tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29611698392063099902024-03-15T00:25:27.134-07:00techmobilerachid120hhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05499302888064463044noreply@blogger.comBlogger34547125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961169839206309990.post-90703648444161112142020-07-13T04:25:00.005-07:002020-07-13T04:25:27.007-07:00Bitdefender GravityZone Advanced Business Security<article>
<p>Part of BitDefender’s GravityZone line of <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/best-endpoint-security-software" target="_blank">endpoint security solutions</a>, the <a href="https://www.bitdefender.com/business/smb-products/advanced-business-security.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">GravityZone Advanced Business Security (GZABS)</a> is the company’s recommended platform for mid-sized organisations. It covers both physical and virtual machines running Windows, macOS and Linux as well as Microsoft Exchange servers.</p>
<h2 id="features-5">Features</h2>
<p>GZABS can be managed via a <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/what-is-saas" target="_blank">cloud-based</a> interface or can be hosted on-premise. If you do decide to host it in-house, you can also use it to <a href="https://www.techradar.com/best/best-mdm-solutions" target="_blank">manage mobile devices</a>, which are otherwise not covered by the standard cloud-based management interface.</p>
<p>In terms of device and network protection features, the platform ticks all the right boxes. GZABS makes good use of Bitdefender’s machine learning models to detect and block <a href="https://www.techradar.com/best/best-malware-removal" target="_blank">malware</a> attacks. </p>
<p>It operates in a zero-trust mode, wherein it continuously monitors all running processes to seek out suspicious activities or anomalous process behavior. This allows it to catch the usual attack vectors such as attempts to disguise the process type, or to execute code in another process’s space, and more.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="tdKuMpVCyqRPKvhBWxZ3F7" name="Bitdefender GravityZone 1. Dashboard.png" alt="Bitdefender GravityZone Advanced Business Security 2" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tdKuMpVCyqRPKvhBWxZ3F7.png" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="650" height="365" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Bitdefender)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>GZABS also has a mechanism to stop zero-day attacks carried out through evasive exploits by mitigating memory corruption vulnerabilities in popular <a href="https://www.techradar.com/best/best-productivity-apps" target="_blank">productivity apps</a> such as browsers, and document readers, and common files such as media files.</p>
<p>Additionally, the platform also enables you to control access to all sorts of removable devices attached to the endpoints. It also has web filtering to scan web traffic (including https encrypted traffic) to prevent the download of malware and block access to phishing and fraudulent pages.</p>
<p>Once a threat is detected, GZABS can take one of the usual actions including terminating the offending process, and quarantining or removing the infected file. If you are managing GZABS on-premise you can also take advantage of its <a href="https://www.techradar.com/best/best-ransomware-protection" target="_blank">ransomware</a> mitigation that takes a real-time backup of files modified by malicious processes. Once the threat has been neutralized, these backups can be used to roll back any changes.</p>
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<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="PPWYZeqn6B4XmAsF92yBe9" name="Bitdefender GravityZone2. Policies.png" alt="Bitdefender GravityZone Advanced Business Security 3" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PPWYZeqn6B4XmAsF92yBe9.png" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="650" height="365" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Bitdefender)</span></figcaption>
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<h2 id="interface-and-use-5">Interface and use</h2>
<p>The primary interface for managing GZABS is the cloud interface dubbed GravityZone Control Center. The dashboard contains a trend line of malware activity and also offers drill-down capabilities for some of the other elements, known as portlets in the parlance of the web interface. </p>
<p>You can customize each portlet or add new ones from its repository of portlets. Some of the portlets, such as Malware Status, and the Update Status also allow you to perform actions directly on the endpoints from within them.</p>
<p>To grab installer packages for the endpoints you’ll have to cook them first as per your requirements. The web interface enables you to define the installer packages by selecting which components to include along with some installation settings, such as an uninstallation <a href="https://www.techradar.com/best/password-manager" target="_blank">password</a>, a custom installation path and more. </p>
<p>You can then grab the packages in several formats. In addition to small installers that weigh about 5 MB and will fetch the required packages from the Internet during installation, you can also grab packages as complete kits that weigh in about 700 MB.</p>
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<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="a3yPx6nUmmiFFMmL59snNL" name="Bitdefender GravityZone3. Device Control.png" alt="Bitdefender GravityZone Advanced Business Security 4" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/a3yPx6nUmmiFFMmL59snNL.png" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="650" height="365" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Bitdefender)</span></figcaption>
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<p>Advanced users will also appreciate the Policies page, which allows you to fine tune the behavior of several modules. This is useful considering the fact that some endpoints are more prone to attacks than others. So perhaps you can ease on the anti-malware scans and preserve resources on machines that aren’t connected to the internet, while being more aggressive on network-accessible endpoints. </p>
<p>However, the interface does a poor job of exposing its features. Its layout is overly complex and the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/best/best-flowchart-software" target="_blank">workflow</a> isn’t straightforward. You can however hook it up to Active Directory to deploy agents remotely, but it takes some doing. </p>
<p>Also, thanks to the size of the agent installation files, the process of hooking up an agent to the web interface takes quite a while. Also, the endpoint agents don’t offer much functionality besides running scans. </p>
<p>Perhaps our biggest pet peeve is that there is no easy way to customize the modules of a deployed endpoint. You can however modify a deployed machine and change its subscription to a different policy. </p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="2hZh5eN6CAgCdbRyBoCvEU" name="Bitdefender GravityZone4. Reports.png" alt="Bitdefender GravityZone Advanced Business Security 5" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2hZh5eN6CAgCdbRyBoCvEU.png" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="650" height="365" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Bitdefender )</span></figcaption>
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<h2 id="plans-and-pricing-5">Plans and Pricing</h2>
<p>Bitdefender is currently offering a 30% discount on the subscription of GZABS. The smallest package it offers covers up-to 5 endpoints for $202.99 for 1 year, $325.49 for 2 years and $405.99 for 3 years. </p>
<p>Note however that only 35% of the subscribed endpoints can be <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/best-small-business-servers" target="_blank">servers</a>. That includes all Windows Server installations as well as all Linux <a href="https://www.techradar.com/best/best-workstations-of-2020-powerful-pcs-for-professionals" target="_blank">workstations</a>. So for instance if you subscribe to its minimum coverage of 5 endpoints, only 2 of these can be Windows Server or Linux installations. If you want to cover 3 servers, you’ll have to subscribe to protect 8 endpoints. </p>
<p>Irrespective of the number of endpoints you plan to cover, all offer the protection features covered above. You can pay more to subscribe to a few other security features to extend your protection coverage. Two of the most useful ones are <a href="https://www.techradar.com/best/best-patch-management-tools" target="_blank">patch management</a> and full disk <a href="https://www.techradar.com/best/best-encryption-software" target="_blank">encryption</a>. </p>
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<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="RMECak5rRAGzW2v7FQQkUY" name="Bitdefender GravityZone5. Endpoint-client.png" alt="Bitdefender GravityZone Advanced Business Security 6" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RMECak5rRAGzW2v7FQQkUY.png" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="650" height="365" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Bitdefender)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="the-competition-5">The Competition</h2>
<p>Just like <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/panda-adaptive-defense-360" target="_blank">Panda Security Adaptive Defense 360</a>, GZABS offers Linux support. However in GZABS Linux endpoints count as servers, which might force you to subscribe to more endpoints than you actually require. Also unlike AD360, GZABS doesn’t offer protection for mobile devices with its cloud interface.</p>
<p>Also, despite their humongous size, the endpoint clients don’t offer any real functionality besides running scans. You get no additional privacy or security features like you get with <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/avast-business-antivirus-pro-plus" target="_blank">Avast Business Antivirus Pro Plus</a>.</p>
<p>Finally, compared to some of its competition, we aren’t fans of GZABS complex UI, workflow and deployment process, which are the three most critical areas of any endpoint protection platform. It also offers very little scope for modifying the capabilities of a deployed machine, which is another administration nightmare.</p>
<h2 id="final-verdict-5">Final Verdict</h2>
<p>All things considered, the policies function is perhaps the one unique suit of the platform that separates it from its peers. Besides that one functionality, GZABS doesn’t offer anything that you can’t get with its peers. </p>
<p>Sure, it’s one of the few platforms that supports Linux, but it does so in a manner that negates some of the positivity. The same is true for its protection of mobile devices.</p>
<p>The final nail in the coffin is its unintuitive interface, which is a buzzkill and the lack of documentation doesn’t help matters either. </p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.bitdefender.com/business/smb-products/advanced-business-security.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">You can sign up to Bitdefender GravityZone Advanced Business Security here</a>.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>We feature the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/best/best-antivirus" target="_blank">best anti-virus software</a>.</li>
</ul>
</article>
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from TechRadar: Technology reviews https://ift.tt/2DDEi2n<br />
rachid120hhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05499302888064463044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961169839206309990.post-53858520592096427282020-07-13T04:25:00.003-07:002020-07-13T04:25:26.234-07:00Samsung Galaxy Buds<article>
<p>The Samsung Galaxy Buds are just one of the many models that sought to topple the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/hi-fi-and-audio/headphones/apple-airpods-1328292/reviewhttps://www.techradar.com/reviews/apple-airpods-2019-review">Apple AirPods</a>' monopoly on the true wireless earbuds market. Alongside their successors, the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/samsung-galaxy-buds-plus">Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus</a>, they make up a wider portfolio of Samsung true wireless earbuds, including two generations of the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/samsung-gear-iconx-2018">Gear IconX</a>.</p>
<p>What separates the Samsung Galaxy Buds from the IconX, however, is that the latter does away with that Gear branding and makes these earbuds part of the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/best-samsung-phones">Galaxy phone</a> family, which offer up a neat trick with the Buds, but more on that later.</p>
<p>That said, if you've held out this long to buy a pair you should probably consider the new Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus – a more premium model that doesn't cost much more and uses a dual-driver design to offer better sound quality as well as a larger built-in battery that increases the total listening time to 11 hours per charge.</p>
<p>It's even rumored that a new version of the Galaxy Buds is on the way. The <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/samsung-galaxy-buds-2-release-date-news-and-rumors">Samsung Galaxy Buds Live</a> – the company's next AirPods-rivaling <a href="https://www.techradar.com/uk/news/best-true-wireless-earbuds-the-best-airpod-alternatives-around">true wireless earbuds</a> – are apparently launching in July according to a report by <a href="https://www.sammobile.com/news/exclusive-galaxy-buds-live-galaxy-watch-3-to-be-announced-in-july" target="_blank">SamMobile</a>.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/samsung-galaxy-buds-live-images-leak-and-the-airpods-rivals-look-pretty-bold">Recently leaked images of the rumored Samsung Galaxy Buds Live</a> show off a pretty bold design, with a bean-like shape and built-in microphones that hint at noise-cancelling tech within.</p>
<p>Rumors of the new Samsung Galaxy Buds have been ramping up in the lead up to the brand’s next Unpacked event, which is expected to take place in August. According to SamMobile, this is when the new Galaxy Buds Live will go on sale, alongside the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/uk/news/samsung-galaxy-watch-active-3">Galaxy Watch 3</a> and the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/uk/news/samsung-galaxy-note-11">Galaxy Note 20</a> and <a href="https://www.techradar.com/uk/news/samsung-galaxy-fold-2">Galaxy Fold 2</a>.</p>
<p>That means you may be able to find a good discount on the original Samsung Galaxy Buds, as the company gears up to release a new model – read on for our thoughts on whether you should buy the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/audio/the-best-wireless-earbuds-available-today-1327335">wireless earbuds</a>.</p>
<h2 id="price-and-availability-5">Price and availability</h2>
<p>The Samsung Galaxy Buds were released on March 8, 2019 for $149 / £139 / AU$249, making them slightly cheaper than Apple’s AirPods. </p>
<p>If you had pre-ordered a <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/samsung-galaxy-s10">Samsung Galaxy S10</a>, <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/samsung-galaxy-s10-plus">Galaxy S10 Plus</a>, or <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/samsung-galaxy-s10e">Galaxy S10e</a>, you might have also gotten a free pair of Galaxy Buds thrown in, but unfortunately this offer ended at launch.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="tv2XJ8iH9mHRtvzSgACaUT" name="" alt="Samsung Galaxy Buds" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tv2XJ8iH9mHRtvzSgACaUT.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="5184" height="2916" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">Image Credit: TechRadar</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="design-5">Design</h2>
<p>Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Buds look very attractive, with a slick all-white design comprising two earbuds and a charging case. </p>
<p>The earbuds themselves look sleek and compact, with subtle rubber wingtips for a secure fit. You get small, medium, and large wingtips and eartips in the box, so you should be able to find a combination that fits your ear snugly.</p>
<p>While the buds feel rather dainty when you first put them in, and at risk of falling out, they're surprisingly stable and comfortable to use.</p>
<p>The lack of wires pulling them down means they stay in the ear through a surprising amount of head turning or bobbing, and we found they survived gym sessions and runs as well as a healthy amount of rocking out.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="Cenc6kecPTvac7WSJH3Kea" name="" alt="Samsung Galaxy Buds" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Cenc6kecPTvac7WSJH3Kea.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="4627" height="2603" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text"> Image Credit: TechRadar </span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>One cool design feature is the use of a pearlescent material on the outer housing of the buds, which reflects the light beautifully and has an almost holographic effect. </p>
<p>Aside from looking good, the housings act as touch controls, which can be used to play/pause your music, skip tracks, answer and end calls, and launch Samsung’s voice assistant Bixby on compatible devices. </p>
<p>You can customize the long-press action for the Galaxy Buds via the Samsung Galaxy Wearable app (Android only), choose from volume (up on the right, down on the left) or launching Bixby (long press on either bud).</p>
<p>Since our initial review, a <a href="https://www.techradar.com/uk/news/samsung-galaxy-buds-update-includes-hands-free-bixby-voice-control">Samsung Galaxy Buds update includes hands-free Bixby voice control</a>, plus improved touch controls, and the ability to keep the ambient sound feature on at all times. </p>
<p>The touch controls are convenient, but you have to be supremely precise with your taps, applying enough pressure on the flat part of the buds for them to register your action. On multiple occasions we missed the mark, or didn’t apply enough pressure, which lead us to having to try again (sometimes multiple times).</p>
<p>While this is a mere inconvenience when you're sitting at a desk it becomes more of an issue when you’re on the move and your hand is less steady - like, say, when you're at the gym or out on a run. The good news is that you'll become better attuned to the system over time through use and will eventually get better – although we still don’t have a 100% success rate.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="6UyXNqyTdHGRpuJP4FVCEh" name="" alt="Samsung Galaxy Buds " src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6UyXNqyTdHGRpuJP4FVCEh.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="4864" height="2736" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text"> Image Credit: TechRadar </span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="samsung-galaxy-buds-charging-case-5">Samsung Galaxy Buds charging case</h2>
<p>Now onto the charging case; it’s extremely compact, and can easily slide into your pocket when you’re listening on the go. </p>
<p>If you’ve used the Samsung Gear IconX, you’ll notice that the whole package here is much smaller than the last-gen earphones. In fact, it’s 30% smaller and that’s sure to make a difference when you’re keeping these in your pocket.</p>
<p>The case generally feels quite sturdy, with a snap shut lid, and magnets that hold the earbuds in place when they’re not in use. </p>
<p>On the outside of the case you’ll find a small LED that indicates how much battery the case has, whereas an LED inside the case tells you how much charge your earbuds have left.</p>
<p>On the back of the case, there’s a USB-C charger port – the Galaxy Buds come with a USB cable so you can charge the case. The buds themselves have six hours battery life, while the charging case provides an additional seven – pretty good for true wireless buds. </p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="GJUL5eMEpCPrGPbQoVJnA9" name="" alt="Samsung Galaxy Buds case" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GJUL5eMEpCPrGPbQoVJnA9.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="3740" height="2103" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text"> Image Credit: TechRadar </span></figcaption>
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<p>The Samsung Galaxy Wearable app tells you how much battery the buds have left when you pull them out of the case, but it doesn’t tell you how much charge the case has, unlike the Apple AirPods – instead you have to rely on the LED on the outside of the case to tell you how much battery you have left.</p>
<p>One of the most interesting features here is the fact that you can wirelessly charge these headphones in their case. That means if you have a Qi compatible wireless charging pad – if you’ve got one for your phone, it’s probably exactly that – you can just place these on and they’ll charge up.</p>
<p>It’s especially useful considering the new Galaxy S10 range comes with two-way wireless charging.</p>
<p>That means you can set up the feature on your Galaxy S10 phone and place your headphones on the rear of the device to get them charged up as well. It’s smart, and we found it to work seamlessly in our brief testing time.</p>
<h2 id="features-and-performance-5">Features and performance</h2>
<p>If you have a Samsung Galaxy S10, Galaxy S10 Plus or Galaxy S10e, pairing the buds is a seamless experience, similar to how the Apple AirPods connect instantly to iPhones. </p>
<p>Connectivity seems to vary between different users; multiple writers on the TechRadar team tested the buds, and while some experienced no connection dropouts, others experienced them regularly. </p>
<p>Most of the issues with connectivity seems to have been addressed by software updates sent out by Samsung, but as with most true wireless buds, you may experience connection dropouts if you are using them nearby other Bluetooth devices. </p>
<p>Since the most recent update, we haven't experienced any significant Bluetooth dropouts.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="pEB5hqTvMwgDEmebbhP3tm" name="" alt="Samsung Galaxy Buds" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pEB5hqTvMwgDEmebbhP3tm.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="5184" height="2916" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text"> Image Credit: TechRadar </span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Where Samsung’s previous true wireless buds, the Gear IconX, underwhelmed, the Galaxy Buds seem to shine; with warm, deep bass, and good separation, music sounds great when played through these little buds. </p>
<p>That doesn’t come as a surprise, considering they have been tuned by audio experts AKG.</p>
<p>We started off by listening to Radiohead’s ‘Daydreaming’ and we were impressed by the detail and clarity of the vocal parts, which were complemented by soft cascading piano arpeggios and smooth detuned synths.</p>
<p>Grainy chopped and screwed vocals layered with digital interference pan from left to right coherently, while violin and cellos sweep above and below the mix.</p>
<p>However, the Galaxy Buds really shine when it comes to bass frequencies, which becomes even more apparent when you listen to bassy tracks like Billie Eilish’s ‘Bury A Friend’. On tracks like this, the use of air-displacing dynamic drivers means that you can almost feel the sub bass thumping in your chest – unusual for true wireless earbuds.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="wdFePnX3Z83BHoxzQYa3rD" name="" alt="Samsung Galaxy Buds review" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wdFePnX3Z83BHoxzQYa3rD.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="4249" height="2391" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text"> Image Credit: TechRadar </span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>We also tested the true wireless buds on the soundtrack of indie puzzle-platformer game Fez, by composer Disasterpeace. When listening to ‘Puzzle’, we were impressed by the Galaxy Buds’ lively treatment of the sound, with distorted sine waves ebbing and flowing while shrieking synths pierced through the mix with clarity. Decaying organ-like arpeggios and bubbling chimes also felt vibrant within the generally warm soundstage. </p>
<p>As a result of that warm and bassy soundstage, mid frequencies can sound slightly recessed; it’s not the most natural sound treatment, so if you’re an audiophile, you may find yourself craving a little more attack in the treble frequencies for a more accurate replication of your music. </p>
<p>Saying that, if you like your music bassy you will probably like the way the Galaxy Buds sound. Of course, they won’t offer the same power or noise isolation as a pair of decent over-ear headphones, but for true wireless buds, the sound quality is very impressive.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="DU2ivRH4bhx6qLEwhfDpxK" name="" alt="Samsung Galaxy Buds " src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DU2ivRH4bhx6qLEwhfDpxK.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="3877" height="2181" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">Image Credit: TechRadar</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="samsung-galaxy-buds-app-5">Samsung Galaxy Buds app</h2>
<p>A few extra features can be found within the Galaxy Wearable app, including an equalizer, which allows you to switch between different presets, including ‘Bass Boost; we didn’t feel the different presets had a huge effect on the soundstage of these buds, but it’s a nice touch nonetheless. </p>
<p>Through the app you can also turn on 'ambient sound' feature, which mixes in background noise to the music using built-in microphones on the buds – a handy feature if you use want to the use the Galaxy Buds when running and need to hear some external noise for safety reasons. </p>
<p>It can also balance out noises like rumbling traffic, while boosting nearby voices, which allows you to stay alert to environmental noises without compromising the quality of your music.</p>
<p>While this is a useful feature, we did encounter problems with ambient sound in windy weather. In these weather conditions, the sound of the wind was amplified, creating an uncomfortably shrill whistling sound.</p>
<p>If you misplace your Galaxy Buds, you can also use the ‘Find My Earbuds’ feature to track them down. When you enable this feature, the Galaxy Buds play a constant tweeting noise so you can find them quickly. </p>
<h2 id="final-verdict-11">Final verdict</h2>
<p>It feels as though Samsung has finally got it right with the Galaxy Buds, and they represent serious competition for the Apple AirPods in terms of design, sound, and ease of use. We loved the pearlescent effect on the buds outer housing and the sleek design of the case, and we found they felt comfortable and secure. </p>
<p>The sound quality offered by these true wireless buds is also very good indeed, with deep bass, and a wide open soundstage; although, audiophiles may want to look elsewhere for a more natural sound treatment, as the Galaxy Buds do sound very warm.</p>
<p>The stated battery life of six hours for the buds and seven hours for the case seemed about right to us, and while there were connectivity issues before Samsung’s latest software update, these issues seem to have been largely rectified.</p>
<p>The downside here is that other features that are available on the app like ambient noise and the equalizer presets are useful to have, but didn’t always work as effectively as we hoped. These features are also pretty much out of bounds for iOS users, as you can only download the app on devices running Android 5.0 or later. </p>
<p>That said, if you have a Samsung phone, the Galaxy Buds are a fantastic pair of true wireless earbuds, with a few quality-of-life features that make them stand up confidently the competition. If not, you may miss out on these additional features but the high sound quality, comfortable fit, and attractive design means that these buds could be a smart purchase, even for the iOS crowd. </p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.techradar.com/uk/news/best-true-wireless-earbuds-the-best-airpod-alternatives-around">The best true wireless earbuds: the top AirPod alternatives around</a></li>
</ul>
</article>
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from TechRadar: Technology reviews https://ift.tt/2TjoN6T<br />
rachid120hhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05499302888064463044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961169839206309990.post-4968772038686319762020-07-13T04:25:00.001-07:002020-07-13T04:25:25.379-07:00Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus<article>
<p>The Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus are the update the company's true wireless earbuds (the original <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/samsung-galaxy-buds">Samsung Galaxy Buds</a>) desperately needed: they offer better battery life, improved call audio thanks to a third internal microphone, and a new dual-driver design that uses two powerful drivers for better, clearer sound. On top of that, there's finally support for iOS through the new Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus app. </p>
<p>The downside? The new Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus lack high-end audio codecs and higher IPX4 rating that the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/hands-on-apple-airpods-pro-review">Apple AirPods Pro</a> have. That's not even mentioning the fact that they don't offer any form of noise reduction / noise cancellation, nor have a built-in voice assistant like other true wireless earbuds out there.</p>
<p>Not long after the Galaxy Buds Plus' launch, Samsung released its first update, after some users reported hearing the strange sound of white noise while using the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/uk/news/best-true-wireless-earbuds-the-best-airpod-alternatives-around">true wireless earbuds</a>. According to <a href="https://www.tizenhelp.com/first-galaxy-buds-update-solves-white-noise-issue/">TizenHelp</a>, the firmware version R175XXUOATB5 is designed to fix this issue, as well as other problems including a "delay in pairing" and Bluetooth dropouts.</p>
<p>In spite of initial teething problems, Samsung should be commended for creating a decent pair of true wireless earbuds in an increasingly competitive landscape. They hold up against rival buds in their own price range and while they don't achieve the same heights as, say, the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/sony-wf-1000xm3-wireless-earbuds">Sony WF-1000XM3</a> or AirPods Pro, they're significantly cheaper and offer some nice features for Samsung smartphone owners.</p>
<p><em>[Update:</em> <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/samsung-galaxy-buds-live-images-leak-and-the-airpods-rivals-look-pretty-bold"><em>Recently leaked images of the rumored Samsung Galaxy Buds Live</em></a> <em>show off a pretty bold design, with a bean-like shape and built-in microphones that hint at noise-cancelling tech within.</em></p>
<p><em>The</em> <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/samsung-galaxy-buds-2-release-date-news-and-rumors"><em>Samsung Galaxy Buds Live</em></a> <em>– the company's next AirPods-rivaling </em><a href="https://www.techradar.com/uk/news/best-true-wireless-earbuds-the-best-airpod-alternatives-around"><em>true wireless earbuds</em></a><em> – are apparently launching in July according to a report by </em><a href="https://www.sammobile.com/news/exclusive-galaxy-buds-live-galaxy-watch-3-to-be-announced-in-july"><em>SamMobile</em></a><em>.</em></p>
<p><em>Rumors of the new Samsung Galaxy Buds have been ramping up in the lead up to the brand’s next Unpacked event, which is expected to take place in August. According to SamMobile, this is when the new Galaxy Buds Live will go on sale, alongside the </em><a href="https://www.techradar.com/uk/news/samsung-galaxy-watch-active-3"><em>Galaxy Watch 3</em></a><em> and the </em><a href="https://www.techradar.com/uk/news/samsung-galaxy-note-11"><em>Galaxy Note 20</em></a><em> and </em><a href="https://www.techradar.com/uk/news/samsung-galaxy-fold-2"><em>Galaxy Fold 2</em></a><em>.]</em></p>
<h2 id="price-and-availability-xa0-5">Price and availability </h2>
<p>Samsung has launched its latest true wireless earbuds, the Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus, at its Unpacked 2020 event in San Francisco, where it announced that they'll be available to buy online from February 14, and in stores from March 6.</p>
<p>At $149.99 / £159 / AU$299, they're about the same price as last year's Samsung Galaxy Buds (depending on your region) and a little cheaper than their biggest competitors, the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/hi-fi-and-audio/headphones/apple-airpods-1328292/review">Apple AirPods</a>. They're also significantly cheaper than the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/audio/the-best-wireless-earbuds-available-today-1327335">best true wireless earbuds of 2020</a>, the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/sony-wf-1000xm3-wireless-earbuds">Sony WF-1000XM3</a>, though these buds come with premium features like active noise cancellation. </p>
<p>You can find cheaper true wireless headphones out there – like the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/jlab-go-air-true-wireless-earbuds">JLab Go Air</a> that are just $29 / £29 (about AU$40), for example – but there are also much more expensive earbuds out there like the yet-to-be-released Klipsch T10 that are slated to cost $649 (about £490 / AU$930).</p>
<p>In comparison to the competition and in their value for the money, the Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus are smack-dab in the middle. </p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="vYnSi4d4Zt36VWH2QuZrwd" name="DSC09349.jpg" alt="" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vYnSi4d4Zt36VWH2QuZrwd.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="2000" height="1125" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="design-11">Design</h2>
<p>The new Galaxy Buds Plus sport a very similar design to their predecessors, with slick pearlescent housings and adjustable silicone eartips. They come in red, white, blue, and black, and you should be able to find a color that suits your sense of style – something that can’t be said for the strictly-white AirPods.</p>
<p>As of March 10, the Galaxy Buds Plus also come in pink – however, that option is only available in South Korea at the time of writing.</p>
<p>Eschewing the long ear stems of the AirPods and the AirPods Pro, these sleek little buds pop neatly into their charging case and into your ear, being held in place by a small nub that catches a fold in your outer ear.</p>
<p>At 17.5 x 22.5 x 19.2mm, they fill up most of the ear canal (which helps them stay in while working out) and protrude slightly out of the ears. Because of that design choice we had issues wearing these earbuds while laying in bed as the constant pressure on the buds from the pillow made them uncomfortable in the ear.</p>
<p>In terms of customization, inside the box you'll find additional eartips in three different sizes, a larger nub to hold the earbuds in place if they're falling out and a rubber ring if you don't want any nub on the outer edges of the buds.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="pMjPY2e3snJ5BGq2Npy35e" name="DSC09358.jpg" alt="" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pMjPY2e3snJ5BGq2Npy35e.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="2000" height="1125" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>On the outside you'll find the touch capacitive button that understands single, double, triple and long presses. Single, double and triple do what you'd expect them to do and the long press can either activate your virtual assistant, lower the volume or turn on ambient sound amplification.</p>
<p>Using the touch capacitive button as the means to control the earbuds can be slightly uncomfortable at first, as pushing the button pushes the earbuds further into the ear canal, but you'll soon learn to exert less pressure when using it. It would've been nice if Samsung decided to implement an always-listening virtual assistant here, but unfortunately decided not to.</p>
<p>The only other glaring issue we've found so far with the Buds Plus is that they're only IPX2 splash-resistant. That means they're mostly fine for workouts, but won't be the kind of thing you'd want to take with you to the pool or beach, where they could easily get damaged. For comparison the Apple AirPods Pro are IPX4 water-resistant, and while that's not as good as being fully waterproof, it should assuage any fear you have of damaging them at the gym or outside in the rain.</p>
<p>As for the case itself, it's fairly light and smooth with rounded edges. It should fit fairly easily in your pocket and provides an additional charge for the earbuds in between uses. As you'd expect, the charging case uses USB-C, like Samsung's flagship phones, which means you don't need to carry a separate cable.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="DHQdxesHyQCyoR32hEobPd" name="DSC09400.jpg" alt="" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DHQdxesHyQCyoR32hEobPd.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="2000" height="1125" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="battery-life-and-connectivity-5">Battery life and connectivity</h2>
<p>The Galaxy Buds Plus boast a far longer battery life than the original Galaxy Buds. The earbuds themselves contain 11 hours of charge, while the charging case provides an additional 11 hours, bringing the total battery life to 22 hours. </p>
<p>That 11-hour battery life is pretty long for earbuds – but for the charging case, it’s not a huge amount of battery. For comparison, the Apple AirPods contain 5 hours in the buds themselves, with an additional 20 provided by the charging case, for 25 hours in total. It's nice to see the Buds Plus with a larger internal battery, but a shame the charging case didn't get something more substantial.</p>
<p>Throughout our week of testing we've only had to charge the earbuds and their case once, and that's with pretty heavy listening (four-plus hours each day) at medium volume. If you need to listen to your music at a higher volume to drown out outside noise, then expect to charge these every few nights.</p>
<p>In terms of wireless connectivity, Bluetooth 5.0 provides a stable wireless connection that never once dropped on us, even in a crowded area. For comparison, the AirPods still only support 4.2, which is pretty old now, but do have the benefit of the H1 Chip that optimizes battery life and sound quality on the earbuds. </p>
<p>Unfortunately, however, neither the Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus nor Apple AirPods Pro support higher-end audio codecs like aptX, aptX Low Latency or, even better, LDAC. For now your only options are SBC and AAC... unless you also use a Samsung smartphone that runs Android 7.0 or later, then you'll also have the option of Samsung's proprietary Scalable Audio codec which offers higher bitrate support and better stability, a handy perk if you've had earbuds drop out on you in the past.</p>
<p>Setting up the earbuds can either be done by pairing via Bluetooth for basic playback or by downloading the Galaxy Wearable or Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus app from the Google Play and Apple App Store. With those you'll be able to customize the headphones and set up ambient noise reduction so it's well worth downloading. We found both of the apps to be fairly intuitive to use, and they offer a few sound tweaking options and ambient noise amplification that we'll get into in a minute.</p>
<p>Finally, the last feature worth pointing out is that if you have multiple devices, the Galaxy Buds Plus support multi-pairing, allowing them to connect to several devices without needing to re-pair them every time you go to use them.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="LqqMNFqLLuenMqWEh7wA8Y" name="Screen Shot 2020-01-27 at 08.16.45 copy.jpg" alt="samsung galaxy buds plus" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LqqMNFqLLuenMqWEh7wA8Y.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="1610" height="906" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Samsung / @evleaks)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="sound-quality-5">Sound quality</h2>
<p>The headline news in the audio department is the new dual-driver system that the Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus use. There's now a woofer and a tweeter to expand the range of the earbuds and lead to an increase in overall clarity.</p>
<p>After spending a lot of time with them we feel like that's definitely the case, and can appreciate the sound Samsung has crafted here that's rich, warm and easy to listen to for an extended period of time. </p>
<p>To achieve that, Samsung's DSP definitely dials back bass and ups the mids and highs - making these great headphones to use when watching YouTube or Netflix around the house and even makes some genres of music sound pretty good. Listening to Green Day's atrocious new album Father of All... was slightly more bearable thanks to the Bud Plus' mid-range musicality, and a tour through Red Hot Chili Peppers' old catalog with these earbuds allowed us to appreciate the interplay between Flea's bass and Frusciante's guitar like never before.</p>
<p>That said, songs that should have phenomenal bass response, like Brass Monkey by Beastie Boys, sound a bit subdued to other earbuds, especially a pair like the Powerbeats Pro that emphasize the low-end.</p>
<p>Using the Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus and/or Samsung Wear app you can customize the sound of the earbuds (there's options for Soft, Dynamic, Clear, Treble and Bass Boost) but there's not a significant difference between them.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="DBMUvUfyDV5QnkQL5rzavL" name="Samsung Galaxy Buds app.jpg" alt="(Pictured: The Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus app on iOS.)&nbsp;" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DBMUvUfyDV5QnkQL5rzavL.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="790" height="508" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">(Pictured: The Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus app on iOS.) </span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Apple)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>While the increased clarity is the highlight of the new design, Samsung says it's also increased the amount of internal microphones by one and that lead to better call quality. That claim held true in our testing as anyone we called with the earbuds reported that they sounded as good as talking directly into the phone's mic. </p>
<p>Having the extra mic also means that ambient noise amplification is better this time around, too. Obviously ambient noise amplification – which pipes in outside noise rather than cancel it out isn't as good as noise reduction or noise cancellation, but it can be helpful at airplane terminals or bus stations when you're waiting for a crucial piece of information over the loud speaker or while riding a bike. </p>
<p>The biggest criticism that we can levy against the Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus is that they don't offer active noise cancellation nor do they provide much in the way of passive noise reduction. That means, if you plan on wearing these out and about, expect to hear a lot of the outside world while listening to your music. That's fine if you're at the gym and don't mind hearing a bit of the background noise or if you're at the office and still want to be able to hear what coworkers are saying nearby, but those looking for total aural isolation will have to look elsewhere.</p>
<p>The good news? If you lose them, you can find them again pretty easily by going into the app and selecting 'Find My Earbuds'. As long as they're still charged, this will get the earbuds to play a chirping sound at increasing volume - which is pretty handy if you're the kind of person who takes out your earbuds and leaves them laying around the house.</p>
<h2 id="final-verdict-17">Final verdict</h2>
<p>So where do the Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus stand in the wide and deep echelon of true wireless earbuds? Well, somewhere in the middle. Thanks to its better battery life of around 11 hours (give or take) per charge, it's a decent pick for people who hate charging their headphones at night. That said, it doesn't feature a built-in virtual assistant nor does it have real water-resistance, it's just IPX2. </p>
<p>Most egregious, however, is its lack of noise cancellation or even noise reduction, a feature that's available on the similarly priced <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/amazon-echo-buds">Amazon Echo Buds</a>. Now sure, those may not sound as good as the Galaxy Buds Plus nor do they last as long, but both those features lose their luster when you're struggling to hear your music on a crowded subway train. </p>
<p>At the end of the day, the Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus present a good value for folks who just want true wireless earbuds they don't need to charge everyday. They aren't the best-sounding, but the dual-driver design is a big step up for Samsung, and is good enough for watching videos and listening to bass-lite music. </p>
<p>Ultimately, you'd be better served by saving up for a pair of <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/apple-airpods-pro-review">Apple AirPods Pro</a> if you're an iOS user or a pair of <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/sony-wf-1000xm3-wireless-earbuds">Sony WF-1000XM3</a> if you use Android, both of which sound better and offer noise cancellation. They don't last as long as the Galaxy Buds Plus do and cost twice as much, but they're a better all-around pick in our opinion.</p>
<ul>
<li>Ready to cut the auxiliary cord? Check out our list of the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/best-true-wireless-earbuds-the-best-airpod-alternatives-around">best true wireless earbuds</a> for our up-to-the-minute recommendations</li>
</ul>
</article>
<br />
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from TechRadar: Technology reviews https://ift.tt/3ghrVXK<br />
rachid120hhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05499302888064463044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961169839206309990.post-39080628506654205012020-07-13T02:25:00.003-07:002020-07-13T02:25:12.137-07:00MindManager mind mapping software<article>
<p><a href="https://www.mindjet.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">MindManager</a> is a <a href="https://www.techradar.com/best/best-mind-map-software" target="_blank">mind mapping software</a> for Windows and Mac. With it, you can create flowcharts, organizational charts, and even manage your workforce. In this review, we’ll discuss MindManager’s main features and the pros and cons associated with the platform. You’ll quickly see why we consider this one of the most advanced and user-friendly mind-mapping tools on the market today.</p>
<h2 id="features-5">Features</h2>
<p>MindManager is a popular brainstorming and organizational tool and is well-recognized for its feature density. This software particularly stands out for its mind mapping toolkit and selection of add-on options. One of the great things about MindManager is the extent to which you can visually customize any charts you use it to create.</p>
<p>As mapping is MindManager’s foremost feature, its capabilities in this area are impressive. Maps can be connected to each other and exported to Word or similar software. You can create Gantt charts, add indexes, schedules, and even display your charts and maps in a presentation mode.</p>
<p>For <a href="https://www.techradar.com/best/best-project-management-software" target="_blank">project management</a> planning and business start-up, MindManager has development, risk management, and training templates. You can also sync your MindManager business data with other <a href="https://www.techradar.com/best/best-productivity-apps" target="_blank">productivity platforms</a> such as Outlook and Slack. The big benefit here is that MindManager will track your team’s progress in real-time, and notify you if things are off-track or if any information is missing.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="SbraYUYUkwtkh3xbPXyXNF" name="mindmanager-3.jpg" alt="MindManager " src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/SbraYUYUkwtkh3xbPXyXNF.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="1256" height="834" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Mindjet)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Another cool MindManager feature is something called “Smart Rules”. Essentially, this is a kind of advanced conditional formatting that allows you to create intelligent charts that adapt to the data they’re displaying. With MindManager, you can create specific triggers and add them to a library so you don’t have to spend ages setting everything up again when you start a new project. </p>
