Sony beat Microsoft to the punch with its new 4K gaming system, the PS4 Pro, and you should definitely grab one.
Here you'll find the best prices around on the PlayStation 4 Pro console and any bundle deals available so you can score Sony's excellent 4K system and jump right into the amazing array of PS4 games available at the moment.
Keep this page bookmarked and we'll update it with bundles as they arrive, or scroll further down if you've got any burning questions about the new 4K PS4 Pro.
While Playstation 4 Pro bundles are constantly shifting from store to store, we've listed and ranked the best current options from the major retailers below so you don't have to do the sniffing and scratching yourself.
Remember that the value of a bundle will ultimately come down to whether or not you were going to purchase the included game (or games) anyway and while some bundles are obviously better priced than others, you should check to see if that saving is worthwhile.
More PS4 Pro console deals
What is the PS4 Pro?
Although the PS4 Pro isn't a 'next-gen' console necessarily, it is an upgrade of the PS4 and features the coveted 4K and HDR options that we're hearing so much about.
The new machine will allow game developers to include 4K options in their games, so expect the like of Uncharted 4, Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, Days Gone, Horizon: Zero Dawn and more to look even better on a 4K TV.
HDR, or High Dynamic Range is the other buzzword to be excited about as the PS4 Pro will allow for extra detail to be seen on a range of games and also a wider range of colours not usually displayed by traditional HD TVs.
Will my old PS4 games work on PS4 Pro?
Yes. While not every game will be patched to take advantage of the new 4K/HDR capabilities, all of your old games will still work. Not only that, but the default upscaling (if you have a 4K TV) will likely see some improvements to the visuals and the boosted console power may give a slight nudge to the frame rates for some smoother play.
With services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video adopting 4K and HDR, with an ever-growing library entering the services, the PS4 Pro will be excellent as a streaming and media hub for your home theatre. There's also a lot of free 4K content on the YouTube app, and Stan has plenty of 4K although no HDR-compatible content yet.
Does the PS4 Pro support 4K Blu-rays?
No. The Xbox One S does support them though, so this was a bit of a surprise from Sony. So if you're specifically after a 4K Blu-ray player then head over to the competition, but as many viewers are crossing over to streaming services for their digital viewing, this may prove a wise move from Sony in the long run.
Do I need a 4K TV to run a PS4 Pro?
You don't NEED a 4K TV, no. The PS4 Pro will still run as per normal on a regular 1080p TV, although you won't get the benefits of upscaling or HDR though. There's a chance you may see a frame-rate boost or a slim amount of extra detail, but we wouldn't expect a massive leap.
If your mind is on a 4K TV, then you should probably go with a Pro rather than a Slim as it'll future proof you for a while and, realistically, the price jump is worth the longevity. Be sure to look out for a TV that supports HDR too, in order to take full advantage of the PS4 Pro's capabilities.
Will PlayStation VR be better on the PS4 Pro?
Maybe. Early reports seem to suggest it will as the PlayStation VR frame-rate is better on PS4 Pro and the resolution gets a bit of a bump too. You don't need a PS4 Pro to use PlayStation VR but this increase in specs may contribute a little to the immersion.
Does the PS4 Pro have optical audio support?
Yes! Although the optical audio output has been removed from the PS4 Slim, PS4 Pro owners will still be able to use optical connections for their soundbars and sound systems.
What are the best games on PS4 Pro?
After scrounging through our back catalogue of PS4 games that have received a Pro update patch, we've come up with a feature packed with the games that look the best and have a noticeable difference. Take a look at our extensive list - The best PS4 Pro games.
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With the release of the PS4 Pro, Sony's non-4K console has seen some incredibly competitive prices in both the bundles and the regular Slim model consoles. There's also the new white PlayStation 4 Slim which is looking cooler than ever, so we've helped you out by rounding up the best prices below.
Below you'll find all of the absolute cheapest standalone PS4 deals from Australian retailers, followed by our pick of what we think are the bundle deals that offer the best value, so you can dive straight into the wealth of amazing PlayStation 4 games on offer right now.
The PS4 is currently in a number of different forms. Directly below, you'll find the best deals for the PS4 and new PS4 Slim which has come in to replace the original model with a slimmer design (just like the Xbox One S).
The new PS4 Slim effectively replaced the original PS4 when it launched in September 2016 for around $440 (500GB) or $510 (1TB). This smaller, lighter and more power efficient model also ends up being cheaper than the model it replaced, so there's little point looking out for the original model.
Check out the list below for up-to-date deals on the PS4 Slim.
However, as always the best deals come in the form of the bundles, so you should scroll further down this page as you may be able to nab one cheaper than a standalone console! The PS4 Slim is available in black or white.
Despite a wealth of changes in the photography market over the last few years, it still seems that Canon manages to provide an option for pretty much every kind of photographer.
Whether you're just taking your baby steps or shooting assignments for commercial clients, or (more likely) you're somewhere in between, there's a very good chance that an option with Canon's EOS, PowerShot or IXUS branding would fit your requirements as much as your budget.
The company is perhaps best known for its EOS DSLRs, but it maintains a collection of powerful compact cameras and has also now notched up many mirrorless offerings that rival their DSLR cousins for performance. It's also spent the last few years bolstering its Cinema EOS line with video-centric options fit for broadcast-quality filming, and has just recently broken the full-frame mirrorless seal with its EOS R camera.
By providing so many options across all levels, it's easy to see both a logical first camera or an upgrade if you're an existing Canon use
By providing so many options across all levels, it's easy to see both a logical first camera or an upgrade if you're an existing Canon user, but which are the best options from its expansive sea of offerings? We've plucked out ten current cameras that in some way stand out from everything currently on offer.
Best Canon cameras 2019 at a glance
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Canon EOS RP
Canon EOS M6 Mark II
Canon PowerShot G7 X Mark III
Canon EOS R
Canon EOS 200D / Rebel SL2
Canon EOS 6D Mark II
Canon EOS 90D
Canon EOS 1D X Mark II
Canon PowerShot G5 X Mark II
Best Canon cameras in 2019
Still very much the pro-favourite all-rounder in the EOS line, the 4K-shooting EOS 5D Mark IV is used by photographers and filmmakers alike, and goes up against the likes of the Nikon D850 and a handful of flagship mirrorless competitors.
Being about three years old means that it might appear a little behind in a number of areas on the spec sheet, but the EOS line has always prioritised wide appeal and reliability over class-beating specs. To that end, we get a 30.4MP full-frame sensor with a Dual Pixel CMOS AF system for smooth focusing during live view and video, together with 7fps burst shooting, great high-ISO performance and a sturdy body that’s the result of many tweaks and refinements from previous EOS 5D generation cameras.
