Cross-play games are growing in number by the day, meaning that anyone hoping to play the latest FPS, MMO, or frantic cooking video game with their friends – even across different console platforms – has more avenues to do so than ever.

It’s never been easier to pick and play with people all over the world, and the growing trend towards cross-play looks set to break down one of the last major barriers to players stuck on different gaming platforms.

Some might not see the fuss around cross-play; after all, don’t you have enough people to play Call of Duty: Modern Warfare with on just your PS4?

But it’s become increasingly clear that we have the technological ability to enable cross-platform games, especially as consoles – like the PS4 and Xbox One, or their incoming PS5 and Xbox Series X successors – share increasingly similar processing architecture, and are basically dedicated gaming PCs. 

In the months after the release of a big online game, too, player numbers tend to dwindle, and being able to expand team matchmaking across platforms can be a big boon to both dedicated fans and the longevity of the game itself.

We know some publishers like Ubisoft are looking to make all of their PvP games cross-play, and that trend is only set to continue. So if you’re after cross-play games that don’t limit you to one platform, here’s our in-depth guide to all the ones you need.

What are cross-play games?

Cross-play is the ability to play an online video game across more than one platform – meaning someone playing Fortnite on Nintendo Switch could be on the same server as someone using an Xbox One – as well as allowing players to access their player data from those different consoles.

Big-name games that focus on broadly accessible play are the most likely to support cross-play, such as the battle royale game Fortnite, or the building block simulator Minecraft.

However, this is by no means common practice across the board – not helped by the push for exclusive games on most platforms, which prevents a lot of titles from allowing cross-play functionality.

Why aren't all games cross-play?

There are a few major players leading the charge here. Microsoft’s Play Anywhere initiative means that many Xbox titles, once bought, can also be played on PC. Given Microsoft develops both the Xbox platform and the Windows operating system, this seems pretty straightforward – and enables cross-play on some (though not all) Play Anywhere games.

We’re seeing growth of cross-play in AAA games between Xbox and PlayStation – and despite the latter lagging behind on this front, progress is being made.

But there is a development cost to including cross-play; hence why you don't see it across the board. If the code for a game isn't written to allow play of this kind, it's not that simple to introduce retrospectively either.

Overwatch developer Wes Yanagi has commented on how "Cross-play is something that would definitely be compelling for players, and as a player, I would love to see it happen. The truth is that implementing cross-play for Overwatch is more difficult than people realise" (via GameSpot).

Shawn Layden, the departing chairman of PlayStation Worldwide Studios, was also widely quoted for saying that "enabling cross-play isn't just about flipping a switch and 'there you go'. It's a very multi-dimensional kind of attribute or feature" (via Eurogamer).

Even as it becomes more technically possibly, platform manufacturers can also be hesitant – cough, Sony, cough – to open up cross-platform play, given they want players to be on their platform and not any others. 

But what games actually are cross-play? You can see our guide to the top 10 cross-play games below.

10 essential cross-play games

Fortnite (Xbox One, PS4, Switch, PC, mobile)

The hugely popular online battle royale game Fortnite is the go-to cross-play game for its ease of play and support across consoles, PC, iOS and Android. With Fortnite Chapter 2 having kicked off a brand new island map too, with new mechanics like swimming and motorboats, it's never been a better time to jump in.

Minecraft (Xbox One, Switch, PC, mobile)

Want more crafting than shooting? Minecraft is the bestselling PC game ever, and for good reason: its simple interface and building mechanics allow for a huge amount of player creativity and complexity, whether you're building a floating castle, and underground lava pit, or a giant in-game arcade machine. The world is your blocky oyster.

Rocket League (Xbox One, PS4, Switch, PC)

A quirky soccer remix that sees you knocking around footballs and scoring goals in fast-moving cars – as silly and chaotic as it should be – and one of the earliest games to get such broad cross-play support.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare (Xbox One, PS4, PC)

The latest instalment in the Call of Duty franchise tackles 21st century warfare head on, with a big focus on how civilians get caught up in urban battlegrounds. Regardless of the campaign, though, the multiplayer will be as slick and polished as ever.

Hearthstone (PC, mobile)

A free-to-play card game that expands the lore of World of Warcraft, and has built up a massive following – while the cross-play with mobile allows for far more flexible play across platforms.

PUBG (Xbox One, PS4)

The battle royale game couldn't quite keep up with the success of Fortnite, but it still has a sizeable audience worldwide – and supports cross-play between Xbox One and PS4. You can't cross-play between all platforms, though.

Street Fighter V (PS4, PC)

Limited cross-play, but the 2016 Street Fighter game shows the start of side-scrolling punch-ups moving beyond the restrictions of particular platforms.

Wargroove (Xbox One, Switch, PC)

An indie strategy game inspired by the legacy of Advance Wars – this time in a medieval fantasy setting. More dragons and magic than tanks and airplanes, but the sprite-based warfare is still very much worth your time, whatever the platform.

Dauntless (Xbox One, PS4, PC)

A free-to-play action game published by Epic Games, which you can play either solo or in groups of up to four people. In the vein of Monster Hunter you take on massive 'Behemoths' that have wrecked the land, though these monsters can be handled in maybe 20 minutes.