<p>MindManager is available online and in a tablet-format as well as on <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/computing/pc/10-of-the-best-desktop-pcs-of-2015-1304391" target="_blank">desktop computers</a>. When using MindManager as a team, individuals can drop links to detailed notes, references, and URLs in the same project. The MindManager system also features app-integration with Zapier, Microsoft Sharepoint, and most <a href="https://www.techradar.com/best/free-office-software" target="_blank">Office suite products</a>, so you can always get access to your vital MindManager data.</p>
<h2 id="interface-and-in-use-5">Interface and In Use</h2>
<p>Upon opening the software, you’ll see that MindManager looks a lot like a Microsoft product. This is not by accident. MindManager’s interface was designed to make those who are already comfortable with the Office Suite feel at home. In addition to some very familiar tabs like, “Insert” or “View”, you’ll see buttons that change depending on what you’re working on such as the “Task” project management tab.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="U5BXAJ2wW53JsmiKnHS5TP" name="mindmanager-4.jpg" alt="MindManager " src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/U5BXAJ2wW53JsmiKnHS5TP.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="1248" height="646" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Mindjet)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="support-5">Support</h2>
<p>In the MindManager program, you can click on the question mark in the upper left-hand corner to be directed to FAQs, quick tips, and keyboard shortcuts. If you’re in need of more hands-on help, you can fill out a ticket, send an online chat message, or contact one of MindManager’s many international offices by phone or email.</p>
<h2 id="plans-and-pricing-5">Plans and Pricing</h2>
<p>MindManager comes in two packages, one for <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/computing/apple/mac-buyer-s-guide-2015-1295725" target="_blank">Mac</a> and another for <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/best-windows-laptop" target="_blank">Windows</a>. Both of these streams receive frequent updates so users always get access to the latest features. However, when a significant enough upgrade is released, anyone with an older version of MindManager has to pay to get access to it.</p>
<p>If you want to download MindManager to see if its right for you without splashing out, you can start a 30-day free trial instead. All you need to do is head over to the MindManager website, select your desired product and click “Download Trial”. You will be asked for your information and then sent a download link via email.</p>
<p>The Windows version of MindManager is released on a perpetual license and comes with all the core features MindManager is known for like interactive concept maps, Gantt charts, and Venn diagrams, all in 8 different languages. The latest update now allows you to sync with hundreds of business applications and includes more sharing capabilities. MindManager for Windows costs $422.29, but MindManager 2018 and 2019 users can upgrade for $216.59.</p>
<p>The Mac MindManager software is similar to the Windows product but lacks some Microsoft suite syncing capabilities, which is why it is a bit less expensive. It can be used in English, German and French. The newest version of Mac MindManager has added extra templates, visual editing capabilities, and a few tools. To buy it outright costs $240.79, and the latest upgrade costs $119.79.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="VBTfGMnGDFykUfCkRSrYP9" name="mindmanager-2.jpg" alt="MindManager 2" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VBTfGMnGDFykUfCkRSrYP9.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="1134" height="524" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Mindjet)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="the-competition-5">The Competition</h2>
<p>The most direct competitor to MindManager is <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/mindview" target="_blank">MindView</a>. Both have very similar user-interfaces, capabilities, and price-points. MindManager’s organizational charts are slightly more advanced and it has several more diagrams and map templates that you won’t find on MindView. </p>
<p>Though the feature sets are similar, MindManager is cheaper for a single user on a Mac (at $240.79 rather than $347) and is slightly more expensive on Windows at $422.29 compared to $379. MindManager is the obvious choice if you need Outlook syncing or superb project management tools.</p>
<h2 id="final-verdict-5">Final Verdict</h2>
<p>Whether you’re a business manager looking to organize a team or an academic needing to <a href="https://www.techradar.com/best/best-data-visualization-tools" target="_blank">visualize</a> your ideas, MindManager is a fantastic program without bloatware and with all the features you could ask for from a diagram and mind-mapping tool. For businesses, contacting MindManager to discuss adding its Enterprise version to your tech stack could be one of the best things you do for your company.</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.mindjet.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">You can sign up to MindManager here</a>.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>See the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/best/best-flowchart-software" target="_blank">best workflow software here</a>.</li>
</ul>
</article>
<br />
<br />
from TechRadar: Technology reviews https://ift.tt/2CyRDs3<br />
rachid120hhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05499302888064463044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961169839206309990.post-43960352449949565192020-07-13T02:25:00.001-07:002020-07-13T02:25:11.191-07:00MindView mind map software<article>
<p>Owned by MatchWare, <a href="https://www.matchware.com/" target="_blank">MindView</a> is a charting and graphics tool that helps you create project plans, <a href="https://www.techradar.com/best/best-mind-map-software" target="_blank">mind maps</a>, <a href="https://www.techradar.com/best/best-flowchart-software" target="_blank">flow charts</a>, and various other customizable charts. Unlike similar tools, it comes as both a browser extension as well as downloadable standalone software for Windows and Mac. In this MindView review, we’ll discuss its features and show you how it compares to alternative programs.</p>
<h2 id="features-11">Features</h2>
<p>MindView is known as a helpful business and educational tool. It’s well-recognized for its accessibility features and focuses on usability for disabled persons. MatchWare has also built in a lot of tools to promote <a href="https://www.techradar.com/best/best-online-collaboration-tools" target="_blank">collaboration</a> through the platform and to help you represent your ideas more clearly.</p>
<p>MindView’s mapping features are extensive. Every offered map type is super customizable and can be connected and integrated with other existing maps. You can specify relationships using special connectors and produce maps that are top-down or bottom-up. You can also make Gantt charts, timelines, or enter a Prezi-style presentation mode.</p>
<p>When it comes to <a href="https://www.techradar.com/best/best-project-management-software" target="_blank">project management</a>, Mindivew offers detailed and eye-catching templates ready-made for you to edit, as well as a range of other organizational capabilities. For example, you can create tasks with priorities, constraints, and dependencies on other events. These can all be integrated into a unified calendar.</p>
<p>The MindView software works with DragonSpeak <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/best-speech-to-text-app" target="_blank">speech to text software</a> and allows you to add voice recorded notes which is a huge benefit for educators. No tablet version of MindView is available, but you can export and import data with the Windows version. The cloud-based variant of the platform allows you to connect with other subscribers, which is particularly useful for team projects.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="Ls3YJSrUgKQP6cLRA4exrb" name="mindview-3.jpg" alt="MindView " src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Ls3YJSrUgKQP6cLRA4exrb.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="1248" height="648" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Mindmatch)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="interface-and-in-use-11">Interface and In Use</h2>
<p>On the MatchWare website, you can either purchase the MindView product or start with a free 30-day trial. Once you download the program, you’ll be directed to a screen with a very recognizable toolbar, designed to look a lot like other <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/best-microsoft-office-alternative" target="_blank">Microsoft Office</a> programs such as Word, Excel, and Access. If you are familiar with the Microsoft suite, you will feel very at-home.</p>
<p>Under “File → New”, you can browse a selection of templates and get started exploring the software. Right off the bat, you’ll see for yourself how extensive a feature set MindView offers, and may even feel a bit overwhelmed. Luckily, you can sign up for a seminar, read MatchWare’s published whitepapers, or watch tutorials embedded in the program to get a deeper understanding of what everything does.</p>
<p>When you start exploring the templates, you’ll see that you can generate different map-types with the same information. This means you can find which is the best visual representation of your information. After you’ve finished creating, you can add citations or links, and then export to other software like Excel by navigating to the “File” menu again.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="wo8skoq8a6eZHKRCJBsPwi" name="mindview-4.jpg" alt="MindView " src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wo8skoq8a6eZHKRCJBsPwi.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="1248" height="556" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Matchware)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="support-11">Support</h2>
<p>If you need help using MindView or are searching for a particular tool, the best thing you can do is go to the toolbar, locate the lightbulb icon and type in what you need help with. Most likely, the tool you want will pop up as well as a “Get Help” prompt. From there, you can look through MatchWare’s relevant advice.</p>
<p>If you need technical support (even after checking out the MindView FAQ), you can submit a ticket. MatchWare has six worldwide offices spread across the US, UK, Germany, France, Sweden, and Denmark, each of which is available by phone and email.</p>
<h2 id="plans-and-pricing-11">Plans and Pricing</h2>
<p>There are three different variants of the MindView platform. You should think carefully before deciding which one to use as the differences between the editions go beyond how you access the MindView software, each is priced individually too.</p>
<p>The online version of MindView is <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/what-is-saas" target="_blank">cloud-based</a> and features mapping software, bibliography creation, and automatic citation. It also supports Word and Google Docs syncing and collaboration through a shared workspace.</p>
<p>MindView Online lacks some features that advanced users may want but can only be found in the offline versions of the software such as analytical and statistical capabilities, Gantt charting, timelines, and the ability to sync with Excel. The online variant of MindView costs $15 per month when billed as a one-year subscription, $13.50 per month for two years, and $12 per month with three-year billing.</p>
<p>The Windows MindView software is the most advanced edition. It includes charting features the online version doesn’t like Gantt charts and outlining, as well as the ability to sync with Excel and Outlook. If you are doing advanced work (like using graph mathematics) you will be glad to hear that this version of MindView supports statistical calculations.</p>
<p>The extra features come at a price though. A single-user license costs $379, for a five-user license you will pay $1,799, and for ten users you save about 10% per user at $3,409. For large batch orders or for educators, you should contact MatchWare directly.</p>
<p>For Mac users, similar downloadable software is available. While you’ll find most of the same capabilities that you get with the Windows version, some, such as syncing with Windows products like Excel are obviously not available. This may be why MindView Mac is slightly cheaper. A single-user license is $349, a five-user license is $1,658, and a ten-user license is $3,141.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="zwxBTMTDtWkBMaXpDGUFoU" name="mindview-2.jpg" alt="MindView " src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zwxBTMTDtWkBMaXpDGUFoU.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="1248" height="568" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Mindmatch)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="the-competition-11">The Competition</h2>
<p>MindView is in direct competition with programs like <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/mindmanager" target="_blank">MindManager</a>. For timelines, Gantt charts, and outlines, MindView has a few more features and is slightly more user-friendly than its closest competitors. It has a comparable feature-set to MindManager but integrates slightly better with other programs.</p>
<p>The price point for the two programs is extremely similar, but MindView is a bit cheaper for a single user on a PC at $379 compared to $422.29. The situation is flipped for Mac though, with MindView costing $347 compared to $240.79.</p>
<h2 id="final-verdict-11">Final Verdict</h2>
<p>If you have the budget, MindView is a fantastic option to improve your personal, educational, and business organization. Compared to free online tools, MindView’s downloadable software is clearly at a much higher standard than what you can get online for free. It is extremely easy to use, lacks bloatware, and can export and import all the timelines, Gantt charts or mind maps you could possibly need.</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.matchware.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">You can sign up to Mindview here</a>.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>We've also featured the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/best/best-crm-software" target="_blank">best CRM software</a>.</li>
</ul>
</article>
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rachid120hhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05499302888064463044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961169839206309990.post-60024440626959661662020-07-13T01:25:00.001-07:002020-07-13T01:25:14.327-07:001&1 Ionos HiDrive review<article>
<p><a href="https://www.ionos.co.uk/office-solutions/hidrive-cloud-storage" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">1&1 Ionos HiDrive</a> is a bit of a mouthful of a name (it's actually the result of the merger of two companies), but once you get into the service itself you'll find that this is one of the better cloud storage offerings out there – at least in terms of covering the core features.</p>
<p>As with a lot of cloud storage services, you need to make yourself aware of the specific strengths and the weaknesses of 1&1 Ionos HiDrive before deciding if its the right product for you. The good news is, we've outlined all the pros and cons for you in this review.</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.ionos.co.uk/office-solutions/hidrive-cloud-storage" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">You can sign up for 1&1 Ionos HiDrive here</a></li>
</ul>
<h2 id="1-amp-1-ionos-hidrive-features-5">1&1 Ionos HiDrive features</h2>
<p>1&1 Ionos HiDrive is one of the few cloud storage packages that offers both file synchronization and ad hoc data storage, rather than focusing on one or the other. You've got client apps for Windows, Android and iOS to make use of, for viewing your files and getting them up to the cloud – the mobile apps can do document scanning and auto-uploading for your photos and videos. If you're on macOS, you need to mount your HiDrive as a server or just stick to the web interface.</p>
<p>You highlight the folders you need to keep safe, and the software then dispatches them to HiDrive cloud storage. Devices that support WebDAV, FTP, rSync, SCP and Git (such as NAS boxes) are supported too, as are external disk drives, and you get full control over the data tree hierarchy and which folders are included. What you don't get are complete bare metal backups of your entire system, OS, settings apps and all.</p>
<p>There's also no file versioning, a feature commonly found on other cloud services like this, so you can't roll back to earlier versions of your files. File and folder sharing is covered, however, and you have the option of adding passwords and expiry dates to your shares as well if you need that little bit of extra security. This works well and is easy to configure no matter what your sharing needs are.</p>
<p>You can't do a huge amount with your data in terms of streaming video or music from the web or anything like that, but you can view images and documents that are saved as PDF without having to download them to disk first. Getting your data back is straightforward too, especially if you're using the syncing client on Windows.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="UuaiEiDoufVyFGfyRfZxtn" name="01-hidrive.jpg" alt="1&1 Ionos HiDrive" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UuaiEiDoufVyFGfyRfZxtn.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="1600" height="900" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="1-amp-1-ionos-hidrive-interface-5">1&1 Ionos HiDrive interface</h2>
<p>The 1&1 Ionos HiDrive interface isn't the most modern-looking or dynamic we've ever come across, but it covers the essentials of file syncing and file management well enough. Files can be uploaded through the web interface, through the mobile apps, or from the desktop, and in our testing we were happy with the transfer speeds we were seeing (more or less as good as could be expected given our home broadband speed).</p>
<p>Syncing files is straightforward, whether you're dragging them into the designated folder on Windows or macOS, or uploading them through the web interface. You don't have to sync all of your files to all of your computers if you don't want to, and there's also the option to limit the transfer speeds on Windows so that HiDrive isn't using up all of your precious bandwidth.</p>
<p>As with Dropbox and other similar apps, you get little icons next to your files on Windows showing their sync state, which is useful (you can turn them off if you don't like them). Syncing is just about instant too, so you know that as you make changes to your files, HiDrive will be backing them up to the cloud for sake-keeping. If the worst happens to your computers, you've always got a backup.</p>
<p>We like the look of the collaboration and user management features here too. You don't get anything like Microsoft Word, Google Docs, Apple Pages or Dropbox Paper unfortunately, but you do get some effective tools for controlling who has access to what in the HiDrive cloud locker. You can, for example, set files you share to be read-only, and limit the number of times that files can be downloaded. Users get both private and public folders to make use of.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="LKNytdZvaW3tBjt9JHpds3" name="02-hidrive.jpg" alt="1&1 Ionos HiDrive" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LKNytdZvaW3tBjt9JHpds3.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="1600" height="900" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="1-amp-1-ionos-hidrive-security-5">1&1 Ionos HiDrive security</h2>
<p>1&1 Ionos HiDrive makes security a priority: like most other cloud storage services, you get SSL-protected transfers and AES encryption (128-bit AES encryption in this case). Two-factor authentication is available, giving you an extra layer of security when it comes to logging in with your username and password. It's not on by default though – you need to go into your account settings to get it configured.</p>
<p>End-to-end encryption is available for your data, which means not even the engineers at HiDrive can get at it (and that also means they won't be able to recover it if you forget your password). This is only an option if you're on the most expensive Pro plan, however, so that's something to bear in mind if you're weighing up how much you want to spend on a subscription to HiDrive.</p>
<h2 id="1-amp-1-ionos-hidrive-pricing-5">1&1 Ionos HiDrive pricing</h2>
<p>There's no free tier with 1&1 Ionos HiDrive, and no free trial either – though there is a 30-day money-back guarantee, which is almost the same thing. All the prices we're mentioning here are based on annual payments, and while you can pay month by month instead, it's going to cost you slightly more. Look out for special offers running on the 1&1 Ionos HiDrive website too, which will save you some money.</p>
<p>The cheapest $1/£1.20-a-month Basic package gets you 100GB of storage for one user, the $3/£3.60-a-month Essential package gives you 250GB of space for up to three users, the $10/£12-a-month Business package includes 1TB of space and support for five users, and the top $20/£24-a-month Pro tier gives you 2TB of room and supports up to 10 users. As we mentioned above, the Pro package is the only one with end-to-end encryption.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="XCkzMfHmubkg2RZ377Qaz6" name="03-hidrive.jpg" alt="1&1 Ionos HiDrive" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XCkzMfHmubkg2RZ377Qaz6.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="1600" height="900" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="1-amp-1-ionos-hidrive-verdict-5">1&1 Ionos HiDrive verdict</h2>
<p>What you get for your money with 1&1 Ionos HiDrive is a fast and reliable cloud storage platform that's also reasonably easy to install and configure. The pricing options could be more competitive, and we'd like to see some extra features and a few integrations (with the likes of Office 365 and Google Docs, for example), but this is a solid option for businesses looking for something that can be rapidly deployed without much in the way of user training.</p>
<p>If you need tight security and some advanced sharing options for your files, then 1&1 Ionos HiDrive is worth a look, especially if you're running Windows rather than macOS machines in your organization (or just as an individual). For the service to really be top tier, we'd like to see a few extra features added and a more modern-looking interface (not to mention a Mac client), but HiDrive still stands up well in its current form.</p>
<ul>
<li>We've also highlighted the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/how-to/photography-video-capture/cameras/best-cloud-storage-for-photos-6-top-options-tested-and-rated-1320891"><u>best cloud storage</u></a> </li>
</ul>
</article>
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rachid120hhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05499302888064463044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961169839206309990.post-73599935348698891152020-07-13T00:25:00.003-07:002020-07-13T00:25:24.552-07:00Whoer VPN<article>
<p>In this day and age, having a good VPN service is necessary to retain your privacy on the World Wide Web and experience the total freedom of information and entertainment, in spite of the ever-increasing restrictions on the kind of content that you can access in various regions.</p>
<p>One of the platforms that makes all this possible is <a href="https://whoer.net/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Whoer</a> - a Cyprus-based VPN provider that has some strong privacy features, supports torrenting, and is capable of unlocking the well-known geo-blocked streaming channels and services. </p>
<p>If you’d like to know which are today’s top services, we’ve prepared a detailed <a href="https://www.techradar.com/vpn/best-vpn" target="_blank">best VPN</a> buying guide for you to check out.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="NHpytJNzfy5LPhuDFKHNBg" name="2 dell-xps13-front.jpg" alt="" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/NHpytJNzfy5LPhuDFKHNBg.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="2000" height="2000" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: MockUPhone/Facebook - Design Resources)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="price-5">Price</h2>
<p>Whoer’s services come in three packages, depending on the length of the subscription. The shortest is the 1-month option, at $9.90/month. It is followed by the 6-month subscription which entails a 35% discount and is paid $39.00 in a single payment ($6.50/month). The 1-year access will cost you even less in the long-term - $46.90 ($3.90/month), which is a 60% discount compared to the monthly subscription.</p>
<p>If you’d rather try out the service first, there’s a free trial available, but it will only get you access to one server, and a very slow one - in the Netherlands. Specifically, the speed of the trial server is officially limited to up to 1Mbps, as the provider states this on its free trial page (and confirmed in our testing).</p>
<p>This is far from ideal if your biggest concern is speed and you want to check how the provider performs in this area. There’s also a 30-day money-back guarantee, but the small print says there has to be an actual problem with the service for the company to grant you a refund. This is a lot different from the no-questions-asked policy by some other providers, but it’s better than nothing.</p>
<p>To sign up for a free trial, you’ll only need to give the company your email address and you’ll receive the access code shortly. Should you decide to pay for the full service under any of the three pricing packages, you’ll find the process similar and exceptionally simple. </p>
<p>Just pick out the plan on the website, type in your email address, a promo code if you have it, choose your preferred payment method - credit card, cryptocurrency, electronic currency, or PayPal, and finalise the payment. The next step is to enter the passcode you’ll receive from the provider, and you’re all set.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="zap5bMEyZQHM9jPZecsSVn" name="3 whoer pricing.jpg" alt="" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zap5bMEyZQHM9jPZecsSVn.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="1600" height="1063" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: MagicMockups)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="alternatives-5">Alternatives</h2>
<p>Whoer has servers in only 17 locations. We’re never told how many servers there are exactly, but since it’s hiding this information, it’s safe to assume there aren’t a lot. </p>
<p>This is why some of the more demanding users may like <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/nordvpn" target="_blank">NordVPN</a>, <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/expressvpn" target="_blank">ExpressVPN</a>, or <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/surfshark" target="_blank">Surfshark</a> better, considering they have thousands of servers in hundreds of locations all over the world and are very transparent about them. They’ve even opened their doors to outside auditors to confirm they have nothing to hide and are devoted to their users’ privacy. <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/cyberghost-vpn" target="_blank">CyberGhost</a> is another great choice to consider, as it has recently upped its server count to a staggering 6,240+.</p>
<h2 id="streaming-5">Streaming</h2>
<p>Unblocking top streaming services like Netflix and BBC iPlayer in areas where they aren’t available is a sought-after feature in the VPN industry, and Whoer excels in this matter. Not only will it allow you to watch your favourite content on Netflix and BBC iPlayer, but you’ll also be able to do that on Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and TalkTalk TV Store.</p>
<h2 id="about-the-company-5">About the company</h2>
<p>Whoer is operated by WHOIX Ltd., a company registered in Lefkosia, Cyprus. It has an undisclosed number of servers scattered across 17 countries such as Russia, Singapore, Hong Kong, Turkey, Ukraine, and Poland.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="Nb7UofUiEQmyrPxb4mrxPc" name="4 nexus5x-portrait.jpg" alt="" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Nb7UofUiEQmyrPxb4mrxPc.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="3976" height="2000" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: MockUPhone / Facebook - Design Resources)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="privacy-and-encryption-5">Privacy and encryption</h2>
<p>The Windows and Mac clients include app startup settings, updates control, a kill switch, an option to choose whether you want the app to use UDP instead of TCP (as UDP is faster), and one interesting tool - VPN connection hiding, which masks your VPN connection as a regular home or mobile connection, helpful in restrictive countries that block VPNs. The iOS and Android apps have fewer settings, including startup settings, traffic compression, and a handy speed test. You will even be able to share large files via P2P, although not on all of the servers.</p>
<p>The privacy of your sensitive information and identity is secured with the use of regular and double VPN protection that uses two different encryption points to increase your level of anonymity and make it more difficult for third parties to spy on you. It also deploys the UDP and TCP protocols.</p>
<p>Whoer uses protection against DNS and IP leaks to guarantee anonymity and security. For even more protection, you can enable a kill switch in the desktop apps. This mechanism will step in whenever the VPN connection is interrupted, effectively blocking your entire Internet access and preventing any of your information from leaking into wrong hands.</p>
<p>According to the provider’s privacy policy, it doesn’t collect, store, or log your IP address, DNS requests, which apps or online services you use or the websites you visit. It only collects your personal data when you access the websites or services related to Whoer VPN or contact the provider regarding its services. Additionally, it will collect service data from its VPN clients, including OS version and Whoer VPN version, but this can’t be used to uncover what you’re using the VPN service for.</p>
<p>This all sounds great, but we have no way to confirm this policy as there hasn’t been an outside audit yet. Some competitors have started to bring in independent auditors to examine their clients and give reports on adherence to the privacy and no-logs policies, and it would be beneficial for Whoer VPN to do the same.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="UonTdoQ7bATGjVZo6TTyKn" name="5 samsung-galaxysduos-portrait.jpg" alt="" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UonTdoQ7bATGjVZo6TTyKn.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="3416" height="2000" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: MockUPhone / Facebook - Design Resources)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="support-5">Support</h2>
<p>Whoer offers apps for all the major platforms and browsers. So you’ll be able to install it on Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Mozilla, Chrome, and Opera, as well as use it on five devices simultaneously with just one account. Additionally, you can manually install the platform on a supported router, with some <a href="https://whoer.net/blog/configuring-vpn-on-router/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">help</a> from Whoer. This will allow you to expand the coverage beyond the five-device limit and protect each and every device connected to the network.</p>
<p>All the apps can be downloaded from the website or the appropriate app stores which the website directs you to. Each has its own page where you’ll find detailed, step-by-step setup instructions, all accompanied by pictures for better understanding.</p>
<p>That said, you probably won’t even need to look at the instructions as the installation process is as simple and intuitive as they come. Same goes for the interface which is small, sleek, and only has basic options. </p>
<p>If you need assistance with anything related to the VPN service, online support is available in the form of live chat on the website and email. Additional information can be found on the provider’s blog and social media channels.</p>
<p>Whoer’s Android app has been downloaded 5,000+ times and has received a rather poor score of only 3.3, as rated by 27 users. It was last updated on April 8, 2020. The rating is even worse on the iOS App Store - 1.0, although rated by only one user who complained that the app “keeps crashing”.</p>
<h2 id="speed-and-experience-5">Speed and experience</h2>
<p>We tested the provider’s Netherlands server and ended up disappointed - the speeds barely reached 1Mbps on our 50Mbps test connection. This, however, is because the Netherlands server is used as the trial server location and the provider throttles its use, whereas its other servers may perform better. While this makes sense, it doesn’t allow you to fully test the service, especially since the refunds are issued only if there is an unsolvable problem with the service.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="psq5QCEm5HygQvc3BYdUiK" name="6 google-pixelbook-mockup.jpg" alt="" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/psq5QCEm5HygQvc3BYdUiK.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="1200" height="900" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: MockupBro)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="verdict-5">Verdict</h2>
<p>Whoer is a decent VPN provider that allows you to torrent, stream popular services, and do some good old-fashioned browsing, all under its robust privacy protection. </p>
<p>Aside from the handy Double VPN and VPN hiding on its desktop clients, it doesn’t have lots of features and extras. This might bother some of the more experienced users, but beginners and more modest users might find this quite suitable. </p>
<p>Those who cannot disregard the lack of features and servers, should instead try out <a href="https://www.xvtelink.com/techradar?offer=3monthsfree&a_fid=744&data1=trd-row-3354018528744887300" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">ExpressVPN</a>, the best VPN on the market which excels in every part of its service and satisfies even the most demanding of users.</p>
</article>
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rachid120hhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05499302888064463044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961169839206309990.post-62539511675841921922020-07-13T00:25:00.001-07:002020-07-13T00:25:23.896-07:00Satmetrix CEM software<article>
<p><a href="https://www.satmetrix.com/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">NICE Satmetrix</a> is a powerful <a href="https://www.techradar.com/best/cx-tools" target="_blank">customer experience</a> management (CEM) software provider offering custom solutions suited to a wide range of businesses. It’s designed to help you collect and analyze customer feedback and combine it with business data in order to improve the consumer experience.</p>
<p>Overall, Satmetrix is a powerful platform which has been purpose-built to help you automate time-consuming processes. When used correctly, it can help guide profitable decisions to target change and grow your business.</p>
<h2 id="plans-and-pricing-5">Plans and Pricing</h2>
<p>Satmetrix offers custom, quote-based solutions, which means it’s impossible to put an exact figure on its cost. Every business has different requirements, and the cost of these custom solutions will vary immensely from one to another.</p>
<p>However, it’s fair to say that Satmetrix is expensive. A demo can be requested by filling out an online form and speaking with the Satmetrix team.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="83ufJRytYooPJ4ZR8jYbxb" name="satmatrix-2.jpg" alt="Satmetrix 2" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/83ufJRytYooPJ4ZR8jYbxb.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="1248" height="568" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Satmetrix )</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Although we couldn’t put an exact price on the Satmetrix CEM software, we had a close look at its products to help you decide if they are worth considering for your business.</p>
<p><strong>Satmetrix CEM Software</strong></p>
<p>For starters, Satmetrix offers a range of CEM software solutions to help you grow your business. It doesn’t actually provide a lot of information about what this software includes, but we’ve dug deeply to come up with the following.</p>
<p>In short, Satmetrix comes with a range of smart <a href="https://www.techradar.com/best/best-cloud-analytics" target="_blank">analytics</a> and self-service tools to help you transform the customer experience. You will receive expert guidance from the Satmetrix team, allowing you to focus on the things you do well.</p>
<p>Additionally, Satmetrix is designed to incorporate both direct and indirect feedback to help you gain a complete picture of the current customer experience. It also uses powerful AI and machine learning algorithms to provide deeper insights.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="aM5UvpG7RjDPUS6m3tZpWi" name="satmatrix-3.jpg" alt="Satmetrix 3" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/aM5UvpG7RjDPUS6m3tZpWi.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="1248" height="576" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Satmetrix )</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p><strong>Other Satmetrix Products</strong></p>
<p>Along with its main software package, Satmetrix offers one other noteworthy product, a Satmetrix Academy and Research subscription. It costs $3000 per year and comes with two main benefits. </p>
<p>First, it gives you access to a range of B2C and B2B net promoter score (NPS) benchmarks. It also comes with two in-depth NPS courses designed to give you the skills to optimize the consumer experience.</p>
<h2 id="features-5">Features</h2>
<p>Once again, the fact that Satmetrix offers custom, quote-based solutions means that it’s hard to get a handle on the exact tools and features it comes with. However, we’ve outlined a few of the most noteworthy below.</p>
<p><strong>Configurable Dashboards and Reporting Templates</strong></p>
<p>For starters, Satmetrix heavily promotes its templates for configurable dashboards and reports. These allow you to present complex data in an easy-to-understand format, integrate with everyday tools, and bring the right information to the right employees.</p>
<p><strong>Customer Journey Insights</strong></p>
<p>Additionally, Satmetrix provides a range of insights into the factors driving customer loyalty and engagement. It puts these into context by presenting an overview of the customer lifecycle, combining feedback and performance data to show you just what customers think of you and your brand.</p>
<p><strong>Powerful Analytics Tools</strong></p>
<p>Satmetrix also offers a range of powerful analytics tools designed to drive informed business management decisions. Using these tools—which include a range of AI and machine learning algorithms, large-scale <a href="https://www.techradar.com/best/best-data-visualization-tools" target="_blank">visualizations</a>, and <a href="https://www.techradar.com/best/best-online-collaboration-tools" target="_blank">collaborative</a> reports—you will be able to drive innovative ways to improve the customer experience.</p>
<p><strong>Customer Feedback Templates</strong></p>
<p>Finally, Satmetrix comes with a range of customer feedback templates which you can use to gather information and understand the overall feeling among your audience. These are fully customizable, allowing you to make changes as you go. And, they are backed by the support of Satmetrix’s expert team.</p>
<h2 id="interface-and-in-use-5">Interface and In Use</h2>
<p>The Satmetrix user interface varies considerably according to your package and the platform you’re using it with. It supports a range of systems, including <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/best-windows-10-pro-laptops" target="_blank">Windows</a>, <a href="https://www.techradar.com/best/best-linux-desktop" target="_blank">Linux</a>, and <a href="https://www.techradar.com/best/best-business-mac" target="_blank">Mac</a> computers, <a href="https://www.techradar.com/best/best-android-phones" target="_blank">Android</a> and <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/best-iphone" target="_blank">iPhone</a> <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/best-business-smartphone" target="_blank">smartphones</a>, and various web browsers.</p>
<p>After analyzing as many different Satmetrix interfaces as we could, we decided that it excels in terms of data visualization and presentation. Its highly-customizable dashboards are designed to help you view complex data in a simple manner, which we loved.</p>
<h2 id="support-11">Support</h2>
<p>The ongoing theme of Satmetrix playing its cards close to its chest continues with its support services. Unless you’re a paying customer, the only way you can get in contact is by filling out an online quote form or calling its sales team.</p>
<p>However, Satmetrix does provide comprehensive support to paying customers—as expected considering the price of its software. This includes 24/5 standard support, 24/7/365 emergency support, and access to an impressive knowledge base.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="X6krF6eNjfRrvGxJ9D6PXJ" name="satmatrix-4.jpg" alt="Satmetrix 4" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/X6krF6eNjfRrvGxJ9D6PXJ.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="1248" height="656" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Satmetrix )</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="the-competition-5">The Competition</h2>
<p>Satmetrix is a powerful software provider designed for large businesses. But, there are plenty of alternatives out there if you’re looking for something slightly more affordable, or just something different altogether.</p>
<p>For starters, Medallia offers very similar services with a focus on AI data analysis. We’d recommend researching both platforms before deciding which is best for your business.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, Unblu is a similar—if less powerful—CEM platform that costs significantly less than Satmetrix. </p>
<h2 id="final-verdict-5">Final Verdict</h2>
<p>Overall, Satmetrix is a powerful customer experience management platform used by enterprise-level businesses across the world. It offers powerful custom solutions for all users, but it is certainly on the expensive side.</p>
<p>However, the tools Satmetrix brings to the table are up there with the best we’ve seen, and the fact that you will be guided by its expert team at all times really does appeal to us. It’s certainly worth considering if you’ve got the budget for it.</p>
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rachid120hhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05499302888064463044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961169839206309990.post-24269805325196083112020-07-12T13:25:00.003-07:002020-07-12T13:25:26.648-07:00Assassin’s Creed Valhalla<article>
<p>Assassin’s Creed Valhalla has a lot riding on it. Ubisoft didn’t release a new Assassin’s Creed last year in order to work on Valhalla, which is due out later this year.</p>
<p>And so far, after playing it for a few hours, the work seems to be paying off. </p>
<div class="fancy-box">
<h5>WHAT IS A HANDS-ON REVIEW?</h5>
<div class="fancy_box_body">
<p>Hands-on game reviews are a journalist's first impressions of a game based on spending some time with it ahead of our full review. In this case, we played <strong>three hours of Assassin's Creed Valhalla</strong>. The important thing is we have been able to play with it ourselves, and we can give you some sense of what it's like, even if it's only an embryonic view. For more information, see <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/world-of-tech/techradar-s-reviews-guarantee-622749"><strong>TechRadar's Reviews Guarantee</strong></a>. </p>
</div>
</div>
<p>What Ubisoft’s 14(!) development studios have produced so far is a Viking epic that takes you from the shores of East Anglia - what we know today as Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire - to the innards of the English isle with plenty to explore in between. </p>
<p>And yet, despite the new setting, Valhalla has all the trappings of a traditional Assassin’s Creed game: there’s vantage points to climb, conflicted protagonists dealing with issues of their day, power level-based areas, a loose historical narrative to follow... and a lot of small technical issues. That last part is worrying, obviously, but Odin willing, Ubisoft can fix them all before release.</p>
<h2 id="xa0-key-information-xa0-5"> Key information </h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>What is it?</strong> The next entry in the Assassin's Creed franchise</li>
<li><strong>Release Date?</strong> November 17, 2020</li>
<li><strong>What can I play it on?</strong> PS5, Xbox Series X, PS4, Xbox One, Stadia and PC</li>
<li><strong>Price?</strong> Standard edition is roughly $59.99 / £49.99 / AU$69</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="the-tale-of-two-eivors-xa0-5">The tale of two Eivors </h2>
<p>Set in 873 CE, Valhalla follows Eivor of Clan Raven, who can either be played as a male or female character just like in Assassin’s Creed: Odyssey. Each has their own corresponding voice actor and we were able to switch between them on the fly.</p>
<p>When we dropped into our demo - just a little ways into the game - we were told that East Anglia was nearly unified under the rule of King Oswald, a good-hearted Saxon… until Oswald was taken by Rued, a rival Viking who hasn’t taken kindly to Saxon rulers.</p>
<p>To find Rued you’ll have to amass a small army and go on one of the game’s first Raid missions that can best be described as a small-scale amphibious invasion. </p>
<p>Thankfully, you don’t have to look far for that army. As a member of Clan Raven, you have allies and clansmen already who’ll be there when you summon them on your longship. Load it up, and you're off to war.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="8YVcGtyWvx7fcDzbRSWZV9" name="Assassins-Creed-Valhalla-Eivor.jpg" alt="Assassin's Creed Valhalla Eivor" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8YVcGtyWvx7fcDzbRSWZV9.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="1600" height="900" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Ubisoft)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="fjords-and-swords-xa0-5">Fjords and swords </h2>
<p>The assault on Rued’s camp is really the first big test of your mettle in Valhalla. It’s a multi-stage fight that has you breaking down doors with a battering ram while protecting your troops from arrows and enemy soldiers.</p>
<figure>
<blockquote>
<p>The combat, like the previous two games, is still number-based and brutal-but-fair.</p>
</blockquote>
</figure>
<p>The combat, like the previous two games, is still number-based and brutal-but-fair. </p>
<p>During the demo we tried two different weapon styles, the single-handed axe and steel chain whip, and they provided some nice variety to the combat. </p>
<p>Besides the different weapons, you’ll also be able to assign skill points in one of three skill trees: Wolf powers, Raven powers and Bear powers, that roughly correspond to agility, stealth and strength. Each skill on the tree is either a buff, like extra health, or a new special move to use in combat.</p>
