We love Raspberry Pi cyberdecks, including all of the fun ways the community has contained our favorite SBC over the years and this project from Michael Torino joins our list of favorites. Torino began developing the Portable Threat & Security Device (PTSD for short) to keep busy during the early lockdowns of 2020. This project quickly snowballed into a quality network security rig capable of supporting a small facility on its own.
According to Torino, the idea was to create an all-in-one device that could handle most network security and support needs without lugging additional “accessory cases” frequently found on the ground in military deployment. His solution was to install two Raspberry Pi 4s inside of a single Pelican V100 Pistol Case which measures in at just 12.7″ x 12.6″ x 5.5″.
The best Raspberry Pi projects use more than one Pi (because we can’t get enough) and this project is no exception. One of the Pis is running Ubuntu while the other is running an instance of Kali. Torino can swap between them with a KVM switch as they share a 1280 x 800 IPS LCD touchscreen.
We asked Torino if he had a chance to use the device out and about for testing, he said “I’ve been using it in my garage so far. It has been taken apart and put back together many times and seems to be holding up well.“
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(Image credit: Michael Torino)
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(Image credit: Michael Torino)
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(Image credit: Michael Torino)
There are a few upgrades in the works that should be field testing more plausible. Power is an issue, making mobility (a critical component to the portability of the project) a bit of a strain until a more powerful battery is implemented that can support both Pis and the touchscreen.
If you’re going to make an all-in-one rig, why not go all out? Torino plans to include a Pi Cam as well as additional features like a software-defined radio or possibly a Wi-Fi Pineapple, which is good for testing network penetration. Follow Michael Torino on YouTube for more updates on this cool project.
No matter how much web browsers improve, it feels like they can’t keep pace with everything we want to do. Open one too many tabs on a few-year-old laptop, and your fan starts spinning, your battery life dips, your system starts to slow. A faster or cleaner PC might fix it, but a startup called Mighty has a different idea: a $30-a-month web browser that lives in the cloud.
Instead of your own physical computer interacting with each website, you stream a remote web browser instead, one that lives on a powerful computer many miles away with its own 1,000Mbps connection to the internet.
Suddenly, your decent internet connection would feel like one of the fastest internet connections in the world, with websites loading nigh-instantly and intensive web apps running smoothly without monopolizing your RAM, CPU, GPU and battery, no matter how many tabs you’ve got open — because the only thing your computer is doing is effectively streaming a video of that remote computer (much like Netflix, YouTube, Google Stadia, etc.) while sending your keyboard and mouse commands to the cloud.
Skeptical? I definitely am, but perhaps not for the reason you’d think — because I tried this exact idea nearly a decade ago, and it absolutely works in practice. In 2012, cloud gaming pioneer OnLive introduced a virtual desktop web browser that would let you load full websites on an iPad in the blink of an eye and stream 4K video from YouTube. (Quite the feat in 2012!) I called it the fastest web browser you’ve ever used, and OnLive’s asking price was just $5 a month.
Cloud desktop providers like Shadow have also offered similar capabilities; when you rent their gaming-PCs-in-the-cloud ($12-15 a month), you can use those virtual PCs’ built-in web browsers to get similar speeds, thanks to the fact they typically live in data centers with very few hops to (and possibly direct peering arrangements with) major content delivery networks.
Mighty argues that by focusing on the browser (rather than recreating a whole Windows PC), it can give more people what they actually want. “Most people want an experience where the underlying OS and the application (the browser) interoperate seamlessly versus having to tame two desktop experiences,” founder Suhail Doshi commented at Hacker News. Mighty claims it’ll eliminate distracting cookies and ads, automatically notify you about Zoom meetings, quick search Google Docs and presumably other integrations to come. Mighty also says it encrypts your data and keystrokes, among other security promises.
But it’s not entirely clear why it costs so much more, or who would be willing to pay $30 a month for such a subscription — you’d think the kinds of people who can afford a monthly browser bill on top of their monthly internet bill would be the same kinds of people who can afford a faster PC and faster internet to begin with. Gigabit fiber is already a reality for some homes, and it’s not like Mighty will turn your iffy 25/3 connection into a gigabit one; while Doshi tells me it’ll technically work with a 20Mbps connection, he says he’s targeting 80+Mbps households right now.
Then again, it’s not like everyone has a real choice of internet service provider, no matter how much money they make. As Jürgen Geuter (aka tante) points out below, this feels more like an indictment than innovation. It’s been a decade, and we still haven’t solved these problems.
“Streaming your browser to you because rendering the HTML is too slow on your machine” is not innovation but a mark of shame on everyone building websites and browsers.
Tech failed as an industry. https://t.co/JJC0WomArb
— tante (@tante) April 28, 2021
I agree with my colleague Tom: I genuinely want to know who’d actually pay for this and why. Would you?
I want to meet whoever is going to spend $30 a month to stream a Chromium browser from the cloud just to avoid RAM hungry Chrome https://t.co/4pl6jL2zUV
Netflix has joined the Vtuber trend, unveiling a virtual streamer this week who will host a weekly show on the company’s YouTube channel to promote its original anime series. The character is named N-ko Mei Kurono, and Netflix describes her as the company’s “anime ambassador.” She also happens to be a “sheep-human lifeform.”