DC Universe Online (PS4, PC)

An action MMO set in the DC Universe, with the likes of Batman, Flash, the Joker and more populating a comics-inspired world. Why play alone when your friends on PC and PS4 can join you?

Other cross-play games you can play

If none of the above interest you – or you just want to know what other cross-play games are out there – here's a quick list of 30 other cross-play games that place nice across two or more platforms.

• Aragami (Xbox One, PC, Switch, PS4, PC)
• Ark: Survival Evolved (Xbox One, PC)
• Astroneer (Xbox One, PC)
• Brawlhalla (Xbox One, PS4, Switch)
• Dick Wilde 2 (PS4, PC)
• Dragon Quest Builders 2 (PS4, Switch)
• Eve: Valkyrie (PS4, PC)
• Final Fantasy XIV (PS4, PC, Mac)
• Full Metal Furies (Xbox One, PC)
• Games of Glory (PS4, PC)
• Guns of Icarus Online (PS4, PC, Mac)
• Happy Wars (Xbox One, PC)
• Hex (PS4, PC)
• Killer Queen Black (Switch, Xbox One, PC)
• Mantis Burn Racing (PS4, Switch, Xbox One, PC)
• Mushroom Wars 2 (Switch, PC, Mac)
• Next Up Hero (Xbox One, Switch, Mac, PC)
• Overload (Xbox One, PC / PS4, PC)
• Paladins (Xbox One, Switch, PC, PS4)
• Phantasy Star Online 2 (PS4, Xbox One, Switch, PC)
• Realm Royale (Xbox One, Switch, PC, PS4)
• Rec Room (PS4, PC)
• Siegecraft Commander (PS4, PC / Switch, Xbox One, PC)
• Sniper Elite V2 Remastered (Xbox One, PC)
• Spacelords (PS4, PC  / Xbox One, PC)
• SMITE (Xbox One, Switch, PC, PS4)
• Star Trek: Bridge Crew (PS4, PC)
• Super Mega Baseball (PS4, Xbox One)
• Weapons of Mythology: New Age (PS4, PC)
• Werewolves Within (PS4, PC)

What about cross-gen games?

You may have heard this similar term – cross-gen games – thrown around in gaming articles or community forums, but it really doesn't have anything to do with cross-play.

Cross-gen games are those that are released on more than one generation of consoles – like how GTA 5 was released on both PS4/Xbox One and PS3/Xbox 360, or how The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild was released on Wii U as well as Nintendo Switch.

Sometimes cross-play does include consoles from different generations, meaning that Xbox One players and Xbox 360 players can log onto the same server together. However, given the power mismatch between console generations, it's likely not to be as seamless an experience as between PS4 and Xbox One.

• Best Nintendo Switch games: what to play on Nintendo's console

Huawei defied all odds to achieve record smartphones shipments in the third quarter of this year globally despite US sanctions.

For the third quarter, Huawei shipped record 66.8m devices and captured 17.6% market share after Samsung’s 20.6%.

In the third quarter, the market witnessed shipments reaching 380 million units compared to 379.8 million units a year ago.

Shobhit Srivastava, Research Analyst at Counterpoint Research, told TechRadar Middle East, that Huawei captured a record 40% market share in the China market despite other players such as Xiaomi, Oppo and Vivo registering a fall.

“The smartphone market in China is saturated but Huawei is pushing its own shipments to distributors in China and a lot of the Chinese players have become sentimental and patriotic about Huawei. Because of these factors, Huawei is growing and other Chinese players are taking a hit,” he said.

Jusy Hong, research and analysis director for IHS Markit, said that Huawei’s strong home-field performance more than compensated for its overseas sales, which fell due to US sanctions.

The launch of the Mate 30 series was the first sign of Huawei devices without Google services, he said and added that Huawei will face increasing difficulties in some markets if its new smartphone models cannot include Google services and, at the same time, Huawei will focus on existing models to defend its overseas market.

“Huawei Mate 30 may launch in certain European markets but with the price point and the features that go for the premium market, people with think twice before buying it,” Srivastava said.

Huawei Consumer Business Group announced last week that it has shipped 200m smartphones to date in 2019, 64 days earlier than the same shipment milestone last year.

Last year, Samsung shipped 292m devices, followed by Apple with 209m and Huawei with 206m.

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Huawei’s 250m mark for 2019 in doubt

Counterpoint does not expect Huawei to register the same performance it had in the third quarter for the fourth quarter.

“It has high inventories in markets like Europe and China. Huawei will not be able to overtake Samsung this year and next year but it will become a clear number two player this year and next year, even if Huawei gets access to Google Mail Service,” Srivastava said.

He added that Samsung’s “A” and Note series are doing well and it is estimated to do well for the rest of the year.

Srivastava said that Samsung will ship 50m more devices than Huawei this year. Huawei is expected to ship between 235m and 241m devices for 2019 instead of Huawei’s own predictions of 250m.

Huawei has claimed to become the number one player this year by overtaking Samsung but it was before the sanctions.

In the fourth quarter also, Srivastava said that Samsung will be number one player but Huawei will be dethroned by Apple as number two player as its new iPhones are doing good in the US and China and users with iPhone 7 and iPhone 8 are upgrading to iPhone 11.

“Apple’s price corrections in China and elsewhere with the iPhone 11 and XR, as well as introducing a new palette of colours, stimulated demand during the last week of September offsetting the sharp annual decline earlier months,” he said.

