The Netflix app on Android is broken, but only for some

I can't open the Netflix app on Android, and it's driving me up the wall.

No longer can I play Squid Game on a precariously-placed smartphone while I make breakfast, or flick through new and trending titles on the service while I walk home, to know what to add to my watchlist later on. And it looks like I'm not the only one.

While a major Netflix outage hit users around the world on October 18, and has seemingly been resolved, there are persistent issues opening the Netflix app on Android, even if it's for a minority of users.

When trying to open the Netflix app myself – on a OnePlus 8T – I'm repeatedly met by a sad-looking satellite illustration, asking me to "try again". It's a small improvement over the sadder "Sorry, we could not reach the Netflix Service, please try again later. (-1000)" message I'd been receiving during the outage.

In our chats with Netflix support, we've been told that the Android problem is "an active issue" and "a known issue", but that there's "no information when this started" – suggesting that Netflix isn't sure at what point the problem began (i.e. before or during the outage).

I'm advised by Netflix customer service to force stop the app, open the Android 'overview' and close the app manually, restart my phone, and then try to update to the latest version of the app (7.120, if available). 

Again, looking for Netflix in the Google Play Store gives me an update option, but prodding it repeatedly doesn't do anything. (I'm told to attempt to launch the Netflix app four times at this point, which may work for some, even if it didn't for me.)

Help me, please

Ultimately, this Netflix issue appears not to be too widespread. Other TechRadar colleagues aren't reporting the issue, and the platform seems to be operating fine across iOS, browser, and smart TV apps, which will make for the overwhelming majority of users anyhow. 

I can make do without the Android app for a time, but it does limit the flexibility of accessing my Netflix account on the fly.

If you're experiencing the issue – or any others like it – please do let us know. You'll find my email through my author bio at the bottom of this page.

Given Netflix's ongoing turmoil over the Dave Chappell special, though, it might be good to spend some time with other TV streaming services until the platform actually takes some action...

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What is blue light? Glasses, filters, night shift, and dark mode explained

What is blue light? Those two simple words may well be causing you grief, in a screen-heavy society intent on getting you to work at a laptop, take breaks by scrolling through social media on your phone, and rest at the end of the day by… turning on the television.

In its simplest form, blue light is simply part of the light spectrum from infrared to UV (ultraviolet light). The reason you’re hearing so much about it these days, though, is that LCD screens emit a substantial amount – and our proximity to so many of them, for both our work and leisure, means we’re getting an awful lot of it.

Blue light has become something of a bugbear these days, with many claims around the impact of blue light on the quality of our sleep or even our eye health.

Studies certainly suggest that blue light can suppress the release of melatonin at night, making it harder to get to sleep or reach deep sleep states needed to fully rest. But when we end the day with the television or head to our smartphones to final-check our messages or set our morning alarms, it can be hard to break the routines keeping us in constant thrall to blue light.

That’s led to the creation of a host of blue light filter technologies, which aim to stop blue light reaching your eyes (through specialized spectacles) or possibly even leaving the screen at all (through protective screen filters).

This guide will run you through the science around blue light, why some concerns are more valid than others, and the aids currently available to help you out.

Blue light FAQ

  • What is blue light? Blue light is visible light at a wavelength of 400−525 nm
  • Where does blue light come from? LED screens such as those found on smartphones, TVs, and computers, as well as certain lamps and light bulbs
  • Does blue light affect sleep? Blue light has been shown to suppress the release of the sleep hormone melatonin, disrupting your circadian rhythm and making it harder to sleep well
  • Will blue light hurt my eyes? There’s no conclusive evidence for this, and the real culprit may be simply the amount of screen time in your day

OLED smartphones emit a lot less blue light than LED displays

Blue light: the science

We wouldn’t be doing our job if we didn’t come armed with some good, hard facts.

The important thing to remember is that blue light is a natural part of sunlight, and helps to keep us alert. The issue is when that blue light comes at times – say, late in the day – that mess with your circadian rhythm, telling your brain that it isn’t yet time to shut down for bed.

This is great for keeping you active in the late hours for a big project deadline, or if you’re trying to stay awake, but it’s not as great when you’re trying to sleep. Harvard Health cites numerous medical studies making a strong case for melatonin suppression by blue light – and specifically recommends people “avoid looking at bright screens beginning two to three hours before bed.”

The issue is fuzzier around eye health, though (more on this further down). Lots of uninterrupted screen time can absolutely irritate your eyes, though the issue may simply be because you’re focusing your attention at a fixed distance for hours on end, and therefore straining your vision. As ever, it’s good advice to take regular breaks from your screen, look out the window (if you have one), and walk about when you can to vary the distance your eyes are focusing on.

It's worth noting that OLED screens – like those used in the iPhone 11 Pro, or OLED TVs like the LG CX – emit far less blue light than traditional LED lighting technologies too (via FlatPanelsHD).

Other studies have suggested positive benefits to limiting blue light exposure or using filters, like this one (via GoodHousekeeping).

Screen recorders

The proximity of LED screens to our eyes means we're getting a lot of blue light

Blue light: night shift, dark mode, and f.lux

You may already be aware of software fixes for blue light, such as Apple’s Night Shift setting, which reduces levels of blue light, according to the time in your region, to reduce the intensity of the display: “Night Shift automatically adjusts the colours of your display to the warmer end of the spectrum – making the display easier on your eyes.”

f.lux is a similar program available for Mac, PC, iOS and Android. The issue with both Night Shift and f.lux is that they give screens a reddish or orange tint towards the end of the day – which isn’t ideal for watching Netflix shows or enjoying pretty much anything in its original colors.

The much-discussed dark mode, too, is something available on a host of different devices and apps. Dark mode generally turns automatically white backgrounds to black (or a dark color) to reduce the amount of light being emitted, hopefully reducing eye strain.

Get some amber light before you go to sleep

Blue light filters

There’s now a burgeoning market in blue light filters: effectively screen protectors that help to block out blue light on your most commonly-used devices.

Ocushield is one company making blue light filters for computer screens or smartphones. The options are a bit limited to certain models and sizes – you’ll have better luck getting the right fit with an iPhone or Macbook – but we got to test out a few ourselves, and were impressed. The filters clearly block out blue wavelengths without overtly affecting the color palette on your screen, meaning you’re not left with off-tone images. 

We’re told by Ocushield founder Dhruvin Patel that users of the filter are “limiting blue light while maintaining a crystal clear picture,” while also noting that software such as f.lux – designed largely for evening use – doesn’t address exposure to blue light throughout the rest of the day. “Cumulative exposure to blue light during the day also causes visual stress in the form of eye strain and headaches which a lot of people are unaware of.”