Vtubers, or “virtual YouTubers,” are animated hosts who often vlog on YouTube or stream on Twitch. In general, these characters are operated by a single human, who will use motion capture software (and sometimes a motion-capture outfit) to transform themselves into a cartoony character on-screen. Some Vtubers have become hugely popular over the past year, including Projekt Melody and CodeMiko.
Netflix is using the trend as a way to promote its growing interest in anime. The company said recently that it plans to launch 40 anime series in 2021, following a year in which “the amount of Anime watched” on its service doubled in the US. Netflix is about to debut a new anime from Flying Lotus; a new Sailor Moon movie is coming to the service in June; and a Terminator anime is now in the works.
N-ko, the Vtuber, is played by a Netflix employee who works on their anime lineup. Though her primary purpose is promoting Netflix series, she’s also trying to fit in with the rest of the Vtuber community and become a figure viewers might want to watch for herself. “I love singing, dancing, and getting a massage,” N-ko says, “but I don’t like writing kanji or anything that contains elements of horror.” She plans to upload videos highlighting new shows, collaborate with other Vtubers, and maybe sing songs and do video game commentary, too.
President Biden will deliver his first joint address to Congress on Wednesday. There will be an unusually small crowd in the House chamber due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, but the event will be streamed on social media platforms for viewers across the country.
Biden’s speech is expected to touch on a series of administration priorities, including the pandemic, immigration, and tax reform.
Here’s how to watch the address:
HOW DO I WATCH THE ADDRESS?
Biden’s address will be broadcast across major networks such as CNN, Fox, NBC, PBS, and C-SPAN. The White House will also be streaming the event on its YouTube channel, Facebook page, and on Twitter from @WhiteHouse and @POTUS.
The Twitter stream will be accompanied by live on-screen “commentary” from administration officials and cabinet members, according to Rob Flaherty, White House director of digital strategy.
WHEN DOES THE ADDRESS START?
Biden’s first joint address at the US Capitol will begin at 9PM ET on Wednesday, April 28th.
HOW IS THIS DIFFERENT FROM THE STATE OF THE UNION?
It’s traditional for a president’s first address to Congress to be called a “joint address” rather than the State of the Union.
Best Media Streamers Buying Guide: Welcome to What Hi-Fi?’s round-up of the best media streamers you can buy in 2021.
No BT Sport or ESPN+ app on your TV?You need to get yourself a media streamer, but which one? Not all media streamers are the same. The best media steamers will provide a total and endless supply of TV shows, films and music but there are performance differences too. Some look and sound better than others.
Whether it’s Netflix, Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies & TV, a service dedicated to skateboarding or free 1970s kung fu films, it’s a media streamer’s job to deliver them.
Few smart TVs cover all the apps and a media streamer will put that right without you having to spend big. It’s a media streamer’s raison d’etre to make sure that they’re stacked with services. With more competition in the market than ever, prices are low, standards are high and any gaps in their app offerings could be a killer weakness.
TV streaming devices are pretty much foolproof too. All you do is plug them into your flatscreen, connect them wirelessly to your home wi-fi network and get watching. Despite their ease of use, though, there is quite some difference in how much they cost. More advanced models that offer 4K, HDR and voice controls will charge more, but there are plenty of simple streaming sticks for those on tight budgets too.
Before you chose, bear in mind that to enjoy HD and 4K content, you’ll need a fast broadband connection. Netflix recommends a steady connection of 25Mbps or higher for 4K video, for example.
You should also check which services each device offers, especially as exclusive, original TV shows and films are all the rage. So whether you want to use Apple’s library or Google’s, watch the latest Netflix, Disney Plus or Amazon Prime Video TV show, independent films on MUBI, or live sport courtesy of Now TV, our round-up of the best media streamers has got you covered.
HDR TV: What is it? How can you get it?
Disney Plus streaming service: everything you need to know
(Image credit: Google)
1. Chromecast with Google TV
Google’s cracked it this time.
SPECIFICATIONS
Max resolution: 4K | Audio: Dolby Atmos | Output: HDMI | HDR: HDR10, HLG, HDR10+, Dolby Vision | Dimensions (HWD): 12.5 x 6 x 16cm
Reasons to Buy
Lots of apps
Excellent HDR picture
Dolby Vision and Atmos
Reasons to Avoid
No Apple content available
Rivals sound more dynamic
Google was in Amazon’s media streaming shadow until the arrival of the most recent Chromecast and, specifically, the Google TV user-interface that comes with it. While this streamer and the Fire TV Stick 4K are an even match for performance, it’s Google’s superior operating system that wins the day.
Google TV is the successor to Android TV and is beginning its roll-out across smart TVs from 2021. It’s better looking, more intuitive, more searchable and, crucially, excellent at making suggestions of what to watch next.
That’s best underlined in the way that it presents search results with an even hand. Top suggestions will always be from streaming services to which you already subscribe, and in top quality where possible, rather than Google trying to sell you content to which you already have access.
While, natively, it doesn’t have quite as many apps as some rivals, you can make up for that by casting anything it doesn’t have from your mobile or tablet instead. The only caveat is that it won’t bring access to Apple TV or Apple Music. If you need those, then try Amazon or the more expensive Apple TV 4K instead.
