This is what the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 could look like

If you've been holding your breath for a successor to the Samsung Galaxy Watch then you might be waiting a while longer – it seems like Samsung is working on a new Samsung Galaxy Watch Active instead, and now we know what it might look like.

Website SamMobile managed to acquire leaked photographs seemingly showing the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2, and they tell us a lot about the upcoming wearable. It's not clear how SamMobile found the images, so take them with a pinch of salt, but the website has a good track record for leaks.

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According to the leak, there will be two sizes of Galaxy Watch Active 2: 40mm and 44mm. In comparison, the original Watch Active only came in a 40mm size, so you're getting a lot more choice in terms of watch size with the newer device.

Another big change from the original device is connectivity, as the Galaxy Watch Active only had Wi-Fi connectivity, while the Watch Active 2 will supposedly come in an LTE version as well.

This version is said to have a 340mAh battery, a big step up from the 237mAh that's apparently in the Wi-Fi version of the Galaxy Watch Active 2, and the 230mAh in the original Watch Active.

Visually, the new device doesn't appear to be actually that... well, new. The power button and back button are set to have slightly different shapes, but it's not a huge redesign.

We've heard the standard Samsung Galaxy Watch 2's codename is 'renaissance', but it doesn't look like the Galaxy Watch Active 2 will have the same artistic overhaul suggested by that name.

We should find out soon, as we're expecting to see the Galaxy Watch Active 2 (and possibly also the standard Galaxy Watch 2) later in the year, so stay tuned to TechRadar for all the latest wearable news.

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In-car karaoke is coming to Teslas

If super-tough arcade games and driving sims aren't enough to keep you busy while your car is charging, Tesla has announced even more goodies for its dashboard toy box.

Its cars already include a drawing app, Sketchpad, that lets drivers keep themselves occupied with a spot of finger-painting, and this will soon be upgraded with the ability to undo multiple actions (ideal for the less coordinated artist). The color-picker will also in-car Caravaggios change the saturation of their chosen hue.

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The new features were added after art director, animator and illustrator Goro Fujita made a request to CEO Elon Musk on Twitter.

Sketchpad started life as an Easter egg for drivers to discover, but is now evolving into a functional art app. Other hidden surprises have included a color-changing effect for your car's charge port and Mario Kart-style rainbow roads in Autopilot mode.

Turn it up

Musk also said that a "fun, little music tool" will be coming to drivers' dashboards soon, which will include in-car karaoke. As Electrek notes, Musk first suggested that the company's cars would get a singalong mode in August last year, and now it looks like it's time for vocalists to start warming up.

The update may also see the introduction of Tesla's long-rumored music streaming service. References to something called 'TTunes' first appeared in 2017, but the volume has been dialled down since then. 

It'll be interesting to see whether Tesla is able to come up with something that will compete with the likes of Spotify and iTunes for in-car audio, and whether it will partner with an existing streaming service to offer its drivers a new way to listen.

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Via Electrek

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UK mobile users can now switch networks with a text

It's about to get a whole lot easier for mobile phone users in the UK to change networks or contracts as new switching rules come into force today.

The new Text to Switch rules from Ofcom look to simplify what has until now often been a lengthy and convoluted process, allowing mobile customers to leave their existing network by sending a single text message.

This message will allow users to quickly switch plans or network provider, and let them keep their existing phone number as well if wanted.

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Going forward, when a customer texts a request for a a cancellation code or a PAC code (porting authorisation code), mobile carriers will have to respond within a minute, and the codes they send will be valid for 30 days. These codes will be short and all mobile providers are required to use the same codes.

In addition to sending customers codes, providers will also have to include important information about any early termination charges, outstanding handset costs or pay-as-you-go credit balances.

Anyone wishing to change their phone number will be abe to do so by texting ‘STAC’ to 75075 to request a ‘service termination authorisation code’. 

Lastly, anyone unsure whether they are still ‘in contract’, and wanting to find out if they need to pay any early termination charges can text ‘INFO’ to 85075 to find out without requesting a switching code.

