Sunday, 30 June 2019
Australia's best cheap headphones, discounts and deals in July 2019
With headphones of all types, colours and styles flooding the market, it’s hard knowing which ones to pick – do you go for the premium model you’ve always wanted, or are you better off just grabbing a cheap set from the discount bin?
Well, it’s worth remembering that cheap headphones are cheap for a reason, so even if saving money is priority we can’t recommend those $2 discount-bin variety that you find all over the world. And, as you’ll find out below, you don’t always have spend a lot of dosh to snag a great set of headphones either.
To save you the time and effort, we’ve put together this dedicated guide to the best bargains on great-sounding headphone. We constantly monitor major Aussie retailers and go a-huntin’ to bring you the most worthwhile deals on a variety of sets – from in-ear buds to noise-cancelling cans to Sony headphones – so check out our continually updated list below to discover the best current headphones deals in Australia.
Best cheap over-ear headphones this week
Best cheap in-ear headphones this week
The best deals on our favourite headphones
To help you decide which headphones work best for you, we've decided to put together a little buying guide with a list of our favourite recommendations.
The headphones you'll find here have tons of features to help you to get the most out of your music, or any other form of audio-visual entertainment you prefer, however you like to listen to it.
For the most part, when shopping for noise cancellation headphones we've gotten used to making a compromise between shutting the world out and wanting great sound performance. But no longer. Sony's WH-1000XM2 cans are a great redesign of the already-excellent MDR-1000X and offer not just perfect noise cancellation but also score top marks in sound quality. These headphones easily outclass Bose's flagship QC35 II in terms of both soundscape and feature set.
Read more: Sony WH-1000XM2 review
The very popular and excellent Bose QC35s underwent an upgrade and now come with Google Assistant at your beck and call. For a premium price, not only do you get Bose's world class noise cancellation and good sound quality, you also get a personal butler and an incredibly comfortable set of cans. And with up to 40 hours of battery life, you'll get through any long-haul flight.
Read more: Bose QuietComfort 35 II review
For a little over $100, it's hard to recommend a better sounding pair of 'buds than the 1More Triple Driver in-ears. It's hard to fault the headphones, if you can put up with the rubber cable and the plastic remote. Even that is just us nitpicking. For the price, it's our top recommendation of in-ear headphones if your phone still has a headphone jack or you don't mind using an adaptor.
Read more: 1More Triple Driver in-ear headphones review
If you're a frequent flyer, or commute long distances daily, you'll understand the need for a great pair of noise cancelling headphones. Unfortunately, most of them cost a pretty penny. But not the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2. These headphones offer not just good sound and shut the world out, but do it at pretty much half the cost of the usual suspects of Sony, Bose and Beats. They also have a useful feature that turns the headphones off when you're not wearing them, saving battery. And did we mention you can pair two devices at once as well? If that isn't great value, then we don't know what else is.
Read more: Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 review
With headphone jacks fast disappearing from flagship handsets, wireless headphones is the way to go. But not everyone likes the feel of a set of cans on their head and cables, no matter how small, can get annoying. If that's describing you, then true wireless 'buds are the answer to your prayers. While most of them compromise on sound quality, the Jabra Elite 65t not only sound good but offer ambient noise isolation as well. They're an excellent substitute if you aren't too keen on the other-worldly look of Apple's AirPods.
Read more: Jabra Elite 65t review
It's hard to find the Optoma NuForce BE Sport4 wireless 'buds, but if you're after a set of no-frills headphones that don't compromise on sound quality, you'll want to look for these. They do an excellent job of isolating sound when in a noisy environment and boast up to 10 hours of battery. And with a 15-minute quick charge, you'll get an additional two hours of playback out of them.
Read more: Optoma NuForce BE Sport4 review
If you're after more information on headphones in different form factors, take a look at some of our other dedicated audio articles:
- The best headphones of 2018: Our pick of the best of the best
- The best earbuds available today
- The best on-ear headphones
- The best wireless headphones of 2018
- The best noise-cancelling headphones
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Aussies can get Audible and Kindle Unlimited free for three months
Amazon Prime Day isn’t too far away and, in the lead up to the big sale, the e-commerce giant is offering Australian Prime members a chance to experience some of its other services for free.
If you are an existing Prime member but have never tried Audible or Kindle Unlimited before, you can sign up for either one or both services between July 1 and July 31 and you can enjoy a three-month long free trial period for each service.
Now, presumably this means that those who haven't trialled Amazon Prime before can sign up for a free 30-day trial (making use of it during Amazon Prime Day while you're at it), and then sign up for both the Audible and Kindle Unlimited offers as well.
So many stories…
Audible and Kindle Unlimited are for booklovers. If you love to read, then Kindle Unlimited will give you access to over a million ebooks. If any of those ebooks have an audio version available on Audible, you’ll even be able to listen to the narration if you don’t have the time to read. To use Kindle Unlimited, you will need the Kindle app on your handheld device or get yourself an Amazon Kindle e-reader.
For booklovers who are constantly on the move, Audible is a great option. It’s the largest library of audiobooks and members can choose one audiobook each month regardless of price. Purchasing additional audiobooks won’t cost more than $14.95 each, and you can swap them out any time.
If you aren’t a Prime member already, now is the perfect time for you to sign up and take advantage of not just the three-month free trial of Audible and Kindle Unlimited, but also save a packet on a variety of goods during this year’s Prime Day.
To sign up for any of the services, just click on the green button.
- Amazon Prime Day date confirmed for Australia – it's set to be a 65-hour epic sale!