“Ocushield has been specially developed to reduce the spikes in blue light while maintaining a clear image,” said Patel. “Through research studies done on blue light, simply reducing blue light by 19% has been shown to have positive impacts on users. Ocushield filters limit blue light exposure by up to 40%, double the researched amount. Ocushield screen protectors are registered to the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA) in the UK.”

Patel advises us to turn down the brightness on our devices, too: “The brightness on digital device screens also correlates to the intensity of blue light being emitted, if you decrease the brightness of your screen you will again reduce the impact at hand.”

Ray-Ban now stocks blue light protection lenses

Blue light glasses: should you buy them?

A new twist on UV-protective glasses in the past few years has been prescription glasses with a blue light filter overlaid on the lenses, which help to block out blue light instead of ultraviolet light. Even Ray-Ban includes a Blue Light Filter option for its prescription glasses, claiming “17% protection” for blue light wavelengths. In recent news, a Manchester-based eyewear company Arlo Wolf is giving out free blue-light lenses to NHS staff too.

A study by the US National Institutes of Health writes that "More than one-third of wearers found that a clear lens with a blue-filtering coating (BT lens, which all limit blue light up to 20%) provided better anti-glare performance and improved their vision for computer and mobile digital screens."

However, the UK's College of Optometrists states that "There is no strong evidence that blue-blocking spectacle lenses will improve visual performance, alleviate symptoms of eye strain or improve sleep quality. It is also unclear whether blue-light filtering lenses preserve macular health or alter the risks associated with the development or progression of AMD [age-related macular degeneration]."

The FDA doesn’t view blue light glasses as medical devices, either, and it may be too early to claim certain benefits or harm prevention conclusively.

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New Pokémon Snap is the killer app Nintendo Labo VR desperately needs – here’s why

It’s been a big week for Pokémon games. On top of updates to Pokémon Go (Gigantamaxing!), a new puzzle game called Pokémon Cafe, and some sort of toothbrush AR game we can’t explain, Nintendo deigned to announce what we’ve really been after all these years: a Pokémon Snap sequel.

With up-to-date graphics on the Nintendo Switch, and eight whole generations of Pokémon to populate a Snap safari, it’s never been a better time to bring back Pokémon Snap – an awe-inspiring game on Nintendo 64 that tasked you with photographing Pokémon along rivers, beaches, jungle paths, and even the moon.

The real trump card for New Pokémon Snap, though, may be in the form of Nintendo Labo’s VR camera.

Released in 2019, Nintendo Labo VR was a kind of VR starter kit, using hand-assembled cardboard accessories to create virtual reality goggles and a number of peripherals to help you immerse yourself directly in the action (Blaster, Bird, Wind Pedal, Elephant – you know, the classics!).

But the VR camera accessory showcases a perfect opportunity for New Pokémon Snap, enabling players to take snapshots of their favorite pocket monsters in the wild with something more tangible and, you know, camera-like than the tablet-shaped Switch console.

While some aspects of the VR kit were less fleshed out than others – and playing Zelda in VR was simply a terrible idea – the VR camera was really a delight to use. 

Everything from peering into the camera, to the satisfying click of cardboard as we adjusted the zoom, was brilliantly immersive, even if we had only a few ways to make use of the camera – taking photos of fish, mainly – in the Labo VR Kit.

If there was one thing holding the VR Kit back, it was a lack of killer apps to really make all that crafting and building feel worthwhile. With a beloved IP like New Pokémon Snap to tie it to, Labo VR could get a whole new lease of life, and it would be a huge waste not to let the two products enhance each other.

Bundle it in, Nintendo

It’s fully possible that we’ll see Nintendo add functionality for the Labo VR Camera, though we expect it might come as a later update some time after launch.

The real victory would be getting the camera accessory bundled in with the game itself, as a re-purposed peripheral focused entirely on New Pokémon Snap – say with a Poké-centric design or different color options.

Avid fans and nostalgia junkies such as us ourselves will no doubt flock to this game regardless, but leveraging Labo’s existing camera peripheral could be the difference between might-buy and must-buy for so many players. And if Nintendo isn’t making it the best photojournalist experience they can, what really is the point of the remake?

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Rollable and foldable OLED TVs are the future – here’s why

The design of smart TVs is changing. Those trusty rectangles we rely on to stream and display our favorite Netflix shows, Amazon movies, and PS4 games are entering a new stage in their evolution, and it has everything to do with their size.

Long gone are the days when having a home television meant a boxy CRT with a 4:3 aspect ratio. Now we’ve come to expect super-slim flatscreens to be flush against a wall, or massive 75-inch displays teetering on top of our media centers.

These new, larger form factors, though, are heralding a new design challenge for TV brands; namely, how to stop these ever-growing TV sizes from utterly dominating someone’s home.

The new flagship size for televisions is 55 inches – with 65-inch TVs being the fastest-growing category beside that. Some, like the Samsung Q950TS 8K QLED, even come in an 82-inch size in the US – acknowledging the generally larger homes over there compared to the UK.

That’s a lot of screen space to pack into any living room, and seeing as the average home isn’t increasing in size along with the average television, the buck is falling to TV manufacturers to design innovate ways to better blend displays in with their surroundings, or hide them away entirely.

LG is one of the best examples of this, with its rollable OLED – the Signature Series OLED R – widely expected to be launching in 2020, after its 2019 launch date didn’t quite come to pass.

This rollable OLED does exactly what you’d expect – being able to roll up, almost like a carpet, and then unfurl again out of its base / TV stand. You can even unfurl the screen to a third of its full height – at half-mast, as it were – as an OLED smart display for showing the time or weather information.

LG's rollable OLED can roll up partially for a smart display function too

It’s clearly advanced tech, and an incredible feat of engineering that makes use of OLED’s flexible properties, ensuring that those after an OLED TV have an option that can easily hide away when the TV isn’t being used.

With LG manufacturing transparent OLED displays for retail, and Panasonic prototyping its first commercial set of that kind, we could well see TV screens able to switch between see-through window and home cinema at the click of a button.

Waiting in the wings

We’ve previously reported on Bang & Olufsen’s Beovision Harmony television, too, which has an adjustable wing-shaped TV stand able to cover up part of the screen – available in sizes as large as 88 inches.

Gavin Ivester, VP Design at Bang & Olufsen, tells us that this feature was the result of customer concerns over the “larger size of modern screens” – saying that, ”As screens increase in size, they certainly disrupt the flow of a room more.”

