A streaming client often significantly expands the functionality of a television. But not everyone may support your favorite service.
The right streaming client for video, television, music and games Classic television, music and games Older televisions are also compatible Movies, series, television Music Play Conclusion Test table Do you want your TV over ya re using it, sooner or later there is hardly a way around a streaming client. After the market launch, the manufacturers hardly change anything in terms of the range of functions or the software offering – at best, the current model year and its predecessors receive smaller updates and new services here and there. We show which client is the optimal choice for which streaming service and in which cases existing devices make buying new ones superfluous.
This applies, for example, to consoles that are compared in the form of Microsoft Xbox Series S and X as well as the Sony Playstation 5 are considered. Because they also offer apps for some services and thus compete with classic clients. There are also four streaming clients in stick format: Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K and Fire TV Stick Lite, Google Chromecast with Google TV (hereinafter referred to as Chromecast) and the MagentaTV Stick from Deutsche Telekom. With the Apple TV 4K, the Amazon Fire TV Cube and the Nvidia Shield TV, three clients rely on a box or box-like design. Since it is unclear how long Microsoft and Sony will support the previous generation of consoles, we have not included you in this comparison. The Amazon Fire TV Stick (without addition) is missing, as it corresponds to the Lite model in terms of performance and limitations. The statements made for Nvidia’s Shield TV also apply to the Pro version.
Classic television, music and games In addition to video-on-demand services (VoD), we also consider live TV -Streaming and other types of entertainment: streaming music and gaming. In addition to the installation of games, the latter also includes corresponding cloud gaming services and the flat-rate offers from Deutsche Telekom (MagentaGaming) as well as from Microsoft (Xbox Game Pass) and Sony (Playstation Now).
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HMD Global is planning to launch a new ultra-affordable smartphone, and it looks like a successor of the Nokia 1.3 is on its way. It will be called Nokia 1.4 and will have basic specs and a low-low price of under €100.
The new phone will have a quad-core CPU at 1.3 GHz rates. That looks like the very same Qualcomm QM215 platform for affordable phones, but Nokia might have decided to go with something different. Aside from that, there are updates pretty much everywhere else – the camera on the back is said to be a dual setup, the battery got a massive increase to 4,000 mAh, and the screen grew bigger – the Nokia 1.4 will have a 6.51” LCD.
The new phone will support dual SIM variants but only one of the cards will work with 4G networks, the other slot is for 2G – if there are no such networks anymore, users should use the hybrid slot to put a MicroSD card, because the internal memory of 16 GB does not sound enough. Interestingly enough, it will have a fingerprint scanner. The question remains whether it will be on the back or will make its way on the side, doubling as a fingerprint scanner.
The Nokia 1.3 was introduced back in March 2020 so we expect the new Nokia 1.4 to stick to the timeline and arrive in the first quarter of the year.
OnePlus has released the OxygenOS 11 public beta firmware to the OnePlus 7 and 7T series so those wanting to give Android 11 a try as quickly as possible can now do it.
The beta firmwares are available for the OnePlus 7 and 7 Pro, as well as the 7T and 7T Pro.
There are some known issues you should be aware of. Brightness adjustment might lag in some cases, some Bluetooth-connected devices may not produce sound occasionally, there’s a chance of higher power consumption and decreased stability.
In turn the devices will get the new overhauled OxygenOS 11 with host of features (new icons and UI, ambient display, new Shelf interface, new camera UI, features and HEVC codec support, etc).
You can find the download links in the source links below. You need to have a supported unlocked device, download the ROM upgrade zip, copy it in the root folder of the phone, navigate to settings > system > system updates > local upgrade on the phone and follow the instructions.
Last year vivo trademarked several product names under its own brand, NEX and iQOO. Talk around the Weibo watercooler suggests that one of them, the vivo Pad, will be unveiled at tomorrow’s event alongside the vivo X60 Pro+.
The vivo Pad will become the company’s first tablet. We don’t actually know much about the tablet as the slate has successfully avoided major leaks. We do know that it might soon have company.
Among the trademarked names were the iQOO Pad and NEXPAD, though there’s no word on either coming out anytime soon (and almost certainly not during the vivo X-series event). Another name, the vivo Watch is already a reality, though the iQOO Watch is yet to materialize.
That’s not the end of it either. The vivo book and NEXBOOK sound like laptop names. There’s also the NEX SoC and iQOO SoC, plus the iQOO Zeal, but we’re at a loss here (you’d think we would have heard if vivo plans to start its own chipset line).
Some of the trademarked names: NEXPAD, iQOOBOOK, vivo book, NEXBOOK
Anyway, tomorrow’s vivo X60 Pro+ event could have a “one more thing”, the vivo Pad. However, the company’s official social networking accounts (which have been boasting about the X60 for days) are surprisingly quiet on the tablet matter.
Solar modules and wind parks can now be found on roofs and meadows across the country. The alarm calls sound correspondingly loud every time the federal government changes the Renewable Energy Sources Act (EEG). One of the biggest points of contention this time around is the future of solar and wind power pioneers. The wind industry sees the effects of the corona pandemic endanger the continued operation of wind farms that are no longer subsidized because the demand for electricity and thus prices on the stock exchange have collapsed. For 18000 photovoltaic systems also end at the turn of the year the payments made in the first EEG from the year 2000 have been decided. Consumer advocates warn that some old modules are now becoming unprofitable because the Ministry of Economic Affairs wants to oblige even simple row house owners to install expensive measurement technology.
Future of private solar energy At the end of September the cabinet passed its draft of the new EEG. It illustrates the concern of the Ministry of Economic Affairs: the fear of uncontrolled feeding. The background lies in the rules of the electricity market. For every kilowatt hour that flows into or out of the grid, the so-called balancing group managers have to find a balance every quarter of an hour – otherwise the grid could collapse.
So far, electricity traders and grid operators have done this job. When the subsidy expires, the commercial acceptance of renewable electricity and thus the allocation to a balancing group ends. Because self-consumption is not recorded by measurement technology, the balancers estimate the amount of electricity of all private customers. However, you cannot predict when households will use how much of their own weather-dependent electricity for washing or vacuuming. So they supply these customers with electricity even when the sun is shining and the solar system owner actually has enough. This has three disadvantageous effects: Too much electricity in the grid endangers grid stability. The CO2 emissions increase because the additional electricity supplied comes to a large extent from fossil energy sources. And the costs also increase unnecessarily.