BBK Group (Oppo, Vivo, Realme, and OnePlus) is close to becoming the largest smartphone manufacturer globally, accounting for over 20% of the global smartphone market and three of its brands in the top 10.

Realme is new kid on the block

The rising brand in the industry is Realme and it is just a year old and it has become the fastest-growing smartphone brand globally.

It registered over 800% annual growth in the third quarter.

“It shipped over 10.2 million smartphones compared to 1.3m a year ago and came in 7th place in the global smartphone market for the first time. Out of the 10.2m, 8m came from India. It started in May 2018 and it was ranked 47th in the third quarter of last year and the second quarter of this year, it was ranked 10th.

“Realme started with a price point of below $250 like some Chinese players and the brand is not even one year old. It has become the seventh-largest smartphone manufacturer globally and leveraging the online segment, similar to what Xiaomi did, and they are also offering offline sales. Xiamoi took around five years to focus on offline segment. It is available in 20 countries,” he said.

Apex Legends is finally getting a Duos mode – but for a limited time only. Developer Respawn Entertainment announced on Twitter that the new Duos mode will launch next week, on November 5, for all platforms. 

Duos mode will allow players to team up with one other player to take on other pairs, much like squads but with less people. Check out Respawn Entertainment's Twitter announcement below:

Highly requested

Players have been requesting a Duos mode in Apex Legends since the game's launch earlier this year; however, don't hold your breath waiting for it to make a comeback after the limited-time end.

To date, we haven't seen any of Apex Legends' limited-time modes become permanent features in the game – but that's not to say it could never happen. It's possible that, if the mode is popular enough, it may become an integral feature.

There's no word yet on how long the Duos mode will be available for, but previous limited-time modes in Apex Legends modes have lasted for around three weeks. And don't worry about how to access Duos – you'll get a free update to your game that will allow you to jump straight in when it becomes available.

• Check out our full Apex Legends review

Several smartphone companies use advanced facial recognition as a way to unlock a smartphone, among them Apple and Google, and it seems Samsung is set to get in on the fun too, as new information about the Samsung Galaxy S11 points to it toting the feature.

That news comes from Max Weinbach (a writer for XDADevelopers), who noticed lines of code in a facial unlocking app, which points to the Samsung Galaxy S11 using the tech as a fundamental part of the device.

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Picasso is a code-name for Galaxy S11 – we've heard this from many leaks, and it makes sense given Samsung's tendency to name its devices after painters and artists (da Vinci was the code-name for the Galaxy Note 10). On top of that, the artist Pablo Picasso was particularly known for his portraits, so the use of face unlocking – of positioning your face in front of the camera – is thematically apt.

Previous phones from Apple and Google, like the iPhone 11 and Google Pixel 4, have relied on an advanced face unlock, doing away with the physical or in-screen fingerprint sensors that most other handsets use. But is facial recognition a good way of unlocking your smartphone?

Is face unlocking the new in-screen fingerprint sensor?

It's worth pointing out that most smartphones (including the Galaxy S10) do have basic facial recognition to complement other means of unlocking your phone, but these are 2D picture-based, which is less secure (though quicker) than the more complex systems of Apple and Google.

Weinbach is quick to point out that what he's found doesn't prove that 3D facial recognition is coming to the S11, but with Samsung working on the feature at all it suggests some improvements.

In our testing of the Galaxy S10, we found the face recognition to be rather slow, which is a problem we've had with Apple's products in the past, but at least the latter is more secure.

Even the snappiest face unlocking we've found in a phone is still significantly slower than simply using an in-screen, rear-mounted or side-mounted fingerprint sensor, as those are both quicker to use, and found in locations on the device that make them more natural to use.

Fingerprint scanners are more secure too, as people have found it rather easy to use pictures of people, or sleeping people, to unlock a handset using face recognition. 

If the Samsung Galaxy S11 uses facial recognition as a primary way of unlocking your phone, that makes three companies who have embraced the tech, even though there's limited evidence of people actually wanting this.

Now that three of the biggest smartphone makers are using the feature, it could be a sign of the times to come, so in the future smartphones from smaller brands could use the tech too.

• The Google Pixel 4's face unlock isn't as secure as you'd hope

Via T3

A decision on whether Huawei will be able to participate in the UK 5G rollout is set to be delayed by political developments once again, with Bloomberg reporting a ruling will not be made until after the General Election.

Huawei is a key supplier for all four major UK operators but its future role had been uncertain due to fears the use of its kit constituted a national security risk – allegations the company has persistently denied.

MPs and intelligence chiefs have suggested there is no technical reason to exclude Huawei from 5G and that the decision is a political one.

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• Johnson set to give Huawei UK 5G green light

Huawei UK 5G

A decision was expected in the Spring, with leaks suggestion that former Prime Minister would continue to allow Huawei to provide radio kit, but  not equipment for the core layer of the network, where data processing takes place. Given no UK operator plans to use Huawei in their 5G core, such a ruling would effectively preserve the status quo.

However the change in leadership has added further delays, with May’s successor Boris Johnson eager not to upset US President Donald Trump without upsetting China and risking potential trade and investment deals. The US, which has banned Huawei, is urging allies to follow its lead without presenting evidence to support its claims.