<p>How difficult a fight is comes down to how well-geared you are, how many abilities and buffs you currently have and how well you can dodge and deflect attacks. Being good at the latter can get you pretty far in the game, but at some point you’ll need to invest in upgrades to turn down the difficulty on some of the boss fights.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="RjxayQKAVmJspGRWYr7cT3" name="495115ea9530786ffa3.39662354-ACV_screen_Announce_Iconic Norway_Male Eivor_200430_5pm_CET_Paris Time.jpg" alt="" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RjxayQKAVmJspGRWYr7cT3.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="3840" height="2160" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Ubisoft)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="making-memories-in-east-anglia-xa0-5">Making memories in East Anglia </h2>
<p>Combat and exploration will take up most of your time in Valhalla, but you’ll also be sent on a fair number of surprisingly memorable side missions that are scattered throughout the world.</p>
<p>One of the more memorable ones we got the chance to see during our demo came during a marriage of a Dane and Saxon where we got to participate in making toasts, carrying drunk friends off of roofs and drinking until Eivor couldn’t stand anymore. </p>
<p>The whole wedding served as a nice palette cleanser from the brutal assault we just played 15 minutes earlier in our demo, and helped us feel closer to everyone in Valhalla’s world. It was fun, well-executed and memorable.</p>
<p>Another excellent side mission came when we had to rap battle a snobby Dane and yet another came when we had to help a farmer collect blood mead (read: menstrual blood) from a seeress. </p>
<p>The side quests have so far added some ridiculous fun to the combat but they are a bit sparse and, while we appreciate what’s there, it could be tough for Ubisoft to make all the side quests interesting from start to finish.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="k6QEQ9ekNE8AGKVMX6wPHB" name="ACV_UbiFwd_0720_Story_Serious_Male.jpg" alt="" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/k6QEQ9ekNE8AGKVMX6wPHB.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="3840" height="2160" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Ubisoft)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="bad-voices-and-worse-glitches-xa0-5">Bad voices and worse glitches </h2>
<figure>
<blockquote>
<p>We encountered an immersion-breaking bug - and worse, almost had our demo completely derailed by a spinning camera.</p>
</blockquote>
</figure>
<p>When things weren’t so fun was when we encountered an immersion-breaking bug - or worse, almost had our demo completely derailed by a spinning camera. </p>
<p>In just three hours spent in the game we encountered dozens of issues, from simple things like characters’ possessions disappearing from their hands in cutscenes to being told that our horse is unavailable and being forced to walk from destination to destination. It seemed like every minute, some new error popped up.</p>
<p>And while they weren’t technically glitches, the voice acting can be just as immersion-breaking as the bugs: you’ll hear a number of different accents throughout the adventure ranging from guttural to pompous but barely any of them mesh together in a way that seems to make sense. Somehow every character has a different accent - none of which feel period-appropriate. </p>
<p>Now, look, we’re not voice acting experts by any stroke of the imagination but considering that Assassin’s Creed Odyssey’s biggest weakness was its voice acting, it’s a shame Ubisoft didn’t double down on getting the voices perfect this time around.</p>
<h2 id="early-verdict-xa0-5">Early verdict </h2>
<p>With fun combat and even better side quests, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla is shaping up to be quite the Viking saga. The region of East Anglia that we saw during our demo is brimming with potential… even if a lot of the space isn’t quite used to its maximum potential quite yet. </p>
<p>But a lot of the game’s success will depend on Ubisoft squashing the dozens of game-breaking or immersion-breaking bugs we found while playing the game - it’s just too hard to have a good time when horns of ale and enemy shields float in the air and cameras rotate on their own. </p>
<p>Odin willing, it will all get sorted before November.</p>
<p>Assassin’s Creed Valhalla releases on <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/ps5">PS5</a>, <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/xbox-series-x">Xbox Series X</a>, <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/gaming/games-consoles/sony-ps4-1202432/review">PlayStation 4</a>, <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/gaming/games-consoles/xbox-one-s-1323399/review">Xbox One</a>, <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/google-stadia">Google Stadia</a> and PC on November 17, 2020.</p>
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<li><a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/ps5-vs-xbox-series-x">PS5 vs Xbox Series X</a>: how do the consoles compare?</li>
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rachid120hhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05499302888064463044noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961169839206309990.post-10550575345827261472020-07-12T13:25:00.001-07:002020-07-12T13:25:25.821-07:00Watch Dogs Legion<article>
<p><a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/watch-dogs-legion">Watch Dogs Legion</a> piqued our interest when Ubisoft announced its ‘play as anyone’ gameplay mechanic. But after spending a considerable amount of time with the game – from playing the opening prologue to completing a variety of missions – it might actually be its biggest failing.</p>
<div class="fancy-box">
<h5>WHAT IS A HANDS-ON REVIEW?</h5>
<div class="fancy_box_body">
<p>Hands-on game reviews are a journalist's first impressions of a game based on spending some time with it ahead of our full review. In this case, we played <strong>three hours of Watch Dogs Legion</strong>. The important thing is we have been able to play with it ourselves, and we can give you some sense of what it's like, even if it's only an embryonic view. For more information, see <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/world-of-tech/techradar-s-reviews-guarantee-622749"><strong>TechRadar's Reviews Guarantee</strong></a>. </p>
</div>
</div>
<h2 id="xa0-key-information-xa0-11"> Key information </h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>What is it?</strong> The third installment in the Watch Dogs franchise</li>
<li><strong>Release Date?</strong> October 29, 2020</li>
<li><strong>What can I play it on?</strong> PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Stadia and PC</li>
<li><strong>Price?</strong> Standard edition is roughly $59.99 / £49.99 / AU$69</li>
</ul>
<p>While <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/watch-dogs-2-review">Watch Dogs 2</a> took a more lighthearted approach to its previously super-serious and largely underwhelming predecessor, Watch Dogs Legion seems to awkwardly straddle between the two. It’s serious, yet silly at the same time and much like the characters it asks you to recruit, seemingly can’t figure out what it wants to be. </p>
<h2 id="london-x2019-s-burning-xa0-5">London’s burning </h2>
<p>Set in a near-future London, which is brought to life expertly in the game, society is on the brink of collapse. The city is torn apart by a devastating bombing campaign, and the ensuing chaos is capitalized upon by opportunists. </p>
<p>No more so than the private security company Albion, who manage to convince the government that they should essentially become judge, jury and executioner. Pinning the bombings on Deadsec, the resistance movement made up of hackers and like-minded individuals who you represent, was also an easy win for Albion’s martial law agenda. It’s up to you, then, or the countless NPCs you can recruit to the cause, to take back the capital and discover who was responsible for the bombings. </p>
<h2 id="recruitment-drive-xa0-5">Recruitment drive </h2>
<p>After completing the prologue, which involved discovering and failing to stop the aforementioned mass bombing plot, Watch Dogs Legion’s main problem quickly becomes apparent. You can recruit literally anyone, and each NPC comes with their own abilities that you will need to use to overcome certain obstacles, missions and challenges. </p>
<p>Some recruits will receive perks depending on what actions you undertake. A football hooligan will take less damage when drunk, while a spy can call in a high-tech vehicle that fires rockets.</p>
<p>Not everyone will be available to you, though. You’ll have to seek out the right recruit for the job by completing their recruitment mission that involves various fetch quests or tasks. Once that’s done, they’ll gladly join your crew. From there, you can switch between your team of recruits, customize them, and amass a collection of skill sets to help you complete the game’s many missions.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="HoNijTDvCTmFHJRbsAzZxT" name="Watch-Dogs-Legion-graffiti.jpg" alt="Watch Dogs Legion graffiti " src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HoNijTDvCTmFHJRbsAzZxT.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="1600" height="900" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Ubisoft)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>On the face of it, then, the premise is undoubtedly intriguing. Having the freedom to play as anyone sounds liberating, and it <em>should</em> make for some truly unique moments. However, the choice to ditch a main central character, other than the presence of a few recurring story-based ones, doesn’t pay off. Each recruit feels half-baked, and more as a means to just repaste the same abilities in a different skin, rather than create distinct individual characters. It’s like wrestling with your create-a-character jobber instead of The Rock.</p>
<p>This leads to a definite disconnect with the game’s story that you wouldn’t experience with a fully-fleshed out main central character. You’re simply recruiting random people as a means to an end, rather than because you actually want to, or because they serve a truly important purpose.</p>
<p>This sense of disassociation becomes abundantly clear the more you play, especially when you control characters that are uniformed. A construction worker can sneak into a building site undetected, a police officer can enter a police station and… well, you get the idea. You could use other recruits to complete a mission, but why would you when the easiest option will always be available? It kind of defeats the purpose of experimenting.</p>
<h2 id="hacked-off-xa0-5">Hacked off </h2>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="WyzjWQRFSHXkSRLTpzmxGd" name="Watch-Dogs-Legion-hacker.jpg" alt="Watch Dogs Legion hackers" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/WyzjWQRFSHXkSRLTpzmxGd.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="1600" height="900" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Ubisoft)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Hacking a huge part of Watch Dogs, as you’d probably expect. You can activate bollards, set traps to lure unsuspecting enemies, and take control of security cameras to survey the area. All of this is fine, but none of it is exactly new. More so, hacking feels like a compilation of context-sensitive actions: click on that breaker unit to make it go boom, click that to sneak past this guard. For all the potential for experimental gameplay that Watch Dog Legions holds, you’ll quickly end up doing the same thing over and over again.</p>
<p>And that was our biggest gripe with the game in general. It just felt horribly repetitive and unrewarding. The missions we played were extremely similar: choose the most suitable recruit; use one of their unique abilities or perks to make the mission easier; complete the mission using the various standard hacks. Rinse and repeat. </p>
<p>Of course there are several side quests and activities you can partake in, but when the main mechanics of the game already fail to inspire much joy, you’d be begrudged to do so. Combat was at least functional, but you won’t find anything you haven’t already seen before here: it’s all standard stuff. </p>
<h2 id="ol-apos-blighty-5">Ol' blighty</h2>
<p>Where praise is warranted, however, is the convincing representation of London that Watch Dog Legions lets you play around in. Everything has been recreated in a convincing fashion, including iconic landmarks like the Houses of Parliament. It’s not too hard to believe that – societal downturn aside – that a future London could look a lot like what’s seen here. </p>
<p>Unfortunately, though, the same can’t be said about the Londoners who walk the streets. This might seem like a rather insignificant point, but the amount of cursing each NPC does is honestly ridiculous. A simple drive down the street is met with a cacophony of swearing and expletives, which only served to draw us out of the experience. Not every person in the UK swears after every second word, even during a crisis. </p>
<h2 id="early-verdict-5">Early verdict</h2>
<p>Watch Dogs Legion’s delay may allow the developers to fine-tune certain egregious aspects of the game, but after spending a chunk of time with Ubisoft’s open-world hack-a-thon, we honestly can’t see how this dog will have its day. </p>
<p>Watch Dogs Legion releases on <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/gaming/games-consoles/sony-ps4-1202432/review">PlayStation 4</a>, <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/ps5">PlayStation 5</a>, <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/gaming/games-consoles/xbox-one-s-1323399/review">Xbox One</a>, <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/xbox-series-x">Xbox Series X</a>, <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/google-stadia">Stadia</a> and PC on October 29, 2020.</p>
<aside class="hawk-widget" data-model-name="Ubisoft Watch Dogs: Legion" data-tabs="gamePlatform" data-widget-type="review"></aside>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/ps5-vs-xbox-series-x">PS5 vs Xbox Series X</a>: how do the consoles compare?</li>
</ul>
</article>
<br />
<br />
from TechRadar: Technology reviews https://ift.tt/307gE5M<br />
rachid120hhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05499302888064463044noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961169839206309990.post-7590935722734795252020-07-12T04:25:00.001-07:002020-07-12T04:25:10.489-07:00Vava 4K laser projector<article>
<h2 id="one-minute-review-5">One minute review</h2>
<p>The Vava 4K projector has a lot going for it, which is all the more surprising for its humble beginnings, having been crowdfunded during development. It's now proving to be one of the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/home-cinema/projectors/tr-top-10-best-home-cinema-projectors-1291490">best projectors</a> on the market today.</p>
<p>As an ultra-short throw laser projector, you’re getting a massive picture (up to 150 inches) while only having to place it a few inches away from a wall or screen. As a 4K <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/television/hdr-welcome-to-the-next-big-shift-in-home-entertainment-1280990">HDR</a> projector, too, you’re getting highly detailed images and a rich color spectrum – beautifully powered by a 2,500 lumens peak brightness lens, ensuring pixels pop and shine with color. (You are settling for 8-bit HDR, rather than 10-bit, though.)</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/television/6-best-smart-tv-platforms-in-the-world-today-1120795">smart platform</a> is somewhat secondary here, with an old iteration of Android TV and a couple of big-name apps (Netflix, Hulu) nowhere to be seen. But with Vava’s mix of bright 4K images, impactful color, and ultra short-throw picture – all packaged in a gorgeously sleek design – it's a brilliant choice for a new home projector. And it won’t cost you the earth, either.</p>
<h2 id="price-and-availability-5">Price and availability</h2>
<p>This Vava UST projector retails at $2,799 in the US, though the Vava website is currently running a $100 discount promotion with the code ‘JULY100’. It does ship to the UK, though you may need to supplement its smart OS with a localized streaming stick, given its US-centric operating system.</p>
<p>It’s a good sight cheaper than our best projector pick, the $6,000 <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/lg-hu85la-cinebeam-projector">LG HU85LA CineBeam</a>, though a touch more expensive than its runner up, the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/lg-cinebeam-hu80ksw-4k-projector">HU80KSW</a>. You’re probably paying a similar amount, or not too much less, for an equivalently performing television with 60W audio – and all in all you’re getting a level of performance worth the asking price.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="3TVMhhqcfuPFzBeobMe68W" name="side vents.jpg" alt="" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/3TVMhhqcfuPFzBeobMe68W.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="5184" height="2916" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: TechRadar)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="design-and-features-5">Design and features</h2>
<ul>
<li>Very stylish</li>
<li>Soft fabric mesh</li>
<li>Poor app layout</li>
</ul>
<p>The Vava 4K projector certainly has a winning appearance. With soft edges, an inoffensive white/gray coloring, and a soft fabric mesh covering the front and sides, it’s one projector that should fit in easily with the decor. (Dimensions are 533 x 368 x 107mm, if you need to measure it up with your counter, too.)</p>
<p>Most of the blemishes on the casing – say, for the vents at the projector’s sides – are out of view and kept away from the front of the model. As with most projectors, ports are hidden at the back, facing the wall, which is great for a clean appearance, though any jutting cables or streaming sticks can prevent the projector getting more than around 5 inches from the wall, though you shouldn’t need to get any closer.</p>
<p>Vava tells us a distance of 7.2 inches results in a 100-inch image, with a total range of 80-150 inches, depending how close you place the projector to the wall. It should go without saying that, if you don’t have an 80-inch patch of wall to spare in your home, this projector isn’t right for you.</p>
<p>A motion detection system also ensures that, if you peer over the top of the projector (as we did during testing), the picture will cut out and be replaced by a warning sign, asking you not to look directly into the lens (you know, like you’re not meant to stare right at the sun?).</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="9WDFnEHgYux45h5uJx623X" name="rear.jpg" alt="" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9WDFnEHgYux45h5uJx623X.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="5184" height="2916" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: TechRadar)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The ports at the rear include three HDMI 2.0 ports, with one support <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/hdmi-arc-vs-earc">eARC</a> for connecting an external soundbar (if you wish to). There are also audio input and output ports, for connecting to a wider audio setup or using the Vava projector as a speaker from another device source. There’s an Ethernet port, too, for connecting to the internet, S/PDIF, and a single USB port.</p>
<p>The remote is also sleek, with an identical two-tone color scheme and a minimal button layout, including volume, home, back, menu, power, mute, and navigation buttons. The Vava logo is inscribed at the bottom end of the remote, and identical upside down, which is a pleasing touch. It requires two AAA batteries (included, as is a cleaning cloth for the projector lens).</p>
<p>You’ll find a relatively basic Android 7.1 operating system, despite there being an Android 10 OS for <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/television/6-best-smart-tv-platforms-in-the-world-today-1120795">smart TVs</a> these days. It’s mostly simple to use, though, with a home menu that lists HDMI inputs (very handy) as well as the App Store, File Manager, and Multi-Screen (for casting). There is a huge amount of app support, including (but not limited to) <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/disney-plus-movies-shows-free-trial-hamilton-and-more-explained">Disney Plus</a>, Now TV, YouTube TV, JustWatch, Syfy, Amazon Prime Video, AMC, Showtime, BBC News, ESPN, iflix, Deezer, DC Universe, HBO Go, HBO Now, and HBO Max.</p>
<p>The main issue here is that more commonly used apps aren’t listed first, making it difficult to comb through the hundreds of options to find what you’re after. You can organize via name, date added, star rating, or number of downloads, but a little more curation would have been helpful here. Note that you won’t find Netflix or Hulu on here either, though.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="qmuNE8LfNXYqcJoVwJVvRW" name="vava os.jpg" alt="" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qmuNE8LfNXYqcJoVwJVvRW.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="5184" height="2916" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: TechRadar)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="picture-quality-5">Picture quality</h2>
<ul>
<li>4K projection</li>
<li>2.500 lumens brightness</li>
<li>Limited HDR</li>
</ul>
<p>The Vava 4K projector boasts a peak brightness of 2,500 lumens, which is what we’d expect for this price point (the ‘peak’ being the brightest that individual sections of the projection can go). </p>
<p>While some truly high-end models, like the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/epson-ls100-ultra-short-throw-laser-projector">Epson LS100</a>, offer up to 4,000 nits, the Vava projector is certainly capable of bright and vivid images. (The specs for the projector cite 6,000 lumens for the light source, but what’s important is the brightness of the image on the wall or screen itself.)</p>
<p>As ever with a projector of this brightness, it can struggle to show shadow detail when playing in light environments – especially in summer, and in rooms with a lot of outside light leakage. When viewing dark scenes, a dark environment is pretty necessary, but mostly the Vava projector manages admirably to offer an impactful picture.</p>
<p>HD images look rich and detailed, even on the larger end of the Vava projector’s 80-150-inch picture. Upscaling an HD/SDR stream of Black Panther feels seamless, with smooth motion on both opening shots on a basketball court and an aerial assault on a convoy of trucks. Colors are distinct, and clearly benefit from the brightness of the projection, too, especially with the purple and blue skies of the ‘spirit plane’.</p>
<p>To test out 4K/HDR we turned to The Shape of Water on <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/video/the-best-4k-blu-ray-players-you-can-buy-right-now-1321481">4K Blu-ray</a>, and found the level of detail still up to scratch, befitting the Ultra HD resolution of the source. For a movie so subsumed in deep, verdant greens, these colors didn’t come across quite as forcefully as those closer to blue, which appear to be more prominent.</p>
<p>You won’t find a proper wide color gamut here – just Rec.709, which means you only get 8-bit color depth, rather than the 10-bit color depth that HDR10 is capable of. The colors are still noticeably improved over SDR, but it’s disappointing to see HDR hardware restricted on this basic metric.</p>
<p>We recommend setting Brightness to High rather than Standard to up the impact of color, though you will make the fans work a bit harder in the process.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="L4RpDsJM5Z369neSEBmkqU" name="Frozen II.jpg" alt="Frozen II" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/L4RpDsJM5Z369neSEBmkqU.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="5184" height="2916" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">Frozen II</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: TechRadar)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="audio-performance-5">Audio performance</h2>
<ul>
<li>60W speakers from Harman Kardon</li>
<li>Detailed sound</li>
<li>No Dolby Atmos</li>
</ul>
<p>The Vava projector doesn’t slump in the sound department, either. With an integrated 60W soundbar, courtesy of audio specialists Harman Kardon, you’re getting some decent heft and detail for a projector. </p>
<p>The soundbar consists of only two 30W drivers, so you’re not getting a hugely varied separation of channels, but the sound is still rich and detailed. In the opening scenes of The Incredibles, the lively score rushes to the forefront, and then subtly rumbles underneath the action as the blare of police sirens and revving engines emerge. The smashed glass of a window, the distant tick of an explosive off camera; all these minute details come across clearly. Not with the depth of a proper 5.1 speaker setup, but certainly with adequate impact for a movie night in. An additional subwoofer might be a good investment, though, to get more of lower frequencies across.</p>
<p>You won’t get <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/audio/dolby-atmos-a-step-by-step-guide-to-the-premature-speaker-tech-1305066">Dolby Atmos</a> here, but it does support Dolby Audio and dts-HD formats, which are a start.</p>
<p>There’s also Bluetooth connectivity, meaning you can use these 60W speakers to play music from other source devices like a smartphone. Keep in mind that a regular <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/audio/portable-audio/10-best-portable-speakers-1069079">Bluetooth speaker</a> won’t have to compete with the noise of a projector fan, though.</p>
<h2 id="should-i-buy-the-vava-4k-projector-5">Should I buy the Vava 4K projector?</h2>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="vMReHX24VJLif9nSgvbNMV" name="lens.jpg" alt="" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vMReHX24VJLif9nSgvbNMV.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="5184" height="2916" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: TechRadar)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="buy-it-if-5">Buy it if...</h2>
<div class="product">
<p><strong>You want a massive projection.</strong> With a maximum image size of 150 inches, your films and sports matches can truly go super-size, all while retaining a quality picture.</p>
</div>
<div class="product">
<p><strong>You want quality audio thrown in.</strong> The Vava 4K projector comes with 60W audio from Harman Kardon, ensuring you’re not skimping on sound to get a large picture.</p>
</div>
<div class="product">
<p><strong>You don’t want a TV taking up space.</strong> The Vava projector isn’t overly small, but its demure design means it won’t dominate the living room, and it certainly doesn’t take up as much wall space as a television when not in use.</p>
</div>
<h2 id="don-apos-t-buy-it-if-5">Don't buy it if...</h2>
<div class="product">
<p><strong>You have a lot of light leakage.</strong> If your living room struggles to keep out light sources, you may struggle to see a huge amount of detail in the picture – even if this Vava 4K projector does better than most on that front.</p>
</div>
<div class="product">
<p><strong>You’re on a tight budget.</strong> The Vava projector’s $2,799 retail price will seem pretty steep to some, and you’ll be able to get a decently specced television for about half the price – even if that means missing out on the projection size, high brightness, and 60W soundbar included here.</p>
</div>
<div class="product">
<p><strong>You’re a keen gamer.</strong> Projectors famously struggle with input lag, and you won’t have a competitive advantage here. (We're told by Vava that input lag is between 70-120ms.)</p>
</div>
</article>
<br />
<br />
from TechRadar: Technology reviews https://ift.tt/3iXMtGP<br />
rachid120hhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05499302888064463044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961169839206309990.post-82283704137777044432020-07-10T16:25:00.001-07:002020-07-10T16:25:22.555-07:00Apple MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2019) review<article>
<aside class="hawk-widget" data-model-name="Apple MacBook Pro 15" data-widget-type="review"></aside>
<p>The MacBook Pro 15-inch 2019 received the incremental changes in internals as well as some new features that cements its status as an excellent professional laptop. And, in a time when all these impressive Windows laptops have raised the stakes in the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/what-is-an-ultrabook"><u>Ultrabook</u></a> category, it’s certainly given Windows users more than enough reasons to switch to macOS and Apple the win it needed</p>
<p>Perhaps because Apple was saving its major updates for the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/macbook-pro-16-inch-2019-review"><u>MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2019)</u></a>, which came out shortly after, the MacBook Pro 15-inch 2019 has none of that massive redesign we’ve been waiting for. That makes it feel somewhat like an iteration of its predecessor. Still, it does come with more powerful specs and a much improved keyboard, which are both welcome updates for MacBook Pro owners with a 2017 or older <a href="https://techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/macbook-1287806/review"><u>MacBook</u></a>.</p>
<p>In other words, there’s not a lot of updates here to make it worth the upgrade for newer MacBook Pro owners, even if it is a bit cheaper. If you’re one of them, you might be better off with the 16-inch model. Otherwise, MacBook Pro 15-inch 2019 is just the update you’ve been waiting for, especially if you want to stick to that 15-inch form factor.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="yPGGpP6NXJ9MCpBsDzwXJb" name="" alt="MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2019)" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yPGGpP6NXJ9MCpBsDzwXJb.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="1920" height="1080" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">The MacBook Pro (2019) is a laptop aimed at professionals</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<div class="fancy-box">
<h5>Spec sheet</h5>
<div class="fancy_box_body">
<p>Here is the 15-inch MacBook Pro (2019) configuration sent to TechRadar for review:</p>
<p><strong>CPU:</strong> 2.4GHz Intel Core i9 processor (octa-core, up to 5.0GHz)<br />
<strong>Graphics:</strong> AMD Radeon Pro Vega 20<br />
<strong>RAM:</strong> 32GB (2,400MHz DDR4)<br />
<strong>Screen:</strong> 15.4-inch, 2,880 x 1,800 Retina display (backlit LED, IPS, 500 nits brightness, wide color P3 gamut)<br />
<strong>Storage:</strong> 4TB SSD<br />
<strong>Ports:</strong> 4x Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C), 3.5mm headphone jack<br />
<strong>Connectivity:</strong> 802.11ac Wi-F, Bluetooth 5.0<br />
<strong>Camera:</strong> 720p FaceTime HD webcam<br />
<strong>Weight:</strong> 4.02 pounds (1.83kg)<br />
<strong>Size:</strong> 13.75 x 9.48 x 0.61 inches (34.93 x 24.07 x 1.55cm; W x D x H)</p>
</div>
</div>
<h2 id="price-and-availability-5">Price and availability</h2>
<p>The MacBook Pro 15-inch (2019) is available in two main configurations (which you can further customize to better suit your needs and budget). First, there’s an option with a 2.6GHz 6-core 9th generation Intel Core i7 processor, Radeon Pro 555X with 4GB of GDDR5 memory, 16GB 2400MHz DDR4 RAM and 256GB SSD storage for $2,399 (£2,399, AU$3,499/AED9,999).</p>
<p>Then, there’s a model equipped with a 2.3GHz 8-core 9th generation Intel Core i9 processor, Radeon Pro 560X with 4GB of GDDR5 memory, 16GB DDR4 memory and 512GB SSD storage for $2,799 (£2,799, AU$4,099/AED11,679/R44,999).</p>
<p>In the US and Australia, this price compares favorably with last year’s base model, which sold for $2,399 (£2,349, AU$3,499) and came with a 2.2GHz, 6-core 8th generation Intel Core i7 CPU, Radeon Pro 555X GPU, 16GB of DDR4 memory and a 256GB SSD. That’s basically the same spec, aside from the updated processor and GPU.</p>
<p>While the US and Australia essentially get an upgrade for free, UK readers will have noticed a price increase. This is due to Apple bringing UK prices into line with US dollars, so for Apple, £1 = $1. Now, for anyone with even a passing familiarity of exchange rates, you’ll know that this is a fairly raw deal for the UK. However, keep in mind that the US price doesn’t include tax, whereas the UK price does.</p>
<p>As we stated earlier, all the MacBook 2019 models can be configured to add more powerful components if you want – and can afford – them.</p>
<p>In fact, the model Apple sent us to review is something you’d have to configure yourself. It’s the highest-end model, so it comes equipped with an 8th generation Intel Core i9 processor with 8 cores and a 2.4GHz clock speed (5.0Ghz boost), 32GB RAM, AMD Radeon Pro Vega 20 with 4GB of HBM2 memory and 4TB of SSD storage for $5,149 (£4,914, AU$7,859, AED21,549).</p>
<p>This means if you want to buy the model we’ve tested here, then you’re going to need to spend a lot of money. Still, at least there are lower-priced options, and the base MacBook Pro 15-inch (2019) compares favorably with the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/razer-blade-pro-17"><u>Razer Blade Pro 17 (2019)</u></a>, one of the latest Windows laptops trying to win professionals away from Apple. That sets you back $2,499.99 (£2,399.99, AU$4,299) for the base model with a 6-core 9th generation Intel processor and Nvidia GeForce RTX 2060 graphics card.</p>
<p>Comparing the two, we’d give the edge to the MacBook Pro 15-inch (2019) as a pure productivity device, taking into consideration the specs, build quality and (slightly) lower price.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="gUSEw5ou2B4BSVAvpqsyfa" name="" alt="MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2019)" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gUSEw5ou2B4BSVAvpqsyfa.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="1920" height="1080" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">Looks familiar? That's because it has the same design as last year's model</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="design-5">Design</h2>
<p>If you’ve ever seen or used a MacBook Pro, then you already know what the MacBook Pro 15-inch (2019) looks like. The last time the series got a considerable design change was back in 2016 with the addition of the Touch Bar, and the 2019 model looks – at least on the outside – pretty much the same as the previous models.</p>
<p>This is great news for anyone who believes that the MacBook Pro aesthetic is pretty much on point. On the other hand, it will disappoint anyone who is looking for a fresh new look.</p>
<p>So, the MacBook Pro 15-inch (2019)’s dimensions are 13.7 x 9.48 x 0.61-inches (34.92 x 24.07 x 1.55), basically the same as last year’s model, and is slightly smaller than MacBook Pros launched before 2016’s refresh. The new MacBook Pro 15 also weighs 4.02 pounds (1.83kg) – which, again, is exactly the same as last year’s model.</p>
<p>Color-wise, you’re again restricted to the choice of merely two – Space Gray and Silver. Port-wise, you’ll have four Thunderbolt 3/USB-C ports (two on each side of the laptop) as well as an audio jack port – a rarity on an Apple device these days.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="cNGEQdsHsJngaXqh33zAza" name="" alt="MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2019)" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cNGEQdsHsJngaXqh33zAza.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="1920" height="1080" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">Ports are limited to four Thunderbolt 3 ports and a headphone jack</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>While some people will appreciate the minimalism of only having four Thunderbolt ports – which are fast and versatile (as they are compatible with many connection types and can also double as charging ports) – for many other people, the lack of variety in ports is an irritation, especially on a product that’s meant at professionals.</p>
<p>Anyone who relies on older peripherals like mice, keyboards or external hard drives will need to invest in an adapter. This can lead to a cluttered look, and it’s an additional cost – as Apple doesn’t include an adapter. That’s somewhat disappointing, especially when you’re already spending so much money on a laptop, and many of its competitors now include an adapter – take Acer’s new <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/acer-swift-7-1327419/review"><u>Swift 7</u></a>, for example.</p>
<p>Now, one of the explanations for the lack of ports is so that Apple can keep the thin design of the MacBook 2019 line. We’d counter that first of all, if you’re looking for a productivity machine, you want something that lets you work with the tools you depend on with minimum fuss. That’s more important than having an outrageously thin laptop.</p>
<p>Secondly, the Razer Blade Pro 17 (2019) showcases how to have a slim laptop (its dimensions are 15.55 x 10.24 x 0.78-inches, which isn’t a lot larger than the MacBook Pro, especially considering it has a 17-inch display) and still have all the essential ports. It has an Ethernet, two USB 3.2, two USB-C 3.2, a 3.5mm audio jack, HDMI 2.0B and an SD card reader. That’s the kind of port selection that many people – particularly photographers – would find extremely useful and convenient.</p>
<p>It’s also worth keeping in mind that whenever you’re charging the MacBook Pro or any MacBook 2019, one of those valuable Thunderbolt ports is unavailable, basically cutting the number of ports down to three.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="a3ifFxrZFbL2TYNGVwXVAb" name="" alt="MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2019)" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/a3ifFxrZFbL2TYNGVwXVAb.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="1920" height="1080" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">The screen remains bright and vibrant</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>As with previous MacBook Pros (and other Apple devices), there is also no way to open up the MacBook Pro 15-inch (2019) and fix or upgrade its parts without voiding the warranty. While many people are ok with that, it does mean that you’re at the mercy of Apple (and Apple approved vendors) if something goes wrong. And, you can forget about adding more RAM or a bigger hard drive to extend the life of your expensive purchase.</p>
<p>Going back to the Razer Blade Pro 17 (2019) for a moment, that machine allows for comparatively effortless upgrading of RAM and storage, with an additional storage slot for another SSD if you need it. While many people may not make use of this, it still makes it a more tempting prospect for professionals who want to get the most future-proof laptop they can.</p>
<p>The 15.4-inch screen is inherited from last year’s – which is not a bad thing as the Retina display remains stunning-looking with a 2,880 x 1,800 resolution. There’s also support for the DCI-P3 color space, which is critical for video editors. The True Tone feature, which makes colors on the screen look more vibrant and realistic (although, it’s at the expense of accuracy) is also included – and this can be switched on or off depending on your preferences (and needs).</p>
<p>Generally, however, the design of the line of MacBook 2019 model refreshes offer nothing new. If you love the look of the MacBook, this will be music to your ears.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="ESe3GHNDSMxdzGqfVeNHcc" name="" alt="MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2019)" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ESe3GHNDSMxdzGqfVeNHcc.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="1920" height="1080" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">The Touch Bar is back again with the 2019 model</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="keyboard-5">Keyboard</h2>
<p>Since the introduction of the 2016 MacBook Pros, which brought the ‘butterfly’ switch mechanism to the laptops’ keyboards, there have been quite a few complaints about <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/macbook-pro-keyboards-with-butterfly-switch-appear-to-fail-more-than-older-models"><u>the keyboards malfunctioning</u></a>, particularly if debris (like crumbs or dust) end up between the keys.</p>
<p>Last year, in an attempt to fix the issue, Apple installed a silicone membrane to block debris from causing havoc. However, it didn’t really work. News that some keyboards were flawed justifiably bothered anyone investing a considerable sum in Apple’s newest laptops.</p>
<p>On the upside, the MacBook 2019 models of the Pro have once again received improvements. While the keyboard still uses the butterfly switches, Apple said that it has switched the materials used with the mechanism to lessen the probability of the keys getting stuck or becoming unresponsive when pressed, the two main problems previous keyboards had.</p>
<p>Apple hasn’t been too transparent on the particular details of the changes it has made to the keyboard. During our tests, we didn’t experience any issues. However, we didn’t with previous models either.</p>
<p>While the change is welcome, it’s still too bad that Apple hasn’t radically altered the design of the keyboard to guarantee that those issues never occur again. The fact that it includes the new MacBook 2019 models, the Pro included, in its <a href="https://support.apple.com/keyboard-service-program-for-mac-notebooks"><u>Keyboard Service Program</u></a>, which will replace a faulty keyboard free of charge, sort of implies that Apple hasn’t completely fixed the issue. Hopefully, any issues with the MacBook Pro 15-inch (2019)’s keyboards will prove infrequent.</p>
<p>The keyboard itself doesn’t feel significantly different to use – perhaps somewhat softer to type on than non-membrane keyboards, but it’s mostly business as usual. So, nice large keys that are easy to hit and comfortable to type on.</p>
<p>They’re also backlit for using in dimly-lit environments, and there’s the Touch Bar, a thin glass touchscreen that stretches along the top of the keyboard, displaying context-sensitive buttons on its 2,170 x 60 resolution screen. These buttons change depending on the application or task that you’re performing, created to give you fast shortcuts for a more seamless workflow.</p>
<p>You’ve possibly made up your mind about how valuable (or not) the Touch Bar is if you’ve used earlier MacBook Pros. We quite like it, and since its unveiling in the 2016 model, more apps are taking advantage.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="vKYSxE5ATRicTjad57xnQc" name="" alt="MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2019)" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/vKYSxE5ATRicTjad57xnQc.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="1920" height="1080" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">Touch ID lets you log in with your fingerprint</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Next to the Touch Bar sits a fingerprint scanner for quickly and securely logging in to the computer as well as authorizing payments. It's quick and easy to set up, and accurately reads your fingerprint and logs you in without fuss - something that many fingerprint readers on laptops fail to do.</p>
<p>The touchpad also remains unchanged – large, responsive and does its job well, if you want to skip the use an external mouse.</p>
<p>In all, we cautiously welcome the updates Apple has made to the keyboard – and time will tell if they are enough to thwart any more problems. However, we wish Apple did more to eliminate any such doubts – though that would undoubtedly involve a major overhaul of the keyboard.</p>
<p>Such an overhaul is actually <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/apples-16-inch-macbook-pro-to-end-the-era-of-butterfly-keyboards"><u>rumored for a 16-inch MacBook Pro that could launch later this year</u></a>.</p>
<div class="fancy-box">
<h5>Benchmarks</h5>
<div class="fancy_box_body">
<p>Here’s how the 15-inch MacBook Pro (2019) performed in our suite of benchmark tests:</p>
<p><strong>Cinebench CPU:</strong> 3,142 points <strong>Graphics:</strong> 129.63 fps<br />
<strong>Geekbench 4 Single-Core:</strong> 5,829; <strong>Multi-Core:</strong> 30,478<br />
<strong>Battery Life (TechRadar movie test):</strong> 7 hours and 36 minutes </p>
</div>
</div>
<p>As you’d imagine with a brand-new MacBook Pro with the kind of specs we were sent, the MacBook Pro 15-inch (2019) runs smoothly, with macOS 10.14 feeling fast and responsive when doing daily tasks.</p>
<p>Of course, you’d be doing a laptop of this level a disservice if you only use it for run-of-the-mill stuff like web browsing and writing emails. Even with the more challenging and intensive workloads we’ve tried it with – such as transcoding high definition video files – the MacBook Pro 15-inch (2019) handles them without breaking a sweat.</p>
<p>Just like last year’s model, we noticed that the MacBook Pro 15-inch (2019) does get pretty toasty during particular tasks – and you can feel that heat behind the keys as you type. The MacBook Pro’s fans are also prone to kicking in, and while you can hear them whirring away, they aren’t too disrupting.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="tCQWKepaNgsk6BHyKeDCFc" name="" alt="MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2019)" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tCQWKepaNgsk6BHyKeDCFc.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="1920" height="1080" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">Performance is good, as expected</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>When it comes to the raw stats of our benchmark results, you can tell how much of an upgrade this year’s high-end version is over last year’s.</p>
<p>In the Cinebench CPU benchmark, the MacBook Pro 15-inch (2019) scores 3,142 – a large bump over the 2018’s 1,057. The Geekbench 4 processor benchmark shows another big leap over last year’s model, with a single core score of 5,829 (vs 5,542) and a multi-core score of 30,478 (vs 23,431).</p>
<p>Therefore, in the processor department, the new MacBook Pro 15-inch (2019) is undeniably an upgrade. Graphics also get a boost, with the high-end AMD Radeon Pro Vega 20 with 4GB of HBM2 in the 2019 model scoring 129.63 FPS in the Cinebench benchmark, next to the 102.28 fps that the 2018 model’s AMD Radeon Pro 560X delivered.</p>
<p>But, there are also some things you should keep in mind regarding these benchmark results. First, synthetic benchmark results are a good gauge of the raw power of a device, but they don’t precisely tell the whole story.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="ox3iKACkuk7eANtGC28XTb" name="" alt="MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2019)" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ox3iKACkuk7eANtGC28XTb.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="1920" height="1080" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">If you liked the look of previous MacBook Pros, you'll love the latest version</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Our time with the MacBook Pro 15-inch (2019) left us in no doubt that this is a very powerful laptop, but then so is the 2018 model. Honestly, if you own last year’s model and are happy with its performance, don’t dump it for this model just because of marginally higher numbers.</p>
<p>Another important thing to keep in mind about these benchmark results is that these numbers are for the maxed-out MacBook Pro 15-inch (2019) Apple sent us. Unless you have the money to shell out and require that kind of power, you won’t be using the exact same MacBook 2019 iteration of the Pro as us. If you want these results, then prepare to spend a lot for it.</p>
<h2 id="battery-life-5">Battery life</h2>
<p>With the more powerful internals fitted in this year’s model, the battery life seems to have taken a bit of a hit, with the laptop lasting only 7 hours and 36 minutes during our battery tests that involves looping a 1080p video at 50% brightness and volume.</p>
<p>That’s still about the length of a full workday, and you may manage to squeeze out a bit more juice by toggling some settings and turning off unnecessary features. However, you’ll be wise to carry around the MacBook Pro’s charger just in case you do run out of battery.</p>
<p>If you’re performing more intensive tasks – such video rendering – then you’ll definitely want to plug the laptop in.</p>
<p>Apple claims the MacBook Pro 15-inch (2019) can handle 10 hours of wireless internet browsing, which seems to be its default claim for MacBook Pros these days. While we didn’t see the battery last quite that long during our tests, it still lasts longer than some of its Windows-based rivals, particularly the Razer Blade Pro, which has embarrassingly low battery life – though that’s probably due to its origins as a gaming laptop.</p>
