult following, but low viewing figures meant it was destined to be a one-series wonder. Thankfully, everything changed when Season 2 was eventually green-lit, thanks to some big-time star power. Danny De Vito joined for a 10-episode run that was extended because he loved it so much. 

He's still in the show that's now in its 13th season, bringing with him huge viewing figures. The antics of Dennis (Glenn Howerton), Mac (Rob McElhenney, the show's creator), Charlie (Charlie Kelly) and Sweet Dee (Kaitlin Olson) won't be for everyone - at its darkest the show's 'comedy' themes range from nazism to drug abuse - but stick with it and this deliciously depraved classic will reward you.

Its 13th season has finally arrived on Netflix, and we're happy to say, it's just as funny as the previous 12. 

Seasons on Netflix: 13

best Netflix series

Image credit: Netflix

Arrested Development

Arrested Development is one of the best comedies ever made. So it made sense that Netflix would want to resurrect it for a fifth season. The fourth season was funny, but it wasn’t perfect - primarily because most of the cast were too busy to get into the same room.

But the first half fifth season brings back some of that Bluth magic, which is full of in-jokes, jokes that run for entire seasons and more, well, jokes, this is essential TV.

[Update: The second half of season 5 is here as of March 15, 2019. Do the chicken dance!]

Seasons on Netflix: 5 

best Netflix series

Image credit: Fox

Brooklyn Nine-Nine

Following the brilliant but immature NYPD detective Jake Peralta, this Golden Globe-winning series is a laugh-a-minute, with plenty of deadpan jokes, physical comedy, and crackpot characters. 

With around 20 episodes per season Brooklyn Nine-Nine is totally bingeable, and the latest fifth season is now available to stream on Netflix.

Seasons on Netflix: 5

Best sci-fi / fantasy series on Netflix

best Netflix series

Image credit: Netflix

Stranger Things

When it comes to TV and movies, the '80s is the nostalgia decade of the moment. Whether it's Jeff Nichols' Midnight Special that plays like a Steven Spielberg film, if Spielberg still made films like he did in the Eighties, or The Goldbergs and Red Oaks mining the decade for laughs, filmmakers can't get enough of the shell suits and Sony Walkmans.

Stranger Things is another brilliant homage to this era. Leaning heavily on Spielberg, John Carpenter and Stephen King - so much King - the story revolves around a small town, a group of friends, a missing person and a dodgy science lab. Writing anything else would give away the myriad twists in a show that is full of brilliant creepy fun.

The third season has just arrived on Netflix and it's probably the best one yet, bringing everything we know and love about the show and adding in even more spooky science, drama between the characters and heaps of colourful 80s nostalgia.

Seasons on Netflix: 3

best Netflix series

Image credit: Netflix

The OA

Co-created by and starring the ever-brilliant Brit Marling, The OA consists of eight episodes that rival Stranger Things for, well, strangeness. 

Marling is a blind woman who comes back after disappearing for many years. Her sight is restored and she has a tale to tell. The whole thing has been made to make you feel uneasy and it does a great job of that – and with the second season now on Netflix, there's more to binge than ever before.

Seasons on Netflix: 2

best Netflix series

Image credit: CBS

Star Trek: Discovery

Well, this series went to places we never thought it would. Set before the exploits of the Starship Enterprise, the show is filled with Roddenberry characters. But while the original series had shades of light this is a much darker look at space exploration. Sonequa Martin-Green is great as the first officer who has a past intrinsically linked to Star Trek characters of the past – we can't wait to see where this series goes.

Seasons on Netflix: 2

best Netflix series

Image credit: Netflix

Black Mirror

Season 5 of Black Mirror is out now and, although we're sure we said the same thing for the fourth season, this one could be the darkest, most varied season of the show yet. 

Before Black Mirror, Charlie Brooker was best known for his snarky look at the news in Weekly Wipe and his fantastic, caustic look at 'meeja' types in London’s Shoreditch. 

Now, the show has given him superstar status. For good reason, it’s fantastic TV with each episode taking on a different dystopia topic, mostly framed around technology going very long. The third season was commissioned by Netflix and is in 4K, with most of the episodes being feature length.

Seasons on Netflix: 5

best Netflix series

Image credit: Netflix

New season added: Dark

Dark is a German-language supernatural thriller in which the disappearance of two children in a small town brings the fractured relationships and dark pasts of the people living there to the surface. 

Adding a touch of Scandinavian crime thriller to American drama, this 10-part series has been renewed for a second season, which landed on Netflix in June 2019.

Seasons on Netflix: 2

best Netflix series

Image credit: Netflix

The Umbrella Academy

Based on the comic books written by My Chemical Romance's Gerard Way and illustrated by Gabriel Bá, The Umbrella Academy is Netflix's latest Original series. 

After 43 babies are born to women who showed no signs of pregnancy, seven are adopted by billionaire Sir Reginald Hargreeves, who trains them to save the world using their powers. 

After the family becomes estranged, they are reunited once more when their father dies and are forced to come to terms with their past and the danger that lurks in their future. 

Fronted by Ellen Page, The Umbrella Academy is flamboyant, dark, and gratifyingly violent – all the ingredients you need for a great superhero series.

Best animated series on Netflix

Netflix has made no secret of its desire to cater to all tastes – including those after some high-class animation. There's been a flurry of kids' cartoons, adult satires, and Japanese anime making its way to the service: here's our pick of the very best. (Alternatively, if you're looking for the best streaming service for anime, we have a whole other guide for that.)

best Netflix series

Image credit: Warner Bros.

Rick and Morty

Rick and Morty has enjoyed an almost obsessive cult following since its release in 2013, and with three seasons on Netflix, there's a lot to catch up on if you haven't seen it yet. 

The series follows the crazy inter-dimensional adventures of mad scientist Rick Sanchez and his timid grandson Morty, as they navigate both the multiverse and fraught family relationships.

Part of it's wide appeal is creator Dan Harmon's masterful combination of side-splitting humor with sometimes devastating emotional depth, meaning Rick and Morty is a series you will unlikely be able to stop watching once you start. 