“Breaking up with your mobile provider has never been easier thanks to Ofcom’s new rules," said Lindsey Fussell, Ofcom’s Consumer Group Director. "You won’t need to have that awkward chat with your current provider to take advantage of the great deals available.”

Text to Switch

According to research from uSwitch, at least 15 percent of mobile users are out of contract which results in them paying £27.4m more than they should be every month, resulting in a total overspend of over £325m a year.

Of those who have tried to switch mobile carriers or plans, 40 percent have experienced difficulties while doing so. Some have struggled to take their existing number to a new handset, some have found it hard to navigate telecom websites and others have become increasingly frustrated with automated phone services after being placed on hold by call centers.

Networks have had 18 months to prepare for the implementation of Text to Switch, and the move has been hailed by many in the mobile industry, but some bodies have noted that the new rules may not go far enough.

“Switching supplier should be a quick and easy process, with minimum disruption to the customer. But mobile customers are often put off by having to jump over hurdles to switch providers, even if they could get a better deal somewhere else," said Natalie Hitchins, Which? Head of Home Products and Services.

“The introduction of text-to-switch is a step in the right direction, and we welcome the ban on customers having to pay for old and new services at the same time. However, we are disappointed that the regulator hasn’t taken steps to ensure that customers’ new providers handle the switching process, as is the case in the energy market.”

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Apple will fix faulty MacBook Air 2018 models for free

Apple has identified an issue with the logic board in some models of the MacBook Air 2018, and while the issue only affects a “very small number” of the laptops, according to Apple, the company will fix the affected machines free of charge.

As 9to5Mac reports, Apple has sent an internal document to Apple Stores and authorised repair stores that reveals there's an issue with the main logic board in the 13-inch Retina versions of the MacBook Air 2018. However, not all models are affected – only machines with a certain serial numbers.

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According to the document, Apple says the issues are to do with “power”, but doesn’t not explain in depth what those problems are.

Getting it checked out

At the time of writing, Apple has not publicly disclosed the issue, and it’s not listed on its “Exchange and Repair Extension Programs” webpage, which usually lists recall and repair programs.

However, it looks like Apple will offer free repair to affected MacBook Air 2018 models for four years after the original purchase date. If you think you may have a faulty MacBook Air 2018, you can take it to an Apple Store or authorized repair store, to find out more.

As soon as we hear anything official from Apple, we will update this story.

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iPhone 11 range shown off in leaked CAD images

The iPhone 11 range, like most of its predecessors, has been heavily leaked many times now, with the latest leak taking the form of CAD (computer-aided design) images, showing the possible designs of all three upcoming phones from both front and back.

Shared by SlashLeaks, you can see that all three handsets (which for now we’ll call the iPhone 11, iPhone 11 Max and iPhone 11R) have a large notch similar to the one found on the iPhone XS range. In fact, the whole front of the phones in these images looks very similar to the previous years' handsets.

The back is where you’ll find the main visual difference, and it’s one we’ve seen leaked plenty of times already. We’re talking, of course, about the square camera block in the top left corner.

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As well as sporting a new design, this rear bump also houses more lenses, with both the iPhone 11 and iPhone 11 Max shown here as having three lenses (up from two on their predecessors) and the iPhone 11R having two, where the iPhone XR has just one.

Other details include speaker grilles on the bottom edge, along with a charging port – which could either be a Lightning one or USB-C, with rumors disagreeing on the matter constantly.

The diagrams also include screen sizes, with the iPhone 11 apparently being 5.8 inches, the iPhone 11 Max listed as 6.5 inches, and the iPhone 11R said to be 6.1 inches, all of which we’ve heard before.

For now of course we’d take all of this with a pinch of salt, but most rumors are now painting the same picture, so there’s a high chance that the phones Apple unveils in September will look like these.

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The best Now TV pass offers, boxes and voucher deal prices in July 2019

The best BT Sport deals, offers and packages in July 2019

Looking for a clear answer on the best way to bag a cheap BT Sport deal? If you're here, chances are you been asking yourself how much is BT Sport going to cost? Can I get BT Sport on Sky or Virgin Media instead? Can I watch the Champions League on BT Sport? You've asked and we're here to answer.