4K video is subject to a crop factor, however, and the use of the Motion JPEG makes for fairly hefty video files, but this is not a deal-breaker – particularly as the Full HD options are more than sufficient for most people.
It arrived a little later than its more expensive full-frame mirrorless sibling but the EOS RP takes top spot for being the Canon's best mirrorless camera by virtue of its affordability and its topnotch performance. It's compact and easy to use, so even beginners will be able to quickly find their way around the EOS RP. However, it's small size does occasionally make the camera feel overbalanced when using larger lenses.
And while it does have 4K video recording, it comes with a 1.6x crop factor and you won't be able to use Canon's trusted Dual Pixel CMOS autofocus system unless you shoot in 1080p Full HD resolution. Besides that, though, the EOS RP has excellent AF performance, produces vibrant and sharp images, boasts a wonderfully responsive rear LCD touchscreen and can be used with existing EF lenses with a lens adaptor.
The Canon EOS M50 has, for a while now, been one of our favourite Canon mirrorless cameras for many reasons, but with the arrival of the EOS M6 Mark II, there's a new king in town. It's compact and a great choice for a travelling companion and, if the idea of no viewfinder puts you off, you can easily attach one.
That tiny body houses a 32.5MP APS-C sensor (the same one that's in the Canon EOS 90D listed below) and, working with a Digic 8 image processor, offers up to 14fps continuous shooting – great for sports, wildlife, street photography and so much more.
Unlike the EOS RP mentioned above, 4K video is uncropped, utilizing the entire width of the sensor, and there's also a microphone input socket and a screen that faces all the way forward – this one's for the vloggers.
Long popular with vloggers, Canon’s G7X range has kicked it up a notch with its latest implementation. There’s still a very capable 20.1MP one-inch sensor, but now it’s also equipped with uncropped 4K video recording, and, something which had been requested many times, a microphone socket.
That means you can elevate the sound above and beyond the internal mic’s offering, if you want to. Furthermore, the G7X III can stream directly to YouTube, so you can live vlog whatever’s happening around you, without having to downgrade to using your smartphone. USB charging is another great feature which means you can give it power bursts on the go, particularly prudent if you’ve been shooting a lot of 4K video.
As we found in our review, Canon’s first full-frame mirrorless camera is something of a hit-and-miss affair, but for some Canon users looking to step up to something more capable, it may just be ideal.
While the model retains much of what makes the EOS DSLR line special, Canon has thrown in a superb electronic viewfinder with a 3.69-million dot resolution. We’re also very encouraged by the new lenses that have been released so far, although Canon has continued support for its exhaustive EF lens system through three separate adapters.
It would have been nice to see an AF lever, sensor-based image stabilisation and an additional card slot to make the model truly competitive, but the camera is at least blessed with excellent autofocus, good handling and very sound image quality. If you’re a user of older EOS 5D or double-digit models and you’re looking to step up the the very latest in Canon’s full-frame tech, you should find adopting the EOS R to be a pain-free affair.
Many entry-level DSLRs suffer from being somewhat bland on the spec sheet and uninspiring in use, but the EOS Rebel SL2 (known as the EOS 200D outside the US) adds a handful of useful technologies to make it far more capable and enjoyable to shoot with.
So, for example, Canon’s excellent Dual Pixel CMOS AF system is present for swift focusing in live view and during video recording, which also means that you can happily use it much like a mirrorless camera without the same kind of focus lagging common to other DSLR live-view systems.
You also get a flip out touchscreen that lets you shoot from all kinds of awkward positions, and even a mic port for better audio recording during videos. True, it’s not quite as compact as the previous EOS 100D, although this arguably makes it a better option if you plan on using longer or heavier lenses, such as nice wide-aperture prime lens for portraits or a dedicated macro optic.
If you aren't too sold on the full-frame mirrorless phenomenon and would still prefer a DSLR, then the EOS 6D Mark II is Canon's most affordable option yet. What the full frame does is offer superior image quality thanks to its rather good pixel count and the larger size of its individual pixels that allow them to capture more light. That also means the camera's noise performance is also pretty good.
While its 45-point autofocus system and 1080p Full HD video seem dated today, the camera's performance is excellent and there's no cause for complaint, particularly when you can use Canon's excellent Dual Pixel CMOS AF for live view photography. Even its 6.5fps has proven to be sufficient for wildlife photography.
However, it's the overall design and layout of the body that pleases us – controls are intuitively laid out and the grip is comfortable, even if you have small mitts. The rear screen is touch-enabled and you can tap to focus and to shoot. Moreover, it's current price makes it a great option for anyone on a budget and the extensive EF lens range will keep anyone happy.
Just when most people assumed that DSLRs were going to die a slow death, Canon decided to prove otherwise. The EOS 90D is the first camera of its kind to boast a 32.5MP sensor and, alongside a Digic 8 processor, gives the snapper the ability to capture 4K video at up to 30fps which, thankfully is uncropped. While it's the same sensor and image engine pairing as the EOS M6 Mark II mentioned above, the EOS 90D doesn't quite have the speed of its mirrorless cousin, instead topping out 11fps when shooting continuously in live view mode.
There's a new metering sensor under the hood as well and its performance is excellent, exposing areas of light and shadow to near-perfection. However, we did find that due to the high pixel density on the crop sensor, noise performance isn't the best but for the most part that can be taken care of during post production.
The battery has a CIPA rating of 1,300 shots but our tests showed the camera is capable of well over that, which is way more than what you'd get from the average mirrorless camera. All in all, a wonderfully versatile snapper for anyone who prefers the DSLR experience.
Canon has announced the development of the EOS 1D X Mark III, but until such time it's been tried and tested, the Mark II remains our go-to Canon sports DSLR. At the time of its launch almost four years ago, the EOS 1D X Mark II brought many layers of new technology to broaden its appeal among working professionals and continues to do so.
Notably, Canon chose to include 4K video recording at up to 60p, while also adding a touchscreen to ease operation. It also installed its tried-and-tested sensor-based Dual Pixel CMOS AF technology to keep focus swift and accurate whether you’re using live view or shooting videos, together with a fresh 20.2MP full-frame sensor to deliver the best combination of dynamic range and high-ISO performance, keeping the pixel count modest to allow for 14fps burst shooting (which you can boost to 16fps when using live view).
Yes, it’s a large, weighty and expensive bit of kit, and the arrival of a slew of high-performing mirrorless bodies, particularly the Sony Alpha A9 II, may challenge its dominance in the world of sport photography in years to come, but using it makes you realise just why Canon got to this position in the first place.