Sadly Rick and Morty season 4 isn't coming to Netflix – instead it will air on Channel 4 in the UK. What this means for previous seasons on Netflix remains to be seen, but the likelihood is that they'll eventually be taken down. 

Seasons on Netflix: 3

Neon Genesis Evangelion

This critically-acclaimed Japanese anime has landed on Netflix, with all 26 episodes of the original series as well as two additional tie-in films, Death True and The End of Evangelion. Given how hard it's been to get hold of in recent years, the anime coming to Netflix is nothing short of a miracle.

Charting a battle between giant human mechs (piloted by high schoolers, of course) and invading monsters known as Angels, this is an anime that spends as much time looking at the internal lives of its protagonists as the flashy action sequences they find themselves in. Dark, raw, and unafraid of facing emotional trauma, Neon Genesis Evangelion is a must-watch for any anime fan.

best Netflix series

Image credit: Warner Bros.

Final Space

Another sci-fi entry here: after human prisoner Gary meets a planet-destroying alien, they must go on an interstellar mission to save Earth. Alongside a ragtag team of misfits, Gary embarks on a journey through space to find out the true meaning of 'final space', or where the universe ends.

Laugh-out-loud funny, and surprisingly emotional, the series was picked up for another season in May 2018.

Seasons on Netflix: 1

best Netflix series

Image credit: Netflix

F is for Family

Based on the life of comedian Bill Burr, F is for Family is a funny and endearing cartoon set in 1970's American suburbia, and centres around Burr's father Frank Murphy. 

A little like an even more adult version of The Simpsons, the series is all about 70's nostalgia, with musical, costume, and cultural throwbacks interspersed with Frank's profane rants at his misbehaving children and long suffering wife Sue.

Full to the brim with laugh-out-loud moments, the series is just as heartwarming as it is hilarious - and it's back for a brilliant third season.

Seasons on Netflix: 3

best Netflix series

Image credit: FXX

Archer

Archer is back on Netflix for its penultimate ninth season, and like the previous season, the characters are playing different versions of themselves as Archer still lies in a coma.

This time Archer is a drunken co-pilot alongside Pam, who crash their plane onto the verdant Pacific island of Mitimotu, with the series paying homage to the short-lived television series Tales of the Golden Monkey and the Indiana Jones films. 

Seasons on Netflix: 9

best Netflix series

Image credit: WIT Studio

Attack on Titan

Based on the manga of the same name by Hajime Isayama, Attack on Titan is an action -packed anime that's set in a world where humans live in cities protected by enormous walls to protect them from gigantic humanoid monsters called Titans who devour them at any opportunity. 

When a Titan breaks through the wall of protagonist Eren Yeager's hometown, he vows to get revenge by joining a group of soldiers who battle them. Although the show has a dedicated fan following, though the second and third seasons are yet to be released on Netflix. (You can find the rest on Crunchyroll.)

Seasons on Netflix: 1

best Netflix series

Image credit: Cartoon Network

Over the Garden Wall

Now something for the kids – originally aired on Cartoon Network, Over the Garden Wall is a charming mini-series that centers on two half brothers Wirt and Greg (voiced by Elijah Wood and Collin Dean respectively) who must find their way home through an enchanted forest. 

Stalked by an evil ancient creature called 'The Beast', the two boys encounter the strange and sometimes wonderful inhabitants of the forest along their way.

With stunning animation inspired by Victorian illustrations and postcards, Over the Garden Wall is the perfect watch for adults and children alike.

Seasons on Netflix: 1

Best documentaries on Netflix

A promo shot for Our Planet on Netflix

Image Credit: Netflix

Our Planet

Narrated by everyone's favourite nature expert, David Attenborough, the new Our Planet documentary is a beautiful and breathtaking look at planet Earth in all its glory. 

Produced in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund, the new eight-part series took more than four years to make and is Netflix's first nature documentary. 

Although the scenes are truly wonderful, the documentary was made to address issues of conservation and show the impact climate change has on animals across the globe.

Seasons: 1

best Netflix series

Image credit: Netflix

Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes

The latest true crime documentary to land on Netflix is this fascinating insight into the crimes of notorious serial killer, Ted Bundy. The four-part series features present day interviews, archival footage of Bundy, and audio recordings made with the killer on death row. 

With chilling images and descriptions of Bundy's crimes, it's not a watch for the faint-hearted. But, if you can stomach it, this documentary is completely captivating.

Seasons on Netflix: 1

The Great Hack

What's your personal data really being used for? The Cambridge Analytics scandal rocked the world of social media, with huge swathes of user information being weaponized for targeted political warfare – notably for Donald Trump's election campaign and the Leave campaign in the UK – and Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg even being called to Congress to testify on the matter. Here's how it happened.

best Netflix series

Image Credit: Netflix

The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann

It might be one of the most famous unsolved missing person cases ever in the UK and now the story of Madeleine McCann's disappearance has been given the Netflix documentary treatment.

The new documentary is reported to contain testimonies that haven't been heard before and it's bound to reignite discussion about what really happened to Maddie.

As with all documentaries on Netflix that deal with sensitive issues, be warned before watching this one. We haven't had chance to watch it yet but imagine it'll be triggering and upsetting. If you're looking for something light, this most certainly is not it. 

Seasons on Netflix: 1

best Netflix series

Image credit: Netflix

Making a Murderer

The world's fascination with real crime seems to be at its highest at the moment and it's all thanks to the podcast Serial. Now on to its second series, Serial highlights cases of crime in forensic detail. Making a Murderer is in a similar vein. This 10-part series looks at Steven Avery, someone who spent 18 years in prison for a crime he didn't commit and is then accused of a different crime. The show has been ten years in the making and is gripping stuff.

Seasons on Netflix: 2

best Netflix series

Image credit: Duplass Brothers Productions

Evil Genius

If true crime is your thing, then you'll want to get stuck into Evil Genius this weekend. It's about the very odd story of a pizza delivery man who robs a bank with a bomb tied around his neck. And that's all we can really say without ruining some of the more baffling details. 

Described by numerous review sites as "unnerving" and "Lynchian", this isn't one for rom-com lovers or those looking for a chilled Sunday evening watch.