Read the full Chromecast with Google TV review
2. Amazon Fire TV 4K
Amazon’s excellent streaming stick is amazing value.
Amazon’s 4K streaming stick is as worthy a no.2 as you’ll find. It offers unbeatable value, 4K streaming, support for multiple HDR formats and all with the Alexa voice-activated personal assistant.
Amazon Prime Video comes as standard (of course), alongside Netflix, the terrestrial catch-up services (BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, All 4 and My5), Now TV, BT Sport, Apple TV, Disney Plus and the bonus of music services Spotify, Deezer, Apple Music and Tidal. The only minor omissions are an official Rakuten app and Google Play Movies & TV.
The main reason that this device doesn’t score quite as well as the Chromecast above is because its operating system isn’t as good. It’s too Amazon-focused doesn’t perform quite as well for suggestions. That said, it’s worth noting that Amazon’s latest Fire TV OS will arrive on the Fire TV Stick 4K in the coming months and that could be a game-changer for usability. Watch this space or, specifically, the one just above.
Read the full review: Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K
3. Apple TV 4K
Not cheap, but up there with the best streaming devices around.
This box of tricks offers the typically slick experience we’ve come to expect from Apple. Voice controls come courtesy of Siri – Apple’s personal assistant – while 4K and HDR are all part and parcel of the package. There’s plenty to watch too, thanks to Apple’s extensive catalogue of 4K and HDR content.
And with the arrival of the Apple TV+ streaming service that’s only got better. Netflix, iPlayer and Amazon Prime Video are offered with Now TV and All 4 both present now too. It’s not cheap – it’s positively exorbitant compared to some on this list – but if you’re happy with life in the Apple ecosystem and you can afford it, it’s money well spent for the home streaming enthusiast.
Read the full review: Apple TV 4K
4. Google Chromecast (2018)
A cheap, quick and convenient media streamer.
SPECIFICATIONS
Max resolution: 1080p | Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital Plus 7.1 | Output: HDMI | HDR: n/a | Dimensions (HWD): 5.2×1.38×1.38cm
Reasons to Buy
Affordable
Casting is neat
Good video and sound
Reasons to Avoid
Little new of note
No dedicated remote
At just £30/$30, this is one of the cheapest video streaming devices around. Chromecast is a decent little device and if you don’t have a 4K TV, its 1080p resolution is all you need. You can ‘cast’ Netflix, BBC iPlayer, ITV Player, All 4, My5 and Now TV, along with Google Play Movies and YouTube TV. On the music front, Spotify, TuneIn and Tidal are all catered for. Amazon Prime Video is now included too.
You have to control Google Chromecast from your phone or tablet, so it’s a different proposition from most of the streamers here. But it does what it does very well indeed.
Read the full review: Google Chromecast (2018)
5. Amazon Fire TV Stick with Alexa
This sophisticated streaming device is a joy to use.
SPECIFICATIONS
Max resolution: 1080p | Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1, Dolby Digital Plus 7.1 | Output: HDMI | HDR: n/a | Dimensions (HWD): 3×8.6×1.3cm
Reasons to Buy
Alexa voice control
Responsive UI
Multiple streaming services
Amazon’s cheaper streaming stick loses the 4K and HDR, but retains the Alexa personal assistant for voice control. All the major streaming services are supported, apart from Now TV, and the sound quality is impressive for such a cheap device. If you’re looking for a cheap and easy way to start streaming, this might be the one for you.
Read the full review: Amazon Fire TV Stick with Alexa
6. Roku Streaming Stick+
An excellent, all-round video streamer with a tempting price tag.
Roku might not be as well known in some parts, but it’s a big global player in the streaming market and this device is a solid bet. It’s affordable, boasts 4K and HDR (albeit limited formats for the latter) and doesn’t need mains power to run. Because Roku doesn’t make its own shows, there’s no hard sell as to what to watch, as there is with Amazon devices, and all the major streaming services are supported, including Now TV (which you won’t find on an Amazon device).
Read the full review: Roku Streaming Stick+
7. Now TV Smart Stick
Sky content streamed via a stick, without the subscription.
SPECIFICATIONS
Max resolution: 1080p | Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1 and 7.1 | Output: HDMI | HDR: n/a | Dimensions (HWD): 8.4×2.3×1.3cm
Reasons to Buy
Inexpensive
Easy-to-use interface
No contract or dish
Reasons to Avoid
Limited app selection
Sky content limited to 720p
At under £20, this is one of the cheapest ways to turn your old TV into a smart TV. Most of the main streaming services are here, except for Amazon Prime Video, and as you’d expect, it gently nudges you towards Sky’s Now TV streaming service at every turn. While it can stream in 1080p, Now TV tops out at 720p. If you can put up with these limitations, it’s a bargain, and a great way to get Sky TV without a subscription.
Read the full review: Now TV Smart Stick
MORE:
30 of the best TV shows to watch on Netflix
21 of the best TV shows to watch on Amazon Prime Video
If you’re a Samsung fan — or just curious about what the manufacturer means when it announces that “the most powerful Galaxy is coming” — then you may want to drop in on today’s Galaxy Unpacked event 10AM ET / 7AM PT.