As a result, the design team “made Harmony shrink when you’re not using it for TV and movies. We gave it a smooth, automatic mechanism – the speakers pivot inward as the screen sinks down toward the floor.”

Beovision Harmony

Extending out the ‘wings’ is also key to its high-end audio performance, placing the speakers in “a very wide proportion for cinematic sound,” and then letting them “roll inward into a narrower shape that hides most of the TV screen in its lowered position.”

Ivester adds that “The whole package harmonizes with your interior better— that’s part of how Harmony got its name. [The set] both reduces the apparent size of the screen when you’re not using it, and it de-emphasizes the glossy black surface in favor of carefully crafted wood or textile and aluminum.”

The Harmony offers a neat solution, one that neither hides the television away entirely nor lets it dominate the space it’s in. Ensuring its speakers fold out with the ‘wings’, too, means that there’s a practical reason driving the design as well as an aesthetic one.

A lot of different avenues

For all of the innovative design solutions to larger screens, there are ways to tackle the sizing issue other than expensive engineering methods. LG’s rollable OLED, for one, is expected to cost around $60,000 – while the Beovision Harmony costing up to $49,000 / £44,100 (around AU$74,000) at its largest 88-inch size.

Ivester speculates that features like “a curtain or moving panel that can hide or reveal the TV” could become much more common in homes, calling “screen movement” a solution with larger potential than “foldable form factors.”

LG GX Gallery Series OLED (2020)

The art-minded Samsung The Frame is a different answer to the same problem, being a TV that effectively poses as a picture frame when not in active use.

You’ll be using 30% of its usual power output to mimic an artwork on your living room wall, and while an actual painting might be more eco-friendly, there’s no denying it’s a smart option for homeowners not wanting to disrupt their home decor with a 55-inch black slab throughout the day.

We’ve seen LG launch its own take on Samsung's idea with the LG GX Gallery Series OLED, too – and those wanting a TV that really doesn’t disrupt the decor can always opt for a small TV instead.

One thing is clear: as screen technologies get ever larger, TVs are moving from centerpiece gadgets to devices that have to integrate into their surroundings. Some solutions are cheaper than others, but we don’t expect the Signature Series OLED R or Beovision Harmony to be the last of their kind.

  • Next-gen TVs: the OLED, Micro LED and holographics TVs of the future
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New Pokémon Snap game announced for Nintendo Switch, because the world is kind sometimes

A remake of Pokémon Snap is coming to Nintendo Switch, it was announced today.

The news was revealed in a live stream diving into the DLC expansion packs for Pokémon Sword and Shield, a new toothbrushing AR game called Pokémon Smile (yup), and the arrival of Gigantamax forms to Pokémon Go. However, the Pokémon Snap announcement came as a massive surprise to those of us who had given up hoping for a remake or sequel to this classic (and somewhat unusual) Pokémon game.

Pokémon Snap was a much beloved 1999 game released for Nintendo 64, tasking players with taking photographs of Pokémon in a safari while in an on-rail vehicle.

Given the first game only contained first-gen Pokémon, too, the IP has been ripe for a refresh over the past two decades, with numerous other generations of Pokémon to include – not to mention the graphical overhaul that the Nintendo Switch can offer.

In the trailer we caught sight of a number of Pokémon from across various generations. There’s a Pidgeot seemingly catching a Magikarp mid-air, as a kingfisher would dive into a river for its food – and a sizeable Torterra lumbering with a Pichu on its back, and a Dodrio in the corner of the frame. And, of course, we saw the central camera mechanic that players will use to 'catch' these Pokémon out in their natural habitat.

A brand new adventure

It's a hugely exciting addition to the existing catalogue of Nintendo Switch games, especially in what could have been a fallow year for the franchise so soon after the new Pokémon Sword and Shield games.

There's no release date so far, other than a 'coming soon' slide in the trailer, but the announcement timing suggests we would have got this trailer at or around E3 2020 – with a release likely before 2020 is out.

It seems this isn't just a retread of the original game, though, with mention of "unknown islands overflowing with natural sights such as jungles and beaches" for players to explore, along with "new, never-before-seen Pokémon expressions and behaviours." The 'New' moniker certainly suggests more of a reimagining of the title – but as long as there's a Gyarados in a waterfall somewhere, we'll be happy.

You can watch the reveal trailer below, which also goes into details on Pokémon Cafe Mix (a puzzle game coming to Switch, iOS and Android), Pokémon Smile (an AR mobile app to encourage kids to brush their teeth), and more on Pokémon Go and Pokémon Sword and Shield DLC

There's also mention of another live stream announcement on June 24, so it doesn't seem like this is it for now, either...

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‘New’ Spider-Man PS5 game is an expanded remaster, not a sequel

Would-be PS5 gamers and fans of the excellent Marvel’s Spider-Man – a PS4 exclusive that launched in 2018 and was one of our best games of the year – were likely highly excited at the sneak peek at a new Spider-Man PS5 game, showed off during the massive PS5 game reveal event on June 11. But not all was as it seemed.

Along with our first look at the PS5 console itself, and a host of other incoming PS5 games, we caught a teaser trailer for a new Spider-Man game titled Spider-Man: Miles Morales, available as a launch title for the PS5 this year. 

It did seem like a quick turnaround from 2018’s title, though, and we’ve since learned that the Miles Morales title is actually an expanded remaster of the original game. It revisits the game on the PS5’s superior hardware, with added content featuring the titular version of the superhero.

Tangled web

Speaking to The Telegraph, SIE’s EVP Head of European Business Simon Rutter clarified that Spider-Man Miles Morales was “an expansion and an enhancement to the previous game,” rather than a sequel in and of itself. 

Rutter added: “There’s a substantial Miles Morales component – which is the expansion element – but also within the game as well there’s been major enhancements to the game and the game engine, obviously deploying some of the major PlayStation 5 technology and features.” 

We were excited to see a Miles Morales-fronted video game, as an Afro-Latino iteration of the webslinger and one of Marvel's best new creations over the past few decades. Miles was also seen in 2018’s utterly mind-blowing Into The Spider Verse animated movie, which is set to get a sequel in 2022.

The messaging around the announcement was muddled at best, for what effectively sounds like a high-end remaster with some DLC. The description for the trailer reads “Revealing Marvel's Spider-Man: Miles Morales, a new adventure from Insomniac Games coming to PlayStation 5” – which really does sound like a sequel. It certainly could have been flagged better in the reveal itself.