After months of deliberation, it was claimed Johnson had come to the same view as May following talks between Huawei and the government and a decision could be made before Christmas. The belief in Whitehall is that other vendors cannot offer alternatives to some of Huawei’s technology, meaning the UK could be left behind if the company was banned.

There are also concerns that the government may not be able to deliver its more ambitious connectivity targets with Huawei kit as operators would be forced to spend hundreds of millions of pounds over several years replacing equipment. Whitehall officials also share the view that the UK has the technological expertise to protect against any threats.

However with a General Election set for 12 December, the matter has been delayed once again, this time until 2020.

• Here are the best deals for Huawei mobile phones in October 2019 

Via Bloomberg

Recently a reputable leaker claimed that Samsung was working on a Galaxy S10 Lite or Galaxy S11 Lite with the model number SM-G770F, and now that model has been benchmarked.

Spotted on Geekbench 5 by SamMobile, the phone has a Snapdragon 855 chipset and 8GB of RAM. The former is the same chipset as the Galaxy S10 range uses in the US, while the latter would mean more RAM than the base version of the Samsung Galaxy S10e.

Additionally, this phone is listed as running Android 10, and achieves a single-core score of 742 and a multi-core one of 2,604. Those results put it in line with the rest of the Galaxy S10 range and even the Galaxy Note 10 range.

• Read our full Samsung Galaxy Note 10 Plus review
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• A Galaxy Note 10 Lite could also be on the way

10 or 11?

There’s enough evidence of this phone to suggest that it’s likely to be a real device, but whether it’s the Galaxy S10 Lite or the Galaxy S11 Lite (or something else entirely) is still a big question.

Our money is on the Samsung Galaxy S11 Lite though. The model number suggests it’s part of the Galaxy S range, but coming this long after the rest of the S10 series, and with the Galaxy S10e already filling a ‘Lite’ roll, it seems unlikely that it would be an S10 Lite.

Then again, it is using a now-slightly-dated chipset, and we’d expect the Samsung Galaxy S11 range to use the Snapdragon 865 in regions where it uses Snapdragon chips, so we can’t be sure either way.

In any case, we should have a better idea soon. If this is the Galaxy S11 Lite then it’s likely to land alongside the rest of that range in early 2020, and if it’s the S10 Lite then it could launch even sooner.

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Their proposed solution which later took shape in Modex BCDB modifies a set of connectors in order to link the database to a blockchain network, thus significantly enhancing storage capabilities.

Modex Blockchain Database is a software product designed to empower businesses by enabling them to develop and deploy blockchain software solutions in matter of days. Modex Blockchain Database (BCDB) is created by an experienced team of developers and brings many world firsts and unrivalled advantages for companies offering: cost cutting, data security, and time efficiency.  

From a technical standpoint, Modex Blockchain Database (BCDB) falls into the middleware category, as it positions itself between the client’s software application server and their database. What sets Modex BCDB apart from its competitors is its approach to handling data. From the start, the minds behind this new innovative take on blockchain technology decided to employ a minimally invasive approach, in the sense that companies and enterprises keep their data models intact. 

How does this benefit my business? Why should I change the way in which is store my data?

Modex has adopted a plug and play approach, in the sense that any technical operations required to facilitate the transition to the BCDB framework are performed by the Modex development team. As previously mentioned, the procedure involves a minimal level of changes, consisting mostly of writing and implementing the connectors which enable the database to communicate with the blockchain network. This approach means that all the heavy lifting is done by Modex team, which means that clients need only to get familiarized with our interface. To maintain a high level of flexibility and versatility and to satisfy the needs of a large spectrum of the developer community, Modex BCDB employs a wide variety of APIs. Be it Java, Javascript, C, C++, Golang, C#, etc, BCDB  enable developers to connect through a REST API and GRAPH QL, while providing drivers for the most popular programming languages. 

Probably the first question that comes to mind is ‘How does this benefit my business? Why should I change the way in which is store my data?’. Modex’s middleware solution has a transformative property in the sense that it bestows all the advantages and inherent capabilities of blockchain technology, data distribution, immutability, as well as a real-time backup functionality. 

A core feature that distinguishes Modex BCDB is the fact that it is blockchain and database agnostic. This characteristic opens a new window of opportunities, as compatibility related issues become a thing of the past. Regardless of the type of database a company is employing, or the type of blockchain it wishes to connect to, our solution ensures a seamless connection between the two technologies. Modex BCDB doesn’t aim to replace the existing database but to improve it by adding a blockchain layer. By situating ourselves between the database component and the client’s software, we ensure a higher degree of security and trust, while giving access to a mechanism through which clients can create their own infrastructure.

An agnostic take on blockchain

The versatility of Modex BCDB stems from the agnostic design of the framework. On a deeper level, it can be observed that each node in the network can host a distinct database. As a result, one node can hold a NoSQL database such as MongoDB, while another node from the same network can host a SQL database. 

This layer of flexibility can prove to be invaluable to a consortium network, where multiple companies can synchronize their databases, without requiring to change their database providers. As a result, the system becomes database agnostic, which implies that Oracle, IBM, Mongo DB, Microsoft SQL databases can synchronize with each other. Modex BCDB positions itself between the client’s application and database without altering data entries to facilitate communication with different types of databases. 