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The cheapest iPhone 6S unlocked SIM-free prices in July 2019
A lot of devices have come out since the iPhone 6S but the issue is that a lot of them are seriously expensive. Seeing the price tag of the iPhone XS Max is more than enough to make you run back to the comforting prices of the 6S!
The shape, screen size and resolution of the newer phones is the same as on the 6S, so you can buy the cheapest model of the three and still have a very similar experience.
And that’s where we come in: we’ve done the hard work in rooting through the likes of Amazon, eBay and the other major retailers to work out where the best unlocked iPhone 6S handsets are lurking, so you don’t end up spending too much.
If you’re looking for a SIM free phone deal, then the chances are you’re looking to upgrade an older iPhone, or (sadly) replace a broken or lost handset - if that’s the case, then you’ll enjoy the power and performance on offer from the iPhone 6S.
If you’re upgrading from an iPhone 5S, for instance, you’ll love the larger screen that lets you do so much more - and if you combine it with with a cheap SIM only deal you’ll be able to get online for very little without being tied into a long-term contract.
So have a look below at TechRadar’s custom-made price comparison chart to ensure you pay a great price for your new phone.
Today's cheapest iPhone 6S unlocked / SIM free prices:
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The best Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge deals in July 2019
We'll tell it to you straight, we like the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge A LOT. Until the Galaxy S8 came along in fact, it held the title of our very favourite phone in the world. Now two years since its release, the S7 Edge remains an exceptional mobile and one of the only models we've ever awarded a perfect five stars.
But age is now taking it's toll on the quality of deals available. Some major retailers and networks are now beginning to withdraw S7 Edge deals from sale and we're guessing that the availability of the Samsung's newer devices like the Galaxy S10 and Note 9 isn't a pure coincidence.
It means that the best tariffs now come and go in short order. You have to have your wits about you to bag the very best Galaxy S7 Edge deals. Sometimes there are decent offers for less than £20 per month - sometimes it's all sky high. At least you can narrow down the best tariff for you by using our interactive comparison chart below.
More options: Galaxy Note 8 deals | Galaxy S9 deals | Galaxy S7 deals | Best mobile phone deals | Galaxy S7 Edge review | Samsung mobile phone deals
The Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge went straight to the top of the class when it was released in 2016 - we gave it 5 stars out of 5! It somehow managed to better the accomplished Galaxy S6 Edge, by adding a brilliant camera and gorgeous design tweaks.
Read TechRadar's full Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge review
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The cheapest iPhone 7 unlocked SIM-free prices in July 2019
Don't like the idea of committing to two years of a phone contract? Buying the iPhone 7 unlocked and SIM free can be a cost-effective and convenient alternative.
That's particularly true given the highly competitive and consumer friendly SIM only deals market right now, which allows you to get bags of data and minutes for very little money.
Buying the iPhone 7 unlocked is also an optimum way of giving the phone as a gift as it means you only need to pay the cost of the handset and doesn't commit you to 24 months of additional payments or require you to go through a credit check. And we'll make you this guarantee - you won't have to pay the extraordinary amount of money it costs to buy the iPhone XS Max or XR!
iPhone 7 SIM-free deals fluctuate from day to day and many sites charge higher or lower fees than others. So shopping around or doing a bit of price comparison is a shrewd way to ensure you pay as little as possible for your new unlocked phone.
Luckily TechRadar is here to help. Our price comparison tools search the web every hour to locate the cheapest and best value unlocked iPhone 7 prices currently available.
Today's cheapest iPhone 7 unlocked / SIM free prices:
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The best Nokia 8 deals in July 2019
2017 marked Nokia's renaissance year. After stunning us by announcing it was revamping the Nokia 3310 and then releasing a further three mobiles, it ended the year by releasing its first high-powered smartphone in three years - the Nokia 8.
Almost two years on and although it's never going to challenge the power of Samsung and Apples newer devices, it does have the kind of price tag that will appeal to people who want to get a bargain mobile phone. Especially excellent value, considering the stunning design, premium screen and chipset, and new 'Bothie' camera mode.
Unlike most flagship phones released in the last 12 months, you can now get your new Nokia 8 for less than £20 per month! Check out our comparison tool to see the best tariffs that have been announced. Considering the standalone handset costs around £400, the contract prices are looking like a much better option.
See more: Nokia 3310 deals | Nokia 3 deals | Nokia 5 deals | Nokia 6 deals | Best mobile phone deals
It's been a while, but Nokia is finally back with a serious phone. Of course we were all delighted to see the return of the Nokia 3310 through a nostalgic haze, but if Nokia was going to be regarded as a genuine threat to the likes of Samsung, Apple and LG again, it needed a handset of heft.
The Nokia 8 is exactly that. Not in its dimensions, mind you - weighing in it at 160g, it's a slim, sleek and sometimes shiny smartphone. We're referring more to the dazzling QHD 5.3-inch display, 4GB Ram and Snapdragon 835 chipset. All massive plus points in our eyes, even if the much touted 'Bothie' camera mode probably isn't.
Read TechRadar's full Nokia 8 review
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The best HTC U11 deals in July 2019
The HTC U11 had the hard task of attracting consumers' attention away from the vice-like grip on the phones market of the Samsung Galaxy S8 and iPhone 8. But HTC managed to create a device that rivalled those devices when they were released. A year has passed now and yet this phone is still a serious contender in the mobile phone market.