It’s unclear whether Miles Morales is a self-contained piece of DLC, or something more entwined with the story of the original game, but it sounds more like the former. It’s still great to see Morales given the time of day, and we look forward to seeing what different abilities (and story hook) his addition will bring to the game. 

Whether or not you played Marvel’s Spider-Man on PS4, it’s certainly a launch title to keep your eye on – and it’s refreshing to see developers provide an incentive to check out a next-gen remaster beyond just flashier graphics.

Check out the trailer for Spider-Man: Miles Morales below:

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Panasonic shakes up 2020 TV range with new budget OLED TV

Panasonic has announced a new addition to its 2020 TV range, the HZ980 OLED – and it's the closest the company has got to a budget OLED TV so far.

The HZ980 is a distinct offering from the HZ1000 OLED TV, with a less advanced OLED panel, ditching the Master HDR panel of the HZ1000, HZ1500 and HZ2000 in order to bring down the price of an entry-level OLED. It's expected to launch in July.

Retailing at £1,699 for its smallest 55-inch size, as well as a 65-inch model in tow, the HZ980 is a surprisingly competitive entry in the OLED market. For comparison, the newly-reviewed LG CX OLED starts at £1,499 for a 48-inch size, and costs £1,799 for a 55-inch size.

The HZ980 will feature the same HCX Pro Intelligent processor as its more premium siblings, meaning that functions like upscaling shouldn't see a drop in quality – though you will be making do with a simplified version of the HZ1000's Smooth Motion Drive Pro, called simply Smooth Motion Drive.

It will come with Dolby Vision, HDR10+ and Dolby Atmos support, as well as Dolby Vision IQ to calibrate HDR output to the level of ambient light in the room. Both Filmmaker Mode and Netflix Calibrated Mode are supported as well.

You'll also get HDMI 2.1 and eARC, as well as Google Assistant and Alexa integration.

The hunt for affordable OLED TVs

Competition is ramping up for mid-price OLED TVs, with LG, Panasonic, Sony and Philips all working hard to offer OLED sets that are affordable without ruining what makes OLED TVs so good – as with the botched processing of the Hisense O8B OLED.

The Sony A9G and LG CX both feature 48-inch sizes, which docks a couple of hundred pounds off the price compared to a 55-inch model. LG's BX isn't expected to launch until September, but it's likely to be even cheaper than (if not comparable with) the 48-inch CX too.

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The Last of Us 2 will let you entirely customize your PS4 DualShock controller

The Last of Us 2 is going to have an unprecedented focus on accessibility, it seems, with developer Naughty Dog offering a variety of presets designed to cater to those with vision, hearing, or motor impairments – as well as free customization of every input on the PS4 DualShock controller.

Building on accessibility features used in past titles from the dev, such as the Uncharted games, a press release on the PlayStation blog revealed that The Last of Us 2 would offer "full control customization," for "the first time in a Naughty Dog game."

That means you'll be able to map any input to any button, joystick, or trigger on the PS4 DualShock controller, ensuring you have the freedom to play the way you want or need to. You'll even be able to do this with "touchpad swipes and controller shake." Swipe to shoot? You do you, player.

The Last of Us 2 will also feature three distinct presets that calibrate across a number of different gameplay, video and audio settings – say, adding subtitles for hearing accessibility, text-to-speech for vision accessibility, or auto-pickup of items and ammunition for motor accessibility – meaning you don't have to crawl through hundreds of menu panes to get assistance.

You'll also be able to toggle a High Contrast Display option to help objects stand out more clearly in-game, pick a Screen Magnifier option to let you zoom in using the DualShock 4 touchpad, or use a slider to reduce Camera Shake (and reduce motion sickness) – alongside text-to-speech, additional audio cues, less complex combat, and many other settings. There's even an option to skip puzzles altogether if you're finding them hard to navigate!

There are also five distinct difficulty settings, from Very Light to Survivor, with the option to customize particular aspects of difficulty such as enemy accuracy, durability of weapons, and more.

The wait is nearly over

We've been pretty hyped over The Last of Us 2 for a while now, and we're relieved to see its official launch (June 19) finally upon us – especially since keen players have had to avoid a storm of spoilers for the past few weeks.

For those wanting a sense of how the game is shaping up, you can check out our early The Last of Us 2 review, which runs through our first few hours spent with the game.

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What is JustWatch? The TV streaming service guide explained

What is JustWatch? If you’ve ever scoured the internet to find which TV streaming service has a specific film or series available, you might have come across this online guide and smartphone app – one that collates together the title listings for a whole load of content services.

JustWatch isn’t a TV streaming service itself, though, and you won’t be able to stream anything from within it – but it does offer a handy place to browse everything that is available to stream elsewhere, meaning you don’t have to check apps individually to find what you’re looking for.

Let’s face it: there are a lot of TV streaming services these days. While Netflix and YouTube may still be the dominant players when it comes to online streaming, there’s now a host of competitors taking up our screen time. And in a world where Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, HBO, and Hulu and are all packed with programming, with content libraries cycling through different titles every month, it can be hard to keep with what’s actually available.

That’s where JustWatch comes in – and for everything you need to know about the platform, you’ll find it all on this page.

Cut to the chase

  • What is it? An online guide to various TV streaming service catalogues
  • Which streaming services are included? Netflix, Disney Plus, Now TV, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, hayu, Mubi, Sky Go, All 4, Curzon, Chili, YouTube, Rakuten TV, and more
  • Where can I get it? iOS, Android, internet browsers, and Fire TV
  • What does JustWatch cost? The service is free, with no advertisements
  • What about movie theaters? Yes, JustWatch lets you know what’s showing in cinemas too
  • Can I stream stuff on JustWatch? No, but there are ‘Watch Now’ links for each title that lets you jump to the respective platform

What is JustWatch?

JustWatch is an online guide that collates the various films, TV series, and other types of programming available on online TV streaming services. There’s a website you can open in any browser, and a smartphone app that’s available on iOS and Android, as well as Fire TV devices.

This isn’t a new idea: viewers have flocked to the internet to find out what show or film is landing where for years now, but JustWatch is different in its sheer scale. Rather than simply show what’s streaming on a particular service (in the vein of What’sOnNetflix), JustWatch enables you to skim through over 100 different content libraries to see what’s available where, what quality resolution it’s streaming in, how much it costs, and the kind of payment options available (subscription, rental, etc).

You can also filter the huge swathes of titles by the following categories: Movies, TV series, Release year, Genres, Price, Rating (i.e. IMDb or Rotten Tomatoes score) and Age rating.