Canon has managed to pack a lot into this little pocket rocket, combining a stacked CMOS sensor with a Digic 8 imaging engine. This gives the PowerShot G5 X Mark II the ability to capture stills at a blitzing pace of 30fps when shooting RAW, or 20fps when shooting conventionally.
ISO performance has been improved over the previous iteration of this camera and 4K video capture added. For those who prefer a viewfinder to using the rear LCD screen, the pop-up EVF has a darn good resolution of 2.36 million dots. Despite packing in an EVF, Canon has even managed to add a flash to the camera. There's even an ND filter available on board if you happen to be shooting in brilliant sunlight.
Noise performance is pretty good for a camera with a 1-inch sensor, although the 4K video quality isn't something to write home about, particularly when compared to the likes of Sony's latest Cyber-shot RX100 range. Despite that, the G5 X Mark II is an excellent choice for a compact, provided you've got the spare change for it.
Plenty of tech companies are trying their hand at subscription services by this stage, and Apple is certainly ramping it up with its Apple Music and Apple Arcade platforms, along with the imminent Apple TV Plus service set to take on the likes of Netflix.
Following Apple’s earnings call and comments by CEO Tim Cook, CNBC has speculated that the tech giant could even consider implementing a premium subscription service for its iPhone line of handsets.
When asked whether Apple would consider an Amazon Prime-esque offering, Cook responded saying, “In terms of hardware as a service or as a bundle, if you will, there are customers today that essentially view the hardware like that because they’re on upgrade plans and so forth. So to some degree that exists today.”
While this is certainly not confirmation that the company has plans to roll out such a service, it could be viewed as a hint towards it due to the fact that Cook “did not shoot down the idea”, as CNBC puts it.
It could also be argued that it would make sense for Apple to sell one of its core products in a way that assured it would get a more consistent stream of revenue, and for customers wanting to upgrade to the latest handset without having to pay large sums at once.
As Cook pointed out, customers are already approaching iPhones in this way, by carrier plans that allow them to upgrade their handset after a set amount of time, or by using the company’s own Apple Upgrade Program.
The latter of these, along with the increasing promotion and success of official trade-in programs, indicates that there certainly is a market for iPhone customers wanting to upgrade their device every year but aren’t as concerned with owning it outright.
Alternatively, Tim Cook’s initial comment could be interpreted as suggesting that the existing iPhone sales model is as good as a subscription service and, hence, wouldn’t need to change. However, a later comment lends more weight to the fact that it might well do just that:
“We’re cognizant that there are lots of users out there that want a sort of a recurring payment and the receipt of new products on some sort of standard kind of basis,” Cook said, “and we’re committed to make that easier to do than perhaps it is today”.
The first trailer for Netflix's upcoming TV adaptation of The Witcher offered but a taste of what we could expect from the highly-anticipated show, but now a full trailer has landed which grants us a better look at the show's epic scale, along with Henry Cavill's titular Witcher, Geralt of Rivia.
The creative team behind Netflix's The Witcher has repeatedly stressed that its series is based on Andrzej Sapkowski's original novels rather than CD Projekt Red's video game adaptations.
That said, it's clear that at least some inspiration has been taken from the latter, with self-confessed superfan Cavill sounding near identical to Doug Cockle's interpretation of the character from the celebrated games.
The trailer also marks the live action debut of 'Bathtub Geralt', a clear reference to a famous cut scene from The Witcher III: Wild Hunt.
Along with his voice, fans of The Witcher games will also note that Geralt's twirly, balletic style of sword fighting has made it over to the live action TV adaptation.
Based on the action and intrigue-filled trailer below, we can expect to see plenty of small and large scale battles in the show when it lands on Netflix on December 20, 2019.
There's no doubt that iPhone 7 deals are no longer the newest option from Apple but there is one thing this handset is still one of the best choices for - affordability. As one of Apple's cheapest phones around, this is a welcome change to the high price tags we see elsewhere.
The release of Apple's iPhone 11 and its two more powerful models was a big reminder of the costly nature of Apple and just another reason the iPhone 7 could be the ideal phone for you.
But despite its age the iPhone 7 still rocks many of the specs we have come to expect from Apple. A mid-size battery, strong processor and the much loved iOS features Apple has made famous.
When it comes to choosing the tariff for you there is still a surprisingly large range of iPhone 7 deals. Big data remains affordable and brilliant cheap contracts under £20 are readily available. And with Black Friday almost here, we're expecting prices to drop even further!
On this page you'll find all of the best iPhone 7 deals you can get right now. Whether you're looking for unlimited data, a free phone or any other type of tariff, you can use our comparison chart below to choose the cheapest option out there. Scroll down to find the best deal for you.
The Apple iPhone 7 might now have fallen behind, becoming one of Apple's older devices and yet, the specs till hold up. The battery might not be market leading but for the price you pay for iPhone 7 deals, the water resistance, impressive camera and strong processor are a perfect combination.
Data from NHS pagers is being leaked online, exposing patient information to anyone who wants to see it.
Information from hospitals and ambulances across the UK transmitted as radio waves was being intercepted by third parties and broadcast online, according to a report from TechCrunch.
The unencrypted, real-time medical data was then being translated into readable text, which was then sent out across the internet via a webcam. However, as this webcam did not require a password to access, anyone could view the information without going through any kind of login.
The system was uncovered by security researcher Daley Borda, who reported the incident to TechCrunch.
Although he reported that the webcam stream was of very poor quality, viewers would still be able to make out lines of texts containing patient information.
This included reports following calls to the 999 emergency number, including one message reporting that a 98-year-old man had fallen at his home, and another message which said a 49-year-old male was complaining of chest pains at a nearby residence.
However both Borda and TechCrunch have been unable to track down the owner of the broadcasting system, leaving both to think it is the work of a local enthusiast unaware of the scale of the operation.
Despite having existed for decades, pagers remain a popular tools in UK medical centres, with their small size and long battery life proving incredibly useful for medics on shift.
As they broadcast at a low frequency, radio waves from pagers can also travel farther and deeper than mobile phones, as many hospitals have reinforced or thickened walls to protect inhabitants from X-rays and other radiation.
The NHS was ordered to stop using pagers by 2021 as the health service looks to continue its modernisation push, but recent government figures claim that around 130,000 devices are still in use today.
Airtel has confirmed that it will no longer be offering data rollover facilities for its broadband customers, in a move that is likely to disappoint a lot of users.