The HTC U11 (don't forget that all important 'U') is another push from the manufacturer to keep its name as a front-running handset manufacturer. Edge Sense is the new element that the brand is pushing as its latest big innovation - as you'll see from our HTC U11 review below - it's certainly alternative. And the phone now comes with Alexa integration, too.
It's now a little cheaper, too, with monthly tariffs starting at less than £30. That's a lot cheaper than HTC U11 deals were when the handset went on sale. Check out our comparison chart to tailor-make your perfect HTC U11 deal.
See also: Samsung Galaxy S8 deals | iPhone 8 deals | Galaxy Note 8 deals | Best mobile phone deals | HTC U11 review
The HTC U11 is a hugely impressive phone - in a sea of wildly impressive phones. The core abilities will wow any HTC fan, but the squeezable sides haven't completely won us over.
Read our full HTC U11 review here.
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The best Google Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL deals in July 2019
The Google Pixel 2, the 2017 apple of the search giant's smartphone eye, is almost at an end. The Pixel 2 may soon be dead, but long live the Pixel - the Google Pixel 3 has been here for a little while now and has replaced it entirely.
If you've been fancying the Pixel 2 for a while and really don't want to splash the cash on the much costlier new phone, then you'll have to strike pretty swiftly as we're not sure how much longer this device will stay relevant. And the same goes for the Google Pixel 2 XL.
Whichever handset you covet, you can use our price comparison below to identify the best Pixel 2 deal for you. Google's quest to build a smartphone as popular as the latest iPhone and Samsung Galaxy flagship mobiles took a massive step forward when the original Google Pixel launched last year. And its successor - the aptly named Google Pixel 2 - continued the stellar work and now the Google Pixel 3 has stepped that up even further.
Need some more convincing? Use the 10OFF voucher code from Mobiles.co.uk that knocks a tenner off the upfront cost of any deal from that retailer - it's exclusive to TechRadar readers. And there's a summary of our expert review at the bottom of the page.
More options: Samsung Galaxy S9 deals | Samsung Galaxy Note 9 deals | iPhone 8 deals | SIM only deals | Best mobile phone deals
There's no doubt that the Pixel 2 was one of the very finest Android phones out there on release (and, to be fair, remains so), but the Pixel's successor is a familiar story of incremental improvements rather than whole-scale change. The feature that might just get you buying are the top-of the-line cameras for photos and video. While the delightful screen, great-sounding speakers and slick Android operating system will all appeal to a range of smartphone users.
Read TechRadar's full Google Pixel 2 review
Read TechRadar's full Google Pixel 2 XL review
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The best BlackBerry KEYone deals and prices in July 2019
Fans of the old Blackberry devices rejoice because the physical keyboard is back - what a comeback story. The BlackBerry KEYone landed on the phone scene almost two years ago and (whisper it quietly) it's still actually rather good.
We've been keeping a keen eye on the best Blackberry bargains out there, and the prices continue to slowly fall. Unlike when it was released, you can now get the KEYone on contract for way less than £20 per month - and now even under the £20-mark! And you don't have to scrimp on data either. Check out our price comparison tool and you'll see that these BlackBerry deals compare handsomely with some of the other best mobile phone deals out there.
Equipped with an updated version of that keyboard, Full HD screen and 12MP main camera, the Blackberry KEYone runs off Android. It may not quite be a match for the likes of the Samsung Galaxy Note 9, but it's not far off and it's way cheaper.
More options: Samsung Galaxy S9 deals | LG V30 deals | Best iPhone deals | Best SIM only deals | Mobile phone deals
The BlackBerry KEYOne is the smartphone for anyone who has ever said ‘I miss my old BlackBerry.’ We can't fault it for admirably resurrecting the best of BlackBerry: a physical keyboard, sophisticated-looking, two-tone design and smart, secure software. It looks and feels like it’s meant for business.
Exiled BlackBerry users who have felt forced to trade their physical keyboards for on-screen keyboards will undoubtedly rejoice.
Read TechRadar's full BlackBerry KEYone review
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The best Samsung Galaxy S7 deals in July 2019
The Samsung Galaxy S7 may now be over two years old but it is by no means a bad device. In fact, the Samsung Galaxy S7 is a great handset for bargain hunters. You've probably seen the insanely-great Samsung Galaxy S9 or Note 9 or even Samsung's newest Galaxy S10, but then also seen the prices and decided to see what else is on offer. Bag a Galaxy S7 deal and you'll get a fantastic phone for a reasonable price.
2016's Galaxy S7 - together with the bigger S7 Edge - is still a very good handset in its own right, sharing a lot of the battery management power and camera smarts from its successor the Galaxy S8. You can see a potted review under our top handpicked deals below and it's soooooo much cheaper than the newer Samsung smartphones.
You can easily get away with bills in the low twenties. Or, if you're prepared to part with around £50 at the outset, you can even get them below the £20 mark. And big data deals now come cheap, too. Excellent value when you consider that the S7 used to be one of the best phones around. You will notice though that the majority of deals still going for this device are on EE, it seems to have knocked all other competing networks off the list.
Also consider: Galaxy S7 Edge deals | Galaxy S9 deals | Galaxy S8 deals | Galaxy Note 8 deals | iPhone deals | Best SIM only deals | Galaxy S7 review
- Check out all of the best Samsung mobile phone deals
The Galaxy S6 definitely left some room for improvement and, thankfully, Samsung tinkered and tweaked the design to make one heck of a successor. The Galaxy S7 is iterative perfection - it doesn't reinvent the wheel, but Samsung clearly listened to the feedback and criticism to create a stand-out device.