Seasons on Netflix: 1

best Netflix series

Image credit: BBC

Planet Earth II

Nature buffs will have likely already watched this breath-taking documentary series when it first premiered on the BBC back in 2016, but you can rewatch it all again now the entire second season has landed on Netflix.

Following on from the super popular Planet Earth, this beautiful, breath-taking and at times brutal look at our planet and the plants, animals and people that thrive on it is made even more compelling because it's narrated by David Attenborough and the main music is composed by Hans Zimmer. 

Seasons on Netflix: 1

best Netflix series

Image credit: Netflix

Last Chance U

ESPN might've had the world of sports documentaries well in hand with its 30 for 30 series. But that was before Netflix got the crazy idea to make one of its own. Inspired by an article in GQ magazine, Last Chance U follows student athletes who are one step away from never playing football again. On top of the pressures on the field, students face problems in the classroom where class absences and the fear failing hit harder than a defensive lineman. It's gritty, heart-wrenching and exactly the kind of series that gives you something to root for all while biting your nails.

Just in time for football season, the third season of the show – which follows a new team in Independence, Kansas – is now available.

Seasons on Netflix: 3

best Netflix series

Image credit: Netflix

Explained

Created by Netflix and Vox Media, this handy and smart series takes a look at some of the most popular ideas and tech around today and explains them in a way that's poignant in its presentation without feeling overwhelming to take in. 

From the racial wealth gap, cryptocurrency and why diets rarely work through to K-Pop and the stock market, it's an insightful look at the problems, ideas and trends around today and the stuff that could shape tomorrow. At the very least, it gives you enough knowledge to have a really good debate down at the pub. 

Seasons on Netflix: 1

Best reality series on Netflix

best Netflix series

Image credit: Netflix

Tidying up with Marie Kondo

Does this item spark joy? Marie Kondo is Japanese organizing consultant, and in this series, she visits families and helps them to re-organise their lives. 

Using her KonMarie method, she instructs her students to go through their belongings, only keeping things that "spark joy". Relaxing and uplifting, this show is the perfect thing to watch before a spring clean. 

Seasons on Netflix: 1

best Netflix series

Image credit: Netflix

Queer Eye

Need a dose of feel-good TV to help cope with today's rocky political landscape? Check out Queer Eye, a show about being the best you with help from five of the coolest dudes on the planet. The show has just entered its third season and we're still loving the premise of taking people stuck in a rut and hoisting them to the self-respecting, self-loving person we all want to be. Werk.

[Update: As of March 15, 2019 the third season of Queer Eye is here! Yasss hunny!]

Seasons on Netflix: 3 

best Netflix series

Image credit: Love Productions / Channel 4

The Great British Bake Off

Everyone’s favourite baking show is on Netflix and ready to stream. If you didn’t binge on baking as you binged on chocolate eggs, head on over to the streaming site now to watch seven seasons of GBBO. For those not in the know (seriously, how?), Great British Bake Off is a baking reality show that follows wannabe bakers through a series of challenges week after week. Each time, someone is eliminated and it’s made all the more addictive by judges Mary Berry and Paul Hollywood.

The reboot of the series by Channel 4 (with an entirely new lineup apart from Hollywood) isn't yet available on Netflix, but the rights have been acquired by the streaming giant so it shouldn't be too long now.

Seasons on Netflix: 7

best Netflix series

Image credit: World of Wonder

It's been going strong for 10 years and 11 seasons, but RuPaul's Drag Race is still giving fierce fans a heavy dose of fabulous. For those not already in the know, the elimination-style reality show sees RuPaul go on the hunt for America's next drag superstar - expect lots of glitter, drama, and fun. 

Now that the show has been picked up by Netflix, it's sister show Untucked is also available to stream. 

Season 11 has just landed, with a new episode dropping every Friday – in time for some seriously sickening bingeing. 

Seasons on Netflix: 11

best Netflix series

Image credit: Netflix

Nailed it!

If watching The Great British Bake Off makes you feel inadequate, you should try Nailed It!, the baking show for people who suck at baking. The series sees three contestants per episode take on two impossible baking challenges, with the winner receiving $10,000.

Hosted by the infectiously upbeat Nicole Byer and suave French pastry chef Jaques Torres, this show is guaranteed to make you smile.

[Update: The Christmas edition, Nailed It: Holiday is out now...perfect watching for a cosy night in.]

Seasons on Netflix: 2

best Netflix series

Image credit: Netflix

Ultimate Beastmaster

If you were a fan of Takeshi's Castle back in the day, or more recently, Ninja Warrior, you're going to love Ultimate Beastmaster. The competition sees 2 contestants from six to nine countries take on 'The Beast', a ridiculously challenging obstacle course that only the fittest will be able to take on. 

What sets this series apart from other obstacle course shows is that Netflix produces six localized versions, featuring "select television hosts, actors, comedians and athletes as commentators from the six countries competing in the show".

Seasons on Netflix: 3

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Games of the year 2018: TechRadar’s favorite Xbox One, PS4, Nintendo Switch and PC titles

It’s been a heck of a year for videogames. We’ve navigated the ruins of Greece, trekked through ancient Midgard, ran down trains in the wild west and even raced through the cobbled streets of Britain. But which games have really stood out to us this year?

It’s been a hard task, but the TechRadar team has put their heads together and thrashed out which games we believe were the best this year. At times it got vicious and downright dirty, but we did it for you. So without further ado, here are TechRadar’s games of the year.

Best Virtual Reality Game

Tetris Effect

Think you know Tetris? Think again. It’s been re-invented many times over the years, but by bringing the game into the realm of virtual reality, Tetris Effect is revelatory. 

Taking its cues from the VR port of Rez, Tetris Effect magically pulls together astonishing visual effects and an incredible soundtrack to make Tetris a multi-sensory experience more closely akin to a rhythm action game. It’s a joyous addition to the PSVR’s growing library.

Honorable mention: Astro Bot: Rescue Mission.

Best Mobile Game

Pokémon Go 

We know Pokémon Go didn’t release this year, but the mobile game showed no sign of slowing down in 2018 - if anything it’s getting even bigger. 