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(Pocket-lint) – Panasonic has announced its first new TV for 2021 – the Panasonic JZ2000 OLED TV.
However, it won’t be available until early summer, so you might want to snap up a bargain on 2020’s models instead. They are still available and often at a discount.
Here then are the Panasonic TV highlights for 2021, including some of the excellent sets already available through numerous retailers.
One thing to note on model numbering if you’re browsing Panasonic TVs: J equals 2021, H equals 2020, G equals 2019 and so on – something to watch out for when you come to buy. Also, model numbers can change depending on region, the TV tends to be the same but the number might be slightly different, so that’s also something to take into account.
The flagship OLED TV for 2021 was announced during the all-digital CES 2021, so we haven’t managed to get our hands on one yet.
However, it is confirmed to come with the same top-end Master HDR OLED Professional Edition panel as 2020’s HZ2000 (below), yet with HDR10+ Adaptive added for good measure.
Like Dolby Vision IQ, this is a HDR technology that not only changes the colour signature depending on each scene, it takes into account your ambient lighting to present colours and contrast in exactly the format the director intended.
The JZ2000 also embraces gaming with more vigour than ever before, with 4K 120Hz support over HDMI 2.1 and variable refresh rate (VRR) technology on board.
Until the JZ2000 becomes available this summer, the HZ2000 is the flagship OLED TV in Panasonic’s range.
Like the latest model, the 2020 stunner supports Filmmaker Mode to present movies as their directors intended, and Dolby Vision IQ, which adjusts the HDR picture settings automatically, depending on the viewing conditions.
The set is also built around Panasonic’s Master HDR OLED Professional Edition panel. That effectively means it is capable of high peak brightness, while retaining the deep black levels OLED tech is well known for.
Audio also gets a big boost at this end of the range, with 360-degree Soundscape Pro surround built into the set itself. This includes five speaker units with two upfiring speakers at the top to give you the extra height channels for Dolby Atmos soundtracks.
One step down from the HZ2000 and you still get highly impressive specs in this 2020 set, including Filmmaker Mode, Dolby Vision IQ and the proprietary HCX Pro Intelligent processor.
The panel is slightly different – the Master HDR OLED rather than Pro Edition – and the audio is a little less bombastic. However, you still get upward firing speakers built into the top of the TV for Dolby Atmos height channels, plus front-firing speakers and a central subwoofer at viewer height for some incredible, immersive sound.
In all other respects, this is as near to the flagship model as you like. With Alexa and Google Assistant support thrown in for good measure.
Panasonic HZ1500 4K OLED TV review: Serious about sound
The HZ1000 retains the Master HDR OLED panel of the HZ1500 but drops the audio to a regular sound system.
You still get the Filmmaker Mode with a dedicated button on the remote that will put your screen into industry-selected picture settings that best suit movie content, while Dolby Vision IQ choose the best images depending on the ambience and light in your viewing room.
The base also features a swivel design, so you can move it to be face-on to multiple viewing positions. But, as its OLED it’ll also have super wide viewing angles anyway.
Panasonic LED TVs
Pocket-lint
Panasonic HX940
Available now
Screen sizes: 75in, 65in, 43in
LED, 3840 x 2160 pixels, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, Dolby Atmos
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The current top-end LED TV in Panasonic’s lineup is the HX940 – at least until the J-series sets are announced later this year. It comes with a 100Hz panel and HCX Pro Intelligent processing.
In addition, it supports both HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, plus HLG for TV broadcasts in HDR when available, and can pass through Dolby Atmos when connected to a capable sound system.
The HX940 comes with Local Dimming Pro Intelligent tech that allows for better black levels in dark scenes, thanks to multi-zoned control over the backlight. While the Home Screen 5.0 smart TV platform gives you all the latest streaming apps and customisation options for you to put the ones you use the most front and centre.
Panasonic HX940 4K TV review: Elevated imagery
Pocket-lint
Panasonic HX800/820
Available now
Screen sizes: 65in, 58in, 50in, 40in
LED, 3840 x 2160 pixels, Dolby Vision, HDR10+, Dolby Atmos
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The Panasonic HX820 and HX800 are effectively the same LED TV, except the 820 is available exclusively through John Lewis in the UK. You might find it has a different stand or bezel colour.
It drops the picture processor down to the HCX (not Pro) but you won’t notice much in practice, we feel. You also get the HDR Bright Panel Plus technology and Local Dimming technologies from Panasonic, rather than advanced versions found in the 940.
4K HDR standards are all still supported at this level, with HDR10+, Dolby Vision and HLG Photo – which was introduced with the 2019 range below.
Dolby Atmos is also supported, although you will need a decent, compatible sound system to get the most from it.
Panasonic HX800 4K TV review: Hitting that cinematic sweet spot
Best Beats wireless headphones Buying Guide: welcome to What Hi-Fi?’s round-up of the best Beats wireless headphones you can buy in 2021.
Beats had already established itself as the headphone make of choice for youngsters, athletes and hip-hop artists alike, but since it was bought by Apple in 2014 the brand’s profile has gone stratospheric.
Beats has a reputation of putting bass before quality, and although we felt this was the case with a few of its earlier models, there are now some excellent Beats wireless headphones around.
We’ve rounded up the best Beat wireless headphones we’ve tested, from in-ears to on-ears, including a true wireless option. Hopefully, there’ll be a pair of Beats wireless headphones sate your audio appetite.
(Image credit: Beats)
1. Beats Powerbeats3 Wireless
Eminently practical and great-sounding and arguably the best wireless Beats headphones around.
SPECIFICATIONS
Connector: n/a | Cable length: 1.3m | In-line remote and mic: Yes | OS support: Android/iOS | Bluetooth: Yes | Noise-cancelling: No
Reasons to Buy
Great fit
Long-lasting battery
A fun listen
Reasons to Avoid
Overbearing bass
Could be clearer
Now Beats is owned by Apple, its headphones are seamlessly compatible with iOS devices thanks to the inclusion of Apple’s W1 chip. The Powerbeats 3s are only noise isolating, not noise cancelling (i.e. the earbud seals off your earhole from outside noise), but at this price, that’s to be expected. And the snug fit means they’re not going anywhere. The battery lasts a healthy 12 hours, while just five minutes of plug time will get you an hour’s use. Handy if you’re about to dash out the door.