Read TechRadar's full Samsung Galaxy S7 review
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Best portable monitor 2019: the top USB-connected screens
More people are doing more with their computers these days, and that means a greater number of applications are in use at any one time, whether at home or at work.
Whether you’re a writer, graphic artist, coder or call center assistant, having a second display can give you more breathing space on the desktop to spread apps out and use them as they were intended.
Obviously, it’s easier to get hold of multiple monitors back at home or in the office, but what about when you’re out and about? Responding to demand, monitor makers have put out thin and light models that are just as responsive as their full-sized cousins while being slim enough to slip into a backpack.
We’ve picked out some of the best portable monitors, which use the latest in display technology, so that you don’t have to.
Packed Pixels is a wingmirror-style monitor that can be fixed to the left and right sides of your laptop’s screen to give you two extra displays. While they can be used at their native 2,048 x 1,536 resolution for maximum screen real-estate, these 9.7-inch panels are best used in ‘Retina’ mode and with a single app maximised to fill the space in each.
Essentially, it’s like bolting an iPad Air 2 onto your laptop, and any app that you drag onto it – from Atom to Microsoft Word and Google Docs, Slack and Skype (you get the idea) – is rendered in crisp detail.
Because Packed Pixels uses DisplayPort (for video - USB-C also works using a converter) and a USB connection (for power), it’s completely free of any noticeable lag and serves up a buttery smooth experience. Slim, light, bright and supremely portable, it also comes with a soft carrying case for transportation.
The Asus ZenScreen MB16A Portable Monitor is one of the nicest-looking USB monitors we’ve seen, and it comes with a number of features and design considerations that make it an incredibly handy device, and one of the best portable monitors of 2019. However, it comes at a price, with the ZenScreen proving to be more expensive than many of the other portable monitors on this list. However, the build and image quality of this screen makes it well worth the extra money. Fans of Asus' ZenBook laptops should be particularly interested in this device, as it has a design that compliments Asus' high-end laptops nicely.
The Asus MB169C+ isn’t quite as portable as Packed Pixels, but its 15.6-inch size makes using it feel more like using a regular monitor. It has a healthy pixel-resolution of 1,920 x 1,080, which is perfect for streaming full HD video, working with two applications side-by-side and even gaming if you have a sufficiently powerful laptop.
The MB169C+ is incredibly simple to use thanks to its USB-C connection, which uses a single cable to transmit video, sound and power. It also comes in a handy protective sleeve that doubles up as a carrying case. Asus’ portable monitor uses an in-plane switching (IPS) display, which brings decent viewing angles making it perfect for watching video with a friend.
Aimed at photographers who need a monitor to take on shoots, the Gechic 1101P features an IPS display like the Asus MB169C+. However, this one is smaller at 11.6 inches and more portable, allowing to be easily attached to a tripod or SLR camera while out in the field.
This full HD display supports 16.7 million colors which can easily be tweaked using the monitor’s onboard color temperature settings, allowing you to get it as close to your camera’s display as possible
The 1101P is also well-connected, featuring support for VGA, micro HDMI and mini DisplayPort. These make it suitable for a number of different use cases – from previewing photos and videos shot on a camera to being used as a normal portable monitor with your laptop.
If you like the sound of the Asus MB169C+ but don’t have a laptop with a USB-C connection, then the Asus MB169B+ is what you need.
This one also connects to your laptop with a single cable, except it uses a regular USB-A port instead. It works with both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0, though you’ll experience noticeably more latency with the former due to its slower data transfer rate.
Still, it features the same alluring slim and lightweight design. Thanks to Asus EzLink tech, which offloads the graphics processing from the PC to dedicated hardware in the monitor, you can even hook up five of them if your laptop has enough USB ports.
This portable monitor from AOC isn’t going to beat either of the Asus models on our list due to its comparatively lower pixel-resolution of 1,600 x 900.
However, its lower resolution means that it’s going to be less taxing on your laptop’s battery life. Taking that into account, and the fact that it’s the largest portable monitor on our list at 17.3 inches, and the E1759Fwu suddenly becomes an interesting option if you’re into streaming video on the move.
And, because it’s a few years old, you’ll pick it up for much less than competing portable monitors. With its thin and light dimensions and glossy black frame, it doesn’t exactly look archaic – it just isn’t as multi-talented as newer and flashier alternatives.
- Also check out our 10 best full-sized monitors
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Apple reportedly promises publishers improvements to its News Plus service
Apple News Plus, which you can pay $10 a month for in the US, is a big part of Apple's push into digital services, but a new report suggests that publishers aren't too enamoured with the platform so far – and that Apple is promising improvements.
According to Business Insider, publishers aren't getting anywhere near the levels of revenue that Apple suggested they might before the service launched in March.
Although initial uptake was apparently brisk, it would seem not many of those users have kept on their News Plus subscription beyond the initial free trial. It's difficult to know for sure, as Apple hasn't revealed a full breakdown of subscriber numbers.
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One of the issues with the service, Business Insider's sources say, is that readers are confused about what is and isn't included for free as part of Apple News: a small News Plus icon is usually the only difference.
Publisher problems
Publishers are concerned that the News Plus experience feels "unfinished" and want to see a "more intuitive" way for users to get around the app, apparently.
If the sources speaking to Business Insider are to be believed, magazines and newspapers also want Apple to make it easier for them to convert their digital content into a format that works inside the Apple News app.
For its part, Apple is listening to publisher concerns and wants to make improvements to the News Plus service in the various areas we've already mentioned.