Modex BCDB, unique design choices and features

Modex BCDB is the first middleware solution that manages to be both database and blockchain agnostic. Currently, other solutions present on the market are either blockchain or database agnostic, but not both at the same time. By adopting a modular design, Modex BCDB becomes truly agnostic in the sense that it to any type of database and blockchain. To push the envelope even further, BCDB can connect to different databases at the same time, as a result, clients are not obliged to change their database provider. Through Modex BCDB it becomes possible to build a distributed database network with different database engines. Distributed databases exist for some time, but this new system allows developers to combine different databases and distribute them across different database engines.

An important characteristic that sets Modex BCDB apart stems from how users interact with the solution. Prior knowledge of blockchain technology development isn’t required, as the system is designed to be operated as a database engine. Being a blockchain enabling platform, BCDB removes the need for companies to hire an in house team of blockchain developers. If a company relies heavily on Java for development purposes, they can interact through the Java driver with our middleware and create an environment that is connected on the back end level with a blockchain architecture.

Because Modex BCDB falls into the middleware software category, it has been designed with flexibility in mind, as to allow it to mold seamlessly on client applications and requirements. Developers are able to lock the structure of a node. This means that a company can create a custom table and arrange the fields according to their desired outcome, and allow other companies to introduce new data without permitting them to modify the structure of the table. Only the owner of the node will be able to implement any structural changes.

Licensing methodology is another aspect that makes Modex BCDB stand out. During an intense development process, Modex team modified each blockchain engine to enable and streamline the authentication process. Other solutions present on the market allow users to authenticate to the whole network, they can’t restrict specific nodes from authenticating to the network. Blockchain is a difficult technology to get into because, from a technical perspective, it is low level, in the sense that developers need to know the precise inner workings of the technology and have a solid grasp of their SDK to be able to start to work with them. Modex’s solution is situated at a higher level, as it drastically simplifies implementation. BCDB already provides the Sawtooth and Tendermint, and will do soon Fabric and Ethereum.  

Database migration is a sensitive topic for every enterprise, as any breach or data corruption could prove disastrous. Blockchain is a viable solution for improving database management and increase tamper resistance, but it is surprisingly difficult to integrate an existing platform in a blockchain network. Besides the complexity involved, the process would also attract significant costs and a long period of time for implementation. Modex BCDB overcomes these issues with its migration tool, which allows developers to easily move a database to a blockchain framework. The migration tool does all the heavy lifting: it scans the database and replicates the data model in our middleware, it creates metadata for each record and uploads it to the blockchain to ensure immutability. Modex’s approach to handling data differs, no record is deleted and the whole structure is kept intact. The database migration is initiated only after minor changes are implemented on the client’s side. A minimally invasive approach brings a much-needed breath of fresh air to legacy systems where changes are difficult to implement. But by simply changing a few connectors a legacy system will benefit from everything blockchain has to offer.

The Sonos Move is the best Bluetooth speaker we've ever tested, but its rich feature-set means that it's pretty expensive to buy off the bat, with a $399 / £399 / AU$649 price tag. 

However, if you have an older Sonos speaker knocking around at home, that cost could come down, thanks to the company's new Trade Up program, which gives you a 30% discount on new models when you recycle your unwanted Sonos speakers.

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Eligible models include the Sonos Connect, Connect:Amp, ZP80, ZP90, ZP100, and ZP120 – the Sonos Play:1, which has now been discontinued, isn't included on that list, as you can still buy it from the Sonos website.

Moving on up

To take advantage of the program, you'll need to head to the Sonos app, select My Account, and then System. 

Here you can select each device you want to swap – yes, you can do this with multiple speakers and you'll get the 30% discount for each model you trade up. 

Once you've confirmed within in the Sonos app, you'll receive your discount to be put towards a new device, whether you opt for the Move, soundbars like the Beam and the Playbase, or wireless speakers like the Play:5, or the One.

After 21 days, your old devices will enter Recycle Mode, which means that their data is wiped and they're permanently deactivated – then you'll need to recycle them yourself. 

You have a few options when it comes to recycling; you can either take your old Sonos speakers to a certified e-recycling centre or a participating retailer, or printing off a prepaid shipping label and sending your old speakers back to Sonos. 

Now that Amazon has released its own cheaper audiophile wireless speaker, the Echo Studio, it makes sense that Sonos would incentive its customers to stick with its brand.

Don't have an old Sonos speaker to trade in? Black Friday and Cyber Monday could see in some great Sonos deals, so make sure you bookmark our dedicated Black Friday deals page for the latest from the massive sales event.

• The cheapest Sonos speaker deals this month

Via What Hi-Fi?

PC gamers get to enjoy a fresh lick of paint to their Steam libraries today – Valve has announced that September's Steam library redesign beta is now available to all.

With a greater focus on rich artwork, it's designed to give you a better look at the games you're playing – and new games you may want to. A central area now focuses on game news, what your pals are up to and your recent games, while there's the option to create 'Collections' based on certain tag criteria or simply of your own manual choosing. 

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Along the top of the Library tab you'll also see a 'What's New' option, focusing on in-game events for the titles you own, new add-ons or special multiplayer events. You'll also see a little icon appear under a game's artwork to give you an at-a-glance indication if a friend is currently playing.