With the release of Pokémon Let’s Go Eevee/Pikachu, players now have even more versatile ways to play Go. Not to mention the continually popular community events, the release of the Trainer Battles feature and the unveiling of the mysterious Meltan. We will be trying to catch them all for a while yet it seems.

Honorable mentions: New Star Soccer Manager and Florence.

Best Action Game

Hitman 2 

There wasn’t a huge amount of hype about Hitman 2 before its release but, much like Agent 47 himself, the game sneaked up on us. 

Although Hitman 2 doesn’t do much to drastically change the series’ formula (except for the introduction of multiplayer Ghost mode), we found that that’s precisely what we love about it - plus, assassinating drug lords in Colombia with poison is always a recipe for a good time.

Honorable mention: Far Cry 5.

Best Action/Adventure Game

Marvel’s Spider-Man

If Batman Arkham Asylum proved that superhero games could not only be good, but be great, Marvel’s Spider-Man showed that they could rival the big-screen adaptations of our comic book heroes too. 

Dazzlingly pretty, wonderfully fun and full to the brim with jaw-dropping moments that would make the late Stan Lee proud, ol’ webhead had a truly great adventure this year.

Honorable mention: Red Dead Redemption 2.

Best RPG Game

Assassin’s Creed Odyssey

We’ve come to expect a certain calibre of game when it comes to the Assassin’s Creed series: history, assassinations and a stunning open-world to explore. Assassin’s Creed Odyssey does not disappoint on any of these fronts, providing a vast environment and tantalizing story that truly captures the essence of Ancient Greece. 

Also, you can finally play as a female lead character in a game that will keep you busy for at least 100 hours. Talk about value for money.

Honorable mention: Octopath Traveler.

Best Online Multiplayer Game

Fortnite 

So, here’s the thing – Fortnite actually released back in 2017, and got off to a shaky start as it focused on its base-building, AI-wave battling campaign mode. No-one really cared all that much, but developer soon started turning its attention to the free Battle Royale mode of the game it was offering all players. And, over the course of 2018, it became a phenomenon. 

It’s improved dramatically over the past year, and has grown to become one of the most popular games, well, ever. Find us a kid that isn’t playing Fortnite, and we’ll show you a kid that doesn’t like playing online games with their pals. And so, it would be impossible to crown any other title king of the online multiplayer hill this year.

Honorable mention: Sea of Thieves. 

Best Sport/Racing Game

Forza Horizon 4

Forza Horizon 4 is undeniably stunning, letting you race through the winding countryside and cobbled cities of Great Britain. However it’s not just the graphics that made Forza Horizon 4 our favourite sports game of the year. 

Playground Games’ series continues to push the limits of the racing genre - creating an open-world racing title like no other. 

Honorable mentions: Madden NFL 19 and FIFA 19.

Best Fighting Game

Super Smash Bros Ultimate

It’s been quite a year for fighting games but there’s only one that we felt deserved the title of the best: Super Smash Bros Ultimate. We’ve been waiting for Ultimate since Nintendo announced it at E3 2018 and it certainly didn’t disappoint. 

The Ultimate roster includes more characters, stages and modes than ever before, and finally introduces an online competitive mode. Nintendo have even promised more characters are on the way. It’s not hard to see why Super Smash bros Ultimate is our King of the Ring. 

Honorable mentions: Dragon Ball Fighter Z and Soulcalibur VI.

Best Narrative Game

Red Dead Redemption 2

Red Dead Redemption 2 was arguably the biggest, and most eagerly anticipated, game of 2018. Sometimes boarding the hype train means that you’re greatly disappointed when the title releases and you need to disembark, but luckily this wasn’t the case with Red Dead Redemption 2. 

Not only did Red Dead 2 look spectacular but its intertwining emotional storylines (and side quests) had us deeply invested in Arthur Morgan, the Van Der Linde gang and the changing west. We don’t want to spoil anything, but have some ice cream ready to fill the void Red Dead will leave when you finish.

Honorable mention: God of War.

Best Party Game

Overcooked cemented its place as a much-have party game when it released in 2016, so it’s no surprise Overcooked 2 followed suit. Introducing more characters, more madcap levels and new recipes, Overcooked 2 has built on what the chaotic game so much fun - absolute anarchy. 

Overcooked 2 may have destroyed office friendships but we feel that it’s completely worth it.

Honorable mention: Super Smash Bros Ultimate.

Best Indie Game

Two-Point Hospital

A spiritual successor to Theme Hospital, Two-Point Hospital injected us with nostalgia and dosed us up with tongue-in-cheek humor. The hospital sim proved a hit among newbies and old hands, with its chaotic characters and illnesses such as Bloaty Head, Mock Star, and Jest Infection. It’s a modern twist on a classic and we can’t get enough.

Honorable mentions: Celeste and Into the Breach.

Game of the Year

God of War 

It was a hard one to pin down, and Red Dead Redemption 2 almost had it, but we decided that God of War was our deserving winner of Game of the Year. Between the emotionally captivating relationship between Atreus and Kratos, powerful visuals, intriguing mythological world and action-packed combat; it’s hard to pin down what it is we value most about God of War. 

Although God of War’s gameplay strays from its predecessors, we felt that the heart of the series’ newest addition made it truly spectacular.

Honorable mention: Red Dead Redemption 2.

Most Excited About

Cyberpunk 2077

We’ve been spoiled by ProjektRed’s Witcher RPGs over the past decade, but with Geralt’s story coming to an end, it’s time for something new. Cyberpunk 2077 looks set to take the free-roaming, narrative-heavy direction of the Witcher series, but thrust it into an all-new first person futuristic world. 

Imagine a BladeRunner film that you can play, and you’re pretty much there. We’re incredibly excited about Cyberpunk 2077… but will we really see it in 2019? It seems so ambitious, we’re starting to think this one may be destined for the Xbox Two and PS5 of the future.

Honorable mentions: The Elder Scrolls 6 and Ghost of Tsushima.

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How to save on used tech to help you avoid the New Year sales

Around Christmas there's a lot of present buying, but also a lot of gadget selling – particularly after Christmas Day as people try and unload the phones, tablets, laptops and other gear that they've just been able to replace thanks to a visit from Santa Claus.