Airtel has around 350 million subscribers for its data plans in India. Back in July 2017, it introduced the Data Rollover Promise, where unused data from the previous billing cycle would be carried forward to the current cycle. It started with postpaid customers and was later extended to broadband services as well. Going forward, data rollover will only be available for postpaid customers.
Gadgets 360 received confirmation from an Airtel executive that data rollover will be discontinued for broadband subscribers. This change will affect all circles. Select postpaid plans will continue to offer this feature. The cheapest plan to offer this is priced at Rs 499 a month, which gives 75GB of 3G/4G data. A maximum of 500GB of high-speed data can be carried forward, when opting for the Rs 1,599 monthly plan.
The exact reason for this sudden change is not known, but it is likely to be due to increasing overheads which can be difficult to manage in an already competitive telecom sector.
Data rollover is also not applicable to users switching to a plan of lower value. Leftover data will also be forfeited if a user moves from postpaid to prepaid, or vice versa.
Motorola really shook things up with the Moto G8 series of smartphones, in terms of release if not the actual handsets. That's because it unveiled the Moto G8 Plus months before we were expecting to see the new series of smartphones, but only the Plus, sans any of the other smartphones we were expecting.
We don't know much about the other Motorola phones in the G8 series, but they'll likely be different in their own ways, and we're still hearing leaks as to what they could be.
Since the launch of the Moto G7 series, Motorola invigorated the Motorola One series with many new handsets, so the company has a new range to compete with its previous flagships. Some of the killer features in these smartphones made their way into the Moto G8 Plus, and its possible we'll see the same pattern in the other Moto G8 phones.
The Moto G smartphones typically launch in the early months of the year, so the Moto G8 Plus at the end of October 2019 was a major shock, but we'd still expect to see the Moto G8, G8 Play and G8 Power (if that's what they turn out to be) in February 2020, roughly.
While we wait for Motorola’s next range of impressive affordable devices to drop, we can expect the slow drip of leaks and rumors to gradually turn into a stream and a torrent in the build-up to the Moto G8’s release. Before that, we can look at the previous Moto G phones and see what we’d like to change in the 2020 versions too.
Cut to the chase
What is it? The next incarnation in the Moto G range of budget phones
When is it out? Likely early 2020, but possibly earlier
How much will it cost? A range of prices, but all probably sub-$300 / £300 / AU$500
Moto G8 release date and price
In terms of release date, we were pretty certain of the early 2020 release of the Moto G8 series until Motorola jumped the gun and released the Moto G8 Plus early. So while the rest of the phones could come when we initially expected, there's nothing to stop Motorola releasing them in a staggered fashion instead.
If the non-Plus devices launch in early 2020, it could be in February in the build up to Mobile World Congress, the yearly phones and tech show in Barcelona, Spain. That’s when we saw the G7 range launch.
The Moto G phones typically launch in a range of options – the 2019 devices consisted of the Moto G7, G7 Play, G7 Power and G7 Plus, and there will likely be similar versions in 2020.
When the Moto G8 Plus launched, it cost £239 / AU$499 (roughly $310), and we'd expect the Moto G8 Play, G8, and G8 Power to be more affordable than that. The Moto G7 Play was actually more expensive than the G8, costing £269 / AU$499 (roughly $325, but it didn’t release in the US), so we could see the G8 series for cheaper than the G7s.
Moto G8 leaks, rumors and news
There have been few Moto G8 leaks, but we obviously know all about the Moto G8 Plus (since we've reviewed it), so we won't list those here.
It's set to have a 6.2-inch screen, 4,000mAh battery, and 8MP selfie camera on the front. There are three rear cameras, but other than one having an ultra-wide angle lens, we don't know what their specs are.
In general the Moto G8 Play looks set to be far more advanced that the Moto G7 Play, but the phone price could increase to match.
There are some leaks attached to the Moto G8, which suggest the phone (or several in the range) will have a Snapdragon 655 chipset (which would be quite an upgrade from the Snapdragon 636 in the Moto G7 Plus).
Elsewhere, we've seen a leaked image showing a Motorola phone with a pop-up single-lens selfie camera, which would be a first for the brand, but the images aren't specifically linked to the Moto G8 so this could be something else.
They're likely real though as they line up with an earlier leak of a press image showing a Moto phone with no front-facing camera – there's no pop-up camera visible but that's likely how this would be achieved, though it’s also possible (yet unlikely) that the device uses an under-screen camera.
Judging by the Moto G8 Plus however, it's possible this pop-up camera could be a future Motorola One handset.
What we want to see
While we wait for the Moto G8 range of smartphones to launch, we’ve made a list of what features we’d like to see them pack.
1. NFC on all devices
NFC is a really useful feature of modern smartphones, used for functions like contactless card payments and easy pairing of Bluetooth devices. Yet not all the Moto G7 phones have NFC compatibility, which can be a nuisance for people who love using the tech.
We’d like to see NFC functions available on all Moto G8 phones, from the Plus model to the most affordable devices, and in all regions, as the presence of NFC on Motorola handsets sometimes varies by area.
2. Improved camera arrays
Save for the Moto G7 Power, each of the Moto G7 phones has two rear cameras – that’s okay for a budget phone, but you can now pick up affordable devices with three or even four rear snappers, so Motorola’s going to have to upgrade its cameras to keep the devices competitive.
The second camera on the G7 is a depth sensor for improved background blur on portrait pictures, but we’d like to see perhaps a telephoto lens (used for optical zoom) or an ultra-wide angle lens (with a bigger field of view for great selfies or panoramic shots), as these can be really useful in taking a great picture.
3. More specialized devices
The Moto G7 Power was a distinct member of the G7 family because of what it did ‘different’: it had a much bigger battery than the others. This specialization made the phone distinct, so if a big battery pack was a tempting draw in a smartphone, you knew which model to pick up..
We’d like to see more phones that are designed for various distinct purposes, to give the G8 line even more variation. Perhaps we could see a device with a camera array that’s much better than the competition (think four lenses) or even a 21:9 device, which is an aspect ratio some phones (including the Motorola One Vision) use because it’s great for viewing movies.
Even with the best antivirus and anti-malware software, we live in a challenging business environment heightened by the threat of cyber attacks, online fraud and brand abuse, protecting your organisation’s reputation, revenue and customers has never been more important. While there are many elements to consider when it comes to online brand protection, the domain is perhaps the most important.
Your domain is the core of your business identity and forms the basis for your wider business strategy. It is vital to building your brand and fostering and maintaining customer trust. As a result, any damage to it in the form of abuse or an attack that undermines your internet security can have a negative impact on your organisation and affect customer trust.