Note that you might have to open and close Steam a few times before the prompt to update the application appears.

Remote Play Together expansion

The update also expands the reach of Steam's new Remote Play Together feature.

Now all Steam users can take advantage of the feature, not just those running the test beta application. Remote Play Together allows you to host what would usually be an on-the-couch local multiplayer session over the internet, letting those on your friends list join a local multiplayer game as if they were in the same room as you. 

Like many game streaming applications, they simply take control of a video stream that you're broadcasting on their local machines – and, for the privacy conscious, note that their view is limited to only the in-game action, not your desktop.

It's a meaty update from Steam, and a much-needed one, given the aggressive challenge its rival the Epic Games Store has delivered over the past year.

• Check out how Google plans to make Stadia faster than local hardware

Huawei’s latest wearable – Huawei Watch GT 2 series - is a noticeable upgrade from last year’s model, and is a great choice for anyone looking for a comprehensive wearable that offers both a pleasing aesthetic and plenty of features. It continues the series strong points, namely a strong design and excellent battery life, while also bringing new features to the table – all powered by Huawei’s first wearable chipset, the Kirin A1. It uses Huawei’s homegrown LiteOS and includes comprehensive fitness tracking for various activities.

One of the biggest changes on the Watch GT 2 46mm is the addition of a built-in microphone and speaker allowing you to take calls straight from the watch. Another big change is that it’s powered by Huawei’s proprietary Kirin A1 chip. This chip is specifically geared towards wearables and is capable of ultra-low power consumption, meaning you’ll get the best possible battery life out of the wearable.

In the HUAWEI Watch GT 2 46mm case, with continuous operation you can get a battery life of up to two weeks. And that’s with both the intelligent heart rate monitor and call notification functions enabled. We’ve tried it ourselves and that’s exactly the kind of battery life you can expect, which is quite impressive. This is great news for active people who are looking for a wearable that can continuously track their fitness activity without having to worry about charging it frequently.

Speaking of fitness, the HUAWEI Watch GT 2 has extensive health monitoring and management capabilities baked-in. There’s a continuous 24/7 intelligent heart rate monitor on board, stress tracking, and detailed sleep tracking with sleep cycle graphs that give you deep insights into your sleeping patterns.

When it comes to exercise, the HUAWEI Watch GT 2 is a great companion to take on training sessions. There’s also 4GB of storage on the watch, so you can store music for offline listening. When you get moving, the watch will automatically detect a workout and start tracking activity. There’s a built-in GPS for tracking outdoor walks and running, and a barometer to measure air pressure. The watch supports 15 sports modes including indoor and outdoor training, as well as swimming and common workouts on gym machines.

The HUAWEI Watch GT 2 comes in two sizes - 42mm and 46mm. You can choose which size you prefer depending on your own preference and style, but both have vibrant circular OLED displays measuring from 1.2 to 1.39-inches. They are encased in an all-in-one 3D glass screen that creates this wider, boundless display. No matter which size you choose, they both look gorgeous.

The Watch GT 2 inherits the best from traditional watch craftsmanship, with a round watch case and smooth glass over the display, as well as a dial etched into the frame and two crown-like buttons on the side. The silicone strap has a smooth texture that’s easy to wipe when it gets wet, and feels very light and comfortable against the skin.

You can buy the HUAWEI Watch GT 2 right now across Huawei experience stores and select retailers in the UAE. The 46mm Sport edition we looked at today costs AED 849. There’s a classic version for AED949 and Elite models will set you back AED1149. Huawei is also running a special bundle offer for new HUAWEI nova 5t and Watch GT 2 Orange Color at a price of AED 1,999 starting October 31st.

The upcoming Redmi Note 8T is expected to bring NFC and a new Blue color variant over the Redmi Note 8, as a small incremental update. 

The Redmi Note 8 was unveiled almost two months ago and was a pretty decent value offering considering the price. One of the few notable exclusions was NFC, which may finally be coming now. Leaked listing and images of the Redmi Note 8T suggest that it will be the NFC-enabled variant of the regular Note 8.

Redmi Note 8T specifications

The live images also give a fair idea of what to expect from the Note 8T in terms of specifications. It will be powered by the Snapdragon 665 AIE chipset and will run on a 4,000 mAh battery. 18W fast charging support will also make the cut, and the charger seems to be included in the box. 

The front has a 6.3-inch display with a small “Dot Drop” notch and will be protected by Gorilla Glass 5. The back will continue to offer a quad-camera setup and is likely to be the same array consisting of a 48MP primary camera, augmented by an ultra-wide lens and a dedicated macro camera. The last one will be a depth sensor.

The images also suggest that a new Blue finish will be available with the Redmi Note 8T, which will be pretty different than the Nebula Blue we’ve seen on the Redmi Note 8. Other than that, all specifications seem to align between the two phones.

The Redmi Note 8 is yet to see a full-fledged global release, and we might see the Note 8T take its place in markets outside China, where NFC has a much bigger demand. The pricing, too, is expected to be very similar to the Redmi Note 8, starting at around 199 Euros.  Considering that we already have live images of the device and its retail packaging, the launch shouldn't be far.

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Amazon has cut the price of the Lexar Professional 633X 1TB SDXC memory card from $400 to $279 in a standout storage deal.