While many will be heading to the nearest mall or shopping center for the New Year sales, finding the product you're looking for can be pretty hellish when you're up against hundreds of other shoppers. 

So, whether you're buying a post-holiday gift for a friend or you want to pick up a bargain for yourself, you can get some great value deals on gadgets that aren't brand new after the holidays– but you do need to know where to go and what you're looking for, and that's where our guide can help.

The benefits of used tech

Samsung Galaxy S8

Samsung Galaxy S8

First of all you need to go in with your eyes open when it comes to knowing what you're getting from used tech – gadgets that have had one or more previous owners come in a whole range of conditions and you can expect to pay accordingly. If these gadgets were just as good as brand new ones, they'd be at the same price.

You've got everything from the broken, six-year-old Samsung Galaxy phone someone is trying to flog on eBay, to a refurbished MacBook direct from Apple that comes with a warranty: the more money you save the more of a risk you're taking. It's important to check and then double-check the condition of the item as well as any included extras.

If you get it right though – and we're here to help you do just that – the savings can be considerable and the difference between new and used can be pretty negligible. Even if you're a complete newcomer to the idea of buying second-hand gadgets, you should soon find yourself learning the ropes and picking up a few tricks of the trade.

Of course if you want factory fresh, shiny new gadgets that have never before been touched by human hands, then buying brand new is the way to go. But if you're more budget conscious and fancy making some significant savings then previously owned hardware could be a brilliant way of getting your hands on some great products.

Do your research

Cex online

Cex online

When it comes to used tech, you've got a range of options: refurbished items direct from the manufacturer, official second-hand tech sellers like Cex, and random members of the public through portals like Gumtree and eBay. It's those last two where you can perhaps make the biggest savings, but it's worth noting that you're also getting less of a guarantee that everything is going to work as advertised.

Whichever one of those options you take, do your research. Check the specs and model name of the device listed – make sure it's actually the model you want, and not one that's similar, or similarly named. If in doubt, look up the model on a different site, and check out as many reviews as you can (we've got a few to get you started).

To get an idea of the price you should be paying, check out how much the device is selling for as new. You can also run a search on eBay and tick the box on the left hand side labelled "Completed listings" to see how much other people are paying – just remember to take into account the condition of the item, because this will vary between listings (and can have a significant impact on the price).

Speaking of condition, make sure you check this too, especially on eBay and other similar sites. Read through the small print so you're aware of any damage, scratches or marks, and weigh up any extras that are included, like a warranty – this is usually worth looking out for, even it's only for 12 months, as it protects you against damaged goods.

Get the timing right

Apple iPads

Apple iPads

When it comes to getting the lowest prices on the best of the used tech out there, timing can be more important than you think. Is a new model of the device you're weighing up about to come out? When did the gadget first go on sale? How popular is it? The answers to all of these questions can all have an impact on how much you can expect to pay.

For example, iPhones come out like clockwork every September – if you're wanting to pick up a used iPhone as cheaply as possible, you're better off trying your luck when a new model has just arrived and a bunch of used iPhones are being offloaded. Actually, iPhones hold their value very well, which is good news if you're wanting to sell one but not so good if you're trying to get one at a discount.

Not every gadget has such a regular launch schedule as the iPhone of course, but a lot of other flagship phones are updated once a year as well. At the very least you can check up on when the device you're interested in was first launched – it's then just a question of getting the balance right between price and age. You want to pick up a bargain of course, but you don't want something that's going to be obsolete soon after you've bought it.

It's not an exact science but the more time and effort you put into your research, the better your chances of picking up a winning deal on a phone, a camera, or whatever it is you're shopping for. The very worst time to take the plunge on some used tech is right before a new model of the same device comes out, as the asking price is likely to plunge quite significantly as soon as that happens.

Always be patient

eBay

eBay

If there's one bit of advice we'd want you to take away from this article it would be this: be patient. One of the benefits of shopping for used tech is that there are always new deals turning up, so if you miss out on one, another one will be along very quickly. Don't rush into paying over the odds because you're desperate to pick up something quickly.

Of course your hands might be tied a little bit if you're shopping for someone for Christmas or a birthday, but if you're not on a fixed schedule then take your time. Wait for an item to come along that has the specs, the condition, and the price that you want – or something very close to it.

Remember that as soon as a new gadget hits the market, its price immediately starts going down – so whatever type of device you're shopping for, you're never going to run out of options as new hardware arrives and old hardware gets replaced. The longer you wait, the better the device you're going to end up with, usually.

Fire up as many tabs as your browser can take, weigh up a variety of different models and specs from a variety of different sources, and don't rush into anything. The longer you take over your purchase, the better you'll be able to see the long-term fluctuations in used prices on whatever it is you're shopping for.

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Best gaming chair 2019: the best PC gaming chairs

For the most comfortable gaming experience of your life, get one of the best gaming chairs you can afford. Especially if you’re spending hours on that chair, grinding through the best PC games, you’ll need a chair specifically designed for that purpose. After all, what’s the use of having the best gaming PC and the highest-end gaming monitor if you can’t dedicate hours on them. The last thing that you want is to be uncomfortable, or worse, in pain when you’re in the middle of an epic fight or trying to get through that tough level.

Do yourself – and your body – a favor, and invest in the best gaming chair. The options might seem endless, but trust us, finding the right one for you is more than worth the effort and perhaps the price tag.

With our list of the best gaming chairs – each entry handpicked by us at TechRadar – your hunt for that perfect gaming throne will be easier. Since we have quite a bit of experience with sitting, we have first hand knowledge of what to look for in a gaming chair. And, you’ll definitely find something on this list that’s perfect for you.

Best gaming chairs, at a glance:

  1. Secretlab Titan
  2. noblechairs Epic Real Leather
  3. Autonomous ErgoChair 2
  4. SecretLab Omega 2020
  5. Respawn-300
  6. Corsair T2 Road Warrior
  7. noblechairs Icon gaming chair
  8. Edge GX1
  9. Vertagear Gaming Series Triigger 350 Special Edition
  10. Corsair T3

Secretlab Titan

Secretlab Titan boasts SoftWeave fabric exterior and extremely plush padding.