The bass can be a little overwhelming at times but can be a benefit in noisy environments. And they’re a lively, fun listen.
Read the full Beats Powerbeats3 Wireless review
(Image credit: Beats)
2. Beats Solo Pro
Awesome noise-cancelling meets an even-handed and balanced wireless Beats sound.
SPECIFICATIONS
Connector: 3.5mm | Cable length: N/A | In-line remote and mic: No | OS support: Android/iOS | Bluetooth: Yes | Noise-cancelling: Yes
Reasons to Buy
Clear, impactful sound
Great noise-cancelling
Well built
Reasons to Avoid
Could time better
A bit snug
If you’re looking for Beats wireless headphones, the Solo Pro should be right up there on your list. They feel sturdy and well built, but classy with it, like a premium SUV rather than a tank. The battery life also impresses, standing at 22 hours, or 40 with noise-cancelling disabled.
Unlike some on-ears, the bass doesn’t overwhelm, and they make for a nicely balanced listen. They’re a little snug (though it might depend on the size of your bonce) and you’ll find better timing elsewhere, but they’re still a class act all the way.
Read the full Beats Solo Pro review
(Image credit: Beats)
3. Beats Powerbeats Pro
Sporty types will lap them up. Audiophiles, not so much…
SPECIFICATIONS
Connector: N/A | Cable length: N/A | In-line remote and mic: No | OS support: Android/iOS | Bluetooth: Yes | Noise-cancelling: No
Reasons to Buy
Very consistent
Comfy
Marathon battery
Reasons to Avoid
Limited dynamic range
Need more bass
Audio lacks vim
Sporty types in the market for the best Beats wireless headphones should look no further. The Powerbeats Pro are truly wireless, so you won’t get tangled in any cables while you work out. They fit well and are extremely comfortable to wear, so they won’t hinder you as you exercise. And they perform superbly thanks to Apple’s H1 Bluetooth chip which ensures a stable wireless connection.
The 9-hour battery life is more a marathon than a sprint, and you get a further two charges from the supplied carry case. The audio lacks a little energy, which is a shame given they’re meant to power you through your runs, but they’re still a good choice to get hot and sweaty with.
Read the full Beats Powerbeats Pro review
(Image credit: Beats)
4. Beats X
These Beats wireless headphones pack a seriously punchy sound.
SPECIFICATIONS
Connector: N/A | Cable length: N/A | In-line remote and mic: Yes | OS support: Android/iOS | Bluetooth: Yes | Noise-cancelling: No
Reasons to Buy
Excellent wireless connection
Simple yet stylish
Sound packs energy
Reasons to Avoid
Need more detail
Midrange lacks refinement
These Beats wireless headphones have a cable connecting the two earbuds – it means you won’t lose either one. They’re lightweight, and the cable not too obtrusive. They stick together with magnets when not in use too, making them easy to store.
Wireless performance is typically excellent, and the eight-hour battery life should be long enough for most people. The audio packs plenty of punch, though it could do with a tad more detail to bring out the finer elements.
Read the full Beats X review
(Image credit: Beats)
5. Beats Flex
Fun and fuss-free wireless Beats headphones.
SPECIFICATIONS
Connector: N/A | Cable length: N/A | In-line remote and mic: Yes | OS support: Android/iOS | Bluetooth: Yes | Noise-cancelling: No
Reasons to Buy
Punchy lows
Durable build
Extra features for iOS users
Reasons to Avoid
Treble is rounded off
Fit may be an issue
The Beats Flex are a step up from Apple’s bog-standard Lightning wired buds. They’re available in some fresh hues (including the Yuzu yellow sample before you), they charge via USB-C, have a 12-hour battery life, and courtesy of one-tap audio share you can split sounds with nearby Beats or AirPod headphones (provided you have an iPhone 8 or later running iOS 14). And they’re very affordable, too.
Four ear tip options gives a good chance of finding a decent fit, and the cable is flat, like a strand of tagliatelle. Magnets keep the earbuds together when not in use.
Pairing is a doddle (even more so using an Apple device). They don’t support some iOS 14 features, including automatic switching to another device or hands-free Siri support. And there’s no noise-cancelling either, but with the correct seal you’ll still enjoy good levels of passive noise isolation.
Audio quality is good, but not great. There’s just not the same impact that the best at this price manage to pull off. Still, the Flex offer a considered, smooth sound profile that’s preferable to one that is harsh or bright through the upper frequencies. A solid Beats bet at this end of the market.
Read the full Beats Flex review
(Image credit: Beats by Dre)
6. Beats Solo 3 Wireless
Great wireless tech makes these wireless Beats headphones an excellent choice.
SPECIFICATIONS
Connector: 3.5mm | Cable length: 1.5m | In-line remote and mic: Yes | OS support: Android/iOS | Bluetooth: Yes | Noise-cancelling: No
Reasons to Buy
Strong audio
Clear midrange
Healthy battery life
Reasons to Avoid
Lack detail
Tight fit
No Lightning connection
The Beats Solo 3 Wireless are long-lasters: a whopping 40 hours of battery life should see you through most of a week’s use, and if you do run out of juice, just plug them into your device using the supplied cable. The wireless connection is rock solid, making them some of the most reliable Beats wireless headphones we’ve tested.
They deliver a full-bodied sound with bags of energy, but you can get greater subtlety and refinement elsewhere. Not a bad shout for cutting through the hustle and bustle of your local gym, though.
Read the full Beats Solo 3 Wireless review
MORE:
These are the best wireless headphones for running and the gym
by Editorial Staff, published on 20 January 2021, at 14: 41
?? With training proposals suitable for everyone Feltrinelli Education offers several live communication, photography and video courses, with which to attend lessons held by the best professionals in the sector even at home, thanks to the live webinar mode ??
The profession of the photographer is continuous evolution, thanks to the power of digital and platforms for sharing images and videos. The photographer is required to have multiple skills and the ability to step into the shoes of the video maker and master video editing equipment and software if necessary.