<p>Where the MacBook Pro 15-inch (2019) shines at compared to Windows laptops – as with earlier models – is how long it lasts on standby, with Apple claiming up to 30 days of standby time. This means you can shut the lid of the MacBook Pro 15-inch (2019) without fully turning it back off, and even after a few days, when you open it back up, there will still be battery to work with.</p>
<p>We found this to be the case, although we didn’t get an opportunity to test the full 30-day claim. It’s a commendable feat especially seeing that a Windows laptop, when closed, still drains its battery ridiculously fast.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="PvQNBDwmUDrE8H2qpXCDpa" name="" alt="MacBook Pro (15-inch, 2019)" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PvQNBDwmUDrE8H2qpXCDpa.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="1920" height="1080" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">Want the most powerful MacBook ever? This is the one to get</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="verdict-5">Verdict</h2>
<p>So, is the MacBook Pro 15-inch (2019) worth paying for to upgrade from the 2018 model? Definitely not, but then no one should expect that.</p>
<p>Still, if you do have an aging MacBook Pro – especially one that came before the 2016 refresh – then you should consider upgrading to this year’s model. Admittedly, it’s only a minor upgrade in the grand scheme of things, but it still makes it the most powerful MacBook 2019 has to offer.</p>
<p>The addition of Intel’s latest 8-core processors does make a big difference to the performance of the MacBook Pro 15-inch (2019). If you’re considering buying one, we recommend this option, not only for the boost in performance, but also future-proofing as well, as you won’t feel the need to upgrade for a substantial amount of time.</p>
<p>However, if you already own a more recent MacBook Pro, don’t feel like you’re missing out if you don’t get this version. The spec bumps just aren’t drastic enough to make your current MacBook Pro archaic.</p>
<ul>
<li>Check out our list of the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/best-business-laptops">best laptops for business</a></li>
</ul>
</article>
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from TechRadar: Technology reviews https://ift.tt/2QepmMQ<br />
rachid120hhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05499302888064463044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961169839206309990.post-33382875847835522652020-07-10T11:25:00.001-07:002020-07-10T11:25:04.253-07:00Goose VPN<article>
<p><a href="https://goosevpn.com/prices-packages" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Goose VPN</a> is a Netherlands-based privacy provider with some appealing features and products. </p>
<p>Goose has a compact network of 25 countries. Most are in Europe and North America, but there are also servers in Australia, Hong Kong, India, Japan and Singapore (20 support P2P.)</p>
<p>A wide range of apps cover Windows, Mac, iOS and Android, while a Chrome extension runs everywhere, and there are bonus setup instructions for many other devices and platforms.</p>
<p>Unusually, there's no arbitrary device limit. That puts Goose VPN ahead of big names like <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/expressvpn" target="_blank">ExpressVPN</a> (which limits you to five simultaneous connections) and <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/nordvpn" target="_blank">NordVPN</a> (six), although a few providers, including <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/windscribe" target="_blank">Windscribe</a> and <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/surfshark" target="_blank">Surfshark</a>, also have no limits.</p>
<p>Support is available 24/7/365 via live chat and email. That's not provided by some minimum wage third-party based halfway around the world, either – Goose says it doesn't outsource support, which gets a thumbs-up from us.</p>
<ul>
<li>Want to try Goose VPN? <a href="https://goosevpn.com/prices-packages" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Check out the website here</a></li>
</ul>
<p>A <a href="https://goosevpn.com/prices-packages" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">monthly billed account</a> is priced at $12.99, similar to CyberGhost, ExpressVPN, HideMyAss and VyprVPN.</p>
<p>Paying for <a href="https://goosevpn.com/prices-packages" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">a year upfront</a> cuts the cost to a very reasonable $4.99 and the two-year plan is an effective $2.99 a month. </p>
<p>As we write, the <a href="https://goosevpn.com/prices-packages" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">lifetime plan</a> costs a one-off $139, only marginally cheaper than NordVPN's three-year product ($125.64.)</p>
<p>Although there are some cheaper deals around – Surfshark’s two-year plan is priced at $1.99 a month, for instance – Goose VPN beats most of the competition.</p>
<p>Goose does score in another area, though: the first month comes free, the best trial period we've found. You must hand over your payment details, but you're not billed until the first 30 days are up. If there are problems, just close your account from the website and there's nothing to pay.</p>
<p>Goose also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, but you only qualify for this if you've transferred less than a tiny 100MB of data. As Goose offers a month for free, anyway, we're not going to complain, but it's worth keeping in mind. Do all your testing in the free month, because unless you've not been able to connect at all, you're unlikely to qualify for the money-back guarantee.</p>
<h2 id="privacy-and-logging-5">Privacy and logging</h2>
<p>Goose boasts of its 'no log policy' at the top of the website, but if you've ever gone <a href="https://www.techradar.com/vpn/best-vpn">VPN</a> shopping you'll know every provider does the same, even when it's not entirely true. That's why it's always a good idea to drill down into the small print and discover what's really going on.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://goosevpn.com/privacy-policy" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Privacy Policy</a> explains that Goose doesn't log users' internet activities – "for example, websites visited, DNS-search results, emails sent and received, usernames or entered passwords, etc."</p>
<p>Even better, the policy goes on to cover session data, explaining that the service doesn't store your originating IP address, or any information about the VPN servers you use within a session.</p>
<p>The only data logged is the bandwidth use per account. That's not uncommon, though, and it can't on its own compromise your privacy.</p>
<p>There's more good news when the policy points out that Goose owns and manages its own network, giving it much greater control over how the servers are set up and operated.</p>
<p>While browsing the small print, we noticed an interesting fair use policy. Instead of vague warnings about ‘excessive usage’, Goose spells out the point where customers cross the line: when "a user utilizes more than 1% of the entire Goose network’s bandwidth".</p>
<p>If a single user hogs that much bandwidth then we'd expect there to be problems, but even then, the company is fair, saying only that the user "will be approached by Goose to reduce the use, or to make a higher payment."</p>
<p>Overall, Goose does a good job of describing its procedures, with plenty of detail-- but it's still not quite enough. We'd like to see Goose follow TunnelBear, NordVPN and others in putting its systems through a privacy audit to verify its no-logging credentials.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="8oGvV483cjvyzrouLYhhPH" name="MobileAndDesktopApps.jpg" alt="Apps" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8oGvV483cjvyzrouLYhhPH.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="970" height="545" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">Goose VPN has apps for mobile, desktop and even browser extensions</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Goose VPN)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="apps-5">Apps</h2>
<p>Getting started with Goose VPN is simple. Hand over your email address, enter your payment details (don't worry, you're not billed until the trial month is up) and your account is immediately created. We grabbed the Windows client, downloaded and installed it within a couple of minutes.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="RPndXeog4W76KzwqcKEQ8N" name="WindowsApp.NormalSize.jpg" alt="Windows App" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RPndXeog4W76KzwqcKEQ8N.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="970" height="545" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">This is the user interface of Goose VPN's Windows app</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Goose VPN)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The client opens with a simple window which displays your connection status, default protocol, and the current location shown in text and on a map.</p>
<p>Other locations are displayed in a list, along with icons indicating P2P-friendly or specialist streaming servers. There's no Favorites system so you may have to scroll to find your most commonly used servers.</p>
<p>Choose a connection and you're able to connect and disconnect with a click. Connection times were reasonable during our tests, and native Windows desktop notifications make it completely clear when you're protected, and when you're not.</p>
<p>Switching servers is easy and natural; just choose a new location and the client closes any previous connection, and starts a new one.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="MZEJcsyKJ7PLj4Rjyuw2DS" name="UseWithOpenVPNOrProtocolDiscussion.jpg" alt="OpenVPN" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MZEJcsyKJ7PLj4Rjyuw2DS.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="970" height="545" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">You can select your preferred VPN protocol from Goose VPN's settings</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Goose VPN)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The client window displays the current protocol, which by default is chosen automatically to be the best option for your location and server. This was generally IKEv2 during our review, but a Protocol tab in the Settings dialog allows you to set OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP or even the old and insecure PPTP as your preferred protocol for all situations.</p>
<p>The client does a good job of setting up native Windows connections (PPTP, L2TP, IKEv2); encryption is required, credentials aren't saved unnecessarily, unnecessary networking layers are ditched to reduce any security risks.</p>
<p>Goose VPN's OpenVPN configuration is more mixed. It's good to see the client using solid AES-256-CBC encryption. It's not so good to see connections don't use server certificate authentication, which gives an opportunity for an attacker to intercept traffic by pretending to be a Goose VPN server. It's a theoretical risk and not one you're likely to encounter, but it's also one which doesn't affect most VPNs, and there's no reason you should be exposed to it here.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="FmC3Vn6u4t2nNm4UFXp4bc" name="SettingsIncludeAKillSwitch.jpg" alt="Kill Switch" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FmC3Vn6u4t2nNm4UFXp4bc.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="970" height="545" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">You can also enable a kill switch in the settings menu</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Goose VPN)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The only significant additional feature is a built-in kill switch to automatically block internet access if the VPN drops, reducing the chance of an identity leak. </p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="EpS3nuTc4vi7Wrnw2Ra28J" name="KillSwitchHadSomeProblems.jpg" alt="Kill Switch Error" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/EpS3nuTc4vi7Wrnw2Ra28J.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="970" height="545" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">Unfortunately the kill switch had some problems in our tests</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Goose VPN)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>We found this worked well at blocking internet access when the VPN went down, but there were sometimes consequences later; the client crashed once, then it wouldn't reconnect, and we were left unable to get online. The solution isn't difficult - just restart your PC - and, hopefully, this will happen so rarely that you won't mind. But it's not an issue we see with the best VPNs, and it leaves us wondering what other networking issues the client might have.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="AUCXUUw6fsin7xkzGaKapi" name="AndroidApp.NormalSize.jpg" alt="Android App" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/AUCXUUw6fsin7xkzGaKapi.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="970" height="545" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">Goose VPN's mobile apps are almost identical to their desktop counterparts</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Goose VPN)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Android app has an almost identical interface to its desktop cousin, with the same static map, location list and Connect/Disconnect button. You can connect in two or three taps, and switching servers is just as easy – tap a new location in the list and the app automatically closes the current connection, before initiating a new one.</p>
<p>The only real disappointment here is the Settings dialog. This has no auto-connect options, no choice of protocols, no kill switch, DNS control or anything else you might want from a mobile VPN app. Instead, there's just a single option: to allow you to choose from the full list of servers, or to have the app select the best one automatically. There's nothing wrong with that, but we'd rather Goose VPN had given us some of the more standard options, first.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="Y9bjJ7CVPiuzg9WJC8y9ka" name="Netflix.jpg" alt="Unblocking" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Y9bjJ7CVPiuzg9WJC8y9ka.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="970" height="545" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">GooseVPN was able to give us access to US Netflix but it failed to do so with BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Netflix)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="performance-5">Performance</h2>
<p>Goose VPN boasts that it can help you "access all websites... wherever you are", maybe allowing you to view content you wouldn't usually be able to see.</p>
<p>Our unblocking tests says this isn't true, at least not often. Goose enabled streaming US Netflix content, but it failed with BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="wUi2QxUyoTmkY6jRSmVgfi" name="Performance.jpg" alt="New Speedtest Image" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wUi2QxUyoTmkY6jRSmVgfi.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="970" height="545" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">Goose VPN performed quite well in our speed tests</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Ookla)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Performance was much better, with download speeds of 65-68Mbps on our 75Mbps UK test line, and a capable 40-60Mbps from UK to US connections.</p>
<p>We then re-ran our speed tests from a European data center with a fast 300Mbps connection, giving us a better idea of just how fast the service could go. And the answer was 'very', at an excellent 190-200Mbps.</p>
<p>The successes carried on right to the end of the review, too, with multiple privacy checks finding Goose correctly blocked all DNS and WebRTC leaks.</p>
<h2 id="final-verdict-5">Final verdict</h2>
<p>An unusual VPN, below average in some key areas (features, unblocking), but with enough plus points to make it interesting (free month, no device limits, high peak speeds, can be cheap.) Could be worth a try for less demanding users.</p>
<ul>
<li>We've also highlighted the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/vpn/best-vpn">best VPN</a></li>
</ul>
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</article>
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from TechRadar: Technology reviews https://ift.tt/2ZlmwJP<br />
rachid120hhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05499302888064463044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961169839206309990.post-3041811295735180822020-07-10T09:25:00.003-07:002020-07-10T09:25:21.681-07:00Untied personal tax app<article>
<p><a href="https://www.untied.io" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Untied</a> is a personal tax app that’s been designed to help the self-employed organize their financial affairs and be well prepared come tax-filing time. With simplicity at its core, Untied aims to connect you to your bank accounts, allow you to quickly and efficiently tag income and expenses and, ultimately, let you submit your tax return correctly and on time. </p>
<p>The service is app-based, so it’s got all of the tools for sorting taxes and other financial tasks on the go, rather than needing to sit at a desktop machine or laptop. Convenience and ease of use appear to be the main appeal with the ‘UK’s personal tax app’, as Untied describes itself.</p>
<ul>
<li>Want to try Untied? <a href="https://www.untied.io">Check out the website here</a></li>
</ul>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="ttWkFP9RzXzDJUshs4f4h6" name="pricing.jpg" alt="Untied" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ttWkFP9RzXzDJUshs4f4h6.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="2632" height="1480" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">You can enjoy an edition of Untied for free but Essential is best</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Untied)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="pricing-5">Pricing</h2>
<p>The Untied personal tax app is focused on UK users, so pricing is available in pounds only. There are three different package options on offer, with a free Starter edition that comes with a decent spread of functions. It allows you to connect up to three bank accounts, tag income and expenses and also work with up to two income streams. </p>
<p>These can include self-employment income up to £85k, property income up to £85k, PAYE salary income, dividend income and bank interest too. The real-time tax estimation works on this free version, while it's also possible to export data as a PDF. </p>
<p>Next up, the Essential package is £11.99 per month (free for the first 3), which comes with everything in the Starter bundle. It adds the ability to connect unlimited bank accounts, intelligent tagging, all supported income streams, journey logging, tax optimisation and the freedom to submit your tax return directly to HMRC. There’s priority support too. </p>
<p>A Gig worker edition of Untied is the other option, which is £6 per month (free for the first 3 months) and is aimed at the more occasional freelancer who might not need the more advanced tools and features found in the Essential edition.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="56NGRvxiq2pLQpSsTX4RnT" name="onscreen.jpg" alt="Untied" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/56NGRvxiq2pLQpSsTX4RnT.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="1174" height="661" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">The Untied works out ongoing tax calculations on the fly </span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Untied)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="features-5">Features</h2>
<p>With simplicity at its root, Untied comes with plenty of features aimed at reducing the time you take to stay on top of your finances. It’s possible to add as many bank accounts as you like, tag income and expenses as well as log mileages for work-related travel. The app works dynamically, so you can get real-time updates on how your finances are faring. At the end of the tax year you can subsequently use the data that’s been accumulated by Untied to file a return to HMRC.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="qVewaU8mSk9JUVa8EKoY8K" name="app.jpg" alt="Untied" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qVewaU8mSk9JUVa8EKoY8K.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="1806" height="1016" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">The Untied app has been nicely designed for both iOS and Andro</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Untied)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="ease-of-use-5">Ease of use</h2>
<p>It’s all about the app when it comes to using Untied and the designers have done a great job with it. The interface is simple to navigate, everything is logically laid out and there don't appear to be any major sticking points. You can get the app for iOS and Android. </p>
<p>The full app offers the ability to link to bank accounts, logs mileage dynamically and comes with several other features that require very little in the way of input to work. If you’ve got little inclination to explore those features, or a light workload, you can opt for the Untied package, which is aimed at gig-type freelancers. However, what is hugely beneficial is that you can submit a tax return to HMRC from either one.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="ArrKuvEtDBGopWJb5Rz4oa" name="support.jpg" alt="Untied" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ArrKuvEtDBGopWJb5Rz4oa.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="2638" height="1484" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">The Untied website has a solid knowledge base for any queries</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Untied)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="support-5">Support</h2>
<p>If you’ve signed up for the Essential package then Untied comes with priority support. Outside of that there’s a very good and easily searchable knowledge base that will take you through the many features found inside Untied. There’s also a contact form that lets you to send them an email and include any attachments if necessary. </p>
<p>Untied also features a chat-bot style helper, which can be used to find answers to queries, or you can ask your own question if it isn’t covered by the database. Meanwhile, the Untied blog proves useful for getting a little more background on the app and how it works for users.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="EdXXWZU4iz8KwTzwPggtAX" name="howitworks.jpg" alt="Untied" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/EdXXWZU4iz8KwTzwPggtAX.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="2209" height="1243" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">Untied is wonderfully simple if you like to use apps for the bulk of your chores</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Untied)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="final-verdict-5">Final verdict</h2>
<p><a href="https://www.untied.io" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Untied</a> is a fine proposition for anyone in the UK who carries out freelance work for a living and needs to submit a tax return to HMRC at the end of the financial year. The way the app works dynamically on your mobile device ensures that you always get an up to date picture of your incomings and expenses, while the resulting calculation prior to filing time cuts down on bookkeeping faff. </p>
<p>The app has been well designed and the price point is affordable. That said; the free option is one to think about if you’ve got very straightforward or basic accounting needs. For a little bit of outlay though you’re better off going for the paid-for edition and enjoying all of those beneficial features, including the ability to link and sync with your bank accounts.</p>
<ul>
<li>We've also highlighted the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/best-tax-software"><u>best tax software</u></a> </li>
</ul>
</article>
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from TechRadar: Technology reviews https://ift.tt/2W6qzaI<br />
rachid120hhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05499302888064463044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961169839206309990.post-41283680658657587862020-07-10T09:25:00.001-07:002020-07-10T09:25:20.956-07:00Xiaomi Black Shark 3 review<article>
<h2 id="two-minute-review-5">Two-minute review</h2>
<p>Let’s use the Black Shark 3 to play ‘Xiaomi bingo’, seeing which of the common attributes of the Chinese phone brand are on offer with this handset from its gaming-focused sub-brand.</p>
<p>Fairly top-end specs? Check. A price tag that’s lower than other devices with similar specs? Check. Surprisingly good camera? Check. An operating system full of bloatware with a few big issues? Nope – and that’s one feature we’re happy to find is missing.</p>
<p>Black Shark has previously downplayed its relationship to Xiaomi, but that seems more a PR stance than a reflection of any divide between the companies. The Black Shark 3 is a Xiaomi phone in the best way possible, and there’s a lot to like about it – if you’re an avid mobile gamer, that is.</p>
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<h5>Jump to…</h5>
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<p><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bkccTuR9JVfkPHFfyGxCRo.jpg" class="pinterest-pin-exclude" /></p>
<div class="credit">(Image credit: Future)</div>
<p><a href="#xiaomi-black-shark-3-price-and-availability"><strong>Price and availability</strong></a><strong><br /></strong> <a href="#design"><strong>Design</strong></a><strong><br /></strong> <a href="#display"><strong>Display</strong></a><strong><br /></strong> <a href="#cameras"><strong>Cameras</strong></a><strong><br /></strong> <a href="#performance"><strong>Performance</strong></a><strong><br /></strong> <a href="#software"><strong>Software</strong></a><strong><br /></strong> <a href="#shark-space-gaming-mode"><strong>Shark Space</strong></a><strong><br /></strong> <a href="#battery-life"><strong>Battery</strong></a><strong><br /></strong> <a href="#should-i-buy-the-black-shark-3"><strong>Should I buy it?</strong></a></p>
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</div>
<p>The Black Shark 3 is a great phone for the mobile gamer: between its top-end processor, oodles of RAM, large screen, and game launcher app that uses optimizations to maximize performance, people who find themselves spending most their phone time playing Fortnite, Call of Duty Mobile and other such titles will be more than happy with what they’re getting here.</p>
<p>The Black Shark 3 arguably leans a little too hard into the ‘gamer’ aesthetic though, just like the Black Shark 2. It comes in black or chrome colors, its rear is shaped like a large ‘X’ adorned with LED accents, and when you activate the dedicated Shark Space mode for optimized gaming performance a massive shark appears on your screen – so if you’re not a serious mobile gamer, or you are but you just don’t want to advertise the fact to the world, you might not like this phone.</p>
<p>We were also impressed by the Black Shark 3’s camera capabilities – we picked up the phone expecting it to be good for gaming, but we were blown away by how it was also good for photography.</p>
<p>It can’t compete with the best camera phones out there, but it doesn’t fall far short, thanks to vibrant pictures, snappy autofocus, accurate background blur effects for portraits and smart optimizations; it’s just a shame that there’s no telephoto lens or dedicated macro mode.</p>
<p>While the Xiaomi Black Shark 3 is definitely worth checking out, we’d be remiss if we didn’t mention its contemporary, the Nubia Red Magic 5G. That gaming phone has very similar specs but it’s different in two key ways: it has a 144Hz max screen refresh rate, much better for gaming than the Black Shark’s maximum of 90Hz, and in most regions it’s also a bit cheaper.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="TjtPfFNdMGHLKeNgg5SjFZ" name="Black-Shark-3-standing-rear.jpg" alt="Xiaomi Black Shark 3" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/TjtPfFNdMGHLKeNgg5SjFZ.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="3706" height="2085" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">Xiaomi Black Shark 3</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Still, the Black Shark 3 has a lot to recommend it, especially to avid photographers and fans of the Shark Space gaming mode, so if you’re in the market for a great gaming phone, read on.</p>
<p>There’s also a Black Shark 3 Pro coming which has a bigger screen, faster charging and physical trigger buttons on the side, which will be an even better phone for gaming, but it won’t be light on your wallet.</p>
<h2 id="xiaomi-black-shark-3-price-and-availability-5">Xiaomi Black Shark 3 price and availability</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>Price starts at $599 / £539</strong></li>
<li><strong>Available from mid-2020</strong></li>
<li><strong>Black Shark 3 Pro coming</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>There are two Black Shark 3 release dates as the two models, differentiated by RAM and storage space, were released at different times in June 2020, with the Black Shark 3 Pro available later in the year.</p>
<p>If you want the Black Shark 3 with 8GB RAM and 128GB storage, which we tested, you’ll be paying $599 / £539 (around AU$950, although based on precedent we don’t expect it to launch in Australia). The 12GB RAM and 256GB version of the phone costs $729 / £649 (roughly AU$1,150).</p>
<p>The phone comes in black or gray variants, but the gray one isn’t available in the 12GB/256GB combo, so if you want this specced-up version you’ll have to buy a black phone.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="YA59Cq3w5FFC2CNBkcBT2Z" name="Black-Shark-3-standing-apps.jpg" alt="Xiaomi Black Shark 3" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/YA59Cq3w5FFC2CNBkcBT2Z.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="4348" height="2446" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">Xiaomi Black Shark 3</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>For context the Nubia Red Magic cost $579 / £539 (around AU$910), so in the US it’s cheaper than the Black Shark 3 and it’s on a par in most other countries. We’re also expecting that two other gaming-focused phones – the Asus ROG Phone 3 and Lenovo Legion – will cost a similar amount when they’re released, although at time of writing those phones haven’t been officially announced.</p>
<p>There are a range of optional-extra peripherals you can buy to add to your Black Shark 3: the FunCooler and FunCooler Pro are devices you attach to your device to keep it cool while you’re gaming, and there’s also a magnetic charging cable that lets you power up your phone without using the USB-C port (more on this later), a left-hand-side gamepad for the device (but not a right one, curiously), plus various cases, headphones, and more.</p>
<p>Each of these will set you back a bit, although no more than non-Black Shark equivalents.</p>
<h2 id="design-5">Design</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>Pretty big device</strong></li>
<li><strong>Big X on back, and LEDs too</strong></li>
<li><strong>Dedicated Shark Space toggle</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>The Black Shark 3 is a chunky phone, so avoid it if you’re looking for something compact that you can easily carry around in a pocket.</p>
<p>It measures 168.7 x 77.3 x 10.4mm, so it’s one of the thickest phones around, as well as tallest, if only by a couple of millimeters. At 222g it’s one of the heaviest handsets too. Still, it doesn’t compare to the even bigger Pro model, so this isn’t the biggest phablet you can buy.</p>
<p>Needless to say, a phone this big can be a little hard to carry about – it was a noticeable presence in trouser pockets, and when we put it in shallower shorts pockets it was constantly poking out the top, so this is a phone you may want to keep in your jacket or bag. The phone is also a little hard to hold one-handed, unless you’ve got big hands, with the power button out of easy reach for example.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="6V7LzrzGjAFFJqhwZZaE4D" name="Black-Shark-3-5.jpg" alt="Xiaomi Black Shark 3" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6V7LzrzGjAFFJqhwZZaE4D.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="2299" height="1293" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">Xiaomi Black Shark 3</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>On the left edge of the phone is the volume rocker; on the right side, at the very top – and way out of reach without a fair bit of hand-shuffling – is the power button, and at the very bottom is the toggle to enter Shark Space, which we’ll look at in detail in the Software section of this review. On the bottom is the USB-C port, and on the top is a 3.5mm headphone jack.</p>
<p>There’s an in-screen fingerprint scanner here too, and (unlike the power button) this feels like it should be pretty easy to reach for most people.</p>
<p>We had an odd problem with the headphone jack – when we put the phone into pockets (top-first, as we feel is the normal fashion) the port would frequently pick up bits of fluff and scraps of tissue, and on several occasions we had to use the SIM tray tool to dig this out.</p>
<p>We’ve never had to do this with a phone before, and we’d guess it had something to do with the placement of the jack combined with the size of the phone (and perhaps the state of our trouser pockets).</p>
<p>The edges of the phone aren’t rounded, like on most phones, but are angular, meeting at a ridge that runs around the middle of the handset. It’s not necessarily uncomfortable to hold, but a device with rounded edges might feel better in the hand to many people.</p>
<p>As mentioned, the rear of the phone has the distinctive ‘X’ shape, which is an evolution on the design we’ve seen on the back of previous Black Shark phones. A triangular camera bump protrudes slightly from the upper part of this design, housing the three lenses and flash in a rather subtle way, while a mirror-image bump at the bottom of the phone houses a magnetic pin for a charging peripheral you can buy separately (more on that in the Charging section).</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="HWnz36HuYceqGJxeEVshx5" name="Black-Shark-3-lying-rear.jpg" alt="Xiaomi Black Shark 3" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/HWnz36HuYceqGJxeEVshx5.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="5208" height="2930" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">Xiaomi Black Shark 3</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Black Shark 3’s rear also sports three LEDs - two small ones at the foot of the camera bump and the top of the lower bump, and a larger one housed in the Black Shark logo. You can assign different functions to these – for example, they can light up red when the phone is charging, or flash green and blue when you’re gaming. We’re big fans of the fact that when you’re listening to music the LEDs flicker with cyan and violet patterns, making it look like they’re ‘dancing’ to your tunes.</p>
<p>The design on the back may scream ‘gamer’ rather loudly, but we’d argue that it isn’t obnoxious, as is the case with the aforementioned Nubia Red Magic 5G or the Asus ROG phones, and the black version we tested looks pretty understated and sleek – it would certainly outshine some of its rivals in a fashion contest.</p>
<h2 id="display-5">Display</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>6.67-inch AMOLED screen</strong></li>
<li><strong>2K resolution</strong></li>
<li><strong>90Hz refresh rate</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>The Black Shark 3 has a fairly big display – as 6.67-inch AMOLED screen it’s on the large side (even in 2020, when we’ve seen a number of palm-stretching phones), but is dwarfed by its 7.1-inch Pro sibling.</p>
<p>The screen resolution is 1080 x 2400 (or 2K), so while it doesn’t reach the 2.5K resolution of some non-gaming phones, like the Samsung Galaxy S20 and Oppo Find X2, it still looks good. Colors look punchy, which is great for the many games that rely on a bright art style, although we did feel the max screen brightness was a little low.</p>
<p>The Black Shark 3 has a max screen refresh rate of 90Hz, which you can dial back to 60Hz to save battery if you want. This is a little lower than the 120Hz some phones have, and a good bit lower than the 144Hz of the Nubia Red Magic 5G, so people wanting the super-smooth scrolling experience that high refresh rates bring may want to look elsewhere. Saying that, not all games actually let you utilize super-high refresh rates in any meaningful way at the moment, your gaming experience will only be hampered if you’re playing the games that support 144Hz or 120Hz.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="JVxva3iktGmT9QsteB6jbD" name="Black-Shark-3-listing.jpg" alt="Xiaomi Black Shark 3" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JVxva3iktGmT9QsteB6jbD.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="3872" height="2178" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">Xiaomi Black Shark 3</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>As with previous Black Shark phones, the Black Shark 3 doesn’t have a notch or ‘punch-hole’ cutout for the front facing camera, instead housing it in a slender bezel above the screen. This results in the entire screen space being reserved for gaming, although given that most punch-holes are obscured by your thumbs when you’re gaming anyway a punch-hole wouldn’t have been terrible here.</p>
<p>Xiaomi has made a noticeable push towards including always-on displays in its 2020 phones; the Black Shark 3 is the latest to get this feature, and you can opt for a range of designs to adorn the screen when you’re not using the phone. </p>
<p>Unlike the always-on displays on some other devices, though, you can’t check your notifications from the always-on display beyond seeing the app icon, or change music tracks when listening, so it’s arguably a little less useful than it could be.</p>
<h2 id="cameras-5">Cameras</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>64MP main, 13MP ultra-wide, 5MP depth-sensing camera</strong></li>
<li><strong>Surprisingly good photos</strong></li>
<li><strong>Pictures often look very bright</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>The Black Shark 3 has a 64MP f/1.8 main camera, which is teamed with 13MP f/2.3 ultra-wide and 5MP f/2.2 depth-sensing snappers. As we’ve mentioned, we were pretty impressed with the pictures we took on the phone, given this isn’t a handset that’s designed with photography as its main focus, but it makes sense given we were also impressed by pictures taken on the Black Shark 2.</p>
<p>Before we talk about image quality though, it’s worth briefly touching on what the camera app is like to use. Switching between modes is seamless, autofocus is quick and generally pretty accurate, and in general the app felt very easy to use. </p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="sdMuSz9fFfCGTxNspcdUqC" name="Black-Shark-3-2.jpg" alt="Xiaomi Black Shark 3" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sdMuSz9fFfCGTxNspcdUqC.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="2298" height="1293" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">Xiaomi Black Shark 3</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>It was a little harder to zoom, as when you pinch your fingers no zoom bar appears to help you adjust the zoom setting – you just have to hope you can get the right level of zoom with your fingers. Similarly there’s a virtual button in the camera app for using the ultra-wide camera, you don’t just pinch your fingers to activate it like on every other device, and this took a little getting used to.</p>
<p>Pictures we took looked sharp, with particularly impressive-looking depth of field, likely thanks to the (relatively) high-res depth camera which can implement accurate-looking artificial background blur. This made the phone feel great for taking macro pictures, which made the most of the depth-of-field, but also snaps of subjects too.</p>
<p>Colors didn’t ‘pop’ noticeably, so users of Samsung or Apple phones might be a touch disappointed, but they were far from dim. In fact, images in general seemed very bright, sometimes curiously so: we took a few pictures at dusk – and in modes other than Night mode – that looked like they were taken during the day.</p>
<p>This brightness effect was most noticeable when using Portrait mode, as this mode seemed to boost brightness and reduce contrast to artificial-looking levels, and seemed to struggle with dynamic range more than ‘standard’ mode.</p>
<p>We’d guess there’s some overzealous post-processing going on here, and we preferred the naturalistic style of the standard photo mode. Saying that portrait snaps are far from bad, especially when taken during the day when extra brightness wasn’t too noticeable.</p>
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<div class="inlinegallery-item"><span class="slidecount">Image 1 of 2</span>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="9TwUPuiW9kxYueQcmCHbSf" name="IMG_20200623_222329.jpg" alt="Standard mode" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9TwUPuiW9kxYueQcmCHbSf.jpg" mos="" link="" align="" fullscreen="" width="4608" height="3456" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">Standard mode</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
</div>
<div class="inlinegallery-item"><span class="slidecount">Image 2 of 2</span>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="xRqMzAXGkEnijxjqiVyfVe" name="IMG_20200623_222324.jpg" alt="Night mode" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xRqMzAXGkEnijxjqiVyfVe.jpg" mos="" link="" align="" fullscreen="" width="4608" height="3456" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">Night mode</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<p>The Black Shark 3 was best at taking pictures during the day and in well-lit environments, but it certainly wasn’t a slouch in low-light scenarios either. Because of the keen image-brightening, pictures taken in low-light settings with the dedicated night mode weren’t that much different to snaps taken in standard mode, but there was a touch more detail at times.</p>
<p>Video mode lets you capture recordings up to 4K/60fps, so not quite the 8K available on some phones, but few people will mind. There’s also 1980fps slow-mo, which is twice as slow as the equivalent mode on most phones, but it can only record a very short burst of video, so we didn’t feel able to make the most of this feature.</p>
<p>The front-facing camera is a 20MP f/2.2 snapper, and pictures again showed good detail, but the keen image lighting clearly kicked into effect in Portrait mode again. Backgrounds also looked a little too blurred for our liking, but you can adjust the strength of the blur effect when you’re taking a picture, or after you’ve taken one, so we can’t criticize it much.</p>
<p>Selfies taken in the standard mode didn’t have this effect though, so we came to prefer it.</p>
<h2 id="camera-samples-5">Camera samples</h2>
<div class="inlinegallery">
<div class="inlinegallery-wrap">
<div class="inlinegallery-item"><span class="slidecount">Image 1 of 10</span>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="jvxwHh3Z9ffjdAq82XXxk9" name="IMG_20200623_211328.jpg" alt="A standard picture taken in a low-light setting" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jvxwHh3Z9ffjdAq82XXxk9.jpg" mos="" link="" align="" fullscreen="" width="4608" height="3456" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">A standard picture taken in a low-light setting</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
</div>
<div class="inlinegallery-item"><span class="slidecount">Image 2 of 10</span>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="6aH5donrhRbS8voBbhwfr8" name="IMG_20200623_211325.jpg" alt="The same picture but taken in ultra-wide mode" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6aH5donrhRbS8voBbhwfr8.jpg" mos="" link="" align="" fullscreen="" width="4608" height="3456" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">The same picture but taken in ultra-wide mode</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
</div>
<div class="inlinegallery-item"><span class="slidecount">Image 3 of 10</span>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="zmRybYNB8yFGQv56KbBxUA" name="Black-Shark-3-camera-portrait.jpg" alt="A picture captured in Portrait mode" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zmRybYNB8yFGQv56KbBxUA.jpg" mos="" link="" align="" fullscreen="" width="8180" height="4601" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">A picture captured in Portrait mode</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
</div>
<div class="inlinegallery-item"><span class="slidecount">Image 4 of 10</span>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="wXhggBVSRb9Qfmozpv9YzA" name="IMG_20200704_230504.jpg" alt="A selfie taken in standard mode" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wXhggBVSRb9Qfmozpv9YzA.jpg" mos="" link="" align="" fullscreen="" width="5184" height="3880" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">A selfie taken in standard mode</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
</div>
<div class="inlinegallery-item"><span class="slidecount">Image 5 of 10</span>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="u6pV4wMhoEdv4AKqk4Bhx7" name="IMG_20200704_230501.jpg" alt="A selfie taken in Portrait" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/u6pV4wMhoEdv4AKqk4Bhx7.jpg" mos="" link="" align="" fullscreen="" width="5184" height="3880" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">A selfie taken in Portrait</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
</div>
<div class="inlinegallery-item"><span class="slidecount">Image 6 of 10</span>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="2Zc2hdqttVBr2grVRf4WRQ" name="IMG_20200621_121107.jpg" alt="Candid cats benefit from the brightness bossting" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2Zc2hdqttVBr2grVRf4WRQ.jpg" mos="" link="" align="" fullscreen="" width="4608" height="3456" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">Candid cats benefit from the brightness bossting</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
</div>
<div class="inlinegallery-item"><span class="slidecount">Image 7 of 10</span>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="W99rPD9XizxXni6LakJK2N" name="IMG_20200621_121545.jpg" alt="Depth effects look pretty good" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/W99rPD9XizxXni6LakJK2N.jpg" mos="" link="" align="" fullscreen="" width="4608" height="3456" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">Depth effects look pretty good</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
</div>
<div class="inlinegallery-item"><span class="slidecount">Image 8 of 10</span>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="B7L3YFKeTxMmEywRLog2xL" name="IMG_20200521_162209.jpg" alt="The standard mode makes things look startlingly bright" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/B7L3YFKeTxMmEywRLog2xL.jpg" mos="" link="" align="" fullscreen="" width="4608" height="3456" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">The standard mode makes things look startlingly bright</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
</div>
<div class="inlinegallery-item"><span class="slidecount">Image 9 of 10</span>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="ZxVsESySdeRJCCsDjVJAnR" name="IMG_20200621_121701.jpg" alt="A picture of a cat taken on the standard mode" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZxVsESySdeRJCCsDjVJAnR.jpg" mos="" link="" align="" fullscreen="" width="4208" height="3120" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">A picture of a cat taken on the standard mode</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
</div>
<div class="inlinegallery-item"><span class="slidecount">Image 10 of 10</span>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="A7uA4bvBdp4nbVYahNiu8P" name="IMG_20200621_121654.jpg" alt="The same shot as before, but in Portrait mode" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/A7uA4bvBdp4nbVYahNiu8P.jpg" mos="" link="" align="" fullscreen="" width="4608" height="3456" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">The same shot as before, but in Portrait mode</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