Whereas most gaming chairs try to market themselves as being luxuriously upholstered with leather, Secretlab has shown fabric is the way to go. Between the Secretlab Titan’s SoftWeave fabric exterior and extremely plush padding, you won’t find anything softer or more comfortable this. This throne of gaming chairs also comes with a larger seat, subdued molding and built-in lumbar support, so it really is unlike anything else on the market.

noblechairs Epic Real Leather

If you’re looking for a no-compromises gaming throne, the noblechairs Epic Real Leather is it.

It’s no exaggeration to call the Noblechairs Epic Real Leather the best gaming chair. From the cross-thatched embroidery to the real leather of its namesake, if you’re looking for a no-compromises gaming throne, this is it. Plus, it’s surprisingly quick and easy to set up. And, once the set-up is complete, the Epic Real Leather is a dream to sit on – and you can customize your position however you want. Just do us a favor, and read the instructions while you’re setting it up.

Autonomous ErgoChair 2

The ErgoChair 2 has a very modern and stylish aesthetic to it that will appeal to anyone.

If you’re looking to sit back and play games all day in comfort, but you don’t want a chair that looks like a gaming chair, you’ll want to take a look at the Autonomous ErgoChair 2. Marketed as an office chair, the ErgoChair 2 has a very modern and stylish aesthetic to it that will appeal to anyone that doesn’t use RGB as a personality trait. It’s not all style, either, as the ErgoChair will also let you adjust basically every part of the chair, so that no matter how your body is built, you’re guaranteed to be comfortable while gaming.

  • This product is only available in the US at the time of this writing. UK and Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Respawn 115 

SecretLab Omega 2020

The SecretLab Omega 2020 doesn’t just rely on looks alone.

Incorporating that sleek, Mad Men-level sophistication with that SciFi gaming look, the SecretLab Omega 2020 is simply stunning, especially if you opt for the PU leather model. But, the SecretLab Omega 2020 doesn’t just rely on looks alone; one of the best gaming chairs of 2019, this one comes with a head pillow and a lumbar pillow – both memory foam – and offers even better support than its predecessor. That’s not to mention the improvements over the 2018 model, like the metal support on the armrests, that makes the SecretLab Omega 2020 feel so much more robust. So expect, after a grueling gaming session, to just go straight to napping for a couple of hours without moving an inch – without having to worry about the chair falling apart on you. 


noblechair's Hero chairs are the mid-range models, which sit (pardon the pun) below the Epic series, and above the Icon series. They are large and easily adjustable, and better for larger people, with a premium design that's stylish and understated. The new Hero Black Edition comes with an improved material that's breathable, offering better air flow and resulting in less sweaty backs. It has also been designed so that it won't fade in direct sunlight. It's easy enough to put together, and the broad back support (which can be adjusted via a dial) make this a comfortable chair to sit in for hours at a time. However, it's not as cushioned as other chairs on this list, so some people may find it a bit too firm, especially with the arm rests. Unlike noblechair's other chairs, attaching the extra head and lumbar pillows is a bit more tricky.

Corsair T2 Road Warrior

The Corsair T2 Road Warrior is covered top to bottom in breathable PU leather.

Corsair is known for making popular and high-end PC components and gaming peripherals, and now it’s making a mark in PC gaming chairs. This has resulted in one of the best gaming chairs we’ve ever sat in. The Corsair T2 Road Warrior is covered top to bottom in breathable PU leather with neck and lumbar pillows wrapped in microfiber, you’ll be able to game in both comfort and style. And, with its rollerblade-style wheels, you can move it around on any surface without having to worry about scratching up your floor. 

noblechairs Icon gaming chair

The noblechairs Icon gaming chair is more affordable than the flagship Epic Real Leather.

Noblechairs is well known for crafting some of the best gaming chairs out there – and the Noblechairs Icon makes it clear why. While it’s more affordable than the flagship Epic Real Leather, it’s still extremely comfortable and one of the best PC gaming chairs out there. This is thanks to its nice lumbar pillow, which you can easily remove if you don’t like it.  

Edge GX1

Rather than sticking to a form factor that’s designed to limit your movement, the Edge GX1 instead aims to give an ergonomic experience.

The Edge GX1 is a gaming chair that actively avoids the popular racing style that is increasingly popular with modern gaming chairs. Rather than sticking to a form factor that’s designed to limit your movement, the Edge GX1 instead aims to give an ergonomic experience, where comfort is the priority – while also providing a premium chair. And when we say premium, we mean it, with the Edge GX1 costing £800, a huge amount for a gaming chair. It’s hand-crafted in the UK, and there’s some great touches, such as inflatable lumbar support. It’s a huge asking price, but we’ve been using it for a while now, and it is very comfortable. You’ll have to adjust a bit, but once you get it right, it’s worth the high price. It ships worldwide from the UK, but US and Australia readers should beware the high shipping costs.

You can only buy this chair direct from Edge

Vertagear Gaming Series Triigger 350 Special Edition

These people are going to be absolutely enamored with the Vertagear Triigger 350 SE.

There’s a certain subset of the PC gaming community that needs to have the absolute best of everything, at whatever the cost. These people are going to be absolutely enamored with the Vertagear Triigger 350 SE. It features over 350 individual components with a mix metal, mesh, leather and high-end plastics to create the ultimate PC gaming chair. If you have the money to spare, and you can’t stand to have anything less than the best, you might want to give this chair a look. 

Corsair T3 Rush

Corsair T3 Rush is extremely comfortable with its breathable soft fabric exterior and memory foam lumbar support.

Unlike its biggest rivals, the Corsair T3 Rush lacks that over-the-top gaming aesthetic. In fact, it almost looks like any computer chair out there, albeit the more premium kind – beyond that starship pilot’s look it's sporting at the headrest area, that is. But, what this gaming chair lacks in gaming aesthetic hoopla, it makes up for in comfort with its breathable soft fabric exterior, memory foam lumbar support and extremely customizable backrest position.