This means you can search en masse across various services, rather than simply scouting for a specific title, or having to go into Netflix, Amazon and Hulu separately to see what action movies or animated films are on offer.

As the JustWatch smartphone app puts it: “Get personal recommendations for movies and TV shows available on Netflix, Now TV, Disney Plus and many more.”

JustWatch has an extensive filter system

JustWatch Netflix: all the TV streaming services

You’ll find well over 100 TV streaming services included on JustWatch, from Netflix and Amazon Prime Video (both rentals / purchases and those included in a Prime subscription) to the likes of Syfy and CBS All Access. Other notable services include DC Universe, Disney Plus, Apple TV Plus, Acorn TV, Rakuten TV, Comedy Central, Hulu, and HBO Max / HBO Now / HBO Go.

We won’t list all of them here, but you can head to the JustWatch website to check them out, as each TV streaming service gets an individual icon at the top of the content filters.

As to what’s listed for each film or show, you can see when it landed on the respective service, how many episodes are available (if relevant), the streaming quality (SD, HD, 4K), and how much it costs on each platform for each resolution. You’ll find a run-down of each episode title and synopsis, too, along with the cast and relevant titles you may also want to check out.

There’s a watchlist feature, like the kind you get in Netflix or Disney Plus, that lets you tag titles you want to keep a tab on or remember to watch at a later point. You don’t need to log in for this, either, as the information is stored through cookies in your browser – though to get this information across all your devices, you’ll need to make an account (more on this below). 

Each title has a ‘Watch Now’ button that lets you jump right to the respective platform, too, so you can get right down to streaming.

Castlevania, as listed on JustWatch

JustWatch UK: all the major players

UK residents may be wondering whether your nation-specific catchup services are included. And they are! You’ll find All 4, ITV Hub, BBC iPlayer, and BritBox all on the app. There isn’t, however, a run-down of TV broadcasts, as this is an online-specific guide.

JustWatch price, app and website

Most importantly, JustWatch is free to use. You can make an account for a more tailored user experience – mainly in the form of emails that flag content it thinks you’ll like – but it’s also possible to use without making an account.

The About Us page for JustWatch is also surprisingly candid about how it makes its money, stating that user data is used to “collect user profiles of millions of cinema goers” and target them for advertising on behalf of “movie studios, distributors and VOD services”.

You’ll find the JustWatch app on iOS and Android smartphones, as well as in internet browsers.

If you do sign up, you can do so with your Google or Facebook account, or by inputting an email address and password manually. Note that you will need to accept email marketing when you sign up, though you can head to your account settings after the fact to turn this off.

JustWatch is available worldwide

Should I use JustWatch?

JustWatch is a bit of a no-brainer for heavy TV viewers. It brings together a host of different content libraries, with effective filters and a constantly updated catalogue that reflects the ever-changing libraries of Netflix and the like. You don’t even need to make an account to use it.

If you only subscribe or regularly use one or two services, and don’t really fancy checking out any others – that is, if you’re happy to be influenced more by your current subscriptions – it may be more of a hassle than simply searching for Netflix standup specials inside the app itself.

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You can now sync Amazon Prime movies with your friends – with Hulu and Disney Plus to follow

You'll have probably heard of Netflix Party – a Google Chrome browser add-on that lets you sync up playback of Netflix shows while chatting in a side-pane with your friends and family. If you're looking for similar features in other TV streaming services, though, the social streaming app Rave may have the solution.

We first reported on Rave back in 2019, as a smartphone app able to sync Netflix watching over mobile with in-app chat functions – but it's now got Amazon Prime Video integration, meaning you can sync up Good Omens, Parks and Rec, or whatever Amazon Prime shows you're keen on watching too.

What's more, Rave is also set to get Disney Plus and Hulu – according to a press release we received from the company – though there's currently no date given for those respective launches.

We're told, though, that usage of Rave has jumped up tenfold since March – hardly surprising, given it's around the time many Western countries entered lockdown – and it's clear many viewers will be looking for solutions for staying in touch with their friends in more fun and dynamic ways than the the occasional Zoom meeting.

Platform problems

The major downside to Rave in the past has been its platform limitations, as the app is only available on iOS and Android smartphones. Obviously, many phones and tablets actually offer a decent display for watching TV these days, but it's not quite the same as kicking back in front of a TV, or even a laptop screen.

That is set to change, though, with Rave "coming soon to Mac and PC" – which should help it compete with the likes of the Netflix Party browser add-on, or the Mac-enabled Houseparty app.

If you're keen to make use of Rave's new Amazon Prime Video functions, too, here are the best Amazon Prime shows and Amazon Prime movies to start with.

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Hisense launches fleet of affordable 4K TVs with Dolby Vision – and they’re now on sale

Hisense has unveiled a number of new 4K TVs for 2020, building on the affordable TV brand's existing catalogue – with some already being available to buy in the UK.

The charge is being led by the U8QF, which Hisense is calling its "flagship model" for 2020. It's predictable a ULED TV – Hisense's premium TV label – which packs in a quantum dot filter for enhanced contrast, as well as support for HDR10+, HLG, and Dolby Vision HDR. 

The distinguishing feature, though, is a front-firing JBL speaker, which is built into the television itself. The U8QF is retailing at £1,099 for the 55-inch and £1,699 for the 65-inch size – though there are plenty of cheaper models available too.

The Dolby Atmos-enabled U7QF, for one, will come in 50-inch, 55-inch, and 65-inch sizes, though currently only the 55-inch model is currently on sale – for £899.

Below that, more mid-range sets populate the range, with the A7500F and AE7400F coming with DTS Virtual: X technology for clearer dialogue output. You'll find smaller sizes for more humble homes, too, starting at just £449 for a 43-inch A7500F, and going up to £599 / £899 for a 55-inch / 65-inch AE7400F. Both come with Dolby Vision and HDR10+, too.

At the budget end, you'll get the A7300F and A7100F, available in sizes from 43-inch up to 75-inch.

We're promised an overhaul to the Vidaa U smart TV platform, too, with a new customisable layout that aims to make selecting and accessing your favourite apps and services easier than before – though we'll have to reserve judgement until we put it to the test ourselves.

Why Hisense?

Hisense is known for offering great value TVs, with the kind of premium specs and format supports that other TV brands often offer to up to twice the price, such as Dolby Vision HDR, 4K resolution, and even OLED panels – though, on that last one, we don't really recommend the O8B, which was Hisense's first (and last) attempt at an OLED TV.

The caveat is that you're often settling for worse picture performance or processing, but many Hisense TVs do get the balance between value and quality right.