</div>
</div>
</div>
<h2 id="performance-5">Performance</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>Snapdragon 865 chipset</strong></li>
<li><strong>5G-compatible</strong></li>
<li><strong>Pretty good benchmark results</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>As the Xiaomi Black Shark 3 is a gaming phone, ultimately it’s going to be judged on how well it runs games, and that’s largely (but not solely) down to performance.</p>
<p>The phone has a Snapdragon 865 processor from Qualcomm, which at the time of release (and likely until 2021) is the best chipset available to Android phones, and which you’ll also find in all the top phones of the year. It’s paired with 8GB RAM in the version of the phone we tested for the review – and mentioned, there’s also a 12GB version available.</p>
<p>When we put the phone through a multi-core benchmark test it returned a score of 3042. That puts it just a hair above the Samsung Galaxy S20 Plus, which scored 3034, and just below the Sony Xperia 1 II at 3085, but noticeably below the OnePlus 8 at 3401 and iPhone 11 Pro Max at 3424.</p>
<p>Despite the Black Shark 3 not providing the best processing power among current phones, that’s still a good score, and the phone is plenty powerful enough for gaming.</p>
<p>When playing games on the phone – and especially in the Shark Space mode, which we’ll get to – games were quick to load and always defaulted to the highest graphics settings, and we rarely encountered issues with even the most demanding games.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="9nxLGyz4s9HqyTcNycZvcY" name="Black-Shark-3-rear.jpg" alt="Xiaomi Black Shark 3" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9nxLGyz4s9HqyTcNycZvcY.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="4507" height="2535" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">Xiaomi Black Shark 3</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>We tested a large selection of games on the phone – a bigger range than we normally would, as this is a gaming phone after all – and popular shooters like Fornite and Call of Duty Mobile, mobile ports like GTA: San Andreas, and less-demanding games like Clash of Clans and Mario Kart Tour all ran flawlessly.</p>
<p>The large screen and faster frame rate also enhanced the look of games, although after an extended bout of gaming the phone did heat up quite a bit.</p>
<p>With all this processing power on board for gaming, the phone is easily capable of less-demanding tasks too like opening social media apps, editing photos and navigating the menus.</p>
<p>The Black Shark 3 is a 5G-compatible phone, as all Snapdragon 865 phones are, and while 5G connection is still too sporadic in most areas to properly test out 5G gaming, it’ll likely be enhanced by the fact the phone has more antennae than most, so that when you’re gripping the phone while gaming your hands won’t completely block out data signals.</p>
<h2 id="software-5">Software</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>Android 10</strong></li>
<li><strong>JoyUI overlay</strong></li>
<li><strong>Icon to show where you just pressed</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>The Xiaomi Black Shark 3 runs Android 10, with JoyUI, a version of Xiaomi’s MIUI, laid over the top. In terms of appearance, JoyUI looks a lot like MIUI, with icons designed with cooler colors and rounded edges, but it’s better than that Android ‘fork’ in two key ways.</p>
<p>First, JoyUI comes without the unnecessary pre-installed apps, otherwise known as bloatware, that Xiaomi phones typically have. There were one or two apps on the Black Shark 3 that we didn’t touch, like Player Manual and Cleaner (the latter would be useful, but it’s already available through the Security app on the home screen), but we didn’t mind them too much, and we expect some users will like them.</p>
<p>Second, JoyUI has an app drawer, so if you swipe up you’ll find a scrollable list of all the apps you have installed, so you can easily hide them away from the home screens if you want without relegating them to some distant corner of your phone. In addition, you can sort this app drawer into categories like Communication and Entertainment, which makes it even cleaner and easy to use.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="6WytxjPcdaw6RusVuTM3XE" name="Black-Shark-3-6.jpg" alt="Xiaomi Black Shark 3" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6WytxjPcdaw6RusVuTM3XE.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="5739" height="3228" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">Xiaomi Black Shark 3</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Swiping through the Black Shark 3 feels smooth and easy, thanks in equal parts to the powerful processor, 90Hz screen and clean layout of the software.</p>
<p>There’s an interesting feature in the Black Shark 3 software in that, when you press or swipe the screen a small circle appears when you pressed, which remains visible for a while. The purpose of this isn’t clear; we found it somewhat useful while playing games, as it showed us that we were frequently pressing in the wrong place to open menus in certain games, but not everyone will care for it, and we couldn’t find a way to turn it off.</p>
<h2 id="shark-space-gaming-mode-5">Shark Space gaming mode</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>Optimization mode for gaming</strong></li>
<li><strong>Hides notifications</strong></li>
<li><strong>Easy access to games</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>It’s time now to talk about Shark Space, the gaming mode that helps to make the Black Shark 3 such a great gaming phone. You can turn this on by flicking the aforementioned switch on the side of the phone, which opens up the Shark Space app.</p>
<p>Shark Space contains a carousel of all your installed games, so you can easily choose what you want to play and boot it up, and the mode has a range of settings that you can adjust to enhance your gameplay. You can choose to auto-reject calls, hide notifications, and tweak different settings to better optimize the phone for gaming.</p>
<p>When using Shark Space, gaming really does feel better – we noticed that the phone’s battery lasted longer gaming when we used the gaming mode than if we didn’t, not having notifications constantly getting in the way was useful, and the mode lets you easily map controls if you’re using a gamepad peripheral.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="J5mtssoHDXQVEz9uNUfeE3" name="Black-Shark-3-shark-space.jpg" alt="Xiaomi Black Shark 3" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/J5mtssoHDXQVEz9uNUfeE3.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="5061" height="2847" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">Xiaomi Black Shark 3</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>We had to get into the habit of booting up Shark Space ourselves though, as not many phones have dedicated gaming software, and lots of those that do have it automatically turn on when you boot up a game. If you’re buying the Black Shark 3 purely as a gaming phone you might find it easier to remember, though.</p>
<h2 id="battery-life-5">Battery life</h2>
<ul>
<li><strong>4,720mAh battery</strong></li>
<li><strong>Easy lasts a day unless you're gaming frequently</strong></li>
<li><strong>Snappy wired charging</strong></li>
</ul>
<p>The Black Shark 3 has a 4,720mAh battery – we’d say around 4,500mAh is typical for a phone of this size, although perhaps mobile gamers might want a bit more juice.</p>
<p>We were impressed with the battery performance for average everyday use – so a fair amount of music streaming, regular social media checking, and some gaming here and there. Starting from full, we ended most days with about 30% charge left – and on one day we had a full 50% left – so we’d see this phone lasting you well into a second day if you’re not using it frequently.</p>
<p>Obviously, if you’re going to be doing a lot of intensive gaming your mileage could vary quite a bit, depending on how frequently you play, and what kinds of games you’re playing. Suffice to say, the Black Shark 3’s battery life can take quite a hit when you use it for extended gaming sessions, although that’s to be expected.</p>
<p>For example, half an hour of PUBG Mobile drained the battery by roughly 10%, while generally Call of Duty: Mobile and Mario Kart Tour were less demanding, while Fortnite depleted the battery faster.</p>
<p>We’d estimate that we went through 10%-25% of the Black Shark 3’s charge per hour of gaming, depending on the title, which of course won’t guarantee you a full day of general use if you’re playing for a few hours.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="R84zndKw3fxxqc6X3tRAHj" name="Black-Shark-3-charging.jpg" alt="Xiaomi Black Shark 3" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/R84zndKw3fxxqc6X3tRAHj.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="5792" height="3258" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">Xiaomi Black Shark 3</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Black Shark has clearly identified this issue though, and you can buy a magnetic charger to use instead of the regular one that comes in the box. This charger connects to a pin on the back of the phone, and charges the device while you’re gaming, rather than you having to plug in a USB-C cable.</p>
<p>The magnetic cable is a little easier to ignore while you’re gaming than a big cable sticking out the phone, so some may prefer it to the USB-C cable – but it’s an additional outlay, and is very slow at charging your phone.</p>
<p>From 0%, the Black Shark 3 took an hour to power up to 25% using the magnetic cable. This feels very slow by today’s fast-charging standards, and we’d imagine that for some games it won’t actually add to the charge of the device while you’re gaming, just offset the power you’re using.</p>
<p>If you plug the USB-C cable in instead, the 30W charging is a lot snappier, and we’d generally recommend charging your phone this way unless you really want to use the magnetic pin and the few perks it brings. There’s no wireless charging option though.</p>
<h2 id="should-i-buy-the-black-shark-3-5">Should I buy the Black Shark 3?</h2>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="bkccTuR9JVfkPHFfyGxCRo" name="Black-Shark-3-back.jpg" alt="Xiaomi Black Shark 3" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bkccTuR9JVfkPHFfyGxCRo.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="4796" height="2698" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">Xiaomi Black Shark 3</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="buy-it-if-5">Buy it if</h2>
<div class="product">
<p><strong>You want a gaming phone</strong></p>
<p>The Black Shark 3 is designed for mobile gamers, and it's great for that audience. The software and hardware work together well, and you’ll have a hard time finding a device that’s better for gaming.</p>
</div>
<div class="product">
<p><strong>You like a good camera</strong></p>
<p>The Black Shark 3 is better for taking pictures than you’d expect, particularly when it comes to depth-of-field effects and macro photography, although it’s not flawless.</p>
</div>
<div class="product">
<p><strong>A clean UI appeals to you</strong></p>
<p>We found JoyUI a clean OS with few pain points, so if you’re a user of ‘stock’ Android, iOS, or a few of the other cleaner operating systems out there, you’ll be happy with what you find here.</p>
</div>
<h2 id="don-x2019-t-buy-it-if-5">Don’t buy it if</h2>
<div class="product">
<p><strong>You’re not a mobile gamer</strong></p>
<p>If you don’t frequently play intensive mobile games you’re not really in the core market for this device, and aside from gaming the Black Shark 3 doesn’t offer much that other phones can’t do as well or better.</p>
</div>
<div class="product">
<p><strong>You have small hands or pockets</strong></p>
<p>The Black Shark 3 is a beast of a phone in terms of size, and if you like to use your phone one-handed, or you don’t want a device that’ll fill your entire pocket, you might find it too big.</p>
</div>
<div class="product">
<p><strong>You’d be ashamed to be seen with a phone that looks like that</strong></p>
<p>The Black Shark 3 has a unique look, and given that many non-gaming Android devices share a similar, relatively prosaic design, it certainly stands out. However between that big rear ‘X’, the LED lights, and the angular edges, it may not stand out in the right way for everyone.</p>
</div>
</article>
<br />
<br />
from TechRadar: Technology reviews https://ift.tt/2BO7S4Q<br />
rachid120hhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05499302888064463044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961169839206309990.post-51705888989093776222020-07-10T08:25:00.001-07:002020-07-10T08:25:08.860-07:00Avast Business Antivirus Pro Plus<article>
<p>Avast has three products for its business users, and <a href="https://www.avast.com/business/products/business-antivirus-pro-plus" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Avast Business Antivirus Pro Plus (ABAPP)</a> is the company’s top-tier <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/best-endpoint-security-software" target="_blank">endpoint protection</a> product that does a lot more than just flagging malicious activity.</p>
<h2 id="features-5">Features</h2>
<p>Avast classifies a majority of its functions as shields. For instance, there’s the FileShield that scans files, email attachments and even URLs to thwart <a href="https://www.techradar.com/best/best-malware-removal" target="_blank">malware</a>, spyware, and <a href="https://www.techradar.com/best/best-ransomware-protection" target="_blank">ransomware</a>. This is best used in conjunction with BehaviourShield, which looks for suspicious activity in otherwise innocuous-looking apps, in a bid to catch deep-rooted malware. There’s also the WebShield that prevents you from visiting malicious websites. </p>
<p>Besides these usual <a href="https://www.techradar.com/best/best-antivirus" target="_blank">antivirus</a> and anti-malware functions, you get several other useful features as well. If Avast isn’t able to automatically classify a download, it’ll send it to Avast HQ for analysis. There’s also a secure <a href="https://www.techradar.com/best/password-manager" target="_blank">password manager</a> that comes with an add-on for Firefox, as well as a customizable software <a href="https://www.techradar.com/best/firewall" target="_blank">firewall</a>, and a WiFi inspector to find and fix vulnerabilities in your network.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="uFP7rbDkLcBhzuUtK6VuWA" name="avast-2. dashboard.png" alt="Avast Business Antivirus Pro Plus 2" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/uFP7rbDkLcBhzuUtK6VuWA.png" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="650" height="365" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Avast)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>And that’s not all. In addition to the security features, the platform also helps you protect your <a href="https://www.techradar.com/best/best-privacy-apps-for-android" target="_blank">privacy</a>. There’s Browser Reset that not only deletes your browser cache, but also gets rid of any harmful plugins. All endpoints also get a data shredder to ensure all deleted files are irrecoverable even when using forensic data carving utilities. Also of note is the WebCam shield that alerts you whenever an app tries to use your webcam. </p>
<p>If the nature of your work involves handling lots of unrecognized executables, you’ll appreciate Avast’s Sandbox environment that enables you to run these unfamiliar apps in an isolated area that’s separate from the rest of your installation. </p>
<p>ABAPP also includes a <a href="https://www.techradar.com/vpn/best-vpn" target="_blank">virtual private network (VPN)</a> service that the endpoints can use to camouflage themselves online, perhaps to remain anonymous, or to circumvent IP or geo-blocks. </p>
<p>While all these features are included in ABAPP, there are some like <a href="https://www.techradar.com/best/best-patch-management-tools" target="_blank">patch management</a> for Windows devices, that is also available as an optional add-on.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="hJpRhQ8yA5EhtCdkgDW6qE" name="avast-3. devices.png" alt="Avast Business Antivirus Pro Plus 3" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hJpRhQ8yA5EhtCdkgDW6qE.png" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="650" height="365" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Avast )</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="interface-and-use-5">Interface and use</h2>
<p>The primary interface for interacting with the platform is the Avast Business Cloud Console. As the name suggests, it’s a remote web-based interface for managing your endpoints. </p>
<p>The landing dashboard of the interface gives you a quick overview of the alerts on your devices. Once you’ve added devices, you can use this dashboard to drill down and investigate any of the alerts in detail or even create remote scanning tasks. The dashboard also displays a trend line for threats detected in your network. </p>
<p>The first order of business is to install the Avast agent on your endpoints in the network. For this, you can use the Add new device button in the Dashboard or head to the Devices section and click the + button. The console offers you a couple of options to deploy endpoints. You can either download the installers or email the download link to install the Avast client manually. </p>
<p>Or, if you have an Active Directory server on your network, you can hook it up with the Cloud Console by specifying the credentials for the directory server. Avast will scan your network and guide you through a four-step process to install the agent on the endpoints.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="hLQBsQ883pU2ERXQu9qcbN" name="avast-4. threats.png" alt="Avast Business Antivirus Pro Plus 4" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hLQBsQ883pU2ERXQu9qcbN.png" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="650" height="365" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Avast)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The endpoint agent will install the Avast app that you can use to run scans manually, and tweak the protection settings of the endpoint, as well as access the various <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/best-linux-distro-privacy-security" target="_blank">security and privacy</a> tools.</p>
<p>After you’ve deployed the endpoints, allow Avast to scan the computers. Soon the Devices page will display details regarding any detected threats. Some of them would have been dealt with automatically, while others might require intervention on your part, and will be flagged as such.</p>
<p>For more details, you can click on any of the endpoints. Here you’ll be able to view the name of the detected threats, along with Shield that picked them up, and the action taken. </p>
<p>You can also remotely create scanning tasks on the Devices page. You can run antivirus scans, fetch new virus definitions, and update the remote anti-virus app itself. It’ll also help you manage patches on the remote endpoints if you’ve subscribed to that add-on.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="wthgNXQ5ruaMYjhLxWTTBT" name="avast-5. reports.png" alt="Avast Business Antivirus Pro Plus 5" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wthgNXQ5ruaMYjhLxWTTBT.png" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="650" height="365" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Avast )</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Like all good apps, ABAPP ships with reasonable defaults settings, or policies in its parlance. However you can create custom policies and switch endpoints from one policy to another with ease.</p>
<p>There are several things you can define in a policy, including enabling or disabling particular protections by toggling the respective shields. Furthermore, you can also customize each one of the shields as per your requirements. For instance, you can tweak the Behavior Shield to not look for suspicious apps in particular locations. Similarly, the Web Shield offers a comprehensive set to tweakable parameters to help you customize it as per the needs of your network. </p>
<p>A hallmark of a good enterprise app is its reporting capabilities and ABAPP doesn’t disappoint in that regard as well. It does a nice job of visually representing the threats and other data from your network. It’ll even export this data in nicely formatted <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/the-best-free-pdf-reader" target="_blank">PDFs</a>. </p>
<p>The endpoints apps are intuitive to operate and the relevant ones integrate into the right-click context menu. For instance, you can execute any executable in a sandbox by right-clicking on the file and selecting the Run in sandbox option. Similarly, choose the Shred using Avast option to make any file irrecoverable. </p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="Yk4TafyJxBBKVtDvAP4KzX" name="avast-6. endpoint-virus-scans.png" alt="Avast Business Antivirus Pro Plus 6" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Yk4TafyJxBBKVtDvAP4KzX.png" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="650" height="365" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Avast)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="plans-and-pricing-xa0-5">Plans and Pricing </h2>
<p>ABAPP costs $56.99 for a year or $85.49 for two years or $119.68 for three years per device. </p>
<p>Avast has a slab-wise discount for more devices that increases with the number of endpoints. For instance, you’ll get a 10% discount for 5 to 19 devices, 16% for 20 to 49 devices, 26% discount for 50 to 99 devices, all the way up to 50% discount for 500 or more devices.</p>
<p>The patch management feature is an extra addon with a separate cost. </p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="hiKJU7EbrmST9fN7PiJNAd" name="avast-7. endpoint-data-shredder.png" alt="Avast Business Antivirus Pro Plus 7" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hiKJU7EbrmST9fN7PiJNAd.png" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="650" height="365" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Avast)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="the-competition-5">The competition</h2>
<p>ABAPP covers the most popular desktop platforms, including macOS, Windows desktop and Windows Server. However, unlike some of its peers like <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/panda-adaptive-defense-360" target="_blank">Panda Security Adaptive Defense 360 (AD360)</a>, it can’t protect Linux installations, nor does its protection extend to mobile devices. Also note that it doesn’t offer all its protection features even on the supported macOS platform. </p>
<p>And while its reporting features are adequate, they fall short of the depth of the forensics analysis included with Panda AD360. </p>
<p>You will however appreciate ABAPP’s endpoint functionalities. The sandbox environment, and the VPN are particularly useful. </p>
<h2 id="final-verdict-5">Final Verdict</h2>
<p>ABAPP’s web console is well laid out and easy to navigate. You can use it to keep an eye on your endpoints and schedule scans and update definitions remotely with ease. It’ll also help you define policies and offers adequate control to advanced users to tweak them as per their requirements. Its biggest shortcoming is its focus on Windows computers. </p>
<p>All things considered, if your network doesn’t have non-Windows devices, you’ll find ABAPP a useful platform for protecting endpoints that equips them with a good number of tools to boost their security and privacy, and is competitively priced. </p>
<ul>
<li>We've featured the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/best-vpn-for-business-our-5-top-choices" target="_blank">best business VPNs</a>.</li>
</ul>
</article>
<br />
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from TechRadar: Technology reviews https://ift.tt/3fkallR<br />
rachid120hhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05499302888064463044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961169839206309990.post-46338456672720400232020-07-10T06:25:00.001-07:002020-07-10T06:25:17.596-07:00Google Home<article>
<p>The Google Home is one of the most popular <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/best-smart-speakers">smart speakers</a> on the planet, despite landing on the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/smart-home-devices">smart home</a> scene later than the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/amazon-echo-2019-review">Amazon Echo</a>.</p>
<p>Since the launch of the Google Home in 2016, the search giant has released a number of smart speakers in the range, including the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/uk/reviews/google-home-mini">Google Home Mini</a>, and <a href="https://www.techradar.com/uk/reviews/google-home-hub">Google Home Hub</a>.</p>
<p>More recently, Google Home speakers have undergone a name change; nowadays, new Google speakers fall under the Google Nest mantle, including the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/google-nest-hub-max">Google Nest Hub Max</a> and the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/google-nest-mini">Google Nest Mini</a>. </p>
<p>What's common among all these smart speakers is that they come with <a href="https://www.techradar.com/uk/how-to/how-to-use-google-assistant-to-control-your-smart-home">Google Assistant</a> built-in – and the voice assistant is getting smarter all the time thanks to regular updates and machine learning capabilities. </p>
<p>This means you can ask your Google Home speaker to give you the weather report, lower your <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/best-smart-thermostat">smart thermostat</a> for you when you leave your home, tell you a fact, or have it find the funny YouTube clip that had you in stitches last night and send it across to your <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/av-accessories/chromecast-1305399/review"><u>Chromecast</u></a>.</p>
<p><em>[Update: Following a leak ,</em> <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/google-officially-reveals-new-nest-smart-speaker-following-fcc-leak"><em>Google has now officially lifted the veil on its new and improved Nest smart speaker</em></a> <em>by releasing the above image. As you can see from that photo, the redesigned Nest speaker has adopted the mesh fabric styling of the Google Nest Mini. The device, which stands upright, once again features hidden LED lights under the aforementioned fabric.]</em></p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/google-nest-home-everything-we-know-about-the-new-google-speaker">Google Nest Home: everything we know so far about the new Google speaker</a></li>
</ul>
<p>Of course, voice assistants aren't perfect, and sometimes you may find your questions are lost in translation when speaking to Google Assistant.</p>
<p>That general problem – something working sometimes, but not all the time – isn’t just symptomatic of the $89 / £89 / AU$128 Google Home; its biggest rival, the <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/hi-fi-and-audio/audio-systems/amazon-echo-1272454/review">Amazon Echo</a>, is far from immune to them as well. In due time, both devices will get smarter, but for now, they do make some errors. </p>
<p>One way Google has addressed this is by adding <a href="https://www.blog.google/products/assistant/io18/">Multiple Actions and Continued Conversation</a>, with both making it easier to ask multiple questions at the same time.</p>
<p>Google Home may not be perfect, but it’s sure to get better over time as Google continues to work on its AI voice assistant technology, Google Assistant, and we’ll be updating our review regularly as new functionality continues to be added. </p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.techradar.com/uk/news/amazon-echo-vs-google-home">Google Home vs Amazon Echo</a>: which should you choose?</li>
<li><a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/google-nest-mini-vs-google-home-mini-whats-new-with-the-latest-google-smart-speaker">Google Nest Mini vs Google Home Mini</a>: what’s new with the latest Google smart speaker?</li>
</ul>
<div class="youtube-video"><iframe data-lazy-priority="low" data-lazy-src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/QSUo4_ZN8GI" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe></div>
<h2 id="what-apos-s-new-for-google-home-5">What's new for Google Home?</h2>
<p>Your Google Home is changing all the time – that's because new updates are being added to Google Assistant all the time. Now you can even teach the voice assistant to <a href="https://www.whathifi.com/news/you-can-now-train-google-assistant-to-better-recognise-your-voice" target="_blank">better recognize your voice</a> so you can receive personalized results to your commands and queries.</p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.techradar.com/uk/news/your-google-home-speaker-is-getting-some-fancy-new-controls">Google Home app is getting a redesign</a>, hopefully making it simpler to use and to control your other smart home devices. That's not the only change to Google Home products, however – <a href="https://www.techradar.com/uk/news/google-nest-hub-could-soon-make-video-calls-easier-than-ever">the company is trialling simpler controls</a> for its Nest smart displays, including the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/uk/reviews/google-nest-hub-max">Google Nest Hub Max</a>.</p>
<p>It's not all good news, though; Google quietly removed a handy Google Home feature called Guest Mode, which used to be a way to cast media to a Google Cast-enabled device without sharing the same Wi-Fi service.</p>
<p>Guests without Wi-Fi credentials could get a four-digit pin, which would be used to directly connect to the speaker. Without that, guests now need the full Wi-Fi password instead. Not the end of the world, but annoying.</p>
<p>It's also emerged that <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/google-home-speakers-have-a-big-problem-and-its-finally-getting-sorted">Google Home speakers have been experiencing issues with Bluetooth connectivity</a>. Google says that it's working on a fix, but with some problems dating back over a year, is it too little, too late?</p>
<p>In more positive news, Google announced that Assistant has now made its way to more than 500 million devices. That means not only does it come built-in to Google Home, it works on over 5,000 different devices - from cars to phones.</p>
<p>Google Assistant now <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/pandora-premium-arrives-on-google-home">supports Pandora Premium</a> – simply set the platform as your default music streaming service and say "Hey Google, play" followed by the name of a song, artist, playlist or station. </p>
<p>Also, if you have an Android smart TV, you can now <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/google-assistant-can-finally-assist-with-all-your-netflix-needs">use Google Assistant to communicate with Netflix</a>, asking it to play content just like if you had the Nvidia Shield set top box. </p>
<p>Google Assistant has a new feature that means <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/google-assistant-can-now-remind-your-lazy-housemate-to-do-the-washing-up">you can now assign reminders</a> to different people in your household. That means if you share your home with others you can evenly distribute all of the different chores. A <a href="https://www.techradar.com/uk/news/google-home-speakers-get-mobile-calling-feature-rolling-out-to-australia-first">new feature to enable mobile calling is coming to Australia before a wider rollout</a>, too.</p>
<ul>
<li>Keen to build up your smart home? These are <a href="https://www.techradar.com/uk/news/buying-a-google-home-here-are-the-best-smart-home-products-to-go-along-with-it">the best smart home devices that work with the Google Assistant</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.techradar.com/uk/how-to/google-assistant-how-to-make-your-google-home-speaker-work-for-you">Google Assistant: how to make your Google Home speaker work for you</a></li>
</ul>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="9LActoXBT8gsAMKbTJXKjH" name="" alt="Google Home " src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/9LActoXBT8gsAMKbTJXKjH.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="4583" height="2292" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">Image credit: Google</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="design-5">Design</h2>
<p>Now, because “air freshener” can be a varied description depending on where you are in the world, a more apt description of its shape might be a small vase – it has a wide bottom and a tapered top. Each Google Home comes with a standard, gray fabric base with a rubber bottom that can be swapped out for a different material or color for around $20 / £18 / AU$29. </p>
<p>So far, Google offers two types of bases to match your home decor: metallic and fabric, each with different colors and finishes. Metallic bases are made out of either painted steel or polycarbonate and come in copper, snow or carbon colors. On the fabric side, the three colors are mango, marine and violet, in addition to the standard white mesh listed above. </p>
<ul>
<li>Considering a Google Home? Check out our <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/google-home-max">Google Home Max review</a> before you decide.</li>
</ul>
<p>From a pure aesthetic point of view, Google Home is the far more attractive option when compared to the Amazon Echo’s all-black canister shape. It’s less ominous than the black monolith and it’s also a fair bit shorter at 5.62 x 3.79 inches (142.8 x 96.4mm; H x D), which means it’s easier for the Home to blend into its surroundings.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="KMSyEh8q2jWWcYbjafvfmm" name="" alt="Google Home " src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/KMSyEh8q2jWWcYbjafvfmm.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="5999" height="3374" endorsement="" credit="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">Image credit: TechRadar</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>There’s also some function to this form, however. The top, flat, inclined surface of the Google Home acts as a touch-capacitive panel, allowing you to change the volume, play and pause the music or activate the Google Home assistant with a tap. Once activated either by pressing the top panel for a couple of seconds or saying the wake word (“OK Google” or “Hey Google”), four multi-colored lights twist and whirl to indicate that you’ve caught its attention. </p>
<p>While Amazon’s Echo has a physical control to change its volume, Google Home’s touch controls feel less precise. We do however appreciate the inclusion of a physical button to mute the speaker, which means you can be sure when it is, and is not, listening. </p>
<p>Google Home generally does an ok job of picking up your voice with its two built-in microphones located on the top half of the chassis, but it doesn’t work 100% of the time. Whether this is down to Google’s software, or its reliance on two microphones rather than the Amazon Echo’s five, it means you’ll definitely end up repeating yourself or raising your voice to get its attention more.</p>
<p>Uncap the bottom base and you’ll find a speaker and two passive radiators, which, considering the sheer volume the little device can put out, is impressive. The Amazon Echo has a few more speakers inside its chassis, and can therefore sound a bit better at higher volumes, however what’s under the hood here is enough to get the job done.</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/amazon-echo-vs-google-home">Amazon Echo vs Google Home</a>: which smart speaker is best for you?</li>
</ul>
<h2 id="audio-performance-5">Audio performance</h2>
<p>While Google Assistant, the voice and smarts inside the speaker, might be the main attraction here, Google Home is actually a pretty capable audio device as well. </p>
<p>It can access all sorts of streaming services – Google Play Music, YouTube Music, Spotify and Pandora – and works as a WiFi speaker thanks to its built-in Google Cast capabilities. </p>
<p>What that means in practice is that you’ll be able to ask it to play nearly any song you can think of, and it will either find it on Google Play Music’s 30-million-plus catalogue or, if you’ve taken it up on its free trial offer, pull it up YouTube Music. Think about that for a second. Unlimited access to music on YouTube? Yeah, by far and away, Google Home probably has the largest song library of any audio device on the market. </p>
<p>We tried for an hour to find a song that Google Home couldn’t pull up – recalling some seriously obscure music, like the theme song from 1998’s Banjo-Kazooie game on N64 to the title track for Requiem for a Dream – to no avail. Of course, you’ll likely stumble across something that Google Home can’t find, but the fact that we couldn’t stump it after arming ourselves with dozens of songs is absolutely unheard of.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="f335KiBk6UQwxg85TbUKz" name="" alt="Google Home " src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/f335KiBk6UQwxg85TbUKz.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="5760" height="3240" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">Image credit: TechRadar</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Less impressive is how much difficulty the Google Home had with recognising band names that sound similar to one another. Try as we might, we couldn’t get the speaker to play any music by the band ‘Brontide’. Sometimes it would claim that their music wasn’t available (it’s on Spotify), or else it would play music or playlists from completely unrelated artists. </p>
<p>It’s also too bad the expansive library of songs is stuck – for the most part – inside a less-than-amazing-sounding speaker.</p>
<p>Compared to Bluetooth speakers in its price range like, say, the <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/hi-fi-and-audio/audio-systems/creative-sound-blaster-roar-2-1309549/review">Creative Sound Blaster Roar 2</a> or <a href="http://www.techradar.com/reviews/audio-visual/hi-fi-and-audio/audio-systems/razer-leviathan-mini-1313625/review">Razer Leviathan Mini</a>, music on the Google Home comes off as less robust with little separation and little punch in the low-end or clarity in the mids and highs. </p>
<p>Now, it’s not completely incapable for playing decent-sounding music – it does have some bass and some mids – but, if you’re expecting Google Home to replace your Hi-Fi setup, you’ll be severely disappointed. (Audiophiles, keep in mind that a vast majority of the time Google Home sources its music from YouTube, a site infamous for its audio compression.)</p>
<p>But Google Home makes up for its less-than-pristine audio quality with a feature that other speakers don’t have, and that’s its ability to both receive and send <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/television/these-are-all-the-products-that-work-with-google-cast-1291053">Google Cast</a> signals, making it the only audio device that can not only stream music from your phone, but send video streams to any Google Cast-compatible connected devices as well. </p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="ZjxZQsK3n5AtEfJJrncUU" name="" alt="Google Home " src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZjxZQsK3n5AtEfJJrncUU.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="5760" height="3240" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">Image credit: TechRadar</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="xa0-google-cast-and-chromecast-performance-5"> Google Cast and Chromecast performance</h2>
<p>One of our smaller frustrations with the Amazon Echo Dot, Amazon’s smart speaker that’s designed to be plugged into an existing audio setup, was that there was no way to control which speaker was used as its output using voice commands. </p>
<p>In theory, Google Home doesn’t have this issue. Simply set up a Chromecast with a name that’s easy to pronounce, and you can tell your Google Home to cast your favourite songs or even videos to your Hi-Fi and TV respectively. </p>
<p>At launch in both the UK and Australia, it supported a number of local streaming services. For example, in the UK we were able to play BBC Radio 4 on the speaker directly, which it was intelligent enough to automatically stream from iPlayer, and it was also capable of streaming from Channel 4’s All 4 streaming app. </p>
<p>In theory it’s a great streaming solution, but in practice we had trouble with the functionality.</p>
<p>Take as an example the phrase, “Watch Rick and Morty from Netflix on Jon’s Projector.” If your pronunciation is perfect then the command will work most of the time, but if the speaker fails to hear any part of the instruction then it will fail completely. </p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="sVvjKEPpJJFRzkjSfUUvX" name="" alt="Google Home review" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/sVvjKEPpJJFRzkjSfUUvX.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="5760" height="3240" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">Image credit: TechRadar</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Then there’s the issue of selecting specific episodes, which Google Home is unable to do. Ask it to play a show and it will start from where you last left off, but you can’t ask it to play a specific episode. Skipping between episodes, meanwhile, works well. </p>
<p>We’d love it if the speaker was intelligent enough to remember part of the command and ask for clarification on the parts that it didn’t understand, but as it stands you have to get the whole command right in one go. </p>
<p>It’s also a pain to control playback once you’ve started casting. Instructing the speaker to ‘play’ or ‘pause’ works well, but if you tell it to play another song then it suddenly forgets that it’s casting and will instead play the new song from the Home’s own speaker. </p>
<p>The big promise with Google Assistant was that it would be contextually aware, but from our experience it has a long way to go. You’ll find yourself repeating a lot of information that the Home should be able to work out itself.</p>
<h2 id="google-home-as-the-center-of-your-smart-home-5">Google Home as the center of your smart home</h2>
<p>Of course, Chromecast isn’t the only device that Google Home can talk to. There are a half-dozen devices that can hook into Google Home right now, or will be able to do so soon. (We’ve compiled a list of the <a href="http://www.techradar.com/news/buying-a-google-home-here-are-the-best-smart-home-products-to-go-along-with-it"><u>best Google Home smart home devices</u></a> so you don’t have to waste time tracking each one down.) </p>
<p>The highlights of what Google Home can connect to right now are Nest thermostats, Philips Hue lightbulbs and Samsung’s SmartThings platform, while support for even more third-party devices like LIFX lightbulbs and LG MusicFlow speakers should be coming soon. </p>
<p>Google Home will also integrate with thermostats from Netatmo and Tado. </p>
<p>Although you’ll frequently need to sign into these third-party products, once you’re in the functionality works well. We tested the Google Home with a Nest setup and found that its commands were easy and intuitive to give. </p>
<p>Recently, Google announced that Home would support several new smart home ecosystems including products from August, Wink, LIFX, TP-Link, Rachio, Vivent, First Alert, Frigidaire, Logitech, Geeni, Anova and US-retailer Best Buy’s Insignia brand. Together, these should give you far more options for which devices you can string together and give you more control of your burgeoning smart home.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="azTsFzQWmyALN3LwDyeEh" name="" alt="Google Home review" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/azTsFzQWmyALN3LwDyeEh.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="5760" height="3240" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">Image credit: TechRadar</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>While further hardware integration is nice, one of the largest problem Google Home faces is that it can’t integrate with many of Google’s own services – like Gmail, Voice and Docs – which have been its bread and butter for years. </p>
<p>Take Gmail, for instance. You’d think Google Home might be able to rattle off the subjects of your top 10 emails – but, surprise, it can’t. The same goes for Google Calendar where it’s unable to create new events (although it will happily read out existing events in your calendar), make phone calls with Google Voice or jot down some quick notes in a Google Doc. </p>
<p>Google has a dozen services that the Home should be able to link into and yet, in its current state, simply cannot. Not only is this a big disappointment, but it makes us wonder why this functionality wasn't given more of a priority.</p>
<p>And while it’s easy to hammer this point home and point out all Google Home’s shortcomings in one long-winded tirade, we’re not going to. That’s not because we’re avoiding the harsh criticism or defending the Home, we’re not. </p>
<p>But we’ve already fallen into that trap of being overly critical of a smart platform once before with Amazon Echo, and since then it has flourished into an amazingly smart, connected platform that can answer hundreds more questions than it could two short years ago. It can order pizza or restock the refrigerator or call an Uber or check what time a restaurant closes, and the list of everything it can do grows week over week. </p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="JbthBHCwvXqvNtzXNwZTa" name="" alt="Google Home review" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JbthBHCwvXqvNtzXNwZTa.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="5760" height="3240" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">Image credit: TechRadar</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Google Home can do some of that already, making it far and away a better system now than the Echo was when it first launched. Some of that it can’t. But, speaking from experience, it’s only going to get better, smarter and more robust in the coming weeks, months and years.</p>
<p>It’s just not there yet. </p>
<h2 id="we-liked-5">We liked</h2>
<p>One thing’s for sure: You might never appreciate just how much music is on YouTube without buying a Google Home. While some of the biggest music streaming services in the world boast libraries of 25, 30 and even 40 million songs, they’re far from complete. We’re not saying Google Home is capable of playing any song you can think of, but after dredging the depths of the ’90s we still couldn’t find a tune Google Home couldn’t find.</p>
<p>And while Google Home excels as a DJ, it’s also a surprisingly intelligent smart home hub. It already hooks into some of the largest platforms now by including Nest, Philips and Samsung’s SmartThings, and given a few months that number will grow even more.</p>
<p>Its Google Cast functionality is excellent, and has real potential. </p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="h5tu6kCe5Z5kXgYqBCQPsT" name="" alt="Google Home review" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/h5tu6kCe5Z5kXgYqBCQPsT.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="5760" height="3240" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">Image credit: TechRadar</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="we-disliked-5">We disliked</h2>
<p>Clearly the lack of integration into Google’s own services is a huge issue. The fact that it can’t shoot an email to someone in your contacts or help you schedule events through Google Calendar are massive oversights that vastly reduce how useful the Home could be.</p>
<p>The other problem with Google Assistant is how precise you have to be when asking your questions. Asking what year a song was written might not turn up any results, while asking what year a song was released might unveil the exact answer you were looking for. Follow up any inquiry with a simple request like “OK Google, tell me more about it” and it suddenly forgets what you’ve been talking about for the past 30 seconds. </p>
<p>A lack of contextual awareness is also a massive problem for its Google Cast functionality right now. Be prepared to reiterate where you want your music to play from a lot when using Google Home. </p>
<p>Admittedly, this lack of contextual awareness isn’t something that Alexa deals with – which is surprising considering that the Echo doesn’t come from the company with 20-plus years of search engine experience. </p>
<h2 id="final-verdict-5">Final verdict</h2>