There isn’t a lot of info out there about what’s in store. But those who have been following Samsung can made a few educated guesses. These include the possibility of a new line of Galaxy Book laptops — a line that is certainly due for a refresh, since the last models were first announced in 2019. Other rumors include new Galaxy Book Pro laptops with 13.3-inch and 15.6-inch OLED panels, and S-Pen support.
Want to be the first to find out for sure? We’ll stream it above, so feel free to stick around, but there are other ways to watch it as well.
WHAT TIME IS THE “SAMSUNG UNPACKED” EVENT?
You can tune into the live stream, which starts at 10AM ET / 7AM PT today, Wednesday, April 28th. The event will likely be available to watch again after it concludes, so you’re not stuck if you miss out on the debut stream.
WHERE CAN I WATCH THE SAMSUNG EVENT?
You can watch it at the top of this article; in addition, Samsung is hosting the stream on its site and it’s streaming on YouTube.
Follow @verge on Twitter
Keep an eye on @verge on Instagram for live updates
During the height of the pandemic last year, Google was the rare tech giant that actually saw a revenue decline — the first in the company’s history — but only by 2 percent. To say Google has now recovered would be the understatement of the week: Alphabet’s just-released Q1 2021 earnings show it raking in a stunning amount of cash this spring, nearly as high as the all-time record revenues and profit it set last quarter.
Alphabet’s filing (PDF) shows revenues of $55.3 billion, nearly as much as the $56.9 billion it pulled in Q4 2020, alongside $17.9 billion in profit compared to $15.2 billion. That’s also 34 percent more revenue year over year, though that’s admittedly comparing to March 2020 when the effects of some pandemic shutdowns may have been included in the results.
Alphabet’s all-important Google Cloud business does still seem to be losing money — last quarter, it broke out Google Cloud sales for the first time ever to reveal an eye-watering $5.6 billion loss in 2020. But the bleeding has slowed, with the company losing less than a billion dollars ($974M, to be precise) on over $4 billion in revenue. Each prior reported quarter saw over a billion in losses after pulling in under $4B, so those are both improvements.
We also learned for the first time last year how much money YouTube brings in (it was a $15-billion-a-year business in 2020), and while YouTube didn’t pull in quite as much money in the spring quarter as in Q4 ($6.0B vs. $6.9B previously), it’s still a huge increase from the flat $4 billion YouTube’s ads delivered a year ago in Q1 2020. Back-to-back $6B quarters for YouTube would suggest we’ll be looking at far more than a $15 billion-a-year business — assuming people don’t dramatically cut back on their YouTube viewing as vaccine availability spreads and people get back out in the world.
It’s hard to tell how Google’s hardware business is doing because Alphabet bundles it into a giant “Google Services” category that not only includes YouTube and Search but also the company’s entire ads business, the Chrome browser, and Android’s software revenue. But the company does have a “Google other” category that it makes distinct from its search and ads businesses, and that category pulled in $2 billion more year-over-year to reach $6.49 billion in revenue.
Alphabet’s “Other Bets,” comprised of its experimental projects like self-driving company Waymo, health company Verily, and Google Fiber, is unsurprisingly still small. It pulled in only $198 million in revenue for an operating loss of $1.15 billion.
Developing… we’ll be updating this story with more info from Alphabet / Google’s earnings release and the investor conference call at 5PM ET.
Dominic Moass 11 hours ago Featured Tech Reviews, Graphics
External GPU enclosures have been around for a few years now, most of them using Thunderbolt 3 which provides four PCIe 3.0 lanes. We’ve tested a few solutions over the years, including Razer’s Core X and the Sapphire GearBox, but today we’re taking a closer look at just how well an eGPU can perform. To do so, we test Nvidia’s RTX 3060 Ti, RTX 3070, RTX 3080 and even the RTX 3090, across 1080p, 1440p and 4K resolutions. Is there any benefit to using a faster GPU over Thunderbolt 3? That’s what we will find out today.
Watch video via Vimeo (below) or over on YouTube at 2160p HERE
For this investigation, we’re using Cooler Master’s new EG200 external GPU enclosure. It’s the company’s first eGPU product and has an MSRP of £329.99, though it is not currently listed for sale in the UK. As a standard Thunderbolt 3 enclosure, you are free to use pretty much any graphics card you want, though there is a size restriction as cards cannot be bigger than 325 x 141 x 54 mm.
We’re testing with the ASUS TUF RTX 3080 and TUF RTX 3090, as well as Nvidia’s RTX 3060 Ti and RTX 3070 Founders Editions. Testing all four GPUs will allow us to get a clear idea of how performance scales with an eGPU, which is what we are interested in. We know all four will be faster than using integrated graphics, but is there any benefit to the RTX 3090 over an RTX 3080 when using a Thunderbolt 3 dock? That’s what we’re looking at today.
Of course, we also need a device to connect the dock to, and we opted for the Razer Blade 15 Base. This is the latest 2021 model, and obviously the most important thing is that it has a Thunderbolt 3 port. The CPU is also important though, as overall gaming performance will vary depending on the calibre of processor inside your host PC. The Blade uses Intel’s i7-10750H, which is a 45W hexa-core CPU. It’s beefier than an ultra-low power processor you may find inside an Ultrabook, but for our testing today it will do the job just fine.