From the beginning when you select and register your domain name or names, right through to managing them and securing them, the best approach is to gain a holistic view of your domains and the management process in order to mitigate risk both to your customers and your intellectual property.
The growing cyber threat
This may be easier said than done based on the approach that brands are taking. This was one of the findings from the recent MarkMonitor 2019 Global Business Survey.
The research also showed the state of the industry in which brands are operating, revealing that 62% of brands have been impacted by cybercrime in the last year. In addition, 23% of brands experienced an attack targeted specifically at their domain.
With 48% of brands stating they believed brand infringement had increased over the last 12 months, organisations need to ensure they have the right tools, processes and practices in place to keep them safe. Especially when it comes to domains.
The challenge of domain management
While there is an increased awareness of the severity of the threat and the need for comprehensive brand protection, there are other challenges. The research shows that security, cost and keeping track of domains are the three most cited obstacles to effective domain management.
When you consider the number of domains a company can own, the problem becomes clear. Larger brands, and especially those that operate globally, find the domain management process more complex than simply choosing and registering an initial domain then selecting the best webhosting.
Sub-domains, name variations, domains for campaigns, defensive registrations and regional domains all need to be considered, registered and managed. The result is that organisations deal with large domain portfolios that are cost and time-intensive in terms of management and renewals.
This is reflected in the number of domains brands currently own. The majority (56%) of respondents in the research said they owned fewer than 100 domains, while a further 15% own 100-249; 9% own 250-500; and 8% between 500-1,000.
But not all of these domains are active and adding value to the business. The research revealed that almost one-fifth (18%) of respondents said up to 25% of their portfolio was active, while a further 18% said between 76-100% were active. The bulk of respondents fell in between, with 28% stating that 26-50% of their portfolio was active, and 36% stated 51-75% was active.
There are also other factors that influence domains, including the evolution of the domain space, regulatory changes such as GDPR and political uncertainty around Brexit. The launch of generic top-level domains (gTLDs) has certainly had an impact; 39% of brands have registered a gTLD and of those respondents, 32% experienced brand impersonation and abuse against it.
A siloed approach to management
While more than half (51%) of brands agree that protecting critical domain assets is the most important issue in domain management, the way in which they approach the process does not always reflect this sentiment. This is shown in the fact that domain management and security are largely siloed.
It is most often IT or IT security that is tasked with domain management (this is the case in 46% of brands surveyed), followed by the legal department (16%) and marketing (13%). Only 13% of brands said they took a combined approach to domains.
The renewal process is a key part of management; ensuring each and every domain name is renewed on time and all contact information is kept up to date. This may be easier for small businesses to manage as the number of domains is likely to be low. However, the larger the organisation, the more domains are needed and registered — by different departments and individuals — which is why an integrated approach is needed.
The research shows that more than one-quarter (26%) of respondents rely solely on renewal notices, while a further 25% subscribe to the industry best-practice approach, have a plan in place and collaborate with multiple departments. Twenty-one per cent of brands give the responsibility of management and renewal to one person; 13% approach it on an ad-hoc basis; and 10% work with a third-party provider to help them.
Delegating this crucial task to just one person has a number of drawbacks. Without a holistic approach it is difficult for this individual to see which domains are more important than others, which are being used and which domains can be sold off. It also means that if this person leaves the organisation or moves roles the knowledge around renewals and management could be lost; important notices could get lost in a defunct email box; and the organisation could miss renewal deadlines and face potentially devastating consequences.
The best practice approach is to take an organisation-wide approach to the process, with collaboration between all relevant departments, including IT management, security, marketing, legal and even the board.
Conclusion
Keeping a brand healthy, safe from cyber attacks and optimised – to ensure a return on investment – is critical in meeting the expectations of customers, maintaining brand identity and reputation, and safeguarding the bottom line. Moving forwards for brands, it’s clear that domain strategies need to form part of wider protection initiatives.
These initiatives are shaped by different factors, but at the core is domain management. In addition, these strategies need to be created and carried out by cross-department teams, collaborating throughout the process.
Chrissie Jamieson is the VP of Marketing forMarkMonitor.
Update: An Arlo spokesperson told TechRadar that a new update to the Arlo iOS app should fix issues with calls being patched through to smartphones. You can find out more about the 2.10 update on theArlo Communities forum. The original story follows below.
Smart home security brand Arlo has responded to claims that its Audio Doorbell isn't playing nicely with Apple, with iPhone users complaining that the doorbell no longer calls their smartphones when somebody is at their door.
Customers have flocked to the Arlo Community forums, with one user reporting that the problem started when they updated their iPhone to iOS 13, Apple's latest operating system.
In a post to the forum, user timpharrison said that they had tried resetting the Arlo base station, removed and re-installed the Arlo Audio Doorbell, and removed ad re-installed the iOS Arlo app, to no avail.
Another iPhone user revealed that, despite sending motion-activated notifications to their phone, their Arlo Audio Doorbell was not calling their phone.
Arlo's response
In response to the reported issues, Arlo told TechRadar that it's aware of the issue and is working to resolve it. The full statement reads : "Our team is aware of the issue where pressing the Arlo Audio Doorbell does not ring iOS devices that are using iOS 13. With the new iOS 13 update, Apple changed the way SIP calls are handled and, as a result, Arlo Audio Doorbell calls no longer connect to iOS devices when the Arlo app is running in the background."
"We know how frustrating this is, and our developers are working to get expedited approval from Apple so that we may deploy an update to the Arlo App as soon as possible. We appreciate your patience and understanding as we work to resolve this issue."
SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) allows users to make voice and video calls over an internet connection, without the need for a mobile provider – this is the tech that allows smart devices like the Arlo Audio Doorbell to call users' smartphones.
If iOS 13 has changed the way SIP calls to iPhones are handled, it could be a plausible explanation for the problems some Arlo customers are experiencing.
The new Arlo Video Doorbell
However, a little digging into the Arlo Community forums reveals that, not only are iPhone users who haven't upgraded to iOS 13 having the same problem, but some Android users are also not getting calls from their Arlo Audio Doorbell.
In fact, one user reported that, while calls were patched through to their iPad without a hitch, they were only getting notifications through to their Pixel 3 smartphone.
Having just announced its first ever video doorbell, these issues could pose a problem for Arlo. The Arlo Video Doorbell, which could become a big rivals for the Ring Door View Cam, is "designed to capture what traditional video doorbells can't," with a vertical field-of-view that gives you a bigger, more precise picture of your front porch.