Sometimes, even to step into the shoes of the social media manager and influencer, to promote the brand image or one’s talent. Keeping up with the times is not easy and updating is essential: training? theoretical and practical? it is essential to produce quality content, attractive both for print and for the web.
Which photography course to choose to improve their knowledge and to present their projects in the most effective way? Here are some of the best training proposals for those looking for a job as a photographer or want to find new clients.
Feltrinelli Education courses in creative photography and videomaking
Live webinars with the best professionals in the sector
Platforms like Instagram , Tik Tok and YouTube now dictate the law in terms of aesthetics and communication codes: no photographer can afford to ignore these channels and the immense flow of data they carry every day. For image professionals ?? fixed and in motion ?? there are very interesting photography and video courses that explain, step by step, how to develop a creative idea and how to adapt it to different platforms.
With training proposals suitable for everyone, even simple enthusiasts. If you want to update your skills or cultivate your passions, click here to discover the live communication, photography and video courses proposed by Feltrinelli Education: you can attend the lessons held by the best professionals in the sector and feel in class even at home, thanks to the live webinar mode.
Author’s lessons and practical workshops
Photography courses and videos with certificate are a good business card to find work as a photographer or video maker and to give more value to your projects. From a training point of view, they allow you to familiarize yourself with new technologies and learn to orient yourself in an increasingly competitive world.
From the development of the storyboard to the organization of the shooting , from pre-production to editing and management of formats and of video post-production, the best online courses allow you to acquire all the essential knowledge. Thanks to live courses you can update your technical background and treasure the advice of creatives. established art directors, cinematographers, editors and sound designers: with the possibility ?? thanks to the practical workshops organized at the end of the course ?? to test yourself directly.
For some time now, analog synthesizers, especially in modular form, have experienced a real revival; as a result, even special synthesizer ICs were reissued, for example some components from the former manufacturer Curtis (CEM 33 xx series), the are now being manufactured by OnChip Systems in Latvia. The Californian manufacturer Sound Semicondutor Inc. takes a different approach: Its designer Derek Bowers has designed an integrated 1V / octave VCO from scratch.
Building a stable 1V / octave VCOs is enormously facilitated with the SSI 2131.
When Offshoot of the recently released SSI 2130 Sound Semiconductor is now bringing the smaller SSI 2131 out. The VCO has a range of octaves and is based on a current-controlled triangle generator with a temperature-compensated exponentiator; from the triangular waveform, it generates sawtooth and square waves with a variable pulse / pause ratio (PWM). On the sine shaper and the mixer VCAs of the SSI 2130 (in the little maker-friendly QFN 32 – housing) he has to do without, as well as the through-zero frequency modulation, which is sometimes required for FM synthesis, in which the phase of the output signal is reversed with negative modulation.
For this it comes in the SO 1, 27 mm leg spacing supplied. The manufacturer has not yet announced a price, but it should be in the single-digit euro range, as the more complex SSI 2130 costs around 7 euros. The SSI program also includes other delicacies, such as a worthy successor to the SSM 2044 filter ICs or a universal quadruple VCA Block.
(Pocket-lint) – The Microsoft Surface Laptop has, through all three of its release iterations, proven to be our favourite premium Windows laptop time and again – winning the Pocket-lint Awards in its category in both 2019 and 2020.
So when Microsoft decided to bring out a more affordable version, called the Surface Laptop Go, it did make us wonder what would have to give to cut the price without cutting into a premier experience. So here’s how it all stacks up.
Design & Display
12.4-inch PixelSense display, 3:2 aspect ratio, 1536 x 1024 resolution
Dimensions: 278 x 206 x 15.7mm / Weight: 1.1kgs
1x USB-A, 1x USB-C, 1x 3.5mm headphone jack
Proprietary Surface Connect port for power
Finishes: Platinum, Sandstone, Ice Blue
Windows 10 S
Upon pulling the Surface Laptop Go from its box it looks a far cry from its budget status, aping many of the premium design traits that you’ll find in the Surface Laptop proper. The use of cool-to-touch metal on the lid and frame being standout, while the finish options – there’s three, this one in the photos is Ice Blue – look great.
Pocket-lint
The Go is small and lightweight, yet it’s got a fairly large screen on account of the 3:2 aspect ratio – making the 12.4-inch panel more like an A4 sheet of paper than the more elongated screens that are so typical in laptops.
The screen is plenty bright, too, while its resolution – at 1536 by 1024 – is pretty sharp considering it’s less than Full HD in overall pixel count. That’s not a big problem, it just means you’ll find sharper panels elsewhere in the market. It’s befitting of its budget status, really, which is the whole point of the Go model.
Pocket-lint
Ports aren’t especially plentiful: there’s a USB-C and a full-size USB-A port, but other than the 3.5mm headphones jack that’s your lot. Thankfully power is handled by Microsoft’s Surface Connect rather than using up the USB-C port, although we would prefer this proprietary format to be dropped in favour of more ports in the design.
When plugged in we found the Go’s first issue though: it’s noisy. The fan kicks in due to the device heating up when recharging, which is delivered in an irksome whistling fashion. It doesn’t even need to be under load for this to happen, you could have no applications open whatsoever and it’ll whistle away.
Pocket-lint
Another major point to mention is the use of Windows 10 S. This version of Windows utilises the Microsoft Store to obtain and download apps – so you’re shielded from EXE file-types and can’t download and install such a variety of apps.
However, to switch out from S to ‘normal’ Windows 10 is easy enough: you can do it for free and we suspect most will do this straight away. We certainly did. That then means the Go has no limitations in what you can obtain and run on it, whether that’s a different browser such as Chrome, or a full-fat app such as Photoshop (albeit running at Intel Core i5 levels).
Keyboard & Trackpad
Fingerprint reader power button*
Full-size keyboard, no backlight
Large precision trackpad
Although the Go’s keyboard looks fairly squashed into its space, it’s actually a full-size one – and that makes for a decent typing experience.
Pocket-lint
Well, it does when it’s light. Unfortunately the Go’s keyboard lacks a backlight, with only the Caps Lock key having a corner LED for any kind of illumination. It’s pretty rare that a keyboard isn’t backlit these days. But that’s another area where cost-cutting has happened, ultimately, to help keep the Go a little more budget.