Apple hasn't responded to the report publicly but will know it needs to keep publishers happy for News Plus to be a success. Later this year it's also launching Apple Arcade, a mobile games bundle subscription.
Via 9to5Mac
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Oppo pushes mobile photography to new extremes with Reno 10x Zoom
Recent years have seen mobile photography pushed to new extremes. While mobile phones have all but replaced standard point and shoot cameras, they are now aiming at higher-end cameras with features such as bokeh effect, low-light photography and higher optical zoom ranges.
Oppo was the first mobile phone manufacturer to showcase prism-based camera technology, that allowed for much larger optical zooming than the 2x zoom found on most phones. The Oppo Reno 10X Zoom features a hybrid zooming mechanism that get you a 10x lossless zoom. If you really want to stretch it out, it can go as high as 60X digital zoom which is unheard of in a smartphone.
The Oppo Reno 10X Zoom is a flagship phone with top specs, such as the latest Snapdragon 855 processor with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. It looks gorgeous with a full screen design on the front and Oppo’s ingenious shark-fin slider that hides the front facing camera. The phone is absolutely gorgeous and feels very premium in your hands. We especially recommend the Ocean Green color if you want to stand out.
One of our favorite features is the O-dot placed below the camera, that helps prevent the camera lenses from getting scratched. It’s a tiny design detail that not only looks good but serves a much needed function.
Let’s come back to the camera system consisting of a 48MP Sony sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide sensor, and a 13MP telephoto lens. This setup allows the Oppo Reno 10X zoom to take highly detailed pictures in daytime, naturally lit pictures at night, and very creative shots using the wide-angle lens or the very impressive zoom range.
While the camera is the highlighting feature, the Oppo Reno 10X Zoom is a flagship product from every other angle as well. It’s a phone that truly pushes the boundaries of what mobile phones are capable of.
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HTC sees mixed reality as the next “disruptive technology” after smartphones
HTC expects mixed reality, the combination of virtual reality and augmented reality, to become the next “disruptive technology.”
“There are some technical hurdles now such as resolution and tracking the ability to move forward but we want to overcome that. Vive Reality is the ability for us to switch between real life, mixed reality and full virtual reality,” Graham Wheeler, president for HTC Europe, Middle East and Africa, told TechRadar Middle East after announcing the winners of the “VR & Beyond” competition held in collaboration with Burj Khalifa, HTC Vive and Dubai Future Accelerators.
The competition, themed around the Burj Khalifa, was initiated in November 2018 and received 115 virtual reality submissions globally. The winner – Game Cooks from the US - and runner-up estudiofuture from Spain, were honoured on Thursday.
With 5G and artificial intelligence coming into the picture, Wheeler said that the Vive Reality experience is going to change dramatically. “It is not because of the speed of 5G but because of the latency. We use machine learning in some of the development techniques, which I cannot elaborate on now, but the combination of 5G and AI will put VR as the next entertainment medium,” he said.
Moreover, he said that HTC’s to-be-launched premium PC VR headset Cosmos, has a halo design and has taken some of the feedback “we learned from our previous headsets”. “We believe that Cosmos is an exciting step in VR and opens it up to new audiences,” he said but did not reveal more details about the headset. According to HTC’s website, Cosmos has an LCD display with a resolution of 2,880 x 1,700 pixels, an increase of 88% over the original Vive, and 40% better lens clarity over the original model.
Foreseeing the future of VR
Wheeler said that the VR market is growing at a rapid rate. “The growth curve is brilliant for us and nothing is a success overnight. With governments, venture capitals and companies coming to the forefront of investing in the content, the market has a bright future down the lane,” he said.
HTC’s Viveport has more than 3,000 apps, with more local content developers set to be added in. Wheeler noted that many companies are turning to VR to drive education, training, design and retail sales.
According to research firm International Data Corporation, worldwide spending on augmented reality and virtual reality (AR/VR) is forecast to reach $160 billion in 2023, up from the $16.8 billion in 2019. The research firm said that the worldwide shipments of AR/VR headsets are forecasted to reach 8.9 million units in 2019.
By 2023, virtual reality headsets are expected to reach 36.7 million units while the AR headset market forecast to reach 31.9 million units in 2023.
Jitesh Ubrani, research manager for IDC's Mobile Device Trackers, said that new headsets from brands such as Oculus, HTC, Microsoft and others will help fuel the growth in 2019 and beyond.
However, he said that it's not only the new headsets that will drive the AR/VR market forward but also the latest chipsets from Qualcomm.
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Public testing is underway for Halo: Reach but it's very exclusive
343 Industries has confirmed that the first public beta test for Halo: Reach, part of Halo: The Master Chief Collection, is underway but it’s currently only accessible to fewer than 1000 Halo Insiders.
343 Industries has taken to the Halo Insider forums to announce that this first test is “just the beginning” and that it’s being kept “very small”, so if you did sign up for the Halo: Reach flighting tests and didn’t get an invite, you’re not the only one.
“We’ve had a massive amount of opt-ins to the Insider program which is awesome,” 343 explains, “but it’s way more people than we can comfortably accommodate in our first flight out the door.”
Taking flight
The first flight is running from June 28 until July 1 and includes the Halo: Reach campaign mission Tip of the Spear, which is an updated build of the demo shown at E3 this year.
Given it’s still a work-in-progress, the build is apparently missing a few features and has several known issues. The main aim for 343 Industries for this first flight is to test the best way to launch more builds on Steam at a larger scale and get some player feedback on the mouse and keyboard controls.