Announced in January 2019, it is the cheapest way to get a 1TB memory card right now and compares favorably with the $440 that the  1TB version of the Sandisk Extreme, the most affordable 1TB microSD card costs. You can't use a SDXC in your smartphone but you can on your camera (usually) and in your laptop.

It still carries a premium (although not that massive) over smaller capacities. The 128GB version for example retails just under $20, 57% of its per GB price.

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More coming but where’s Samsung?

The card (officially known as the LSD128GCB1NL633) comes with a lifetime warranty (US-only) and 10 years of cover everywhere else  Lexar says that it can withstand extreme temperatures and has a built-in write protect to safeguard your content, but there's no news if it is waterproof, shockproof and X-ray proof like some of its competitors.

With a read speed of up to 95MBps, the Lexar Professional is compatible with the new V30 speed class and should record videos at 4K without a hitch.

There are several other major players that are currently selling 512GB microSD cards, including the likes of Samsung, Kingston, PNY and Integral - but none have confirmed when they will offer a 1TB version.

For now, Micron and Sandisk are the only other manufacturers to have already announced a 1TB microSD card; with the former reportedly set to go on sale before the end of the month.

•  The best cloud storage providers of 2019 

Looking for a monstrously good time this Halloween but don't want to leave the house? Well, what better way to celebrate this positively ghoulish time of year than to cosy up on the couch (or behind it) and have your own horror movie marathon?

Video streaming services is more popular than ever in Australia, and that means Aussie horror fans now have quick and convenient access to a huge variety of genre favourites and newcomers.

Here are our recommendations for the most frightfully entertaining horror movies currently streaming on Australian SVOD services.

Hereditary

Horror fans know an instant classic when they see one, and writer-director Ari Aster's debut film Hereditary is exactly that. A film that chills to the bone, Hereditary follows a troubled family that's haunted by the dark secrets of its own ancestry. Australia's own Toni Collette gives a revelatory performance as Annie, a mother who's driven to uncover her family's cryptic past after an immensely tragic occurrence leaves them devastated. Trust us when we tell you that Hereditary is quite disturbing – there are moments of horror in the film that will leave you utterly speechless, while other scenes lean into truly uncomfortable darkness that's seldom explored in this type of film. While it can be a tough watch at times, Hereditary is a rewarding and immaculately-crafted horror experience that's well worth taking.

Watch Hereditary on Netflix right now

Evil Dead

The remake to the classic splatter flick The Evil Dead, this 2013 version takes the series in an even gorier direction than before. Director Fede Alvarez (Don't Breathe) ratchets the tension by leaving out the slapstick comedy that the series ended up embracing from Evil Dead II onwards. Though no one in the cast can fill the Bruce Campbell-sized void left behind by the star's absence from this particular entry, the film is a slime-covered blast that puts its actors through hell regardless – just the way it should be. 

Watch Evil Dead on Stan

The Cabin in the Woods

From Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Avengers) and Drew Goddard (Cloverfield, Marvel's Daredevil) comes an extremely-meta take on a well-worn  horror scenario. It all starts as you'd expect – a group of young people (including a pre-Thor Chris Hemsworth) take a break from college to go relax at a 'cabin in the woods' and before long, all hell breaks loose. What these kids don't know, however, is that a secret organisation is behind all of the horrors they're experiencing. To reveal any more than that would ruin the film's many surprises, so trust us when we say that The Cabin in the Woods is clever, hilarious, gory and a must-see for any self-respecting horror fan that wants to see their genre expectations flipped. 

Watch The Cabin in the Woods on Netflix

The Babysitter

Before she kicked butt in the 2019 scare flick Ready or Not, Australia's own Samara Weaving starred in the demented Netflix Original horror comedy The Babysitter, from director McG (Charlie's Angels). It's not uncommon for young people to develop a crush on their babysitter, but what happens when that sitter turns out to be a sadistic, devil-worshipping killer with a group of equally psychotic friends? Gory and funny in equal measure, The Babysitter is destined to become a Halloween sleepover favourite amongst teenagers. 

Watch The Babysitter on Netflix

Carrie

Though it was remade a couple years back, the original Carrie, directed by Brian De Palma, is a horror masterpiece that has the distinction of being the first movie adapted from one of Stephen King's novels. Thanks to a religiously domineering mother (Piper Laurie), Carrie (Sissy Spacek) is a social outcast at school. Relentlessly tormented at home and at school, Carrie starts developing telekinetic powers as a means of defence. Things start looking up for Carrie when the most popular guy in school (William Katt) asks Carrie to go to the prom with him. However, her classmates have planned a prank on her on prom night that is sure to have explosive consequences. Featuring a young John Travolta in his first film role, Carrie is one of the best horror movies ever made.

Watch Carrie on Stan

Wolf Creek

A movie that has likely made countless tourists hesitant to travel across the Outback, Wolf Creek became a global sensation when it released back in 2005, with its memorably-ocker killer Mick Taylor (John Jarratt) gaining immediate admittance to the horror villain 'hall of fame' thanks to his bloodlust and his sick sense of humour. Loosely based on the Ivan Milat killings and the Bradley John Murdoch murder of English tourist Peter Falconio, Wolf Creek is a nail-bitingly intense horror film that some people may find hard to stomach.