Of course, that vertical field of view is no use if you aren't actually alerted when visitors ring your doorbell, whether you're using an iPhone or an Android.
Huawei only recently unveiled the Huawei Band 4, but it seems a Huawei Band 4 Pro could be on the way as well, as a render supposedly showing it has leaked.
Shared by 91Mobiles, the render shows the Huawei Band 4 Pro in black, red and pink/gold shades, and it looks a lot like the standard Huawei Band 4, just with a more textured strap.
The source cites previous leaks as saying that the Huawei Band 4 Pro will have an AMOLED screen (where the standard Band 4 uses TFT), and an SpO2 meter to measure blood oxygen.
On top of that it’s sure to at least match the specs and features of the standard Huawei Band 4, including having water resistance and a heart rate monitor.
We don’t know much else about the Huawei Band 4 Pro, but if it’s real we’d expect it to land soon, probably with a price of around $69.99 / £79.99 / AU$110 based on its predecessor, the Huawei Band 3 Pro.
And if it’s not real, you’re probably not missing out on too much, since it looks so similar to both the Huawei Band 4 and the Honor Band 5.
We're not expecting to see the Samsung Galaxy S11 release for a while since, if Samsung continues its yearly cycles for phone releases, it will be out in or around February 2020 – but we're already hearing rumors of what we can expect from it.
Inspired by all these phones, we've also drawn up a list of the things we'd like to see in the Samsung Galaxy S11, or whatever the next Galaxy S phone ends up being (it could be the Galaxy S20, given that phone companies seem to jump straight from 10 to 20 when numbering phones).
You'll find that below, but first, here's everything that we've heard about the Samsung Galaxy S11 so far.
What is it? The next Galaxy S smartphone from Samsung
When is it out? Possibly February 18
What will it cost? Likely more than $899 / £799 / AU$1,349
Samsung Galaxy S11 release date and price
We saw the Samsung Galaxy S10 release alongside the Samsung Galaxy S10e and Galaxy S10 Plus in late February 2019. Since Samsung tends to release its phones in yearly cycles, we expect to see the Samsung Galaxy S11 release in February or March 2020.
That may mean we hear about it at MWC 2020, or it may be a touch earlier as one rumor suggests we might see it on February 18. It's quite early to hear about an actual launch date though, so we'd take that news with a big pinch of salt.
The Galaxy S10 cost $899 / £799 / AU$1,349 for its cheapest storage size, and went all the way up to $1,149 / £999 / AU$1,699, when it released.
We would expect the Samsung Galaxy S11 price to be a small increase on this, as the Galaxy S10 was pricier than the Galaxy S9.
Taking into consideration the usual price increases on Galaxy S handsets between generations, we'd expect to see it cost around $1,000 / £900 / AU$1,500 for the cheapest version, and even more for more memory.
Having said that, we're talking about the standard Galaxy S11 here, but a rumor suggests there might be a Samsung Galaxy S11 Lite (if it doesn't launch earlier as the S10 Lite), in which case there might be a cheaper option for buyers who don't have a grand to spend on a smartphone.
Samsung Galaxy S11 design and display
We haven't heard much about this aspect of the Galaxy S11 yet, but a browser test for an unknown Samsung phone believed to be an S11 model points to a 20:9 aspect ratio. That would make it more widescreen than the 19:9 Galaxy S10 (or taller when held in portrait orientation).
There's also an outside chance that the Galaxy S11 will have two screens, as Samsung has patented a design (spotted by LetsGoDigital) with a smaller second screen on the back of a phone, as you can see below.
This would remove the need for a selfie camera, as the second screen could be used to frame photos using the main camera. We doubt we'll see this design though - all sorts of things get patented and often don't get made.
However, Samsung might go even further, as it has also now announced a 108MP sensor, one which has been specifically rumored for inclusion in the Galaxy S11. The source of this rumor adds that the Samsung Galaxy S11 will apparently also have a lens with 5x optical zoom.
A 5x optical zoom lens is looking ever more likely, as another source has also pointed to one, but said that it won't be a 'normal' one, whatever that means.
One thing it might mean is that the lens is more flush with the back of the handset than most zoom lenses, as another source claims Samsung is working on just such a lens - which is also yet more evidence that a zoom lens is in the works.
One thing we might not get is an in-display camera, as while the likes of Oppo and Xiaomi are already teasing the technology, a source suggests Samsung will wait for the tech to "mature" first, and in the meantime will stick with punch-hole cameras - albeit ones of ever smaller sizes.
Samsung Galaxy S11 specs and features
On the topic of 'tech Samsung has announced': we know the company has created a 12GB Mobile DRAM, which lets the phone read memory at a quicker rate, so that's an obvious candidate for the Galaxy S11.
The Galaxy S11 might also be the first phone to have a tiny 5nm chipset, according to Sina, which could see it outperform other handsets.
Speaking of the chipset, one believed to be the Snapdragon 865 has been benchmarked with scores that beat any other phone. It's likely that US versions of the Galaxy S11 will use this chip, so that's promising.
A more unlikely feature that the S11 could pack is a spectrometer, which could be used to determine the chemical composition of objects. Samsung has patented a phone-like device with just such a feature, so it's possible, but it sounds a bit far-fetched and niche.
In other news, it may be worth keeping an eye out for rumors and leaks regarding the 'Picasso' as that, according to leaker Ice Universe, is the code-name Samsung is currently using internally for the Galaxy S11.
However, by freeing up space that would have been used for a headphone port, Samsung could potentially make the battery bigger and/or the body thinner.
There's also unlikely to be a fingerprint sensor, judging by the news that the Galaxy S11 could use facial recognition unlocking tech instead. The iPhone 11 and Google Pixel 4 have similar systems, where instead of using in-screen fingerprint sensors, they use facial recognition, and this is a rather secure form of unlocking (compared to Samsung's current photo-based facial recognition) but it's slower than using a fingerprint.
How about this for a rumor though: could the Galaxy S line be discontinued, and the Galaxy S11 never see the light of day? That's what one source suggests, that the S11 and Galaxy Note 11 will merge to create the Galaxy One, a new series that combines all Samsung's premium features into one smartphone.
Sure, we've heard that before about Samsung phones and it turned out to be wrong, but given the similarities between both ranges, it's not something we can totally rule out.
While early rumors have started to swirl, in reality there's still a long way to go before we see the Samsung Galaxy S11, which is good news as it gives Samsung plenty of time to take our suggestions on board.
So, listen up Samsung, here's what we want to see from the Galaxy S11. Please don't let us down.