Despite the invite-only status of the build, it has been reported that pirated versions of the build are being leaked online. 343 Industries and Microsoft have stated that they are aware of the issue and are cracking down on anyone that distributes or plays any illegal copies.
In a tweet, Community Support and Engagement Coordinator at 343 Industries, Tyler Davis, said that those who do play the illegal beta will have all of their associated accounts banned and will be removed from any “all current or future 343 programs”.
Given the beta only includes one mission and isn’t at optimal playing condition, playing a pirated version hardly seems like a worthwhile risk to take for fans of the franchise.
It’s been promised that over time, there will be more test flights on both PC and Xbox with a larger number of people and a wider range of content from not just Reach, but more games that will be in the Master Chief Collection.
In the meantime, 343 Industries has released 15 minutes of 4K gameplay footage for fans to pore over, no piracy needed. You can watch that for yourself below.
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OnePlus 7 Pro vs Huawei P30: the ultimate camera test
Any smartphone can take a picture, but only the best handsets can take a great picture, and the OnePlus 7 Pro and Huawei P30 are two of the most high-end devices for photography.
Each has three rear snappers – one standard, one ultra-wide, and one for long distance pictures – and they also come with an AI scene optimization tool to take the very best pictures possible.
But which is the absolute best? It's a hard question to answer, so instead of picking a phone, we took them both out on a few adventures, so we can compare pictures taken with each of the devices.
These are the results of the test. The images you see below are of the OnePlus 7 Pro – click on the arrow on each image to see the Huawei P30 equivalent.
A word on the cameras
The OnePlus 7 Pro has a 48MP main camera, joined by a 16MP ultra-wide snapper and an 8MP sensor with telephoto lens that supports up to 3x optical zoom.
The Huawei P30 only has a 40MP main sensor, and like the OnePlus phone it has a 16MP ultra-wide lens and 8MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom.
The main difference between the two cameras is this first sensor, as the OnePlus 7 Pro has a slightly better megapixel count, but you won't necessarily notice that in many pictures taken – and it's really the scene optimization software that does a lot of the work too.
'Normal' photos
There wasn't a huge amount of difference between 'normal' pictures taken – by that we mean, at 1x zoom with no effects or filters.
The OnePlus 7 Pro photo was a tiny bit darker, but in general the pictures were very similar, both in terms of color range and quality, and the actual field of view and depth.
Zoomed photos
When we took pictures at 3x zoom, which is the optical zoom limit for both phones, the Huawei P30's had more vibrant colors and a bigger contrast between the dark subject and light background – but that's perhaps not the greatest thing, as details and complexity was lost.
Of course if you want insane levels of zoom the P30 is the best answer though, as its 30x zoom will get you as much pixellated glory as you want.
Ultra-wide photos
The Huawei P30's ultra-wide photo is shocking – look at all that blue sky! Not only is it unprecedented for London, it's quiet a change from the limited blue-ness of the zoomed pictures.
The OnePlus 7 Pro's photo is a little paler, both in terms of the sky and the bridge, but that means, like the zoomed picture, you get a lot more detail.
Both handsets have roughly the same field of view in these shots though, so are neck-and-neck in that regard.
Macro photos
These pictures are fairly similar looking, if we're being honest. The background is blurred appropriately for how far away it is, the textures are captured well, and color tones are easy to differentiate between.
The main difference is in how we actually took the pictures – the Huawei P30 felt a tiny bit slower in focusing on the rock than the OnePlus 7 Pro, so it was quicker to take the picture on the latter phone.
Night sight
The Huawei P30 has a RYYB sensor, as opposed to the RGB in the OnePlus 7 Pro and most other smartphones. This means it picks up on red-yellow-yellow-blue, instead of red-green-blue, and for the purposes of this camera test, that means it 'sees' light a lot better.
You can tell in the night-sight test, as the Huawei P30's picture has a noticeable amount more detail, and it's brighter all around.
The OnePlus 7 Pro's contrast between light and dark is certainly artistic, but you can't see half of it.
Color perception
For a phone that's meant to have amazing color perception, the Huawei P30 let us down – that's because the scene optimization tool wanted to capture the panoramic shot of the umbrellas as much as it did the fruit, and it couldn't tell what the focus of the picture was.
Because of that the fruit is darker, compared to the OnePlus 7 Pro's pictures, with a lighter and brighter dish. The Pro also knew to apply appropriate background blur, to emphasize this shot.
Capturing greenery
What do you want in a picture – natural and realistic looks, or something a little – ahem – spruced up? (Yes, we know this isn't a spruce.)
The Huawei P30's image has a distinct yellow tone, thanks to the RYYB sensor, which make the whole picture look exciting and vibrant. However that's not how the bush actually looked in real life.
The OnePlus 7 Pro photo is a little dull and lifeless, which is exactly how the bush looked in real life, and while it won't win any 'Bush Photograph of the Year' awards, it's an accurate depiction of the boring bush.
Verdict
The camera test was a mixed bag, and after spending time with the two devices, we really don't have a distinct winner – even over the course of writing up this comparison, and analyzing the picture, our preference kept shifting.
The OnePlus 7 Pro took detailed pictures, that were sometimes a little simplistic, but they benefited from that. They were often a little pale though, compared to the competitor.
The Huawei P30's photos like to toy with color and brightness quite a bit – sometimes that works, and makes vibrant pictures, and other times it robs detail from its subjects.
So there's no 'better' camera phone, and for once we wouldn't actually say 'pick a phone that has features that suit you better'. Instead, it's better to choose a handset whose disadvantages are you can overlook more easily.