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LG CX vs Sony A8H: which mid-price OLED TV should you choose?

Looking for a mid-price OLED TV? You may want to consider the LG CX OLED and Sony A8H OLED – and here’s why.

While OLED TVs aren’t budget buys yet, the latest models are still cheaper than ever, with enough TV brands supporting the technology to ensure a bountiful OLED harvest every year.

The LG CX and Sony A8H OLEDs will be two of the most important TVs to keep an eye on in 2020 – if not beyond – for the simple fact that they show off OLED at its mid-range best: neither is lacking in processing capability, like cheaper models such as the LG B9, nor are they so specced-out that the price tag has jumped to nail-biting amounts.

So if you’re looking to buy a mid-price OLED TV, one that neither breaks the bank nor lets you down on processing, it may be hard to pick between the two. This versus guide will run you through the exact pricing, differences in specs and formats, and why you might pick one TV brand over the other. Here’s everything you need to know about choosing LG CX vs Sony A8H.

LG CX vs Sony A8H: price and sizes

Pricing is an easy comparison in this case: they cost pretty much the same amount! 

At the flagship 55-inch size, the LG CX OLED retails at $1,799 / £1,799, while the Sony A8H OLED costs the almost identical $1,899 / £1,799. In the UK, that’s a perfect price match, with only a small uplift in price for Sony’s set in the US.

At a 65-inch size, the LG CX OLED costs $2,499 / £2,799 – with a similar price tag for the Sony A8H at $2,799 / £2,799.

LG CX OLED (2020)

The main difference is in TV sizes. The Sony A8H has only been confirmed for those two sizes, while the CX is getting both a larger 77-inch model and a more compact 48-inch size in mid-2020.

The 48-inch size is the most crucial, as this is the first year that 48-inch OLEDs are available. Sony is releasing a 48-inch OLED, but for last year’s A9G model rather than anything new for this year.

In Australia, you’re paying AU$3,959 for the 55-inch LG CX, AU$5,359 for the 65-inch, and AU$10,199 for the 77-inch – though the 48-inch isn’t currently available. The Sony A8H also hasn’t been confirmed for Australia at all, though we expect it will happen in the coming months.

LG CX vs Sony A8H: design and specs

Next, we consider the design. How do these sets look?

Well, both sets have a minimal bezel, with the same aspect ratio for their panel display. The A8H is a bit less appealing from the rear – which is a bit bulkier than expected – but largely you’re getting a nice-looking rectangle for both sets.

The main discrepancy is the choice of TV stand, with LG’s CX using a curved base – designed to funnel audio from its downward-firing speakers towards the viewer – and Sony’s A8H coming with two feet with adjustable height, making it easier to fit a soundbar underneath. The former may look sleeker, but both have their advantages, depending on whether you’re hooking up an external soundbar or using built-in audio.

Sony's 2020 TV range is all about adjustable feet

Speaking of which, the LG CX OLED comes with 2.2 channel speakers and 40W output, meaning you should get pretty boisterous sound that goes above and beyond the standard for built-in audio. The Sony A8H, on the other hand, has a slightly quieter (but still substantial) 30W output – but with quite a different method of transmitting audio to the viewer.

Sony uses something called Acoustic Surface Audio here, which uses a mix of subwoofers and actuators built into the TV to emit sound, essentially using the glass panel of the set as a vibrating driver. It’s cool in theory, if a bit imprecise in practice, but it’s interesting nonetheless. Both sets support the Dolby Atmos surround sound format, as well as HDMI eARC for high-spec audio transfer from the television to a soundbar.

Most of LG's 2020 OLED TVs utilize an upgraded a9 Gen 3 processor

In terms of processing, both the CX and A8H OLEDs utilize the most advanced processor from their respective TV brands. For the CX, it’s LG’s a9 Gen 3 chip, which is also used on the LG GX Gallery Series and LG WX OLED. For the A8H, you’re getting Sony’s X1 Ultimate processor, which is also used on the A9G OLED and Z8H 8K LCD. So in both cases the processing should be top-notch.

It’s worth noting that the A8H only comes with Bluetooth 4.2, while the CX has the latest 5.0 standard – with better connectivity and audio quality – so if you’re keen on connecting Bluetooth headphones to your television, the CX is probably the way to go.

LG CX vs Sony A8H: HDMI 2.1

The humble HDMI cable

Both TVs come with four HDMI ports – for connecting to external soundbars, 4K Blu-ray players, or game consoles – but only on the LG CX will all four be the latest HDMI 2.1 standard, for 4K resolution video at 120Hz (or 8K at 60Hz, though that isn’t applicable for these 4K TVs). 

There's been some confusion around this new HDMI 2.1 spec, especially as most of LG's 2020 TVs – the CX included – are only supporting 10-bit, rather than 12-bit 4K/120Hz. This shouldn't really affect your picture onscreen, given that the CX only has a 10-bit panel anyway, though it's worth noting that there are other LG TVs that support the full 12-bit HDMI, such as the ZX OLED.

The Sony A8H won't support 4K at 120Hz at all, though – so if you're set on getting a 2020 TV to show off the incoming PS5 or Xbox Series X at its best, you'll want to go with LG. (Given Sony owns PlayStation, it's a bit of an own-goal.)

Sony vs LG

Dolby Vision HDR in action

If none of those spec differences are enough to sway you in one direction, you may want to consider the big picture. 

Sony and LG are (obviously) distinct companies, and both do things quite differently in terms of their processing and picture presets, even if they use the same underlying panels (manufactured by LG Display). 

LG’s OLED sets, for instance, will usually have a bit more ‘pop’ to their images, with a warm output that’s great for HDR. Sony’s is a bit more controlled, but should offer advanced motion smoothing for action scenes, sports matches, and the like. In either case, there shouldn’t be much of a difference, and we expect both TVs to offer a high-quality viewing experience.

The companies both support the Dolby Vision dynamic HDR standard, which you’ll find on both of the sets discussed here – as well as hybrid log gamma (HLG). Neither have HDR10+ (the HDR standard used on Amazon Prime Video) which you’ll need a Samsung TV or Panasonic television for.

LG also offers something called Dolby Vision IQ, which calibrates the picture onscreen depending on the level of ambient light in the room. Sony doesn’t offer this, but you will get Netflix Calibrated Mode, which is meant to alter picture settings to match the ‘master monitor’ at Netflix HQ, but probably isn’t that important to have (Standard or Cinema presets will do you fine).