<p>It’s easy to feel disappointed with Google Home when you buy one and expect it to be the coveted center of the smart home Google has marketed it as. It’s just not there yet. It’s a bit too rigid in its language comprehension, its list of smart home devices is growing but still a bit underwhelming, and, perhaps the biggest disappointment of all, it doesn’t have many of Google’s core services built into it.</p>
<p>The best comparison for Google Home, obviously, is the Amazon Echo. They both have identical functions, fetch music from similar sources and are stumped, largely, by the same set of questions. While the Echo is still the more formidable of the two thanks to the dozens of developers who have created bespoke commands, the Home is – at worst – about six months behind in development. </p>
<p>There’s also the issue that although the Home is more ambitious with its media playback, it hasn’t worked out a way for you to access this functionality in a way that’s simple enough to be done with your voice. There’s little point in having all that functionality when it’s a chore to use. </p>
<p>Given the same attention from hardware and software developers and some of those additional Google services, the Home could quickly grow from a nascent smart speaker with Chromecast integration to the first and most critical piece of the ever-expanding smart home. </p>
<p>For now, the Google Home is simply a smart novelty with access to YouTube Music, built-in Google Cast and the ability to save you a trip to the light switch. </p>
<ul>
<li>Get the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/google-home-prices-deals">best Google Home prices and deals</a> here</li>
<li>The <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/best-smart-speakers">best smart speakers</a> of 2020</li>
</ul>
<p><em>Jon Porter also contributed to this review.</em></p>
</article>
<br />
<br />
from TechRadar: Technology reviews https://ift.tt/3iZ3AZ4<br />
rachid120hhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05499302888064463044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961169839206309990.post-84367985904561054642020-07-10T04:25:00.001-07:002020-07-10T04:25:24.199-07:00Razer Blade Pro 17 (2020)<article>
<p>The Razer Blade Pro has been around for a while, but with this 2020 iteration, it has to compete with an entire landscape of workstation-class <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/mobile-computing/laptops/best-gaming-laptops-top-5-gaming-notebooks-reviewed-1258471">gaming laptops</a> which are aiming to take Razer's crown. Laptop manufacturers have all woken up to the fact that a huge portion of the fanbase for these devices - which were previously almost exclusively marketed as high-end gaming laptops - are some of the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/best-laptops-for-video-editing">best laptops for creators</a>, especially for anyone that has to do heavy video editing on the go. </p>
<p>And, strapped with an Intel Core i7-10875H processor, 16GB of RAM and an <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/nvidia-geforce-rtx-2070">Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070</a> to start, there's definitely a lot of horsepower to spare. Paired with a lovely 17-inch 1080p display, this is definitely a laptop where you'll be able to play all the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/best-pc-games">best PC games</a> at max settings without messing around with resolution settings. </p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="iPx4LWBbgeCdurDu9ukod3" name="DSC_3376.jpg" alt="" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iPx4LWBbgeCdurDu9ukod3.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="6000" height="3375" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<div class="fancy-box">
<h5>Spec sheet</h5>
<div class="fancy_box_body">
<p>Here is the Razer Blade Pro 17 (2020) configuration sent to TechRadar for review:</p>
<p><strong>CPU:</strong> 2.6GHz Intel Core i7-10875H (octa-core, 16MB cache, up to 5.1GHz)<br />
<strong>Graphics:</strong> Nvidia GeForce RTX 2070 Max-Q (8GB GDDR6 VRAM)<br />
<strong>RAM:</strong> 16GB DDR4 (2,933MHz)<br />
<strong>Screen:</strong> 17.3-inch, Full HD (1,920x1,080) NT, 300Hz<br />
<strong>Storage:</strong> 512GB M.2 PCIe SSD<br />
<strong>Ports:</strong> 2 x Thunderbolt 3 (USB Type-C), 3 x USB 3.2, 1 x HDMI 2.0b, headset jack, 2.5Gb Ethernet LAN, UHS-III SD card reader<br />
<strong>Connectivity:</strong> Intel Wireless-AX201 (802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax), Bluetooth 5.1<br />
<strong>Camera:</strong> HD webcam (720p)<br />
<strong>Weight:</strong> 6.06 pounds (2.75kg)<br />
<strong>Size:</strong> 15.55 x 10.24 x 0.78 inches (39.5 x 26 x 1.99cm; W x D x H)</p>
</div>
</div>
<p>You will be paying for that hardware, though. The Razer Blade Pro 17 starts off at $2,599 (£2,599, AU$4,899), which will get you the configuration you see to the right. Now, you can get last year's model with a 9th-generation Intel processor and drop that price down to $2,399 (about £1,900, AU$3,450) though you will get a 240Hz display, rather than the 300Hz display found on the 2020 model. </p>
<p>Of course, if that's not quite enough power, you can always go for one of the more juicy models. You can get the Razer Blade Pro 17 with up to an Nvidia GeForce RTX 2080 Super, upgrade that SSD to 1TB and get a 4K 120Hz display to top it off for $3,799.</p>
<p>Both of these configurations sound like a lot, but compared to other desktop-replacement laptops like the $2,299 (about £1,860, AU$3,600) <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/gigabyte-aorus-17g">Gigabyte Aorus 17G</a> and the $2,999 (about £2,430, AU$4,390) <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/msi-gs75-stealth">MSI GS75 Stealth</a>, the Razer Blade Pro 17 fits in with its contemporaries, even though it definitely outclasses them in design. </p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="SiekDLFuRZAwDx4z4vhH9o" name="DSC_3385.jpg" alt="" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/SiekDLFuRZAwDx4z4vhH9o.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="6000" height="3375" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Razer has always had excellent design, and the Blade Pro 17 is definitely no exception. The all-black design is only interrupted by a lit up Razer Logo on the back that doesn't even look obnoxious like most illuminated logos do. Of course, there's also an RGB keyboard, which you can customize with the pre-installed Razer Synapse software. </p>
<p>Beyond that, the keyboard is excellent, if a bit less clicky than we'd expect from a gaming laptop - though that's in no way a bad thing. The Razer Blade Pro 17 also has the best trackpad we've ever seen in a laptop of this class. While we get that with this kind of laptop, people are going to be primarily using external mice, having a trackpad that doesn't suck is underrated - and this one is almost as good as a Mac trackpad.</p>
<p>On either side of the keyboard, you get these massive top-firing speakers. They aren't the best sounding speakers in the world - the bass isn't quite as heavy as we'd like - but because of their positioning they aren't muffled. Nestled in the top of the right-hand speaker, you get a power button, which is just kind of a weird placement. </p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="s2XjJNu6FQSxaYLsCNsrpj" name="DSC_3374.jpg" alt="" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/s2XjJNu6FQSxaYLsCNsrpj.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="6000" height="3375" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<div class="fancy-box">
<h5>Benchmarks</h5>
<div class="fancy_box_body">
<p>Here’s how the Razer Blade Pro 17 (2020) performed in <a href="http://www.techradar.com/us/news/mobile-computing/laptops/our-laptop-tests-622895">our suite of benchmark tests</a>:</p>
<p><strong>3DMark Night Raid:</strong> 43,497; <strong>Fire Strike:</strong> 18,681; <strong>Time Spy:</strong> 7,921<br />
<strong>Cinebench R20 CPU:</strong> 3,506<br />
<strong>Geekbench 5 Single-Core:</strong> 1,320; <strong>Multi-Core:</strong> 7,689<br />
<strong>PCMark 10 Home:</strong> 5,368<br />
<strong>PCMark 10 Battery Life:</strong> 4 hours 1 minute<br />
<strong>Battery Life (TechRadar movie test):</strong> 4 hours 54 minutes<br />
<strong>Metro Exodus:</strong> 137 fps; <strong>(1080p, Lowest);</strong> 59 fps <strong>(1080p, Highest)<br />
Total War: Three Kingdoms:</strong> 190 fps; <strong>(1080p, Low)</strong>; 65 fps <strong>(1080p, Ultra)</strong></p>
</div>
</div>
<p>As far as ports are concerned, there are plenty. There are two Thunderbolt 3 ports – one on each side of the laptop, along with three USB-A ports. Then, to add a cherry on top, there's an HDMI port, Ethernet and a full-sized SD Card reader. Basically, whether you're a gamer or a creative professional, you're not going to be left wanting for ports.</p>
<p>The reason Razer was able to stuff all these ports in, though, is the sheer thickness of this laptop. This thing is thicc™. While it's not much bigger than other laptops in its class, measuring just .78 inches thick, it's very heavy. This thing weighs a whopping 6.06 lbs, which is heavier than the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/gigabyte-aorus-17g">Gigabyte Aorus 17G</a>, which is a full 22% thicker. If you're looking to commute with this thing, just be prepared for the workout that carrying it around in your backpack is going to be.</p>
<p>And that's before you even consider the weight of the charger, which you're going to need to carry around with you too – because the battery life isn't great. With its 10th-generation Comet Lake-H processors, Intel has drastically improved the average battery life of even the most beefy workstations. Coupled with Nvidia Optimus, which intelligently switches off the dedicated GPU when it's not needed, even gaming laptops are getting some pretty decent battery life these days.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="Gqn4GYQg4akc4ET4hQff8k" name="DSC_3378.jpg" alt="" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Gqn4GYQg4akc4ET4hQff8k.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="6000" height="3375" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>But not the Razer Blade Pro 17. In the PCMark 10 battery test, this laptop squeezed by with just 4 hours of battery life, a full hour behind the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/asus-zephyrus-duo-gx550">Asus Zephyrus Duo</a> – a laptop with two screens. A lot of this likely comes down to the 300Hz refresh rate, but you're definitely going to want to make sure this thing is plugged in most of the time.</p>
<p>Luckily, the Razer Blade Pro 17 performs as expected – but there's a bit of a twist. Right out of the box, the performance profile holds the laptop back a little bit. If you want to squeeze the most juice out of it, you're going to want to go into Razer Synapse, select the Razer Blade Pro icon, go over to the performance tab, and make a custom power profile, and crank the CPU and GPU sliders all the way up. Once you do that, you're going to be able to squeeze the most performance out of the laptop – which just means better frame rate for gamers and time saved for creators.</p>
<p>Once you do that, the Razer Blade Pro 17 punches above its weight class, beating the RTX 2080 Super in the Zephyrus Duo in all of our gaming tests. It does still lag behind when it comes to raw CPU performance – but not by much.</p>
<p>Ultimately, this is a powerful laptop, with a nice aesthetic and plenty of ports. It's a bit heavy, to be sure, and the battery life isn't quite there, but if those are things you can live with, there's a lot to love about the Razer Blade Pro 17.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="jvgrdMcryLXXYRGnyhgyPn" name="DSC_3383.jpg" alt="" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jvgrdMcryLXXYRGnyhgyPn.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="6000" height="3375" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="buy-it-if-5">Buy it if...</h2>
<div class="product">
<p><strong>You want strong performance<br /></strong> The components in the Razer Blade Pro 17 perform to their highest potential, making sure you're getting strong performance for the considerable cash you're putting into it. </p>
</div>
<div class="product">
<p><strong>You need lots of ports<br /></strong> If you're a creative professional, you're unfortunately probably used to laptops making you live that dongle life. Not with the Razer Blade Pro 17 – this laptop has every port most people will ever need. </p>
</div>
<div class="product">
<p><strong>You're a Razer fan</strong><br />
Razer makes everything from laptops to gaming keyboards to mouse pads. If you have a lot of Razer peripherals and want to keep the lighting synced, Razer Synapse is here for everything.</p>
</div>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="BvHyXMVbiKGNXvb4dN77Rm" name="DSC_3381.jpg" alt="" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BvHyXMVbiKGNXvb4dN77Rm.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="6000" height="3375" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="don-apos-t-buy-it-if-5">Don't buy it if...</h2>
<div class="product">
<p><strong>You're on a budget</strong><br />
While it's not the most expensive laptop in its class, it's definitely not cheap. If you're trying to save some cash, you can find this hardware in cheaper laptops – though they might not have as slick a design. </p>
</div>
<div class="product">
<p><strong>You have a long commute<br /></strong> The Razer Blade Pro 17 is a <em>heavy</em> piece of kit, so you're definitely going to feel it if you have to carry it long distances. </p>
</div>
<div class="product">
<p><strong>You need long battery life</strong><br />
The Razer Blade Pro 17 simply has the shortest battery life in its class. This is definitely a laptop that's going to need to stay plugged in most of the time, especially if you're doing heavy work on it. </p>
</div>
<ul>
<li>These are the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/mobile-computing/laptops/best-laptops-1304361">best laptops</a> of 2020</li>
</ul>
</article>
<br />
<br />
from TechRadar: Technology reviews https://ift.tt/2ZgSVBe<br />
rachid120hhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05499302888064463044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961169839206309990.post-49810859420423639632020-07-10T01:25:00.001-07:002020-07-10T01:25:11.459-07:00Samsung Galaxy Book Ion review<article>
<h2 id="two-minute-review-5">Two-minute review</h2>
<p>The Samsung Galaxy Book Ion is perhaps one of the most interesting laptops made by the company. It’s an impressively thin and light <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/mobile-computing/laptops/best-laptops-1304361">laptop</a> that has a sturdy and premium build quality and design, but it also comes with a few features that its competitors do not.</p>
<p>You see, the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion comes with an additional SSD and DDR4 RAM slot. While thin and light laptops from the likes of Microsoft and Apple seem to go out of their way to dissuade people from opening up their devices, Samsung actively encourages people to open up the Galaxy Book Ion and stick some more RAM or storage inside.</p>
<p>Straight away, this makes it a more flexible and future-proof laptop than close competitors like the Apple MacBook Pro 15-inch and <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/dell-xps-15-2020">Dell XPS 15</a>. The idea is that if you want to give the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion a bit of a performance boost (or add more space to store files) later on, you can do so relatively easily and cheaply.</p>
<p>It’s a feature we’d like to see more off in thin and light premium laptops. Apple has a dreadful record for making its devices almost impossible to upgrade or fix yourself. Meanwhile, Microsoft does allow for more storage to be added to a few of its devices, like the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/microsoft-surface-laptop-3-15-inch">Surface Laptop 3</a>, but it encourages people to use a specialist vendor to do it – which can prove costly.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="bMjhZv8vrMVjuULeogyz7" name="20200709_154441.jpg" alt="Samsung Galaxy Book Ion" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bMjhZv8vrMVjuULeogyz7.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="4032" height="2268" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Many thin and light laptops also sacrifice ports to keep their overall size and weight down, but thankfully, the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion comes with a decent selection, with a mix of standard USB ports and USB-C and microSD cards, again making it a more flexible laptop for creatives and professionals compared to other thin and light laptops that don’t offer much in the way of ports.</p>
<p>The Samsung Galaxy Book Ion comes in two versions, a 13.3-inch version (the one we’re testing) and a 15.6-inch model, and both of them are very expensive, with the 13.3-inch version costing $1,199/£1,249 (around AU$1,700), and the 15.6-inch version costing $1,299/£1,299 (around AU$1,900).</p>
<p>This means for all its impressive design and innovative features, the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion will be priced out of many people’s budgets. And, for those whose budgets can stretch to the kind of money Samsung is asking for, it means this laptop has to work hard to justify its high price tag.</p>
<p>Design-wise, it comes in a single color – Aura Silver – and features a blue metallic strip along the back. Otherwise, the overall look of this laptop is stylish, but might be a bit too ‘business-like’ for others. Unsurprisingly (this is a Samsung device, after all), the QLED screen looks fantastic, though the 1080p resolution isn’t the sharpest these days.</p>
<p>The keyboard is mainly comfortable to use, if a bit shallow, but we’re not too keen on the big blue fingerprint scanner. It ends up looking a little naff. Meanwhile, the touchbar can also double as a wireless charger for your phone – a pretty neat feature.</p>
<p>Most importantly, the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion does a fine job at handling day-to-day productivity tasks. Powered by a new 10th generation Intel Core i5 processor and 8GB of RAM, Windows 10 and pretty much any application, loads and runs quickly and smoothly.</p>
<p>However, perhaps its most impressive feature is its battery life, which easily breezed past 10 hours in both of our benchmark tests. This makes the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion an attractive laptop for people who need a device that they can use for long stretches without being able to plug in a charger. For professionals and students, it means it can last a whole work or school day and a hefty commute as well.</p>
<p>Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion is a well-built and dependable laptop with some interesting features – not all of which are successful – and a very good battery life. The high price tag will put many people off, and the subdued design makes it feel like a laptop you can depend on – but not love.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="4g2U6jyMofmwnVbWXuTmVn" name="20200709_154410.jpg" alt="Samsung Galaxy Book Ion" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4g2U6jyMofmwnVbWXuTmVn.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="4032" height="2268" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<div class="fancy-box">
<h5>Spec sheet</h5>
<div class="fancy_box_body">
<p>Here is the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion configuration sent to TechRadar for review: </p>
<p><strong>CPU</strong>: 1.6GHz Intel Core i5-10210U (quad-core, 6MB Intel Smart Cache, up to 4.2GHz with Turbo Boost)<br />
<strong>Graphics</strong>: Intel UHD graphics<br />
<strong>RAM</strong>: 8GB DDR4<br />
<strong>Screen</strong>: 13.3-inch FHD (1,920 x 1,080) QLED<br />
<strong>Storage</strong>: 512GB SSD (PCIe, NVMe, M.2)<br />
<strong>Ports</strong>: USB-C 3.1 with Thunderbolt 3, 2 x USB 3.0, 1 x microSD card reader, combi audio jack, 1 x HDMI<br />
<strong>Connectivity</strong>: Wi-Fi 6 (Gig+) 802.11ax 2 x 2, Bluetooth 5.0<br />
<strong>Camera</strong>: 720p webcam<br />
<strong>Weight</strong>: 2.14 pounds (0.97kg)<br />
<strong>Size</strong>: 12.04 x 7.87 x 0.51 inches (305.8 x 199.9 x 12.95mm; W x D x H)</p>
</div>
</div>
<h2 id="price-and-availability-5">Price and availability</h2>
<p>The Samsung Galaxy Book Ion comes in either a 13.3-inch version for $1,199/£1,249 (around AU$1,700), and a 15.6-inch model costing $1,299/£1,299 (around AU$1,900) in the US and UK. It seems like the Galaxy Book Ion isn’t available in Australia at the time of writing. We’re double checking with Samsung to see if (and when) it does release there.</p>
<p>You’ll probably notice that there’s only a small price increase between 13.3inch and 15.6-inch models (just $100/£50). This is because apart from the screen sizes, the two models come with exactly the same spec – 10th generation Intel Core processors, 8GB of RAM and 512GB SSDs.</p>
<p>That means which Samsung Galaxy Book Ion you go for will be based purely on what screen size you’re after. Going for the smaller model (which we’ve reviewed) doesn’t mean you’re missing out on performance, while going for the larger model doesn’t mean you’re going to take a big hit financially.</p>
<p>It’s quite nice to be able to do that. The 13.3-inch model is slightly thinner and lighter, so it’s better suited to people who want more portability. Meanwhile, the larger 15.6-inch screen could be more comfortable to work on for many people.</p>
<p>Both versions are very expensive, however, putting it in the same price brackets as the 13-inch MacBook Pro (2020), <a href="https://www.techradar.com/uk/reviews/microsoft-surface-laptop-3-15-inch">Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 (15-inch)</a> and some models of the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/uk/reviews/dell-xps-15-2020">Dell XPS 15 (2020)</a>.</p>
<p>These are some of the best laptops money can buy right now (the Dell XPS 15 is in fact our pick of the best laptop of 2020 at the moment), so Samsung will really need to impress with the Galaxy Book Ion.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="zZAHZjouy94S7WbFfQzjYm" name="20200709_154349.jpg" alt="Samsung Galaxy Book Ion" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zZAHZjouy94S7WbFfQzjYm.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="4032" height="2268" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="design-5">Design</h2>
<p>When it comes to design, Samsung has shown that it’s mastered the art of creating sleek and stylish devices, be they laptops, smartphones or TVs, and the Galaxy Book Ion doesn’t let the side down.</p>
<p>With dimensions of 12.04 x 7.87 x 0.51 inches (305.8 x 199.9 x 12.95mm) and a weight of 2.14 pounds (0.97kg) for the smaller model, this is one of the thinnest and lightest laptops you can currently buy. It’s thinner and lighter than the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/uk/reviews/macbook-air-2020">Apple MacBook Air</a>, which used to be the benchmark for ultra-thin laptops.</p>
<p>It means this is a laptop that can easily be carried around with you without trouble, and you can hold it in one hand with ease.</p>
<p>The 15.6-inch model is larger and heavier, as you’d probably expect, with dimensions of 14.02 x 8.98 x 0.59 (356 x 228 x 15mm) and a weight of 2.62 pounds (1.19kg).</p>
<p>That extra bulk makes it slightly less portable than the smaller model, but it’s still not going to be too difficult to carry around. Still, if portability is one of your top priorities, you’ll want to go for the 13.3-inch model.</p>
<p>Both models come in a single color option: Aura Silver with a blue metallic strip that runs along the hinge. It manages to look understated, but not bland. However, the silver color, along with the sharp corners, makes the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion look like it’s a business laptop, rather than something sleek and desirable, and that strait-laced design may put off as many people as it impresses.</p>
<p>On opening up the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion, you’re greeted with a keyboard with large keys that makes typing on it relatively comfortable – though the key travel is a little shallow.</p>
<p>One thing we didn’t like about the keyboard, however, is the large blue key next to the right-hand Shift key. This is actually the fingerprint scanner – simply rest your finger on it to unlock Windows 10. However, our problem with it is that it’s rather large and ugly. Its size also means the right-hand Shift key is smaller, and we found ourselves hitting the finger print scanner rather than the Shift key a few times while frantically typing.</p>
<p>It’s an odd design choice, as we’ve seen laptops with smaller, less intrusive, fingerprint scanners; some are even built into the power button or track pad. However, the fingerprint scanner of the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion ends up sticking out like a sore thumb, rather ironically.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="nTr6CewVyvkBW9iNUDvVk" name="20200709_154457.jpg" alt="Samsung Galaxy Book Ion" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nTr6CewVyvkBW9iNUDvVk.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="4032" height="2268" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>It’s not like the larger size makes it more accurate, either. There were multiple instances of it not recognising a fingerprint when trying to unlock it. This is a common problem with <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/best-windows-laptop">Windows 10 laptops</a>, we’ve found. None seem to work as well as the TouchID button on a MacBook.</p>
<p>The trackpad, meanwhile, does the job well enough, but it would be pretty much completely unremarkable if not for a rather interesting feature – it has built-in wireless charging. That means you can place a compatible smartphone on the trackpad, and it will begin charging wirelessly.</p>
<p>In theory it’s a pretty great – and unique – idea. Being able to easily top up your smartphone while using your laptop seems really useful.</p>
<p>However, there are a little niggles with the implementation. You need to turn the feature on by pressing the Fn key and F11. While the feature is on, you’re unable to use the trackpad – which makes sense, as you’ll have a phone on it. However, without a touchscreen, it means you need a separate mouse if you want to still use the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion. If you don’t have one of those, then all you’ll be able to do is use the laptop to watch a film while your phone charges.</p>
<p>Still, it’s good to see Samsung try something a bit different, and we found with the feature turned on, we were able to charge a Samsung Galaxy Note 9 by simply placing it on the trackpad, without having to move it around. We did need to take the phone out of its case, however, for it to work.</p>
<p>One aspect of the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion’s design that’s an unequivocal success, however, is its 1080p QLED screen which looks incredibly bright and vibrant. It can go up to 600 nits in brightness in its Outdoor mode, so even in direct sunlight you can still work comfortably. It also supports HDR, and it’s one of the nicest screens we’ve seen on a laptop.</p>
<p>Probably the only issue we have with the screen (there always seems to be a caveat with every aspect of this laptop) is the 1080p resolution. On the 13.3-inch display this is a perfectly fine resolution, though a higher resolution would lead to an even more impressive image quality. However, when stretched over 15.6-inches, the lower resolution is going to pale in comparison with laptops with similar screen sizes, but higher resolutions, such as the Apple MacBook Pro and Dell XPS 15.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="cMtHqHxXcXAww3YGzZWFP" name="20200709_154450.jpg" alt="Samsung Galaxy Book Ion" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cMtHqHxXcXAww3YGzZWFP.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="4032" height="2268" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>When it comes to ports, the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion offers a good selection despite its thin design: you get two full-size USB 3.0 ports, a standard HDMI port, audio jack and Thunderbolt 3 USB-C port. It also comes with a microSD card reader. It’s good to see a thin and light with this kind or array of ports – all too often svelte laptops sacrifice ports in order to keep their size down.</p>
<p>There’s also a power port for its proprietary charger. Having a thin and light laptop in 2020 using a power charger that can’t be used with other laptops feels a little archaic when even Apple allows its MacBooks to be charged by another laptop’s USB-C charger.</p>
<p>The good news is that you can plug a USB-C charger into the USB-C port of the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion to charge it. However, you do get a pop-up message warning that even plugged in this way, the laptop could lose battery if it uses up too much power.</p>
<p>So, it should be fine for topping up the battery if you’re caught without the real charger, but it may not be enough to keep the laptop charged while you work on it.</p>
<p>Another interesting aspect of the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion’s design is something you’ll not see. It comes with a spare RAM and SSD slots, which allows you to add additional memory or storage, which is a nice feature that allows you to upgrade the laptop without too much expense. However, the process of opening up the Galaxy Book Ion to access these additional slots can be fiddly, and not for the faint-hearted.</p>
<div class="fancy-box">
<h5>Benchmarks</h5>
<div class="fancy_box_body">
<p>Here’s how the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion performed in <a href="http://www.techradar.com/us/news/mobile-computing/laptops/our-laptop-tests-622895">our suite of benchmark tests</a>:</p>
<p><strong>Cinebench R20 CPU</strong>: 1,098 points<br />
<strong>GeekBench 5</strong>: 1,052 (single-core); 3,472 (multi-core)<br />
<strong>PCMark 10 (Home Test)</strong>: 3,825 points <br />
<strong>PCMark 10 Battery Life</strong>: 10 hours 56 minutes <br />
<strong>Battery Life (TechRadar movie test)</strong>: 12 hours 23 minutes</p>
</div>
</div>
<h2 id="performance-5">Performance</h2>
<p>With a 10th generation Intel Core i5-10210U processor and 8GB of DDR4 memory (along with a 512GB NVMe SSD), you’d expect the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion to be a decent performer, and that’s pretty much true. In our time with the laptop, it handled day-to-day tasks with ease. <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/software/operating-systems/windows-10-1267364/review">Windows 10</a> boots up fast, and feels snappy and responsive when in use.</p>
<p>Even with several different apps open at once, the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion kept pace without any issues, so for a productivity/business laptop, it does an excellent job. Intel’s 10th gen Core i5 does a lot of heavy lifting here, and it results in a laptop that performs very well considering its thin and light design.</p>
<p>The fact that you can add more RAM later on means this is more future-proof than other thin and lights – though as we mentioned, the 8GB of DDR4 it comes with is perfectly fine for most tasks.</p>
<p>However, the lack of a discrete GPU means this won’t be a laptop you’d want to use for gaming or graphic-intensive creative work. But that’s not what this laptop was designed for.</p>
<p>It’d be remiss of us to not mention the quality of the screen here again. It really is a looker, and if you’re doing a spot of photo editing, or watching the latest shows and movies, then you’re going to be pretty impressed – though that 1080p resolution means 4K entertainment is out of the question.</p>
<p>Throughout our time with the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion, it also kept impressively quiet – a testament to the thermal design of the laptop and the 10th gen processor inside.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="z9PXsCh5QoAFitJhXkUJwn" name="20200709_154429.jpg" alt="Samsung Galaxy Book Ion" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/z9PXsCh5QoAFitJhXkUJwn.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="4032" height="2268" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="battery-life-5">Battery life</h2>
<p>Intel’s 10th generation processors are more power efficient than their processors, and not only does that help keep laptops powered by them, like the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion, quiet (they produce less heat, so there’s less need for the fans to kick in), it also helps improve battery lives as well.</p>
<p>So, in our tests, we were impressed by the long battery life. The Samsung Galaxy Book Ion lasted a very impressive 12 hours and 23 minutes in our battery life benchmark test, which runs a looped 1080p video until the battery dies.</p>
<p>While watching videos isn’t the most demanding of tasks, it means the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion can easily last many long-haul flights on a single charge.</p>
<p>In the PC Mark 10 battery life test, which replicates more intensive workloads, such as web browsing and video calling, the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion still managed a very good 10 hours and 56 minutes. So, essentially, the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion will last an entire work (or school) day, and a commute, without needing a charge.</p>
<p>It’s impressive stuff.</p>
<h2 id="software-and-features-5">Software and features</h2>
<p>When it comes to software, the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion comes with Windows 10 Home installed. Also, as anyone who has owned a Samsung device, such as its smartphones, you’ll be unsurprised to learn that a number of Samsung’s own apps are also preinstalled.</p>
<p>Like on its smartphones, these often replicate existing apps – so you get Samsung Notes, for example, which is essentially a mix between Note Pad and Google Keep.</p>
<p>If you use these apps on your Samsung phone, then you may be pleased to see them here as well. If not, then they are simply apps that you’ll rarely use, and end up taking up space on the hard drive and cluttering the Start menu. Plus, even the biggest Samsung fan will probably find little use for apps such as Samsung Flow or Live Message.</p>
<p>There are also a few maintenance tools like Samsung PC Cleaner which helps you find memory and storage-hogging applications, which does essentially the same job as the built-in Disk Clean-up tool of Windows 10, but it has a more user-friendly interface.</p>
<p>As for the unique features of the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion, such as the wireless charging ability, we’ve covered that elsewhere. They are nice ideas, but they don’t always work smoothly.</p>
<h2 id="buy-it-if-5">Buy it if...</h2>
<div class="product">
<p><strong>You want a thin and light laptop that is also a great performer</strong><br />
The Samsung Galaxy Book Ion manages the tricky balancing act of having a thin and light design, while also offering enough performance to handle most daily tasks with ease.</p>
</div>
<div class="product">
<p><strong>You want a laptop that lasts the whole workday<br /></strong> The Samsung Galaxy Book Ion’s most impressive feature is its long battery life. This is a great performing laptop that can easily last an entire workday – making it ideal for people who are often working on the road.</p>
</div>
<div class="product">
<p><strong>You’re a Samsung fan<br /></strong> If you own a Samsung smartphone or tablet, the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion plays very nicely with those devices, so if you’re already in the Samsung ecosystem, this is a great choice.</p>
</div>
<h2 id="don-apos-t-buy-it-if-5">Don't buy it if...</h2>
<div class="product">
<p><strong>You want a budget laptop</strong><br />
The Samsung Galaxy Book Ion is a very expensive laptop, which means for anyone on a strict budget, this won’t be the laptop for you.</p>
</div>
<div class="product">
<p><strong>You want a 4K screen<br /></strong> The screen of the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion is bright and vibrant, but it’s also just 1080p. If you want to experience 4K videos, or edit high resoltuion photos, then you’ll want to go for something that offers more pixels.</p>
</div>
<div class="product">
<p><strong>You're after a laptop for gaming on<br /></strong> The Samsung Galaxy Book Ion isn't a bad performer, but as it only has integrated graphics, you won't be able to play modern AAA blockbuster games on this thing. Gamers should look elsewhere.</p>
</div>
<ul>
<li>Check out our pick of the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/mobile-computing/laptops/best-laptops-1304361">best laptops</a> of 2020</li>
</ul>
</article>
<br />
<br />
from TechRadar: Technology reviews https://ift.tt/2W32cL9<br />
rachid120hhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05499302888064463044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961169839206309990.post-22123148452499459852020-07-09T18:25:00.003-07:002020-07-09T18:25:07.965-07:00MacBook Air (2020)<article>
<h2 id="two-minute-review-5">Two-minute review</h2>
<p>The MacBook Air 2020 swaggers onto the market with brand new components and a higher minimum storage capacity, making it a big step up from the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/apple-macbook-air-2019"><u>MacBook Air 2019</u></a>. Finally, Apple’s thinnest and lightest laptop isn’t only getting a decent uptick in performance over its predecessor, but also double the storage over the previous generations, making it a better investment overall.</p>
<p>Our biggest issue with MacBook Air was how under-powered it felt, especially compared to many of their competing Windows-based laptops at the same price range. The line has left many users unsatisfied for the price they were paying, not just because of the far too many compromises, but also because each yearly update felt like a small step up, rather than a revolutionary jump. So, this is certainly an upgrade that many MacBook Air fans will appreciate. </p>
<p>For the first time, the line now has configurations with quad-core processors and up to 16GB of RAM, which makes this 2020 model far more powerful than its predecessors. That’s without raising the price or compromising that all-important thin and light design it’s famous for. And, with all the fun and exciting new features and functionalities that the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/macos-1016-big-sur"><u>macOS 11 Big Sur</u></a> is rolling in later this year, the MacBook Air 2020 will deliver an even richer and more seamless experience.</p>
<ul>
<li>What will <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/macos-1016-release-date-news-and-rumors">macOS 10.16</a>, to be revealed at <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/wwdc-2020">WWDC 2020</a>, mean for the MacBook Air?</li>
</ul>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="LdRBe2XhqbNmgaEffLtFji" name="MBAir2020_8.JPG" alt="MacBook Air (2020)" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/LdRBe2XhqbNmgaEffLtFji.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="1920" height="1080" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<div class="fancy-box">
<h5>Spec sheet</h5>
<div class="fancy_box_body">
<p><img src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BgiYQc6rat6iB6WwZYtRVm.jpg" class="pinterest-pin-exclude" /></p>
<div class="credit">(Image credit: Apple)</div>
<p>Here is the MacBook Air (2020) configuration sent to TechRadar for review:</p>
<p><strong>CPU:</strong> 1.1GHz Intel Core i3-1000NG4 (dual-core, 4 threads, 4MB cache, up to 3.2GHz)<br />
<strong>Graphics:</strong> Intel Iris Plus<br />
<strong>RAM:</strong> 8GB (3,733MHz LPDDR4X)<br />
<strong>Screen:</strong> 13.3-inch, 2,560 x 1,600 Retina True Tone display (backlit LED, IPS)<br />
<strong>Storage:</strong> 256GB PCIe SSD<br />
<strong>Ports:</strong> 2x Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C), 3.5mm headphone jack<br />
<strong>Connectivity:</strong> 802.11ac Wi-F, Bluetooth 5<br />
<strong>Camera:</strong> 720p FaceTime HD webcam<br />
<strong>Weight:</strong> 2.8 pounds (1.29kg)<br />
<strong>Size:</strong> 11.97 x 8.36 x 0.63 inches (30.41 x 21.24 x 1.61cm; W x D x H)</p>
</div>
</div>
<p>Sadly, it’s no longer the thinnest and lightest laptop around (the LG Gram, for instance, is one of several Windows 10 laptops that weighs less than the MacBook Air these days). However, the MacBook Air for 2020 is still an impressively compact laptop with Apple’s famous design and build quality. While the new components add a little extra size and weight to the overall dimensions of the new MacBook Air, it remains to be a laptop you can easily and comfortably carry around with you.</p>
<p>When it comes to price, Apple has pleasantly surprised us by releasing the MacBook Air 2020 at a starting price that’s lower than what the 2019 model launched at: $999 / £999 / AU$1,599. Not only is this cheaper, but the specs are better than last year’s model, with the entry-level model featuring a dual-core 10th-generation 1.1GHz Intel Core i3 processor with a boost of 3.2GHz, 256GB storage and 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM.</p>
<p>Design-wise, things are pretty much the same, but with one major (and welcome) difference: the MacBook Air 2020 comes with a new keyboard. Gone is the old butterfly switches, which were too shallow for many people, and prone to failing if debris, such as dust and crumbs, fell between the keys, and in its place is the new Magic keyboard, which first appeared with the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/uk/reviews/macbook-pro-16-inch-2019-review">MacBook Pro 16-inch</a>. This offers a deeper travel when typing, so it feels more responsive, and – crucially – it appears to have fixed the reliability issues of the older keyboard.</p>
<p>Elsewhere, it’s pretty much business as usual, which is good news if you love Apple’s devices and have been hankering after a MacBook Air that performs as well as it looks. However, if Apple’s laptops have previously left you cold, then there’s not much here that will make you change your mind.</p>
<h2 id="price-and-availability-5">Price and availability</h2>
<p>In a pleasant surprise, the MacBook Air (2020) has launched at a new lower price for its entry level model.</p>
<p>The new entry-level MacBook Air comes with a dual-core 10th-generation Intel Core i3 processor, 256GB storage (up from 128GB in the previous model) and 8GB of RAM for $999 / £999 / AU$1,599.</p>
<p>That's a decent saving considering that the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/apple-macbook-air-2019">MacBook Air (2019)</a>'s entry level model launched at $1,099 / £1,099 / AU$1,699. In an age of rising costs, it's really pleasing to see Apple release newer hardware at cheaper prices. Long may it continue.</p>
<p>Apple also launched a higher-end MacBook Air priced at $1,299 / £1,299 / AU$1,999, and this comes with a 10th-generation quad-core Intel Core i5 processor – the first time a quad-core CPU has been included in a MacBook Air – 512GB SSD storage and 8GB of RAM.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="5TDQCtTFCjQAbVc9zZMEzh" name="MBAir2020_4.JPG" alt="MacBook Air (2020)" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5TDQCtTFCjQAbVc9zZMEzh.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="1920" height="1080" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>As with previous models, you can further upgrade the MacBook Air, adding double the RAM, more storage up to 2TB and a faster 10th generation Intel Core i7 processor.</p>
<p>The fully maxed-out version, then, with a 1.2GHz Intel Core i7 processor, 16GB RAM and 2TB SSD costs $2,249 / £2,249 / AU$3,349.</p>
<p>The MacBook Air 2020 is available to order right now <a href="https://www.apple.com/" target="_blank">from the Apple Store</a>.</p>
<h2 id="design-5">Design</h2>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="UFZ7MEwAE2caVVS8DpeSNi" name="MBAir2020_6.JPG" alt="MacBook Air (2020)" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UFZ7MEwAE2caVVS8DpeSNi.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="1920" height="1080" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>There's no radical redesign of the MacBook Air with the 2020 model (on the outside, at least), but then many people will argue that there's no need for Apple to tinker with such a successful design.</p>
<p>So, the MacBook Air remains impressively thin and light, as the name suggests, with dimensions of 11.97 x 8.36 x 0.63 inches (30.41 x 21.24 x 1.61cm). That's a slightly thicker build than the 2019 model, and this year's MacBook Air 2020 also weighs slightly more at 2.8 pounds (1.29kg) (compared to the 2.75 pounds (1.25kg) weight of the 2019 model).</p>
<p>As is the case with modern MacBooks, the MacBook Air (2020) doesn't come with many ports, so you're stuck with just two Thunderbolt 3 (USB-C) ports and an audio jack. The Thunderbolt 3 ports are at least versatile, offering transfer speeds up to 40Gb/s and allowing you to transmit up to 6K footage to a compatible monitor, and can be used for charging as well.</p>
<p>So, you don't need a special charger to boost the battery of the MacBook Air, which is nice, but it does mean you lose one of those Thunderbolt 3 ports when you need to charge.</p>
<p>Holding the MacBook Air is what you'd expect from Apple's lightest laptop – it feels, unsurprisingly, lightweight. While it doesn't match the ultra-light designs of the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/lg-gram-17">LG Gram</a> or the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/laptops-portable-pcs/laptops-and-netbooks/acer-swift-7-1327419/review">Acer Swift 7</a>, it's still easy to carry around with you and sling in a bag, and it continues to feature the same premium brushed finish that's adorned MacBooks for years, with a choice of Space Gray, Gold or Silver colors.</p>
<p>While not much is different on the outside of the MacBook Air 2020, the biggest (and most welcome) change is found as soon as you open it up; Apple has finally replaced the keyboard with a new design that uses a redesigned scissor mechanism that is aimed at avoiding the reliability issues that MacBooks have suffered with the older butterfly keyboard design.</p>
<p>This new keyboard offers 1mm key travel for a responsive feel when typing, and the arrow keys are now in an inverted 'T' shape, which makes them more intuitive to use.</p>
<p>There's also a Touch ID fingerprint scanner for biometric login to macOS and for paying online with Apple Pay. As with other <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/computing/apple/mac-buyer-s-guide-2015-1295725">MacBooks</a> with this feature, we found it easy to set up (it's part of the process when you first start up the MacBook Air), and it was fast and reliable when it came to detecting our fingerprints.</p>
<p>While the keyboard feels robust and easy to use – the key spacing in particular still makes tapping the right button a simple experience, and one that even non-MacBook users will adapt to swiftly – the travel still feels like it could be a touch deeper. </p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="Xoaxze4DLNPwUaE5tHRmoh" name="MBAir2020_3.JPG" alt="MacBook Air (2020)" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Xoaxze4DLNPwUaE5tHRmoh.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="1920" height="1080" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>That's a largely subjective opinion, but a little more bounce might have been welcomed.</p>
<p>Still, swapping between the new keyboard of the MacBook Air, and the old keyboard in an aging MacBook Pro, the difference is stark: we much prefer typing on the MacBook Air. If the new keyboard design has also fixed the reliability issues of past MacBooks – and so far, it seems, has, with no reports of major issues since the MacBook Pro 16-inch launched with it late 2019. Combined with the improved typing experience, and we'd almost say the new keyboard of the MacBook Air is a complete success.</p>
<p><em>Almost</em>. It's not quite perfect, however. The keyboard is a little more cramped than you might find on a larger MacBook Pro, and the reconfigured arrow keys still require a moment's thought to make sure you're hitting the right one, but that's something you'll get used to in time.</p>