Cooler Master EG200 Specification:
SERIES: MasterCase Series
SIZE: External GPU
MODEL NUMBER: MCM-EG200-KNNA55-S00, MCM-EG200-KNNA55-UK
AVAILABLE COLOR(S): Black
MATERIALS: Steel, Plastic, Mesh
DIMENSIONS (L X W X H): 383 x 140 x 208mm (incl. Protrusions), 371 x 128 x 204mm (excl. Protrusions)
AMD’s Threadripper consumer HEDT processors continue to be praised strongly for their excellent compute performance and connectivity options. But what if you want more than 256GB of memory? What if you want your RAM to run in 8-channel mode? What if you want more than 64 PCIe Gen 4 lanes? Well… that’s where Threadripper Pro comes in.
Watch via our Vimeo Channel (Below) or over on YouTube at 2160p HERE
Video Timestamps:
00:00 Start
00:15 Some details/pricing
01:15 Star of the show – Threadripper Pro 3975WX
03:20 The CPU cooler
03:46 Memory setup / weird plastic shrouds with fans
05:27 AMD Radeon Pro W5700 GPU
07:00 Motherboard
08:55 Storage options
09:41 1000W PSU (Platinum) and custom setup
10:32 Luke’s thoughts and I/O panels
11:22 The Chassis
11:40 Cooling and tool less design
12:35 Summary so far
14:02 Performance tests
16:49 System temperatures, power and noise testing
19:05 System under idle conditions – ‘rumbling’ noise we experienced
19:22 Pros and Cons / Closing thoughts
Primary Specifications:
32-core AMD Threadripper Pro 3975WX processor
128GB of 3200MHz ECC DDR4 memory in 8-channel mode
AMD Radeon Pro W5700 graphics card with 8GB GDDR6 VRAM
WD SN730 256GB NVMe SSD
1kW 80Plus Platinum PSU
We are examining the Lenovo ThinkStation P620 workstation that is built around Threadripper Pro and its 8-channel memory support. There are a few options for the base processor on Lenovo’s website including 12, 16, 32, and 64 core options. Specifically, we are looking at the 32-core Threadripper Pro 3975WX chip and we are hoping that Lenovo can keep it running at the rated 3.5-4.2GHz speeds beneath that modestly sized CPU cooler.
Partnering this 280W TDP monster with its 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes is 128GB of 8-channel DDR4 3200MHz ECC memory. While a 128GB installation is merely small-fry for Threadripper Pro, the 3200MHz modules running in 8-channel mode should allow for some excellent results in bandwidth-intensive tasks. Plus, you get a 1600MHz Infinity Fabric link for the Zen 2 cores.
I will, however, emphasise my dislike for Lenovo decision to deploy a 40mm fan and shroud to cool each DIMM bank. This seems unnecessary for a 128GB installation and merely adds additional noise and points of failure. Metal heatspreaders on the DIMMs would have been better, if enhanced cooling is deemed necessary.
Graphics comes in the form of an 8GB Radeon Pro W5700 blower-style card which we have already reviewed on KitGuru. That makes this an all-AMD system as far as the key components go. Another key benefit is ISV certification for the Lenovo P620. That point will be music to the ears of system buyers in a business environment with users who run software on the guaranteed support list.
Another point that will garner particular attention from prospective buyers is the display output connectivity. On its ‘pro-grade’ card, AMD deploys five Mini-DisplayPort 1.4 connections and one USB-C port. That gives you convenient access to six total display outputs which is super. As highlighted in our review of the Radeon Pro W5700, you can power five 4K monitors or three 5K alternatives, making this an excellent workstation proposition.
Lenovo uses its own WRX80 motherboard to house the sWRX8 Threadripper Pro CPU. The power delivery solution looks competent and Lenovo’s use of proper finned VRM heatsinks with passive cooling is to be commended. Six total PCIe Gen 4 slots are provided by the motherboard – four x16 bandwidth and two x8. However, only two x16 slots remain usable due to the slot spacing, and the top one will likely interfere with the RAM fan’s header.
It is actually disappointing to see Lenovo offering up sub-par expansion slot capability. There is no clear way to use the 128 lane capability from Threadripper Pro. That is especially disappointing to users who will want multiple graphics card alongside high-bandwidth networking and storage devices. However, the limited expandability is a clear compromise from Lenovo’s use of a compact chassis with just a couple of 80mm fans for intake and exhaust airflow.
At least you do get dual, cooled M.2 slots on the motherboard. One of those is occupied by a 256GB WD SN730 SSD in our install. Clearly, most users will want to adjust the storage configuration. But this is clearly a very subjective requirement, so I respect Lenovo for offering a basic, cheap drive for the baseline configuration.
Power is delivered by a 1kW 80Plus Platinum unit. Lenovo highlights 92% efficiency on the configurator page, but this is likely a mistake for 230/240V UK customers given the more stringent 80Plus Platinum requirements for those operating voltages. The PSU’s tool-less design is absolutely superb and works very well; a single connector port feeds power from the unit through the motherboard where it is then distributed accordingly, including via break-out cables for PCIe and SATA connectors.