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Huawei will soon be allowed to buy some of its tech from US suppliers again
There are signs of a thaw in the ongoing US vs Huawei saga, with President Trump announcing that Huawei will once again be able to buy technology from US suppliers – with certain limits.
"US companies can sell their equipment to Huawei," Bloomberg reports Trump as saying at a G20 news conference. "We're talking about equipment where there's no great national security problem with it."
It would appear the US and Chinese governments are prepared to press pause on the ongoing trade war happening between the countries, which should give companies on both sides of the Pacific some breathing space.
- The future could be scooter-driven
- Huawei Android updates are under threat
- Microsoft patents a folding device
As yet it's not clear exactly what the change in policy will mean: Huawei remains on the Commerce Department's Entities List, which means any deals will need approval from the US authorities. Further talks are planned this week.
Details to follow
It would appear the US is prepared to give Huawei some concessions when it comes to developing smartphone and laptop devices, while still keeping the Chinese company out of its 5G infrastructure.
Whether or not the deal means Huawei can carry on developing phones as normal, Android and all, hasn't yet been established. The fine print is still being discussed, and we should hear more this week.
Huawei has been scrambling to respond to the threat of having its US software and hardware suppliers cut off – even going as far as developing its own Android replacement in the event that it can't use Google software any more.
The full effects of the ban weren't due to come into effect until August anyway, so with President Trump's announcement at the G20 conference, it could now be business as usual for Huawei – at least for some of its products.
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Cricket World Cup 2019 live stream: how to watch every game online from anywhere
Between the predictable spells of rain, the 2019 Cricket World Cup has delivered all the scintillating action that we'd been waiting four years for. We've now seen enough to start getting an idea of which teams will proceed into the knockout stages and who the form players are that may emerge as the tournament MVPs. There's been big hitting, fearsome bowling and spectacular catches.
And you've come to the right place to find out how to live stream every last ball of the Cricket World Cup regardless of where you live. Although most countries have paid-for TV viewing only (including hosts England) some nations are luckier - for example, Australians can watch their boys and the latter stages on Channel 9, while Pakistan have every match free in the English language on the state-owned PTV.
10 of the world's elite cricket-playing countries are competing title of best ODI team on Earth with only one to be left standing by the end on July 14. It's the 12th incarnation of Cricket World Cup with hosts England going into it as pre-tournament favourites (according to Betfair at least). Other than a blip against Pakistan, they haven't disappointed so far, with the likes of Joe Root and Jofra Archer looking dangerous.
India have the world's two top ICC ODI ranked batsmen (Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma) and the number one bowler (Jasprit Bumrah) and will naturally be a feared force. But perhaps most attention will be on reigning champions Australia, as they welcome back suspended duo Steve Smith and David Warner - both have managed to get some serious runs under their belts already. Bangladesh have impressed against the odds and and New Zealand have picked up some very strong wins indeed.
We've enjoyed it so far, but there's plenty of cricket still to come. If you want to know where you'll be able to watch every single daily match, we'll tell you exactly where you can catch them online with a Cricket World Cup live stream.
How to watch the 2019 Cricket World Cup from outside your country
You don't have to miss a single minute of Cricket World Cup - even if you're abroad and discover that your home broadcaster's online coverage is geo-blocked (we hate it when that happens).
If that happens to you and you're desperate to watch that domestic coverage, there's still a way to get it that doesn't involve putting your security at risk with some dodgy, illegal stream from Reddit. You can simply use a VPN to login back to your country that is broadcasting the actions, and it's really easy to do:
Upcoming Cricket World Cup fixtures
All times in local BST
Sunday June 30
England v India - Edgbaston, Birmingham (10.30am)
Monday July 1
Sri Lanka v West Indies - Chester-le-Street, Durham (10.30am)
Tuesday July 2
Bangladesh v India - Edgbaston, Birmingham (10.30am)
Wednesday July 3
England v New Zealand - Chester-le-Street, Durham (10.30am)
How to stream the Cricket World Cup live in the UK
How to get a FREE Cricket World Cup live stream in Pakistan
How to live stream the Cricket World Cup final in Australia (for FREE)
How to watch the Cricket World Cup 2019: New Zealand live stream
How to stream 2019 Cricket World Cup online in India
How to watch the Cricket World Cup: US live stream
What is the format of the 2019 Cricket World Cup?
The Cricket World Cup is a ten-team tournament. Each country plays each other in a round-robin format, after which the top four teams qualify for the semi-finals. The two winning semi-finalists then get to face off in the final on Sunday, July 14.
How long do Cricket World Cup matches usually last?
Most 2019 Cricket World Cup matches will start at 10.30am BST and end early evening – around 6.30pm BST. A number of day/night games will start at 1.30pm BST and finish under floodlights at around 9pm BST.
Cricket World Cup matches broadly follow the rules of One Day Internationals, with each side facing 50 overs within a 210-minute time limit. Add in drinks breaks for each side and a 30 to 40 minutes innings break and matches can run up to nine hours in length. Some matches are much shorter however - England’s capitulation to New Zealand in the 2015 World Cup saw play wrapped up within four-and-a-half hours, with the Kiwis reaching their 123-run target in just 12 overs.
What teams are competing in this year's Cricket World Cup?
Afghanistan
Having made their maiden World Cup appearance in 2015, Afghanistan aren't likely to be on anybody's list of pre-match favourites.
Australia
The five-time winners suffered a blow with injury ruling out fast bowler Josh Hazlewood, but are boosted by the return of key batsman David Warner after serving a ban for ball tampering.