1. Better camera specs
The Samsung Galaxy S10 has three rear cameras: the 12MP main sensor with a regular lens, the 12MP second sensor with a telephoto lens for distance shots, and the 16MP third sensor with an ultra-wide lens.
The three lenses are generally what we'd expect in a smartphone camera, but the resolution of each is a lot lower than in many other phones.
Handsets like the Honor 20 Pro have a 48MP main snapper, which is a big step up from 12MP, and even affordable handsets sometimes now come with four lenses (the extra is usually a time-of-flight or macro sensor for close-up shots), so to stay competitive in the smartphone camera game Samsung needs to up its game with the Galaxy S11.
The Honor 20 Pro's four cameras. Image credit: TechRadar
If you're scratching your head thinking "the Samsung Galaxy S10 does have a 3.5mm headphone jack", then you're right – but it may be the last of its kind.
Newer Galaxy smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy Note 10 and Galaxy A80 have ditched the headphone jack, so it seems Samsung is following suit behind many other smartphone companies in getting rid of the physical headphone port.
But since many, many people still use non-Bluetooth earphones, it's a feature that we'd love to see return in future Samsung smartphones, especially given it's one of the only high-end smartphone manufacturers to still be using them.
3. Different front-facing camera arrangement
The Galaxy S10 was one of the first phones to have a 'punch-hole' front-facing camera, which means the front snapper was in a cut-out section inside the screen, in the corner.
The Galaxy S10 Plus' punch-hole camera. Image credit: TechRadar
In theory this is a useful feature that replaces the top notch, so you get more screen real estate – but in practice the punch-hole takes just as much space, as there's a sliver of screen between the camera and the edge that just isn't used.
The Galaxy S10 had a 3,400mAh battery – that's fine, but you've got no hope of that lasting more than a second day of use, especially if you use your phone a lot.
We'd hope the Samsung Galaxy S11 battery life would surpass that – it will definitely have to have a bigger capacity to cater for all the new tech the phone uses, but we'd like to see a serious improvement on the capacity, perhaps 4,000mAh or above.
5. More launch colors
The Galaxy S10 comes in a few colors, most commonly prism white and black – but we always love a vibrant design in a phone, and so far Samsung handsets have often seemed a little dull.
The vibrant Samsung Galaxy S10e. Image credit: TechRadar
We're not asking for the crazy back patterns of a Huawei or Honor phone, but it would be nice for the Samsung Galaxy S11 to launch in a few different colors.
The Galaxy S10 has a few colors that are only available in certain regions, like yellow, green or red, but if Samsung made these designs available from the get-go in all regions, we'd appreciate the design a lot more.
6. Affordable 5G
We're expecting there to be a Samsung Galaxy S11 5G – there was a Samsung Galaxy S10 5G, after all, and by the time the S11 launches 5G will be available in many countries.
However, the Galaxy S10 5G is even bigger than the Galaxy S10 Plus, and so is massive and expensive. Currently there are no affordable 5G smartphones on the horizon, but Samsung could really get ahead of the curve if the Galaxy S11, or Galaxy S11e, had a low price and ran on 5G networks.
Google is building a new ad-blocker for Chrome that will specifically target ads that use too many system resources.
Chrome is notoriously RAM-hungry, which can result in sluggish performance, but the blame doesn't lie entirely with the browser – sometimes ads can be responsible for sites slowing to a crawl.
As 9to5Google explains, Chrome's developers are working on a tool that will address this problem by not loading 'heavy ads' that put excessive demands on the user's device.
According to the guide, ads will be blocked if they use the main processor thread for more than 60 seconds in total, use the main thread for more than 15 seconds in any 30-second window, or use more than 4MB network bandwidth to load resources. Any ad that's blocked will be replaced with an error message explaining why Chrome has removed it.
Techdows has also noticed two new flags in Chrome Canary relating to the 'heavy ad' blocker, which you can enable to try the feature now. However, it's worth bearing in mind that the blocker is still at an experimental stage, and isn't likely to appear in the release version of Chrome for several months – it might not work perfectly yet, and Google might choose to adjust its definition of a 'heavy ad' before then.
You vs the advertisers
Google faces a tricky dilemma with advertising – it makes up the bulk of the company's income, but it can spoil the browsing experience for Chrome users, particularly when it compromises their privacy or affects browsing speeds.
Google has suggested a way to serve targeted ads to users without monitoring their online activity using tracking cookies (a method it calls a 'privacy sandbox'), but moving to such a model would require an overhaul of the whole online advertising industry. If any company has the power to bring that about, it's Google, but such a huge change isn't likely to happen any time soon.
For now, Google appears to have resigned itself to tackling the most obtrusive ads. It seems to be experimenting with a tool that will let users block third-party cookies (an option that's already enabled by default in rival browsers such as Firefox).
Hopefully this, combined with the 'heavy ad' blocker, will let Google strike a reasonable compromise, improving the experience for its users without putting too large a dent in its ad business.
You may as well call off the fibre internet search...Vodafone has you sorted, with a free upgrade and the best broadband deal on the market when it comes to mega fast fibre - as long as you order by this Thursday.
This is the cheapest mega fast fibre package around this week, so if you live in a busy home or you simply want to browse, game or stream seamlessly then this is the deal for you.
It costs £23 a month to most people or a pretty incredible £21 a month if you also have your phone contract with Vodafone. Of course, when the deal is this good, we'd expect it to only be available for a limited amount of time.
Unsure whether fibre broadband is for you? Or thinking to add a TV package to your internet? Make your broadband search easier and check out our best broadband deals guide.
Although this is the cheapest broadband deal out there for these speeds, we understand that you might just want something cheaper or fibre optic internet might just not be accessible in your area.
Well, if you don't live in a busy house hold or speed isn't your concern, why not try the Post Office unlimited broadband deal. You don't have to pay anything upfront and it's only £15.90 a month! However it is important to note that it offers average speeds of only 11Mb.
For those of you who want a freebie with their broadband why not consider BT? Its Superfast Fibre broadband deal for £28.99 a month guarantees 50Mb fibre speeds and offers a £80 pre-paid Mastercard. That's an ace freebie - who doesn't want £80?
Or if you want the freebie but you want it cheaper why not try Plusnet Unlimited Broadband? Their average speeds of 10Mb may seem slow but this will cost you only £18.99 a month. Plus it's throwing in a free pre-paid £75 credit card.
The library is open and mother has arrived! With more drama, make up and lip-syncing than ever, RuPaul's Drag Race UK is officially underway with more glamour and style than ever. We know you don't want to miss a second of the action so here is how you can watch RuPaul's Drag Race UK online.