LG CX vs Sony A8H: takeaway

For a 48-inch OLED, the LG CX is the way to go

Before we’ve got the chance to review both the LG CX OLED and Sony A8H OLED, we can’t give too firm a thumb of approval to either.

For now, though, we can say that there’s not much in the pricing, but US shoppers will find a slightly cheaper set in the LG CX. If you’re interested in a 48-inch OLED, or a larger 77-inch screen, too, LG will be able to cater to your needs over the more restrictive A8H lineup. (If you're in Australia, the CX is your only option out of the two, too.)

LG is also a forerunner in its support for HDMI 2.1 (on all four HDMI ports) and Bluetooth 5.0 – which may swing things for you if you’re keen on gaming or watching movies with some over-ear headphones.

Picture quality will likely be pretty close between both TVs, and given we’re quarrelling over small spec differences, you should feel pretty confident purchasing either – unless something like Dolby Vision IQ or fitting a soundbar underneath your TV is going to make you pick one or the other. The beauty of TV shopping, dear reader, is that it’s entirely up to you.

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What we’re watching on Netflix, Disney Plus and Amazon during lockdown

It’s only in times of crisis that we realize how dependent we are on our favorite TV shows to carry us through. Sometimes we need a heart-warming comedy to lift our spirits, or a dystopian vision to remind us that things aren’t as bad as they seem. And if things are as bad as they seem, there’s plenty of TV series in the middle vying to be our distraction for the night.

We’ve written about the very best Netflix shows, Disney Plus movies, or anime series we think are objectively – as objectively as possible, at least – worth watching. But for the shows that we’re currently using to fill our time, shut out the world, or give us a much-needed chuckle during times of stress, this is our guide to our favorite TV series to binge during lockdown.

Some are more recent shows, and others from a good few years ago, but the common thing connecting them all is that they’re all currently available to stream, and have been helping the TechRadar team get through the long weeks and months.

Parks and Recreation

watch parks and rec special online

Is anything more comforting than Parks and Recreation in these troubled times? While the sitcom ended its final season in 2015, its warm ribbing of local government feels as silly, heartfelt, and perfectly delivered as in its heyday. 

Starring Amy Poehler as Deputy Director of the Parks and Recreation department in the run-down American town of Pawnee, with ambitions of running for political office, this NBC show offers seven seasons of laughter and excellent character portrayals, thanks to the comedic talents of of Aubrey Plaza, Rashida Jones, Aziz Ansari, among many others. (Even Michelle Obama appears in a cameo.) 

And right now, watching a satire of everyday people dealing with largely small stakes is exactly what’s keeping me sane. – Henry St Leger

Where to stream: Amazon Prime Video

She-Ra and the Princesses of Power

She-Ra and the Princesses of Power

She-Ra has been a consistently great show through its first four seasons, and the fifth and final set of episodes just dropped. The revival jettisons nearly everything from the original 1985 cartoon to bring a wholly new take on the onetime He-Man spinoff. The new She-Ra is a straightforward adventure about friendship, but it deftly explores trauma, trust, betrayal, and redemption, too. It’s the rare all-ages show that manages to be affirming without becoming condescending to younger audiences, heartbreaking without becoming bleak. 

As a bonus that hopefully isn’t a novelty much longer: the cast of characters comes in a variety of skin tones, body shapes, and apparent sexualities. Every viewer should easily find a favorite. (Scorpia tribe, represent.) – David Lumb

Where to stream: Netflix

The Imagineering story

The Imagineering story

The Imagineering Story is probably the best documentary series on Disney Plus and it’s precisely the type of whimsical journey my eyeballs need at this trying time. The six-episode series takes an in-depth look at how the Disney theme parks and attractions were created, focusing mainly on the extraordinary Imagineers who conceived and created the famous parks and rides. 

Imagineering Story will make you want to immediately book a trip to your nearest Disney parks and will leave you gobsmacked at just how incredibly creative some people are – while you lie there, eating Doritos and watching them be productive. – Vic Hood

Where to stream: Disney Plus

Lost

Lost

I never finished Lost's final season, because I worked on a sci-fi magazine back when it ended and had the finale ruined for me by a work assignment (woe is me!). Even though I know the island-based mystery drama doesn't answer a lot of the questions it raises, the journey in this show is frequently exciting – and I've enjoyed watching it with my partner, who knows nothing about the show. 

After mostly watching flabby cable and streaming shows for the past year, it's still refreshing to watch an exciting drama that's only 40 minutes an episode. – Samuel Roberts

Where to stream: IMDB TV (US), Amazon Prime Video (UK)

The Kominksy Method

The Kominksy Method

If I’m as good-spirited and as suave a dresser as Sandy Kominsky when I’m older, I’ll count my blessings. The Kominsky Method mixes heartfelt humor with candid conversations about what life is like when you’re an older gentleman: dealing with a problematic prostate, coping with the loss of a loved one, and how sitting in a children’s park is apparently no longer acceptable. 

Funny, endearing and wonderfully written, The Kominsky Method delivers the type of uplifting entertainment that we could all use right now. – Adam Vjestica

Where to stream: Netflix

Never Have I Ever

Never Have I Ever

From the funny mind of Mindy Kaling comes this angsty-yet-affectionate teen comedy drama, following a sophomore high schooler trying to forge a new identity – with mixed results – while grappling with the aftermath of grief. 

Despite the subject matter, though, it’s very easy watching, with brilliantly silly characters as well as a refreshing amount of diversity in both its casting and the kind of relationships explored onscreen. Expect plenty of humor around the clash of familial expectations and personal growth, authenticity and popularity, sexual fantasy and reality, and the high school drama club. – Henry St Leger

Where to stream: Netflix

This Country

This Country

This is one of the best British sitcoms of the last decade, and many will have missed it as it was relegated to BBC iPlayer in the UK, as a BBC Three production that started after the channel was moved online. I managed to watch all three seasons in a weekend (don’t worry, there’s only six episodes in each) as they're so easy to watch and feature a variety of laugh-out-loud characters, who inhabit a small village in the Cotswolds. 

If you’re looking for a relaxing show to sink into during the pandemic, this is one of the best choices you’ll find right now. – James Peckham

Where to stream: BBC iPlayer (UK), Hulu (US)

Westworld

Westworld

Westworld is a prime example of a show I wouldn't have watched if it wasn't for lockdown. I saw one episode of season 2 back when it aired, and the time-hopping structure of the story seemed unnecessarily convoluted. 