<p>Screen-wise, nothing has changed since last year's model. It comes with a 13.3-inch display with LED backlighting, IPS technology and a native resolution of 2,560 x 1,600. That results in a pixel density of 227 pixels per inch for sharp image quality.</p>
<p>As with last year's model, the MacBook Air 2020's screen also features True Tone technology, which automatically adjusts the color temperature shown on the screen based on the ambient light.</p>
<p>TrueTone is a nice feature to have and one that's been making a real difference on iPhones and iPads for years now. It's one of those features you'll never notice until you turn it off, but largely it makes the display a little warmer to use.</p>
<p>Whether or not you like TrueTone will again largely depend on your personal preferences. For us, we preferred the setting switched off, as we found TrueTone made the display a little too warm for our tastes, giving whites a yellowish tinge.</p>
<p>If you want to use the MacBook Air for work where color accuracy is vitally important (such as photo editing), then you will definitely want to have TrueTone turned off.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, watching movies on the MacBook Air won't ever be the primary reason for owning the machine, but they do lack the color reproduction pop of some other, higher-power machines from Apple and rivals, looking a touch muted.</p>
<p>It would have been nice to see HDR support on here, but for the price (which is on the palatable side for a new MacBook) we can understand why it's not been added.</p>
<p>You do get a year's free Apple TV+ subscription with every purchase of the new MacBook Air, and that has a wealth of HDR / 4K content on there, so it would have been nice to see that supported.</p>
<div class="fancy-box">
<h5>Benchmarks</h5>
<div class="fancy_box_body">
<p>Here’s how the MacBook Air (2020) performed in <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/mobile-computing/laptops/our-laptop-tests-622895">our suite of benchmark tests</a>:</p>
<p><strong>Cinebench CPU</strong>: 267 points; <strong>Graphics</strong>: 37.5 fps<br />
<strong>Geekbench 5 Single-Core</strong>: 1,094; <strong>Multi-Core</strong>: 2,276<br />
<strong>TechRadar Battery Life Test</strong>: 7 hours 55 minutes</p>
</div>
</div>
<h2 id="performance-5">Performance</h2>
<p>We've been using the base model of the MacBook Air - probably the version many people will go for - which means the dual-core Intel i3 chipset at the heart.</p>
<p>We've found early performance to be pretty impressive - even when loading up the RAM-hungry Chrome, filling it with 25 tabs and then trying to edit photos on the side. </p>
<p>We noticed very little in slowdown at all in terms of switching between tasks - even when adding in a video call (which did begin to hammer the battery through Chrome, as it does on many MacBooks) things continued well, albeit with some necessary fan assistance to keep things cool.</p>
<p>While macOS feels nicely responsive for day-to-day tasks on the entry-level version, the MacBook Air still lags behind the more powerful (and expensive) MacBook Pro when it comes to using more intensive apps. While this is certainly not a slow laptop, you may find yourself staring at the spinning wheel icon as the MacBook Air loads up apps a bit more often than on faster Macs.</p>
<p>Still, we were able to mess around on GarageBand while VLC was playing and Safari had a few apps open all at once, and the MacBook Air did a great job of keeping up. If you're going to be doing more hardcore multitasking, however, going for the MacBook Air with more RAM or the better processor will be a good idea.</p>
<p>The ultra-thin design of the MacBook Air does come at a bit of a price when it comes to performance, however. When under sustained load, the MacBook Air (2020) can become quite hot, causing the fans to whirr up. This can also result in reduced performance thanks to thermal throttling, which is when the power of the CPU is lowered to prevent it from overheating and getting damaged.</p>
<p>We ran a few CPU-intensive benchmarks to see how the MacBook Air (2020) could handle being used for heavy workloads. The temperatures of the CPU very quickly rose to 100C. Not long after, the fans seriously started to kick in, in a bid to keep the MacBook Air cool. After a while, these fans became distractingly loud, and the body of the MacBook Air was hot to touch at the bottom.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="4Tkzy3TfZQQvNPTi9QSdXi" name="MBAir2020_7.JPG" alt="MacBook Air (2020)" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4Tkzy3TfZQQvNPTi9QSdXi.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="1920" height="1080" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Meanwhile, the CPU frequency hovered around 2.31GHz, higher than the 1.1GHz base clock, but a far cry from the 3.2GHz boost the CPU is supposedly capable of.</p>
<p>What this means is that in a bid to keep the CPU cool, the MacBook Air is limiting the speed of the CPU. So, if you're going to be doing a lot of high intensity tasks which require the CPU to work for long periods of time, then you're better off investing in a MacBook Pro, which handles thermal throttling a lot better.</p>
<p>Of course, there is the argument that the MacBook Air is designed to be thin and light first and foremost, and not a raw productivity machine. So, you're unlikely to really put this laptop (and its processor) through heavy tasks most of the time.</p>
<p>The extra SSD storage included in the MacBook Air is also very welcome. Again, the solid state drive keeps the macOS operating system feeling spiritedly, and data transfers are nice and quick.</p>
<p>Most importantly, the 256GB starting capacity is far more generous than the 128GB older MacBook Airs offered. This gives you much more space to save photos, videos and documents, and should mean you're less reliant on iCloud or <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/best-external-desktop-and-portable-hard-disk-drives">external hard drives</a>. However, for keen photographers or musicians, you'll probably want to go for a model with even more storage – and thankfully, Apple offers up to 2TB of SSD storage in the MacBook Air (2020).</p>
<p>Entertainment-wise, the speakers on the new MacBook Air deserve a good mention – when watching 'Ford vs Ferrari', the vocal clarity was clear even when juxtaposed with loud, crunching car sounds. While the screen tech isn't top notch for entertainment, the sound output is (and there's still a headphone jack on board).</p>
<p>Meanwhile, even on max brightness, the display seems a bit too dim for our tastes, lacking the vibrancy of rivals with OLED screens. Apple has also kept its 720p webcam that we feel has started to outstay its welcome. There are other laptops out there with much better webcams for the price.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="PpMYcmcfutENp2aBTSffCi" name="MBAir2020_5.JPG" alt="MacBook Air (2020)" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PpMYcmcfutENp2aBTSffCi.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="1920" height="1080" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="battery-life-5">Battery life</h2>
<p>Apple claims the MacBook Air (2020) has 11 hours of battery life, but in our day-to-day use and benchmark tests, we found it actually managed a bit below that.</p>
<p>With our battery life test, where we play a looped 1080p video until the battery ran out, the MacBook Air (2020) managed just shy of 8 hours. We also found that when using the MacBook Air, using a mix of Apple's own apps and other, more battery-hungry, applications, this year's model lasted around 7 hours. That means it'll certainly last an entire work/school day, and you could happily having it playing videos during long flights, but unless you really cut down on the type and number of apps you use, and lower that screen brightness, you're not going to be hitting the promised 11 hours.</p>
<p>There is some good news, as in standby, the energy impact is pretty minimal - overnight we saw barely any drop in battery life, although it's worth remembering this is still a new MacBook Air so will be functioning at peak performance.</p>
<p>This is one of the best things about MacBooks compared to Windows 10 laptops – you can leave them in standby for days on end, and the battery life will be relatively unchanged. Meanwhile, many Windows laptops will somehow hemorrhage battery life even when not in use.</p>
<h2 id="buy-it-if-5">Buy it if...</h2>
<div class="product">
<p><strong>You want an affordable MacBook</strong><br />
The MacBook Air (2020) finally delivers on the promise of an affordable MacBook that doesn't feel like there's been too many compromises.</p>
</div>
<div class="product">
<p><strong>You hate the old butterfly keyboard<br /></strong> One of the best new features of the MacBook Air (2020) is the new keyboard. It feels much nicer to use, and it seems to have fixed the reliability issues that plagued the older keyboards.</p>
</div>
<div class="product">
<p><strong>You're a student looking for a MacBook</strong><br />
The (relatively) affordable price, alongside the thin and light design and decent battery life makes this a brilliant MacBook for students. You can happily sling it in your backpack and carry it around campus all day.</p>
</div>
<h2 id="don-apos-t-buy-it-if-5">Don't buy it if...</h2>
<div class="product">
<p><strong>You want the most powerful laptop<br /></strong> While Apple has updated the specs of the MacBook Air, and finally added quad-core CPU options, this is still not a laptop designed for seriously heavy workloads.</p>
</div>
<div class="product">
<p><strong>You need color accuracy<br /></strong> The MacBook Air (2020)'s screen is nice enough, but it lacks the professional color gamuts found in the MacBook Pro and other professional laptops. If you need color accuracy for work, look elsewhere.</p>
</div>
<div class="product">
<p><strong>You don't like Macs<br /></strong> The MacBook Air doesn't have a revolutionary design, nor does it try to win over Windows users too much. If you weren't a fan of previous MacBook Airs, the 2020 model won't really persuade you otherwise.</p>
</div>
</article>
<br />
<br />
from TechRadar: Technology reviews https://ift.tt/3bdZYxq<br />
rachid120hhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05499302888064463044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961169839206309990.post-90399489831286413862020-07-09T18:25:00.001-07:002020-07-09T18:25:07.170-07:00F-Secure Freedome VPN<article>
<p><a href="https://www.f-secure.com/us-en/home/products/freedome" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Freedome</a> is a flexible and easy-to-use <a href="https://www.techradar.com/uk/vpn/best-vpn">VPN</a> from the Helsinki-based security vendor F-Secure.</p>
<p>The service mostly focuses on the privacy fundamentals. It offers a small set of 29 locations (16 in Europe, nine in North America, three in Asia, one in Australia), with native Windows, Mac, iOS and Android apps, giving you access to (some) geo-blocked content and with no bandwidth limits to hold you back.</p>
<p>Although Freedome uses OpenVPN underneath, it doesn't support manually setting up the service with routers or other devices. You must use the official apps.</p>
<p>The only significant bonus feature is tracker blocking, although F-Secure does its best to build this up, highlighting extras like an "interactive visual map" to show you the trackers it has blocked. This looks pretty and can sometimes be useful, but realistically, you wouldn't miss it if it wasn't there.</p>
<ul>
<li>Want to try F-Secure Freedome VPN? <a href="https://www.f-secure.com/us-en/home/products/freedome" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Check out the website here</a></li>
</ul>
<p>F-Secure Freedome VPN pricing is a little more complicated than usual.</p>
<p>There's no monthly plan, but you can protect three devices for an equivalent $2.92 <a href="https://www.f-secure.com/us-en/home/products/freedome" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">a month in year 1</a>, $4.58 <a href="https://www.f-secure.com/us-en/home/products/freedome" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">on renewal</a>.</p>
<p>Covering seven devices costs $5.83 for the first year, $7.50 on renewal. That looks a little overpriced to us. F-Secure expects you to pay $69.99 to protect seven devices for one year; give <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/surfshark" target="_blank">Surfshark</a> $47.88 and it'll protect unlimited devices for two.</p>
<p>F-Secure has a better value option in its seven device, <a href="https://www.f-secure.com/us-en/home/products/freedome" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">two-year plan</a>, though, which is priced at $3.75 per month for the first term, $4.99 on renewal.</p>
<p>Whatever you think of the pricing, F-Secure clearly thinks it can win you over, as it offers a free 5-day trial, no payment details required. And if you like what you see, and sign up, you're still protected by a 30-day money-back guarantee.</p>
<h2 id="privacy-and-logging-5">Privacy and logging</h2>
<p>Freedome's <a href="https://www.f-secure.com/en/legal/privacy/consumer/freedome" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">privacy policy</a> is short, clear and direct, focused on what you need and want to know, and so readable that it tramples all over the pages of most of the competition.</p>
<p>This starts right at the top of the document, with simple statements of policy: "We do not share nor sell any of your traffic"; "We do not read your traffic"; "We do not know what traffic is yours."</p>
<p>The page details some logging, including records of "the device ID and the public IP address from where the VPN client connects to our service", the duration of a session and the amount of bandwidth used. But it also explains the purpose of this (to protect against fraudulent use), how long the logs are kept (90 days), and points out that there's no way to identify what you did once you'd connected to the server.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="6LUENFwDuEBY3rGNsyprgi" name="TheTrackerMapperLogsWhichWebsitesAreTryingToTrackYou.jpg" alt="Tracker Mapper" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6LUENFwDuEBY3rGNsyprgi.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="970" height="545" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">The Tracker Mapper logs which websites are trying to track you</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: F-Secure)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>F-Secure even highlights potential issues with its own features. The Tracker Mapper needs to log tracking data to present you with its map, for instance, but the privacy policy explains that this is optional, and exactly when and how it'll be deleted.</p>
<p>Put it all together and F-Secure seems to be making a real effort to ensure its customers understand any privacy issues, and other companies could learn a lot from this approach.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="tR3ZBZjpAhJu6U8EXjAqJc" name="InstallationIsQuickAndEasy.jpg" alt="Installation" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tR3ZBZjpAhJu6U8EXjAqJc.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="970" height="545" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">Installing F-Secure's VPN client was quick and easy</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: F-Secure)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="apps-5">Apps</h2>
<p>Freedome's trial provides a risk-free way to try out the service, and we had its Windows client installed and ready to go within a couple of minutes.</p>
<p>Freedome's Windows client is bulkier than most others thanks to a button-packed sidebar, with options including Browsing Protection, Tracking Protection, Tracker Mapper, Settings and Subscription.</p>
<p>The core of the program is very familiar, though. A main console displays your connection status and a few stats (bandwidth used, sites and tracking attempts blocked), and you're able to choose your preferred location and connect with a click.</p>
<p>This looks good and is easy-to-use, but there's not much functionality here. There are no server load or ping time figures, there's no way to sort locations or filter them, and no favorites system to save commonly used locations for speedy access at a later date.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="6kKUqhpUgkSb5pR3FYBxfT" name="WindowsApp.RecentLocations.jpg" alt="Recent Locations" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/6kKUqhpUgkSb5pR3FYBxfT.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="970" height="545" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">The client displays your recent locations when you mouse over the current location</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: F-Secure)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>We noticed one clever usability plus, though: when we moved our mouse cursor over the current location, to click it and display the location list, the client displayed our recent locations. If we just wanted to reconnect to the last-but-one server, we could choose it there instead of opening the full location list, a smart little time-saver.</p>
<p>Connection times were another highlight at a minimal 4-5 seconds. Apps usually take 6-12 seconds to connect via OpenVPN, some take 20 seconds or more, so it's good to see a service which doesn't keep you waiting.</p>
<p>We weren't as impressed by Freedome's OpenVPN encryption, which turned out to be AES-128-CBC. Most competitors use at least AES-256-CBC. This is a largely theoretical concern and doesn't somehow mean you're automatically vulnerable, though; those hackers hanging around your local wifi hotspot still have zero chance of cracking the encryption. (Not from an AES-128 vs 256 difference, anyway.)</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="XbZBsRDi9fjoYQxyTugsXP" name="ThereAreJustAHandfulOfSettings.jpg" alt="Settings" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XbZBsRDi9fjoYQxyTugsXP.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="970" height="545" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">There are just a handful of settings in Freedome VPN</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: F-Secure)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Settings options you get also only cover the basics. The client has a kill switch to block your internet connection if the VPN drops, and you can have it automatically launch and connect when Windows starts, but that's essentially it. You can't choose specific networks you'd like to protect, or change your protocol, or make low-level OpenVPN tweaks, or do anything else faintly clever or advanced.</p>
<p>The kill switch impressed us, though. We tried various ways to make the VPN drop, but each time Freedome raised the alert, blocked our internet access and automatically reconnected within a few seconds.</p>
<p>The client even covered the vulnerability others often miss. When you're connected to one server and switch to another, most apps close the first connection and leave you exposed until the next one is established. Not Freedome; we were protected here, too.</p>
<p>The only problem we noticed is that even when we turned the kill switch off in Settings, it was still enabled. We couldn't figure out the cause, though, so it's possible it was an issue specific to our local system. On balance, we're happy to have it enabled all the time - it worked perfectly and never got in our way (it doesn't block internet access when you disconnect) - but if you might want to turn it off, test this carefully during your trial.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="Sw4tq97Eq5EGdrbnduXeaH" name="MaliciousWebsiteBlocked.jpg" alt="Malware" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Sw4tq97Eq5EGdrbnduXeaH.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="970" height="545" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">Freedome VPN is able to block malicious sites as well as trackers</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: F-Secure)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Freedome's remaining advantage is F-Secure's blocking of malicious sites, trackers and more, and if you don't have that already, it's a worthwhile feature. It's available on the Android app, too, which is just as user-friendly as its desktop cousin, and at the time of writing has a decent 4.4 rating on Google Play.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="Y9bjJ7CVPiuzg9WJC8y9ka" name="Netflix.jpg" alt="Unblocking" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Y9bjJ7CVPiuzg9WJC8y9ka.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="970" height="545" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">Freedome VPN was able to give us access to US Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ but not BBC iPlayer</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Netflix)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="performance-11">Performance</h2>
<p>F-Secure claims that Freedome can help you bypass geo-blocking, enabling access to content you might not otherwise be able to see. We didn't want to take the company's word for it, though, and ran a few small tests of our own.</p>
<p>Freedome couldn't get us into BBC iPlayer, a disappointment as it worked with our last review. But we had success with US Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and even Disney+, a good result overall.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="wUi2QxUyoTmkY6jRSmVgfi" name="Performance.jpg" alt="New Speedtest Image" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wUi2QxUyoTmkY6jRSmVgfi.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="970" height="545" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">Freedome VPN performed quite well in our speed tests</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Ookla)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Our performance tests got off to a solid start with Freedome managing 65-68Mbps on our UK test 75Mbps line, and UK connections to most of Europe reaching at least 50Mbps. </p>
<p>UK to US speeds were slower and less consistent, though, at 10-40Mbps.</p>
<p>To find out if this was a local problem or something more widespread, we re-ran our speed tests from a European data center. The results still showed a significant difference - European speeds peaked at 170-180Mbs, connections to the US managed 60-70Mbps - and real-world performance is likely to be less (chances are your home can't match the connectivity of our data center.) Still, even our very lowest 10Mbps speed could work for browsing and even streaming, and overall Freedome delivered very usable performance in most locations.</p>
<h2 id="final-verdict-5">Final verdict</h2>
<p>Freedome is a hassle-free VPN, speedy in some locations and with decent unblocking performance which could be a good basic choice for the VPN novice. The lack of setup and configuration options may frustrate experienced users, though, and some plans are a little overpriced for what you're getting.</p>
<ul>
<li>We've also highlighted the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/vpn/best-vpn" target="_blank">best VPN</a></li>
</ul>
<aside class="hawk-widget" data-model-name="ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Surfshark, IPVanish" data-multi="1" data-widget-type="specs" data-widget-title="Compare the best overall VPN services spec-by-spec:"></aside>
</article>
<br />
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from TechRadar: Technology reviews https://ift.tt/3gIBtv1<br />
rachid120hhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05499302888064463044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961169839206309990.post-16804518749208371522020-07-09T17:25:00.001-07:002020-07-09T17:25:23.732-07:00ZenVPN<article>
<p>Cyprus-based <a href="https://www.zenvpn.net/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">ZenVPN</a> is a small <a href="https://www.techradar.com/vpn/best-vpn">VPN</a> with a free plan, but a limited feature set and some annoying issues.</p>
<p>The company has servers in only <a href="https://zenvpn.net/en/vpn-locations" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">29 locations</a>. That's fewer than most of the competition - <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/nordvpn" target="_blank">NordVPN</a> has 81, <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/expressvpn" target="_blank">ExpressVPN</a> 160, <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/hidemyass-vpn" target="_blank">HideMyAss!</a> a massive 290+ - but ZenVPN does at least reach out well beyond North America and Europe, with servers in Australia, Brazil, Chile, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Africa and more.</p>
<p>The company has basic Windows, Mac, Android and iOS clients, and L2TP and OpenVPN support means you can set it up manually on many devices.</p>
<ul>
<li>Want to try ZenVPN? <a href="https://www.zenvpn.net" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Check out the website here</a></li>
</ul>
<p>ZenVPN's basic plans cost $2.95 <a href="https://zenvpn.net/en/account/pricing/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">for a week</a>, $5.95 <a href="https://zenvpn.net/en/account/pricing/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">billed monthly</a>, or $4.16 on the <a href="https://zenvpn.net/en/account/pricing/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">annual plan</a>. Unusually, you're limited to 5GB of bandwidth a day. Netflix suggests that's enough to stream around 5 hours of standard definition video, but only 100 minutes at HD.</p>
<p><a href="https://zenvpn.net/en/account/pricing/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Unlimited plans</a> are much more expensive at $9.95 a month, or $7.96 if you pay annually. Many providers ask less than half that, and for a far more capable service. (Unlimited ZenPlus is $95.50 for one year; unlimited <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/surfshark" target="_blank">Surfshark</a> is $47.76 for two.)</p>
<p>Payment support is limited to cards only. Forget Bitcoin, ZenVPN doesn't even allow you to use PayPal.</p>
<p>It's not all bad news, though. ZenVPN provides a simple free plan which gives you 250MB data allowance a day, or around 7.5GB a month. Locations are limited to France and Netherlands (the website also lists US, India and Singapore, but those aren't available for us), but that could still be useful to many, and of course most providers don't have any free plans (or even trials) at all.</p>
<h2 id="privacy-5">Privacy</h2>
<p>ZenVPN states that it doesn't log what you're doing online, but as usual, there are some potential gotchas in the small print. Like this, for instance: "We don't collect and store the logs of your internet activity but still collect certain information about you, your devices, computers and use of the service."</p>
<p>What information might this be, and how long is it kept? It doesn’t say, but as the company has many limited bandwidth accounts we expect it records session data: date and time of connection, some kind of device ID, bandwidth used and so on. This isn't necessarily unusual, but we'd like to know more.</p>
<p>ZenVPN is also distinctly short on detail about how and why it might share your data with others, though this doesn't necessarily signify a problem. There's absolutely nothing in the small print to suggest ZenVPN is doing anything dubious, it just doesn't have quite as many ‘we would never do this’ clauses as some other providers.</p>
<p>Potential customers shouldn't be left to analyse and interpret the privacy policy, of course, and then just cross their fingers and hope ZenVPN is living up to its promises. As a start, we'd like more clarity on what the company does with your data. And after that, ZenVPN should follow TunnelBear, ExpressVPN, NordVPN and others and put itself through an independent audit to verify its privacy credentials.</p>
<h2 id="apps-5">Apps</h2>
<p>Getting started with ZenVPN starts by handing over and confirming your email address. The website then offers you downloads for Windows, Mac, Android and iOS, as well as an OpenVPN configuration file you can use almost anywhere.</p>
<p>This apparent simplicity isn't the end of the story, though. If you do decide to part with your cash, Zen asks for your first name, last name, email address, physical address, even your phone number. Maybe this qualifies as payment data, used to verify your credit card details.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="8zRPCEDYJa8YHhHvAqsPx3" name="WindowsApp.jpg" alt="Windows App" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/8zRPCEDYJa8YHhHvAqsPx3.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="970" height="545" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">This is the user interface of ZenVPN's basic Windows client</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: ZenVPN)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The Windows client is very, very basic. Tap a system tray icon and a panel pops up with a world map showing your location, a plain text menu to choose something else, and a Connect/ Disconnect button. That's just about it. There are no server load figures or ping times, you don't get a Favorites system, you can't change or tweak the protocol, there's no configurable kill switch or other technology to help keep you secure. </p>
<p>We could perhaps forgive this if that client could handle the core essentials, but it doesn't do that, either. </p>
<p>ZenVPN uses the outdated BF-CBC cipher, for instance, dropped by most VPNs a couple of years ago after being found vulnerable to the SWEET32 flaw. (That may be because it also uses the ancient OpenVPN 2.3.11, dating back to 2016.)</p>
<p>The client automatically connects when you launch it, which won't always be what you want, but there's no way to turn this off.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="QRQfopggz2kyGqrGrm3HZF" name="Locations.jpg" alt="Locations" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QRQfopggz2kyGqrGrm3HZF.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="970" height="545" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">ZenVPN may not have as many locations as other VPN providers but at least they're spread out well</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: ZenVPN)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>There's no 'Faster' option to automatically choose the nearest server. The client mostly doesn't use desktop notifications to tell you when you connect and disconnect. And when we forcibly closed our OpenVPN connection, the client didn't notice or care. It continued to display its misleading 'Connected' message, even though we were now unprotected. </p>
<p>ZenVPN's Android app has a mildly different interface, just reorganised a little to fit the different form factor. There's no significant extra functionality, though, and settings are limited to a 'connect VPN when your phone turns on' option, and the ability to turn Android notifications on or off.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="Y9bjJ7CVPiuzg9WJC8y9ka" name="Netflix.jpg" alt="Unblocking" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Y9bjJ7CVPiuzg9WJC8y9ka.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="970" height="545" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">ZenVPN was unable to give us access to US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+ in our tests</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Netflix)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="performance-5">Performance</h2>
<p>We didn't have a lot of hope for ZenVPN in our website unblocking tests, given the major issues we'd spotted so far, but... No, sorry, there is no 'but': the service failed with BBC iPlayer, US Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and Disney+.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="wUi2QxUyoTmkY6jRSmVgfi" name="Performance.jpg" alt="New Speedtest Image" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wUi2QxUyoTmkY6jRSmVgfi.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="970" height="545" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">Unfortunately ZenVPN performed fairly poorly in our speed tests</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Ookla)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Our speed tests were more disappointing, with UK performance around half of normal at 30-35Mbps, UK to US connections a poor 10Mbps, and India struggling to reach 5Mbps. We could live with that on the free plan, but a commercial VPN should deliver much more, especially at ZenVPN's prices.</p>
<p>The review ended with a rare success, though, as tests revealed ZenVPN's Windows client has no DNS or WebRTC leaks. That's good news, but not good enough to make up for all the other issues we found.</p>
<h2 id="final-verdict-5">Final verdict</h2>
<p>ZenVPN's service is slow, overpriced, short on features, with a horribly basic Windows client which has all kinds of issues. And although it used to unblock Netflix any more, it doesn't even do that any more. Don't waste your time, try someone else.</p>
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from TechRadar: Technology reviews https://ift.tt/3gVlV7B<br />
rachid120hhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05499302888064463044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961169839206309990.post-79939565571355249612020-07-09T16:25:00.001-07:002020-07-09T16:25:25.300-07:00Synology DiskStation DS3617xs SMB NAS server<article>
<div class="fancy-box">
<h5>SPECS</h5>
<div class="fancy_box_body">
<p> <strong>CPU</strong>: Intel Xeon D-1527 (4 cores @ 2.2-2.7GHz)</p>
<p><strong>RAM:</strong> 16GB DDR4 ECC (upgradeable to 48GB)</p>
<p><strong>Drive Bays:</strong> 12 x 3.5"/2.5" hot swappable</p>
<p><strong>Max Capacity:</strong> 192TB (16TB x 12)</p>
<p><strong>LAN ports:</strong> 4 x RJ-45 1GbE</p>
<p><strong>PCIe Expansion:</strong> 1 x Gen3 8x slot</p>
<p><strong>USB 3.0 ports:</strong> 2 x</p>
<p><strong>Hardware Encryption:</strong> Yes</p>
<p><strong>Dimensions:</strong> 270 x 300 x 340mm (10.6 x 11.8 x 13.4in)</p>
<p><strong>Weight:</strong> 9.8kg (21.6 lb)</p>
<p><strong>Warranty:</strong> 5 years </p>
</div>
</div>
<p> Network attached storage (NAS) devices are an incredibly useful bit of gear for many small to large businesses, and there’s a huge range to choose from. But there’s a bit of a weird gap in the market between, with little catering for business who have outgrown higher-end NAS products, but aren’t quite ready to commit to a full on rackstation server. The Synology DS3617xs aims to fill that gap, and provide comprehensive server and massive storage capabilities in a compact NAS form factor.</p>
<p>Like any hardware upgrade, it’s important to consider your specific business needs and make sure you find a product that best fulfills them. The Synology DS3617xs has a lot of functionality that we’ll explore in this review – much of it centered around the software. But the hardware is important too, and this ‘server NAS’ has a number of important upgrade options that can help expand its capabilities as a business changes and grows.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="ruQUmUXmBHGZ2WTMVE4HeA" name="Image 1.jpg" alt="Synology DS3617xs and hard drives" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ruQUmUXmBHGZ2WTMVE4HeA.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="3840" height="2160" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">Inside this nondescript black NAS body hides the heart of a very capable rack server. </span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="xa0-synology-ds3617xs-price-and-availability-5"> Synology DS3617xs price and availability</h2>
<p> </p>
<p>The DS3617xs is typically sold without any hard drives (HDDs), but some retailers do bundle them in. We’ve included prices for the various add on and upgrade options for the DS3617xs, and will delve into each in greater detail during the review. Most businesses should also expect to upgrade the RAM at some point, which is an easy DIY task. The Synology website has a full list of compatible hardware (hard drives and add-ons) available too.</p>
<p>Without hard drives, the bare DS3617xs will set you back roughly $2,500 / £2,200 / AU$3,700.</p>
<p>The DS3617xs ships with 16GB of RAM pre-installed and can handle an extra 32GB of RAM in two 16GB chips; each will cost around $200 / £350 / AU$550, depending on speed. Synology only recommends their own RAM (part number D4ECSO) on the compatibility list, and will send a warning if other memory is used. That said, we used other memory brands in the device without an issue, but your mileage may vary.</p>
<p>We tested the DS3617xs with the fantastic but pricey 14TB Seagate IronWolf and Ironwolf Pro ($500 / £450 / AU$800) NAS HDDs. Using actual NAS HDDs is highly recommended, and the sweet spot for best capacity-to-price ratio will depend on the drive brand in question. In our case, Seagate Ironwolf Pro drives range from 16TB down to 2TB, and the drives 8TB and larger share a very similar cost-to-capacity ratio, with 14TB being the best by a tiny margin. Drives 6TB and smaller in this case are actually worse value. Of course, the drives you choose will depend on exactly what your storage needs are, and how they might increase in the future.</p>
<p>The DS3617xs also supports PCIe add on cards, which come in a few models. The M2D18 enables SSD caching, and costs $150 / £160 / AU$250. A 10GbE network card comes in a few flavours, and will set you back from $160 / £150 / AU$250<em>.</em> Synology included the single-port E10G18-T1 with our review unit for testing. </p>
<p>The DS3617xs’s total capacity can be upgraded using up to two Synology DX1215 Expansion Units, which cost $1,150 / £950 / AU$1,400<em>.</em> each. </p>
<p>There are also two Surveillance add ons that are compatible with the DS3617xs, the $650 / £660 / AU$1,000 VS960HD and the $450 / £370 / AU$650 VS360HD.</p>
<p>We set up a dedicated computer for testing the DS3617xs, and 10GbE networking was supplied via an ASUS XG-C100C for $120 / £90 / AU$150. </p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="yNNhSrZXdLKSqbADn5FNAQ" name="Image 2.jpg" alt="Synology DS3617xs rear ports" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yNNhSrZXdLKSqbADn5FNAQ.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="3840" height="2160" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">Round the back you get four Gigabit Ethernet ports, which can work together for faster access speeds or provide failover support. </span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="xa0-design-and-features-5"> Design and features</h2>
<p> The Synology DS3617xs is no spring chicken: it was originally launched back in late 2016 and hasn’t changed since. Don’t be put off though, as this mature-aged NAS server has a lot going for it, and little direct competition in its specific niche. As a comparison, Synology’s own RS3617RPxs – essentially the Rackstation version of this NAS – has similar specs, but costs 40% more! The software side has also been developed continually, and makes good use of the hardware. </p>
<p>So what do you actually get for your fairly large chunk of change? With its server functionality, the DS3617xs packs beefier hardware than your typical NAS. You also get 12 drive bays for big storage capacity that supports the Btrfs file system. The bays are hotswappable and lockable, and can fit 3.5" and 2.5" drives. Even if you don’t need them, having the extra bays means you can swap drives over from an existing NAS, and still have room for more. The extra drive bays also mean you can target the best price-to-capacity ratio drives, and still have room for loads of storage. </p>
<p>Under it’s slick, nondescript black shell, the DS3617xs hides an older but still powerful Intel Xeon D-1527 CPU with four cores (and eight threads) that can boost from 2.2 GHz up to 2.7GHz. The processor has a 35W TDP, which allows it to hum along quietly when the NAS isn’t under a lot of load, but still ramp up without needing a noisy dedicated cooling fan.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="UZA8qCWCqDhDxxkR9S2iUT" name="Image 3.jpg" alt="Synology DS3617xs cooling system" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UZA8qCWCqDhDxxkR9S2iUT.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="3840" height="2160" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">The DS3617xs uses a passive heatsink cooled by the rear 120mm fans, which keeps noise at a minimum. </span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The DS3617xs has 16GB of DDR4 RAM pre-installed, and supports an extra 32GB for a total of 48GB. We’ll cover accessing the RAM in more detail later on, but the short version is that it’s an easy and worthwhile upgrade. </p>
<p>The DS3617xs is equipped with four Gigabit LAN ports on the rear. These can be used directly (like a router) or configured in link aggregation mode for extra performance. The exact setup will depend on your network, but link aggregation means that the NAS will manage the connection through multiple LAN ports, to give the best possible performance. It can also be configured for failover support, which provides backup redundancy if one network interface encounters a problem. </p>
<p>The DS3617xs has two special ports which are dedicated to connecting Synology DX1215 Expansion Units. Each of these can hold an additional 12 drives, and has a high speed Infiniband connection. You also get dual USB 3.0 connections, which can be used to connect flash drives and external hard disks. While we had no issues with any of the ones we tried, Synology does have a full list of compatible devices on its website. There’s also a serial COM port on the rear, but don’t get excited – it’s only for Synology use during manufacturing.</p>
<p>Hidden inside the easily removed case is a Gen3 PCIe x8 expansion slot, which can handle add in cards. This makes it easy to drop in a variety of 10Gbps network cards, or a M2D18 M.2 SSD adaptor. Annoyingly with the latter, the DS3617xs itself only supports SATA SSDs, while the adapter can handle NVMe if paired with a newer NAS.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="4zASz2py6SxfvFPFd9eeEM" name="Image 4.jpg" alt="Synology DS3617xs PCIe slot" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4zASz2py6SxfvFPFd9eeEM.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="3840" height="2160" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">The DS3617xs has a PCIe slot, which can be used to add in cards such as 10GbE networking or SSD caching. </span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>On the rear, the DS3617xs features a handy removable fan bay. It holds dual 120mm cooling fans, and is totally toolless for easy cleaning and replacement. The NAS will beep to warn you if there’s a fan failure, so you don’t have to worry about it running hot.</p>
<p>Overall, the DS3617xs has an interesting mix of features, which are only slightly let down by the ageing hardware. Synology simply has not upgraded the NAS to newer hardware because it still does the job well – and for a competitive price. Those seeking more grunt will likely be looking to rack servers (such as Synology’s own RackStation line), and there are endless lower-powered options for businesses that don’t need the extra hardware resources. Synology has also been continually improving the software side, which helps keep the DS3617xs competitive and relevant. The unit is backed by a massive 5 year warranty too, for some extra peace of mind.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="pJ6WL8WmTiswxEc5oRfWFX" name="Image 5.jpg" alt="Synology DS3617xs drive installation" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pJ6WL8WmTiswxEc5oRfWFX.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="3840" height="2160" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">Installing 3.5" drives into the lockable bays requires no tools, and only takes a few minutes. </span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="xa0-setup-and-software-5"> Setup and software</h2>
<p>Getting the DS3617xs up and running is extremely easy. Drop some drives into the bays (no tools necessary), plug it into your network and hit the power button. The easiest way to find the NAS on your network is to use the Synology Web Assistant at <em>find.synology.com</em>, which will direct you to the browser interface. For offline setup, you can download the Synology Assistant tool which does the same job, or alternatively just check the IP address and open that in your web browser. </p>
<p>The DS3617 can be configured in a lot of different ways depending on your drives and network, but the interface will walk you through any type of setup. Synology Hybrid RAID (SHR) is a good starting point when it comes to RAID choice, and offers a mix of capacity and redundancy. If you’re upgrading from an older Synology NAS, you can actually drop those drives into the DS3617xs and it will import your previous configuration and data. If you use Seagate IronWolf drives (as tested), you can directly monitor drive health and stats from the NAS interface, using Seagate IronWolf Health Management.</p>
<p>The Synology DSM is one of our favourite NAS operating systems, and while we’ll cover the highlights here, the full list of features and options is extremely long -- too long to go through in the space of this review. If you want a deep dive into what’s available, Synology has <a href="https://demo.synology.com/en-global"><u>this handy online demo</u></a> where you can try it out yourself. There are also over 100 different apps available that can add extra functionality -- check out the <a href="https://www.synology.com/en-global/dsm/packages"><u>list right here</u></a>.</p>
<p>The key business features for the DS3617xs are storage and backup, surveillance, and running server applications. The inclusion of the latter server functionality is what primarily sets this model apart, as the other features are fairly well catered-for by lower-end NAS devices. </p>
<p>The DS3617xs provides for 256-bit encryption, and has a built in Security Advisor, which can analyse your settings, networking and even passwords for potential flaws. It can also block and remove malware, and offers an extra layer of security via two-factor authentication. There’s also further in-depth options, such as the ability to set up trust levels to help make sure no malicious apps can be installed.</p>
<p>There are a range of productivity options too, but the stand out is perhaps Synology Office. Imagine your own personally hosted Google Docs, with browser-based apps that are compatible with Word, Excel and Powerpoint. Synology Office isn’t quite as polished as some of the paid competition, but is a surprisingly full-featured option for document creation and collaboration on a platform that is entirely controlled by your business. The featureset is excellent, with histories of files, encryption, inbuilt chat, real time syncing, and comments. It also links into Synology Cloud, which is a private cloud-storage server that can handle sharing, backups, and more. There’s even decent iOS and Android apps for access on mobile devices. Synology Calendar adds scheduling into the mix, and Synology MailPlus is a Mail Server package that lets you host your own email platform – though note that it only includes five free accounts. The idea here is you can have a completely free cloud storage, sharing, collaboration, communication and scheduling platform for your business, on hardware that’s under your control. You might find a few features missing compared to experiences with bigger corporate cloud collaboration packages, but the Synology system is well integrated and could have everything that smaller businesses need. </p>
<p>Every business needs a comprehensive backup solution, and the DS3617xs provides it with a 100% free Synology app called Active Backup for Business (ABFB). This all-in-one solution makes the process very easy, which in turn makes it more likely to be fully deployed... and to therefore actually protect your business from data loss. You can try it out via the Synology Live Demo link above. ABFB can be used across your entire business, from backing up data on physical computers, to backing up and restoring virtual machines and other servers. Backups can be completely automated, and additionally synced with another NAS or cloud service for extra protection. The software can create and send email reports of the current backup status too, so you don’t even need to log in to the NAS’s interface to check things. The full extent of the functionality offered by Active Backup for Business will depend on your specific hardware and needs, but suffice to say it’s comprehensive yet easy to use. </p>