Connectivity for the system is just ‘OK‘. You get 10GbE Aquantia AQC107 networking onboard, but a secondary network adapter is disappointingly omitted. I would have liked to see a few more USB ports on the rear IO, including some in Type-C form and preferably 20Gbps high-speed rated. However, the front IO is excellent with four 10Gbps USB connections, two of which are Type-C. I also appreciated the system’s included audio speaker when using the unit without a proper set of speakers.
The chassis build quality is good and feels very well-built given its compact form. Man-handling the hefty system is easy thanks to the front handle. And the internal tool-less design is excellent. Lenovo’s configurator gives an option to upgrade to a side panel with key locking to prevent unauthorised access, which is good to see.
With that said, cooling certainly looks to be limited with just two 80mm intake fans on the chassis. The graphics card, CPU, PSU, and (annoyingly) RAM also have fans to take care of their own cooling. If you are thinking of adding a second high power GPU, though, the internals are likely to get very toasty.
Priced at around £5.5-6K inc. VAT in the UK (depending on the graphics card situation given current shortages), we are keen to see how Threadripper Pro performs in this reasonably compact workstation.
Detailed Specifications
Processor: AMD Threadripper Pro 3975WX (32 cores/64 threads, 3.5/4.2GHz, 280W TDP, 144MB L2+L3 cache, 128 PCIe Gen 4 lanes, up to 2TB 8-channel DDR4-3200 ECC memory support)
Motherboard: Lenovo WRX80 Threadripper Pro Motherboard
Memory: 128GB (8x16GB) SK Hynix 3200MHz C24 ECC DDR4, Octa-channel
Graphics Card: 8GB AMD Radeon Pro W5700 (RDNA/Navi GPU, 36 compute units, 2304 stream processors, 205W TDP, 1183MHz base clock, 1750MHz GDDR6 memory on a 256-bit bus for 448GBps bandwidth)
System Drive: 256GB WD SN730 PCIe NVMe SSD
CPU Cooler: Lenovo dual-tower heatsink with 2x 80mm fans
If you want to add video streaming services to your TV, an Amazon Fire TV Stick is a great option. But which one do you go for?
The standard option, aka the Amazon Fire TV Stick (3rd Gen)? The Ultra HD-toting Fire TV Stick 4K? Or should you save some money and opt for the stripped-down Fire TV Stick Lite?
We’re here to help you decide. On this page, we’ll run down all the things you need to consider and see how each model stacks up. Once you’ve had a read, worked out what’s most important to you (and what your budget is), it should be a lot easier to make up your mind.
Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite vs Fire TV Stick (3rd Gen) vs Fire TV Stick 4K: price
(Image credit: Amazon)
Price is one of the main considerations when weighing up which Fire TV you should buy. But with Amazon’s range, there’s not a lot in it.
The top-of-the-range Fire TV Stick 4K will set you back £49 ($49, AU$99), while the standard model (Fire TV Stick (3rd Gen)) is £39 ($39, AU$79). The entry-level Fire TV Stick Lite costs £29 ($29, AU$59).
As is always the way, spending more will get you more features. Speaking of which…
Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite vs Fire TV Stick (3rd Gen) vs Fire TV Stick 4K: design
(Image credit: Amazon)
Being streaming sticks, all of the Fire TV Sticks look very similar. They’re a bit bigger than a pack of chewing gum and plug into your TV’s HDMI port.
They are quite chunky though and can get in the way of your other HDMI sockets. Hence Amazon has bundled an HDMI extender in the box – plug your Fire TV Stick into this, and it won’t block access to any other ports.
The standard Fire TV Stick and Lite version are a little shorter than the 4K model, but otherwise, they’re nigh-on identical from a design perspective.
Both standard and 4K models come with the same remote, while the Lite’s has fewer buttons (no power or volume controls). In each case, it’s a simple, elegant design that’s much easier to use than most TV remote controls.
Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite vs Fire TV Stick (3rd Gen) vs Fire TV Stick 4K: features
Let’s start with the top model. What can the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K do?
As the name suggests, 4K is the headline feature. That means that as long as you have a 4K TV, you can stream movies and TV shows in Ultra High Definition. 4K-compatible apps include Amazon Prime Video and Netflix, so you won’t be short of things to watch.
The Fire TV Stick 4K also supports HDR (high dynamic range) content. This enhances the difference between the light and dark parts of the picture, increasing the number of gradual ‘steps’ between and making the image punchier and more lifelike. In terms of HDR format support, the Fire Stick 4K covers Dolby Vision, HDR10+ and HLG.
On the audio front, it supports Dolby Atmos, which can give you a greater sense of immersion compared to standard Dolby Digital 5.1. You will need a compatible Dolby Atmos soundbar or home cinema system, though.
Voice controls are enabled through the Alexa Voice Remote – speak into it to find something to watch, play, pause, and so on. It can also act as a control hub for your smart home devices like heating and lighting. And it comes with the usual complement of apps like BBC iPlayer, Netflix, Prime Video, YouTube, Now, ITV Hub, All 4, Disney+ and Apple TV.
The Fire TV Stick with Alexa Voice Remote (sometimes called the Fire TV Stick 3rd Generation) offers the same basic feature set, but only streams in HD, not 4K. You do still get HDR support (excluding Dolby Vision), and Dolby Atmos is still available too.