The trackpad is a reasonably large scale, too, with a smooth topped finish that’s responsive to touch. It is plastic rather than glass, which gives it a slightly more ‘tacky’ feel to the fingers, but it works well enough. Some competitors are releasing laptops with even larger over-size trackpads, but there’s not much unused space in the Surface Laptop Go’s real-estate anyway, so we think it’s a sound solution as is.
Pocket-lint
Also of note is the fingerprint scanner embedded in the power button, which makes for super-quick Windows 10 sign-in. *Caveat time though: this feature is absent from the entry-level model, so if you’re looking to the Laptop Go for its appealing price point then note that not all models offer the same by feature set.
The best Chromebook 2021: Our pick of the top Chrome OS laptops for school, college and more
Performance & Battery
10th Gen Intel Core i5 processor (1035G1), Intel UHD Graphics
As we detailed previously, the Surface Laptop Go ships with Windows 10 S, but you can switch this to Windows 10 instead without incurring a cost. It’s a good job, then, that there’s a proper processor under the hood, capable enough of handling tasks that may typically fall outside of the Windows 10 S remit. Want Photoshop? You got it.
Pocket-lint
Whichever Surface Laptop Go you pick – and there are three levels – it’s the same processor, an Intel Core i5 (1035G1). It’s the storage and RAM that differ rather dramatically though: the entry-level model has 64GB and 4GB respectively, which is rather limited; the two other models up the RAM to 8GB; while the only other difference from mid- to top-level is 128GB versus 256GB storage.
If you opt for the top-end model, however, the price is significantly higher – by almost 40 per cent over the base model, and closing in on the four-figures mark. That’s rather a lot to pay for doubling the RAM and delivering a usable storage amount. The middle spec model is probably the best balanced of the lot, remaining at an attractive price point with just about enough storage on board.
Pocket-lint
In terms of battery life the Surface Laptop Go quotes an up-to-13-hour life per charge, but that’s over-reaching compared to its real-world figure. We were able to stream a Full HD YouTube video (well, the source was Full HD, the screen downscales that given the resolution available) for just under seven hours before it was game-over time. That’s reasonable enough innings, on par with the Surface Laptop 3, and long enough to cater for a varied day of work/study/mucking about on the internet.
Verdict
The Microsoft Surface Laptop Go is a compelling affordable laptop. It pulls on much of the design and quality of Microsoft’s established Surface range, without cutting features to the bone.
There are some quirks – such as a noisy fan, a limited numbers of ports, and limited storage in the entry-level model – but given the balance of features and performance we think Microsoft has got a success on its hands here. The mid-priced model is the one to go for.
Also consider
Pocket-lint
Lenovo Yoga Slim 7
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It’s got more ports, better battery life, and is well designed – albeit not quite as refined as the Microsoft product. If the mid-spec Surface Laptop Go seems appealing then consider comparing it to this Yoga before making that final decision.
Apple macOS 11 Big Sur: All the key new Mac features explored
It’s sort of a tradition for Samsung to announce new TWS earphones alongside its latest Galaxy S-flagships and this year we get the Galaxy Buds Pro. We got to spend some time with a pair of Galaxy Buds Pro earlier today and we did some quick tests to get a feel of what Samsung’s latest premium earbuds bring to the table. These are our initial impressions, but we will be doing a detailed review when we’ve spent enough time with them.
Fit
As with all in-ear headphones, you’ll have to find the right tip size for your ears to ensure a snug fit. This is rather important since the passive noise cancellation depends on having a tight seal around your ear canal. Provided you’ve attached the right rubber tips, the Galaxy Buds Pro offer superb fit and stay in your ears at all times.
Each earbud weighs just 6.3 grams which is on par with the Galaxy Buds+ and a smidge more than the Buds Live (5.6 grams each) though you really won’t be able to tell the difference when you put them on. After a few hours of wear, you forget you even have them on. Our unit comes in the Phantom Black colorway which features a glossy (and reflective) outward shell while the rest of the construction is matte. The earbuds are IPX7 water-resistant and feature assuringly solid construction.
Sound
The Buds Pro pack a dual driver setup with 11mm woofers and 6.5mm tweeters in each earbud. Upon first inspection, sound quality is quite balanced with decent levels of bass and satisfying highs and lows. We’ll make sure to offer more details in the full review of course but so far we can say the Buds Pro sound seems to befit their name.
The active noise cancellation from the Buds Live (aka Beans) is back on the Buds Pro and this time around and it’s noticeably more potent. While in an office environment the Buds Pro managed to filter all the lows and mids perfectly though we’ll have to test them out in other environments for the full review. This is also when we’ll get the chance to compare them to the likes of Apple AirPods Pro.
The ANC has low and high levels which adjusts how much of the outside sound is blocked out – this seems a little excessive as we can’t envision a scenario where you’d want just a little of the outside noise blocked.
You can of course listen to the Buds Pro without noise cancellation or have them in Ambient Sound mode which amplifies external sounds. The Buds Pro also have the new Voice Detect feature, which works quite well, toggling from noise cancellation or normal mode to Ambient Sound almost instantly when it detects you’re talking. Once the conversation is over, the Buds Pro revert to their original state. The only issue is that if someone else starts talking you’ll still miss the first sentence toward you until you reply and the earphones detect that.
Pairing, other features
We tested out the Buds Pro with a Galaxy Z Fold2 and the pairing was as seamless as it gets. As soon as we opened the case the Buds Pro were recognized and instantly paired to the phone with a single click. Of course, this instantaneous connectivity won’t be available to non-Samsung devices. However, you can get the Galaxy Wearable app on any phone and take advantage of its customization options and controls including programing the touch-sensitive sides of the earphones, find my earbuds and gaming mode.
Galaxy Wearable customization options for Buds Pro
Gaming mode also reduces latency by a noticeable amount. We tested the feature on a game called Athletics Mania, which simulates track and field events. The 100m sprint game requires you to tap immediately after the starting pistol is fired and with the Buds Pro we managed good to very good starts while the exact same test with the Galaxy Buds+ rendered poor results on most tries. Not quite what was possible with a wired headset, but certainly a major step forward.