That said, I'm very glad I went back. Season 2 starts slow but it's ambitious, and builds to a satisfying finale that resolves some of the show's core themes. Then season 3 is basically a different show entirely, taking us away from the park and into the real world, with a bunch of new characters joining the surviving cast members. 

Westworld never really says anything that clever or new, but I was more entertained by season 3 than I was by almost anything in the past two years. – Samuel Roberts

Where to stream: HBO Now/Go (US), Sky/Now TV (UK)

The Last Dance

watch The Last Dance Michael Jordan documentary online

I’m by no means a big basketball fan, but I do love documentaries, biopics and dramas based on true events. The Last Dance checks all of those boxes, as it retells the 1997-98 NBA season of the Chicago Bulls team dynasty and the rise and eventual retirement of world-famous basketball star Michael Jordan. 

It’s hard not to be inspired by the discipline, dedication and business acumen of Jordan. This sports docuseries, which is filled with never-before-seen footage from a camera crew that got an all-access pass to the team, was pushed up several weeks to fill the void of sports during the lockdown. – Matt Swider

Where to stream: Netflix, ESPN (US)

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Sony’s 8K TV pricing is tempting, but can it take on Samsung?

[Update: We now have official pricing from Sony UK on the Sony ZH8 – the 75-inch model will cost £5,999 while the 85-inch comes in at £8,999.]

The Sony Z8H is set to be the company’s flagship 8K TV for 2020 – unavoidably, given it’s the only Sony 8K TV releasing this year. Confirmation of its pricing, though, brings up the awkward question of how the Z8H can compete with the multiple 8K sets already being put out by other TV brands; namely, Samsung and LG.

The Sony Z8H comes in a 75-inch and 85-inch size, costing $7,000 / £5,999 for the former and $10,000 / £8,999 for the latter. 

Considering that last year's Sony Z9G model started at $13,000 / £14,000, it's a massive saving – roughly half the price – which makes it all the more incredible that other TV brands are still undercutting it.

That’s because both Samsung and LG have pushed forward with multiple 8K TVs for their 2020 lineups, with both offering three distinct models to choose from.

While that variety may make it harder to choose an 8K set, it does enable both TV makers to offer a range of price points, making Sony’s single 8K model look positively uncompetitive in comparison.

This year’s new Samsung TVs include the flagship Q950TS QLED, the slightly less fancy Q900TS, and Q800TS – all of which feature 8K resolution. The cheapest Q800TS model also starts at just $3,499 / £3,999 (around AU$5,300), which is a fraction of the amount that Sony’s Z8H will cost.

Unlike Sony, Samsung is also offering all three of its 8K sets at 65-inch sizes, inevitably bringing down the cost and making an 8K purchase more feasible for countless more homes.

LG, on the other hand, has the advantage of being the only major TV brand to offer an 8K OLED – the LG Signature ZX – which will be the go-to for those with the cash to splash, starting at £24,999 (around $30,100 / AU$51,000) for an 88-inch model.

LG’s 8K LCDs, however, are comparable in price with Sony, with the LG Nano99 retailing at £5,499 (around $6,800 / AU$11,300) for a 75-inch display, and an additional 65-inch model expected in June to lower that cost further.

8K resolution still has an image problem, with many viewing it (perhaps fairly) as an unnecessary technology for today's TV viewers. While we’re expecting good things when we get to review the Z8H ourselves, LG and Samsung are both doing more to normalize the market and offer more practical buying options.

LG offers the only 8K OLED, but good luck affording it

Lost in an 8K sea

The question of which 8K TV to get is still an issue that won’t affect many in 2020, given the relatively small size of the market. With Samsung and LG pushing hard on both price, variety, and the model sizes available – not forgetting Samsung’s astonishingly small 55-inch 8K QLED from last year – Sony’s single offering could well be left out in the cold.

That would be a shame, because the Sony Z9G – the company’s debut 8K set – was startlingly impressive, with the upscaling ability, vivid HDR, and capable viewing angles to make it a hugely sensible 8K purchase. Unless Sony finds a unique selling point for its own brand of 8K, though, this year may well see it fall behind the machinations of the competition.

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Sony’s new 4K TVs have some premium features, but why do certain sizes miss out?

After a new 4K TV? There are plenty of new Sony TVs releasing for 2020 – though it’s clear that, if you’re buying at the flagship 55-inch size, you could miss out on some premium features.

We now have confirmation that the Sony XH90 is releasing before the end of May, with a retail price starting at £1,299 / $1,199 for the 55-inch model. That puts it just below the fancier XH95 – which sports a top-class X1 Ultimate processor – but above lower-spec 4K HDR sets like the XH80, which uses edge lighting instead of full array dimming.

There’s plenty to recommend the XH90, and many of its 4K TV siblings, with Dolby Vision support and Dolby Atmos audio, as well as built-in Chromecast and Google Assistant support.

What’s curious, though, is how much the audio varies between model sizes. For the XH90, sizes 65-inch and above (75-inch, 85-inch) all feature Sony’s Acoustic Multi-Audio technology, for location-based sound that travels across the screen:

“In the sound department, the XH90 series TVs come equipped with Acoustic Multi-Audio (in 65-inch models and above), which includes two sound positioning tweeters at the back of the TV that enable sound to follow the action on the screen for a truly immersive experience.”

That's all well and good, but the feature is missing entirely from the XH90's 55-inch model, which is something we can across a few 2020 Sony TVs. The XH95 – the next 4K HDR TV up in this year’s range – also limits this feature to the 55-inch, 65-inch, 75-inch and 85-inch models, while leaving the smallest 49-inch model without.

Given the XH90’s rather small price jump between sizes – in the UK, it's just an additional £200 (around $250 / AU$375) for the 65-inch size – we’re not quite sure why the 55-inch model wouldn’t get the same feature, given the 55-inch XH95 is deemed large enough to fit rear tweeters on.

Sounds like screen spirit

Sony is a TV brand that certainly likes to experiment with audio. While its mid-range LCD sets – like those discussed above – are toying with a pair of rear tweeters for location-based audio, higher-end Sony TVs like the A8G OLED are using a beefed-up array of actuators and subwoofers to emit audio out of the panel itself (under the Acoustic Surface Audio label).

Inconsistencies in which sets and sizes make use of these technologies are confusing, though, and we could easily see shoppers getting blindsided by talk of high-end features and not realizing they’ve missed out when opting for the only size that goes without – inevitably, always the cheapest.

We can’t help but feel that having these features restricted to specific sets, but common to all sizes, would have made more sense than partial coverage across a number of different TVs – whatever we think of the sets that come with Sony’s innovative speaker design built into them.

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