On this page we'll tell you about the best offers direct from BT (for new and existing customers) and also how to get a BT Sport package if you already have Sky TV or Virgin Media. With so many options available from each provider, we've simplified the listings as much as possible so you can weigh up the best option for you without the pushy up-selling you'd get in stores, shopping centre booths or on the phone. Alternatively, if you'd prefer a bit of Sky Sports, we've also extensively covered the latest Sky TV deals available.

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What's on BT Sport?

The BT Sport Pack includes BT Sport 1, BT Sport 2, BT Sport 3 and BT Sport ESPN. Across these channels you'll find every Champions League match live, so no more asking the pub landlord to swap over to the match you actually want to watch and upsetting those Man United supporting Southerners. There's also a selection of Premier League matches every week.

BT Sport is also the only place to enjoy Ashes cricket next year as BT nabbed the exclusive rights to broadcast it next summer. Elsewhere on BT Sport you can enjoy the Rugby Aviva Premiership, Moto GP and much more. Sound good? Then let's check out the latest BT Sport offers.

How to get BT Sport deals direct from BT

BT Sport deals are available as an add-on to a BT TV package and also as an extra to BT broadband. Let's have have a look at all the options and how much they'll cost you each month. Prices direct from BT rather than going through third parties like Sky and Virgin Media are the cheapest options available.

BT Sport offers if you're not a BT customer yet

If you already get your TV or broadband from Sky or Virgin and your contract isn't up for a while, you can skip this section and scroll down to the heading 'How much is BT Sport on Sky?' or 'How to get BT Sport on Virgin Media.' 

I'm already an existing BT customer

If you already have BT broadband or a BT TV deal, good news. You can get BT Sport for less than anyone else on Sky or Virgin, maybe even for free. Take a look at the latest options for current BT customers below.

How much is BT Sport on Sky?

Rather than put up a wall between their customers, BT and Sky have reached an agreement allowing existing Sky customers access to BT Sport too. That means they'll have the most comprehensive sports coverage in the UK. Sky customers will have to set this up through BT though rather than Sky. 

The options are simple though and BT's website will walk you through the steps, We've included links below and we'll talk you through the various options and how much they cost too.

How to get BT Sport on Virgin Media

You don't have to go with BT broadband to get BT Sport. BT is keen to let its rivals pay them to let you in on the action too. New Virgin broadband customers can take advantage of Virgin's superfast fibre broadband and enjoy BT Sport.

There are a few Virgin broadband with BT Sport packages to choose from, sadly they don't include the cheapest Virgin deals. On the plus side you're getting the shiny HD versions of the BT Sports channels in all of them. There are three main deals to choose from, although as you're going through the transaction you might be offered extras or modest upgrades along the way.

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Samsung Galaxy Note 10 gets name-checked officially... twice

Samsung has name-checked the Samsung Galaxy Note 10, leaving us with no doubt what it will be called, and that it does exist.

We spotted the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 name during an official presentation at the firm's Korean campus – the first time the much-rumored handset's name has been alluded to by Samsung.

What we saw was the 'Galaxy Note 10' name in an image (which we weren't allowed to photograph) with, what we're told, a rough render of a reference device which isn't representative of what the handset will look like when it launches (hmmm).

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The Samsung Galaxy Note 10 launch date is tipped for August 7, although we’re still waiting on confirmation from Samsung itself as to when it plans to reveal its next super-sized smartphone to the world.

Infinity-O going central?

During the same presentation we also saw a couple of other images of a handset with an Infinity-O display where the camera (completely surrounded by screen) is centrally placed at the top of the display, rather than being locate in the right corner, as on the Galaxy S10 and S10 Plus.

When we quizzed Samsung on the handset in these images, we were told they too were merely reference devices and not a confirmed product.

However, it does suggest Samsung is considering this particular layout and with the Note 10 launch potentially just round the corner, it could be a candidate for the new look. 

Although, with the Note series tending to be Samsung's most premium offering, it would be a surprise if it had just a single front-facing camera considering the S10 Plus and S10 5G both have two.

We'll have to wait and see, but at least we can now say with complete certainty, that the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 is on its way.

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