Watch Wolf Creek on Stan

Terrifier

Scared of clowns? Terrifier's Art the Clown makes Pennywise look like Ronald McDonald. Set on Halloween night, Terrifier sees a homicidal clown named Art terrorise helpless victims in an old, rundown tenement building. Sure, it's not the most original plot of all time, but it's quite effective. One kill in particular will make even the most hardened horror fans wince (seriously, this film is not for the squeamish). While Terrifier has a relatively low budget compared to the other horror films on this list, it actually grants the film a creepier, more unsettling vibe. Some of acting from the victims is a little questionable, but the totally-silent character of Art is consistently terrifying, making Terrifier the perfect title for this grimy little horror flick.

Watch Terrifier on Netflix

The Ring

We aren't normally that keen on US remakes of classic foreign horror films around these parts, but director Gore Verbinski (Pirates of the Caribbean) knocked it out of the park with The Ring, an English-language take on the classic Hideo Nakata-directed J-horror, Ringu. The premise is simple: there's a cursed videotape that will kill you seven days after watching it. Unfortunately, the young son of journalist Rachel (Naomi Watts) has watched the video, and now she must unravel the mystery behind the tape if she has any hope of keeping her child alive. Truly skin-crawling, The Ring is one of the best horror remakes of all time.

Watch The Ring on Stan

Overlord

Feeling a bit like Re-Animator crossed with Wolfenstein, the J.J. Abrams-produced horror flick Overlord sees a group of American soldiers in WWII go behind enemy lines in Nazi-occupied France only to discover that the Third Reich is creating super soldiers from dead prisoners. Intense, relentless and filled with action-packed mayhem, the Aussie-directed Overlord isn't afraid to get gory in its quest to freak out audiences.

Watch Overlord on Amazon Prime Video

The Babadook

Another homegrown horror film for the list, The Babadook is one of the most critically-acclaimed horror films released in the last few years, making a huge splash overseas and winning a number of awards in the process. After losing her husband in a terrible accident, a mother has to come to grips her young son's intense fear of a (twisted) children's book monster that he believes is terrorising him. Though she dismisses his stories at first, his horrified reactions start to intensify, and before long, this evil presence known as The Babadook aggressively comes after her. Original, unpredictable and legitimately scary, The Babadook taps into every child's most primal fears, regardless of their age. 

Watch The Babadook on Amazon Prime Video

The Conjuring

From Aussie director James Wan (Saw, Insidious) comes this spooky story of a family terrorised by a demonic presence. Inspired by (supposedly) true events from the lives of paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren, The Conjuring is a non-stop 'frightmare' that will have you covering your eyes on more than one occasion. And, if you enjoy this film, you can also follow it up with the equally-terrifying sequel, The Conjuring 2 – also available to stream on Netflix. 

Watch The Conjuring on Netflix

The Thing

An alien film that was underappreciated at the time of its release in 1982 (you can blame Steven Spielberg's warm and fuzzy E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial for that), John Carpenter's The Thing has since earned the distinction of being considered an undisputed masterpiece of horror cinema. A cold and gruelling film, The Thing deals with an American research team in Antarctica who is being hunted by a grotesque shapeshifter. Able to perfectly mimic any person or creature, it becomes impossible for anyone in the team to be trusted, leading to a highly paranoid atmosphere with no escape. Featuring incredible horror makeup effects from Rob Bottin and a terrific cast of actors that includes Kurt Russell, Wilford Brimley and Keith David, The Thing is required viewing for any horror fan. 

Watch The Thing on Netflix

Scream

"What's your favourite scary movie?" asks Ghostface, the mysterious killer in director Wes Craven's Scream series, which sees horror film obsessed killers repeatedly stalk and attempt to murder Sidney Prescott (Neve Campbell) and her friends over the course of four films. The first (and undoubtedly best) film single-handedly revitalised the flagging horror genre upon its release in 1996, inspiring movie countless imitators in the process. What many of those films lacked, however, is a clever and biting 'whodunnit' script which somehow manages to parody well-worn horror conventions while simultaneously paying respect to them. To answer Ghostface's question, yes we do like scary movies – particularly this one.

Watch Scream on Amazon Prime Video
Watch Scream on Stan

A Quiet Place

An edge-of-your-seat thriller, A Quiet Place manages to make total silence suspenseful as hell. This is because the film sees its characters pursued by blind creatures that hunt solely by sound. After losing a young child to these creatures, a young family, led by John Krasinski (Jack Ryan) and Emily Blunt (Sicario), must learn to remain completely silent at all times – even in the face of extreme danger. Krasinski, who also writes and directs the film, cranks up the tension in every single quiet moment – every tiny creak or noise could lead to the characters' deaths, forcing the audience to also sit in silence and play close attention. That sounds pretty good to us.

Watch A Quiet Place on Amazon Prime Video

The Exorcist

Considered by many to be the scariest film of all time, The Exorcist sees teenage girl Regan (Linda Blair) become possessed by the devil, leading her desperate mother (Ellen Burstyn) to seek the help of two priests (Max von Sydow and Jason Miller) who will attempt to expunge this evil entity. Oscar winning filmmaker William Friedkin (The French Connection) directs the hell out of The Exorcist, presenting the story's rapidly escalating horror with complete and utter effectiveness all the way until the film's unforgettable climax. 

Watch The Exorcist on Netflix

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