  • This product is only available in the UK at the time of this writing. US and Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Noblechairs Icon 
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Best gaming mouse pads 2020: the best mouse mats for gamers

These days, the best gaming mouse pads are more than just a reliable surface to move your gaming mouse around on. In fact, they’ve come a long way from their humble beginnings. While their predecessors were simply mousing surfaces with a gaming look, many modern gaming mouse pads now come with extra bells and whistles. And, they’re now more than ever an important addition to a gamer’s arsenal.

But, what extra features can a lowly mouse pad have exactly? Well, to start, many of the best gaming mouse pads boast RGB lighting, for even more gaming immersion. Others offer wireless charging, which comes in handy if you happen to be using a wireless mouse – or need to charge your other Qi compatible devices, for that matter. Some even deliver the smoothest glide for pinpoint accuracy.

When you’ve already invested so much in getting the best gaming PC and the best gaming mouse just to dig into the best PC games, take that extra step and get the best gaming mouse pad. You’ll be happy you did. Here are our top picks. 

Best gaming mouse pads at a glance:

  1. Corsair MM600
  2. SteelSeries QcK
  3. Cooler Master MP510
  4. Razer Sphex v2
  5. Roccat Hiro+
  6. Corsair MM1000 Qi
  7. Razer Goliathus Chroma
  8. Corsair MM800 RGB Polaris
  9. Asus ROG Scabbard
  10. MSI Thunderstorm

Corsair MM600

Corsair MM600 features a low-friction surface that will boost your response times in-game. (Image Credit: Corsair)

The Corsair MM600 isn’t interested in distracting you with brightly colored lights like the MM800. Instead, it offers a great deal more versatility than its higher priced sibling. This double sided mouse pad stays secure in place with rubber stoppers on each corner so that your mouse moves – not your mouse pad. The MM600 is also made of aluminum, and features a low-friction surface that will boost your response times in-game. 

SteelSeries QcK

SteelSeries QcK helps deliver extremely precise mouse control and a smooth glide. (Image Credit: SteelSeries)

Existing solely as a budget mousepad, the SteelSeries QcK does exactly what you want out of a mousepad and nothing more. The QcK’s surface material has a high thread count for extremely precise mouse control and a smooth glide. At the same time, its rubber base helps prevent it from sliding around your desk while you’re gaming. It comes in a variety of shapes and sizes and there’s even a higher end version with RGB lighting – the SteelSeries QcK Prism. 

Cooler Master MP510

Cooler Master MP510 is made of a durable Cordura fabric that won’t fray, stain or even absorb liquid. (Image Credit: Cooler Master)

There are a lot of mouse pads out there that we love in theory, but just won’t fit our desk – either too big or entirely too small. However, the Cooler Master MP510 looks to get on top of this problem by offering 4 different sizes, from a small pad that’ll fit any desk to a giant mouse pad that will take up even the largest desk. It’s made of a durable Cordura fabric that won’t fray, stain or even absorb liquid. So, you won't have to panic when you inevitably spill your drink – except for all your other peripherals, we guess. 

  • This product is only available in the UK as of this writing. US and Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the SteelSeries QcK.

Razer Sphex v2

Razer Sphex v2 is durable and optimised for laser or optical gaming mouse control. (Image Credit: Razer)

Sure, everyone loves RGB lighting, but what if you’re looking for an unobtrusive, seamless desk surface? Well, the ultra thin – less than half a millimeter in height – Razer Sphex v2 is the mouse pad for you. Despite its thin profile, the polycarbonate surface is durable and optimised for laser or optical gaming mouse control. We picked the regular size, but if you have a smaller desk, there’s a Small size variant as well. 

Roccat Hiro+

Roccat Hiro+ helps increase your  gaming accuracy and speed.(Image Credit: Roccat)

The top of the Hiro+ is covered in a vulcanized silicone surface with a 3D structure to help increase your  gaming accuracy and speed. The base has a non-slip surface for steady mouse control, and the edges have been rounded for a smoother profile. Its surface is also coated to protect from water and grime, and makes for easy cleaning.

Corsair MM1000 Qi

Corsair MM1000 Qi features Qi charging. (Image Credit: Corsair)

Most people think that the best gaming mouse pads are just glorified tablecloths that you move your mouse on top of. Well, until the Corsair MM1000 Qi hit the market, that was almost right. Not only is this thing one of the best gaming mouse pads, but it also features Qi charging. Launching alongside the Corsair Dark Core RGB SE, which itself features Qi compatibility, the MM1000 Qi isn’t just Corsair’s answer to the Logitech PowerPlay, it takes mouse pads to the next level.

Razer Goliathus Chroma

Razer Goliathus Chroma boasts Razer's RGB implementation. (Image Credit: Razer)

Let’s say you have a ton of RGB-bedecked peripherals, a keyboard, a mouse and maybe even a headset. You can’t just leave your mouse pad out of the RGB party, so you should keep an eye out for the Razer Goliathus Chroma. This illuminated mouse pad takes Razer’s expert RGB implementation and throws it into a soft gaming mouse pad that’ll let you score those headshots, and do it in style.

Corsair MM800 RGB Polaris

Corsair MM800 RGB Polaris boasts Corsair’s RGB implementation and uses a low-friction finish. (Image Credit: Corsair)

You simply can’t go out looking for the best mouse mat for gaming in 2020 without considering RGB. All the hottest gaming peripherals right now boast about how they can light your desk up like a Christmas tree, and the Corsair MM800 RGB Polaris is no different. On top of Corsair’s always-fantastic RGB implementation, the MM800 uses a low-friction finish that’ll allow for quick and precise tracking across its surface. And if the lighting wasn’t enough, the MM800 uses Corsair’s special CUE2 interface to sync its lighting with your other peripherals and even your PC through RGB share. It’s even available in two materials: cloth and a micro-texture surface.  

Asus ROG Scabbard

Asus ROG Scabbard has a non-slip ROG red rubber base and low-friction Sheath woven surface. (Image Credit: Asus)

More of a ‘desk pad’ than a gaming mouse pad, the Asus ROG Scabbard is absolutely massive. It can hold your laptop or keyboard and mouse, along with any other accessories you have lying around. It has a non-slip ROG red rubber base and low-friction Sheath woven surface for maximum mouse control. Asus has even temperature tested the ROG scabbard down to -30°C – but we wouldn’t recommend gaming in sub-zero conditions, even if you’re really into overclocking.