Upon first testing, the Galaxy Buds Pro are a step in the right direction for Samsung’s TWS lineup and offer tangible improvements over their predecessors. Make sure to tune back when the full review is published as we delve deeper into the Galaxy Buds Pro’s sound and features.
Home/Software & Gaming/Ninja Theory shows off ultra-realistic visuals in Project: Mara developer diary
Matthew Wilson 3 hours ago Software & Gaming
It has been one year since Ninja Theory first announced that it was working on Project: Mara, a new game aiming to raise the bar for psychological horror with new experimental mechanics. We’ve heard very little about this game since then, but in an update posted this week, we began to get some new details as well as a look at the level of detail Ninja Theory is putting into its graphics.
In a new developer diary for Project: Mara titled ‘Capturing Reality’, we learn that Mara is set in a real-world apartment, which the Ninja Theory team has meticulously captured and re-created in engine. It is described as Ninja Theory’s “most ambitious and realistic game setting ever”.
At this stage, the Project: Mara art team is working on creating systems that can create an object and infinite variations of that object. Tools like this will be used in other Ninja Theory projects as well and pave the way for much more realistic game worlds.
As we can see from the video, the in-engine footage matches up with real-life photography very well. Of course, in-engine and the look of the final game are two different things, so we can’t judge the graphics just yet. We don’t know when Project: Mara will be releasing but it is just one of several games being juggled at Ninja Theory, with the others including Bleeding Edge, The Insight Project and Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2.
KitGuru Says: Project: Mara is starting to take shape and sound much more interesting. Hopefully before the end of this year, we’ll know more about what to expect from this particular game.
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Samsung S lineup has evolved quite a bit for the last couple of years, moving from two flagship models to three, but arguably the most significant change is the ultimate Galaxy S flagship – the Ultra. And we can say that this year’s Ultra makes no compromises, unlike its predecessor, which, although a great phone, was missing some key features and was playing catch-up with the competition. The Galaxy Ultra S21 5G, however, doesn’t have that issue. It checks absolutely all the boxes and has a couple of unique features that may persuade you to buy one despite the relatively high price. Which, by the way, is €100 lower than last year so there goes your first reason.
A quick look at the specs sheet suggest a significant upgrade in the camera department as the device features not one but two telephoto lenses. One offers a game-changing 10x optical zoom, while the other delivers a more flexible 3x optical zoom.
The primary sensor isn’t overlooked either, which is a second-generation 108MP sensor with 9-in-1 pixel nona-binning. Additionally, the Dynamic AMOLED 2X panel can now go up to 120Hz with a 1440p+ resolution. It’s also brighter and supports an adaptive refresh rate ranging from 10Hz to 120Hz, just like the Note20 Ultra.
Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G specs at a glance:
Body: 165.1×75.6×8.9mm, 227g; Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), glass back (Gorilla Glass), aluminum frame; IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins), Stylus support.
Display: 6.80″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1500 nits (peak), 1440x3200px resolution, 20:9 aspect ratio, 515ppi; Always-on display.
Chipset: Exynos 2100 (5 nm) – International, Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) – USA/China: Octa-core (1×2.9 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3×2.80 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4×2.2 GHz Cortex-A55) – International, Octa-core (1×2.84 GHz Kryo 680 & 3×2.42 GHz Kryo 680 & 4×1.80 GHz Kryo 680 – USA/China; Mali-G78 MP14 – International, Adreno 660 – USA/China.
Memory: 128GB 12GB RAM, 256GB 12GB RAM, 512GB 16GB RAM; UFS 3.1, .
OS/Software: Android 11, One UI 3.1.
Rear camera: Wide (main): 108 MP, f/1.8, 26mm, 1/1.33″, 0.8µm, PDAF, Laser AF, OIS; Telephoto: 10 MP, f/4.9, 240mm, 1/3.24″, 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 10x optical zoom; Telephoto: 10 MP, f/2.4, 70mm, 1/3.24″, 1.22µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS, 3x optical zoom; Ultra wide angle: 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 1/2.55″, 1.4µm, dual pixel PDAF, Super Steady video.
Front camera: 40 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/2.8″, 0.7µm, PDAF.
Video capture: Rear camera: 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@960fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS; Front camera: 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps.
Battery: 5000mAh; Fast charging 25W, USB Power Delivery 3.0, Fast Qi/PMA wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 4.5W.
Misc: Fingerprint reader (under display, ultrasonic); NFC; FM radio (Snapdragon model only; market/operator dependent); Samsung DeX, Samsung Wireless DeX (desktop experience support), Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified), Ultra Wideband (UWB) support.Unfortunately, we can’t say the same for the vanilla Galaxy S21 5G. There are a couple of noticeable downgrades in terms of build quality, display and the exclusion of the microSD card. The display is no longer 1440p+ and caps at 1080p while the back of the device is plastic. We saw a similar move from Samsung when it released the vanilla Galaxy Note20. And while those downgrades were introduced, no upgrades were made, too, except for the chipset, of course. We just hope the lower resolution screen would affect the battery life positively as it wasn’t stellar before.
Samsung Galaxy S21 5G specs at a glance:
Body: 151.7×71.2×7.9mm, 169g; Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus), plastic back, aluminum frame; IP68 dust/water resistant (up to 1.5m for 30 mins).
Display: 6.20″ Dynamic AMOLED 2X, 120Hz, HDR10+, 1300 nits (peak), 1080x2400px resolution, 20:9 aspect ratio, 421ppi; Always-on display.
Chipset: Exynos 2100 (5 nm) – International, Qualcomm SM8350 Snapdragon 888 (5 nm) – USA/China: Octa-core (1×2.9 GHz Cortex-X1 & 3×2.80 GHz Cortex-A78 & 4×2.2 GHz Cortex-A55) – International, Octa-core (1×2.84 GHz Kryo 680 & 3×2.42 GHz Kryo 680 & 4×1.80 GHz Kryo 680 – USA/China; Mali-G78 MP14 – International, Adreno 660 – USA/China.
Memory: 128GB 8GB RAM, 256GB 8GB RAM; UFS 3.X.
OS/Software: Android 11, One UI 3.1.