The Fire TV Stick Lite loses a few additional features. It still streams in HD, with the same HDR support as the mid-range stick. And it still uses voice controls through the Alexa remote, but it lacks TV control buttons. That means you’ll need to use a separate remote.
All three models sport 8GB of storage, which should be plenty given that you’ll be streaming content rather than storing it locally on the device. Though you can download games to them if you want.
Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite vs Fire TV Stick (3rd Gen) vs Fire TV Stick 4K: picture and sound
(Image credit: Amazon)
4K content is much sharper and more detailed than HD – that’s because you’re seeing more pixels crammed into the same space. A 4K picture has a resolution of 3840 x 2160 pixels, whereas HD is limited to 1920 x 1080. Because both vertical and horizontal axes pack twice as many pixels, 4K offers four times the resolution of HD.
So you can, quite literally, see where your money goes if you spend the extra on a Fire TV Stick 4K.
In our review, we said the Fire Stick 4K produced “a really sharp and detailed image,” which was “terrifically bright and vibrant, too.” It’s not quite up there with the likes of a 4K Blu-ray player, however, due to a touch of judder and a lack of bright detail. Nevertheless, “this is a really impressive picture that far surpasses the prevailing stick standard,” we concluded.
It impressed us sonically, too. Dolby Atmos provides “room-filling sound with excellent placement of effects and real weight and drama.” It plays well with 5.1 and stereo, too, producing “clear, fairly detailed and spacious sound regardless of the format.” High praise.
The standard Fire Stick performs well at its HD resolution, too. HDR provides “an enjoyable picture with an easy-to-watch balance between dynamism and subtlety,” we wrote in our review, while SDR content is “a punchy effort with a lot of brightness and big contrast.” In terms of sound quality, we didn’t find there was much difference between this and the 4K model.
We haven’t reviewed the Fire TV Stick Lite yet, but given that the only difference between it and the standard model is the lack of TV controls, we’d hope to see and hear a similar level of consistency between the Lite and the standard model.
Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite vs Fire TV Stick (3rd Gen) vs Fire TV Stick 4K: verdict
There’s stiff competition for the 4K streaming stick crown from the Google Chromecast with Google TV and Roku Streaming Stick+, and if you’re happy to spend more, the Apple TV 4K is another option. Apple’s video streamer has slightly better picture and sound, but you do pay for it.
But if you want to spend less you really can’t beat a Fire TV Stick. The only tricky bit is deciding which is best for you…
If you don’t mind the inconvenience of using a separate remote for your TV/soundbar for power and volume, and you just want to add a layer of smart functionality to your current TV, the Fire TV Stick Lite should be fine. But if you want one remote to handle it all, then spend a little more and get the Fire TV Stick with Alexa Remote. Want to watch in Ultra HD? There’s only one real option and that’s the Fire TV Stick 4K. Happy streaming!
MORE:
Read our full Amazon Fire TV Stick (3rd Generation) review
SideQuest has launched an Android app that lets you do the same neat trick as its desktop app: sideload VR content from outside the official Oculus Store onto your Quest or Quest 2 VR headset. The free app, which releases today, lets you browse SideQuest’s offerings and transfer content over Wi-Fi or a USB cable. That means you don’t need a PC to install VR games, demos, and apps from SideQuest’s community.
SideQuest’s storefront is full of games and apps that are worth trying. Some that I’ve enjoyed recently include Gorilla Tag, a free game that launched on SideQuest (now available via Oculus’ App Lab for early access titles) that’s gotten some well-deserved attention. You play as a gorilla, and you play tag, but the controls and graphical style make it unique and hilarious. Also, there’s a free, fan-made mod that moves your Doom 3 install in its entirety from your Steam folder to the Quest headset, with excellent VR controls and graphics that seem to rival what my colleague Sam Byford experienced in the PSVR version.
If you want to get started, this YouTube video below from the Cas and Chary VR channel walks through all of the steps. I highly recommend following along with the video, as the process is easy but not exactly cut-and-dry.
Compared to Oculus’ highly curated Store, SideQuest provides developers an alternative to seeking app approval from Oculus so they can more easily release free projects or list paid ones that link out to a third-party store like Itch.io or Patreon. Recently, Oculus launched App Lab, which lets developers distribute games through its platform but without a public store listing. You’ll find several of those linked within SideQuest as well.
If you have an Android phone and a Quest headset, this is a must-try and an easy way to get more use out of your VR headset.
Google, Roku and Paramount+ have announced support for HDR10+, the dynamic HDR video format developed by Samsung. Google expects to use HDR10+ with its Chromecast devices, while Roku has already enabled HDR10+ on its new Roku Express 4K+, Express 4K and Roku Ultra (2020) products. Paramount+ (a new US video streaming service; a rebranded CBS All Access) says it is now streaming original shows such as The Stand to certified devices in HDR10+, too.
The new signings mean there are now over 100 companies supporting HDR10+, including Amazon, YouTube, 20th Century Fox, Panasonic, Vizio, Hisense, Xiaomi and Phillips. Netflix has said it might support HDR10+ in the future, but it has yet to announce any firm plans. Amazon Prime Video already streams a number of hit shows in HDR10+, including The Grand Tour, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and The Man in the High Castle.