Image Credit: MSI

Are other mouse pads just too soft for your gaming setup? Well, if so, you’re in luck – the MSI Thunderstorm gaming mouse pad is all metal. To be precise, this gaming mouse pad is made of an anodized, hairline-surfaced aluminum material with rubber stoppers. This textured surface is optimized for mouse control and speed, while its L shape allows it to be situated close to the keyboard. And, if that metal surface is just too real for you, you can flip it over for a micro-textured surface and the comfort of cloth. 

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Best PC power supply 2019: top PSUs for your PC

When building a new PC, the best PC power supply should top your shopping list. Sure, it’s not as sexy as looking for the best graphics card but your computer and all its components can’t function correctly without the proper amount of power. Even if you might need to compromise a little bit on the best processors, don’t cheap out on the best power supply.

With that said, the best PC power supply shouldn’t have to break the bank. Maybe you’re trying to put together a budget PC or have a limited budget. You can still find a great power supply. Sure, you can go all out for the best power supply, complete with RGB lighting and enough juice for the whole neighborhood. Or to power one of the best gaming PCs with two RTX 2080 Tis in SLI. Whatever you’re looking for, whatever the power supply means to you, you’ll find something here.

You want to find the best PC power supply from the start. Replacing one later can be a pain and you probably won’t know your power supply is dying until it’s too late. The symptoms can range from something as mild as lost power efficiency to having your PC turn into a flaming inferno. Take a look at our selections for the best PC power supply to find the best one for you. 

Now that the holiday season is here, you might find deals for the best power supply, especially with Black Friday and Cyber Monday around the corner.

Best PC power supply at a glance:

  1. Corsair RM750x – best power supply
  2. Corsair RM750x – best power supply
  3. be quiet! Straight Power 10 – best silent power supply
  4. Silverstone SFX Series SST-SX550 – best compact power supply
  5. Corsair AX1500i – best high capacity power supply
  6. NZXT E650 – best modular power supply
  7. Thermaltake Smart RGB 700W – best RGB Power Supply

Corsair RM750x

Corsair RM750x is the most well-rounded power supply you can buy today. (Image Credit: Corsair)

The Corsair RM750x scores the top spot on this list for one simple reason: it’s the most well-rounded power supply you can buy today. On top of a 10 year warranty and an 80 Gold Plus efficiency rating, the Corsair has a fully modular cable system. This means you only need to install the cables you need – you can say goodbye to the mess of cables and shoddy airflow that non-modular PSUs endure. 

EVGA 500 B1

An economical power supply like the EVGA 500 B1 may be right up your alley. (Image Credit: EVGA)

If you’re on the market for an affordable power supply that doesn’t cut too many corners, there aren’t a lot of options right now. So, an economical power supply like the EVGA 500 B1 may be right up your alley. For less than the price of a new game, you’ll get a full 500 watts of power transmitted through several SATA cables and two PCIe cables. This is hands down one of the best power supplies because it covers the bare essentials and nothing more, which is exactly what a budget PC component needs to do. The three year warranty is a nice touch, as well. 

  • This product is only available in the US and UK at the time of this writing. Australian readers: check out a fine alternative in the Corsair RM750x 

be quiet! Straight Power 10

be quiet! Straight Power 10 runs nice and quiet. (Image Credit: be quiet!)

Even the best PSUs seem to have extremely loud fans, and unlike case fans, it’s not exactly easy to replace them. Luckily, the Straight Power 10 line-up runs nice and quiet. Options range from 400w to 700w, and they’re SLI and Crossfire certified. They’re also modular, meaning you only need to use the cables that are necessary for your build.  

Silverstone SFX Series SST-SX550

Silverstone SFX SST SX550 is a compact power supply that fits in plenty of cases. (Image Credit: SilverStone)

The best PC power supplies unfortunately tend to be giant hunks of metal that don’t fit into smaller PC cases. However, the Silverstone SFX SST SX550 is a compact power supply that fits in plenty of cases. It’s half the size of most of the other PSUs on this list, allowing for more room for better airflow. This makes it an easy pick for anyone building a mini ITX or micro ATX build, and you can even slide it into a mid- or full-tower, if you feel like it. And, with small form-factor PCs being all the rage in 2018 – it’s easy to see why the Silverstone SFX is one of the best PC power supplies.

Corsair AX1500i

Corsair AX1500i can power an absolute behemoth of a rig. (Image Credit: Corsair)

If you’re a serious builder that plans on building an absolute behemoth of a rig, with multiple graphics cards, cooling systems on top of some healthy overclocking, the Corsair AX1500i is the best PC power supply for you. It has the highest possible 80 Plus Titanium efficiency rating, and is fully modular, so you only need to add the cables your build actually requires. 

NZXT E650

NZXT E650 is a fully modular power supply. (Image Credit: NZXT)

If you’re really trying to maximise the visual appeal of your build, a modular power supply is almost essential – you can avoid all of those messy looking wires cluttering up your case. The NZXT E650 takes things a step further. Not only is it a fully modular power supply, meaning you only need to connect the wires you actually need, but it’s also extremely attractive itself, begging to be shown off in your case. This is all topped off with an 80 Plus Gold efficiency rating and a 10-year warranty – not only will it look good, but it’ll deliver power efficiently and last forever while it does it. 

Thermaltake Smart RGB 700W

Thermaltake Smart RGB 700W features a reliable 80 Plus efficiency rating. (Image Credit: Thermaltake)

In 2018, if your PC isn’t strapped to the nines with RGB lighting, you’re not trying hard enough. Enter the Thermaltake Smart RGB 700W – not only does it have beautiful, addressable RGB lighting, but it also features a reliable 80 Plus efficiency rating and enough power to support even the best gaming PCs. Yeah, it’s not modular, but at less than a hundred bucks, we’re willing to look the other way – especially with that sick lighting. 

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Gabe Carey has also contributed to this article

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