Sissy that walk for RuPaul's Drag Race UK hennies. Everyone's ready to see the best woman win and the rest sashay away! A wonderful exploration of drag, art and sexuality, it is safe to say we stan RuPaul's Drag Race UK.
The first UK Snatch Game ever was iconic - with the Queens bringing the likes of Margaret Thatcher, Donald Trump and David Attenborough to life. Whilst some of the celebrity impressions dazzled, others were below average.
And of course everyone is more than ready for the next episode and predictions are that the contestants will be split into two groups to watch the Queens for a group girl battle. Everyone's ready to see these cover girls put that bass in their walk!
Don't want to miss a second of this fierce competition? Keep reading to find out here how you can watch RuPaul's Drag Race UK online.
How to watch RuPaul's Drag Race UK online for free in the UK:
For those trying to watch RuPaul's Drag Race UK, BBC Three is the place to be. The show will be put up at 8pm UK time on Thursday nights. BBC Three no longer features on your freeview channels or Sky tuners, so you'll have to go online or login through iPlayer (where they'll stay well after the event) to watch.
Live stream RuPaul's Drag Race UK from outside your country:
As well as the UK above, we'll tell you about your viewing options in the US, Canada and Australia further down this page.
Planned a holiday at the wrong time? Had to go on a business trip? Don't panic, you can still watch RuPaul's Drag Race UK online. This is by using a VPN to bypass the whole geo-location situation.
Which VPN is the ideal one for you? Our top pick is ExpressVPN. And how do you use that to watch RuPaul's Drag Race UK? We're glad you asked...
How to watch RuPaul's Drag Race UK online in the US:
RuPaul's Drag Race UK is available in the US on Logo and WOW Presents Plus. You can get fairly cheap subscription to WOW Presents Plus, with subscriptions starting at $3.99 a month with a 30-day FREE trial.
To watch it on Logo you simply need a TV subscription that includes the channel, plus luckily for you logo has an app so you can download it to watch on your tablet or smartphone. RuPaul's Drag Race UK will air in the US on Friday, 11 Oct at 8pm PT - new episodes then air every Friday at 8pm PT.
Where to watch RuPaul's Drag Race UK from anywhere else
Neither in the UK nor the US? Don't worry hennies we have tracked down other countries where you'll be able to watch RuPaul's Drag Race UK online.
In Canada, subscription services Crave and OUTtv have picked up the rights. While it's WOW Presents Plus and Stan in Australia.
Crave and OUTtv will air the episodes the same day as they air in the UK- which means the premiere of this fabulous series is already available and waiting for you to watch it. The same goes for Stan and WOW Presents Plus - they have already added the premiere of RuPaul's Drag Race UK. You will need a subscription to the service that you wish to watch it on (Crave, OUTtv, WOW Presents Plus or Stan).
If you're elsewhere, maybe holidaying abroad or living in a country not on this list? Don't worry, you can always get a VPN and stream the show from one of the countries above.
Who are the RuPaul's Drag Race UK Contestants?
Without further ado we introduce to you the Queens:
Divina De Campo, 35 from West Yorkshire
Cheryl Hole, 25 from Essex
Blu Hydrangea, 23 from Belfast
Baga Chipz, 29 from London
Crystal, 34 from London (originally from Canada)
The Vivienne, 27 from Liverpool
Who has been eliminated?
Gothy Kendoll, 21 from Leicester
Scaredy Kat, 19 from Wiltshire
Vinegar Strokes, 35 from London
Sum Ting Wong, 30 from Reading
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Apex Legends is finally getting a Duos mode – but for a limited time only. Developer Respawn Entertainment announced on Twitter that the new Duos mode will launch next week, on November 5, for all platforms.
Duos mode will allow players to team up with one other player to take on other pairs, much like squads but with less people. Check out Respawn Entertainment's Twitter announcement below:
Highly requested
Players have been requesting a Duos mode in Apex Legends since the game's launch earlier this year; however, don't hold your breath waiting for it to make a comeback after the limited-time end.
To date, we haven't seen any of Apex Legends' limited-time modes become permanent features in the game – but that's not to say it could never happen. It's possible that, if the mode is popular enough, it may become an integral feature.
There's no word yet on how long the Duos mode will be available for, but previous limited-time modes in Apex Legends modes have lasted for around three weeks. And don't worry about how to access Duos – you'll get a free update to your game that will allow you to jump straight in when it becomes available.
Several smartphone companies use advanced facial recognition as a way to unlock a smartphone, among them Apple and Google, and it seems Samsung is set to get in on the fun too, as new information about the Samsung Galaxy S11 points to it toting the feature.
That news comes from Max Weinbach (a writer for XDADevelopers), who noticed lines of code in a facial unlocking app, which points to the Samsung Galaxy S11 using the tech as a fundamental part of the device.
Picasso is a code-name for Galaxy S11 – we've heard this from many leaks, and it makes sense given Samsung's tendency to name its devices after painters and artists (da Vinci was the code-name for the Galaxy Note 10). On top of that, the artist Pablo Picasso was particularly known for his portraits, so the use of face unlocking – of positioning your face in front of the camera – is thematically apt.
Previous phones from Apple and Google, like the iPhone 11 and Google Pixel 4, have relied on an advanced face unlock, doing away with the physical or in-screen fingerprint sensors that most other handsets use. But is facial recognition a good way of unlocking your smartphone?
Is face unlocking the new in-screen fingerprint sensor?
It's worth pointing out that most smartphones (including the Galaxy S10) do have basic facial recognition to complement other means of unlocking your phone, but these are 2D picture-based, which is less secure (though quicker) than the more complex systems of Apple and Google.
Weinbach is quick to point out that what he's found doesn't prove that 3D facial recognition is coming to the S11, but with Samsung working on the feature at all it suggests some improvements.
In our testing of the Galaxy S10, we found the face recognition to be rather slow, which is a problem we've had with Apple's products in the past, but at least the latter is more secure.
Even the snappiest face unlocking we've found in a phone is still significantly slower than simply using an in-screen, rear-mounted or side-mounted fingerprint sensor, as those are both quicker to use, and found in locations on the device that make them more natural to use.
Fingerprint scanners are more secure too, as people have found it rather easy to use pictures of people, or sleeping people, to unlock a handset using face recognition.
If the Samsung Galaxy S11 uses facial recognition as a primary way of unlocking your phone, that makes three companies who have embraced the tech, even though there's limited evidence of people actually wanting this.
Now that three of the biggest smartphone makers are using the feature, it could be a sign of the times to come, so in the future smartphones from smaller brands could use the tech too.