“We envision HDR10+ being a key enabler for Chromecast with GoogleTV plus other platforms going forth and we look forward to helping our various partners across the industry achieve a great HDR experience,” said Matt Frost, Google’s director of Product Management.
Google, Roku and Paramount+ already support the rival Dolby Vision HDR format, meaning consumers will not longer be forced to pick a side (or specific video streaming service) in the pursuit of better picture quality.
MORE:
Tech-know: everything you need to know about HDR10+
Best Dolby Vision TVs you can buy right now
Our guide to the best Samsung TVs with HDR10+ support
Twitter is adding a new prompt to users’ timelines to help promote the ongoing COVID-19 vaccination effort, providing users around the world with the “latest vaccine info” in their particular country.
The new notice appears as a massive unmissable box at the top of users’ Twitter feeds on the iOS and Android apps, prompting users to “make sure you have the most up-to-date information on the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations.” (The prompt is so large that on my iPhone 12 Pro, it obscured all but a single tweet when I opened the app.)
Tapping that link takes you to a new Twitter event page with information about the vaccines, shown as a series of collected tweets from organizations like the World Health Organization (WHO) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at least in the US. The guide is broken up into several sections, into details on vaccine efficacy, potential side effects, advice for pregnant people, and more.
As COVID-19 vaccinations become more widely available, we want you to have access to the latest vaccine info in your country.
This week you’ll see a prompt in your timeline that links to sources about vaccine safety, efficacy, and news from public health experts.
— Twitter Support (@TwitterSupport) April 26, 2021
It’s the latest effort by a major tech company to help promote the COVID-19 vaccines and provide useful and accurate information to users. Facebook has recently added state-by-state vaccination information to its News Feed for US users, for example, while YouTube is running an ad campaign of PSAs to encourage people to get their shots.
YouTube is launching a series of COVID-19 vaccine public service announcements, calling it the “first chapter” of a partnership with the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine’s Vaccine Confidence Project. The ads will start running in the US today and roll out internationally in coming weeks, coinciding with local vaccine availability.
YouTube posted a dozen 16-second videos on the company’s channel, as well as two 31-second clips (one in English, one in Spanish) and a longer compilation stringing them together. The messages encourage people to “get back to what you love” by getting the vaccine, offering reasons like “because birthday songs,” “because roller coasters,” “because wedding receptions,” and “because everything.” YouTube says they’ll run across its platform — as well as television, radio, and paid social posts — through July, aiming to reach Americans between the ages of 18 to 34.
All US adults are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine, and half the adult population has received at least one dose. But vaccination rates have slowed markedly in the past weeks. The slowdown coincided with a now-lifted pause on the one-dose Johnson & Johnson shot, but it may also reflect the need to make vaccination easier and more attractive for people who weren’t in the first rush of dedicated vaccine hunters.
YouTube says its campaign is aimed at “making sure that people have access to reliable information about the vaccine, including how it was developed and tested, what they can expect when they get the vaccine, and how every person plays a part in the public’s health.” Its blog directs people to earlier vaccine-focused videos with health experts, but the new videos primarily focus on vaccines’ potential to restore “a more normal way of life.”
Social networks, including YouTube, have spent recent years reactively addressing anti-vaccination content on their platforms. As COVID-19 vaccines have begun rolling out in the US, the Biden administration has encouraged the platforms to promote news about the shots. Facebook added state-level vaccine information to its News Feed earlier this month, and Twitter recently added a prompt with info from the World Health Organization and other public health agencies.
Colette, a short film featured in the Oculus VR game Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond, has won this year’s Academy Award for Best Documentary (Short Subject). Presented by Oculus Studios and Electronic Arts’ Respawn Entertainment, and later acquired and distributed by The Guardian, it’s the first time a video game industry project has won an Oscar.
Directed by Anthony Giacchino, Colette features a French Resistance survivor, Colette Marin-Catherine, returning to Germany for the first time since the end of World War II to visit a slave labor camp where her brother was killed. The documentary is presented in a traditional 2D format whether you watch it in the Oculus TV app or elsewhere.
“The real hero here is Colette herself, who has shared her story with integrity and strength,” Oculus Studios director of production Mike Doran says in a statement. “As we see in the film, resistance takes courage, but facing one’s past may take even more. Allowing us to preserve this pilgrimage for future generations was a true act of bravery and trust. We hope this award and the film’s reach means, as Colette says, that Jean-Pierre’s memory, as well as all of those who resisted, are no longer lost in the ‘Night and Fog’ of Dora.”
“It’s true what they say: It really is an honor just to be nominated. And it’s an incredible moment to win. We’re humbled by this recognition from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and would like to extend our sincere congratulations to all of our fellow nominees. It’s a privilege to stand alongside you.”
Medal of Honor: Above and Beyond was not well-received as a video game, with many reviews highlighting its huge system requirements and 170GB installation size — much of which was down to the inclusion of extensive historical and documentary footage. Now that one of those films has won an Oscar, the project may get more positive attention than before.
You can watch Colette for free online on YouTube, Oculus TV, or at The Guardian.
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