Bangladesh
With outside odds of 80/1 to win the trophy, Bangladesh will be hoping talismanic batsman Tamim Iqbal continues his excellent ODI record which has seen him clock up over 5,000 runs.
England
The hosts are clear favourites going in to the tournament. Captained by Eoin Morgan, since the last World Cup England have beaten every country competing in the tournament in a one-day series with the exception of Afghanistan.
India
Their recent home ODI defeat to Australia doesn’t bode well, but India will be hoping to repeat their 1983 triumph which saw them win the World Cup on English soil.
New Zealand
Having been sensational throughout the tournament, the Kiwis reached their first ever Cricket World Cup final in 2015, only to fall short at the final hurdle against Australia. A strong top order of Martin Guptill, Ross Taylor, Kane Williamson and Tom Latham should see them in contention again this time.
Pakistan
Having played a recent test series in England, Pakistan come into the tournament well prepared. Tipped by many to at least reach the semis, the tournament’s most unpredictable side stand a good wildcard chance of glory.
South Africa
The Proteas come into the World Cup in fine form having won nine of their last 11 ODI series, however injuries in the run up to key stars like Kagiso Rabada, Lungi Ngidi and Dale Steyn will raise concerns about their chances.
Sri Lanka
A run of just one win in the last 11 games suggest the 1996 winners will struggle in 2019. Much will depend on what form former captain and key batsman Angelo Mathews will be in if they are to get out of their current rut.
West Indies
Like Sri Lanka, the ODI form of the West Indies in recent times has fallen off a cliff. However, the emergence of Shimron Hetmyer and powerful batsman Shai Hope mean there’s some sense of optimism for a decent showing at the World Cup.
What grounds are being used for the Cricket World Cup?
The Oval, London
Established in 1845, the home of Surrey County Cricket Club played host to the first-ever Test match on English soil between England and Australia in 1880.
Trent Bridge, Nottingham
Home of Nottinghamshire CCC, the 17,500-capacity ground will host five World Cup matches, including England vs Pakistan.
Bristol County Ground, Bristol
Built in 1889, and subsequently bought by WG Grace, the ground has been home to Gloucestershire CCC ever since.
Hampshire Bowl, Southampton
The 17,000-capacity ground will host ICC Cricket World Cup fixtures for the first time in 2019, with five matches taking place at the venue.
The County Ground, Taunton
Three World Cup fixtures will be held at the County Ground Taunton, home of Somerset County Cricket Club.
Old Trafford, Manchester
Lancashire County Cricket Club’s ground has the honour of hosting the most 2019 Cricket World Cup matches with six games set to be played there, including one of the semi-finals.
Edgbaston, Birmingham
Warwickshire CCC’s ground was the scene of the 1999 semi-final showdown between Australia and South Africa - arguably the greatest Cricket World Cup game of all time.
Headingley, Leeds
Adjoined by Headingley Rugby Stadium, the complex is home to Leeds Rhinos rugby league and Yorkshire Carnegie rugby union clubs as well Yorkshire County Cricket Club. The cricket ground has hosted Test matches since 1899 and has a capacity of 18,350.
Lord's, London
Widely referred to as the Home of Cricket, the iconic north London ground will host the 2019 Cricket World Cup Final.
The Riverside Ground, Chester-le-Street
English cricket’s most northerly ground is also one of its most picturesque. Home to Durham CCC, the stadium is overlooked by the 14th-century Lumley Castle.
Cardiff Wales Stadium
The single ground in this year’s World Cup that is based outside of England, Glamorgan County Cricket Club’s stadium will host four fixtures during the tournament.
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England vs India live stream: how to watch today's Cricket World Cup 2019 from anywhere
With Pakistan having piled the pressure on with their win on Saturday against Afghanistan, and a ruthless India eyeing pole position in the table, England taking their place in the 2019 Cricket World Cup semi-final now looks seriously in doubt. You'll be able to watch all the action from this crucial clash no matter where you are in the world by using our England vs India live stream guide below.
The brief is s a simple one for Eoin Morgan's men, who entered the tournament as favourites - nothing less than a win today will do.
Having lost their last two games on the spin, England's confidence looks shot, with thier batting order looking particularly jittery.
They can at least take encouragement from the fact that they beat their opponents today 2-1 in their last bilateral series at home. However, with a large contingent of India fans expected in the stands to cheer on their side and pile as much pressure on the hosts as possible, there's never been a better time for this England side to show they can hold their nerve.
While question marks remain about India's middle-order batting, the table doesn't lie - they've been superb and now very much look like the team to beat in the tournament. With a win ensuring a spot in the semis, expect not a slither of mercy to be shown to the hosts today from the Men In Blue.
You’ll be able to watch all the action from this with ease from anywhere in the world if you follow our England vs India live stream guide below - somehow, it's free to watch in some places, but not in either of the competing countries.
Watch a Cricket World Cup 2019 live stream from outside your country
If you're in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, US or India and looking to find out how to watch the match, we've got all the details about the broadcaster in your region below.
If you're away from home country and looking to tune in you'll likely to find you won't be able to thanks to geo-blocking. Thankfully there's a way to alleviate that frustration. By using a VPN you'll be able to watch the game safely without having to take a chance on an illegal feed from a website that's likely infested with malware.
How to stream England vs India live in the UK
How to stream 2019 Cricket World Cup online in India
How to live stream India vs England in Pakistan for FREE
How to watch a live stream of England vs India in Australia
How to live stream England vs India in New Zealand
How to watch England vs India: US live stream
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