Rear camera: Wide (main): 12 MP, f/1.8, 26mm, 1/1.76″, 1.8µm, Dual Pixel PDAF, OIS; Telephoto: 64 MP, f/2.0, 29mm, 1/1.72″, 0.8µm, PDAF, OIS, 1.1x optical zoom, 3x hybrid zoom; Ultra wide angle: 12 MP, f/2.2, 13mm, 120˚, 1/2.55″ 1.4µm, Super Steady video.
Front camera: 10 MP, f/2.2, 26mm (wide), 1/3.24″, 1.22µm, Dual Pixel PDAF.
Video capture: Rear camera: 8K@24fps, 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60/240fps, 720p@960fps, HDR10+, stereo sound rec., gyro-EIS; Front camera: 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30fps.
Battery: 4000mAh; Fast charging 25W, USB Power Delivery 3.0, Fast Qi/PMA wireless charging 15W, Reverse wireless charging 4.5W.
Misc: Fingerprint reader (under display, ultrasonic); NFC; FM radio (Snapdragon model only; market/operator dependent); Samsung DeX, Samsung Wireless DeX (desktop experience support), Samsung Pay (Visa, MasterCard certified).To make up for those changes, Samsung lowered the Galaxy S21 price. This one goes for €50 less than its predecessor, and after a few months, it could easily fit in the “affordable flagship” category. But until then, let’s take a closer look at what the two Galaxy S21s look and feel like at first glance.
(Pocket-lint) – Agent 47 is back once again – for the third and final instalment in the Hitman trilogy – where this time his mission is to seek out and destroy the partners of Providence.
Hitman 3 takes the tried and tested format of the previous two Hitman games – Hitman was super, Hitman 2 was next-level impressive – and promises to build upon it with new puzzles, an interesting persistent shortcut system, a full-blown virtual reality mode (on PlayStation VR anyway) and much more besides.
So, is the third Hitman instalment an advance on the stealth game formula or just more of the same that you know and love? We’ve been busy committing various accidental deaths in order to find out…
The entire trilogy in one package
Like the previous games, Hitman 3 consists of a campaign, contracts missions, side missions, and the sniper challenge mode. What makes things different this time, though, is if you buy the Deluxe Edition – or if you already own the previous games – then you get access to Hitman and Hitman 2 inside Hitman 3. Though this is a bit trickier on PC due to the Epic Store exclusivity.
This is interesting, not only because it keeps everything in one place, but because you can carry your progress over from Hitman 2 into Hitman 3. This includes unlocks, XP rank, suits and equipment.
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Also things you unlock in the new game can then be used to replay previous levels from the other games in the series to make things even more interesting. This already hints at one of the main appeals of Hitman – the replayability of the sandbox design.
Sprawling sandboxes
Hitman 3 once again features six different missions in the main campaign. These missions take place in variety of impressive locales from around the world. One moment you’re exploring the grounds of a large rustic mansion in England, next your in the busy night-time streets of Chongqing, China, or in a make-shift nightclub in Berlin.
Six locations might not sound like much, but in each of those you’re primed to take out one or two targets as well as look for story missions or side quests. We found it took us around nine hours to complete the main campaign, but we’d barely scratched the surface of all the content at that point.
For each location, Hitman 3 offers up a number of choices for not only how you get to the target, but how you finish them off.
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From our play time with the game it felt like there’s a lot more options for elimination of the victim than ever before – and that’s saying a lot as there’s always been loads of them.
So whether you’re poisoning someone, garrotting them, spiking their drink and then drowning them in a toilet, or simply using a trusty silenced weapon to despatch them, there are plenty of options open to you.
1/19IO Interactive / Square Enix
This is Hitman’s signature sandbox style – and it’s always a pleasure to get stuck into. Following targets and tracking their moves, working out when to strike and whether or not you can get away with making it just look like an accident for that coveted Silent Assassin rating is a thrill. But one that requires patience and planning.
Mischievous opportunities
A perfect example of how it works was demonstrated by our various sessions with the mission “Death in the family”. Here, Agent 47 has been sent to the grand and imposing manor in the murky English countryside.
The goal here is – as it always is – to assassinate a target. But the plot thickens when you discover a private detective has been hired and is in attendance on the day of your arrival. A murder mystery follows, for a crime you didn’t commit, but one you can investigate if you manage to don the clothes of said detective.
On our first playthrough of that mission, we broke into the grounds, shimmied up a drainpipe and through a window while the detective was being ushered through the front door.
The initial plan was to take the clothes by whatever means and have a poke about the grounds for clues. But when the target walked into the room and stood by a window wistfully staring off into the distance, it seemed too good an opportunity to miss. That led to the perfect hit – so as long as we completed the mission and exited without being seen we’d get the Silent Assassin award – meaning the ultimate prize.
IO Interactive / Square Enix
On the next playthroughs we discovered plenty more opportunities to take the target out. Some of them you’ll even see briefly mentioned on the challenges screen before you start a mission, then you just need to work out how to pull them off.
Needless to say: our target came to an unfortunate end in various ways (but we’ve signed a document stating we can’t tell you about them – so dig in people, go discover the various sadistic ways, and have fun yourselves).
The fun of this mission is actually found in the detail – as you unveil clues to unravel the murder mystery, while also finding key intel on completing your own mission at the same time. It’s this sort of experience the developers want players to have: the thrill of finding new ways to complete your mission and opening up extra mission stories in the process.
IO Interactive / Square Enix
As you wander around the map, sneaking from place to place, trying to remain unseen, you’ll come across varies non-playable characters (NPCs) chatting with each other. Sometimes ear wigging on their conversation can lead to new possibilities and avenues to explore.
Challenge accepted
One way the sandbox system has been tweaked and improved for this third instalment is with shortcuts that can be unlocked for future playthroughs. As you go through the locations you’ll find locked doors or blocked ladders that if you open will then allow you to start in a new place next time you play, which opens up new possibilities.
IO Interactive / Square Enix
As standard a camera is now included in your inventory that can be used to reveal clues, scan for intel, or to hack doors or windows and security equipment. This opens up yet more possibilities and adds an extra dash of interest too.
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Complete challenges and you’re also given new equipment to take in with you that can help. The addition of a lock-pick, security bypasser or a poison syringe as a basic tool can make a world of difference – or just give you new ways to carry out the mission and make new discoveries.