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<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="RFXn5sbt2vqmi8PEnjJai6" name="Image 6.jpg" alt="Synology DS3617xs web interface" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/RFXn5sbt2vqmi8PEnjJai6.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="1920" height="1080" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">The DS3617xs is managed via the browser interface, which gives easy access to a wealth of in-depth information and add-on software. </span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The DS3617xs can handle all your normal backups needs, from shared folders to complete system snapshots. The software also has a multitude of security options baked in (plus the aforementioned Security Advisor that looks for issues), from the basics through to high end protection. You can also easily share and manage files, including creating a personal cloud<em>.</em></p>
<p>As one of Synology’s higher end NAS devices, the DS3617xs can be used to run the company’s Surveillance Station software, which an extremely comprehensive IP-camera management and monitoring solution. The software is also available with the same capabilities on many SOHO NAS boxes from Synology, but as it could be an important part of the business use-case for the DS3617xs, it’s worth quickly running through how it works here. Recording and storing video footage for security purposes is the central goal, but the software expands beyond that to create a very versatile tool. It can analyse the footage itself, and create custom alerts for certain triggers, such as objects being removed or introduced into an area, or objects that stay in an area beyond a set time. Alerts can also trigger other actions, such as automatic camera panning, object tracking, playing audio files and more. This creates a smart system that can reduce monitoring workload, improve workflows and even help avoid accidents. </p>
<p>Surveillance Station also integrates a number of other network devices beyond just cameras. For a start, it can link into a point of sale device, and link transactions with video footage. It can even provide alerts for abnormal transactions, and allows easy searching of historical transactions and their associated recordings. You can include IP speakers in the ecosystem to broadcast announcements or play recordings, including via automatically triggered alerts. There’s also support for a range of other I/O devices, from remote locks to smoke detectors and smart lights. </p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="hrM5XnsYK2ym4N4cK7Gps6" name="Image 7.jpg" alt="Synology NAS app store" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hrM5XnsYK2ym4N4cK7Gps6.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="1920" height="1080" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">One of the drawcards of the DS3617xs is the extensive range of Synology apps available from the package center. </span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Surveillance Station is downloaded and installed to your NAS from the Synology app store, and control is via the standard web interface. Surveillance Station can also be used and accessed from a smartphone, including reviewing footage and receiving alerts. Generally, the software is excellent, and makes for a great surveillance package for business use. It’s also pretty easy on resources, unless you have a huge number of cameras. By using the optional Synology VS960HD accessory, you can also create a standalone surveillance management setup that feeds video out to monitors or a TV. The VS960HD links to your NAS via Ethernet, and creates a range of interface options without the need for a computer. </p>
<p>The DS3617xs can handle up to 75 cameras, or more specifically, a total of 2,250 fps video at 720p/H.264. Our biggest gripe is that Synology only includes two camera licenses with the NAS, and adding extra cameras can cost up to $60/£50/AU$80 each. (Prices are slightly discounted if you buying in bulk.) While that’s not an unfair price considering the broad functionality, only offering two ‘free’ licences with this higher-end device feels a bit miserly – that’s the same number of cameras you get with the cheapest compatible Synology NAS. Even just increasing that to five licenses would allow businesses to set up and test a much more comprehensive surveillance system, and then expand further from there if required.</p>
<p>While there are plenty of software options that can benefit from the DS3617xs’s powerful hardware, virtualization is arguably at the top of the list. The NAS server iSCSI storage supports common virtualization solutions such as VMware vSphere, Microsoft Hyper-V and more. You can also install and operate Windows or Linux using the Synology solution, Virtual Machine Manager. To access virtual machines, users simply log in from a browser on any computer, which allows the NAS to host many users at once. It also means users can securely access their machine from multiple different locations and are not tied to a specific desk. On the administrative end, it makes it easier to backup and restore users’ machines, or roll out software and updates. The exact number of virtual machines will depend on how many resources are allocated to each, but Synology rates the DS3617xs for up to eight if an extra 32GB of RAM is installed. In our experience, it was often possible to run more than that without experiencing any slowdown issues. </p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="kmrEkDinf2WgPJn7kjzWh7" name="Image 8.jpg" alt="Synology DS3617xs RAM slots" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/kmrEkDinf2WgPJn7kjzWh7.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="3840" height="2160" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">Installing extra RAM in the DS3617xs is an easy job, and definitely worthwhile to maximize performance. </span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
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<h2 id="xa0-pcie-expansion-and-hardware-upgrades-5"> PCIe expansion and hardware upgrades</h2>
<p>The expansion options for the DS3617xs are wide and varied, but the critical one for many businesses will be RAM. The device comes equipped with 16GB out of the box, and has two spare slots that can take another 16GB each, for a maximum total of 48GB. That’s extremely good by NAS standards, and is an easy DIY upgrade. You simply undo two screws, remove the side cover, slot the RAM in and put it back together. Upgrading the RAM isn’t strictly necessary of course, and the DS3617xs is very capable on just the default 16GB. The only compatible RAM listed by Synology are 16GB SIMMs, so installing 2 x 8GB sticks isn’t an option, unless you take a gamble with some third-party options.</p>
<p>Many NAS devices now come with 10 Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) built in, and though the DS3617xs only has four 1GbE ports, thanks to the internal PCIe slot, you can add this functionality later if needed. Synology has a few different single- and dual-port 10GbE cards available, and the DS3617xs is also compatible with a range of third party cards – you can check these on the Synology website.</p>
<p>The other PCIe upgrade option is the M2D18 M.2 SSD adaptor. This allows connecting SSDs for improving performance when accessing varied data, such as with a database. The downside is that while the M2D18 card itself can handle both SATA and NVMe SSDs, the DS3617xs is limited to SATA only. This kind of defeats the purpose of the M2D18 for many situations, unless the NAS has no spare drive bays, and doesn’t need 10GbE.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="xCj4MG7ii7WunXg68k9bib" name="Image 9.jpg" alt="Synology E10G18-T1 networking adaptor" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xCj4MG7ii7WunXg68k9bib.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="3840" height="2160" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">We installed the Synology E10G18-T1 10GbE adaptor into the DS3617xs to provide high speed networking. </span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The other important upgrade are the DX1215 external drive bays, which can each hold an extra 12 drives. This can be configured in a number of ways, including being part of your main volume. Bandwidth to the extra drives is limited by the Synology Infiniband link. There’s no performance data given, (and we don’t have one to test) but feedback from users suggest that the expansion bay storage works best for less frequently accessed data, and the link could be a bottleneck in some circumstances. Still, the DX1215 makes for a very easy upgrade to storage capacity, and can be used to house older drives after upgrading the main NAS.</p>
<p>At $1,200 / £900 / AU$1,400 or so each, the DX1215 is not exactly the cheapest upgrade. In fact, for around the same price you can pick up a Synology DS1817 8-Bay NAS, which has 10GbE built in. The trade off here is fewer drive bays, but an entire separate NAS with its own four-core CPU and 4GB of RAM. Of course, even 10GbE means sharing data between the two NAS is likely slower than with the dedicated expansion bay, and you don’t have the same options for integrated volumes. That said, if your network is spread across multiple locations, or different groups, it can actually be faster to have some data accessed via a more local NAS. You can manage the second NAS via the DS3617xs using the Synology Central Management System app, but depending on your setup you might also have to log in directly. A potential issue worth considering with the expansion bays is that they tend to be locked to a specific range of NAS devices, and may not be compatible with future models. Of course, the exact pros and cons of adding an expansion unit will depend on your unique network and business environment, but it’s worth considering before buying the DX1215. </p>
<p>Finally, you can connect USB storage via the dual 3.0 ports on the rear, which can be a useful way to backup data normally kept portable. </p>
<p>So what’s the summary here? The base spec of the DS3617xs is already quite good, but there are plenty of upgrade options available to keep the NAS server relevant in the future. If you need super fast SSD access for caching, beware that the DS3617xs only supports SATA M.2 SSDs via PCIe.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="R4JKj9Q7JCvvxxrN5geDmH" name="Image 10.jpg" alt="Synology DS3617xs rear fans" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/R4JKj9Q7JCvvxxrN5geDmH.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="3840" height="2160" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">The two rear 120mm fans are nice and quiet, and can be easily removed without tools for cleaning, or replaced in the case of a failure. </span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="xa0-performance-and-testing-5"> Performance and testing</h2>
<p> </p>
<p>We populated the DS3617xs with six Seagate IronWolf drives (two of them Pro models) and set them up using the Synology Hybrid RAID system<em>.</em> We stuck with the included 16GB of RAM, but dropped a Synology E10G18-T1 10GbE adaptor into the PCIe slot. </p>
<p>On the other end of an (overkill) Edimax Cat 7 network cable, we built a custom test rig with a high end Core i7 CPU and 32GB of RAM. While the latter had Gigabit Ethernet built in, we added 10GbE via an Asus XG-C100C PCIe network adaptor. The XG-C100C is fully backwards compatible with existing Ethernet networks, and has built-in QoS for prioritising bandwidth.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="5Evij27VHmFruBbpZuHvuD" name="Image 11.jpg" alt="Asus XG-C100C network adaptor" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5Evij27VHmFruBbpZuHvuD.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="3840" height="2160" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">We paired the DS3617xs up with the excellent Asus XG-C100C PCIe network adaptor, allowing us to test 10GbE performance. </span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>We tested the DS3617xs transfer speed over a normal Gigabit Ethernet connection, as well as on 10GbE. Transfer speeds were measured using LAN Speed Test v4.4. LAN Speed Test benchmarks network speed by building and transfering a file from the test computer's memory, not it’s drive, to ensure we are testing the network connection and NAS box. Of course, the specific number of drives and RAID type will affect the speed, and with only six bays filled for our test we perhaps weren’t pushing the DS3617xs as far as it could go. We tested transfers with small 1MB files to simulate more random access, and larger 5GB and 9GB files to simulate large copies. We didn’t do any file tests from our test computer's SSD, as its access speeds (while fast) are still much slower than both the 10GbE network and the RAID array in the NAS.</p>
<p>On standard 1GbE, the DS3617xs averaged 628Mbps writing and 729Mbps reading 1MB files. Bumping that up to 5GB files gave 772Mbps writing and 870Mbps reading. Using the 10GbE connection, we saw speeds more than double to an average of 1,502Mbps writing and 1,873Mbps reading with 1MB files. With 5GB file sizes, it climbed further to 2,431Mbps writing and 4,523Mbps reading. Going to the maximum 9GB files upped the average write slightly to 2,546Mbps but the 4,475Mbps read speed was a touch slower.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="ZpSY8TaAJg2VfeXpeBG9W6" name="Image 12.jpg" alt="10GbE LAN Speed Test results for the Synology DS3617xs" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ZpSY8TaAJg2VfeXpeBG9W6.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="1920" height="1080" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">LAN Speed Test managed an average of up to 2,546Mbps writing and 4,475Mbps reading large files, showing that we are getting the best from our drives and not limited by network speeds. </span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>These are solid results, and show that the transfer speeds are bottlenecked by the network on Gigabit Ethernet, whereas the drive array itself becomes the limiting factor on 10GbE. Your speeds will vary based on the specific network setup and drives used, but we’d expect many businesses to saturate a 1GbE connection, but to have to work harder to do the same on 10GbE. It also shows the benefit of upgrading to 10GbE if high speed data access is the goal. With a full 12-drive RAID array, 10GbE is a must-have to make full use of the available performance. In testing file copies, the DS3617xs’s CPU usage bumbled along around 2-3%, showing that network access shouldn’t be impacted if the NAS is busy with other tasks.</p>
<p>We tested in a fairly cool environment, and the 120mm didn’t have a lot of work to do. Even under load the DS3617xs was reasonably quiet, though a fair bit of hard drive noise does escape. It’s not too disruptive, all things considered, but isn’t something we’d want to share a desk – particularly if you’re going to fill up all of those drive bays. Under load, the unit peaked at 103W power draw, but more commonly ambled along at around 65W, and idled at 48W.</p>
<h2 id="xa0-final-verdict-5"> Final verdict</h2>
<p>The DS3617xs didn’t wow us by having the latest hardware, or a particularly stand out design. But after testing it for several weeks, we were easily charmed by it’s top notch build quality, robust flexibility and ready performance. It also helps that the real treasure is the Synology software, and endless add-on apps that can extend functionality however needed. The DS3617xs does a great job running virtualizations, and can easily support a medium sized business. While there are cheaper servers available, and cheaper NAS, having both combined into the DS3617xs makes for a very versatile setup that remains easy to use. </p>
<p>Of course, it’s not without a few shortcomings. The older hardware does rear its head at times, such as the lack of support for NVMe SSDs via PCIe, and the fact there’s only one upgrade slot. It’s also slightly power hungry and produces a bit of waste heat. And we wish Synology included more than two licences for Surveillance Station. This is a high-powered device too, so prospective buyers might want to spend some time going through the hardware capabilities to make sure it’s all necessary for your business needs. </p>
<p>However, it’s hard to find anything to nitpick about the excellent Synology software, which continues to be improved upon year on year. Those new to server management will have an easy time, and while some parts can get complex fast, that’s more of a testament to the in-depth featureset on offer than a failing of the software. </p>
<p>The various add-ons can considerably enhance what the DS3617xs can do too, and are generally readily available – albeit at occasionally steep prices. Still, if you’ve savvy and prepared to shop around, then the DS3617xs and it’s many accessories can still offer great value for money, especially when compared to dedicated SMB server alternatives.</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/the-10-best-nas-devices-reviewed">Want something more affordable? Check out our list of the best NAS devices of 2020</a></li>
</ul>
</article>
<br />
<br />
from TechRadar: Technology reviews https://ift.tt/3ecziOU<br />
rachid120hhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05499302888064463044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961169839206309990.post-76361665364633071052020-07-09T15:25:00.001-07:002020-07-09T15:25:20.340-07:00TAXO'D cloud accounting<article>
<p><a href="https://www.taxod.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">TAXO’D</a> is an ideal solution if you're a freelancer who finds it a real chore to keep track of how your business is doing. It’s even more useful if you’re not at all keen on bookkeeping as it’s perfect for staying on top of those all-important and unavoidable tax issues we all have to deal with. </p>
<p>Thankfully, TAXO’D has been designed and engineered to take the pain out of all that, with a simple-to-use interface and some cool tools for tackling tax, finances and all of the other bits and bobs associated with working for yourself. </p>
<p>The TAXO’D boffins have designed the software so that you can get an on-the-go overview of your tax picture too, which should hopefully mean you don't get any nasty surprises when it comes to paying your tax bill.</p>
<ul>
<li>Want to try TAXO'D? <a href="https://www.taxod.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Check out the website here</a></li>
</ul>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="yEMffsVMqzRKetUHHEKuMV" name="pricing.jpg" alt="TAXO'D" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/yEMffsVMqzRKetUHHEKuMV.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="2554" height="1424" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">TAXO'D has free and paid-for options available</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: TAXO'D)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="pricing-5">Pricing</h2>
<p>The light-hearted theme displayed on the TAXO’D website follows through to the pricing page, which gives you two options to choose from. There’s Zero, which as the name suggests costs nothing. </p>
<p>Alternatively, there’s Hero, which costs £96. Zero comes with unlimited manual entries, cloud storage, a mileage journal, a decent level of support and an in-app chat messenger. Hero gets you all of those features along with tax return filing, BankSync, which we’ll get to in the next section, a Home Office Calculator and the ability to export data and reports.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="rRmQrrrw7zMv897QeEENzb" name="interface.jpg" alt="TAXO'D" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/rRmQrrrw7zMv897QeEENzb.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="2720" height="1480" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">The TAXO'D interface is incredibly easy to get the hang of</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: TAXO'D)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="features-5">Features</h2>
<p>While there’s a convivial feel to both the TAXO’D website and the software itself, this is a service that comes with a good level of features. All of your data is stored in the cloud, including receipts in their own dedicated receipts drawer, and there are tax experts on hand and in-app chat messenger options available if you get into difficulties along the way. </p>
<p>On initial sign-up for the Hero package it's currently possible to try out BankSync as a 7-day trial. This allows you to connect to your UK bank and feed the transactions directly into TAXO’D, which immediately eliminates the need to faff around entering data manually. Add it all together and TAXO’D is pretty potent.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="ijNeL4zuw3erWWqe59cgCi" name="setup.jpg" alt="TAXO'D" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/ijNeL4zuw3erWWqe59cgCi.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="2714" height="1480" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">Users can also make use of the BankSync function to connect to their UK bank</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: TAXO'D)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="performance-5">Performance</h2>
<p>Signing up for TAXO’D is really simple, and the process works a treat. You fill in a few of the usual details, such as name and email, create a password and then verify your email address. Once you’re into the main interface it flies along very impressively, both on a desktop web browser or using the iOS mobile app.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="gZM9GRhF79muwkFVgNtk33" name="taxodapp.jpg" alt="TAXO'D" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gZM9GRhF79muwkFVgNtk33.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="1148" height="699" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">The TAXO'D makes light work of your bookkeeping activities</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: TAXO'D)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="ease-of-use-5">Ease of use</h2>
<p>Having been designed specifically for freelancers, TAXO’D comes focused on offering up tools for getting the job done quickly for the time poor lone worker. </p>
<p>It’s fully compliant with the latest legislation and also features bank-grade encryption, so should be bulletproof enough for anyone’s needs. In terms of what it does then that’s easy as it simply tracks what comes in and what goes out, so you always know exactly where you are with your cashflow and expenses. </p>
<p>Using the app regularly means you can subsequently build up a bigger picture without any stress and end up with the correct figures for filing your tax return. TAXO’D can help you do that too, so in terms of usefulness it’s right up there with the best of them.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="n77wUckoycWuj5ayJCuQa8" name="support.jpg" alt="TAXO'D" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/n77wUckoycWuj5ayJCuQa8.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="2688" height="1478" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">You'll find TAXO'D comes complete with plenty of help</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: TAXO'D)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="support-5">Support</h2>
<p>You begin getting help from TAXO’D the minute you sign up for it. Once you’re into the application for the first time there’s a virtual assistant that asks you what you want to do. You can opt for help or head off and find out how things tick yourself. </p>
<p>There’s also a pop-up help tab in the bottom right-hand corner of the screen on the web browser edition that lets someone assist you if you need some guidance. </p>
<p>As you work your way around the interface it’s possible to get on-the-go hints and tips by tapping on pulsing circles on screen. These pop-ups give you a neat primer on core features and functions. The simplicity of the layout means that it’s unlikely you’ll run into difficulties however.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="zmvuK7mcmWHZoY9CZqYvgF" name="supported.jpg" alt="TAXO'D" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zmvuK7mcmWHZoY9CZqYvgF.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="2692" height="1518" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="caption-text">The no-fuss feel of TAXO'D means you can quickly find out what is and isn't supported</span> <span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: TAXO'D)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="final-verdict-5">Final verdict</h2>
<p><a href="https://www.taxod.com" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">TAXO’D</a> is certainly useful for freelancers who need a helping hand with their accounts and tax chores. The cloud-based service is FCA registered, and also configured to work hand-in-hand with HMRC and is on its list of self-assessment commercial software suppliers. </p>
<p>You get 256-bit bank grade encryption, which covers the security side of things, plus the interface means you can record business details as you go, so that there’s no pile of paperwork to pick through prior to filing your tax return. In terms of usefulness then TAXO’D is perfect for anyone, particularly those who hate bookkeeping and staying on top of taxes. </p>
<p>The on-screen help along the way is an added bonus, with guidance never more than a mouse-click or screen tap away.</p>
<ul>
<li>We've also highlighted the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/best-tax-software"><u>best tax software</u></a> </li>
</ul>
</article>
<br />
<br />
from TechRadar: Technology reviews https://ift.tt/2BLfvcg<br />
rachid120hhhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05499302888064463044noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2961169839206309990.post-6613723644602526432020-07-09T13:25:00.001-07:002020-07-09T13:25:17.595-07:00Samsung Galaxy Book Ion<article>
<h2 id="two-minute-review-5">Two-minute review</h2>
<p>The Samsung Galaxy Book Ion is perhaps one of the most interesting laptops made by the company. It’s an impressively thin and light <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/mobile-computing/laptops/best-laptops-1304361">laptop</a> that has a sturdy and premium build quality and design, but it also comes with a few features that its competitors do not.</p>
<p>You see, the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion comes with an additional SSD and DDR4 RAM slot. While thin and light laptops from the likes of Microsoft and Apple seem to go out of their way to dissuade people from opening up their devices, Samsung actively encourages people to open up the Galaxy Book Ion and stick some more RAM or storage inside.</p>
<p>Straight away, this makes it a more flexible and future-proof laptop than close competitors like the Apple MacBook Pro 15-inch and <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/dell-xps-15-2020">Dell XPS 15</a>. The idea is that if you want to give the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion a bit of a performance boost (or add more space to store files) later on, you can do so relatively easily and cheaply.</p>
<p>It’s a feature we’d like to see more off in thin and light premium laptops. Apple has a dreadful record for making its devices almost impossible to upgrade or fix yourself. Meanwhile, Microsoft does allow for more storage to be added to a few of its devices, like the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/microsoft-surface-laptop-3-15-inch">Surface Laptop 3</a>, but it encourages people to use a specialist vendor to do it – which can prove costly.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="bMjhZv8vrMVjuULeogyz7" name="20200709_154441.jpg" alt="Samsung Galaxy Book Ion" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bMjhZv8vrMVjuULeogyz7.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="4032" height="2268" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Many thin and light laptops also sacrifice ports to keep their overall size and weight down, but thankfully, the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion comes with a decent selection, with a mix of standard USB ports and USB-C and microSD cards, again making it a more flexible laptop for creatives and professionals compared to other thin and light laptops that don’t offer much in the way of ports.</p>
<p>The Samsung Galaxy Book Ion comes in two versions, a 13.3-inch version (the one we’re testing) and a 15.6-inch model, and both of them are very expensive, with the 13.3-inch version costing $1,199/£1,249 (around AU$1,700), and the 15.6-inch version costing $1,299/£1,299 (around AU$1,900).</p>
<p>This means for all its impressive design and innovative features, the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion will be priced out of many people’s budgets. And, for those whose budgets can stretch to the kind of money Samsung is asking for, it means this laptop has to work hard to justify its high price tag.</p>
<p>Design-wise, it comes in a single color – Aura Silver – and features a blue metallic strip along the back. Otherwise, the overall look of this laptop is stylish, but might be a bit too ‘business-like’ for others. Unsurprisingly (this is a Samsung device, after all), the QLED screen looks fantastic, though the 1080p resolution isn’t the sharpest these days.</p>
<p>The keyboard is mainly comfortable to use, if a bit shallow, but we’re not too keen on the big blue fingerprint scanner. It ends up looking a little naff. Meanwhile, the touchbar can also double as a wireless charger for your phone – a pretty neat feature.</p>
<p>Most importantly, the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion does a fine job at handling day-to-day productivity tasks. Powered by a new 10th generation Intel Core i5 processor and 8GB of RAM, Windows 10 and pretty much any application, loads and runs quickly and smoothly.</p>
<p>However, perhaps its most impressive feature is its battery life, which easily breezed past 10 hours in both of our benchmark tests. This makes the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion an attractive laptop for people who need a device that they can use for long stretches without being able to plug in a charger. For professionals and students, it means it can last a whole work or school day and a hefty commute as well.</p>
<p>Overall, the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion is a well-built and dependable laptop with some interesting features – not all of which are successful – and a very good battery life. The high price tag will put many people off, and the subdued design makes it feel like a laptop you can depend on – but not love.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="4g2U6jyMofmwnVbWXuTmVn" name="20200709_154410.jpg" alt="Samsung Galaxy Book Ion" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4g2U6jyMofmwnVbWXuTmVn.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="4032" height="2268" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<div class="fancy-box">
<h5>Spec sheet</h5>
<div class="fancy_box_body">
<p>Here is the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion configuration sent to TechRadar for review: </p>
<p><strong>CPU</strong>: 1.6GHz Intel Core i5-10210U (quad-core, 6MB Intel Smart Cache, up to 4.2GHz with Turbo Boost)<br />
<strong>Graphics</strong>: Intel UHD graphics<br />
<strong>RAM</strong>: 8GB DDR4<br />
<strong>Screen</strong>: 13.3-inch FHD (1,920 x 1,080) QLED<br />
<strong>Storage</strong>: 512GB SSD (PCIe, NVMe, M.2)<br />
<strong>Ports</strong>: USB-C 3.1 with Thunderbolt 3, 2 x USB 3.0, 1 x microSD card reader, combi audio jack, 1 x HDMI<br />
<strong>Connectivity</strong>: Wi-Fi 6 (Gig+) 802.11ax 2 x 2, Bluetooth 5.0<br />
<strong>Camera</strong>: 720p webcam<br />
<strong>Weight</strong>: 2.14 pounds (0.97kg)<br />
<strong>Size</strong>: 12.04 x 7.87 x 0.51 inches (305.8 x 199.9 x 12.95mm; W x D x H)</p>
</div>
</div>
<h2 id="price-and-availability-5">Price and availability</h2>
<p>The Samsung Galaxy Book Ion comes in either a 13.3-inch version for $1,199/£1,249 (around AU$1,700), and a 15.6-inch model costing $1,299/£1,299 (around AU$1,900) in the US and UK. It seems like the Galaxy Book Ion isn’t available in Australia at the time of writing. We’re double checking with Samsung to see if (and when) it does release there.</p>
<p>You’ll probably notice that there’s only a small price increase between 13.3inch and 15.6-inch models (just $100/£50). This is because apart from the screen sizes, the two models come with exactly the same spec – 10th generation Intel Core processors, 8GB of RAM and 512GB SSDs.</p>
<p>That means which Samsung Galaxy Book Ion you go for will be based purely on what screen size you’re after. Going for the smaller model (which we’ve reviewed) doesn’t mean you’re missing out on performance, while going for the larger model doesn’t mean you’re going to take a big hit financially.</p>
<p>It’s quite nice to be able to do that. The 13.3-inch model is slightly thinner and lighter, so it’s better suited to people who want more portability. Meanwhile, the larger 15.6-inch screen could be more comfortable to work on for many people.</p>
<p>Both versions are very expensive, however, putting it in the same price brackets as the 13-inch MacBook Pro (2020), <a href="https://www.techradar.com/uk/reviews/microsoft-surface-laptop-3-15-inch">Microsoft Surface Laptop 3 (15-inch)</a> and some models of the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/uk/reviews/dell-xps-15-2020">Dell XPS 15 (2020)</a>.</p>
<p>These are some of the best laptops money can buy right now (the Dell XPS 15 is in fact our pick of the best laptop of 2020 at the moment), so Samsung will really need to impress with the Galaxy Book Ion.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="zZAHZjouy94S7WbFfQzjYm" name="20200709_154349.jpg" alt="Samsung Galaxy Book Ion" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zZAHZjouy94S7WbFfQzjYm.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="4032" height="2268" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="design-5">Design</h2>
<p>When it comes to design, Samsung has shown that it’s mastered the art of creating sleek and stylish devices, be they laptops, smartphones or TVs, and the Galaxy Book Ion doesn’t let the side down.</p>
<p>With dimensions of 12.04 x 7.87 x 0.51 inches (305.8 x 199.9 x 12.95mm) and a weight of 2.14 pounds (0.97kg) for the smaller model, this is one of the thinnest and lightest laptops you can currently buy. It’s thinner and lighter than the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/uk/reviews/macbook-air-2020">Apple MacBook Air</a>, which used to be the benchmark for ultra-thin laptops.</p>
<p>It means this is a laptop that can easily be carried around with you without trouble, and you can hold it in one hand with ease.</p>
<p>The 15.6-inch model is larger and heavier, as you’d probably expect, with dimensions of 14.02 x 8.98 x 0.59 (356 x 228 x 15mm) and a weight of 2.62 pounds (1.19kg).</p>
<p>That extra bulk makes it slightly less portable than the smaller model, but it’s still not going to be too difficult to carry around. Still, if portability is one of your top priorities, you’ll want to go for the 13.3-inch model.</p>
<p>Both models come in a single color option: Aura Silver with a blue metallic strip that runs along the hinge. It manages to look understated, but not bland. However, the silver color, along with the sharp corners, makes the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion look like it’s a business laptop, rather than something sleek and desirable, and that strait-laced design may put off as many people as it impresses.</p>
<p>On opening up the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion, you’re greeted with a keyboard with large keys that makes typing on it relatively comfortable – though the key travel is a little shallow.</p>
<p>One thing we didn’t like about the keyboard, however, is the large blue key next to the right-hand Shift key. This is actually the fingerprint scanner – simply rest your finger on it to unlock Windows 10. However, our problem with it is that it’s rather large and ugly. Its size also means the right-hand Shift key is smaller, and we found ourselves hitting the finger print scanner rather than the Shift key a few times while frantically typing.</p>
<p>It’s an odd design choice, as we’ve seen laptops with smaller, less intrusive, fingerprint scanners; some are even built into the power button or track pad. However, the fingerprint scanner of the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion ends up sticking out like a sore thumb, rather ironically.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="nTr6CewVyvkBW9iNUDvVk" name="20200709_154457.jpg" alt="Samsung Galaxy Book Ion" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nTr6CewVyvkBW9iNUDvVk.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="4032" height="2268" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>It’s not like the larger size makes it more accurate, either. There were multiple instances of it not recognising a fingerprint when trying to unlock it. This is a common problem with <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/best-windows-laptop">Windows 10 laptops</a>, we’ve found. None seem to work as well as the TouchID button on a MacBook.</p>
<p>The trackpad, meanwhile, does the job well enough, but it would be pretty much completely unremarkable if not for a rather interesting feature – it has built-in wireless charging. That means you can place a compatible smartphone on the trackpad, and it will begin charging wirelessly.</p>
<p>In theory it’s a pretty great – and unique – idea. Being able to easily top up your smartphone while using your laptop seems really useful.</p>
<p>However, there are a little niggles with the implementation. You need to turn the feature on by pressing the Fn key and F11. While the feature is on, you’re unable to use the trackpad – which makes sense, as you’ll have a phone on it. However, without a touchscreen, it means you need a separate mouse if you want to still use the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion. If you don’t have one of those, then all you’ll be able to do is use the laptop to watch a film while your phone charges.</p>
<p>Still, it’s good to see Samsung try something a bit different, and we found with the feature turned on, we were able to charge a Samsung Galaxy Note 9 by simply placing it on the trackpad, without having to move it around. We did need to take the phone out of its case, however, for it to work.</p>
<p>One aspect of the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion’s design that’s an unequivocal success, however, is its 1080p QLED screen which looks incredibly bright and vibrant. It can go up to 600 nits in brightness in its Outdoor mode, so even in direct sunlight you can still work comfortably. It also supports HDR, and it’s one of the nicest screens we’ve seen on a laptop.</p>
<p>Probably the only issue we have with the screen (there always seems to be a caveat with every aspect of this laptop) is the 1080p resolution. On the 13.3-inch display this is a perfectly fine resolution, though a higher resolution would lead to an even more impressive image quality. However, when stretched over 15.6-inches, the lower resolution is going to pale in comparison with laptops with similar screen sizes, but higher resolutions, such as the Apple MacBook Pro and Dell XPS 15.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="cMtHqHxXcXAww3YGzZWFP" name="20200709_154450.jpg" alt="Samsung Galaxy Book Ion" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cMtHqHxXcXAww3YGzZWFP.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="4032" height="2268" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>When it comes to ports, the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion offers a good selection despite its thin design: you get two full-size USB 3.0 ports, a standard HDMI port, audio jack and Thunderbolt 3 USB-C port. It also comes with a microSD card reader. It’s good to see a thin and light with this kind or array of ports – all too often svelte laptops sacrifice ports in order to keep their size down.</p>
<p>There’s also a power port for its proprietary charger. Having a thin and light laptop in 2020 using a power charger that can’t be used with other laptops feels a little archaic when even Apple allows its MacBooks to be charged by another laptop’s USB-C charger.</p>
<p>The good news is that you can plug a USB-C charger into the USB-C port of the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion to charge it. However, you do get a pop-up message warning that even plugged in this way, the laptop could lose battery if it uses up too much power.</p>
<p>So, it should be fine for topping up the battery if you’re caught without the real charger, but it may not be enough to keep the laptop charged while you work on it.</p>
<p>Another interesting aspect of the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion’s design is something you’ll not see. It comes with a spare RAM and SSD slots, which allows you to add additional memory or storage, which is a nice feature that allows you to upgrade the laptop without too much expense. However, the process of opening up the Galaxy Book Ion to access these additional slots can be fiddly, and not for the faint-hearted.</p>
<div class="fancy-box">
<h5>Benchmarks</h5>
<div class="fancy_box_body">
<p>Here’s how the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion performed in <a href="http://www.techradar.com/us/news/mobile-computing/laptops/our-laptop-tests-622895">our suite of benchmark tests</a>:</p>
<p><strong>Cinebench R20 CPU</strong>: 1,098 points<br />
<strong>GeekBench 5</strong>: 1,052 (single-core); 3,472 (multi-core)<br />
<strong>PCMark 10 (Home Test)</strong>: 3,825 points <br />
<strong>PCMark 10 Battery Life</strong>: 10 hours 56 minutes <br />
<strong>Battery Life (TechRadar movie test)</strong>: 12 hours 23 minutes</p>
</div>
</div>
<h2 id="performance-5">Performance</h2>
<p>With a 10th generation Intel Core i5-10210U processor and 8GB of DDR4 memory (along with a 512GB NVMe SSD), you’d expect the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion to be a decent performer, and that’s pretty much true. In our time with the laptop, it handled day-to-day tasks with ease. <a href="https://www.techradar.com/reviews/pc-mac/software/operating-systems/windows-10-1267364/review">Windows 10</a> boots up fast, and feels snappy and responsive when in use.</p>
<p>Even with several different apps open at once, the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion kept pace without any issues, so for a productivity/business laptop, it does an excellent job. Intel’s 10th gen Core i5 does a lot of heavy lifting here, and it results in a laptop that performs very well considering its thin and light design.</p>
<p>The fact that you can add more RAM later on means this is more future-proof than other thin and lights – though as we mentioned, the 8GB of DDR4 it comes with is perfectly fine for most tasks.</p>
<p>However, the lack of a discrete GPU means this won’t be a laptop you’d want to use for gaming or graphic-intensive creative work. But that’s not what this laptop was designed for.</p>
<p>It’d be remiss of us to not mention the quality of the screen here again. It really is a looker, and if you’re doing a spot of photo editing, or watching the latest shows and movies, then you’re going to be pretty impressed – though that 1080p resolution means 4K entertainment is out of the question.</p>
<p>Throughout our time with the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion, it also kept impressively quiet – a testament to the thermal design of the laptop and the 10th gen processor inside.</p>
<figure data-bordeaux-image-check="">
<p class='vanilla-image-block'><img id="z9PXsCh5QoAFitJhXkUJwn" name="20200709_154429.jpg" alt="Samsung Galaxy Book Ion" src="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/z9PXsCh5QoAFitJhXkUJwn.jpg" mos="" align="middle" fullscreen="" width="4032" height="2268" attribution="" endorsement="" /></p>
<figcaption itemprop="caption description"><span class="credit" itemprop="copyrightHolder">(Image credit: Future)</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<h2 id="battery-life-5">Battery life</h2>
<p>Intel’s 10th generation processors are more power efficient than their processors, and not only does that help keep laptops powered by them, like the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion, quiet (they produce less heat, so there’s less need for the fans to kick in), it also helps improve battery lives as well.</p>
<p>So, in our tests, we were impressed by the long battery life. The Samsung Galaxy Book Ion lasted a very impressive 12 hours and 23 minutes in our battery life benchmark test, which runs a looped 1080p video until the battery dies.</p>
<p>While watching videos isn’t the most demanding of tasks, it means the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion can easily last many long-haul flights on a single charge.</p>
<p>In the PC Mark 10 battery life test, which replicates more intensive workloads, such as web browsing and video calling, the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion still managed a very good 10 hours and 56 minutes. So, essentially, the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion will last an entire work (or school) day, and a commute, without needing a charge.</p>
<p>It’s impressive stuff.</p>
<h2 id="software-and-features-5">Software and features</h2>
<p>When it comes to software, the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion comes with Windows 10 Home installed. Also, as anyone who has owned a Samsung device, such as its smartphones, you’ll be unsurprised to learn that a number of Samsung’s own apps are also preinstalled.</p>
<p>Like on its smartphones, these often replicate existing apps – so you get Samsung Notes, for example, which is essentially a mix between Note Pad and Google Keep.</p>
<p>If you use these apps on your Samsung phone, then you may be pleased to see them here as well. If not, then they are simply apps that you’ll rarely use, and end up taking up space on the hard drive and cluttering the Start menu. Plus, even the biggest Samsung fan will probably find little use for apps such as Samsung Flow or Live Message.</p>
<p>There are also a few maintenance tools like Samsung PC Cleaner which helps you find memory and storage-hogging applications, which does essentially the same job as the built-in Disk Clean-up tool of Windows 10, but it has a more user-friendly interface.</p>
<p>As for the unique features of the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion, such as the wireless charging ability, we’ve covered that elsewhere. They are nice ideas, but they don’t always work smoothly.</p>
<h2 id="buy-it-if-5">Buy it if...</h2>
<div class="product">
<p><strong>You want a thin and light laptop that is also a great performer</strong><br />
The Samsung Galaxy Book Ion manages the tricky balancing act of having a thin and light design, while also offering enough performance to handle most daily tasks with ease.</p>
</div>
<div class="product">
<p><strong>You want a laptop that lasts the whole workday<br /></strong> The Samsung Galaxy Book Ion’s most impressive feature is its long battery life. This is a great performing laptop that can easily last an entire workday – making it ideal for people who are often working on the road.</p>
</div>
<div class="product">
<p><strong>You’re a Samsung fan<br /></strong> If you own a Samsung smartphone or tablet, the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion plays very nicely with those devices, so if you’re already in the Samsung ecosystem, this is a great choice.</p>
</div>
<h2 id="don-apos-t-buy-it-if-5">Don't buy it if...</h2>
<div class="product">
<p><strong>You want a budget laptop</strong><br />
The Samsung Galaxy Book Ion is a very expensive laptop, which means for anyone on a strict budget, this won’t be the laptop for you.</p>
</div>
<div class="product">
<p><strong>You want a 4K screen<br /></strong> The screen of the Samsung Galaxy Book Ion is bright and vibrant, but it’s also just 1080p. If you want to experience 4K videos, or edit high resoltuion photos, then you’ll want to go for something that offers more pixels.</p>
</div>
<div class="product">
<p><strong>You're after a laptop for gaming on<br /></strong> The Samsung Galaxy Book Ion isn't a bad performer, but as it only has integrated graphics, you won't be able to play modern AAA blockbuster games on this thing. Gamers should look elsewhere.</p>
</div>
<ul>
<li>Check out our pick of the <a href="https://www.techradar.com/news/mobile-computing/laptops/best-laptops-1304361">best laptops</a> of 2020</li>
</ul>
</article>
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from TechRadar: Technology reviews https://ift.tt/2Nmo275<br />
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