Those challenges also add a lot of replayability to each mission. As it’s not just about assassinating a particular person and then leaving, you also get awards for all sorts of things. Donning different disguises, killing your targets in different ways, destroying security cameras, completing the mission without changing out of your suit, and much more besides.
There are more difficult challenges to make things trickier too, like ones involving taking out two targets at the same time with a single bullet or explosion or with weapons you don’t enter the game with. There’s plenty of variety here and it’s up to you to find it.
1/19IO Interactive / Square Enix
Ultimate satisfaction is delivered when you pull off the more complex moves too. There’s one challenge, for example, which involves getting an NPC to murder the target, without even saying a word to them. Watching events like that unfold can be a lot of fun.
There are also various different puzzles to solve to keep things interesting. Not just how to get through certain doors or past guards but also opening a locked safe, clearing out some pesky birds that are holding back story-based events, and destroying files hidden in a secure room.
In short: there’s plenty to keep you busy in the campaign. There’s also a number of other modes to keep you hunting; escalations, contracts mode, sniper assassin, and ghost mode.
IO Interactive / Square Enix
Contracts has always been one of the most interesting modes, letting players replay locations but choosing new targets, how they’re eliminated, and then setting that as a challenge for others to play.
Visually pleasing – with more to come
We took to playing Hitman 3 on PC with a decent gaming machine and plenty of power to max out the settings. As such we were greeted with a number of gorgeous scenes, with superb lighting and a wonderful atmospheric vibe.
IO Interactive / Square Enix
The game’s developer, IO Interactive, has done a stellar job of crafting another great-looking game in the Hitman series. That said, we did think it felt a little underwhelming in places compared to the likes of Cyberpunk 2077, which is insanely beautiful with the addition of ray tracing settings. The developers say that ray tracing and other improvements will be coming to Hitman 3 later in 2021 – but are not available at launch.
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The bonus is Hitman 3 runs really well on current hardware and we were seeing around 150fps with everything turned up to max. After playing on Xbox Series X too, we’re confident the experience will be great no matter the platform you’re using (unlike Cyberpunk). But it does feel a bit like Hitman 2 in terms of some world environments and in-game characters. Other sections like in the nightclub or out in the pouring rain in China while surrounded by neon lights look magnificent though.
Our playtime was also almost entirely bug free, with the exception of frustrating crash to desktop problems if you dared to Alt+Tab out of the game for any reason. Something that could easily be patched out.
IO Interactive / Square Enix
One small gripe we did have is some of the NPCs in the game can feel a bit soulless. You’ll walk around the map and see people talking or going about their business and they’re believable in such settings – but larger crowds can sometimes seem less convincing (or maybe it’s just that we can’t remember the last time we saw crowds in the real world).
Verdict
Hitman 3 is a great addition and finishing point for the trilogy. If you enjoyed the previous two games, then you can expect more of the same here, plus some additional tweaks to keep things interesting. But if you’re new to the series then we’d recommend buying the digital edition and maximising the number of levels you can play.
If the idea of only six main missions doesn’t appeal and you’re not the sort of person who likes to replay games then you might find Hitman 3 a bit pricey for a single playthrough. In our opinion, however, the way each level is crafted with different potential playstyles and avenues to explore makes it feel fresh each time and makes for a much more entertaining game.
Overall, Hitman 3 is once again a sensational sandbox of sneaky stealth action. If you like stealth games there’s none better.
With an aesthetic shaped by Swiss designer Stephan Hürlemann and acoustics developed at Piega’s Lake Zurich based factory, Piega’s new Ace series loudspeakers represent the most affordable aluminum cabinet Piega loudspeaker to date. Drawing on technology and acoustic development trickled down from the Master, Coax and Premium models, the Ace builds on the success of, and replaces, the now outgoing TMicro series.
The Ace series consists of a slim, 1m-tall floorstanding loudspeaker (the Ace 50), a compact satellite loudspeaker (the Ace 30), and a landscape format Ace Center for home cinema systems. The cabinets are all just 14cm wide and feature a 16cm deep oval aluminum profile, with no visible seams, angles or fixings. The speakers are designed to appeal to those who want a minimalist look – or those who don’t want their sound system to occupy their entire lounge space.
The braced aluminum cabinets have, says Piega, been specially developed for this trio of loudspeakers and optimised for the 120mm MDS mid/bass drivers common to all three models. Also common to all three models is Piega’s tried and tested AMT-1 Air Motion Transformer. This extremely light, large surface area ribbon tweeter is driven by a neodymium motor assembly, with the ultimate aim of a detailed and fluid upper frequency response.
(Image credit: Piega )
To briefly shine a light on each model, the ‘bookshelf’ design Ace 30 is the smallest loudspeaker in the Piega portfolio – its baffle measures the same size as an A5 sheet of paper. Although compact in size, the Ace 30 boasts a surprisingly powerful sound thanks to a single 120mm MDS woofer and AMT-1 tweeter in the small volume enclosure. Piega says the Ace 30 is suitable for detailed musical listening in smaller rooms, with or without a subwoofer, or for more discreet sound in larger area living rooms.
Stepping up scale and performance, the Ace 50 has the same profile width as its smaller sibling yet extends the cabinet vertically, with a neat round plinth, to incorporate three 120mm MDS woofers and the AMT-1 tweeter. This three-way design uses two of the MDS drivers for low frequencies, with a single MDS driver dedicated to producing mid-range frequencies. Piega says the Ace 50 is suitable for medium to larger living spaces.
(Image credit: Piega)
The new Ace series can be used as a multi-channel home theatre system with the landscape format Ace Center. Its two 120mm MDS woofers, AMT-1 Tweeter and dedicated crossover promise to deliver exceptional speech during TV and feature films, and thanks to its compact size, the Ace Center can easily be placed under or on a shelf around the TV screen. A wall mounting bracket is available for the Ace Center as an optional extra.
All three Ace Series models are available in a choice of three finishes: natural aluminium with grey fabric grille, anodised black with black grille and high-gloss white with white grille.
The Piega Ace Series will be available in the UK from late February. The Ace 50 floorstander model is priced at £1980 per pair, the smaller Ace 30 will cost £980 per pair and the Ace Center channel speaker is priced at £590.
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